Jennifer reached for Jonathan as she turned over in bed. Not finding him, she sat up to look for him. He was sitting on the window seat looking out into the pre-dawn night. He looked troubled. But why shouldn’t he? This year was proving to be difficult. Max’s illness and then death two months ago had been very difficult. She and Jonathan were trying to fulfill Max’s wishes of living life to the fullest but were finding it difficult. Last month they went on a retreat to their Napa Valley auberge and even discussed the possibility of having children. While it was a wonderful weekend, they were thrown into their same disheartenment upon their return home... Max was not waiting and no child was conceived.
Jennifer studied Jonathan. Something more than Max’s death was bothering him. She wondered why he was keeping the information from her. She got up from the bed and went to him.
"Is something wrong, darling?" she asked running her hands over his shoulders from behind.
"I’m sorry did I wake you?" he asked, taking her hand from his shoulder and pulling her around so he could face her. Jennifer sat in the window seat across from him.
"The bed felt empty." Jennifer reached out to touch him. "Why won’t you tell me what’s keeping you up?"
"Ah, darling. So much has happened over the last couple of months. I didn’t want to burden you..." Jonathan gazed at Jennifer, marveling at her beauty even upon waking. Her questioning expression reminded him of their pact to always share everything, good or the bad no matter what. "There is some interesting stock trading going on. I don’t know what to make of it."
"This wouldn’t be the first time someone had tried to make a run on Hart Industries Stock."
"No but this is different. Usually, I can identify the culprit and counter the offense. This time it's different. Lots of stock is moving but in small amounts to different people."
"I would think that was good."
"Well, normally yes but the stock is moving in the same amounts at the same time. Its like a 10 people are buying 100 shares each at one time."
"Kind of like a investment club?" Jennifer asked.
"Except in an investment club, 10 people would pool their money to buy 100 shares together. These are separate."
"But you think it’s related?"
"I don’t believe in coincidence. Nick and Stanley can’t trace the buying."
"Are you worried?"
"Nah," Jonathan said pulling Jennifer to sit on his lap. "I just don’t like not being able to take action. We’ll figure it out and then I’ll be able to put a stop to it if that’s what’s needed."
But Jennifer could see the worry in Jonathan’s face. He had lost so much already this year. It would be devastating to lose Hart Industries too.
"You’ve been so wonderfully brave these last couple of months. I didn’t want to add to that." Jonathan held Jennifer close. His arms were warm and strong. If the world crumbled around them, she would survive in his arms.
"I’m stronger than I look." She smiled at him and gave him a kiss. Her kiss, although short, a peck really, sent a wave of warmth through Jonathan. He didn’t realize how cold and empty he’d felt until Jennifer had come to him. He put his hand behind her neck and pulled her lips to his. Guiding her head to the best angle, he kissed her, drinking in her warmth. He could feel her responding as her mouth parted and her arms slid around him. His hand caressed her thigh, moving upward under her satin nightgown. She gasped and broke from his kiss, as his hand reached her breast, his thumb lightly caressing her nipple. He trailed kisses from her cheeks, down her throat to the small v in her neck.
"I need you." Swiftly he picked her up and headed to the bed. Laying her on the bed, he slowly undressed her and himself. His hands and lips slid over her body, savoring her fragrant scent and sweet taste. He gently caressed the warm bud of her desire.
"Jonathan." Jennifer gasped as she pulled him to her. Kneeling between her legs, he slowly entered her, feeling her tight warmth envelop him. Jennifer arched to him, taking him deep into her, into her very soul. Their lovemaking was slow and gentle, as if they wanted their ultimate joining to last forever. Jonathan continued to kiss and caress Jennifer as he moved in long, slow strokes, in and out of her until their fervor could no longer be contained and their passion erupted in pure ecstasy.
Two weeks passed with out any headway on the stock buy-out of Hart Industries. Much to his dismay, Jonathan was working longer hours. It seemed a lifetime ago that he and Jennifer had spent more than a few quiet minutes alone. Jennifer responded by taking on some extra writing assignments. Neither liked their work to take on so much of their time, but there was no choice if Hart Industries was to remain in Jonathan’s control.
Jonathan sat at his desk, scrutinizing the latest of reports Stanley had brought him. His coat was off, his tie loosened. "Not much here, Stanley."
"I’m sorry Mr. Hart. I’ve never seen anything like it."
"Each week the same number is bought but by several different people."
"Yes."
"Some how they have got to be related."
"Nick and I agree but we haven’t found the link. Nick will be here soon. He was doing some research on corporate buy-outs and hostile take-overs to see if there is a similar case or something we can work with."
Jonathan sat back in his chair. He looked at his clock: 6:30. He hadn’t had dinner with Jennifer in over a week. At that moment, he felt more bothered by that fact than the attempt to buy out Hart Industries. "Stanley, I’m going home. Why don’t you and Nick do the same? We won’t find anything tonight that can’t wait until morning." Jonathan put his coat on and headed towards his office door.
"But Mr. Hart...."
"Stanley, I’m going home and having dinner with my wife."
"Yes sir." Stanley watched Jonathan go, as the worry loomed larger.
Jonathan headed down the elevator to the garage. He used the time to clear his mind and focus on what was most important, Jennifer. Max’s death reminded him that he should live life to the fullest and always show gratitude for all that he had. When the doors opened, Jonathan entered the empty dimly lit garage. He made a mental note to get more security and lighting. As he approached his car, he felt a presence behind him. Before he could turn around, a hit on the head rendered him unconscious.
Jennifer sat in bed reading over her article. Her eyes felt heavy and a yawn escaped her. Looking at the clock she discovered it was after 10 p.m. She furrowed her brows. It wasn’t like Jonathan too work so late especially without calling. She picked up the phone and dialed his office.
"Jonathan Hart’s office."
"Hello Stanley. Are you the one keeping my husband so late? Really Stanley, slavery was abolished 100 years ago."
"What?"
Jennifer shook her head. "Can I speak with Jonathan?"
"Mrs. Hart? Mr. Hart went home to have dinner with you hours ago."
Terror ripped through Jennifer’s chest. "Are you sure?"
"Yes. He left about 6:30."
"I’ll be right there."
"What’s going on?" Nick asked as Stanley hung up the phone.
"Mr. Hart didn’t make it home."
"Oh God." Nick’s face dropped. "Let’s go the garage."
"Mrs. Hart is coming down. I’ll wait for her here."
Jennifer arrived to find Stanley and Nick in Jonathan’s office.
"I’ve called the police Mrs. Hart," Nick told her. "His car is in the garage but there is no sign of him."
Jennifer felt herself get weak in the knees.
"Here sit down," Nick said guiding Jennifer to a chair.
"What’s going on?" Jennifer asked more to herself.
"I don’t know." Nick said reluctantly.
"I wonder if it has anything to do with this buy-out attempt?" Stanley offered.
"It wouldn’t make sense but nothing about this has."
"Mrs. Hart?" Capt. Gray said entering Jonathan’s office.
"Oh, Capt. thank you for coming." Jennifer knew that beat police would have normally been sent. It meant a lot to her that Capt. Gray showed up instead. She and Jonathan had known him since he was lieutenant and always respected him. The respect went both ways as Capt. Gray was keenly aware of Jonathan and Jennifer’s role in his career.
Everyone explained what he or she knew regarding Jonathan’s disappearance. Capt. Gray had police investigate the garage and scour the area. In the end there was very little to go on.
Jennifer returned home at two in the morning. Capt. Gray arrived at the same time to set up surveillance and a tap her phone.
"I’d have thought I’d be a kidnap victim if someone wanted ransom," Jennifer responded to Capt. Gray’s idea.
"You never know. It’s no secret you and Jonathan share everything equally. You have as easy access to the money as he does."
"You don’t give much credence into his disappearance being related to the buy-out attempt."
"At this point, everything is possible. We’ll work that angle too."
Jennifer sat and watched the police work. Even with a house full of police, she felt alone. She pulled her arms around her in attempt to ward off the emptiness. Capt. Gray sat next to her.
"Why don’t you get some rest. We’ll come get you if a call comes in."
Jennifer didn’t think she could sleep but perhaps it would give her reprieve even if only for a few hours.
Jonathan woke to complete darkness and silence. "Hello?" He called out as he sat up from the cot he was on. "Anyone here?" Even though his head pounded with pain, he got up to find a light. He knocked over a small table, and bumped into a chair before locating a lamp. The room was small, dark and damp. A basement. A chill ran up his spine as he realized there was no door or stairway from the room. There has to be…how else would I have gotten here? The walls were covered in a paneling. Picking up the lamp he carefully analyzed the panel for seams or a trick door. The light was not strong enough and the lamp couldn’t reach the far wall. He searched for another outlet to plug in the light but found none. He was trapped. It was a feeling he’d never really known. If only his head would stop throbbing so he could think. There had to be a way out.
The ransom call came in early the next morning.
"If you want to see your husband alive, deliver 2 million dollars to the Jordan Warehouse on San Ramone Street by three o’clock today. No police. You will be notified of Mr. Hart’s whereabouts once you have delivered the money.
"How do I know my husband is okay?" Jennifer asked with a bravado she didn’t feel.
"You don’t. Two million. Three o’clock. Jordan warehouse."
Capt. Gray held up his hand in a rolling gesture letting Jennifer know she needed to keep the caller on the line longer.
"I don’t know where that is," she told the caller.
"Get a map." The phone line went dead.
"Sorry Capt., Mrs. Hart, we didn’t get it." Jennifer picked up the phone.
"Who are you calling?" Capt. Gray asked. Jennifer pressed star 69 on her phone. Capt. Gray raised an eyebrow. "If that works….."
"The number is 555-1342 and can be re-dialed…" Jennifer wrote down the number.
"It’s probably a pay phone," one of the officers said.
"Yeah, but maybe there will be prints or some other lead." Capt. Gray answered passing the information to a police officer. Jennifer began dialing the phone. After several minutes she hung up.
"No answer." She dialed another number.
"Now who are you calling?"
"Jack? This is Jennifer Hart. I need you to help me liquidate two million dollars in cash by noon today. Can you do it?"
"Mrs. Hart, I saw on the news about Mr. Hart. Yes, I‘ll help you."
"Great, be here by noon." Jennifer hung up the phone.
"It’s not wise to just give in like that," the police officer said. Capt. Gray gave him a warning look.
"Mrs. Hart will do what she feels is best. But, you must let us help. You can’t go alone. Mr. Hart would never forgive me."
"Okay," Jennifer agreed knowing he was right. "But you must promise to hide until I know Jonathan’s location."
At three o’clock Jennifer arrived at the Jordan Warehouse. Capt. Gray had assured her that there would be no police intervention until she knew Jonathan’s whereabouts. "Let him take the money. All I care about is Jonathan."
Jennifer waited in her car near the abandoned warehouse. She looked about anxiously for any sign of someone but she was completely alone. A sound of a telephone ringing broke the silence. Jennifer got out of the car and went to the payphone.
"Hello?"
"Mrs. Hart. Leave the money in the phone booth. When you have left and I have the money and am safely away, I’ll call you with Mr. Hart’s location. If the cops pick me up while I am getting the money, I will not be able to call you and Mr. Hart will die."
"I understand." Jennifer said. She left the money as directed and drove away. She called Capt. Gray on her cell phone to let him know what the kidnapper told her.
"If we don’t get him at the drop, we may never get him."
"If you get him at the drop I’ll never see Jonathan again."
"We don’t even know if he has Jonathan or that Jonathan is alive."
"If you mess this up for me ….. " Jennifer couldn’t even get the words out. It was too horrible to think of what could happen.
"We’ll get him back."
Jennifer headed home and waited. She looked at the clock, 4:30. Surely he must have the money by now. She looked at the police officer that was waiting with her. He shrugged, unable to offer any reassurance. Time passed. Five, six, seven p.m. and still no call. Capt. Gray arrived at the house at 7:30.
"No one has shown up yet to pick up the money," he said.
"You’re kidding me?"
"I wish I was."
Jennifer’s heart sank. "He must know you are there. You have to get your guys out."
"If we get them out we won’t be able follow him and catch him after he calls you with Jonathan’s location."
"You can catch him through the money. It’s marked."
Capt. Gray watched her. She shrugged, "He never asked for unmarked. He won’t even be able to tell."
He nodded. "Okay."
At midnight, Capt. Gray’s phone rang. "The package has been delivered. We aren’t sure when. A local patrol confirmed for us that it was gone."
Capt. Gray relayed the news to Jennifer but by three a.m. all hope of a call regarding Jonathan was gone.
"Why don’t you get some rest. We have people working on the money. The F.B.I will be here soon. You’ll need your strength in the morning when we get this guy and bring Jonathan home."
Jennifer knew Capt. Gray was being overly optimistic but she was grateful for it. "I don’t think I can sleep. But I will go upstairs. I need sometime alone."
In bed, she pulled the blankets tightly around her but it did nothing to ward of the emptiness or fear. How would she ever live a full life without Jonathan? She felt like half of her had been completely cut out and only a shell remained. Burying her head in her pillow she cried.
