George Hartmann Box Set

by Kelly Utt

  We sit quietly again for a few minutes, looking at the pinks and blues in the sky. I don't want to push Taye too hard. That might make him decide to turn us in. I think about what he said a couple of days ago when we were looking for Ali, Marjorie, and the boys. He’d gotten wind of the fact that Liam and Roddy were willing to go around the law if necessary. He became uncomfortable and said it was probably better if he didn't participate in that part. Taye has ideals he's not willing to compromise. I admire that. But at this juncture, we need friends who will bend the rules when that’s what is called for.

  “I'm going to make this easy for Taye," Duke says. "George, I have some secondhand information that I heard from Jen. I'm going to tell it to you. Then you won't have to ask Taye or Jen directly. Is that fair?"

  "That's fair," Roddy says quickly.

  "Wait a minute now,” I say. "Roddy, we don't know what we're going to hear yet. How can we promise not to pursue other sources for the information.”

  "Because this is a balancing act," he says. "Duke’s offer is fair. Take it."

  "I’ll modify my offer a bit," Duke says. Don't ask Taye or Jen until Ali wakes up and can give her permission. That way, she can also tell the story herself. And I’ll be the only bad guy here. If Ali is mad at someone, she can be mad at me and not her closest friends."

  "I appreciate that man," I say.

  "I got you,” Duke says. "I don't want Ali to be mad at any of us. But in this instance, I believe the information is important for you to have and I think Ali would understand why I am choosing to tell you."

  I nod my head and try to steel myself for what I'm about to hear. The blows just keep coming. Every time I think it can't get worse, it somehow seems to do just that. I hope what I'm about to hear doesn't change the way I feel about my wife. I'd like to think we can get through anything together. But I never thought she'd cheat on me.

  "Go ahead," Roddy says.

  "Alright, "Duke says. "You sure you're ready for this, George?"

  I nod. I cross my legs underneath me and tuck my hands tightly into my lap. I’m bracing myself.

  "Bear in mind, Jen and I weren’t together back then. We hadn't even met yet. So, everything I'm about to tell you is what Jen relayed to me many years later when it just so happened to come up. I know she wouldn't go behind Ali’s back, so I have to assume that Jen thought Ali would be okay with her sharing the information."

  Taye begins to pace again. He's going to wear out a spot on the dock with all of his incessant back-and-forth.

  "Jen did, in fact, mention Clive Roland’s name to me. She said Clive was a bartender at a pub near Ali’s office at the time,” Duke says.

  "All right," I say. "This much is positive. That's what Clive told us when we questioned him. It's good to know that information has been corroborated."

  "Did Clive tell that to the police?" Roddy asks, for clarification.

  "No, not as far as I know. My knowledge of this part comes from Jen," Duke confirms.

  Roddy and I glance at each other. At least we're getting somewhere.

  "Jen also mentioned that Clive took a liking to Ali," Duke says. "He pursued her. He wanted to date her."

  It's hard to hear this while keeping my emotions in check. I'm trying with all my might.

  "They became friends and they spent a lot of time together,” Duke continues. "For a long time, they hung out with a group of people and didn't spend any real time alone. I think Ali knew how Clive felt about her and figured it was best to avoid one on one time.”

  “Yeah, okay,” I say, trying not to sound shaky.

  "One night, according to Jen, Clive and Ali were the last two left at the pub after the rest of the group had gone home. Clive tried to kiss her. She left that night without incident. But the next night when he tried to kiss her again, Ali was too drunk to remember what happened afterward. She woke up the next morning on a couch in Clive's apartment. From what I understand, Ali has no idea whether or not anything happened between them. She has no recollection of anything after the pub."

  "Is that it?" I ask.

  Duke shakes his head yes.

  "I'm sorry, man," he says. " I know this news is hard to take."

  I pull my knees up to my chest and wrap my arms tightly around them, then I begin to rock slowly back-and-forth. I want to scream and yell. I want to cry. I want to beat the living hell out of something. Preferably Clive.

  "We have to assume then that Clive having fathered Ethan is within the realm of possibility,” Roddy says.

  I shake my head no.

  "Please don't say that," I tell Roddy.

  "Keep it together, George,” my father-in-law says.

  I know. I can't let this fall to Roddy to handle. He has serious concerns of his own. I take a deep breath. I feel like slapping myself to jolt me into maintaining composure. Instead, I shake my head and arms, trying to shake it off.

  "Okay,” I say. "Okay."

  "As I said, I have a tuft of Clive’s hair,” Roddy adds. "We can have it tested."

  "Yeah," I say. "But let's slow down on that. I'm not sure I'm ready for that information just yet. Let’s pursue the other angles first."

  "That’s fine,” Roddy says, to my great relief. "We’ll work under the assumption that it's a possibility. But we don't have to know for sure in order to move forward."

  12

  Nightfall

  We're still sitting out on the dock when my phone rings. I recognize the area code and extension as a local number. I think it's the hospital. God, I hope it's good news. I hope it's Dr. Wong calling to tell me Ali is awake. That bit of news would make everything better. I could go to her and see her beautiful brown eyes. Then I could kiss her soft lips without a respirator in the way. I can't wait.

  "Dr. Wong?" I say as I answer the phone.

  "No, George," the voice on the other end says.

  I recognize it immediately. It's Miss Tessa.

  "Miss Tessa!" I say, looking at Roddy and nodding my head up and down.

  I start to put my phone on speaker so the others can hear, but just as I'm about to press the button Roddy's phone rings. I decide to forego speakerphone at the moment so Roddy can have his own conversation without conflicting noises. I take a few steps further up the dock and put one finger in my free ear so I can listen to what Miss Tessa has to say.

  "I thought you were leaving at seven o’clock," I say. " Roddy and I made it out of the hospital undetected. We didn't need your help tonight. Thanks for checking on us though."

  "That's not why I am calling," she says.

  I'm having a hard time hearing her. I'm not sure who Roddy's talking to, but he's now trying to get my attention as if I should be involved in that conversation, too. I hold a finger up in the air to let him know to give me a minute.

  "What can I do for you?" I ask.

  As best I can figure, maybe she wants to tell me what her work schedule is tomorrow. Or maybe she wants to ask about the first maintenance uniform she gave me. The one I ripped up and used to tie up Clive. I hope she isn't in trouble because I didn't turn it back in.

  "I'm calling because your son is in danger," she says.

  "What? "I ask, confused.

  "Your boy. He's in danger.”

  That can't be right. My sons are all in the hospital. With security. Mom and Joe are with them and Marjorie and Nicky are nearby. How could they be in danger?

  “Miss Tessa, what are you talking about?" I say. "Do you have me confused with someone else? My boys are all there at the hospital. I was just with them not long ago. They were safe and sound."

  "It's your boy," she confirms. "Come back to the hospital right away. He needs you. Right now. Do you hear me?"

  "Okay, okay," I say. "I hear you. I'll be right there."

  She hangs up the phone before I have a chance to say anything else. Roddy is gesturing wildly for me to come and listen to whoever it is he’s talking to.

  "It’s Liam!” Roddy says. "Come over here, George
. He's okay."

  Roddy puts the phone on speaker and the four of us gather around it to listen to what Liam has to say. I'm incredibly grateful that my uncle is alright. I was so scared for his safety. But now I'm scared about what Miss Tessa just said to me. I need to get to the hospital.

  "Liam," I say quickly. "I'm so glad to hear from you. You're okay?"

  "Fine," he says. "Clive overpowered me in the hotel room when I wasn't paying close enough attention. I’m sorry I let that happen. He tied me up and has been holding me for the past few hours. I was finally able to escape. I'm at a payphone in front of the laundromat on route twelve. "

  "We're on our way,” Roddy says. "We’ll be there to get you shortly."

  "No, wait, "Liam says. "Clive has at least one accomplice. I didn't see his face but I heard his voice. He was in the room with me. I think they're going after Ethan at the hospital."

  "Oh my God,” I say. "I was just on the phone with Miss Tessa from the hospital. She was calling to tell me my boy was in danger. I wasn't sure whether I believed her or not until now. Oh, my God."

  "Get to the hospital right away,” Liam says. "I'll find a ride and meet you there. I can fill you in on the rest later. Go!"

  Before I turn to run, I place my hand out in the middle of the four of us. Maybe it's an odd action, but it feels like the thing to do. The guys seem to know what I'm thinking and they pile their hands on top of mine like we're in a football huddle ready to make a play. When their hands are all piled up, I place my free hand on top.

  "I need you guys right now,” I say through tears. “I need your loyalty. I don't care about your professional obligations. Help me protect my family and you have my word that I will always have your backs. Are you with me?"

  "I'm with you, friend,” Duke says. "You have my loyalty."

  "You have mine, too” Taye says. "I owe it to my dear friend, Ali.”

  Roddy smiles as he grits his teeth, getting his game face on.

  "Then, let's go!" I say as I raise all of our hands together between mine and break the huddle.

  We race up the dock and over the lawn on the back side of the house just like we did two days ago after receiving word that Ali, Marjorie, and the boys had gone missing. It's almost completely dark now, but the outdoors are illuminated by the light of a full moon. We’re propelled forward and upward by a body memory of the steps taken here previously.

  The last time we took this path together, my family was found and rescued against all odds. I say a silent prayer for a good outcome tonight.

  We dash through the house, hastily putting on shoes and grabbing our keys before rushing out the front door. We take two vehicles. Roddy gets in the driver seat of the Jeep and I climb into the passenger seat. Followed immediately behind us, Taye jumps into the passenger seat of the black SUV and Duke into the driver’s seat. Roddy tears out of the driveway first and speeds down the highway. Duke follows his lead.

  "Get on your phone," my father-in-law says. "Warn them."

  "Already on it," I say as I dial Mom's phone number.

  The phone rings three times, which feels like an excruciating wait. Then she answers.

  "Hello, dear,” Mom says, clearly not realizing anything is wrong.

  "Mom!" I say frantically. "Are the boys there with you?"

  I put it on speakerphone so Roddy can hear.

  "Of course, why wouldn't they be?" she replies.

  "There in front of you? In your sight?" I ask.

  "Well, Leo and Will are right here in front of me. Ethan is out of the room with a nurse doing an assessment."

  My heart sinks to the very bottom of me. At least when Ethan was taken out of his bedroom window, Lady, Roddy, and I were close behind the intruder. I could see him with my own eyes. And I knew how to pursue him in order to rescue my child. This is going to be much more complicated.

  "Oh, my God,” I say, my voice trembling.

  "What's wrong, George?" Mom asks. "This is nothing to be alarmed about. The nurse said they needed to follow up to be sure Ethan had fully recovered after his time out in the elements. He said it wouldn't take long and that he’d bring our boy right back."

  "Have you seen this nurse before?"

  "I guess not, know that you mention it,” Mom says. "He was wearing the same uniform as all of the others. He was clean-cut and seemed friendly enough."

  "That wasn’t a real nurse,” I say. " I'm on my way. Who is with you in the room right now?"

  "It's just me and Joe with Leo and Will at the moment. Marjorie and Nicky are down with Ali."

  She sounds like she’s talking me seriously. Thank God.

  “There are bad guys out to get Ethan. I'm not sure if they want to harm any of the rest of us, but I need you to do exactly as I say. Do you understand?”

  "How do you know this, George?” Mom asks. "Are you sure you're alright?"

  Roddy interjects.

  "Linette, do what he says. We don't have time to explain."

  "Okay, I'm sorry," she says, sounding deflated now.

  I sit up straight in my seat and spread my arms as wide as I can, much like I did in the hotel room with Clive. I need my physical body to prompt my mental attitude shift to that of a predator. I might be embarrassed to do this in other company, but Roddy gets it.

  "Barricade the door to your hospital room,” I say. "Don't let anyone in and unless they are one of us. Do you understand me?"

  "Yes,” she says.

  "I mean it, Mom. Don't open the door for anyone. Not even Dr. Adams or Dr. Wong. Not until we get Ethan back safe and figure out what's going on here."

  She agrees.

  "What does he look like?" I ask.

  "He’s tall and muscular,” Mom replies. "He's probably in his late twenties or early thirties. He has dusty blond hair and I think he has brown eyes. His features are wide and broad. He has a wide nose and wide brows. He was wearing a blue nurse’s uniform with the hospital logo on the front."

  “Okay,” I say.

  I hang up the phone then lean my forehead down into one palm.

  "Mom is a nurse herself," I say to Roddy. "You think she would have been able to tell if someone was just impersonating a nurse.”

  I call Marjorie and repeat the same instructions. Roddy and I tell her that she and Nicky should barricade the door to Ali's room and not let anyone in. She understands and quickly agrees to cooperate.

  When we arrive at the hospital, we pull both vehicles right up the back service entrance as close as we can get to the door. The news crews appear to be gone from the front now, but we don't want to take any chances. We park the Jeep and the SUV and all four of us leap out, ready for action.

  My energy is renewed. Even I find it hard to believe that I could barely walk without assistance just twelve hours earlier. My boy needs me. I must save him.

  "I just got off the phone with my friend at the wireless company,” Duke says. "He was able to triangulate Clive's phone and get me a location."

  "Where is it?” I ask.

  "It's here. At the hospital."

  "Did you call the police?" I ask.

  An hour or so ago we didn't want authorities involved. But now that's all changed. We need to save Ethan at any cost. We need the help of the authorities.

  "I did,” Duke says. "We’ll do our best to tell them only what we want them to know, but we need them on this."

  "I know,” I affirm. "You did the right thing."

  Roddy nods his agreement as well.

  "Does anybody have a weapon?" I ask.

  "Just my pocket knife,” Roddy says. “Hopefully Liam still has the handgun and will show up soon."

  "If Clive overpowered him, he probably doesn't have it anymore. And I've got nothing," I say.

  "Taye pops open the back of the SUV and pulls two handguns out of a black case. He tosses one to me and one to Roddy.

  "There, now you’re covered,” Taye says. "Duke and I are already armed.”

  "Thanks," I say. "I'm goin
g straight for the information desk on the ground floor so they can put the building on lockdown and security can be notified.”

  "The remaining three of us will fan out,” Roddy adds. "We’ll clear the floors one at a time starting with the ground floor. Use your training, everyone. I don't want any stone left unturned. Be smart about it. Let’s try not to scare anyone if we can help it. Especially not Ethan.”

  God, I hope Ethan isn’t scared. My sweet boy.

  “In addition to Clive, we’re looking for a tall, muscular male last seen wearing a blue nurse’s uniform with the hospital logo on the front,” I explain. “Late twenties or early thirties. Dusty blond hair. Broad features.”

  We run at full speed into the back of the hospital blowing past the maintenance workers and the other miscellaneous staff members who are hanging around. They aren’t nearly as many employees here this time and night. That's good. Fewer places for Clive and his accomplice to try and hide.

  I make a beeline for the reception area in the front of the hospital. Since it's past normal visiting hours, there's only one security guard staffing the desk. He looks alarmed as he sees me approaching at full speed.

  "Sir, I need you to lock in the hospital right away,” I implore. “My family members are patients here and I have reason to believe that someone is trying to kidnap my oldest son."

  He looks at me strangely as he picks up the phone and pushes one button.

  "I'm serious. This is urgent. Do it right now. My family was the victim of a break-in and kidnapping attempt in Ithaca, New York this past January. And then my wife, mother-in-law, and three little boys were run off the road a couple of days ago. You probably heard our story. All the news trucks that have been hanging around out front were here for me."

  "Calling a code pink,” he says into the receiver. “We’re going on lockdown.”

  “Good!” I say, doubling over with relief. “Thank you!”

  The security guard is a young, Scottish looking guy with freckles and bright red hair. His name tag says Jeremy Lancaster. He looks like the boy version of the girl on the Wendy's cup and like he could be Clara Berry's sibling. I sort of wish we had someone more seasoned in this position, but he seems to be reacting appropriately.