Mia's Journey: An Erotic Thriller (26 page)

“Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.”

Sun Tzu

Chapter 72

“This is Dan Anderson with KTTO action news, and we have breaking news about the Mia Prescott kidnapping...”

The sun rose and Daddy watched the dust motes dance in the air as the sunlight came through the basement window. He needed to make a plan. However, this was a complex one as there were so many unknowns.

It would require that he make a number of intuitive leaps in logic. The downside was, those leaps could turn out to be wrong, and he wouldn’t know it until too late.

The first thing he needed was information. He knew he could probably turn on the TV downstairs without attracting attention.

“…we’ll go to our news anchor on the spot. Cassandra, what can you tell us?”

“Dan, shocking details have emerged in the Mia Prescott kidnapping. I’d like to warn viewers right now, that some of our footage is graphic, and not intended for children or infirm viewers.”

“Duly noted, Cassandra. What can you tell us?”

“The good news is that Mia Prescott has been found alive and relatively unharmed. Police aren’t saying much but it appears she has been beaten and possibly sexually assaulted.”

“How was she found, Cassandra?”

“By the tireless efforts of Sergeant Flynn of the Urbandale Police Department who took it upon himself to track her down even on his off hours. We have Sergeant Flynn with us. I think it best to let him describe it in his own words.”

The camera widened to include an uncomfortable looking Flynn, thrust into the spotlight.

“Well Cassandra, I received an anonymous tip from a concerned citizen and followed up on it.”

“And that tip led you here, an abandoned meat-packing plant?”

“Yes, it did.”

“And what did you discover?”

“That there has obviously been a massacre here. It appears that a dozen or more members of a local gang stumbled upon where Mia Prescott was being held. They foolishly decided to take matters into their own hands and met with resistance. Many of them died as a result. This is the reason why we always caution citizens not to approach dangerous criminals.”

“Then what happened?”

“There was a fire fight, and I barely escaped with my life.”

“I can see you have a rope burn around your neck, Sergeant Flynn, can you tell us what happened there?”

“I’d rather not go into it at this time,” said Flynn, modestly, leaving it up to the viewer to imagine it.

“We understand. How did you find Mia Prescott?”

“She was being kept in a separate room. When I was able, I made a sweep of the premises and found her.”

“What was her condition?”

“She looked as though she had been assaulted.”

“Do you mean physically, or sexually?”

“I’d rather not speculate.”

The camera then cut to some earlier footage showing paramedic’s wheeling a female out of the building. They held their hands up to the camera, and other officers on the scene pushed the reporters back. “Give us some room, give us some room!” One officer shouted at the cameraman.

The camera cut back to Flynn.

“Were you able to identify the person responsible?”

“No ma’am, I was not. However, with the help of Ms. Prescott, we could identify him as a ‘James Peniwinkle’.” James Peniwinkle’s driver’s license photo was flashed up on the screen.

Daddy had added to his appearance from when the photo was taken so the likeness didn’t resemble him at all anymore.

“Thank you very much for your service, Sergeant Flynn. I hope your heroic efforts will be rewarded.”

“Thank you, Cassandra.”

The camera cut back to the newsroom and Dan Anderson was saying,

“…Thank you, Cassandra. We’ve just learned that the Prescott family has issued a statement. They would like to say that they are grateful and overjoyed that Mia has been found alive. They would like to thank the Urbandale police department and Sergeant Flynn, in particular, for their heroic efforts. They are calling on the press and citizens of this city for privacy, to let Mia heal in peace. Another press release will be forthcoming in the near future.”

Daddy clicked off the TV.

Okay, so what did he know?

He knew that the Prescotts had stepped up their game. Which could only mean William Prescott had taken over from Jeffery. Jeffery was far too much of an amateur to play at this level.

It meant that a full-scale police manhunt was underway. This house wouldn’t be safe much longer. He had to leave. It meant that Mia was in a hospital at least, her wounds were being treated, and she wouldn’t be at peril for the time being, so that was good.

If I was William Prescott, with his money and power, what would I do?
thought Daddy.
Given the set of circumstance he is faced with, I would call in professionals.

What is their Achilles heel? Their weak link in all of this is Mia. If she doesn’t go along with their plan, then it all unravels. What would they use as leverage to force compliance? They would tell her I was dead, and nothing could save her. If they find out about the baby, they could also use that against her. In any event, she is far too dangerous to them. Once she has outlived her usefulness, they’ll have to kill her.

Daddy continued his line of thought.

What do I need most at this moment? I need weapons, and a place to hide to mount an attack. I also need more information.

What are my advantages? I have weapons. I have money, so I can find a place to hide.

What are my disadvantages? I need more information. I have the entire city looking for me, so if I’m spotted, I have to assume I’ll be turned in.

What is the most important thing to do right now, before anything else? I need to get everything that I need, and get out of this house before it is raided. Once I’m safe, I need to put together a plan to gather more information.

With that, Daddy stood up and walked over to a hidden panel in the concrete basement wall. He had built a false wall here when he had moved in.

It just stood out eighteen inches from the real wall, so unless someone used a tape measure and measured off the rooms with the blueprints in hand, it would never be spotted. He had never opened it once he stocked it. Indeed, it couldn’t be “opened.” He had to break through the concrete bricks.

Inside the wall, as a “fail safe” was more cash, more ID’s, and his pride and joy, still looking as fresh and oiled as when he put it in there. A Barrett model M82 .50 caliber sniper rifle.

It was time to hunt.

Daddy’s “Jihad” or Holy War, had begun.

“The object of war is not to die for your objective,

but to make the other bastard die for his.”

George S. Patton

Chapter 73

Daddy packed everything he would need into the back of a rental he had had delivered.

Luckily, his needs were few. Mostly, what he packed was gadgets and gizmos as well as weapons and ammo. He went to the garage and swapped out his plates with more fitting ones matching his new persona.

Another lucky stroke was that his former employers always paid in untraceable cash, so he had made it a point to have cash stockpiled in case he needed it.

He knew one of the first things he should do is have his truck painted another color when he got back. There would be a description out on this one. However, change the color and the plates, along with his physical description and no one would notice him.

He would go to a body shop and have that done immediately. Twice the money necessary, should get the job done in a few hours.

While he was waiting he could use the free wi-fi and find an apartment. If not, he could find a hotel for a few hours sleep and tomorrow find a place to live.

Daddy made a last sweep of his house. He knew there was nothing incriminating upstairs. But he didn’t want them to know what he was armed with. Let that piece of bad news come as a surprise.

He thought about Mia then. Who knows what she has had to endure in his absence? He sent his intention out to her, and tried to use every bit of strength he had to wrap her in his presence so that she would know he was coming for her. He could feel her on the outer edges of his consciousness. But something was wrong, and he couldn’t determine what it was. He had to move quickly for her sake, before her strength failed.

He looked around his office. The pictures of his son comforted him, and he took a few from their frames and put them in with his personal things. By the time his family got back this would be over. He wondered if he would ever see his son again. The thought of his son growing up without his father made him sad. Another child lost to the violence of his life.

He had an older son, who must be what, thirty-five by now? From another marriage but he had never known him. He purposely stayed out of his life. He kept tabs on him through the years, and knew he lived in the same town. He was proud of him and he had done well with his life. He would be a perfect guardian for Mia and the baby. However, that was a problem for another day.

He backed out of the driveway and headed away towards the suburbs where the auto body shops were. He saw a line of police cars going towards his house in the opposite direction and knew his luck was holding.

Next, he went to a Goodwill outlet and picked up some props he would need the next day. Then went looking for an apartment. He secured one in a “Micro-tel” near the freeway that offered monthly rates.

What he needed was intel on what the Prescotts were planning. The only way to get that would be to plant a bug in their office.

He would need to get into their office to do that, and that was risky. It could be done with the right set up, but when he got there he wouldn’t be leaving.

Which leaves putting a bug on someone going there. The only way to do that would be to plant the bug on Jeffery, or the old man.

He took the audio surveillance devices out of their cases and looked at them.

One looked promising. It was a combination GPS tracking system and wireless microphone. It looked like a watch battery. It was a stainless steel disk smaller than a dime. If he could get it into his pocket it might work. It was wireless so he’d have to have a set up where he could get close enough to intercept the transmissions.

His gut feeling was Jeffery would hole up at William Prescott’s estate. He’d run home to mommy. Which meant he’d need to surveil the family manor.

That was a stroke of luck as well as he knew the Prescott estate was surrounded by woods. He looked through the other gear and found what he was looking for.

A laser sound surveillance system which he could gather sound impressions from a glass window. Between one or the other, or both, he might get some actionable intelligence.

His best chance, however, was getting the law enforcement unlock codes for Jeffery’s cell phone, and using that as the surveillance device which would then transmit any sound to his cell phone.

He picked up his cell phone ‘burner’ and made a call he memorized from his bad ‘ol days.

“ID number, please?”

“6154698KJX”

“One moment please…ID confirmed. Number, Please?”

“379-435-5555”

“Confirmed. Code is 987094366”

Daddy keyed the code into his cell phone and his burner instantly came alive with conversation. He recognized Jeffery Prescott’s voice immediately.

“…why did you have to do that?”

“Because you’ve fucked this entire thing up, Jeff. I’m taking over.”

“I hardly think that’s necessary. We’ve got Mia back. The cops are hunting this guy. He’s all over the news. He can’t go anywhere without someone spotting him. It’s only a matter of time before the police corner him and send in a SWAT team.”

“That’s your considered opinion, is it, Jeff?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Then you’re a bigger fool than I thought.”

“So then, what’s your answer?”

“I’ve called in a Black Snake team.”

“You’re giving this guy too much credit.”

“I think you’re not giving him enough.”

“So how’s this going to work?”

“I’m meeting the Black Snake agent tomorrow night outside the Ruan Cafe on Grand. This is costing me one point five mill, Jeff. You better be worth it. Tomorrow I will hand over the retainer. After that, we wait for confirmation.”

“What time is the meeting?”

“Six o’clock.”

“You want me to make the drop instead of you?”

“Truthfully Jeff, I don’t trust you enough to not fuck it up.”

“It’s your show. I hope you know what you’re doing.”

Daddy had heard all he needed to hear. He had enough time to get ready.

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil

is for good men to do nothing.”

Edmund Burke

Chapter 74

William Prescott sat outside the Ruan Cafe with a briefcase full of cash.

Prescott looked like any of the other businessman having coffee there. He also showed up early. Which indicated a street smart method of conducting business, something Daddy hadn’t expected from him.

Prescott had arranged the meeting on his terms, sitting where he wanted to sit, giving him a view that he wanted. Daddy had expected him to arrive ‘casually late’ expecting his employee to be waiting for him.

I underestimated him,
thought Daddy, filing that bit of information away.

Daddy came next, in a business suit, tie pulled down and flopped down in a chair not far away, at the back and left of Prescott. He exuded the air of a tired businessman looking for a quick meal, then back to the office for a late night.

Prescott’s eyes flicked over him, and dismissed him. Daddy brought out his iPod, put in the ear buds, angled his chair so his back was to Prescott and directed the unidirectional mic towards Prescott’s table. He adjusted the sound and gain when the waiter came over to take Prescott’s order.

“Will you be having drinks or dinner tonight, sir?”

“Just drinks. I’ll have a Black Velvet, on the rocks.”

“Drinking alone?

“No, I’m waiting for a business colleague.”

“Very good, sir,” the waiter said and left to get his drink.

Daddy could tell Prescott’s ‘colleague’ had shown up simply by the sound of the crisp military walk that came in through the earbuds. He was wearing an expensive business suit. His hair was close-cropped, his back ram-rod straight. There was no hesitation in the visitor’s manner. He knew exactly what he was doing. Prescott looked up as he approached the table.

“Mr. Prescott, thank you for agreeing to this meet. Do I need to go over the rules for this conversation?”

“Probably not,” said Prescott.

“Have you done this before?”

“Not with you.”

“If we agree to handle your contract, once this meeting is over, there is nothing more for you to do except wait for a call from us confirming the delivery schedule. Once delivery has been made, the final payment will be expected immediately. Is there anything unclear about these conditions?”

“No, there isn’t.”

“I’d like you to take a look at our standard contract then.” The man slid over a document. It looked like dozens of manufacturing contracts William Prescott had seen through the years. Both explicit and vague at the same time. The terms were outlined. There was a bland military baldness about this contract. There wasn’t any dense legalese. It spelled itself out clearly. We do this, you do that.

“I’ll also need a copy of this,” said Prescott, signing his.

“I have one here.”

“What’s next?”

“Do you have the retainer?”

The waiter wandered over then. “Can I get you something?” he asked the new arrival.

“A glass of water, please.” The waiter moved out of earshot.

“The retainer?”

“In the briefcase next to your feet. Simply pick it up when you leave.”

“Excellent. Have you compiled a specification sheet on the part we need to manufacture?”

“Yes, it is in the briefcase.”

“Then our business is concluded,” Ram-Rod made ready to leave.

“Is there anything else you’ll be requiring of me?” Prescott asked.

“Yes, approximately one week from today, the team will be touching down on your south pasture. We’ll need a place to get our preliminary samples together. The barn near the south pasture should do. There is nothing you need to do, so this is just to let you know what to expect.”

“Then our business is concluded.”

The man got up and left without another word. His bottled water and glass were left untouched. Prescott realized later he had touched nothing on the table either, keeping his hands in his lap. He couldn’t have gotten fingerprints if he had wanted to.

Prescott now had to see to the details of the party surrounding Jeffery’s announcing his running for mayor.

Daddy had one week to heal, and to prepare.