AN: This is a short little chapter but things are about to get interesting!

The next morning, Jack and Crutchie went down to Newsies Square to get their papers as usual, and they were met by the sight of the boys standing around looking at the headline, seeming abnormally quiet and concerned. Jack exchanged a worried look with Crutchie before walking up to Race.

"What's going on?"

The younger boy pointed at the headline, which Jack hadn't even glanced at before. Once he read it, his heart sank.

Pulitzer's Youngest Daughter Missing: Kidnapped and Held For Ransom

It hasn't even occurred to Jack that this would happen, though it did make sense. If people were aware of it, if someone had any information they might be more willing to help. Though he wasn't sure if it was the best idea... whoever this man was, he knew that they were looking for him and Katherine now. Though that might be just what he wanted, who could really tell?

"You okay Jack?" He pulled himself out of his thoughts and noticed that Race was still looking at him, rather concerned.

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine." He turned to the rest of the boys. "What're you all standing around here for, we got papes to sell!" 

"You don't mind us using that headline?" Romeo asked rather timidly, and Jack shook his head, forcing the usual carefree grin onto his face.

"Course I don't mind, it's gonna make for a good selling day, yeah?"

They were all obviously still reluctant, but Jack just kept looking at them until eventually they gave in and got in line for their papers.

oOo

When Jack agreed to help find Katherine, this was not at all what he'd had in mind. After he'd finished selling, he made his way over to The World, where he had been promptly escorted to the police station. Supposedly it was nothing personal, that they just needed to make sure he didn't have any information that was connected to what had happened, but the questions seemed pretty personal.

"Your father was Jack Kelly Sr., is that correct?"

"Yes."

"As far as you know, is there any possibility that he is responsible for this crime?"

"No. He's been in jail for the past ten years... shouldn't you know that?"

"You're not in the position to ask questions here." Jack cringed. This wasn't the first time he'd been in this position, but he'd hoped to never be in this position again. "What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Do you have any connections to this crime, or anyone who could be responsible for this crime?"

That hurt. That hurt Jack more than anything else they'd asked him. The fact that someone would think there was even the slightest possibility that he would do something to harm Katherine.

"Excuse me?"

"It's nothing personal, son, we just need to get all the facts straight." 

"Stop! Stop saying it's not personal, you just asked if I'd kidnapped Katherine."

"Mr. Kelly - "

"No!" Jack stood up, turned, and walked out.

oOo

"I ain't doing it." Jack was back in Pulitzer's office, standing in front of him with a determined expression on his face. "I'm willing to help you, but I ain't doing anything with them."

"Why not?" Pulitzer had a weary look on his face, but Jack didn't care. 

"They don't know nothing! They think I kidnapped her!"

"They do not think that."

"They asked me if I did, I'm pretty sure that means they do."

Pulitzer sighed and stood up. "If you aren't going to cooperate with the police, I can't have you helping me."

"Y'know what? Fine. I'll find them myself." With one final glare, Jack angrily walked out of the office. Pulitzer stared after him. If it was possible, he was starting to think that Jack was more stubborn than his daughter.