Jennifer knocked on Agent Quinn’s office door. It was actually an office for a ranking police officer but Agent Quinn had occupied it to stay close to the police during the investigation. She hoped he wasn’t too busy to talk to her about her ideas.
"Come in."
Jennifer opened the door to find Agent Quinn putting on his coat. "Did I catch you at a bad time?"
"No, actually I was heading out to your house. Is Mr. Hart with you?"
"No, I came alone."
Agent Quinn motioned for her to sit. He watched her carefully. He knew enough about people that it was unusual for Jennifer to forge on her own without Jonathan when things concerned the both of them. "Is everything alright?"
Jennifer sat in the chair and watched as Agent Quinn sat on the edge of his desk. "Yes. I just had some thoughts I wanted to run past you."
"Okay."
"Well, I know you think Max would have easily gone off with out calling us but it just isn’t true. So I was trying to think of what situations would he have walked off with out calling."
"And."
"I thought he would have to be tricked by someone he trusted or was taught to trust."
"Like whom."
"Like a police officer. Someone from Hart Industries…"
"Do you know of any one at Hart Industries that would do that?"
"No. And he wouldn’t with just anyone but he does know many people there."
"What makes you think of the police?"
"We have always taught him that you could trust them. He really is a good boy. He would have had to been tricked." Jennifer looked straight into the agent’s eyes to drive her point home.
"So you think maybe someone pretended to be police officer and kidnapped Max?"
"I don’t have any real theories but it would have to be something along those lines."
"And Max would go with a police officer even if he didn’t know him."
"I think he might." Jennifer was feeling hopeful all of a sudden. It seemed that the agent was really listening to him.
"Mrs. Hart, does Elliot Manning mean anything to you?"
"Oh God." Jennifer gasped. And then reality set in. "I knew him. He’s in prison in Australia now. For life I believe."
"Did he know Max or would Max have known him?"
Jennifer started to get an uneasy feeling that moved quickly from her stomach to her chest. "No. The last I saw Elliot was before Max was born. Agent Quinn why are you asking me this?"
"I just got word that Elliot Manning escaped from prison last week. It came to me because your name was in the file and someone remembered hearing about Max."
"Oh God." Jennifer stood up and paced the room. Elliot Manning. Elliot was capable of anything. That she’d learned the last time she saw him. And he would kill. She had no doubt in her mind that he would hurt and even kill Max. "Oh God noooo" Jennifer began to sob.
"Mrs. Hart we don’t know for sure it is him but from your reaction I think it is something we need to consider." Agent Quinn watched as tears flooded Jennifer’s eyes and her body convulsed with fear and grief. He got from his desk and walked to her.
"He’s evil." Jennifer grabbed at Agent Quinn’s shirt. "He’ll kill my boy. Oh God he’ll kill him." Jennifer dropped her head to Agent Quinn's chest. Agent Quinn was uncomfortable with the position he was in. It wasn’t because Jennifer was married or that she was an attractive woman clinging to him. No, it was because in his line of work he needed to maintain emotional distance. On the other hand, she was clearly in distress and she was the key to figuring out the mind of Elliot Manning and finding Max.
He put his hands on her arms and gently rubbed up and down. "It’s okay. We’ll find him." He set his chin on her head as she cried into his chest. He wondered where her husband was and why the jerk wasn’t here with her. She was obviously a strong, smart and determined woman. How her husband could abandon her in this great time of need was beyond him.
"Take your hands off my wife."
Agent Quinn was startled back to reality, unaware that he’d allowed himself to get caught up in holding Jennifer. Quickly he pulled his hands off and up in a defensive manner.
"Jonathan!" Jennifer looked at him in surprise although she wasn’t sure if she was surprised at his tone at finding her in the arms of another man or if she was surprised at finding herself in the arms of another man.
"What’s going on?" He said tersely as he entered the office. He could see Jennifer had been upset and the need to rush to her and wrap his arms around her, to protect her welled up in him. The guilty look in Jennifer’s face made him stop.
"I was upset…" she turned to Agent Quinn. "He was just trying to help." Not much different than Julia’s helping him. And Jennifer couldn’t help the jealously that flooded her at the thought.
What the hell was happening that he couldn’t hold his own wife? That she would look at him with resentment. What kind of man was he that he would just let it go on? Jonathan rubbed his hand over his face. "Jennifer." His voice was tired and full of longing. He looked up at her, the longing highlighted by his eyes.
"Jonathan." She replied with the same need in her voice. He stepped forward and took her in his arms. He held her close, blocking out everything but her and the need for her.
"I’m sorry." He whispered it. Then looking to the agent he said, "I’m sorry."
Agent Quinn nodded his acceptance. Damned if he’d ever seen so much said with so little words.
"Jonathan." Jennifer started. "It’s Elliot."
"Elliot?"
"Well, we don’t know that for sure Mrs. Hart."
"He escaped from prison last week."
"Oh, Jesus." The knot in Jonathan’s stomach tightened.
"I need for you two to tell me everything you know about him." Agent Quinn said.
"You need to be out finding the bastard." Jonathan argued.
"I assure you people are looking for him but, here at the FBI we do more than collect clues and look under rocks. We try to get into the mind of the criminal so that we can think like him."
Jennifer looked to Jonathan and shrugged. "I don’t know how much help we can be. It’s been over 10 years since we saw him."
"According to the file I have here, you once were pretty close to Mr. Manning."
The acid in Jennifer stomach churned as she thought back to the time she’d been with Elliot. "Yes, that was even longer ago."
"If Elliot has Max then what ever happened all those years ago must still make a difference."
"What do you need to know?" Jonathan asked. He remembered the time when he’d told Elliot that Jennifer had never mentioned him and it was close to the truth. He’d know she’d dated him and the experience was bad, but she’d never gone into details and Jonathan had respected that. Now he wasn’t sure he wanted to know.
"Everything. I need to know the man so I can get a sense of what his plans are for young Max…. if he indeed has young Max."
Jennifer sat in the chair and took a sip of water Agent Quinn arranged to have brought in. "I met him in 1975 at a party in New York. We took to each other immediately." Jennifer looked sheepishly at Jonathan who smiled in understanding. Turning back to Agent Quinn she continued, "He had a confidence, which I would discover later was arrogance. He had a wildness in his eyes that at first seemed exciting." Jennifer took another sip of water. "It didn’t take very long though for the intrigue to ware off. He is very full of himself. He doesn’t seem to understand words like ‘no’ or ‘it can’t be done’. If Elliot set his mind on something he was determined that it would happen and usually it did."
"Until you?" Agent Quinn asked.
She nodded. "Until me. Except that when Jonathan and I married, he really left us alone until the issue about the game ranch came up."
"Go back to the relationship, where you together long, were you intimate?"
"I don’t see where that can help." Jonathan’s voice was sharp.
"If I am going to get into this guy’s head, I need to know everything I can know. If he has targeted Jennifer then I would think those detail are a part of what he’s thinking about now."
Jennifer shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She had never talked of her relationship in detail with anyone, not even Jonathan. She didn’t blame her self for it but it still was humiliating.
"If you would be more comfortable with just us two…."Agent Quinn started.
Jonathan shot him a look. He wasn’t really suggesting he leave was he? Still, he knew it was painful part of her life. He stood up; "I can leave if you like darling."
"No," Jennifer grabbed his hand. "No." She said again as if it was the most ridiculous think he’d ever suggested. He sat by her continuing to hold her hand. "This isn’t easy for me Agent Quinn."
"Take your time."
"Yes, to answer your question, we were intimate although after the first few times, I tried to avoid it. He’s domineering and critical. Things have to be just his way. And he likes to have an element of danger and power…"
"Even in sex?"
"Yes. I’m not a prude Agent but Elliot was unpredictable and it scared me."
"Did he ever beat you?"
"Not like you think. He’d be rough though. Not when we argued but during sex. We were together for a short period of time before I broke away. The thing is he didn’t seem to get that."
"He stalked you?"
"Not like how you define stalking. Weeks could go by and I wouldn’t hear a thing and then he’d just show up with flowers and wine like I was expecting him. Like I said, Elliot expects the world to move to his ministrations."
"But you finally did get him to leave you alone, how was that?"
Jennifer swallowed hard and stood up. Some how it would be easier if she didn’t have to look at either of them. "There was two things really. The first is he got it in his head that if I had his baby everything would be perfect. I would be content and he wouldn’t need to always be proving himself to me. I of course refused."
"Did he listen?" Agent Quinn asked. Jonathan sat at the end of his seat. He didn’t like where this was going at all.
"He did at that moment but later…. It was New Years eve 1975. I went to a party with some girl friends and he was there. I avoided him all I could but he managed to persuade me to have one drink with him. Well next thing I knew I woke up in his bed…." Jennifer looked to Agent Quinn and then to Jonathan. She wasn’t sure if it was going to hurt her or him more to say the next thing to be said. "Tied to his bed."
"Oh God." Jonathan tried to hold back the disgust that swirled in his belly.
"I guess he drugged me and brought me there. He was going through this ritual of throwing out his condoms saying we should have a baby. My first thought was ‘thank god I am on the pill’ which he never knew. And then I realized that he was going to take me whether I wanted to or not. He was rough. He wanted to leave marks on me like that was a sign of great sex." Jonathan was pretty sure he was going to loose it. It was the calm and quiet tone of Jennifer’s voice that seemed to keep him steady. "I fought. Even though my arms and legs were tied I fought hard. I bit when I could other than that I just struggled. The thing is, he took it to mean I liked it."
"Oh Jesus, he raped you."
"No," Jennifer said immediately. "We didn’t have intercourse. I figured that if he liked it that I struggled, maybe he wouldn’t if I just stopped, you know went limp and detached myself from the situation."
Both men had to marvel at the strength she showed then and now.
"Did it work?" Agent Quinn asked.
"Yes. He was so mad. He was unable to complete his quest."
Jonathan and agent Quinn looked at her questioningly. "You mean he lost his erection?" Agent Quinn asked.
"Yes."
"That could make a man violent."
"Yes. He got a little rough but then I guess he couldn’t stand the sight of me because he went and got a knife. I thought for sure he was going to kill me but he cut me loose, threw me my clothes and kicked me out of his apartment." There, it was said. Jennifer looked at Jonathan. She could see the storm in his eyes. The hatred for Elliot and the helplessness at not being able to go back and protect her. What he didn’t get was that she protected herself. She was stronger than he gave her credit for.
"I should have killed him when I had the chance." Jonathan finally found his voice.
"Yes." Jennifer agreed. Jennifer could tell the rage was getting the best of Jonathan.
"Its usually best to leave the killing to us," Agent Quinn said.
"Not in this case. Didn’t you hear her?" Jonathan leapt from his chair and stormed around the room. His feelings thundered through his body, the rumbling and clapping in deafening echoes in his head. "He was going to rape her. Jesus, he was going to rape her." Jonathan walked around the room trying to rein in his feelings. This wasn’t going to help Jennifer or Max.
"Why don’t we go back and explain what happened next."
Jennifer watched Jonathan and figured the only thing she could do was proceed to the next part of the story. Still watching him carefully she continued. "I took an assignment in London as soon as possible. Through the grapevine I’d heard he left and went to Australia. I was thinking maybe I was rid of him finally. I was in London for several months. That’s when I met Jonathan." She smiled him. Jonathan stopped for a moment and turned to her. He smiled letting her know he’d be all right.
"Did Elliot try to get in your way?"
"No. Things happened very fast in London. Jonathan and I were engaged within two days of meeting each other." They both smiled at each other as the memory of that time flooded in their hearts. Agent Quinn gave them a moment knowing their hearts and souls needed a respite from the wars being ravaged there. "He never tried to contact me but he did send Jonathan a kangaroo for a wedding present."
"Had you known Elliot Mr. Hart?"
"Not really." Now in control, Jonathan sat back down next to Jennifer. "He was a sore loser in a boat race we had before I knew Jennifer. And I had a few business dealings with him."
"What happened in Australia?"
"We thought we were buying a game ranch but apparently he decided to win Jennifer back. And when that didn’t work, he staged his own murder, framed me for it, almost assassinated us in an open grave and hunted us like game."
Jennifer nodded in agreement.
Agent Quinn eyes grew wide. "All that?"
"Yes."
"I told you, Elliot believes the world should work around him. And if it doesn’t, he’ll force you. He holds grudges." Jennifer explained.
"So he’s taken Max to get back at you?"
"Except that Elliot would want us to know its him. That’s where the pleasure comes from."
"Perhaps he hasn’t reached that part of his plan. Or perhaps it’s not him at all."
"Oh it’s him alright." Jonathan said. "If he’s out, he will come after us I have no doubt. So now what do we do?"
"Now you let me and the other law enforcement people do their jobs."
"No." Jonathan slammed his hand down on the agent’s desk as he stood. "I’m done waiting around. I need to do something."
"Then I suggest you take your wife home and wait for Elliot’s call."
"Jesus Christ." Jonathan stormed around the office again. "I’m not playing his game his way. I want all the information on his prison term and escape."
"Mr. Hart, the more you argue with me the more time you take away from me finding your son."
"Don’t give me that crap. You know I can get the information. I know people" Jonathan hated using his influence like some big wig but he wasn’t going to sit idly by any more.
"Darling." Jennifer reached out and placing her hand on his arm. For the second time that day Jonathan pulled way from her.
"Jennifer I’m not leaving here without that information."
She nodded, helpless to do anything but wait for the resolution.
"You get your friends to help you Mr. Hart. Right now the information stays here. And I would recommend that you keep out of it for your sake, your wife’s sake and your son’s sake."
Jonathan stood speechless, his narrow eyes directed toward Agent Quinn. "I’ll be back." He took Jennifer’s elbow and led her out of the office.
They had reached the parking lot, and neither had spoken. "I want you to go straight home." Jonathan’s voice was flat.
"Are you ordering me?" Jennifer hadn’t meant to sound so curt but she was getting sick and tired of Jonathan locking her away.
Jonathan looked at her in surprise. "I want you home where you’ll be safe."
"And where are you going?"
"I have some contacts to make."
"Let me come with you." Jennifer felt like she was begging.
Jonathan bit the inside of his lip. The truth was he needed her to go home because he needed time to pull himself together. He wouldn’t be able to do that with her around.
Jennifer could see it in his eyes. He was going to fight her on this. Why was he pushing her away? "Maybe you’d like Julia to go along instead. You don’t seem to have any problem talking with her." Jennifer grabbed the handle of her car and flung her door open.
"Jennifer?" He held the door open as she climbed in. "What are you talking about?"
"You don’t want to confide in me, share with me but you will with a total stranger. Even now, after sharing a most humiliating time in my life, you walk away from me. I’ll go home Jonathan. I’ll let you brood and do your macho man stuff." Jennifer pulled the door from Jonathan’s grip and slammed the door. She started the engine and drove off.
"God dammit!" He did it again. Why couldn’t she understand? The best way to support him now was to let him handle things in his own way. Well, he’d get the papers about Elliot and then he’d go home. Together he and Jennifer would go over them. They always worked together well as a team. It was time to get started.
Jennifer began to second-guess herself as she pulled out of the parking lot. She should go back to him and at least talk to him rationally. Except, talking things out was just the problem. Jonathan didn’t want to talk. In the end she continued home. As she pulled on to the freeway, her cell phone rang.
"Jennifer Hart."
"Hello Jen."
"Oh God. Elliot." Jennifer jaw dropped as her heart jumped into her throat.
"I knew you’d still recognize my voice."
"Where is Max? Where is my son?" Jennifer’s eyes darted across the freeway looking for an exit where she could stop and concentrate on the phone call.
"Max is fine. You’ve done good work figuring that out. Don’t you worry your pretty little head. Max is having a grand ole time here with me."
"Elliot don’t do this." The desperation cracked in her voice. "Please don’t."
"It’s okay Jen. Why don’t you come and see him."
Jennifer finally found a place to pull over. "Where are you?"
"First things first. I’ll let you see him but you can’t tell anyone. Not the police, not the feds and especially not Jonathan."
Jennifer pressed her hands to her eyes. Jonathan would probably never forgive her if she didn’t call him but she also knew Elliot would ensure that she never saw Max again if she didn’t agree. "Alright."
Elliot smiled to himself. He knew she’d cooperate. Deep down she’d been waiting for him. It took hardly any effort at all to get her to abandon Jonathan. "I will meet you at MacIntire Park in 30 minutes. If I think Jonathan or anyone else is with you, I will leave and take Max with me."
"I understand."
