The Kidnapping

by Aiden Vaughan

  An important member of our organization has intervened on your behalf in this matter. He wants you to know that there is no personal grudge against your family. He is sorry for the anguish caused to your family this week. To make up for it, he has insisted that the ransom be kept very low and told us to finish our business and get away as soon as possible. Do not ruin this golden opportunity to make your family whole again by trying to involve the authorities or pursuing us. As soon as you read this, get going on your part of the transaction.

  A huge wave of relief flooded over Bill. At last there was word on Jason. Not only was he alive, but his kidnappers wanted to return him. He was hopeful that things would work out okay in the best way possible.

  Immediately Bill began to act. First, he went over to his all-in-one FAX/printer and copied the note and picture. Then he opened a locked, fireproof, hidden compartment in the floor where an electronic key was kept that was needed to open the special safe. He put the copies of everything in an envelope and took the key. Once he inserted the key in the side of his special safe, it opened. From inside, he carefully took out the Albioni necklace. Then he placed the envelope, with the copied note and picture, inside the safe. After that he took out a second key, which opened his safe-deposit box at the bank. Once the safe was closed, he replaced the electronic key in its hidden compartment. In the bottom drawer of his desk was a small carrying case, in which he sometimes carried his laptop computer. In it he put small bills of sale and other office papers from his desk. The original letter, manila envelope and photo that the kidnappers had enclosed in the package were also put in the carrying case. As for the baseball mitt, he decided to leave it in his desk drawer for now.

  Bill exited his office holding the case with the Albioni necklace and went over to Ellie. “Here is the necklace. I really must leave now and get back home. I want you to handle the sale to Ricardo. I will split the commission with you. If for some reason he backs out again, just put the necklace in the office safe for now.”

  “Okay, Bill, I will take care of things here. I really appreciate your coming in today. God speed to both you and Edith.”

  Quickly Bill left the sales room, went back to his office and grabbed the small briefcase. He left through the back, the same way he had earlier entered.

  In his business dealings, Bill often had to pay out large amounts of cash on behalf of his clients in a very discreet and rapid manner. As a result, he usually kept between $50,000 to $75,000 in his safe deposit box at the bank.

  Leaving, he got in his car to drive to his bank. Because he had parked behind his store location, he was able to see if anyone was around. He could see no one when he started the car and drove away.

  The bank had two areas where you could park. Bill drove to the second area, which was mostly hidden from the street and parked the car. Entering the bank, carrying case in hand, he avoided the main teller area and went directly to the safe-deposit box window.

  After filling out the request form, Bill was led into the vault area. He noticed, in passing, only one other customer in there. The bank employee, Adrian Evans, led Bill to the location of his box. They then turned the two keys together and the small door opened. Adrian then pulled out the oblong box for Bill and took it to one of the viewing rooms. “Let me know when you are ready and I will help you replace it.” He then left Bill alone and closed the door.

  It didn’t take Bill very long to get the money sorted out and packed in the manila envelope. About five minutes later he rang for assistance. Shortly, Adrian Evans came back again and took the box. As they rounded the corner of the safe-deposit box storage area, Bill nearly ran into the other customer, who was also ready to leave. “I’m so sorry,” the man said, “I didn’t mean to startle you!”

  “No problem,” replied Bill, “I wasn’t paying attention, either.”

  After the man left, Bill and Adrian lifted his box into its opening, then closed and locked the doors with their two keys.

  After signing out, Bill surveyed the bank floor. So far so good, he thought. He hadn’t seen anyone he knew, the bank didn’t have a lot of customers inside, and nobody seemed to notice him. Briefcase in hand, he quickly headed for the exit, left the bank and got into his car.

  “Next stop the public library,” he said under his breath.

  The library had a parking garage right next to it, but Bill didn’t want to appear on any surveillance tape, so he decided to park on the street. He cruised around the block and was lucky to find a parking place about three quarters of a block away. Bill walked to the main entrance of the library and entered. There was a security guard who asked to see inside his briefcase. Bill opened it and when the guard saw that there were just papers and an envelope inside, he quickly waved Bill on through. Inside the main lobby, Bill located the stairway to the oversized bookroom in the basement floor. Again he used the stairs to avoid being in the elevator with anyone.

  It didn’t take him long to locate the book. He had memorized the Library of Congress number M1503.V484, and once he found the “M” section and rows, it only took a couple of minutes to get there. The book was cloth-bound, about twenty inches tall, two inches thick, and over a foot wide. Looking around the room, he saw absolutely no one and hadn’t noticed anyone near when he had come down the stairs. At the end of the row was a study table on which he decided to make the transfer. As stated in the note, the cutout area began about midway through Act I of the opera. There was plenty of room for the envelope.

  Probably the kidnappers were envisioning a lot more money when they had plotted out their nefarious business, he thought as he closed the book. Again Bill looked around to see if anyone was noticing him nearby or even in the general area. Seeing no one, he stood up, took the book and placed it back on the shelf where he had found it. La forza del destino (The Force of Destiny) it read in large bold letters in Italian and English. He hoped that it was a good omen for the return of Jason.

  Quickly, Bill left the area, exited the library, again with a very brief glance at his briefcase by security, and got into his car. He headed home to Edith. It was 11:30 a.m. and he had done his part to perfection. Still, all he could do now was to wait for the kidnappers to release Jason.

  CHAPTER 14

  THE FORCE OF DESTINY, PART 2

  (Friday)

  Jason was getting used to his early morning routine of exercises followed by walking around the room. It was the only activity over which he had any control; it really helped pass the time besides easing his fear and frustrations. After what he figured was about two hours, he heard the door open slightly and once again the man’s voice telling him to put on his blindfold. Complying, he waited. He heard the man bring in his breakfast tray and then leave. Lifting his blindfold, he found it was the usual: cereal and milk with a small juice drink. About twenty minutes later, the man returned. This time he didn’t call out as he wore the ski mask.

  “Come with me kid. You are going to take a shower. Put the blindfold on.”

  I can’t believe what I’m hearing. This sounds promising, Jason thought to himself.

  With the blindfold over his eyes, he heard and felt the man unlock the cuff on his leg. It really felt good to have it removed. The man then led Jason out of the room where he had been confined since the kidnapping, whenever that was. They continued walking in a straight line for about thirty steps when the man ordered, “Stop! Now turn to your left. We will be going up some stairs. Now put one foot up and forward onto the step.”

  Carefully feeling with his right foot, Jason inched forward and started the climbing process. The steps were steep and narrow and sometimes he tripped or stumbled slightly. He was glad he had his chucks on to prevent him from stubbing his toes. To Jason it seemed the stairs veered to the right and then back up in a reverse angle. After they reached the top, the man guided him down another hallway and through a door.

  The masked man told him. “All right, kid, we are now in a bathroom. I want you to clean up and take a shower
. Don’t take too long and let me know when you are finished by knocking on the door.”

  When he heard the door shut, Jason ripped off his blindfold. He couldn’t believe it. He was in a normal, full-sized bathroom, with a stand-up shower and glass door. There were towels on the sink plus a wash cloth and bar of soap. In the shower he found shampoo. Jason turned on the shower and quickly took off his shorts and shoes. When the water had heated up, he adjusted the temperature, got in the shower and let the water roll over him. This is heaven! he thought as he savored this luxury after days of just sponge baths.

  He took his time showering and scrubbing his scalp and hair with the good smelling shampoo. His hair had become matted and greasy due to no care all week, plus having to wear the bandana a lot while he was awake. Reluctantly, he got out of the shower and dried his body and hair with the towels.

  After making full use of the facilities, Jason knocked on the door. To his surprise, the man immediately opened the door and a pile of clothing—his original clothing, now all cleaned—was thrust into his hands.

  “Kid, get dressed and then come out here when you are done.”

  Once more Jason couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Maybe this hellish existence is finally coming to an end, he wondered to himself. As he put on his underwear, shorts and tee shirt, he realized how important simple things, like wearing clean clothes, were to his dignity and happiness. Putting on his socks, lacing up his chucks and then putting on his cap, Jason stretched a little and walked around. It felt great to be wearing his regular clothes again.

  He must have been enjoying his elation a little too long as the masked man barged in and said, “Hey, kid, we have to get going. It looks like your ransom is going to be paid and we have a long way to travel. We need to know something about your friends. Who on your cell phone is your most trusted friend? It needs to be someone who is not living at your house and who can get around town on a bike or drive a car. Your life may depend on it!”

  “Call my friend Daniel Holmes first. He’s my best friend and very reliable.”

  “Okay, Daniel it is.” Then the downside hit again. “Kid, did you use the toilet while in the bathroom?”

  Jason nodded his head up and down.

  The man said, “That’s good because we are going to have to tie you up again.”

  Jason’s first instinct was to resist, but the man grabbed him and held his arms next to his body. It was then that Jason heard another person come into the room behind him and a blindfold was quickly tied over his eyes. As on the first day, he was gagged with bandanas and his arms were bound behind his back with ropes. He was led from the room and down a corridor. Next, a wood door opened and then a vehicle door. The two men lifted Jason and then literally dumped him on the floor of the vehicle. They then tied his feet with more rope and covered him with a canvas tarp. Soon the engine started and they were off.

  CHAPTER 15

  THE RESCUE

  (Friday Noon)

  Daniel had gotten through his morning a little better on Friday. Even though the empty ache of worry about his friend was there, he was able to put it into the back of his mind while he swam some laps, followed by his conditioning exercises at the YMCA.

  Guitar class, which followed, was even better. His instructor decided to have a mini, in-class concert and they played through all the music he had learned since the class had begun. Even the new song he had started learning on Monday, which had some difficult chord progressions, just clicked into place. Playing those songs was soothing to Daniel’s mind, and he realized there was a real therapeutic value to music. What he had learned from his dad, the day before, about not bottling his feelings internally, had helped relieve some of the stress and tension. Playing music was now another way to relax. Though the past week had been full of emotional turmoil, Daniel had learned some important ways to deal with adversity.

  When he arrived home, his mom had lunch waiting for him. While eating with her, he shared about what he had done in his morning classes. Finished eating, he went to his room in order to go on his computer and rest a little. While he was looking through his emails, he heard his cell phone ring. Picking up the phone, he automatically looked at the caller ID number. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. It was Jason’s number! Eagerly he said, “Jason, is it really you?”

  “Is this Daniel Holmes?” a strange voice asked.

  Hesitant at hearing the unknown voice he replied, “Yes...who are you?”

  “Listen carefully and listen well. You have only one chance to get your friend Jason back. Are you by yourself where no one else can listen or hear what you are saying? Are you at your home? Do you have a bicycle?”

  “Yes, to all three questions.”

  “You are to leave immediately after this call finishes. Do not tell your parents or anyone else where you are going. You are to sneak out of your house, take your bicycle and ride quickly to City Park. When you get there, go around to the northeastern side of the park. There is a maintenance building for the gardens about 200 yards from the access road. Go inside that building and you will find your friend. Be warned and careful. If anyone is seen following you, or if we see any police or other authorities, Jason will be killed. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, I do. Is Jason okay?”

  “He is for the moment. Don’t mess this up! Go now!”

  At first Daniel was shaken by what he had just heard on his cell phone and just sat there for a few moments. Then he determined to act on this call because all week he had been helpless to assist his friend. However, as much as he wanted to help Jason, he realized, also, that he was at the mercy of unknown criminals who might be lying to him or even trying to lure him into a trap. So he decided to leave a note in his room for his parents, just in case something went very wrong.

  He folded the note in half and left it on his desk.

  His bicycle was still in the front of his house where he had left it after returning home from his guitar lesson. He saw that his mom was working in the home office, which also faced the street. She seemed involved in her work, so Daniel was able to sneak up to his bicycle and quietly walk it away. Rather than be seen on his bicycle in his own neighborhood, he walked it down the block to the corner before he hopped on it and sped away. Once astride, Daniel rode as fast as he could to the park, only stopping for ongoing traffic and traffic lights, being careful not to do anything a policeman might question.

  About fifteen minutes later, Daniel arrived at the park, going around to the northeast side of the park. He wasn’t exactly sure where he was supposed to go, but when he got closer to the edge of the park and the end of the garden area, the maintenance building was pretty obvious.

  Arriving at the building, Daniel braked to a halt, jumped off his bike, and went to the entrance. The door was slightly ajar and not locked. He decided to take his bike inside with him as a precaution against being observed by someone else, and to be able to get away fast if there was any danger.

  “Jason!” Daniel called out. “Are you in here?” The building had a long hallway with a lot of side rooms. He continued to walk his bike down the hall and call for Jason. About half way down he heard a response—a muffled sounding cry—a lead to pursue. The sound led him to a back room where again the door was slightly open. Looking inside, he saw what appeared to be a restrained human figure. “Jason,” he tentatively called out again, “is that you?”

  Letting go of his bike and not waiting for a reply, Daniel burst into the room. In the dim light he saw that it was indeed Jason. “Jason, it’s me, Daniel!” he shouted. Taking a closer look, he exclaimed, “God, what did those bastards do to you?”

  Quickly Daniel pulled off Jason’s blindfold and then worked at untying his gag. “I wasn’t sure that I would ever see you again. Are you okay?”

  Jason tried to reply after Daniel finished untying the knots in the bandanas around his head and the rag was pulled out of his mouth, but the words were difficult for him to form at first. “Dan
iel,” he said, hoarsely, but it came out more like “Han-nel”

  “Don’t try to speak just yet, Jason. I’ll get you some water and then work on these ropes.”

  Luckily, Daniel had a water bottle attachment to his bike frame and it was half full. He went back into the hallway, unhooked it from his bike and brought it back to where Jason was lying on the floor. After pulling Jason up into a sitting position, Daniel held it up to his mouth in order for his friend to drink some of the water.

  Next, he took out his pocketknife and began cutting at the ropes binding Jason’s hands and elbows. “You must be sore from being tied up this way. Let’s get you up and out of here as quickly as possible.”

  By now, Jason was now able to speak in more of a normal voice, “Thanks, Daniel. It is so good to see a friendly face again. Parts of my arms and legs are still numb from the ropes.

  “Do you have any idea of how long you have been here?”

  “I think it is has been about an hour since I was left here. I’ve been tied up this way since this morning, when I was told the ransom was going to be paid. They put me in the back of a van and drove for about an hour before they left me here.”

  Daniel finished cutting the ropes binding Jason’s ankles and knees. “Can you get up? Here, let me help you. I think standing might help get your circulation going again.” Then he helped Jason get up from the floor. Once up, Jason began waving his arms and rubbing his wrists. Then he worked on his legs.

  Pulling his cell phone from his pocket, Daniel said, “I’m going to call your parents and the police now. If those kidnappers are still around watching us, we are going to need some help. What is your parent’s home number?”

  After Jason told him, Daniel dialed the number. After about three rings, it was answered by Bill Hunter. “Hello, Mr. Hunter, this is Daniel. You aren’t going to believe this, but I am here with Jason. He was left off at City Park in a maintenance building on the northeast corner of the park. For some reason, the kidnappers called me to come find him. Please tell the police to get someone out here right away. The man on the phone was real threatening about involving the authorities when he talked to me. We may still be in danger, although I don’t see anyone else around. After hanging up, we are going to move to the outside of this building. I’ll put Jason on the phone now.” He handed the phone to Jason.