Chapter 11

 

Tom felt a cold chill move through his body, as he stared at the contents of the box. “So, you didn’t see who left this by the door?”

“No, I had decided to come home and get some things done before you and Mac returned, and it was sitting there.”

Marge knew she should never have opened the box, but she had never expected to find what she did. “I’m sorry; I should have left it where it was. I hope I didn’t destroy any evidence you need.”

“No, how could you have known what was in it.” Tom wished he could tell Marge more of what they were up against, but she was already frightened enough.

“What’s this supposed to mean, Tom?”

Inside the box was a copy of their wedding picture with the words “Until Death Do You Part” written across the image in bold red letters. Then lying on the picture was the pearl necklace he had given her for their twentieth wedding anniversary. He knew this was a message from Erebus telling him that the game had taken a new and dangerous turn.

“I’ll have to take this to the department, so they can check it for fingerprints. I’m sorry, but I promise you’ll get your pearls back as soon as possible.

Marge looked at Tom, her eyes wet with tears. “I understand. Tom, are we in danger?”

He wanted to lie and say that everything was fine, but he could not bring himself to do it.

“Honey, the man who has John is a very dangerous person. He has decided to drag me into his sick game because of my relationship with John, and Mac. I promise that I will do everything I can to protect you, and get John back safe. You have to promise me that you will stay home and not open the door to anyone you do not know. Do you understand?”

Marge wiped the tears from her eyes and forced a smile. “Yes, I understand.”

Tom heard a knock at the front door. “Good that must be them.”

He opened the door and welcomed the crew from the Criminal Investigation Division or CID.

“Come on in, we need to do a complete sweep of the house for any hidden recording devices, and you need to do it as quick as possible. I also need this box and its contents examined for fingerprints. Come on, Marge, let’s go to the kitchen, and have some coffee. We need to stay out of their way and let them work.”

Tom glanced down at his wristwatch, “Damn, we are running out of time.”

Marge looked at Tom. “What did you say? Why are we running out of time?”

“Oh nothing, let’s go have a cup of coffee, and try to relax.”

Tom knew time was running out for John, but he did not know what was expected of him next. Surely, Erebus would contact him soon with another clue, unless…, “Shit, this was a diversion!”

A horrifying feeling washed over Tom, Mac, where are you? He reached for his cell phone and dialed her number. After several rings, it went to her voicemail. “Crap, this can’t be good.”

“What isn’t good? What’s wrong; is Mac all right?” Marge looked at Tom, and she could see the concern on his face. Once she had started a pot of coffee, she sat next to him at the table.

“I’m not sure, but I’ll give her a couple of minutes to return my call before I begin to worry.”

Tom knew he had to try to remain calm for Marge’s sake. She was not used to this type of thing because he had always sheltered her from the darker side of his work.

“Honey, would you mind making me a sandwich? I’m a bit hungry.”

“Sure, but how can you eat at a time like this?” Marge knew he had faced these types of things before in his career, but her stomach was in knots.

“There’s some leftover roast, how about an opened faced sandwich?”

“That sounds wonderful,” he looked at his wristwatch and decided to call Mac again.

Tom had tried calling Mac twice while he ate his lunch, but there was still no answer. He knew she would always return a call as soon as she could, so there had to be something wrong. “Damn it, why don’t you answer?”

“Sir, you need to see this,” the investigative detective interrupted, as he stood in the doorway.

Tom looked at Marge and motioned for her to stay, and then he followed the investigator to his office.

“We found this,” he pointed to a small recording device hidden in a silk plant on one of the shelves behind Tom’s desk. “This is quite a sophisticated model, so whoever put it there knew what they were doing.”

“How much more do you have to do?” Tom was sick at the idea of Erebus in their house, and going through their things.

“We’ve finished the lower floor, so now we are going through all the rooms upstairs. We should finish shortly. Sir, do you have any idea who would do this?”

“I precisely know who did this, and if I don’t stop him soon, a dear friend is going to die.”

Tom looked at his wristwatch again, “Damn it, Mac, where are you? We’re running out of time!”

***

The room was dark. Mac struggled to make out her surroundings when she heard a familiar voice.

“Ah, you’re finally waking up. I was getting concerned that I may have given you too much, and you would be out for hours like John.”

Erebus was thrilled to have Mac under his complete control, and he planned to enjoy their time together to the fullest.

“Where am I? Why can’t I move?” Mac struggled, as her mind began to clear.

“You can’t move because I know you would never willingly stay here with me. Let’s just say that you’ve joined the party with our mutual friend, John.”

Erebus smiled, as he watched her struggle to free herself from the ropes holding her to the large, wooden chair. He had always appreciated her spirit, and unwillingness to surrender, so that hold her captive was a treat.

“Mac, are you all right?” John heard her grunts as she fought to free herself.

“John, is that you? Oh, thank God, you’re still alive! Are you hurt?” Mac was thrilled to hear his voice but concerned because she could not see him.

“I’m okay, but how are you? He didn’t hurt you, did he?” John fought to see her, as he strained to free himself.

Erebus smiled. “My word, but are you two untrusting. No, I haven’t hurt either one of you, not yet at least. Now, I want you both to behave while I make a phone call.”

***

Tom stared at the microphone found in the guest bedroom. “Damn, how did he know she would come?” Unfortunately, he knew the answer. It was Erebus they were dealing with, and he always managed to be one-step ahead of them. “Bag it up with the other one and take them with you to the station. I can’t leave yet, but I’ll come in as soon as I can.”

“Yes sir, if you need anything else, please don’t hesitate to ask,” the investigator forced a smile while putting the microphone into an evidence bag.

“Thank you, but this is something I have to handle myself.”

Tom knew he should have followed standard procedure, but John’s life depended on him playing by the rules of the game. “Thank you for being so thorough, I appreciate it.”

Once the CID crew had left, Tom decided to go to his office and call Mac again.

“Please answer this time, it’s almost two o’clock.” He was sitting at his desk when his cell phone began to ring, “Maybe that’s her?”

He lifted that cellphone to his ear,” Hello.”

“Good afternoon, Tom. I see that you’ve found my little devices. I also hope your wife enjoyed the package I left for her at the front door?”

Erebus enjoyed toying with Tom while setting the next move in motion.

“You bastard, how did you get into my house and why would you do such a thing? You scared my wife half to death!” Tom felt the blood boil in his veins, while he visualized his hands around Erebus' neck, squeezing the life out of him.

“I’m sorry it upset her, but it was a necessary move in the game.”

“Don’t bullshit me. You’re not sorry at all, as a matter of fact, you’re enjoying every moment of this, aren’t you?”

Tom’s hands shook with such force that he could barely hold the cell phone to his ear.

“What’s the real reason you called? I know it wasn’t to make small talk.”

Erebus chuckled. He found that he liked Tom because he was not afraid to call things as he saw them. “You’re correct, as always. You need to boot-up your computer and check your emails. I’ve sent you a special message, and I am sure you’ll need time to process it. I’ll call you back in an hour.” The call ended.

Tom reached for the power button on the computer and waited for it to boot-up. He scanned through the list of emails until he came to one that said, From a friend, in the subject line. He took a deep breath, and hit the open button, but what appeared on the screen caused his breath to catch in his throat.

***

The room was dark, except for the lone light hanging above to the two shadowy figures. Suddenly the sound of familiar voices erupted from the computer’s speakers, “Shit that’s John and Mac!”