Incessant thumping and bumping. Jennifer's head throbbed, her body ached and she felt nauseous. Either she was having the worst hang over in her life or she was in the trunk of a car. Much to her dismay, Jennifer discovered the latter was true. Jennifer struggled to stretch out her legs to relieve the charley horse that seemed to have found a permanent home in her hip. She turned on her side, which seemed to relieve the muscle tightness and motion sickness.
It was pitch black in the trunk. Jennifer found herself wishing her captives had taken her in a new car with the child safety light and release switch in the trunk. She lay still for a minute trying to get her bearings straight. How long had she been in the car? She listened carefully for any distinguishing sounds but heard only the car's rhythmic beats as it traveled along the road. She began to feel along the inside of trunk. It wasn't a new car; the rubber pad on the floor told her that. She reached for the truck edge hoping it wasn't closed all the way. No luck. She found the wires to the lights. Yanking hard, the wires began to pull off.
"Maybe a policeman will pull us over for a broken light." Jennifer lay silent for a moment. "Probably shouldn't count on that, Jennifer. There is never a police man when you need one."
Knowing a romantic evening alone wasn't possible, Jonathan decided to make a stop to buy Jennifer a "just because" gift for later in the evening. He smiled at the thought of Jennifer squealing in delight over the surprise, and of course the ensuing thankfulness she would show him. God, he loved her! As he got back in his car, his cell phone began to ring.
"Jonathan Hart."
"Jonathan? Its Lt. Gray."
Jonathan's found himself hoping his friend was calling regarding a poker game.
"Max told me I could find you on your cell phone. I hope that is okay."
"Sure, what's up?"
"Have you heard from Jennifer lately?"
Jonathan's hackles spiked. Quickly and recklessly he pulled over to the side of the road. "I haven't talked to her since this morning. Why? Is something wrong?"
"Well, actually we aren't sure."
"What's going on?" Jonathan's voice was tense with annoyance at the lieutenant's lack of details.
"Jennifer's purse was found in the garage of her publishers building. And it appears she missed her appointment."
Jonathan's head dropped back on the seat. His heart thumped wildly on his chest. Picking his head back up he said, "Where are you?"
"I was at the garage but, I am now heading to your house. Should I meet you there?"
"Hurry," Jonathan demanded.
Jonathan burst through the door of his home. "JENNIFER!" He marched through the home calling her.
"Mr. H. She isn't here. In fact I was getting ready to call you. I tried to get her on her cell phone but there is no answer and her publisher said she never showed up to her appointment."
"The police found her purse in the parking garage."
"Jonathan, what is the matter?" Allison said entering the kitchen. "You look frantic."
"Jennifer is missing," he stated tersely.
"Oh no." Allison feigned horror taking a seat as if she couldn't bear the news. The buzzer to the gate broke the silence.
"That would be Lt. Gray," Jonathan said.
"I'll buzz him in," Max said.
All three went to the living room to meet Lt. Gray.
"Jonathan, maybe I should leave you two alone. I know how worried you must be," Allison said.
"No, stay," Jonathan said. His curtness didn't go unnoticed by Allison. Fool! Why he is so devoted to her when she treats him like dirt. Allison considered confiding in Jonathan later about the pictures of Jennifer in James' desk. She could then be a comfort to him in his despair.
"Any word?" Lt. Gray asked Jonathan as he entered the living area.
"No. How about you? Any clues?"
"Actually no. There were no witnesses. Is there something going on that Jennifer would be a target?"
"I don't know. Maybe unwittingly, you see Mrs. Sullivan here, her husband is missing too."
"Jonathan! You promised," Allison spat. Jonathan looked her. Her reaction seemed more of anger than worry. Softening her features Allison added, "They might hurt them more if we bring the police into it."
"We don't even know if the two are related. And when it comes to Jennifer, all bets and agreements are off. She is what concerns me most."
Allison feigned a weak smile. Inside her heart pounded against her chest as waves of hate for Jennifer engulfed her.
Jennifer removed her shoe and using the heel, tapped at the taillight breaking away the bulb and light until there was a small hole. Limited light shone in letting Jennifer know that she had been in the trunk for several hours. She tried to put her hand through the hole but was scratched by forcing it through. She put her hands on her face to rub away the tension that began to grow. As her hands bushed down her neck she caught her scarf in her fingers. Ah ha!
Jonathan, Allison, Max and Lt. Gray sat in the living room uncertain as what to do. Jonathan twitched with nervous energy, wanting to find Jennifer but not knowing where to start. They all jumped as the phone rang.
"Maybe its a ransom call?" Lt. Gray suggested.
"Hart residence," Max answered. "Its for you Lt. Gray." Jonathan wasn't sure if he was relieved or disappointed.
"This is Lt. Gray?" The Lieutenant spoke on the phone for a few minutes.
"Well, Jonathan! Your wife is very resourceful."
Jonathan looked up with hopeful apprehension.
"They found her locked in a trunk in San Diego. They are flying her and the two kidnappers up here. They should be here in 20 minutes."
"Oh, thank God," Jonathan whispered.
"Yes, that's wonderful." Allison forced a smile.
"Darling are you hurt?" Jonathan asked as he enveloped Jennifer in his strong arms.
"I am fine. Just a little scratch." She showed Jonathan her hand. Taking her hand, he pressed his soft, warm lips to her wound. "All better," she said smiling.
"Jennifer, it is so wonderful that you were able to get away. You always hear about stuff like this but you never think it will happen to you," Allison said.
"What happened?" Jonathan asked.
"I don't know. One minute I was going to my meeting, the next I was riding around in a trunk."
"Your wife is very clever," Officer Duncan said. "She broke out the tail light and strung her scarf out through it. A motorist thought it was strange. Fortunately instead of flagging the driver, he called the cops."
"You did that?" Jonathan said smiling with pride at his wife. She nodded. "You are amazing and smart and..."
"Tell me more," Jennifer cooed.
"I'll tell you when we get out of here and get home," Jonathan said winking. Looking to the police, he asked, "So what do the two kidnappers say. Was it for money, or what?"
"They haven't said. The car was stolen so there is no real evidence in it. Both have a record of small stuff locally. But, they are from the east coast so we are checking with the authorities back there to see what kind of information we can get."
"Jonathan," Lt. Gray called as they were leaving the police station. "You said something about James Sullivan being missing. Do you think maybe it's time to file a report?"
Jonathan looked at Allison. "I am just so afraid of what may happen." She began to sob hysterically. "Jennifer.... was .. fortunate to ... get away.... but I can't ... put James in ... danger."
"Give me some time with her Lieutenant. Maybe we'll be back tomorrow."
When they arrived home, Jennifer went straight up to her bedroom.
"I do hope she is alright," Allison said to Jonathan after Jennifer departed.
"Jennifer? She's tough. She will be fine."
"Mr. H? How is Mrs. H?" Max said entering the living area.
"She's fine Max. She went up to get some rest. I thought you had a big date tonight Max."
"I do. I just wanted to be sure Mrs. H was alright before I left."
"Thanks Max. Go ahead and have some fun." Max left and Jonathan sat on the couch. Allison joined him.
"Such a terrible thing. Stuck in a trunk! I wonder if that is what they did with James. I wonder if he is some trunk somewhere." Allison's tears flowed uncontrolled.
"I know it is difficult," Jonathan said reaching out to comfort Allison by putting an arm around her. "Something will turn up and we'll figure this whole thing out. You need to keep the faith."
Allison said nothing. She was savoring the feel of Jonathan's arm around her, the scent of his cologne and softness of his voice. She turned her head slightly so that her lips were close to his cheek. She closed her eyes imagining her mouth pressed to his luscious lips.
"Allison?" Jonathan shook her. "Allison? Are you alright?"
"Me? Uh yes. Yes I am fine," she stammered. "I guess I just got lost in thought about James. I do miss him."
"Yes, well, why don't you get some rest too? I think I am going to go up myself and check on Jennifer."
"You are right. We could all use some rest."
"Darling?" Jonathan said as he entered the room and found she wasn't in bed.
"In here darling," she replied from the bathroom. Jonathan walked into the bathroom to find Jennifer soaking in the whirlpool tub. "I was a little stiff from being cramped in that trunk. I though a little bath would help."
Jonathan smiled. He marveled at her calm manner and admired her bravery. He sat down next to the tub. Taking a wet, soapy towel, he began to caress her shoulders.
"Umm, that feels good."
"I was hoping for a little different end to our evening."
"You were?" Jennifer said, dropping her head back to look up at him. "Well, why don't you join me."
"You need to get your rest and relax a bit."
"I rested for hours in the back of that car. I could really use one of your super duper massages." Jennifer's eyes twinkled.
"Okay." Jonathan began to undress. As he did, he came across the present he bought her. Looking to see if she noticed, he set it on the tub behind her. Once undressed he climbed into the tub behind her. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her close, nuzzling and kissing her neck.
"Oh, that feels wonderful." Jennifer relinquished herself into Jonathan's arms.
"I have a surprise for you," he whispered.
"A surprise? I love surprises." Jennifer turned her body to the side to look at Jonathan. Jonathan reached behind him to get the small box.
"What is this?" she asked excited with anticipation.
"Just a token of my love for you."
Jennifer kissed him on the cheek as she took the box. "I guess it is okay to open in the tub?"
"Just don't drop it down the drain. We won't be able to afford the plumber if you do." Jennifer smiled at his teasing and then eagerly opened the box.
"Jonathan! It's gorgeous." Jennifer pulled a diamond tennis bracelet from the box.
"You are gorgeous," he responded. Taking the bracelet from her, he put it on her wrist. Jennifer admired the bracelet and then turned to straddle his thighs.
"You spoil me," she said as she wrapped her arms around him.
"I love it. Besides you spoil me too." Jonathan ran his arms up and down her warm, wet back.
"Can I spoil you back now?" Jennifer asked in a low husky voice.
"Please do," he said as he pulled her body to his. Flesh to flesh, they engaged in a long, deep, lingering kiss. They continued to "spoil" each other until they exploded together in complete ecstasy.
"Everything is screwed up," Allison spat into the phone. "Those goons you hired couldn't find their heads with a map!"
"I think you are the one that under estimated Jennifer Hart. Who'd of thought about breaking a taillight?"
Allison sucked in a breath. "You blew our chances. Jonathan will never let her out of his sight now. Maybe we should start working on James. Find out what the hell is going on with those two."
"That I can do."
"Well, you do it!" Allison didn't think she could take much more of living in Jonathan's house with Jennifer there. As it was, it sounded like they were having a merry old time in the bathroom. Poor Jonathan. He has no clue as to the type of woman he married.
After indulging in the rapture of each other's bodies, Jonathan and Jennifer ran more warm water in the tub and discussed the curious events of the day.
"Do you think my kidnapping has anything to do with James' disappearance?" Jennifer asked relaxing in Jonathan's arms.
"I don't know. I can tell you that I am getting pretty suspicious of Allison's behavior."
"Really? Why?"
"Stanley discovered that she spent some time in a psychiatric hospital."
"Oh, that's too bad."
"Apparently, James didn't visit her even once while she was there," Jonathan explained.
"That doesn't seem like them."
"No it doesn't. Also, She got really mad when I mentioned James' disappearance to the police."
"Mad?"
"If looks could kill I'd be dead." Jonathan naturally and instinctively kissed Jennifer on the shoulder. "Another thing that bothers me. The men that kidnapped you are from New York, just like the Sullivans."
"A lot of people around here are from New York."
Jonathan shrugged. "I think she tried to kiss me."
"What?" Jennifer said turning to look at him.
"I don't know. I could be wrong although I have pretty good instincts about these things."
"Yes you do," Jennifer said as her defenses rose.
Jonathan pulled Jennifer close and kissed her. "She's not my type, darling."
"I hope not."
"I am still bothered by the fact James office was in pristine shape when we found it but Allison said it had been messed up," Jonathan added.
"That was kind of weird."
"I bet whatever the answer is to this puzzle is still in his office."
They sat in silence.
"Well I guess we better get dressed to go," Jennifer finally said.
"What?"
"Dressed. It's getting late. If we are going to James' office we'd better leave soon."
Jonathan smiled. "What makes you think we should go to James' office?"
"You have that look."
Jonathan and Jennifer dressed in dark clothes and snuck out their bedroom window. Jennifer had called a cab that met them at the gate and took them to Jennifer's car in the parking garage from which she was kidnapped. They drove straight to James and Allison's home.
"How are we going to get in?" Jennifer asked.
"Easy," Jonathan said punching in numbers on the alarm. "I paid attention when Allison brought us here the other day."
"Very clever."
"Thank you."
Jonathan and Jennifer entered the house. Using a flashlight, they headed to James' office. The office was still pristine in condition. They began looking in the drawers, books and any other nook and cranny they could find but found nothing.
"Whatever it was, it is gone now," Jennifer said flopping down on a couch.
"Who is it? Allison, is that you?" Jonathan and Jennifer heard out in the foyer.
Jonathan and Jennifer's heads twisted to look at each other. Both were wide eyed.
"That doesn't sound like James," Jonathan said. " Come here darling." Jonathan directed Jennifer to get under James desk. Jennifer sat near the back wall of the desk, her legs pulled tight into her chest. Her body screamed at the tight confines it was subjected to again.
Jonathan scrunched himself as far under the desk next to her as he could get. "Good thing he has a big desk," Jennifer said.
"You know what they say about a man and the size of his desk..." Jonathan whispered.
"You need a bigger desk, darling." They sat quietly under the desk as the man entered the office.
"Allison? Hello?" The person turned on the light and looked around. Jonathan squished himself further under the desk holding the chair as close to him as possible.
Then the light switched out and the door closed. Both Jonathan and Jennifer let out a huge breath.
"That was close," Jonathan said.
"Jonathan?" Jennifer said leaning over her knees and reaching toward the side of the desk.
"Hmmm."
"Look at this." Jennifer pulled a file that was duct taped to the side underneath the desk. Both crawled out from under the desk and took a minute to stretch their bodies.
Jennifer laid the file on the desk and opened the cover.
"Oh, my," Jonathan said looking at Jennifer in disbelief.
