| General Fiction posted October 6, 2024 | Chapters: |
...32 33 -34- 35... 
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Things begin to unravel
A chapter in the book Spirited Justice
Spirited Justice Chap 34
by Begin Again
"Pull in behind those crates, Henry." The Enforcer's gloved hand pointed to a stack of wooden pallets.
"Are you sure about this, Bryce?" Henry didn't like the idea.
"No names!" Bryce snapped.
"Have you lost your mind, Bryce? There's no one here to hear me," Bryce growled as he glanced around the alley.
"Doesn't matter. That's the rule, Henry. You don't use my name."
"Well then, why do you think you can use mine?" Henry scoffed, showing his annoyance.
The Enforcer chuckled. "Would you rather I called you Flunky?"
"You're rather cheeky when William isn't around, my friend." Henry gave the man sitting across from him a "gotcha there" look. "We both know who's in charge."
"We ain't friends. When this is over, I never want to see your face again. Now, park this car! We've got work to do."
"I don't know if we should—" Henry said, pulling behind the crates and leaving the car idling.
"Listen!" Bryce cut him off. "It's either this or we go home empty-handed. You heard William. We've got one last shot."
Knowing he wouldn't win, Henry turned off the car, staring out the windshield. "I don't know how you do it, Bry—" Rolling his eyes in disgust, he continued, "Enforcer. But you're in luck again." He pointed out the window. "Isn't that the girl you are after?"
"Where?" Bryce followed Henry's gaze and grinned. He spotted two girls with a dog — Hilda, Sophia, and Max. "Well, the Gods are smiling on us today, Henry. When they get close, we grab them. You ready?"
Henry was far less confident than Bryce, but he knew better than to question the Enforcer's opinions. "As ready as I am going to be? What about the dog?"
"You just grab the girl and get her in the car. I'll take care of the mutt and the other girl."
Checking the alley for unwanted interruptions, Bryce opened his car door and stepped out with his revolver. "Hello, Hilda. Get in the car."
Hilda froze, stammering, "No! I'm not going anywhere with you."
Henry rounded the car and grabbed her arm. He yanked her toward the opened car door. She screamed, struggling to get away, as he shoved her inside and slammed the door shut.
"Run, Sophia," Hilda frantically yelled, banging her fists against the window. "Call for help."
Henry lunged for Sophia, but Max leaped at him, sinking his teeth into his arm. A howl of pain escaped from his throat as he tried to shake off the dog.
The Enforcer snarled, waving his gun, "Call off your dog, or he's dead."
Trembling, Sophia gave a sharp command, "Max, sit!"
Reluctantly, the dutiful dog released his grip and returned to Sophia's side, growling and showing his teeth. Sophia's arms encircled the dog's head, whimpering, "It's okay, Max."
Grabbing Sophia's arm, the enforcer shoved her toward the car. "Tell him to stay, or I'll shoot him."
Sophia nodded. Sobbing, she ordered Max to stay as she climbed into the backseat with Hilda.
Both men hurriedly got into the car. Henry hit the gas and drove out of the alley.
Defiant, Sophia yelled, "What do you want with us?"
Bryce turned. His eyes were dark and cold. "It's not you that we want, little girl. It's your friend's research papers."
Through tear-stained eyes, Hilda snarled, "You aren't going to get them. They are locked in a safe. Someone will see Max, and they'll know something has happened to us. They'll be looking for you."
"She's right, Bry—"
Anger flashed in the Enforcer's eyes. "Shut up, Henry! No one is looking for us because they don't know who we are."
"The dog —"
"What? You think the mutt can talk?" Bryce waved his gun in the air. "Find a park. Somewhere secluded so we can get this over with."
Hilda screamed, "Are — are you going to kill us?"
"Not if you do what you are told."
"Let Sophia go. She has nothing to do with any of this, and she's blind. She can't tell anyone who you are."
Bryce sneered, "Nobody is going anywhere until we get what we want."
"The papers?" Hilda stammered. "They aren't mine to give to you. I only represent a group of researchers."
"Right now — you represent my ticket to getting rich." Bryce pulled out his phone and found the video. He smiled cruelly, enjoying the pain he was about to inflict. "This might change your mind about those papers."
Hilda's hands covered her mouth as she stifled a scream. Her blood turned to ice. "Oh, no!"
"What is it, Hilda?" Huddling against the car door, fear raced through Sophia's body. "What's happening?"
Hilda struggled to catch her breath. "It's my parents," she whimpered.
"Here?" Unable to see the phone, Sophia was confused by what Hilda said.
"No — not here. They are in my home in Germany, but they are tied up and gagged," Hilda cried, her voice cracking. "They've got guns to their heads."
Bryce's grin widened. "That's right! And if you don't get me those papers, you, your friend, and your entire family will be dead. Am I making myself clear?"
Sobbing, Hilda nodded and reached for Sophia's hands, hoping to comfort her somehow but knowing there was no way out.
*****
Bryce punched in Jenna's number but didn't hit send. "You know what you are going to say?"
Hilda and Sophia huddled together in the backseat. Hilda nodded, knowing she had no choice in the matter.
He pointed the gun at Sophia. "Any funny stuff, and I'll shoot your friend. Understood?"
"Yes — I just tell her to bring the papers to the abandoned warehouse on Water Street and come alone or you'll kill us."
"That's a good girl. Now do it!"
*****
Jenna's hands trembled as she fumbled with the combination to the safe. Hilda's terrified voice kept rumbling through her thoughts. "Bring the papers and come alone. Please, Jenna. They are going to kill us."
Spinning the dial on the safe again, Jenna heard the familiar click and expelled a gush of air. She opened the heavy door, peered inside and found the envelope, and grabbed it. Focused on saving the girls, she didn't notice the difference in the envelope. She stuffed the envelope into her bag and rushed toward the door.
A familiar cold breeze swept through the room as she reached for the doorknob, and Eleanor appeared. In her best motherly voice, she asked, "Jenna, what do you think you're doing?"
Startled but not surprised, Jenna stopped and turned to face Eleanor. "Mother! I don't have time for this."
"And what exactly is this?" Eleanor studied her daughter, recognizing the determination and stubbornness — traits she'd rightfully inherited.
"Tell me that you wouldn't do the same thing. It's my responsibility to save those girls."
Eleanor crossed her arms, her foot tapping the floor. Her right eyebrow arched, and she asked, "Without backup?"
Jenna didn't have time to argue with her mother. Her voice was tense as she snapped, "Yes, without backup. I don't have time to wait for Donatelli or anyone else."
Worry flickered in her eyes, but Eleanor's expression softened. "You're walking into a trap, Jenna. Do you honestly think they will let you go after they get the papers?"
"I don't know what I think, except I have to do whatever I can to save the girls. If it means I put myself in danger, then so be it."
"But —"
Jenna slung her bag over her shoulder. "I don't have time for your buts. I can't believe you'd want me to do anything different." She gave Eleanor a sarcastic grin. "After all, I'm a chip off the old block, aren't I?" With that, she dashed out the door, leaving Eleanor releasing a long, deep sigh.
"Oh, Jenna —" she murmured, her voice filled with admiration and concern.
****
With a final glance down the hallway, Eleanor faded from Jenna's office and reappeared instantly in Donatelli's office.
Danni and Donatelli discussed the day's events when a familiar chill filled the room. Donatelli stopped talking mid-sentence.
"To what do we owe the pleasure, Eleanor? We're busy."
Not waiting for her body to totally materialize, Eleanor blurted out, "Jenna's in trouble."
Her words caught Danni and the detective's attention as they jumped out of their chairs. Eleanor materialized, gasping for air. "She's giving Hilda's research papers to the crooks."
With a look of confusion, Danni asked, "What? Why would she do that?"
"Because they have Sophia and Hilda and have threatened to kill them."
"Doesn't she realize if she goes alone, they will take the papers and kill everyone? They aren't going to leave anyone who can identify them." Danni shook her head in disbelief.
Donatelli grabbed his gun from the drawer. "We've got to stop her."
"It's too late. She's already gone."
Cursing under his breath, the detective yelled, "Where's she meeting them?"
"An abandoned warehouse on Water Street."
Donatelli bolted for the door. "Come on, Danni."
Danni glanced over her shoulder at Eleanor. "Are you coming?"
Eleanor smiled. "You go with him. I'll catch up."
*****
As directed, Jenna drove her car into the empty parking lot and continued to the back of the building, shutting off her headlights as she rounded the corner. The driver of the black SUV turned his lights on, blinding her as she stepped out of her car.
She heard movement to the left of her and then felt the barrel of a gun press into her side. The man's voice was gruff when he spoke, "Keep walking. Towards the car."
"Where are the girls?" Jenna tried to steady her voice, her mind rushing through the possibilities of what was about to unfold.
"Not so fast, sweetheart. That's not how this works." To make his point, he shoved the gun harder into her ribs. "I get the papers, and you get the girls."
"You don't think I am that stupid, do you?" Jenna turned to look at the enforcer but received a whack on the side of her head for her efforts.
Henry opened the car door, and the enforcer snapped, "Get in."
The backseat of the car was empty. Smarting from the knock to her head, Jenna whimpered, "What have you done with the girls?"
"Just get in. Do as you're told, and they'll live."
Jenna slid across the backseat, and Bryce followed, giving Henry an order, "Set the fire!"
Jenna's eyes widened. "Fire!" Her head snapped toward the warehouse. "Are the girls in there?"
Bryce laughed. "What do you think?"
Jenna grabbed her bag and yanked the envelope out. "Here — this is what you want. Don't kill the girls."
The enforcer's grin widened. "You're making this too easy." He handed the envelope to Henry. "The young lady has provided the paper to start your fire. Do it and hurry up."
Jenna gasped. "You're going to burn the papers? But I thought —"
"You thought wrong. The people I work for don't want that research to exist."
From the backseat, she saw flames flickering inside the warehouse. "Please don't do this. They're just young girls."
Henry climbed into the driver's seat, put the vehicle into gear without a word, and raced out of the parking lot. In the rearview mirror, he could see the building going up in flames. "Now, where?"
"Just drive. I need to think about how to get rid of this one."
*****
After thirty minutes, Henry turned off the main road onto a gravel road. Terror coursed through Jenna's body, not for her, but for what she believed had happened to the girls.
Tears spilled from her eyes, drenching her face. "You didn't have to kill them."
"Really? You don't think I'm that stupid, do you? Those girls would be giving us up in a second. And you would, too. I don't see any other way but to eliminate you."
"Then do it! If you're going to shoot me, get it over with," Jenna snarled.
"And get the car all bloody. Not a chance." The enforcer gripped the gun. "It's going to happen soon enough."
Jenna's forehead was damp with sweat. Despite her hands clenched in her lap, Jenna's eyes flashed with defiance. "I'm not afraid. I knew what I was walking into when I came. You're a coward. You kill people to make you feel tough."
His free hand responded with a brutal slap to her face. "Killing you is going to be a pleasure."
Suddenly, the temperature in the car dropped.
Jenna whispered, "Mom?"
"Pull in behind those crates, Henry." The Enforcer's gloved hand pointed to a stack of wooden pallets.
"Are you sure about this, Bryce?" Henry didn't like the idea.
"No names!" Bryce snapped.
"Have you lost your mind, Bryce? There's no one here to hear me," Bryce growled as he glanced around the alley.
"Doesn't matter. That's the rule, Henry. You don't use my name."
"Well then, why do you think you can use mine?" Henry scoffed, showing his annoyance.
The Enforcer chuckled. "Would you rather I called you Flunky?"
"You're rather cheeky when William isn't around, my friend." Henry gave the man sitting across from him a "gotcha there" look. "We both know who's in charge."
"We ain't friends. When this is over, I never want to see your face again. Now, park this car! We've got work to do."
"I don't know if we should—" Henry said, pulling behind the crates and leaving the car idling.
"Listen!" Bryce cut him off. "It's either this or we go home empty-handed. You heard William. We've got one last shot."
Knowing he wouldn't win, Henry turned off the car, staring out the windshield. "I don't know how you do it, Bry—" Rolling his eyes in disgust, he continued, "Enforcer. But you're in luck again." He pointed out the window. "Isn't that the girl you are after?"
"Where?" Bryce followed Henry's gaze and grinned. He spotted two girls with a dog — Hilda, Sophia, and Max. "Well, the Gods are smiling on us today, Henry. When they get close, we grab them. You ready?"
Henry was far less confident than Bryce, but he knew better than to question the Enforcer's opinions. "As ready as I am going to be? What about the dog?"
"You just grab the girl and get her in the car. I'll take care of the mutt and the other girl."
Checking the alley for unwanted interruptions, Bryce opened his car door and stepped out with his revolver. "Hello, Hilda. Get in the car."
Hilda froze, stammering, "No! I'm not going anywhere with you."
Henry rounded the car and grabbed her arm. He yanked her toward the opened car door. She screamed, struggling to get away, as he shoved her inside and slammed the door shut.
"Run, Sophia," Hilda frantically yelled, banging her fists against the window. "Call for help."
Henry lunged for Sophia, but Max leaped at him, sinking his teeth into his arm. A howl of pain escaped from his throat as he tried to shake off the dog.
The Enforcer snarled, waving his gun, "Call off your dog, or he's dead."
Trembling, Sophia gave a sharp command, "Max, sit!"
Reluctantly, the dutiful dog released his grip and returned to Sophia's side, growling and showing his teeth. Sophia's arms encircled the dog's head, whimpering, "It's okay, Max."
Grabbing Sophia's arm, the enforcer shoved her toward the car. "Tell him to stay, or I'll shoot him."
Sophia nodded. Sobbing, she ordered Max to stay as she climbed into the backseat with Hilda.
Both men hurriedly got into the car. Henry hit the gas and drove out of the alley.
Defiant, Sophia yelled, "What do you want with us?"
Bryce turned. His eyes were dark and cold. "It's not you that we want, little girl. It's your friend's research papers."
Through tear-stained eyes, Hilda snarled, "You aren't going to get them. They are locked in a safe. Someone will see Max, and they'll know something has happened to us. They'll be looking for you."
"She's right, Bry—"
Anger flashed in the Enforcer's eyes. "Shut up, Henry! No one is looking for us because they don't know who we are."
"The dog —"
"What? You think the mutt can talk?" Bryce waved his gun in the air. "Find a park. Somewhere secluded so we can get this over with."
Hilda screamed, "Are — are you going to kill us?"
"Not if you do what you are told."
"Let Sophia go. She has nothing to do with any of this, and she's blind. She can't tell anyone who you are."
Bryce sneered, "Nobody is going anywhere until we get what we want."
"The papers?" Hilda stammered. "They aren't mine to give to you. I only represent a group of researchers."
"Right now — you represent my ticket to getting rich." Bryce pulled out his phone and found the video. He smiled cruelly, enjoying the pain he was about to inflict. "This might change your mind about those papers."
Hilda's hands covered her mouth as she stifled a scream. Her blood turned to ice. "Oh, no!"
"What is it, Hilda?" Huddling against the car door, fear raced through Sophia's body. "What's happening?"
Hilda struggled to catch her breath. "It's my parents," she whimpered.
"Here?" Unable to see the phone, Sophia was confused by what Hilda said.
"No — not here. They are in my home in Germany, but they are tied up and gagged," Hilda cried, her voice cracking. "They've got guns to their heads."
Bryce's grin widened. "That's right! And if you don't get me those papers, you, your friend, and your entire family will be dead. Am I making myself clear?"
Sobbing, Hilda nodded and reached for Sophia's hands, hoping to comfort her somehow but knowing there was no way out.
*****
Bryce punched in Jenna's number but didn't hit send. "You know what you are going to say?"
Hilda and Sophia huddled together in the backseat. Hilda nodded, knowing she had no choice in the matter.
He pointed the gun at Sophia. "Any funny stuff, and I'll shoot your friend. Understood?"
"Yes — I just tell her to bring the papers to the abandoned warehouse on Water Street and come alone or you'll kill us."
"That's a good girl. Now do it!"
*****
Jenna's hands trembled as she fumbled with the combination to the safe. Hilda's terrified voice kept rumbling through her thoughts. "Bring the papers and come alone. Please, Jenna. They are going to kill us."
Spinning the dial on the safe again, Jenna heard the familiar click and expelled a gush of air. She opened the heavy door, peered inside and found the envelope, and grabbed it. Focused on saving the girls, she didn't notice the difference in the envelope. She stuffed the envelope into her bag and rushed toward the door.
A familiar cold breeze swept through the room as she reached for the doorknob, and Eleanor appeared. In her best motherly voice, she asked, "Jenna, what do you think you're doing?"
Startled but not surprised, Jenna stopped and turned to face Eleanor. "Mother! I don't have time for this."
"And what exactly is this?" Eleanor studied her daughter, recognizing the determination and stubbornness — traits she'd rightfully inherited.
"Tell me that you wouldn't do the same thing. It's my responsibility to save those girls."
Eleanor crossed her arms, her foot tapping the floor. Her right eyebrow arched, and she asked, "Without backup?"
Jenna didn't have time to argue with her mother. Her voice was tense as she snapped, "Yes, without backup. I don't have time to wait for Donatelli or anyone else."
Worry flickered in her eyes, but Eleanor's expression softened. "You're walking into a trap, Jenna. Do you honestly think they will let you go after they get the papers?"
"I don't know what I think, except I have to do whatever I can to save the girls. If it means I put myself in danger, then so be it."
"But —"
Jenna slung her bag over her shoulder. "I don't have time for your buts. I can't believe you'd want me to do anything different." She gave Eleanor a sarcastic grin. "After all, I'm a chip off the old block, aren't I?" With that, she dashed out the door, leaving Eleanor releasing a long, deep sigh.
"Oh, Jenna —" she murmured, her voice filled with admiration and concern.
****
With a final glance down the hallway, Eleanor faded from Jenna's office and reappeared instantly in Donatelli's office.
Danni and Donatelli discussed the day's events when a familiar chill filled the room. Donatelli stopped talking mid-sentence.
"To what do we owe the pleasure, Eleanor? We're busy."
Not waiting for her body to totally materialize, Eleanor blurted out, "Jenna's in trouble."
Her words caught Danni and the detective's attention as they jumped out of their chairs. Eleanor materialized, gasping for air. "She's giving Hilda's research papers to the crooks."
With a look of confusion, Danni asked, "What? Why would she do that?"
"Because they have Sophia and Hilda and have threatened to kill them."
"Doesn't she realize if she goes alone, they will take the papers and kill everyone? They aren't going to leave anyone who can identify them." Danni shook her head in disbelief.
Donatelli grabbed his gun from the drawer. "We've got to stop her."
"It's too late. She's already gone."
Cursing under his breath, the detective yelled, "Where's she meeting them?"
"An abandoned warehouse on Water Street."
Donatelli bolted for the door. "Come on, Danni."
Danni glanced over her shoulder at Eleanor. "Are you coming?"
Eleanor smiled. "You go with him. I'll catch up."
*****
As directed, Jenna drove her car into the empty parking lot and continued to the back of the building, shutting off her headlights as she rounded the corner. The driver of the black SUV turned his lights on, blinding her as she stepped out of her car.
She heard movement to the left of her and then felt the barrel of a gun press into her side. The man's voice was gruff when he spoke, "Keep walking. Towards the car."
"Where are the girls?" Jenna tried to steady her voice, her mind rushing through the possibilities of what was about to unfold.
"Not so fast, sweetheart. That's not how this works." To make his point, he shoved the gun harder into her ribs. "I get the papers, and you get the girls."
"You don't think I am that stupid, do you?" Jenna turned to look at the enforcer but received a whack on the side of her head for her efforts.
Henry opened the car door, and the enforcer snapped, "Get in."
The backseat of the car was empty. Smarting from the knock to her head, Jenna whimpered, "What have you done with the girls?"
"Just get in. Do as you're told, and they'll live."
Jenna slid across the backseat, and Bryce followed, giving Henry an order, "Set the fire!"
Jenna's eyes widened. "Fire!" Her head snapped toward the warehouse. "Are the girls in there?"
Bryce laughed. "What do you think?"
Jenna grabbed her bag and yanked the envelope out. "Here — this is what you want. Don't kill the girls."
The enforcer's grin widened. "You're making this too easy." He handed the envelope to Henry. "The young lady has provided the paper to start your fire. Do it and hurry up."
Jenna gasped. "You're going to burn the papers? But I thought —"
"You thought wrong. The people I work for don't want that research to exist."
From the backseat, she saw flames flickering inside the warehouse. "Please don't do this. They're just young girls."
Henry climbed into the driver's seat, put the vehicle into gear without a word, and raced out of the parking lot. In the rearview mirror, he could see the building going up in flames. "Now, where?"
"Just drive. I need to think about how to get rid of this one."
*****
After thirty minutes, Henry turned off the main road onto a gravel road. Terror coursed through Jenna's body, not for her, but for what she believed had happened to the girls.
Tears spilled from her eyes, drenching her face. "You didn't have to kill them."
"Really? You don't think I'm that stupid, do you? Those girls would be giving us up in a second. And you would, too. I don't see any other way but to eliminate you."
"Then do it! If you're going to shoot me, get it over with," Jenna snarled.
"And get the car all bloody. Not a chance." The enforcer gripped the gun. "It's going to happen soon enough."
Jenna's forehead was damp with sweat. Despite her hands clenched in her lap, Jenna's eyes flashed with defiance. "I'm not afraid. I knew what I was walking into when I came. You're a coward. You kill people to make you feel tough."
His free hand responded with a brutal slap to her face. "Killing you is going to be a pleasure."
Suddenly, the temperature in the car dropped.
Jenna whispered, "Mom?"
"Are you sure about this, Bryce?" Henry didn't like the idea.
"No names!" Bryce snapped.
"Have you lost your mind, Bryce? There's no one here to hear me," Bryce growled as he glanced around the alley.
"Doesn't matter. That's the rule, Henry. You don't use my name."
"Well then, why do you think you can use mine?" Henry scoffed, showing his annoyance.
The Enforcer chuckled. "Would you rather I called you Flunky?"
"You're rather cheeky when William isn't around, my friend." Henry gave the man sitting across from him a "gotcha there" look. "We both know who's in charge."
"We ain't friends. When this is over, I never want to see your face again. Now, park this car! We've got work to do."
"I don't know if we should—" Henry said, pulling behind the crates and leaving the car idling.
"Listen!" Bryce cut him off. "It's either this or we go home empty-handed. You heard William. We've got one last shot."
Knowing he wouldn't win, Henry turned off the car, staring out the windshield. "I don't know how you do it, Bry—" Rolling his eyes in disgust, he continued, "Enforcer. But you're in luck again." He pointed out the window. "Isn't that the girl you are after?"
"Where?" Bryce followed Henry's gaze and grinned. He spotted two girls with a dog — Hilda, Sophia, and Max. "Well, the Gods are smiling on us today, Henry. When they get close, we grab them. You ready?"
Henry was far less confident than Bryce, but he knew better than to question the Enforcer's opinions. "As ready as I am going to be? What about the dog?"
"You just grab the girl and get her in the car. I'll take care of the mutt and the other girl."
Checking the alley for unwanted interruptions, Bryce opened his car door and stepped out with his revolver. "Hello, Hilda. Get in the car."
Hilda froze, stammering, "No! I'm not going anywhere with you."
Henry rounded the car and grabbed her arm. He yanked her toward the opened car door. She screamed, struggling to get away, as he shoved her inside and slammed the door shut.
"Run, Sophia," Hilda frantically yelled, banging her fists against the window. "Call for help."
Henry lunged for Sophia, but Max leaped at him, sinking his teeth into his arm. A howl of pain escaped from his throat as he tried to shake off the dog.
The Enforcer snarled, waving his gun, "Call off your dog, or he's dead."
Trembling, Sophia gave a sharp command, "Max, sit!"
Reluctantly, the dutiful dog released his grip and returned to Sophia's side, growling and showing his teeth. Sophia's arms encircled the dog's head, whimpering, "It's okay, Max."
Grabbing Sophia's arm, the enforcer shoved her toward the car. "Tell him to stay, or I'll shoot him."
Sophia nodded. Sobbing, she ordered Max to stay as she climbed into the backseat with Hilda.
Both men hurriedly got into the car. Henry hit the gas and drove out of the alley.
Defiant, Sophia yelled, "What do you want with us?"
Bryce turned. His eyes were dark and cold. "It's not you that we want, little girl. It's your friend's research papers."
Through tear-stained eyes, Hilda snarled, "You aren't going to get them. They are locked in a safe. Someone will see Max, and they'll know something has happened to us. They'll be looking for you."
"She's right, Bry—"
Anger flashed in the Enforcer's eyes. "Shut up, Henry! No one is looking for us because they don't know who we are."
"The dog —"
"What? You think the mutt can talk?" Bryce waved his gun in the air. "Find a park. Somewhere secluded so we can get this over with."
Hilda screamed, "Are — are you going to kill us?"
"Not if you do what you are told."
"Let Sophia go. She has nothing to do with any of this, and she's blind. She can't tell anyone who you are."
Bryce sneered, "Nobody is going anywhere until we get what we want."
"The papers?" Hilda stammered. "They aren't mine to give to you. I only represent a group of researchers."
"Right now — you represent my ticket to getting rich." Bryce pulled out his phone and found the video. He smiled cruelly, enjoying the pain he was about to inflict. "This might change your mind about those papers."
Hilda's hands covered her mouth as she stifled a scream. Her blood turned to ice. "Oh, no!"
"What is it, Hilda?" Huddling against the car door, fear raced through Sophia's body. "What's happening?"
Hilda struggled to catch her breath. "It's my parents," she whimpered.
"Here?" Unable to see the phone, Sophia was confused by what Hilda said.
"No — not here. They are in my home in Germany, but they are tied up and gagged," Hilda cried, her voice cracking. "They've got guns to their heads."
Bryce's grin widened. "That's right! And if you don't get me those papers, you, your friend, and your entire family will be dead. Am I making myself clear?"
Sobbing, Hilda nodded and reached for Sophia's hands, hoping to comfort her somehow but knowing there was no way out.
*****
Bryce punched in Jenna's number but didn't hit send. "You know what you are going to say?"
Hilda and Sophia huddled together in the backseat. Hilda nodded, knowing she had no choice in the matter.
He pointed the gun at Sophia. "Any funny stuff, and I'll shoot your friend. Understood?"
"Yes — I just tell her to bring the papers to the abandoned warehouse on Water Street and come alone or you'll kill us."
"That's a good girl. Now do it!"
*****
Jenna's hands trembled as she fumbled with the combination to the safe. Hilda's terrified voice kept rumbling through her thoughts. "Bring the papers and come alone. Please, Jenna. They are going to kill us."
Spinning the dial on the safe again, Jenna heard the familiar click and expelled a gush of air. She opened the heavy door, peered inside and found the envelope, and grabbed it. Focused on saving the girls, she didn't notice the difference in the envelope. She stuffed the envelope into her bag and rushed toward the door.
A familiar cold breeze swept through the room as she reached for the doorknob, and Eleanor appeared. In her best motherly voice, she asked, "Jenna, what do you think you're doing?"
Startled but not surprised, Jenna stopped and turned to face Eleanor. "Mother! I don't have time for this."
"And what exactly is this?" Eleanor studied her daughter, recognizing the determination and stubbornness — traits she'd rightfully inherited.
"Tell me that you wouldn't do the same thing. It's my responsibility to save those girls."
Eleanor crossed her arms, her foot tapping the floor. Her right eyebrow arched, and she asked, "Without backup?"
Jenna didn't have time to argue with her mother. Her voice was tense as she snapped, "Yes, without backup. I don't have time to wait for Donatelli or anyone else."
Worry flickered in her eyes, but Eleanor's expression softened. "You're walking into a trap, Jenna. Do you honestly think they will let you go after they get the papers?"
"I don't know what I think, except I have to do whatever I can to save the girls. If it means I put myself in danger, then so be it."
"But —"
Jenna slung her bag over her shoulder. "I don't have time for your buts. I can't believe you'd want me to do anything different." She gave Eleanor a sarcastic grin. "After all, I'm a chip off the old block, aren't I?" With that, she dashed out the door, leaving Eleanor releasing a long, deep sigh.
"Oh, Jenna —" she murmured, her voice filled with admiration and concern.
****
With a final glance down the hallway, Eleanor faded from Jenna's office and reappeared instantly in Donatelli's office.
Danni and Donatelli discussed the day's events when a familiar chill filled the room. Donatelli stopped talking mid-sentence.
"To what do we owe the pleasure, Eleanor? We're busy."
Not waiting for her body to totally materialize, Eleanor blurted out, "Jenna's in trouble."
Her words caught Danni and the detective's attention as they jumped out of their chairs. Eleanor materialized, gasping for air. "She's giving Hilda's research papers to the crooks."
With a look of confusion, Danni asked, "What? Why would she do that?"
"Because they have Sophia and Hilda and have threatened to kill them."
"Doesn't she realize if she goes alone, they will take the papers and kill everyone? They aren't going to leave anyone who can identify them." Danni shook her head in disbelief.
Donatelli grabbed his gun from the drawer. "We've got to stop her."
"It's too late. She's already gone."
Cursing under his breath, the detective yelled, "Where's she meeting them?"
"An abandoned warehouse on Water Street."
Donatelli bolted for the door. "Come on, Danni."
Danni glanced over her shoulder at Eleanor. "Are you coming?"
Eleanor smiled. "You go with him. I'll catch up."
*****
As directed, Jenna drove her car into the empty parking lot and continued to the back of the building, shutting off her headlights as she rounded the corner. The driver of the black SUV turned his lights on, blinding her as she stepped out of her car.
She heard movement to the left of her and then felt the barrel of a gun press into her side. The man's voice was gruff when he spoke, "Keep walking. Towards the car."
"Where are the girls?" Jenna tried to steady her voice, her mind rushing through the possibilities of what was about to unfold.
"Not so fast, sweetheart. That's not how this works." To make his point, he shoved the gun harder into her ribs. "I get the papers, and you get the girls."
"You don't think I am that stupid, do you?" Jenna turned to look at the enforcer but received a whack on the side of her head for her efforts.
Henry opened the car door, and the enforcer snapped, "Get in."
The backseat of the car was empty. Smarting from the knock to her head, Jenna whimpered, "What have you done with the girls?"
"Just get in. Do as you're told, and they'll live."
Jenna slid across the backseat, and Bryce followed, giving Henry an order, "Set the fire!"
Jenna's eyes widened. "Fire!" Her head snapped toward the warehouse. "Are the girls in there?"
Bryce laughed. "What do you think?"
Jenna grabbed her bag and yanked the envelope out. "Here — this is what you want. Don't kill the girls."
The enforcer's grin widened. "You're making this too easy." He handed the envelope to Henry. "The young lady has provided the paper to start your fire. Do it and hurry up."
Jenna gasped. "You're going to burn the papers? But I thought —"
"You thought wrong. The people I work for don't want that research to exist."
From the backseat, she saw flames flickering inside the warehouse. "Please don't do this. They're just young girls."
Henry climbed into the driver's seat, put the vehicle into gear without a word, and raced out of the parking lot. In the rearview mirror, he could see the building going up in flames. "Now, where?"
"Just drive. I need to think about how to get rid of this one."
*****
After thirty minutes, Henry turned off the main road onto a gravel road. Terror coursed through Jenna's body, not for her, but for what she believed had happened to the girls.
Tears spilled from her eyes, drenching her face. "You didn't have to kill them."
"Really? You don't think I'm that stupid, do you? Those girls would be giving us up in a second. And you would, too. I don't see any other way but to eliminate you."
"Then do it! If you're going to shoot me, get it over with," Jenna snarled.
"And get the car all bloody. Not a chance." The enforcer gripped the gun. "It's going to happen soon enough."
Jenna's forehead was damp with sweat. Despite her hands clenched in her lap, Jenna's eyes flashed with defiance. "I'm not afraid. I knew what I was walking into when I came. You're a coward. You kill people to make you feel tough."
His free hand responded with a brutal slap to her face. "Killing you is going to be a pleasure."
Suddenly, the temperature in the car dropped.
Jenna whispered, "Mom?"
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