A small hidden camera was rolling. James was totally unaware that every quiz session by his captors was being taped. All that was needed was proof of James’ affair with Jennifer Hart and all of Allison’s problems would be solved. She had been unsuccessful in catching the pair together but she knew James would have to break at some point.
James Sullivan was growing very weary of being questioned over and over by the big burly man he had come to know as Bruno. It was always the same questions just asked in different ways.
"Okay Mr. Sullivan…" Bruno said in heavy breaths from the shadows of the darkened room, "the sooner you give me the story on your involvement with Jennifer Hart the sooner this will all be over. I am getting just as tired of looking at you as you are of me. So come on… help me out here… don’t make me use any more force on you."
James’ ribs ached and his head was throbbing. "I don’t know what you are talking about. Now for the final time, I am not having an affair with Jennifer Hart."
"Come on… from what I’ve seen she certainly is a looker," Bruno smirked as illicit thoughts ran through his head.
"Yes she is exceptionally beautiful and I have to admit that the thought being intimate with Jennifer Hart is quite tempting, but I have never been unfaithful to my wife."
"Then why don’t you try explaining these," the man said sternly as he tossed an envelope at James.
Without speaking James grasped it with his free hand and allowed the contents to spill onto the bed. He gazed at picture after picture of Jennifer Hart, some of which were even a little risqué.
"Do you recognize these?"
James looked at the photos and smiled. Everything was beginning to make sense. He finally realized who was responsible for his captivity. His plan to make Allison jealous had worked. However it now appeared that it had worked too well.
Allison paced nervously on the balcony of Evan Caine’s apartment. "This was not supposed to have taken this long!" she snapped.
"Can I help it if your husband is stubborn?" Evan answered as he sipped his drink.
"You know I have to have proof before I can leave him."
"Yes… yes… I know that thanks to your stupidity in signing that prenuptial agreement, you are not entitled to James’ fortune unless you can prove his infidelity."
"Don’t patronize me… furthermore I am not stupid."
"I need that money!" Evan shouted. "You’d better hope that the Harts don’t suspect anything because if James finds out that you have been unfaithful to him, you will probably wind up with nothing."
Allison gave him a look that could kill. She wondered how her life had taken the path she was traveling. The harder she tried to get ahead, the worse things seemed to get. She never set out to become involved with another man. She really did love James, but over time nothing she did for him seemed like it was enough. She quickly slipped into a state of depression that she could not overcome. She had devoted her life to James and he repaid her by abandoning her at that horrible clinic back East. She had vowed to herself that one day she would repay his cruelty and she knew that the best way to hurt him was by taking away all that he had worked so hard to build.
"Jonathan, do you really thing that this is going to work?"
"Of course, don’t my plans always work?" he asked with a wink.
"It depends on what you are talking about," Jennifer replied as she raised her eyebrows.
"Later when we are alone, I’ll show you just how well my plans work but for now we’ve got to find out what Allison and Evan Caine are up to."
"That really was pretty clever of you to check the incoming numbers on her cell phone and compare them to the little black book we found."
"Well you had to distract her while I searched her room so you deserve some of the credit too."
"I’ll remind you to thank me later."
The Harts were parked across the street from Evan’s apartment building.
"You know I thought Allison was much brighter than this. I mean she led us right to Evan."
"Well if she is the drug addict that I suspect then there’s no telling what she might do. She must have had at least 20 bottles of pills in that suitcase. Some looked to be prescription, but most were not I don’t think."
"I would never have guessed that about her. She really is very good at hiding it."
"I guess you do what you have to."
"I wonder what the connection is between those two?" Jennifer thought aloud.
"And what does it have to do with us?" Jonathan chimed in.
The phone rang in Evan’s apartment and it startled Allison.
Evan looked at her with disgust. "You really have to cut back on the pills. You are way to jumpy."
"Shut up! I don’t need any lectures from you," Allison snapped.
Evan answered the phone, but Allison could not hear the conversation. After a few moments, Evan turned toward Allison and said, "I’ll take care of it since I know who is responsible for this."
Allison downed what remained of her drink. "What’s wrong?"
"That was Tony. I sent him down to the lobby to watch things and guess who he spotted sitting across the street?" Evan said as he grabbed Allison by the shoulders and forced her to look him in the eye.
Allison was suddenly afraid of him. She had never seen him like this. "I… how should I know?"
"It’s the Harts and you led them here."
"Honestly Evan… I didn’t," she stammered.
He shook her hard and then pushed her onto the couch. "Of course you did! How else would they have found me? Did you tell them we have James tied up in the back room too!"
"No! No! Evan…. what are you going to do?"
Evan was silent for a minute. "We are going to speed this whole thing up… right now."
Evan made his way out of the lobby into the bright sunlight. Jonathan Hart would take the bait and he knew it. He paused to make sure the Harts had time to see him and then started to casually walk down the street.
"Jonathan look," Jennifer said pointing to the man exiting the building. "That man looks like the picture Stanley sent of Evan Caine."
"That’s him all right," Jonathan said as he quickly got out of the car.
"Jonathan…"
"Wait here. I’ll be right back. I want to see what he is up to," he told her as he was off before she had a chance to object.
Jennifer watched as Evan and Jonathan disappeared around the corner. Suddenly she felt a hand clamp around her wrist. She swiftly turned and she realized it was a setup as an unfamiliar man was pointing a gun at her.
"Not a word lady or it will be your last," the stranger said as he pulled Jennifer out of the car.
Jonathan lost sight of Evan and he suddenly didn’t care. He had a sense that something was wrong so he headed back to the car only to realized his gut feeling was right. Jennifer was gone and he immediately noticed a note was left in her place.
It simply read ‘No cops or she dies’.
"Damn!" Jonathan mumbled aloud as he crumpled the note and threw it down.
Jennifer was blindfolded and had no idea where this man was taking her. However, she could feel the constant pressure of the gun in her ribs. She considered her options, but quickly realized she had none. For now she would just cooperate and hope Jonathan would find her soon.
She could tell they were on an elevator. The man kept a firm grip on her arm from behind and quickly led her off the elevator once it stopped.
He bent close and quietly whispered in her ear, "Continue to be a good girl and I’ll make sure that you are taken care of."
The feel of the man’s breath on her ear repulsed Jennifer. She wasn’t sure how to take the comment, so she just nodded her head in agreement.
She heard a door close behind them.
"Don’t worry lady, we’re almost there."
Jennifer could hear voices and then the sound of another door opening.
"Well what do we have here?" Bruno said as he stepped toward Jennifer.
James looked up and instantly felt guilty for getting Jennifer Hart into this situation. "Let her go! She has nothing to do with this."
"Yeah right," Bruno said as he took Jennifer by the wrist. He placed handcuffs on her and chained her to the bed beside James.
"You two enjoy your time together… while it lasts," Bruno said with a laugh as the two men left the room.
"James? Is that you?" Jennifer asked while attempting to remove the blindfold.
"Yes Jennifer," James replied as he used his free hand to help her. Once she was able to see, she gazed at the man beside her. He was unshaven, pale and very tired looking. If she had not heard the voice first she would have found it hard to believe that this person was the always well groomed James Sullivan.
"James… are you sure you’re okay, you don’t look so good?" Jennifer asked as she brushed back the hair on his forehead to better examine the scrap there.
"Oh I’ll be fine… nothing a hot shower and a good nights sleep won’t cure."
"What’s going on James? Why have I been brought here?" Jennifer asked.
"I think for now it’s better that we not say too much. I’ve got a feeling that there are eyes and ears checking us out."
Jennifer laid back against the headboard and suddenly realized just how small and cramped the bed was. She was pressed up against James and she still felt she was falling off the edge.
"Jonathan will find us. I’m sure of it." Jennifer paused. "Do you have a plan?"
James looked over at her. On several occasions, he had caught himself watching her. He appreciated beautiful things, especially beautiful women who were as graceful and had curves like Jennifer Hart. At that moment, James realized why men were drawn to Jennifer. It was her faith and undying loyalty to Jonathan. Therefore, James’ fascination ended there for he knew where the boundaries were and he respected Jonathan too much to ever cross that line. Quickly, he snapped back to reality before she noticed. "I’m working on one."
Jonathan questioned anyone he could find in the vicinity of where their car was parked, but no one could provide him with any leads as to where Jennifer had been taken.
He knew Evan Caine had her or at least had something to do with her abduction. So he knew that would be his starting point.
He entered the lobby of the apartment building that Evan had came out of earlier. Jonathan quickly scanned the area and soon found his target. He moved toward a young bellboy and said, "Excuse me… could you help me?"
"Yes sir. What can I do for you?" the young man replied.
"I am looking for an old friend of mine, Evan Caine. Do you happen to know which apartment is his?"
"I’m sorry sir, you’ll need to go to the manager’s desk for that kind of information."
Jonathan decided he did not have any time to waste. He reached into his pocked and pulled out a roll of money. He flipped out a $100 bill and handed it to the wide eyed young man. "Will this help your memory?"
Casually the boy took the money and quickly slipped it into his pocket. "Move this way please. Sometimes Mr. Caine has his people in the lobby."
Jonathan followed him away from the front entry into a more secluded area.
"I’m not supposed to give out tenant information you know. I could loose my job over this so I hope you will be discrete."
"Totally. Now can you take me to Evan Caine’s apartment.," Jonathan asked as he handed him a $50 bill.
"Right this way sir," the boy said with a large smile.
"Jennifer lean towards me," James said in a low voice.
Without saying a word Jennifer followed instructions.
James whispered into her ear. "These men work for Evan Caine. I found out awhile back that Allison has been involved with him for some time. I won’t go into any of the details of what she has been doing. I planted those photos of you so that she would find them and think I was having an affair with you."
"But why me?" Jennifer asked very low.
"I am totally devoted to Allison. I have been since the day I married her. She just needs more than I am able to give her sometimes. I wanted to make her jealous, so I couldn’t just pick any woman. It had to be a woman who would make Allison feel inferior and believe me that is you."
"Me?"
"Allison is jealous of you in every way, especially the way Jonathan is so devoted to you. Now she thinks you are trying to take me too. She is trying to prove that we are having an affair so she can take advantage of the prenuptial agreement she signed."
"I’m confused…"
"Just play along for now. I want you to follow my lead. Pretend that we are involved and we will see what their plan is for us."
"Okay…" Jennifer replied even though she had a sick feeling inside.
Bruno was watching the prisoners on the monitor. "What do you think all that whispering is about Mr. Caine?"
"I’m not sure, but I think this is starting to get interesting."
Allison continued to consume more and more alcohol as her anger grew from seeing Jennifer Hart with her husband.
James winked at Jennifer and started the charade. "Jennifer… I have missed you."
"Oh James, what are we going to do? Does your wife know about us?"
"I hope not."
"It’s been hard not knowing what happened to you."
"Does Jonathan suspect anything?"
"No. I’m sure of that. I know exactly how to handle him."
James reached over and pulled Jennifer into an embrace as best he could. "I needed to feel you in my arms."
Jennifer was trying to fight back a laugh. She found the very thought of her being involved with another man comical. She regained her composure and continued the act. "Promise we’ll never be apart again."
"You know I would do anything you asked Jennifer," James said as his lips gently grazed Jennifer’s cheek.
This startled Jennifer momentarily, but she knew she needed to be convincing. Jennifer turned and awkwardly pressed her lips to his.
Allison threw the glass against the wall just above the monitor they were all watching. Evan was startled at first but then his anger flared. He immediately went over to Allison and back handed her across the face. Bruno and the others turned their heads.
She stumbled to the ground and then glared up at the man she had once thought she trusted. Now she realized what a mistake she had made by ever becoming involved with Evan Caine.
"You’d better calm yourself down," Evan remarked as he pointed his finger only inches from her face. "This will be over soon… isn’t this what you wanted to confirm?"
"No…" Allison said in a low voice.
"What do mean no?"
"I was hoping we were wrong about them!"
"Well there’s the proof that we were right."
There was a knock at the door and Evan motioned for Bruno to answer it.
Bruno looked through he peep hole but saw no one. He unlatched the door and still saw no one in the corridor so he stepped out. Just as he came out of the apartment, Jonathan landed a perfect blow across the back of the big man’s neck with the but of his gun.
Bruno dropped to the floor and Jonathan quickly made his way into the apartment. Evan and another man had their backs to him. Jonathan quickly scanned the room and suddenly saw Allison on the floor as he got closer. She was the first to see him. Jonathan held this finger to his lips in an effort to keep her quiet.
Allison started to warn Evan, but she decided she had helped him for the last time as she rubbed her cheek.
As he got closer, Jonathan saw what the men were watching. The sight of his wife in the arms of another man momentarily caught him off guard.
Evan turned just as Jonathan was about to make his move. "Well look who has joined us Allison!"
"What’s going on Caine?"
"Take a look for yourself Mr. Hart. What does the sight of your wife with another man do to you?"
Jonathan was silent as he continued to point the gun at Evan.
"How long do you think James Sullivan has been enjoying what you thought you had exclusive rights to?" Evan said with a smile. He was enjoying watching Jonathan Hart squirm. He realized that no amount of money could bring him as much pleasure as watching the stunned look on Jonathan’s face.
"Shut up! I have no doubts about Jennifer."
"Looks like she’s enjoying herself to me," Evan continued to distract Jonathan as Tony decided to make his move.
Tony lunged at Jonathan and the two men began to struggle over the gun. Evan decided this was his chance to make an escape. Allison knew she could not let him get away because she wasn’t going to take the wrap for him.
Tony and Jonathan continued to exchange blows, but were interrupted by the sound of a gun shot. Both men looked around to see Allison holding a gun and Evan fall to the floor.
Allison dropped the gun and sank to her knees as she began to sob uncontrollably. "I had to stop him!"
Tony made a break for the door and Jonathan decided to let him go. He made his way toward Allison but she was beyond help as she lay in a heap on the floor.
Jonathan opened the door of the room that held James and Jennifer. "Okay you two, I’ve seen all I can handle."
Jennifer smiled as she looked over James’ shoulder. "Jonathan!"
James released Jennifer and felt a sadness in his heart for he realized he had never found the kind of love that these two shared.
Police officers captured Tony before he even made it to the elevator. Jonathan had instructed the bell boy to call the police once he had led him to Evan’s apartment.
"Jonathan, she said you would find us. I’m glad you did old boy."
"Let’s not make this a habit," Jonathan said as he found the keys to the handcuffs and set them free.
Jennifer immediately threw her arms around Jonathan’s neck as he handed the keys to James.
"Come on darling, let’s get you out of here," Jonathan said as he pulled Jennifer up. "This nightmare is finally over."
Jonathan held his wife close as they enjoyed the relaxing glow of the fire. The events of the day were almost forgotten. Almost.
"Jonathan… what did Lieutenant Grey say would happen to Allison?" Jennifer asked as she reached up behind her and stroked her husband’s cheek. She felt so safe in his arms.
"She is going to undergo a psychiatric evaluation before she goes before a judge. They want to determine what her state of mind was when she shot and killed Evan. I informed him about her drug also. So hopefully she will get the help she needs."
"I really hate that James was subjected to all that. He deserves so much better," she said as she gazed into the dancing flames.
"Speaking of James, what was going on between you two?"
Jennifer turned and looked up at her husband. She smiled slyly. "Why were you jealous?"
"No."
She sat up and moved to face him. "Yes you are! Jonathan we were only putting on an act. We were trying to find out what Evan and Allison had planned. I was just following James’ lead."
"Well I have to admit I didn’t like how James was leading you as call it."
Jennifer snuggled closer as she draped her arms around his shoulders. "Jonathan Hart, you know that no man could ever take your place in my heart."
Jonathan bent closer until their noses touched and whispered, "Prove it."
"Oh Mr. Hart you are a tease," she giggled as she leaned back and pulled him with her.
"So it’s teasing you want," he replied as his hands nimbly worked to remove her shirt.
"Don’t make any promises you can’t keep," she said in a heavy voice.
"I’ll promise you this…" he said into her ear as his hands finally found the tender soft flesh of her breast. "I’m going to make you forget that any other men even exist, especially James Sullivan."
"Oh I love it when you get so forceful."
Very few words were exchanged for the remainder of the evening as the Harts were once again in the their own secluded world where they belonged... together.
