Revenge of the Hart--Part Four

Jennifer followed Elliot up the boat ramp wishing she’d played this out differently. Why had she thought Elliot would have Max at the park? Of course he wouldn’t. Why had she agreed to leave her car at the park and ride with him to see Max? And why hadn’t she called Jonathan when she had the chance. Jennifer knew deep down that she hadn’t really had a choice. She knew Elliot well enough to know that he had a carefully devised plan. Had she not agreed, she would never see Max again. Oh Max. Her heart cried out for him. Oh please be all right.

"Well, what do you think?" Elliot asked referring to the yacht.

"I’m not here to see your boat Elliot. Where’s Max."

"I see where he gets all his vim and vinegar." Elliot said trying not to let his annoyance get the best of him.

Jennifer didn’t respond as she followed Elliot into a long hallway on the boat.

"He’s in here." Elliot opened the door.

Jennifer speedily pushed past him. "Max? Max sweetie?"

"Mom?" Max looked up from the Sega Playstation game in which he pretended he was hunting down Elliot in a jungle. All of a sudden he felt wrong for playing with Elliot’s toys.

"Oh Max." Jennifer rushed to him dropping down beside him and pulling him close. "Are you alright? Did he hurt you?"

"I didn’t lay a hand on you did I sport?"

Max looked at Elliot with hate in his eyes. "No, he didn’t hurt me." Turning back to Jennifer he asked. "Can we go home now?"

Jennifer turned to Elliot. "Now that you’ve played your little game, I’m going to take Max home."

"Why Jennifer," Elliot started leaning against the doorjamb. "You are home. I know it’s not a sprawling mansion in Bel Air but it will have to do for now."

"No, Elliot." Jennifer stood up. "We are not staying her with you."

"Yes. Yes you are." Elliot said pleased with himself.

"What’s this about?"

This time Elliot straightened and approached Jennifer angrily. "This is about getting what should be mine."

"We are not yours."

"The hell you aren’t. You are here, on my boat, with me."

Jennifer looked down at Max who was anxiously watching her. Turning back to Elliot she said, "I’ll stay Elliot but let Max go…"

"No."

"Elliot listen please." Jennifer approached him and used all the strength to appear like she’d be willing to give herself to him. "Max was never yours not like I was. Let him go. I’ll stay here with you and do whatever you want just please let him go."

Elliot’s eyes softened as he looked down at Jennifer. She was so close he could smell her tantalizing scent. She was giving herself to him. Things were perfect now. "We are a family now Jennifer. The family we should have had but never had the chance to because of Jonathan Hart."

Jennifer searched Elliot’s eyes. She didn’t see lust or greed. No she saw revenge. This wasn’t about winning her back because he loved her. No this was all about Jonathan. Elliot was out to destroy Jonathan and what better way than through his family. "This isn’t right. You know Jonathan will never stop coming after you."

"Let him come. Its time we finished our business." Elliot looked at his watch. "You two stay here and get reacquainted while I take care of some business and get on our way."

"Way? Where?" Jennifer asked.

"It’s a surprise. I know how you love surprises." Elliot left the room locking the door behind him.

Jennifer pressed her ear to the door and once she thought Elliot was gone, tried to open the door. "He’s locked us in."

"And the windows don’t open either. Or break." Max said getting up off the floor.

Jennifer turned to him. "Max. I’m so sorry." She put her arms around him and held him.

"I’m sorry I went with him. He told me he was a detective."

"I figured it was something like that honey. It’s not your fault." Indeed, Jennifer thought. This was all her fault for getting involved with Elliot in the first place, for not letting Jonathan kill him when he had the chance, for not being on time to pick Max up at practice.

"Is dad coming? He knows you’re here right?"

Guilt and panic stabbed at her heart. She couldn’t look at Max so she just held him. "He doesn’t’ know I’m here sweetie."

"Why not?"

"I didn’t tell him I was coming. I couldn’t in the car. Elliot took my phone."

"But when he called you before to meet you." Jennifer could hear the fear in Max’s voice and it broke her heart.

She swallowed hard. "Elliot told me not to or I’d lose you." She knew that was lame. For some reason she’d let Elliot and her own pride get in the way. "He’ll find us sweetie. I have faith."

Max let himself be comforted by his mother but the knot in his stomach remained tight. It didn’t make sense. His parents always talked about and shared everything. Why wouldn’t she call him? "Mom?"

"Hmmm?"

"You don’t like this guy do you?"

Jennifer pulled away to look at Max, shocked that he’d ask such a question. "No Max. I love your father. Only your father." She pulled him close and prayed Jonathan would think the same of her when he realized what she’d done.

Jonathan slowed down as he pulled up to the front gate of his home. His home. What a joke. Over the last few days the FBI, police and now reporters seemed to have taken up residency on his property. Jonathan wondered if a judge would give him leniency if he ran any of the reporters down.

"Mr. Hart? Mr. Hart. Is it true that little Max has been taken by a scorned lover of Mrs. Hart?"

"Mr. Hart? Its been said missing children can put a strain on a marriage. It that why you and Mrs. Hart fought today down at the police station?"

"Get the hell of the way before I run you down." Jonathan seethed as he gunned the engine and sped through the gate.

Jonathan entered his home but headed straight upstairs. He needed a moment away from the circus his life had become. And he hoped beyond all hope that Jennifer was upstairs waiting. She would have been home for several hours and would have had time to stop being angry with him. "Jennifer?" he said as he entered the bedroom and throwing the documents he collected on the bed. He was met with only silence. She must be downstairs. Not quite ready to meet the deluge of people camped out in his house, he sat in the easy chair and loosened his tie. As he sat in the dark, he felt a chill run up his spine. Something wasn’t right. Well that’s an understatement. He needed Jennifer. He needed her now. But of course she’d given up on him. She had every right to be angry. He pushed her away at a time she needed him. First with Max missing, and now Elliot. The images of Jennifer tied to a bed and Elliot forcing himself on her played in Jonathan’s mind. The rage and guilt swirled through Jonathan.

"Mr. Hart?" Ruth called from outside.

"Come in Ruthie."

The door opened slowly. Ruth stepped in followed by Freeway JR who ran to Jonathan’s lap.

"Is Jennifer down stairs?" Jonathan asked as he pet Junior.

"No. She hasn’t been home."

Jonathan’s eyes shot up. "Not home? She left to come home hours ago. Did she call?"

"No and her phone is off."

Oh God, he didn’t need this. Where the hell did she go? A mixture of fear and guilt and anger burned Jonathan’s gut as he contemplated the possibilities. She was angry when she left. Would she have gone somewhere else? To get away from him? It wouldn’t be like her to do that but then, nothing about the two of them had been normal. Or maybe Elliot got her. The thought was more than Jonathan could bear. There is no way he could let that vile man ever get near his family. But he already had. And so Jonathan had been helpless to do anything. He knew the FBI and police weren’t convinced yet that it was Elliot but Jonathan knew. It was the only thing that made sense.

"Mr. Hart? Do you think we should tell the police?"

Jonathan looked up at Ruthie. Like Max she was the pillar of strength. She saw reason where Jonathan saw chaos. She was level headed when he was beside himself with emotion. He sighed and rubbed his eyes. "She’s angry at me."

Ruthie’s brows drew together trying to understand what he meant by that.

Jonathan looked at her when she failed to respond. "I haven’t been handling Max’s disappearance very well. Even worse I wasn’t there for her when she needed me." And here he was doing it again. Expressing his disappointment in himself with someone other than Jennifer.

"I don’t understand. Just because you fought, Mrs. Hart wouldn’t run off. That’s not like her."

She was right of course but this situation was so different. "It’s been building up."

"Do you want her to be off somewhere because you are afraid that she might really be in trouble?" Leave it to Ruthie to cut to the chase.

"I hope with all my heart she’s run off because the alternative is something I would never be able to live with."

"But if it is the alternative, shouldn’t we get help?"

Jonathan shook his head. How is it his own selfish need to deal with his own feelings where taking precedence over what was really important? "Yes, you’re right. Could you ask Capt. Gray to come up here?" Ruthie nodded and left the room.

"So is everyone reacquainted now?" Elliot asked, peeking his head in the room where Max and Jennifer were held captive. He was carrying a tray of food and new playstation game.

"Where are you taking us?" When the boat first started to move, she had to focus on easing Max’s fears that they would be all right. And then she had to care for Max as seasickness set in. She had hoped that the size of the ship would lesson the motion that made him ill but it wasn’t to be. It tore Jennifer up to have her son be so scared and sick and her helpless to do anything about it. Jennifer leapt from the bed towards Elliot.

"Woe, there Jennifer." Elliot set the tray down in time to receive a shove from Jennifer. "Knock it off." He grabbed her wrists, squeezing them until she winced. "I have been nothing but cordial to you and Max. You two are a bunch of ungrateful, spoiled brats. Why Jonathan had put up with you I’ll never know. But here, with me, you will behave." His voice was calm but the darkness in his eyes told Jennifer to back off.

"Where are you taking us?" She asked again more calmly.

"Home."

"And where is that?"

"You ask to many questions. Come on. I have a surprise for you." Turning to Max he said. "Max here’s your dinner. You don’t mind if I dine with your mother alone tonight do you since it’s our first night."

"I would prefer to stay with Max. He’s sick Elliot." Jennifer tried to keep her voice calm but firm.

"And, I’d prefer you didn’t. Hey Max, you’ll find a new game there. Let me know what you think of it." Elliot pulled Jennifer out the door with him. She looked back to see the total horror in Max’s eyes.

"It’s okay sweetie," she called hoping it was true. "I’ll be back shortly." Max understood enough to know that it wasn’t okay and she had no idea if she’d be back soon. Still Max clung to her words as they were all he had.

"Here we are. What do you think?" Elliot escorted Jennifer on to the deck of the boat where there was an elegant table set for two complete with music and champagne.

"I think you aren’t right in the mind Elliot." Jennifer stepped away from him.

Elliot frowned. "There was a time you enjoyed romance. Not getting enough from your husband?"

Jennifer shot him a look. "You don’t know anything about love or romance."

"You didn’t always think so," Elliot said as he took a step towards Jennifer. She backed away hitting the guardrail, allowing Elliot to box her in.

"You don’t know what I thought about anything. You don’t care about anything but yourself. I don’t know why you have this sick vengeance against Jonathan."

Elliot placed his hands on the rail around Jennifer, trapping her. "He took everything that was important to me."

"I was never important to you. I was some sort of prize. No Elliot, this is about how Jonathan is a better man than you. Smarter, more handsome and certainly better in business." Jennifer kept her chin up hoping to show bravado she wasn’t sure she felt.

"How about in bed. Is he better in bed?" A wild wicked smile spread on Elliot's face.

"You’re sick."

"Answer the question, Jennifer." Elliot pressed himself into Jennifer, letting his lips skim over her neck.

Jennifer’s arms came up, pushing him away as the bile churned in her gut. "Stop Elliot."

"See you can’t deny it. I was the best lover you ever had," Elliot slid his hands down to her buttocks and jerkingly pulled her against him.

A gasp of revulsion escaped Jennifer. "You aren’t even worth ranking." She could feel Elliot stiffen but he didn’t back off. Instead he ran his hands roughly over her. A hand slid up to grab and squeeze her breast as his lips snaked around her neck. "Elliot please. Stop." Jennifer felt sick and dirty. "Oh, God Elliot, stop."

Elliot pulled back, a feral smile on his face. "Don’t worry Jennifer. I’m not going to force this. No, it will be so much better when you come to me."

Jennifer looked up at Elliot trying to mask her total disgust and fear. She didn’t respond hoping that by tempering her feelings he’d let her go.

"Let’s have some dinner." He took her by the elbow and led her to the table.

"I’m really not that hungry and I’d like to be with my son."

"Suit yourself." Jennifer could hear the disgust in Elliot’s voice. "There is no other food until morning."

Jennifer nodded in understanding and headed back to Max.

"I really think we need to let the FBI in on this Jonathan," Capt. Gray said once he heard Jonathan’s story.

"Let’s find her car first. Figure out where she went." Jonathan sat at the end of his bed as Capt. Gray sat in a chair.

"You don’t really think she’s run off, Jonathan. Deep down you know it and I know it."

Jonathan nodded. "But the FBI won’t help. They still don’t think its Elliot. I know you aren’t convinced. But I do know you care about Jennifer…"

"And you Jonathan."

"And me. You’ll do this for me."

Capt. Gray stood. "Yes, I’ll put an APB on the car but you really need to consider letting the Feds know. The more help the better."

Jonathan knew that in theory that was a good idea. But he’d come to the point of realization that if he wanted to find his family he was going to have to stop relying on the authorities. "Just find her car."

"You get some rest. I’ll call when I find it." Capt. Gray left the bedroom. Jonathan rubbed his eyes as the weariness threatened to overwhelm him. He took the papers he had gotten earlier in the day regarding Elliot. Spreading them across the bed he searched for the clue to finding his family, his life.

Max was resting on the bed when Jennifer returned. He looked pale and weak. Going to him she lay next to him and rubbed his back.

"You okay sweetie?"

"I don’t think I’m going to be sick anymore."

"Well, that’s a start." Jennifer tried to keep her voice lighthearted.

Jennifer turned as the door opened. Immediately her eyes turned dark as she saw Elliot. "You aren’t locked in anymore. You two are free to move about any area that isn’t locked. Just so you know, there are no life rafts and we are too far out to swim."

"Fine." Jennifer turned back to Max and waited to hear Elliot walk away.

"Max? Why don’t we go up on deck? Some fresh air might help how you feel."

"Okay." Max agreed.

Up on deck, Jennifer found a lounge chair and took a seat pulling Max down to sit between her legs and rest back against her.

"Just take deep breaths sweetie." Jennifer brushed his hair off is forehead. Just like when he was a baby she mimicked the long, slow breaths that calm and sooth. Soon Max was breathing in time with her. "That’s right. Isn’t that better?"

"A little." Max shifted so he could rest his head more comfortably. "Why is he doing this?"

Jennifer stiffened and then forced herself to relax.

"He said you loved him. He showed me pictures."

Jennifer swallowed hard. "Well, he’s wrong honey. I never loved him. I was attracted to him and dated him for a short time but I never loved him."

"Is he crazy?"

"Yes, sweetie I think he is."

"He says he wants us to be a family. I don’t want to."

"No matter what happens Max, we’ll never be his family. He just wants to hurt your dad and knows taking us is the best way to do that."

"I don’t get it. I thought he wanted you."

"No, Max. It’s complicated but this is about Elliot and your dad."

"Why does he hate dad so much?"

Jennifer kissed his brow. "He thinks your dad has taken things from him. He is jealous that your dad is so happy and successful. That he has me and a terrific son like you. What he doesn’t understand Max," Jennifer shifted so she could see in his eyes. "Is that your dad is happy and successful because he is generous and kind and works hard. Your father gives without thought to receiving. Elliot only gives if he will get something out of it."

"Like the playstation?"

"Yes, why do you think he gave that too you?"

"So I’d like him?"

"Yep. Did it work?"

"No. I hate him." Max’s voice was the strongest it had been since they left. Then he turned his head away. "I played with it."

Jennifer heard the guilt in his voice. "Don’t feel bad about that Max. It doesn’t mean you like Elliot or that you don’t love your dad. It means you were bored and wanted to play. Matter of fact, I may want to try it out too."

"Really?"

"Really." Jennifer and Max sat in silence for a few minutes as Max gathered the strength to ask his next question.

"Mom? Why did you go out with him?"

Jennifer blew out a long breath. "It’s hard to explain. When you get older and start liking girls you might understand better." Jennifer could feel Max’s shudder at the thought. That’s fine. He didn’t need to be interested in girls now. "Elliot can be charming when he wants to be. When I first met him he was nice and interesting. But after I got to know him I realized how he really was."

"Did dad steal you away like he says?"

"No honey. I tried to get rid of Elliot long before I met your dad. But as you have seen Elliot doesn’t take no for an answer."

"What was it like when you met dad?"

"Oh honey." Jennifer wrapped her arms around Max as the memory filled her with a warmth she wanted to pass to him. "It was wonderful. I fell in love with him the first night I met him."

Max turned in his seat to look at her with a grin on his face. "That’s what he says about you. Even though you just wanted a story."

Jennifer laughed. "So he told you this story?"

"Yep, he said that he loved you the minute he saw you. I think that’s kind of mushy but nice too."

"Yes, it is nice." Jennifer sat quietly for a moment. "Max, sometimes in our lives we don’t feel very certain or confident. Sometimes we feel lost. I was lost when I met Elliot and so I made a mistake."

"But you weren’t lost with dad?"

"No, when I met your dad, for the first time I felt I was where I belonged."

"You didn’t look happy in the pictures. Not like you are with dad."

"No."

"Do you think dad will find us?"

"Yes, sweetie. I think he will." And then Jennifer prayed that she was right.

Elliot stood in the shadows watching the mother-child scene with a mixture of hate and amusement. Yes, Jonathan Hart would find them. But then it would be too late. Jennifer and Max would be his. And as soon as Jonathan Hart came to the realization that he’d lost everything, he’d be dead.

Hours passed. Jonathan read every paper, twice but didn’t feel any closer to finding the clue. Elliot had some difficulty in prison at first but then settled down and became a model prisoner. He had cleverly escaped in a supply truck after a delivery was made. But once out, there was no clue as to where he’d gone. Jonathan knew of course, he’d come to California but how? And where was he? Did he have fake identification? How else could he get into the country with out fake identification? The phone startled Jonathan. Looking at the clock, it was two in the morning.

"Jonathan Hart."

"Yes, Jonathan. Its Capt. Gray. We’ve found the car."

"Where? Is Jennifer there?"

"MacIntire Park. And, no, there’s no sign of her."

Jonathan lay back on the bed, defeated. "Any clues?"

"No. I am having her cell phone records checked. Maybe she got a call or tried to call someone." Jonathan nodded and wondered why he hadn’t thought of that. He was losing it. When it counted most, he was losing it.

"I’m on my way."

"There is nothing to see here Jonathan."

"I’m on my way." Jonathan hung up the phone.

Jennifer turned towards a sleeping Max. He was still not feeling well but at least Elliot had some Dramamine, which seemed to help enough that Max could sleep. Elliot had tried to put her another room but there was no way she was going to leave her son’s side. She reached out to brush a strand of hair out of his face. How did she mess things up so badly? How was she going to fix it and would Max and Jonathan ever forgive her?

Max turned over but continued to sleep. He looked so peaceful and angelic when he slept. He had turned out to be Jennifer greatest accomplishment. She smiled down at him. She remembered how terrified she was at the prospect of being a parent. She had never felt particularly maternal. She never played with dolls growing up. She felt certain she would have never had a child if she hadn’t married Jonathan. Although they had never really talked about having children, she had known Jonathan wanted to be a father. He wanted what he’d never had. And Jennifer wanted to give that to him as much as he wanted it. It had turned out to be even more beautiful and rewarding than she could have imagined. Max was a wonderful combination of the two of them. He had her hair and eyes, but Jonathan’s captivating smile. He had her innate curiosity and creativity but Jonathan’s sense of order as well as his sense of humor.

Jennifer laid back to stare at the ceiling. How was she ever going to get out of this?

Jonathan waded through the sea of reporters again as he tried to drive up to his home as daybreak peaked over the ridge behind his home. The night had yielded very little. The only shred of hope was the phone call made from a payphone in McIntire Park to Jennifer’s cell phone. Unfortunately, they had been unable to get any fingerprints or other clues from the phone. But Jonathan didn’t need prints or clues to know it was Elliot. The only thing he couldn’t understand was why Elliot hadn’t called to rub it in that he had Jennifer and Max. Elliot would certainly be full of himself with his exploits.

Jonathan entered the house to a barrage of questions from Agent Quinn. Jonathan held his hands up in surrender. "Just give me a minute would you."

"A minute? I ought to give you kick in the pants. What the hell are you doing withholding information about your wife? Some people might question your intentions." Jonathan’s eyes narrowed and darkened. "In fact," Agent Quinn continued. "Some people are questioning you." He threw the morning paper at Jonathan.

Jonathan opened the paper. "Harts Buckle Under the Strain." He read. He looked up Agent Quinn who only raised an eyebrow. Jonathan read on.

Jonathan was surprised that it was grief more than anger that consumed him. How could they question the love he had for his wife? It seemed inconceivable. He looked up at Agent Quinn. "I love my wife, Agent. I have no life without her or my son."

Agent Quinn saw the grief in Jonathan’s eyes, heard it in his voice. "Then help me find them."

"It’s Elliot."

"We don’t have any proof of that. My people are working on that as a possibility but we can’t ignore that it could be someone else."

Jonathan looked at Agent Quinn and found himself too tired to argue. Instead he nodded and headed to the kitchen for coffee.

For the rest of the day, the FBI and police continued their investigation while Jonathan agonized about his family and tried to figure out the missing piece… where was Elliot?

It was dusk and Jonathan had retreated to his room when he received the call on his cell phone.

"Lose something Jonathan?"

"Elliot! Where are they? Where are Jennifer and Max?" Jonathan jumped up from the chair he’d been sitting in to pace the room.

"They are well and happy with me."

"I swear to you. If you hurt either of them, I’ll kill you. Do you hear me? I will hunt you down and kill you like the dog you are."

"Those are strong words considering you have nothing. And I have no intention of hurting them. In fact, Max is having the time of his life. And Jennifer. Well we had a lovely dinner last night. She keeps herself up good doesn’t she Jonathan? She is still firm but soft in all the right places."

Something primal, animal, roared through Jonathan. "I’ll kill you Elliot."

"Idle threats."

"It’s a promise."

"You’ll have to find me first."

"The planet is not big enough for you to hide from me."

Elliot laughed. He was enjoying this conversation even more than he’d anticipated. "Then I’ll see you in hell Jonathan. Until then, I will have the family you stole from me."

Jonathan paced, the rages rumbling through him like a storm. The roar of it was deafening making it impossible to think.

"Are you there Jonathan? Because I’m not all that nasty, I have one parting gift for you. A chance to say goodbye to your wife."

"It’ll never be goodbye for Jennifer and me."

"Whatever, do you want to talk to her or not?"

"Yes, put her on." Jonathan sat on the edge of his bed and took deep breaths to pull himself together.

"Jonathan?"

"Oh God, Jennifer are you alright? Is Max alright?"

"Yes, we’re fine. Well, Max is a little under-the-weather. You know how he doesn’t travel well."

Jonathan rubbed his eyes then ran his hand through his hair. Would this be the last time he talked to her? Would it really be good-bye? "Jennifer?" Jonathan’s voice hitched as he tried to suppress the tears. "I love you. I love you with a love that never existed before and never will again. And Max too. Tell Max I love him."

"Oh Jonathan." Jennifer could here the grief and strain. He was afraid and was taking the opportunity to say good bye just in case. He was defeated and it broke her heart. Mustering her strength she sought to pass it to him through the phone. "Don’t do this, Jonathan. Max and I need you. You can tell us when we get home."

"Okay that’s enough." Elliot grabbed the phone from Jennifer. "Nice sentiments Jonathan. Now you know the pain of losing everything you ever wanted."

"That’s what this is about? Because you know Elliot, I will give you anything for my family. You want your reserve back? You got it. You want Hart Industries? It’s yours. Just bring me back my family." Jonathan was sure he sounded pathetic.

"Right. And how could I manage those. I’m a wanted man. No, I think I’ll be satisfied with the boy and your voluptuous wife." Jennifer cringed as Elliot ran his hand down her back.

Jonathan could here her gasp in the background. Like a slap in the face everything snapped. "This isn’t over Elliot."

"No I guess not." Elliot hung up the phone.