Friends and Family Series
Murdoch and Ryan

By: Ron Robbins
(© 2012 by the author)
Editor: Frank Perry

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

Chapter 6  

McDonald Hall

Murdoch and Ian were working in the library when Murdoch's cell phone rang; it was Charles Lattimore. 

"Murdoch, I'm afraid I have some bad news to report," Charles said. "Ryan is missing."

"Oh, Jesus, no!" Murdoch said.

"Our agents followed him to the Country Club around 7PM last night. When he hadn't returned to his car by 9PM, we became concerned. We checked with the Club manager and was told that Ryan was dining in one of the private dinning rooms shortly after seven. They searched the room and the club, but Ryan was gone. Did he say anything to you last night about meeting with his father?"

Murdoch turned white and could hardly answer Charles.

"Murdoch, are you alright?" Ian asked. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"I'll be all right, Ian," Murdoch said. "Charles, they got him. Have you checked with your people at the sanatorium yet?"

"No, I was about to check with them after I talked to you. I'll get back to you as soon as I know anything."

Murdoch put down the phone. There were tears in his eyes.

"Murdoch, was it bad news?"

"My spouse has been kidnapped."

"I'm so sorry, Murdoch. Is there anything we should be doing at this end?"

"Yes, there is; they haven't had time to do any harm to him in this short of a period. Call Atlanta and charter a Jet fly him to Scotland. In the meantime, I need to call Ryan's Law firm in New York."

"Gordon, this is Murdoch McDonald. Ryan instructed me to call you if anything happened to him."

"Tell me what happened, Mr. McDonald."

"Please, call me Murdoch, I've just been informed by Charles Lattimore that Ryan is missing and is presumed to be kidnapped. Charles believes that he was abducted from his father's Club, last night. That is as much as I know right now. I'm calling you from my estate in Scotland. I'm chartering a Jet to fly Ryan from Atlanta to Scotland.  Mr. Lattimore's men will find Ryan. We think they have taken him Sunnyvale Sanatorium outside Atlanta."

"Ryan told me to cooperate with you in anyway you requested and I'm at your disposal. I think it's a good idea to get Ryan out of Atlanta until Mr. Lattimore has done his work. If you would, have Mr. Lattimore contact me in case he needs our legal services. I'll also need your contact information in Scotland."       

Murdoch gave Gordon his cell phone and the number to the Manor.  "I'll keep you posted as soon as I hear from Charles," Murdoch said.

Murdoch placed a second call, "Charles," Murdoch said, "you'll need to send one of you men to Ryan's apartment to pick-up his passport and pack some of his clothes. The most important item is his laptop computer.  It could be in his apartment or in his car.  I'm chartering a jet to fly him to Scotland as soon as you've found him. Why don't you have one of you agents along on the plane with him. I'm sure you can hire agents for Scotland.  I think it would be a good idea to have a security team here in Scotland as well. I've just spoken to Gordon Miller and he wants you to call him if you have any problems at all."  Murdoch gave him Gordon's telephone number.

"We're still waiting to hear for our undercover agents at the sanatorium," Charles said. "Sunnyvale is not a small place and it will take time to check out their admission records.  We still want to keep this under wraps.  If Ryan's there we'll get him out.  My agents have already singled out the staff members who will cooperate with us. Got to run. I'll call you as soon as I know anything."

"Thanks, Charles." Murdoch set the cell phone down on the desk.

Ian hung up the house telephone. "Well, we're all set on the charter. I was able to lease a long range Gulfstream-V Executive Jet. They should have no problem flying directly to Scotland. The aircraft will need to land at Edinburgh International Airport to clear customs. From there it's a short flight to the estate.  I know the MP for this district; if you would like, I can have him use his influence to see that Ryan and his party are expedited through customs as soon as they land. I'm sure their papers will be in order."

"Do you think it is wise to have the plane land on the grounds?  I don't want to raise any eyebrows."

"The folks around here are used to aircraft landing on the estate."

"Anything you can do to help would be appreciated, Ian. I thank you for pitching in."

"My pleasure," Ian said.

"I don't think I can concentrate right now, and I'm sure that it will take a while before we hear back from Atlanta. Let's take a break and grab a bite to eat." Murdoch said.

"Sound idea," Ian said.  "Why don't you go on to the dinning room and I'll join you as soon as I make my call to the Minister."

*          *          *

"Gosh, I didn't' realize how hungry I was," Murdoch said. "Did you have enough to eat?"

"That hit the spot," Ian said. "Pardon me for asking, but, I couldn't help overhearing your remark about Ryan being your spouse."

"You heard correctly," Murdoch said.  "I would appreciate it if you would keep this between us."

"Absolutely; it will go no further. As a matter of fact, I am of the same the same persuasion. Chris Johnson is my significant other. We have been together for five years now. He is really a super person; perhaps we can get together for dinner one night?"

"I'd like that.  Since, you'll be staying here for at least a month, why don't you ask Chris to join us for the weekend, if he's free. I'm sure Ryan would enjoy some company by then."

"I think Chris would like that, I've told him about you and McDonald Hall, I know he would enjoy spending the weekend in this beautiful manor. He is big into antiques and I know he would go wild once exposed to the priceless collection in this house."

Murdoch smiled, "Well then, that's settled. What does Chris do for a living?"

"He is an American lawyer heading up the overseas division of an investment banking firm. His specialty is international mergers and acquisitions."

"Ryan and I would both like to talk with Chris in that case."

"Do they know who kidnapped Ryan?"

"We have a pretty good idea, but we won't know for sure until he is in our hands. Ryan, my other half, is Ryan Templeton Spenser. His father is the President of Spenser Industries. His mother was a Templeton. She left a rather large inheritance to Ryan when she died. Next month, on his twenty-fifth birthday, he will have control of all the Templeton holdings.  Ryan's father refuses to accept the fact that he is gay. He is from the old school and is convinced that he can be cured with the proper therapy. He will do anything he can to prevent that information from becoming public knowledge.  He warned Ryan that if he had not announced his engagement by his twenty-fifth birthday, he was going to have him committed to a mental institution and declared mentally incompetent and unfit to inherit his mother's estate."

"My God, what kind of a father is that?" Ian asked. "Is he after his son's inheritance?"

"His father is unaware of the extent of the Templeton Empire, and of how much his son is worth.  All he cares about is his family name and reputation. Spencer Industries is worth about twenty billion. Ryan personally is worth over eight-billion. I'm a poor relation by comparison."

Ian chuckled, "I must say you married well, it certainly must be comforting to know that you don't have to worry about keeping the roof over you head. I've never met a multi-billionaire before, it's mind-boggling when you think about it; imagine … a billionaire at twenty-five!

"I suppose you're right, but he had to pay a price, and still will be before this is over with."  Murdoch's cell phone rang. He grabbed it off the table and answered it. "Yes, Charles; thank God: keep me posted on the arrangements.  You've done a great job."

*          *          *

Murdoch heard the Jet circle the manor house alerting him of Ryan's arrival. Ten minutes later the limousine pulled up to the front entrance. Three men escorted a tired and exhausted Ryan into the foyer.

"Mr. McDonald, my name is Mike McCormack and I'm Mr. Spenser's bodyguard. My partners — John Kemp, and Sean Atkins from Scotland are now part of the team." 

Murdoch shook their hands then walked over to Ryan and hugged him, he whispered in his ear, AGod, it's wonderful to have you here, babe."

Ryan smiled, AI'm safe now."

"Welcome to McDonald Hall gentlemen," Murdoch said. "Raymond will show you to your rooms and then will see that the bags are put in your rooms.  Mike, I know you and your team want to have a look around.  I'm taking Ryan up to our suite; call me if you have run into a problem."

"Yes, sir," Mike said.

Murdoch and Ryan took the elevator to the second floor to the master suite. He closed the door behind them and took Ryan into his arms and kissed him. "I've missed you so much my love. I almost lost it when Charles called and told me you were missing, my poor babe.  You look exhausted."

"I love you Murdoch," Ryan said.  "This living apart is going to stop as of today. That sanatorium doctor loaded me up with drugs.  The doctor that Charles brought in to examine me said it would okay as soon as the drugs are out of my system. Babe, you're right, I'm completely exhausted; would you mind helping into bed?"

Murdoch undressed Ryan and helped him into bed.  "I'll be back after I finish up with Mike and his team."  He kissed him on cheek and turned off the bed-side lamps.

Murdoch returned to the library, where Ian was still at work on the computer. "How is he?" Ian asked.

"He's sleeping now; he was out as soon as his head hit the pillow.  After I check with Mike, I plan to hit the sack myself.  This has been one nerve-racking day.  I feel completely drained."

"I agree; I'm planning to call it a day, myself."

Mike entered the library with his two colleagues.  "Mr. McDonald, we've finished checking out the manor. The present security system needs updating, to bring the system up to par.  I'll make a list of what needs to be done and have it ready for you in the morning."

"That will be fine.  I would like you to meet Ian Taylor-Jones, my executive assistant." All three nodded.  

"I expect you'll want to do a thorough inspection of the grounds and the cars tomorrow," Murdoch said.  

"Yes, sir."

"Well, gentlemen, please make yourselves at home; if you need anything, Raymond will be happy to take care of your needs. I expect you're hungry about now; why don't you dial the cook, I'm sure he'll take care of you. Good night, Ian; I'll see you at breakfast."

"Good night, Murdoch."

Murdoch returned to his bedroom suite and showered and brushed his teeth. He slipped in bed behind Ryan and pulled him close to his naked body. He heard Ryan sigh in his sleep. He kissed him on the cheek.  "Good night my beautiful lover."

Ryan woke up slowly the next morning, alone. He still felt groggy from the effects of the drugs and the change in time zones. He smelt Murdoch's scent on the pillows. He turned on the bedside lamp. The bedside clock read 9AM. He got out of bed and headed for the bathroom to empty his bladder. He showered and shaved, and walked into the dressing room where his clothes were laid out. He walked out of the suite and took the main staircase to the first floor.

He saw the butler walking down the long hall towards him.

"Good morning, sir.  I'm Raymond,  the butler."

"Good morning, Raymond. Do you know where I can find Murdoch?"

"Yes, sir; he's in the library with Mr. Taylor-Jones, sir, It's the second door on your right. Would you like me to have cook prepare your breakfast, sir?"

"That would be fine, Raymond.  I'm famished."

"Thank you, sir, I'll come and get you in the library when it's ready."

Ryan walked into the library.  Both, Murdoch and Ian were busily typing away on their computers. "Good morning," Ryan said.

Murdoch smiled.  "Good morning to you.  How are you feeling this morning?"

Ryan smiled, "I'll feel a lot better after I've eaten," Ryan said.  "Thanks for letting me sleep in."

Murdoch walked over to Ryan and put his arm around his waste.  "Ian, I'd like to meet my other half, Ryan Spenser."

Ian walked over and shook hands with Ryan, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ryan. I'm delighted that you made it over to us in one piece."

"I am, too," Ryan said.

Murdoch smiled at Ryan. "Don't worry, sweetheart; Ian is also gay."

"My God, you two make a handsome couple," Ian said.

Ryan chuckled. "We think we do; it's nice of you to have noticed.  Have you already eaten, Murdoch?"

"No, I waited for you, sweetheart.  I wanted to share our first meal together in our new home."

Ryan smiled.  "That was very thoughtful of you, babe.  Well, let's find the dinning room before I pass out from lack of nourishment.  We'll catch you later, Ian," Ryan said.

Murdoch wrapped his arm around Ryan's waste and guided him out of the library.

After breakfast Murdoch said, "I'd like to show you around the estate, if you feel up to it." Murdoch said.

"Great.  I could use the fresh air and exercise. They walked down the garden path and towards the fields. 

"I'm having the security company install the latest security system, both for the manor house and the grounds. You will be perfectly safe here, my love," Murdoch said. Mike is also adding several more security men to the team as well.  I had a long chat with Charles this morning, and he agrees that you should stay put here until you've had a chance to talk with your lawyers and advisors.  He has also beefed up the security at the plantation. Look, baby;  your family has no clue where you are, and we're going to keep them in the dark. Let's take a holiday and make the most of this time together. We really have not had a decent honeymoon and I want to spend some quality time alone with you before the shit hits the fan, which I'm sure will happen soon enough."

Ryan moved closer to Murdoch, "One thing I'll be eternally grateful for is for finding you.  I'd really be hurting now if you weren't around. I can't tell you often enough just how much I love you. I don't want anything to spoil what we have together."  Murdoch pulled Ryan into his arms and held him close  They stayed like that for several minutes.

Murdoch put his hand under Ryan's chin and kissed him on the forehead and his lips. They broke the embrace and continued through the wooded area.  Murdoch wrapped his arm around Ryan's waist and continued their walk.

"Nothing is going to separate us again, Murdoch, life to too short. No more hiding under a rock.  I'm proud of who we are, and I'm not ashamed of you, or our life style. I need to speak to my attorneys, and Charles Lattimore in New York.  My father and his wife's family are going to pay for their wickedness.  I'll destroy them all.  Do you realize what could have happened to me if we weren't prepared for this kidnapping?"

"They would have brainwashed you," Murdoch said.  "You could have been confined in that Sanatorium for the rest of your life, while your in-laws blackmailed your father until they controlled his business."

"I've never even thought of that," Ryan said.

"Are you sure you want to do this to your father? You're angry now; maybe you should give this some more thought before you set the wheels in motion to destroy him and his family? Have you thought of the consequences?"

"I feel my father should be responsible for his actions.  Have you ever heard of … 'Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall'?  He was willing to commit me into the hands of some quack that would have destroyed my mind, rather than let his friends and associates know I was a homosexual.  Any love or respect I had for him is gone.  It doesn't matter if my father gave the order to have me committed; he was aware of what Vera and her family planned for me. I plan to bring the Federal authorities in and let them handle my kidnapping case. This whole business is unpleasant, but, I thank God for my mother's intuition and for anticipating my father's weakness.  What would you do in my case Murdoch?"

"I would be doing exactly as you're doing … and the sooner, the better."

Ryan smiled; "Great minds think alike; thanks for your vote of confidence, lover."

"I've invited Ian and his other half to spend the weekend with us. I think it would be interesting to spend some time with them.  Ian is the openly gay, and so is his spouse.  I think it would be nice to have some people around we can socialize with."

"Have you met Ian's other half?"

"No, I haven't; his name is Chris Johnson, and he is an American. Ian tells me he is a financial consultant for some large US Consulting company. Maybe we may have some use for his expertise in the future."

Ryan chuckled. "That's my baby, always thinking."

"You got that right; after all, we each have a business to run."

"How well I know. This is going to have to be a work and play honeymoon for us, Tiger; we both need to spend time learning about our respective companies. It has taken all this time to finally identify all the holdings in the Templeton files.  The holdings are vast and encompass several major industries.  True, their early investments were in Agriculture and Timberlands. Yet, they diversified and plowed their profits into other industries. They moved from farming into the food and chemicals.  They raised the crops that fed the animals they raised. Then, they purchased food processing and the packaging plants to distribute their consumer products. After that, they invested into their own chain of super markets and restaurant chains.  They were very creative. They even purchased software companies to develop and design the programs for all their whole operation.

"It's mind-boggling, Murdoch.  I've become addicted to studying Templeton Empire. I've spent hours in front of my computer screen.  It is so fascinating to follow the flow to see where it will lead to next.  They developed some outstanding checks and balances on their accounting procedures, mainly because of the gigantic scale of the operation.  It's easy to see how a smart person like Nat Rollins could find a weakness somewhere in the system. He used a third tier vendor to steal money from the company. He was clever to do it in small amounts in the beginning, than gradually increase the amount so that the computer would not kick it out."

"I think we both have our work cut out for us," Murdoch said. "I'm studying the McDonald Corporation and have learned as much as I can about their operations. Ian has been a great help.  He's a talented administrator, with a quick mind. In the short time I've been working with him I found him to be loyal to me and the company. I'm asking him to become my executive assistant and will promote him to VP. He knows what's going in every division and knows the managers heading up each division.  As soon as I have sorted everything out, I plan to visit every site to evaluate the operation first hand. After that, I'll have a good idea of the changes I want to make. I've scheduled a board meeting for this Thursday. I'd really like to hold it next month, but I can't allow the speculation, and rumors to persist any longer. No one knows who I am; all they know is that the new owner is from the States."

"We can still break away for a vacation next week," Murdoch said. "I know your dad has a lot of friends on the continent, but I'm sure Mike can suggest some out-of-the-way villas where we can have our privacy and relax. What do you say, lover?"

"Sounds like a plan," Ryan said. "Let's do it."

"Good; let's head back to the house and get this show on the road," Murdoch said.

"Good while you're working that out with Ian, I'll take my lap top up to our suite and make a few calls."

Ryan was still on the telephone when Murdoch walked into their suite. He walked over to the sofa and sat next to Ryan and put his arm around him and waited for him to finish his call.

Ryan switched off the cell phone and set it down on the table. "Well, Murdoch, the wheels are in motion. We are attacking this case on several levels. I've hired one of the top criminal law firms in Washington. They feel confident, after talking to our corporate attorneys and with Charles, that we have a strong case against my father. They are going to bring the Federal Attorneys in on the kidnapping case against Nat, Vera, the good Doctor, and the detective agency. Templeton Industries will be bringing a suit against Spencer Industries, and my father, for swindling us out of millions over an eleven year period. As I told you, I've been buying shares of Spencer for months now. The plan is that once the media gets a hold of this story, the Spencer stock will start to fall. Just before that happens, I plan to unload my stock. My brokers will start buying it again when its bottoms out. We plan to keep this story alive. I plan to step in and demand my father resign from the board and as CEO of Spencer.  I already own 25% of the stock already.  The company assets are solid enough so the stock will not stay low for too long.  The Federal Prosecutor is going to take the case to the Grand Jury in two weeks. I'm going to have to fly back to Atlanta to appear as a witness."

"This is great news, Ryan. I hope they can guarantee your safety."

"Don't worry about that. Charles told me that I would be under Federal protection."  

*          *          *

To be continued...

Posted: 04/20/12