GB: Taken

Ch 5: The Search Begins

The next morning, Peck and Hardemyer were sitting in a diner just outside of NYC eating breakfast. They had to come back to the city to assist with something at the office building they worked at and had to stay overnight. The diner was bustling with activity but no one paid attention to the evil cohorts one bit.

"Been about 20 hours since 'they' disappeared." Walter said in a low voice, "Think anyone's noticed?"

"Doubt it." Jack replied as he sipped his coffee, "I mean a giant rat-human hybrid could waltz in here and no one could give a damn."

"Well, it's part rat so someone would probably shoot it." Walter said.

"Good point."

Just then, an alert from the morning news sounded from the television.

"...We now go live to City Hall where Mayor Lenny Hamilton is about to give a statement." the news anchor said.

Most of the patrons turned their attention to the TV as one of the waitresses turned up the volume. The camera flipped to outside of City Hall as the mayor, police chief, and several other officers made their way to the podium set up. The mayor adjusted his microphone for a second before speaking.

"Ladies and gentlemen, members of the press, citizens of New York, good morning..." the mayor said, "...I have an unfortunate announcement to make."

"What, you got your head stuck up your ass again?" Jack muttered.

"Or did you forget where you put the keys to City Hall?" Walter added as he tried to stifle a laugh at Jack's remark.

"It is my regret to inform that the Ghostbusters are missing." the mayor stated.

Most of the patrons at the diner went into shock and some began whispering to each other. Peck and Hardemyer had to suppress the smiles tugging on their faces. The mayor continued.

"The team was last seen yesterday around 1:00 in the afternoon leaving for a job just outside of Ossining, New York." The mayor stated as a small photo of the four appeared onto the screen, "I was contacted by their receptionist Janine Melnitz yesterday evening after the team had failed to return or answer the phone. It is with a great deal of gravitas that we believe that the Ghostbusters are in trouble."

"Very..." Walter whispered with some glee.

"Now, I will turn it over to New York Police Chief Adams." The mayor said as he gestured the man to his left. He stepped back to allow the chief to speak.

"Thank you Mr. Mayor." Chief Adams said as he stepped up to the podium, "Yesterday, we sent several of our detectives to the location where the Ghostbusters had been called to to gather any evidence. We have also begun to organize search efforts to cover more ground..."

"Good luck with that..." Jack whispered equally as gleeful as Walter.

"...However, we also must ask you, the citizens of this great city and state, for your help." Chief Adams continued, "If anyone knows the location of Peter Andrew Venkman, Raymond Alexander Stantz, Egon Elijah Spengler, and Winston Ramsey Zeddemore, please contact your local police station right away."

"We will be setting up tip lines you can call and small cash rewards will be offered." the mayor said as he stepped back up to the podium, "And once again, if you know anything about the location of the Ghostbusters, please do not hesitate to call. Thank you."

The camera panned back to the news anchor in the studio and a phone number appeared on the bottom of the screen. Many of the diner patrons resumed their chatter, now mostly about the missing paranormal removal team. Walter and Jack looked at each other.