Not able to fall back to sleep Jennifer got out of bed and walked to the window. She pulled back the drapes and moonlight shone onto Carmen’s bed. Jennifer was puzzled when she looked and saw that Carmen was not in her bed. Jennifer walked to the door and tried to open it. She was surprised to find that it was not locked. Stepping out of the room she looked up and down the hall. Not knowing which way to go Jennifer chose to go the left. She walked down the hall and stopped in front of a door. She leaned into the door and tried to listen for sounds inside. When she didn’t hear anything Jennifer tried the knob. It turned and Jennifer opened the door. She walked into the room quietly and looked around. The room was not a bedroom; at least there was no bed. There was only a table and a chair sitting in the middle of the room. This room looked quite different from the one Jennifer had just left. It wasn’t carpeted and there were no windows. The table and chair were of a simple wooden structure. Jennifer walked to the walls and felt around for a light switch. When she found one she turned it on and her eyes opened wide in shock at what she saw. She didn’t have enough time to examine it, though for a hand came from behind her and clasped around her mouth.
Jonathan couldn’t fall back asleep. He had taken a shower, made a sandwich and was watching an old movie on television. He wasn’t paying much attention to what he was watching because he kept thinking about Jennifer. He was also concerned about Jessica, he wasn’t sure of the effect her kidnapping was having on her. Jessica had been through a lot, too much, for her young years. He wished that Jennifer was here, she would know what to do, how to comfort Jessica. Unfortunately, Jonathan didn’t even know where she was. He was angry, angry at the men who had taken his wife and daughter, angry at the people who kept Jennifer still and angry at the world that had allowed this to happen. He didn’t know how long he had been staring at a fuzzy screen when Jessica came out of her bedroom.
"Jonathan?" She said quietly.
Jonathan was startled out of his reverie. "Jessie, what’s wrong?"
"Nothing." Jessica said.
"Why aren’t you asleep?"
"It’s eight in the morning."
"You’re kidding?"
"Nope." Jessica sighed and sat down on the couch next to Jonathan. "You were thinking about her weren’t you?"
Jonathan nodded his head. "Are you hungry?"
"A little. Do you think she’s okay?"
Jonathan looked at the TV and turned it off. He stood up and took Jessica’s hand imploring her to stand as well. "She better be." He said as he led Jessica to the table and prepared to order their breakfast.
Jennifer struggled to get away from the person who had come up behind her. When she couldn’t twist out of his hold Jennifer lifted her leg and kicked him hard. Her attacker doubled over in pain and Jennifer ran out of the room. She ran fast down the hall until she saw a set of double doors at the end of the hall. She heard the attacker coming after her so she ran through the doors and waited. When she heard someone run past the doors she turned around and started to look around the room. The lights were off but she could see by the light coming in through the windows. She jumped startled when she heard noises coming from an adjacent room. Jennifer walked to the door of the adjacent room and listened carefully. Jennifer nearly shrieked when she heard a man, who she thought to be Hector exclaim "Carmen!" Jennifer ran out of the room as quickly as she could and headed back to her bedroom. When Jennifer reached her room she opened the door and stepped inside. She stood at the door with baited breath. Jennifer could not believe what she had seen and heard and she knew she wouldn’t be getting anymore sleep.
Jennifer had gotten dressed and was scanning the room looking for possible escape routes when Carmen came in the door.
"Carmen?" Jennifer asked softly. "Are you okay?"
"I’m fine. I’m just tired." Carmen said as she lay down in her bed and prepared to go to sleep.
Jennifer was about to ask her where she’d been when Raya knocked on the door.
"It’s time for breakfast!" Raya called.
"Are you coming?" Jennifer asked.
"No, Hector told me I don’t have to."
"Carmen, please I’m your friend, let me help you." Jennifer cried.
"I don’t need any help, just a nap." Carmen closed her eyes and covered herself with the covers.
"Come along, Jennifer." Raya poked her head in the door and said.
Jennifer reluctantly followed Raya out of the room.
When they entered the dining area Hector looked at Jennifer curiously and said, "So, I hear you decided to go exploring last night?"
"I don’t know what you mean." Jennifer said innocently as she sat down at the table with the other women.
"Aah, but I think you do. You see my good friend Xavier was doing some exploring of his own last night."
"Xavier?" Jennifer choked out.
"Indeed. Perhaps you shouldn’t have run so fast away from him. He was on your side, after all."
"Was?"
"Yes, well, he’s dead now."
"Oh." Jennifer said and looked down at the plate in front of her. "If he’s your friend why would he be on my side?" She said as she looked at Hector.
"He had his suspicions about me. He thought I was about to double-cross him."
"And were you?"
"I suppose we’ll never find that out now. Eat, you’ll need your strength."
"I’m not hungry."
"I said eat!" Hector said angrily.
Jennifer didn’t say anything; she just shook her head and stared at her plate again.
"Yes, this is quite common. Raya wouldn’t eat for days when she first came here."
Jennifer looked at Raya who had begun to play with the food on her plate and then looked back at Hector. "Why’s that?"
"She was worried about her family."
Jennifer looked at Raya confused. This time Raya met Jennifer’s eyes.
"It’s true."
"And you’re not worried now?" Jennifer asked harshly.
"I would be more worried if I hadn’t obeyed Hector."
"As will you Jennifer. For now your beautiful daughter is safe and sound with your beloved husband. If you do not do as I say they will both be in extreme danger."
"How do you know about my family?"
"I have my ways. Now eat!" Hector commanded.
Jennifer reluctantly obeyed.
"Where are you going?" Jessica asked Jonathan who was packing some of Jennifer’s things into a duffle bag.
"I’m going to get your mother." Jonathan said as he went into the bathroom to find Jennifer’s toothbrush.
"But, I thought the police don’t know where she is?" Jessica followed him as he went from room to room putting things in the bag.
"They don’t. They’re letting Ishmael out this afternoon and I’m going to follow him."
"You think he’ll lead you to where they’re hiding Mom?" Jessica asked.
"Yes. They’re going to send an officer over to stay with you while I’m gone."
"Awl, Can’t I come with you?"
"Jess. This could be dangerous and I don’t want to have to worry about you while I’m trying to find Jennifer."
"I understand. But, do I really need a babysitter?"
"Not a babysitter…a bodyguard."
"Same thing." Jessica pouted as a police officer knocked on the door.
Jonathan answered the door and let the officer in.
"Hi, you must be Jessica." The woman said as she extended her hand to Jessica.
Jessica shook the officers hand and said "Yeah."
"I’m Maria."
"Hi." Jessica said shyly.
"I have to get to the station. I’ll call to let you know what’s happening." Jonathan said as he hugged Jessica.
"Okay. Tell Mom I love her when you find her." Jessica let go of the hug.
"I will." Jonathan said as he left the apartment.
Jonathan, the Lieutenant and some officers had been following Ishmael for hours. They were beginning to think that either this was a mistake or that Ishmael was on to them. The Lieutenant was ready to go back to the station, but Jonathan refused.
"What was the point of letting him out if we don’t find out what he knows?" Jonathan said
"He will still pay for his crimes"
"Look, you go back to the station if you want, I’m going to stick with Ishmael."
"That is not a good idea Senor Hart."
"I’m staying." Jonathan stated.
"Alright but keep in touch with the station. One of my officers will stay with you." The Lieutenant said. "Alvarez." He called and one of his officers joined Jonathan and the Lieutenant where they were standing. "Stay with Senor Hart. The rest of us will head back to the station."
"Yes, Sir." Alvarez nodded his head.
The Lieutenant and the other officers headed back to the police station. Jonathan and Alvarez continued to follow Ishmael as he led them to a subway station. Jonathan and Alvarez entered the train and sat several seats behind Ishmael.
It was evening and Jennifer had spent a long day trying to find away out of her prison. She had to be careful to not get caught the way she had been caught the night before. Although she hadn’t found a way out she had found some interesting information. For a man so sure of himself Hector wasn’t very good at keeping his important documents private. Perhaps he was too sure of himself. Jennifer had found enough documentation to lock Hector, Alberto and Ishmael away for eternity. She had also found information on Xavier but that really didn’t matter anymore.
Jennifer was returning to her room when Raya stopped her in the hall.
"You will be with Hector tonight."
Jennifer laughed. "I don’t think so."
"Come." Raya said as she pulled Jennifer towards Hector’s room.
"Let go of me." Jennifer said as she tried to get free of Raya’s grasp. However, Raya was stronger then she appeared. Raya pushed her into Hector’s room and locked the door behind her.
"Oh, Jonathan find me fast." Jennifer whispered into the empty room.
Ishmael led Jonathan and Alvarez to a large mansion sitting atop a hill. It was well guarded and neither thought it would be easy to get inside. Jonathan was determined and he and Alvarez headed for the gates after calling the station to tell them where they were. When they reached the gate they hid behind some shrubbery.
"There are only two guards, once we get inside we’ll just have to try to stay low." Jonathan said.
"How do we get inside?" Alvarez asked.
"Two guards, two of us…"
"Aah. I see. Shall we?"
"Let’s go."
Jonathan and Alvarez climbed over the gate where a tree hid them from the guard’s sight. After entering, they snuck up behind the guards and overpowered them. Alvarez suggested they change clothes with the guards. After changing into the guards’ attire they headed for the mansion. Once inside, they hid behind walls and plants to keep from being seen.
"Maybe we should split up." Jonathan suggested.
"That is not a good idea, Senor Hart."
"It’s the only way we’ll be able to find Jennifer in this place."
"But, Senor."
Jonathan interrupted him "You go that way and I’ll go this way." He said as he pointed in two different directions. As soon as he finished speaking, Jonathan ducked down the hall before Alvarez could protest.
Jennifer sat on one of the chairs in the room. She didn’t dare enter the adjacent room. She knew what had happened to Carmen in there. She couldn’t prove it, but she knew. She had already looked for ways to get of the room to no avail. Now she waited…and hoped that she’d be able to fend off Hector long enough for Jonathan to find her. She looked down at her left hand and played with her wedding ring. Her eyes started to well up with tears. "Oh, Darling." She cried.
She didn’t have to wonder how much longer she had because as she wiped the tears that had fallen on her cheeks Hector entered the room.
Jonathan walked up and down the halls pausing to listen at doors before he opened them. Most of the rooms appeared to be empty. He saw women walking in the halls but he managed to stay out of their sight. He’d also managed to avoid the other guards. Jonathan opened the door to the room Jennifer had found the night before. He walked in and saw the files sitting out on the table in plain sight.
"You’re not very careful are you?" Jonathan asked no one.
Jonathan looked through the files and found one for both Alberto and Ishmael. He also found a receipt written out to a man named Hector. Jonathan crumbled it up and threw it on the floor when he noticed that the receipt was for the purchase of six women. Jonathan put the files down and left the room angrily. He continued his room-by-room search until he met up with Alvarez who had been going down the same hall.
"Have you found anything?" Alvarez asked.
"There’s a room full of files back there. You should have the police look at it later."
"They should be arriving soon." Alvarez said.
"Let’s keep looking." Jonathan continued his search. He found a stairwell and decided to go up. When he reached the next floor Jonathan was amazed at the lushness of the halls. There was carpet on the floor and velvet drapes hanging on the windows that lined the hall. He did not know that he was only feet away from his wife.
"Let’s go into the other room." Hector invited.
"Over my dead body." Jennifer stated.
"That can be arranged." Hector laughed. "Come, let’s not make this any harder then it has to be."
Hector started to pull Jennifer to him. She wiggled to get away from him. He only held her tighter and tried to kiss her. Jennifer spat in his face and hoped that her husband had found her as she screamed "Jonathan!"
Jonathan heard Jennifer’s scream from down the hall and ran to the door of Hector’s room. He tried to open the door but it wouldn’t budge. "Jennifer!" He called.
Jennifer’s eyes widened in surprise when she heard her husband’s voice from out in the hall. "Jonathan, Darling!" she screamed.
Jonathan started to bang in the door. Hector was shocked. He had perfect plans; there was no way anyone could have found him. He pulled Jennifer into the adjacent room and threw her on his bed. Jonathan managed to push in the door and he entered the room. When he found the room empty he looked around and saw the door to the adjacent room.
"Darling?" He called.
"Jonathan, in here!" Jennifer called back.
Jonathan stormed into the adjacent room and was enraged when he saw Hector kiss his wife.
"Get your hands off of her." Jonathan seethed.
"Now, now, don’t be so selfish. Why not share?"
Jonathan pulled Hector off the bed and hit him hard in the face. Hector fell onto the floor hard and got up to swing at Jonathan. Jonathan and Hector exchanged punches before Hector finally fell to the floor defeated. Jonathan ran to Jennifer who was still sitting on the bed. He pulled Jennifer into his arms and held her tight. Jennifer placed her head in the crook of Jonathan’s neck and cried. After a few moments Jonathan spoke.
"Are you okay?" He asked as he cradled the back of Jennifer’s head in his hand.
"I am now." Jennifer stopped crying and looked up into Jonathan’s eyes.
Jonathan wiped the tears from her face gently and kissed her.
"Jessie…Did you find Jessie?" Jennifer asked
"Yes, she’s just fine."
"Really? She’s okay?"
"She’s okay. I promise." Jonathan assured her.
As Jonathan held Jennifer in his arms Alvarez entered the room.
"Is everyone in here okay?" Alvarez asked.
Jonathan nodded his head. "Have the police arrived yet?"
"Yes and they’ve arrested everyone except him." Alvarez pointed to Hector.
"You may have the honors, then." Jonathan said.
"Why, thank you." Alvarez laughed as he proceeded to pick Hector up off the floor and put him in handcuffs. "Here’s a taste of your own medicine."
Jonathan and Jennifer entered the hotel room shortly after midnight. They walked with their arms around each other and Jonathan put his finger to his mouth to say shh when he noticed Jessica asleep on the couch. Maria had been standing outside of the room and they’d told her it was okay for her to go home before they went in. Jennifer let go of Jonathan and walked over to the couch. She pulled the blanket up over Jessica and kissed her on the forehead. Jessica stirred at the touch. She opened her eyes slowly and sat up quickly when she saw Jennifer sitting on the couch beside her.
"Hey, sweetheart." Jennifer smiled.
"Mom!" Jessica exclaimed. Jennifer pulled Jessica into a tight hug. "I’m not dreaming am I?" Jessica asked.
"No, but I think I might be." Jennifer said softly.
Jonathan walked over to the couch and sat down behind Jennifer. He reached around and pulled both Jennifer and Jessica into a hug.
"What d’ya say we go home?" Jonathan said.
"But it’s the middle of the night." Jennifer said, surprised at his suggestion.
"I know, but I don’t want to be here anymore. I want to take my wife and daughter home."
"Then, let’s go." Jennifer smiled.
Jonathan and Jennifer were sitting on the couch in each other’s arms. Jonathan kissed Jennifer softly on the lips.
"It’s so nice to be back in your arms again." Jennifer said.
"It’s nice to have you back in my arms again." Jonathan smiled.
Jessica came into the room and stood behind the couch.
"It’s nice to see you in each other’s arms again."
Jonathan and Jennifer laughed and turned around to look at Jessica.
"Dana just called."
"She did?" Jennifer asked.
"Yeah, her parents are really upset about what happened and they want to make it up to us."
"No." Jonathan said.
"No, What?" Jessica said before continuing. "They want to invite us…"
Jennifer interrupted her before she could finish. "No."
"They just want to..."
Both Jonathan and Jennifer said "No!" as they stood up from the couch and walked out of the room.
"But, they just wanted to invite us to their house for dinner." Jessica said to herself since she was now standing in the room alone. Jennifer peeked back into the room.
"Come on, let’s eat some lunch." She laughed as Jessica walked towards her. Jennifer hugged Jessica tightly and they went to join Jonathan in the dining room.
