Piper and Al

"I just don't want to end up in prison."

"That's the wiser part. At least, I hope so."

They drove north, heading out of the city, finally turning onto a smaller road and then one more, a tiny lane that seemed devoid of both traffic and residences. Kit finally pulled off the road onto what had once been a driveway, the dwelling that had been there long gone. They climbed out of the van and lifted the rear door. Kit picked up a white plastic jar that was inside a sealed plastic bag, and they both seemed to be studying it carefully.

"Hope this works," Niall said.

"I've got more bottles," Kit assured him.

"Not what I meant," Niall said, nervously eyeing the bottle and the words carefully printed with a felt marker.

DO NOT OPEN. TAKE DIRECTLY TO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

"You think it's a good idea to send this to the police?" Niall asked.

"As soon as Malik figures out his daughter is missing, he's going to get the police involved, so we're speeding up the process. I'm just counting on everything working out the way I've planned."

They headed away from the van and, in minutes, could hear the sound of the river. Standing on the bank, Kit held the bottom of the bag and swung it across his body, the bottle tumbling end-over-end and splashing into the water.

They had watched Jill carefully letter the note wearing one of the multiple pairs of disposable plastic gloves they'd already gone through, carefully pulled onto hands using a paper towel. Kit was determined that there'd be no DNA clues that might reveal identities.

They watched the bottle drift out into the current, then be swept away, beginning its journey to the city -- and to the police... they hoped.

***

Piper had begun to move, and Al was watching and fidgeting, unsure of what might be coming. He heard her groan. She squirmed, then jerked violently.

"What the hell?" she said, then jerked again, trying to free her arms. More frantic thrashing. "Hello," she called loudly.

"Hello," Al answered quietly.

"Who's that? Who's there? I don't know what's going on. Can you help me?" Piper's voice had a frantic tone as she twisted her body toward the voice she'd barely heard. Al had anticipated screaming, but that hadn't happened yet.

"I'm here," Al said, "and I'm here to help you."

"Good!" Piper exclaimed. "Can you release my hands? I don't know what's going on, but I'm getting suspicious."

"Well, before I do that, I need to explain to you what's happened." He took a deep breath. "You've been kidnapped and --"

"WHAT?" she screamed, interrupting him.

"You've been kidnapped," he repeated.

"Come on," she snorted, "Who is this? Alex? Jimmy? Did Brenda put you up to this? It's enough already. My arms are getting sore." She was squirming again.

"Listen," Al said. "It's not Alex, or Jimmy, or Brenda. You've been kidnapped, and we want money from your father to set you free. We hope he comes through, and so should you."

Piper was quiet.

"Is that really the truth?" she asked hesitantly.

"I'm afraid, for you, it's true."

Piper began to tremble.

"I need to pee," she said, the shaking readily visible.

"I need to check something," Al said, jumping up and running to the kitchen.

"She has to pee," he said to Jill.

"So."

"Are you going to help her?"

"No."

"That's all you've got to say?"

"Yes."

Al shook his head, unwilling to argue with Jill, and hurried back to the bedroom.

"You still have to pee?"

"Shit, yes, please hurry."

"I'll take you, then." He moved to unlock the cuffs on her feet.

Piper felt something happening to her feet... they were free, and she moved them. She felt a hand on her arm, tugging, and she pulled her legs under her and stood up. Unsteady steps, his hand guiding her, and they stopped.

I'm going to unlock your handcuffs now, but the blindfold stays on."

Piper, still not totally in touch with what was happening, held her hands out, heard the click of the lock, and moved her now-free hands. She waited.

"Are you still here?"

"Yes, going to stay here."

"I'm not going to pee with you here," Piper said defiantly.

"Suit yourself. We'll just go back to the closet, then." Al grabbed one wrist and snapped the handcuff on.

"Wait," she said.

"Listen," Al said, jerking the handcuff to ensure he had her attention. "Just pee. You're going to be here a while, and you'll be peeing every day. I'm going to be in charge of you and, well, I'm not going to take a chance of you doing something foolish. Believe me, even though that's hard, I know, but I'm not going to spy on you. But, it's up to you. I don't think you'll want to sleep in a soggy bed, though."

"Sleep?" she said.

From the corner of his eye, Al could see her carefully lowering her shorts. She sat down, and Al could hear the quiet splashing of water in the toilet. He realized that her single-word question about sleep said she was beginning to understand.

Piper felt around until she located the roll of paper.

"This is ridiculous," she muttered, "and I hope you're getting your fucking jollies." She stood and pulled her shorts into place. "I should jerk this blindfold off and see who the hell is doing this."

Al thought for a second. "If your father doesn't come through, we might have to dump your body in the river." He was shaking his head, hating himself for saying that, but hoping it had the desired effect.

Piper froze. "You... you wouldn't really do that, would you?" Now she was trembling, in territory totally unfamiliar to her.

Al was purposely quiet.

"Dad will do whatever," she added quickly. "Please."

"I need to replace the handcuffs," he finally said, letting her question hang.

"Can't you leave them off? I won't do anything. I promise."

Al was glad she couldn't see his face. It was all he could do to keep from complying with her request.

"Sorry," he said, securing the cuffs to her other wrist, wishing he could do something to quell her trembling.

He led her to the closet, helped her sit down, and cuffed her feet.

"If you feel around, you'll find some bottles of water. Not real cold, but wet."

"Can I get the lids off with these handcuffs?" she asked, holding them up for him to see.

"Yeah, I think so. Gotta go. I'll be closing and locking the door, but if you need anything, just kick the door. I'll hear it."

"Um, did you get my cell phone? Maybe I could listen to some music while I'm... locked up."

Al chucked. "And call your dad for a little chat, Maybe?"

"Oh... yeah."

All closed and bolted the door and headed to the kitchen.

***

Gordon's Lexus swung into the second bay of the four-car garage, the first bay being reserved for Patricia. Her BMW was there, as was Brad's Porsche in bay three. Piper's spot was empty. Gordon went inside.

"Dinner ready?" he called toward the kitchen, his nose telling him it had to be close to ready.

"Five minutes, Honey," Patricia answered. "Call Bart, please."

Gordon pulled out his cell phone and texted his son that dinner was ready. Bart's room was so far away that Gordon would have had to climb the stairs before calling.

"We ever hear from Piper, Pat?" Gordon asked when Bart had joined them.

"I was out for a short while, and I haven't seen her. Have you, Bart?"

"Nope," he said. "She's usually here by now. I'll text her."

He punched away on his phone while Pat carried food to the table. The four of them usually sat at one end of the table that comfortably seated fourteen.

"We might as well eat. I said we were worried, but she'll probably ignore the text." He rolled his eyes.

They ate dinner, commiserating with Gordon, who'd had to dismiss a vice-president that day. He'd been a friend of Gordon's as well, so the parting had been painful.

"If she doesn't respond, I'll text her," Pat said. "She didn't say anything about being late." She took a bite. "Oh, Gordon. Didn't Nina call you earlier? Why don't you check with her?"

He debated a moment but realized his concern about his daughter, appropriate or not, was growing. He laid his fork on the plate and dug the phone out of his pocket. He found the number in his "recents" and called.

"Hello, Nina. Did you and Piper ever hook up today?"

"No, we didn't. I checked with a couple of her friends, and they haven't seen her. She hasn't been home either?"

"No, she hasn't. She sometimes, well, doesn't think about other people. But she's usually good about calling when she's going to be late."

"Should we be worried, Mr. Malik?"

"Worried isn't a good word. We're just a little concerned here."

"Have her text when she gets home if you would."

"Will do, Nina, and thanks for your help."

"I wish I was more help."

They disconnected, Gordon shaking his head.

"I texted, but no reply yet," Pat said.

"I guess we just wait."

***

"You've got all her stuff in here, haven't you?" Kit said. "I need her cell phone to get her dad's number."

"Should we turn her phone on? Might give away a location if they check."

"Good point," Kit said, nodding.

"Get the code, and I'll drive out somewhere far away and turn it on and get the number."

"I'll take care of it," Al said, nodding.

He went to the bedroom where Piper's backpack had been tossed beside the closet door. A quick search found the cell phone.

Al unlocked the closet door and opened it.

"Hi, and damn, that light is bright," Piper said, surprising Al.

"You took the blindfold off," Al shouted.

"It was easy, and I wanted to see what you look like."

Al was so nonplussed he didn't answer immediately. He was trembling, realizing what consequences she might incur because of seeing his face. He wondered why she didn't realize that. And, he debated whether he should possibly terrify her by telling.

"Yes," he said, solemnly. "Now you've seen my face." He couldn't keep from shaking his head, wondering how her simple act could totally change things.

Piper was looking at Al, and he could almost hear the gears turning as she processed what had happened.

"That's bad, isn't it?" she said, exhaling. Piper broke her stare. "I need the bathroom again, and you better hurry," she said, holding out her manacled hands.

Al quickly unlocked one of her hands and feet, and Piper hurried to the bathroom, Al right behind her. From the corner of his eye, he saw her lower her shorts and panties and sit.

"Can't you leave?" she said, grimacing. She saw his head shake in denial. "I hate you for that," she said, grunting.

As Al listened, he certainly understood her hatred. He knew his cheeks were red with embarrassment.

"There's a problem," she said. "These handcuffs are hanging off my right wrist, and I need to... well, it involves paper."

"Okay," he said, not sure what to do next.

"Just walk over and unlock them," she said disgustedly.

As Al turned, Piper leaned down, her chest on her legs and her arm extended. He unlocked and removed the cuffs and returned to the doorway. Once there, he stood still, his back toward Piper. He heard her behind him.

"Ready," she said, extending her wrists toward him.

He secured the cuffs, and Piper returned to the closet. Al stood in the doorway.

"Whatever you do... and I mean it, whatever you do, don't have the blindfold off if one of the others comes back here." He knew it could be a matter of life and death for her.

"Okay," she said simply.

They sat in silence for several minutes.

"Can I ask a question?" she said quietly.

Al glanced at the very pretty blonde.

"What are you guys asking for my ransom?"

"A million dollars."

"Dad will give you that."

"The police complicate things."

"Maybe he won't involve the police."

Al raised his eyebrows.

Piper sighed. "Mister 'by the book' will call the police." Once more, she looked at Al. "Are you going to kill me?"

"Oh, God no. That's the last thing we want."

"Even if it's the last thing, it's a thing," she said stoically.

"Be right back," Al said and went to the backpack, finding her cellphone.

Piper watched, an interested look on her face as he returned with her cell phone.

"We need your dad's cell number and his work number if you have them."

"Here, give it to me, and I'll show you the numbers." She reached for the phone.

"Just give me the code," he said. "We're not going to turn it on here."

She gave him the four-digit PIN. "Now, you can still use it when I'm dead," she replied rather matter-of-factly.

Al inhaled sharply and put his hands over his face. He was supposed to be in charge here, and Piper should be the terrified hostage. Yet she was torturing him with guilt for something that hadn't happened, shouldn't happen... but could happen. Why was he stuck taking care of her when it should be Jill?

He gathered himself.

"Piper, we need the numbers so we can, hopefully, get through to your dad without the police being involved, and he can give us the money. Then, you'll be free and back to normal."

"Okay," she said, her eyes holding Al's.

"Thanks for the help."

"Anything if it'll get me out of here faster."

She was looking at Al and biting her lower lip.

"You know," she said, turning her body and leaning against the wall, "I was always pretty good at math... or arithmetic, whatever. You guys want a million dollars?

Al wrinkled his brow, wondering. "Yeah."

"You ever think what that is?"

"A lot of money."

She took a deep breath. "No, practically speaking. I don't think you want Daddy to write you a check, so you're going to want cash."

"I'm sure K--." He caught himself before he said the name. "I'm sure the others have figured that out."

"If you take the money in ten dollar bills, that one-hundred thousand bills. Those little packets they do at the bank; that would be two thousand of those."

She was supposed to be the petrified little girl that Kit had described to him. Right now, she was anything but that. But, what she was saying made sense, no matter how she was supposed to be.

"So, what are you saying?"

"If you get the money, it won't be in a suitcase."

That was certainly something to think about.

Al stood. "I'll go see if your dinner is ready."

***

"I need to get going," Kit said. "Not sure when someone will find that bottle and get it to the police."

"So, you're going to call the old man and let him know what's going on."

"Yep, and it'll take a while. I have to drive clear around to the west side to make the call, so I'll probably be gone an hour." He looked around as Al came into the kitchen. At this stage, caution might be the best course. "Niall, why don't you go with me?"

"Why?"

"I get lonely," Kit answered, sarcasm coloring his voice.

Niall seemed puzzled and looked at Jill, who shrugged.

"We can talk about what needs to be done next." He gestured with his head, and they were out the door to the garage.

Jill and Al heard the door raise, the van's motor start... and silence.

"So, is the princess ready for something to eat?" Jill curled her lip and turned back to the stove.

"I think she's hungry, and so am I."

"Hamburgers and microwave fries. How many?"

"Two for me and, I guess, one for her."

Jill put the burgers together and added the fries to the paper plates.

"Any idea what she might like on her burger?"

"Not at all. I'll take it back and find out."

Jill gave him a demeaning smile. "You do that," she said.

Al grabbed the two plates and headed to the bedroom. He could eat with Jill, by himself, or with Piper. He'd made his choice. He set the plates down, knocked, and unbolted the door, relieved to see that she had her blindfold in place.

"Is that you?" She asked.

"Yeah, with a burger and fries for you."

Piper removed the mask, blinked, and stared at the plate Al held out to her.

"Mustard or catsup?"

"This is okay," she said and took a bite of the sandwich. "Different than Wendy's," she quipped.

"You eat hamburgers like this at your house?" he asked, taking a big bite of his own.

Piper's back stiffened.

"Are you going to, well, make fun of me?"

"No, I'm just curious. I have no idea."

Piper's eyes narrowed. "Bull crap," she said, munching a fry and curling her nose.

"Why do you say that?"

"I don't believe you." Piper eyed her burger, then took another bite.

"Okay, why don't you believe me?"

"You don't give a rat's ass about me... except for the money. If something happens, you'll kill me and throw me in the river."

Al stared at Piper, unable to avoid her eyes.

"Cat got your tongue?"

Piper wasn't at all like he'd expected, and he was having trouble deciding how to react. He'd thought she'd be squalling, demanding to be released, and calling him names. But she'd seemingly accepted her situation and appeared to sense that she could make him very uncomfortable with her responses. If that was what she wanted, she was succeeding very well.

"I keep telling you that no one wants to kill you." Except Jill, he thought. Her attitude told him she might have no qualms about throwing her in the river. "Rather than do that, we'd just dump you out on a road somewhere, and then we'd run."

She took another bite of her sandwich and chewed, thoughtfully. "I've seen your face."

Al made a little sound in his throat halfway between a "humph" and a chuckle.

"You like sports?"

She frowned. "Not much."

"Well, we're each on a different team here. My team will use what we have, what we know, and what we can figure out about your team and do our best to win. Your team will do the same. That's expected. Someone will win here, and someone will lose. I can win... and end up losing in the end."

Al saw Piper's eye dart to his.

"And," she said, "I guess there are lots of ways the game could twist and turn, just like a real game."

Al had finished his dinner and set the plate down beside him. "I guess so,"

"Could I get some water?"

"Bottles are right beside you there."

"Forgot."

"I'm going to the kitchen for a while. You okay with... bathroom and stuff."

"Yeah, for now."

Al paused and cleared his throat. "Listen, I have an old iPod that I carry because it has a lot of my old music loaded. If you'd like, I can leave it here, so you're..."

"Not so bored?"

He nodded and wondered.

There was no response from Piper, so he closed the door and bolted it, then headed for the kitchen.

***

Kit pulled into the big supermarket parking lot and parked away from the other cars. Niall handed him the plastic bag, and he opened it, removing the cellphone he had purchased with cash at a supermarket. He took Piper's cell phone, turned it on, entered the PIN, and scrolled through her contacts until he found the number he wanted.

"Hello," Gordon Malik said, disappointed the screen didn't tell him it was Piper calling.

"Listen carefully," Kit said. "We've kidnapped your daughter, Piper, and want one million dollars in ransom. I'll get back to you later with the details. In the meantime, get a disposable phone and figure out how to get the number to me. Piper is fine and being taken care of, so don't worry. We know you'll go to the police, and they'll be involved. We'll wait to hear."

"Don't hurt her," Gordon pleaded. "How am I supposed to get back to you with the number?"

"No reason to hurt her, and I'll let you figure that out."

Kit ended the conversation and pulled a felt marker from his pocket. He made a large "X" on the front of the phone.

"Let's head home."

***

Al walked into the kitchen through one door as Jill entered through the other door. He sat at the table, his eyes following her as she put dishes in the sink.

"So," she said, "did her highness enjoy her dinner?"

"I didn't hear any complaints from either of us."

Jill chuckled. "You two are getting to be a real team, aren't you?"