42

 

Jamie’s eyes opened as the plane landed. She was groggy, but only for a moment.

Andrew was nestled against her. His breathing was steady. Had they drugged him, too?

She needed to be more alert if she was to get them out of this situation.

The plane bumped to a stop.

The bouncing woke Andrew up. His eyes popped open in a panic. But when saw her, he calmed down.

The door opened.

The man looked more like a businessman than a kidnapper or a drug dealer. His brown hair was cut neatly and his clothes spoke of the same affluence. As he glared down at her, Andrew pressed against her, clearly frightened. “OK, I expect no problems from either of you. Got it? You cause me a problem and...” His gaze met hers. “Got it?”

She nodded.

He grabbed hold of Andrew and pulled him up.

Andrew began struggling and crying.

“Look, little boy. I don’t have time for this. Behave yourself or you’ll be sorry.”

Jamie kicked the man.

Fury crossed his face at her assault, but she quickly motioned at Andrew with her feet. The man let him drop to the floor. He leaned close to Jamie and pulled the tape off her mouth, just enough to let her speak.

“Let me take care of him. I’ll keep him calm.”

“And why would you do that?”

“I don’t want you to hurt him.”

“Oh, that’s so sweet. A motherly instinct.” He grinned at her. “I’m going to untie you and take the tape off.” He pulled the tape off, and then sliced through the rope around her wrists. “If you do anything I don’t like, I won’t hesitate to kill you. The boy’s my insurance policy—you, I can do without.”

She held her arms out to Andrew, who still lay on the floor sobbing. “Come here, Andy.”

He crawled to her.

“It’s OK, Andy. I’ll take care of you.”

His sobs quieted.

The man stood over them with an impatient look. “OK, let’s go.” He grabbed her arm and pulled her up.

Andrew whimpered.

She hugged him.

The man pushed Jamie in front of him. “Keep moving.” He pressed the knife against her blouse. The point of it went through her clothes and jabbed her back.

Her temper flared. If it wasn’t for Andrew…she walked forward.

The door was open and another man stood there waiting. The man with the needle. He didn’t look nearly as civilized as the one behind her. His sandy blond hair was shaggy and unkempt. His beard hid his features. As he leered at her, she was greeted with a glistening gold tooth. His fingers dug into her arm as he grabbed hold of her. “Keep moving and don’t make me have to shoot you, sweetheart. That would make me so sad.” His words were more of a snarl than a sentence.

Jamie decided he would probably enjoy shooting her and that he was hoping he could. She stepped from the plane onto the steps. Not quite dark. In the background were mountains and trees, but they weren’t the Tetons. At least, she didn’t think so.

The plane stood in the middle of a field, or perhaps a private runway. It was as if the plane and surrounding area was an island in the midst of an ocean of trees and mountains.

Jamie had no clue where they might be.

No houses or buildings. Beyond the fields, shadows of trees stood guard.

The three of them made their way down the airplane steps to a waiting van. The van door was open.

The man pushed her and Andrew inside.

An unseen person quickly put something over her head.

Andrew’s whimpers turned to sobs.

“It’s OK, Andy. We’re fine. I’m right here with you.” She hugged him closer and whispered into his ear. “I know it’s scary, but you and I will get through this. I promise.”

He snuggled closer and quieted.

Jamie prayed she hadn’t lied to the boy.