Jonathan picked up the phone and called his office. "Stanley?"
"Yes sir, Mr. Hart. I’m so sorry about…"
"Its okay Stanley. I have something I need you to do."
"Okay. Shoot."
"I’ll meet you at the office in an hour."
"I’ll be here sir."
Jonathan’s mind was a whirl as he drove to the office. Jennifer in her cool headed wisdom gave him the clue. "You know he doesn’t travel well." It took a while; much longer than it should have, for him to catch the clue. Max was a great traveler, except on a boat. They had to be on a boat. It was the only way he could have gotten into the country and taken Max at a little league practice. How did he get Jennifer? He must have called her and she met him. Why hadn’t she called and told him? Because she was upset at you for pushing her away. That had been just one of the many critical mistakes Jonathan had made.
"Anything I can do to help too Mr. Hart?" Nick asked as Jonathan walked into his office.
"I could use all your help." Jonathan explained his theory to the two most trusted men in his company.
"What is the FBI doing?" Stanley asked.
"Nothing." Jonathan looked up momentarily. It was a warning to let any question about his actions drop. He didn’t want them involved which, is why he snuck out of his own home. "So what I need to know is, how far could he have gotten out to sea assuming left sometime after 4 PM yesterday."
"Are you sure that’s when he left?" Nick asked.
"No but it will be close. Jennifer and I parted at about 2 and I know she drove down to MacIntire Park. Then they would have had to have driven to a marina somewhere, my guess is Marina Del Mar."
"I’ll get right on it," Stanley said leaving the office. "Oh, do we know what kind of boat his on?"
"No, but knowing Elliot it is top of the line." Stanley left.
"I need you Nick, to find out where any of our ships are in the Pacific. When Stanley gets back with possible locations I’ll want to contact those ships."
"Right."
Alone in his office, Jonathan sat back in his desk. He rotated his shoulders and noted how he felt like his resolve was returning. Hold on Jennifer, I’m coming.
It seemed like forever although it was only 30 minutes before Stanley was back. "Okay, what I have here is a map showing the possible locations of the boat taking speed, weather, currents." Stanley put the map on Jonathan’s desk. "I have drawn a circle here. This is the area I would anticipate he could be in."
Jonathan looked at the map. The circle radiated out encompassing a great deal of ocean. "That much eh?"
"That’s assuming he’s on yacht that can go 35 or 40 knots which, is pretty fast but possible."
"What ships do we have in this area?"
"We have one located here, about 75 miles out heading back to the Port of Los Angeles. We have a second one here, about 25 miles out heading towards Japan."
"The thing is Mr. Hart, it depends too on where in this circle the boat is."
"Contact both ships and have them use whatever equipment they have to see if the boat is within their radar."
"Mr. Hart, the radar on these ships is designed mostly to prevent them from hitting other ships. They don’t have a very wide range of sensing," Nick said.
Jonathan looked at the map. He could feel the sense of helpless and despair threaten again. Pushing it back he went to look out the window. He looked out over the lights of the city. The only time he ever saw this view was when he worked late and Jennifer brought a picnic dinner to him. Often they would make love right their on the floor, the couch, the desk…. Jonathan shook his head and looked out into the night sky. He could see the Big Dipper. A star shot against the sky.
"What about Starlab?" He said turning back to Nick and Stanley.
"Right now it’s…"
"Could it do it? Could it find a yacht in this area?"
"Yes, but…"
"Whatever has to be done do it."
"A call to General Wyatt would help," Nick said.
Jonathan picked up the phone to make the call of his life.
Jennifer lay in bed next to Max. She was unable to sleep. During the second full day of the trip, she had been able to avoid Elliot for most the day. Although she hated that Max felt so puny, it was a blessing disguise. Elliot allowed her stay with and care for Max. He hadn’t attempted any more romantic escapades. But Jennifer knew it was only a matter of time before Elliot made a move. She didn’t know why Elliot was being so agreeable but she knew he had a secret agenda behind it. She hoped Jonathan had gotten the clue and would find them before Elliot moved on to the next step of his plan. She hoped it was soon, that Jonathan was on his way. And when he found them, she would beg his forgiveness and do everything she could to make up for being a bitch to him. The quick movement of the door busting open startled Jennifer.
"Get up!" Elliot grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the bed.
"Elliot, what are you doing?" Jennifer could feel the rage swirling around him. She could smell the whisky he’d been drinking. And she became afraid. "Please Elliot. You’re hurting me."
Elliot said nothing as he dragged her up the hall to his room. "What the hell did you tell him?" He finally said when he pushed her in his room.
"Who? What?"
"Jonathan. What did you tell him? What clue did you give him?"
"Nothing, Elliot you were there. You heard what I told him."
Elliot stormed around the room. It gave Jennifer the impression of a wild animal, on edge, and ready to strike. He swung around, "Max. Max is sick."
"Yes he is. Can I go to him?"
Elliot grabbed her arms and jerked to him. "You said he doesn’t travel well. You told him he was sea sick." He started to shake her wanting her to not even try to deny it.
Jennifer could feel the fear rising to panic. How did he know? Jonathan must be on his way. "What’s going on?" Jennifer said jerking herself away.
"Radio transmissions. Seems your husband has used his influence to use satellites to locate us. And he’s right now being helocoptered out to a ship only 25 miles from us."
Joy and relief spread through Jennifer until Elliot grabbed her again.
"He maybe coming but he won’t find his sweet, loving, faithful wife." He pushed her on his bed and pinned her down.
"No!" Panic burned in her gut as her fear shrieked towards her throat. "Elliot, no."
"This time I will have you Jennifer. Any way I have to." Elliot's eyes were narrow and dark as he looked down on her. A feral smile crept across his face, and Jennifer knew, this time he wouldn’t stop.
"Oh, God no." Tears blurred Jennifer vision as she felt her shirt tear away. "Don’t do this Elliot. Please don’t do this." She could hear herself beg. He grabbed at her pants, not budging at all as she tried to push him off. She began to use her fingernails and fists alternately. To her dismay, he seemed oblivious to her attack. His anger and adrenaline were too high. He was too focused on his goal. And Jennifer was helpless against him.
"Mom?"
She heard his voice. First it was like an angel and then reality struck. Her son was there. "Max! Elliot please Max is there."
Elliot stopped his assault and turned to look over his shoulder. "Get out!" His voice roared like a wild beast. Jennifer took the moment of reprieve to shove as hard as she could. Elliot fell to the side and she quickly scrambled towards the door.
"Max, run honey. Run away." As she approached the door, Elliot grabbed her leg forcing Jennifer to fall short of her goal. "Run Max run." She called again as she fought against Elliot on the floor.
Max watched paralyzed by the sight. His mother’s eyes were red from sobbing, her shirt was torn, and there were bruises on her arms. Do something! He thought to himself. He watched as Elliot straddled his mother pinning her down.
"Max, please honey, run." Jennifer was pleading. She couldn’t let her son watch this. "Dad’s coming, Max run and hide."
"Shut up!" Elliot's hand met her face. Small white stars burst in front of her eyes.
Max eyes widened in horror. Run! He could hear the chant in his head. Was it his or her voice? He didn’t know but his legs finally received the message. He turned and ran without abandon up the corridor and out onto the deck. It was dark and chilly. He ran to the rail and looked out over the ocean. Where is he? She said he’s coming. Come now dad, come now. He ran to the other side of the boat, searching the water, praying for help. He heard Jennifer scream again. Oh please. He ran up to the bridge of the yacht, fumbling with the door. Open, open. It was locked. Max stood for a moment desperate for some idea to come to his brain.
He ran back down the room he and his mother shared. Dumping her purse out he searched for a nail file. He could pick the lock open. His dad showed him how. His mom wouldn’t care at this point. Running back up to the bridge he shoved the file in to open the door. His hands shook making it hard to manipulate the file. Oh please he begged. He used his forearm to wipe away the tears that blurred his vision.
A loud crash from below interrupted his concentration. He could hear his mother weeping. Turning back to the door he purposefully manipulated the lock as his father had showed him. Once the door swung open, Max couldn’t figure out what to do. He stood in the room looking for something, anything that he could use to help his mother. He saw what he took to be a radio like he saw on the movies. He flipped all the switches and watched as the lights came on and static hummed.
He picked up the receiver and pushing the button he prayed. "Hello? Is anyone there? Hello?"
"Anything?" Nick asked Captain Williams in the bridge of the ship. "Mr. Hart is eager for a report."
"Nothing." The captain said as he again checked the radar.
"Hello? Is anyone there? Hello?" Both men heard the call over the radio.
"That’s a kid," Captain Williams said.
"That’s Max. You talk to him. I’ll get Mr. Hart."
"Please, I need help. Is anyone there."
"This is Captain Williams of the Mauritania in Hart Shipping. What do you need son."
Hart Shipping! Max heard his mother scream again. "Please help me. He’s hurting her."
"MAX! MAX!" Jonathan burst into the room.
"Dad? Daddy." Max began to sob. "Where are you? He’s hurting her." Max could hear more commotion. "Oh, please, he’s hurting her."
The acid in Jonathan’s gut threatened to eat him alive. He didn’t know what to say. Didn’t know what to do. WHY AREN’T WE THERE YET? "Max, are you safe?"
"Right now I am but mom, he’s got her. She’s crying. He hit her, please hurry."
The room spun as the dark swirl of rage enveloped Jonathan. "I’m coming Max." His voice hitched as grief entwined with the rage. He wouldn’t cry he wouldn’t rant. They needed him. He just hoped he was on time. "Do we have their location right?" Jonathan asked the captain.
"Yes, sir. We are about 1 hour away."
"There must be something other way. Jesus. You heard him. I need to get on that ship now. How about Ruby?" Jonathan asked about the research sub.
"Ruby can’t make it that far and back. And it wouldn’t hold all of you."
Jonathan’s body was radiating with anger, humming with it. "You have to get me on that boat."
Captain Williams and Nick remained silent. There was nothing that could be done.
"Max. Is there somewhere you can go to hide, where you will be safe?" Jonathan said using all his strength to keep his voice calm.
"I don’t know."
"I need you to find a place until I can get there." Jonathan ran his hand through his hair wishing he could climb through the radio wires to save his family.
"Can’t I stay here and talk to you."
Jonathan could feel his heart ripping. "I want to Max but I’m afraid what will happen if you are found talking to me." Max nodded in agreement. He saw first hand the kind of violence Elliot was capable of. "Max? Can you hide?"
"Yes, I’ll go hide."
"Okay son. I love you Max. I’m coming for you and your mom."
"Hurry."
Jennifer fought Elliot as if her life depended on it. She was sure it did. Her shirt was completely torn off. Her pants were ripped but remained. Her struggle enraged Elliot more, and she noticed that in that state he preferred to push her around more than force himself on her. That she could survive. If only she could get the upper hand.
The room was in rambles where Elliot had pushed her into bookshelves and side tables. She was physically fit which was the only reason she had lasted as long as she had. But she could feel her strength waning. If she was going to do something, she’d need to do it now. If she could just think.
Elliot grabbed her, pulling her hard against him. "Don’t have any fight now do you?" Jennifer could feel his whisky breath on her face, his hardness against her belly.
"I won’t ever give in." her voice was weak. With one last bit of energy, she brought her leg up to knee him in the groin.
"You bitch!" He hissed as he pushed her hard. Jennifer lost her balance as she tripped over the debris on the floor. She fell hard, hitting her head on a table on her way down. She lay stunned as the world lingered between light and dark. Oh, no, don’t pass out now Jennifer.
The world was a haze, moving in slow motion as she watched Elliot tower over her. "You didn’t break anything important." He was sneering, victory in his eyes as he undid his pants.
This is it, she thought. She couldn’t fight. She could barely stay conscience. The last few days passed through her mind. If only she’d called Jonathan was her last thought as Elliot began to grab at her pants.
"Mom? Wake up mom."
From somewhere Jennifer could here him. Her sweet Max. She slowly opened her eyes. "Max?"
Max blew out a breath of relief as Jennifer opened her eyes. "Yeah."
Jennifer tried to look around but her head was pounding, her body ached, no screamed in pain. "Where’s Elliot?"
"He’s there," Max pointed.
Jennifer realized that Elliot was lying right beside her on the ground. She looked to Max.
"I hit him, with this." Max held up a sailing trophy.
A smile crossed her lips. "Thank you."
Max smiled back. "Can we get out of this room?"
"Sure champ. But, you’re going to have to help your old ma here."
Max wiped his final tears as he helped her get up. Jennifer swayed or the room did. She held on to Max’s shoulder as he led her out of the Elliot’s room and to the living room.
"Dad’s coming." Max helped Jennifer sit down on a couch. Then she decided she preferred to lie down.
"Soon I hope."
"Let me get you another shirt." Max wasn’t bothered as much by seeing his mother only in a bra but instead he didn’t like to see the bruises all over her torso.
"Thank you sweetie." Jennifer hadn’t realized how disoriented she was. She understood that she should take control of the situation but her head, the throbbing was excruciating. She couldn’t think.
Max returned and helped her put her shirt on. He rebuttoned her pants and then helped her lay down. Jennifer held out her hand as Max sat on the floor next to her.
"I love you Max." Jennifer said as sleep threatened.
"I love you too mom."
Jonathan was opening Ruby’s hatch just as she emerged from the water. Leaping onto the boat he quietly maneuvered around. Over the hour he played a million different scenarios in his mind. The most frightening of which would have left him without a family. Brushing the thought away, he quietly walked to the entrance of the yacht hoping to take his family home and armed to kill Elliot. As he entered the living area, he immediately saw Jennifer on the couch, Max sitting with her, both asleep… or so he hoped.
"Max? Jennifer?" he whispered.
Max’s eyes shot open. "Don’t you touch her again. I’ll kill you." Max’s arms flew out to hit Jonathan.
"It’s me champ. It’s your dad." Jonathan said taking him in his arms and holding him close.
"Dad." Max buried his head in Jonathan’s shoulder and wept. Jonathan looked over Max’s shoulder at Jennifer. Pulling Max back he asked. "How’s your mom?"
"She’s sleeping. But she’s hurt. She was passed out."
Jonathan pushed down the rage yet again. "Where’s Elliot?"
"He’s passed out in his room." When Jonathan looked quizzically he said, "I hit him with a trophy." Jonathan smiled his approval.
"Darling?" Jonathan moved close to her, whispering in her ear. "Darling? Let’s go home."
"Jonathan?" Jennifer’s voice was a whisper. Was she dreaming? Could it be after the worst night of her life, the man that could make it all right was here. She opened her eyes as Jonathan lightly kissed her. Relief flooded Jennifer. She grabbed him and held him with everything she had.
"Come on." Jonathan said lifting her from the couch. "Let’s go home."
Jennifer rested her head on his shoulder. How was it that in his arms she could feel the energy filling her, bringing her back to life. As they reached the side of the yacht, Jonathan set her down. "Can you stand?"
"Yes, I’m feeling much better." Jennifer still held on to the railing. Might as well not over do it.
"Max, come here." Jonathan led Max to the rail and hoisted him over into the waiting arms of Ruby’s driver. Normally, Max would have thought it was really cool to ride in a sub. Maybe when this whole thing was over it would be a great story. Right now, he was just happy to be getting off this boat.
"Jennifer. Can you help me get you down into the sub?" Jonathan asked.
"It sure is tiny."
"It will take you and Max back to the ship and then come back for me."
Jennifer turned quickly to Jonathan, too quickly for her head as the world swayed and her brain sloshed around. She reached out to steady herself. Jonathan held her arms. "No. I won’t leave you here. Not with him."
"It can’t hold us all. Only three people at a time. You need to go. You need a doctor." For the first time Jonathan could see the light blue of a bruise on her cheek.
"I won’t leave you. I’ll wait and go back with you."
"Jennifer, please don’t fight me on this. I’ll be fine. Max told me he knocked Elliot out."
"We never had any problems until we stopped doing things together." Jennifer’s eyes were clearer than they had been when Jonathan first found her. "As a team we work best."
Jonathan held her gaze, knowing in his heart it was true but wanting desperately to get her away from Elliot. He dragged in her into his arms. "Jennifer." Her name whispered in her ear. "Please."
"Well, well. A Kodak moment."
Jonathan’s head swung around as Elliot stood on deck with a gun on them.
