Kidnapped

"Shit, that sounds like a terrible plan. So many places for people to watch him. Then they only have to check his vehicle plates and they'll know where you live."

Her eyes got big, and I heard her gasp. "You think we should find another way?"

"God yes. Your brother is going to get caught. That is a terrible plan."

She finished quickly and rushed off.

It was about an hour later when they walked in.

"All right smart ass. How would you do it?" Jeremy snarled at me.

"Okay, I do have a plan, but it would require you trusting me."

"Go on."

"I have been giving this a lot of thought. I still think your best method is a digital bank transfer. My mother who died a few years ago left a bank account open. It was something she did for me when I was at college. The only people who can access that account are her and I, and she's now dead."

"How does that help us?" Daisy asked.

"You get Howard to transfer the money into that account. Once it's in there, it's safe. They can't withdraw it. Only I could do that."

"Again smart ass. How does that help us?" Jeremy barked angrily.

"Okay, well. I figured it this way. There must be two hundred branches of that bank around New York alone. The police couldn't watch all of them. We find one that's slow, with little traffic. We walk in and I withdraw the money, and you walk away with the money, and I walk the other way... Free."

I watched as they exchanged nervous glances.

"Why would you help us?" Jeremy asked, his tone now softer.

"Because if you get caught or killed. I'm stuck here. All I want is out. I don't care about the money. The only thing I'm interested in at this moment is frying my husbands ass."

I heard them outside talking about my suggestion, and it became clear. Jeremy was beginning to take heed of my warnings. I guess he'd seen the same cop shows I'd seen.

When Daisy walked in with my dinner. Which smelt delicious. She also carried a pen and paper.

"Would you write the bank details down on that please?" She asked.

"I can't. I don't have the numbers committed to memory, but if you have a laptop or something. I can log in and give you the details."

"But they would be able to track our address wouldn't they?"

"Yes, but we wouldn't do it from this house. We'd need to be somewhere with free WiFi. And I'd be using my details."

"Oh god. This is getting so complex."

"It's simple. Just get to a nearby McDonald's or something. We wouldn't even have to get out of the van."

She left me to enjoy my dinner. When she returned, she brought Jeremy and a lap top. "All right, lets go."

"Not here." I snapped curtly. "We need to go to somewhere remote with free WiFi."

The feel of Daisy's body close behind me as she guided me out to the van created feelings I knew I shouldn't be having. My breathing became shallow and my heart rate went up. I was aroused. My nipples hardening and rubbing uncomfortably on my bra sure as hell made me feel it.

At least they treated me better. Jeremy at least. We drove in the same direction. I picked up similar road noises. Shapes I could see through the windows.

We pulled into a car park. It became clear we were in a parking building. Daisy clambered back to sit with me. "I just logged onto the free WiFi. You can log in."

I scrolled through the log in pages. Verifying as I went.

Once in, I handed the laptop to Daisy. Giving her the passwords, I said. "You can have them. Once I'm free, I'll close the account."

Jeremy, quickly placed the call to Esme and Howard.

"Okay, change of plans." He said. "I am about to give you a bank account number. You can transfer the money into that account."

I heard whispering and conversation. "That is Sasha's Mothers account." Esme stated. "How did you get that?"

Jeremy pushed me to the phone.

"Esme, It's me. Sasha. I gave them the account details. I need to get away from these people before they hurt me. Please."

"Why the hell did you do that." Grant's angry yell echoed through the phone.

"Because I'm in danger that's why."

"You're in on it aren't you Sasha. You're trying to rip us off. You fucking bitch." Grant screamed loudly. "You traitorous fucking bitch. You'll get nothing do you hear not one single fucking cent."

We all heard the scuffling, as he was dragged away.

"Sasha, why did you give them your mothers account details?" Esme, asked.

"Because they need me to get the money. Once I withdraw the money, they will let me go. I'll be in a public place, and safe."

"Oh thank god." Esme, sighed. "Yes, it makes sense."

"No!" I heard Grant screaming in the background. "Don't do it. She's lying."

"You have four hours to transfer the money." Jeremy stated firmly. "If the transaction isn't complete by then. We'll assume you're not going to pay and we will kill her."

"Christ, he is a piece of shit. What did you see in him?" Daisy spluttered angrily "He is a pig."

I shrugged. "I don't know. I was in love. He was so nice when we met."

"He's showing his true colors now."

"That's for sure."

We drove to another location and waited. The tension mounted as we all sat in the van. Daisy got us slurpies, and some food.

We waited. Four hours later, I logged in and nothing had changed.

"Fuck." Jeremy screamed. His fist smashing down on the steering wheel. "All right. I'm gonna call them again."

He vanished, leaving Daisy and I to talk. "What happens now?" I asked.

"I'm not sure any more. If they won't pay the money, we have nothing left."

"Seriously, what about me?"

"Sasha, I promised you. Nothing bad will happen to you. If they refuse to pay anything, then we will find a way to release you."

Grabbing her, I couldn't hold back the tears. I sniffled my way through an impassioned "Thank you."

"It's okay." Her arms encircling me, our bodies pressed together in fearsome embrace. "I made you a promise. I would never break that."

Jeremy returned muttering furiously to himself. Slamming the drivers door behind him. He snarled.

"The fuckers put me onto a police negotiator. They refused to pay. It's her fucking husband. Jesus, what a fucking asshole. I could hear him screaming at the negotiator."

"What do we do then?" Daisy asked.

"I don't know. If we can't show them we're serious. It's all over."

"What do you mean serious?" Daisy replied.

"You know what I'm talking about. We either send them a message of intent. Or we give up."

Daisy moved into the passengers seat. "We need to go home. We can think there."

"No Daisy. If you're not going to do what I suggested. It is all over. We may as well drop her off here and now. I'm not going to jail. Every day she stays with us, the closer we get to making a mistake."

"Did you try to negotiate, like suggest less money?"

"Nah, what's the point. That dick is adamant they're not paying. He may as well have said. Kill her, I don't care."

"Okay then, i guess it's all over. We can leave her where you suggested."

"Yeah, fuck it. Lets get it over and done with. He said defeated.

I couldn't believe it. They were letting me go. My heart sang with joy. I heard the sounds of the city. The van winding it's way through traffic. We obviously entered a parking building, and came to a halt. Daisy climbed out and I heard the van door slide open.

Her arms grabbed mine. "Come with me Sasha. Move slowly. We are in a parking building close to your home. I am going to move you over to a comfortable spot where you can sit quietly."

"Okay." I mumbled. My heart thrashing around in my chest. They were letting me go. Freedom, oh god, I was going to be free.

I felt her hands on my hips, as she guided me to a spot. I noticed the smells, the sounds.

"Sasha, please help me. You are in a safe place. If you wait ten minutes before yelling for help. We will be gone. Would you do that for me?"

"Yes, thank you."

I felt her hand squeezing mine. Her mouth close to my ear. "I'm sorry Sasha. We never wanted to hurt you. I hope everything works out."

I heard the van doors close and heard them drive away. I waited, trying to count away minutes. It was impossible.

"Are you all right?" I heard the voice.

"Is somebody there?"

The hood lifted off, and I squinted my eyes fluttering frantically to filter the artificial light of the parking building. "Where am I?"

The woman, put down her bags, kneeling beside me. "Oh good lord. You're handcuffed. What happened?" Her eyes showed the fear as she quickly stood scanning the floor for dangers.

"I was kidnapped. They just dumped me here."

Kneeling back down, she noticed keys on the ground beside me. "Are these for the handcuffs?" She asked.

With my eyes still trying to become accustomed to the light. I said. "I don't know. Could you try them please?"

She fumbled with the keys, trying to unlock them. "Oh god, look at your wrists." She finally twisted the key, and the hand cuffs released.

"Oh thank god." I sighed. "Could you try my feet as well?"

Again she fumbled her way through unlocking the cuffs on my feet. She helped me to stand up, and I realized we were in the basement of my apartment building.

"Should I call the police?" She asked.

"Yes, that'd be great."

As she waited for somebody to answer. She asked. "What's your name?"

"Sasha Knap."

The police arrived quickly, The woman, Glenda had released the other cuffs, and had gone to get me a drink of water.

Several squad cars arrived together. A detective piling out of the first one. "You are Sasha Knap?"

"Yes."

"You are all right?"

"Yes."

"When did you get left here?"

"I don't know about fifteen minutes ago I guess."

"Can you tell us anything about the vehicle that dropped you off?"

"No, they had a hood on me. Oh, it's a van."

"Do you know what color?"

"I was in a hood for gods sake."

The other cars sped off. God knows what they expected to find.

"All right Mr's Knap. We'll take you down to the station so you can make a statement, and we can get your injuries checked out for you."

"This is my apartment building. I would like to go and get changed before going anywhere."

"Yeah, I guess we could do that. We will need the clothes you're wearing for forensics though."

"Yes, of course."

Grant wasn't home. We had to get the building super to come and open up. The cop asked all of the expected questions. Whilst in the apartment, I phoned Grant.

"I'm home. The police are here, and we are going down to the station so I can make a statement."

"Oh." He said, I detected his disappointment immediately. There were no questions like are you okay? Did they hurt you. Nothing. All he said was. "I'll meet you there."

I called Esme, as well. Talk about chalk and cheese.

"Oh my word. Thank the stars." She gushed when I told her the news. "We shall rush down ourselves and meet you there. "Sasha, we are so glad you are safe."

The statement collecting was pretty much as you'd expect. Did I know where I was being held. How many people were involved. All the relevant questions. A doctor did come and dress my wounds, but said I was okay to go home. They weren't serious.

Finally the questioning was over, and we gathered together outside. Esme, hugged me tight. "We are so glad this whole horrid saga is over, and our prayers were answered."

"It's nice to be back." I replied holding onto our embrace longer than I intended.

At that point, Grant hadn't even hugged, let alone kissed me. He led me off to our car, and as we pulled out into traffic I said. "Why didn't you just pay up?"

"What, for the love of god Sasha. Kidnappers can't be trusted. If I had paid them, there were no guarantees they would release you."

"But they told you they were going to cut pieces off me and send to you?"

"Sasha, if they were going to harm you. They would have done it. You are home now."

"Yes, no thanks to you."

"You're being overly dramatic. The reason they let you go is because we refused to pay."

"No, the reason they let me go is I talked them into it."

"Semantics. Either way you are home now."

As we weaved through the light traffic. I said. "I'm divorcing you Grant. As soon as I can get to see a lawyer. I'm drawing up the paperwork."

He got such a shock, we almost collided with another car. "What about our agreement?"

"I don't care about it. What concerned me throughout that ordeal was your indifference. Your callous attitude. I could have been killed for gods sake."

"Sasha, you have everything wrong. I simply wasn't giving into their demands."

"You didn't care that they were going to kill me?"

"But they didn't. Look, lets just calm down and take a couple of days to think things through. You're clearly distressed and not thinking."

"Oh I am very clear. I heard you on the phone screaming in the background. All that really did was explain to me in plain terms how little I really mean to you. If it wasn't obvious from your sexual exploits. No Grant. We are done. I am filing immediately."

"Jesus H Christ, Sasha. Don't be ludicrous. We will lose everything."

"I don't particularly care. All I am concerned about is getting away from you."

"You will be happy sleeping in a cardboard box with all the other homeless will you?"

"Rather that than sleeping with you."

A dark cloud formed within the car. The oppressive silence suffocating us both.

Thankfully the apartment was only a short drive. I headed straight to the bathroom and a long hot soak in the bath.

God knows where Grant went, but he disappeared while I was in the tub. I cooked a quick dinner, already missing the wonderful meals Daisy cooked.

The thought had only crystallized, when I froze. Missed... How could I possibly miss that? It was true though. There was a feeling building within me. I had never seen her face, but I missed her. All I had known were her eyes. Those wonderfully empathetic eyes and the soft touch of her hands.

The morning brought me to life. I needed to phone into work. They already knew the circumstances, and were lovely. "Take the rest of the week of Sasha. We shall talk again Friday. If you are up to it we will organize to have you back Monday."

"Thanks Janine. I appreciate your generosity."

I decided on a walk might help me calm my nerves and some fresh air certainly wouldn't hurt.

"Sorry, your card has been declined." The young kid behind the deli counter said nervously.

Digging through my purse, I managed to find enough change to pay for my doughnut and coffee.

A quick scroll through my phone and internet banking app showed why. The account was basically empty. A balance only big large enough to keep it active. Blast, that meant a visit to the bank. At least it wasn't a long walk. I couldn't even afford cab fare.

"What do mean the money was transferred." I snapped unhappily. "Who authorized that?"

The young woman searched through her file to come up with the documentation. "You and your husband both signed the transfer forms."

"Oh no I damned well didn't. Show me the paperwork."

She fished through the files and dragged out the forms. "That's not my signature." I gasped. "Good god, even I can see that. You must keep a specimen of my signature on file?"

"Yes, give me a moment. Again another search, and it was her turn to gasp. "Oh shit." She spluttered."

"Oh shit's right. I think you had better get your manager."

It was a brief chat, he only had to hold the signatures side by side to see it wasn't mine.

"I'm terribly sorry Mr's Knap. Your husbands signature appears legitimate."

"Where was the money transferred to?"

"It appears the money has been transferred into a sole account under his name."

"Okay then. I want that account frozen immediately. I did not authorize the transaction. I shall be speaking with the police."

"I'm sorry, but you do not have authority to freeze his account."

"Don't be an idiot. You can see he fraudulently transferred the money."

"Yes, but it is only your word against his."

Angry, I called the police. The manager rushing away to contact his hierarchy and decide on a plan. Thankfully, the police arrived quickly. It took only minutes for them to arrange for Grants new account to be frozen.

"You idiot." I screamed into my phone, while I walked up the street. "What in gods name were you thinking?"

"I did it as protection. After you gave your supposed kidnappers your bank details. I felt I had to do something."

"Liar. I checked the dates. The transfer took place two days prior to that conversation."

"I was only protecting our assets."

"Like hell. I have laid a formal complaint with the police. You can expect a visit from the FBI. There was close to one hundred thousand dollars in that account, and more than half of it came from the sale of my parents assets."

"Jesus, Sasha. Why didn't you just talk to me?"

"Because after your recent behavior. I don't trust you."

"I was only acting in our best interests."

"Your best interests more like. As I said, I have spoken to the police, who shoveled me onto the FBI. That account is now frozen. You will I expect be getting a visit any moment."

"Fuck you Sasha, you malicious fucking bitch."

"Yeah, well guess where I'm going now Grant?"

"What are you doing Sasha?"

"I'm going to your parents to explain to them our actions. I'll be taking all the evidence as well."

"Oh for... "Don't do it Sasha, I'm begging you. Just wait until I get home. We can discuss this rationally."

"Nope, sorry Grant. You had your chance. Now it's my turn." Elation flooded me as I disconnected the call. I floated the rest of the way.

*****

Esme, greeted me with a warm hug. "Come in dear. Let me take your coat."

As we walked through into the living area. Howard saw me and joined Esme in hugging me tight.

"Would you like coffee dear?"

"Yes please." I replied.

Let's go out onto the balcony shall we?" Howard suggested. "Esme, will bring the drinks."

With the three of us seated, the scalding hot coffee, warming my hands. Esme, asked. "How are you feeling dear? Are you starting to feel better?"

I nodded. "Yes, I'm physically better, but mentally. I'm struggling."

"Oh no, can we help dear?"

"No, in fact I think I'm about to destroy your day."

They both exchanged nervous glances. I expect they were waiting for some confession about the kidnapping.

"It's Grant and I. We are getting divorced."

"What!" Howard growled. "Why"

"He cheated on me twice. Well, two times that I'm aware of. Probably more. The two occasions though, I have proof of. Official Private investigators reports including photos and audio recording."

"When did this happen?" Howard snapped curtly.

"Nearly a year ago."

"Oh good lord." Esme gasped. Why didn't you say something dear. Oh my."

"I'm sorry Esme. What I'm about to say doesn't show me in a very good light. I let Grant convince me to continue to live as man and wife so he could escape the prenup."

"Why did you do it dear?" I almost cried seeing the disbelieving look in her eyes.

"Greed, I'm sorry. I don't expect you to forgive me. Recent events showed me how little Grant really thinks of me. When you and Howard agreed to pay the ransom. I was overwhelmed. It made me look at myself. I'm sorry, I behaved badly."

"Nonsense." Howard said. "You were looking out for yourself. I think I understand. You say you have evidence?"

"Yes, If you want, I can provide full reports on both incidents."

"That boy is a blasted fool. God damn him to hell."

"I'm sorry, but it's worse. He tried to rob me while I was held hostage. He took everything from our joint account. Transferred it into his own new personal account. Over half of that money was mine. It was from the sale of my parents estate."

"Oh no, good lord Howard." Esme gasped.

"I only found out when I went to use my card. I had to report him to the FBI, it was the only way I could get the account frozen."