ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON 14

Episode 16

Ariel woke up  on top of a single bed. She was tied securely to the bedpost with her arms lifted up helplessly. There was a blindfold around her suddenly terrified brown eyes and a gag stuck in her mouth. And , she was naked with her legs spread in the very sensual way the kidnapper had positioned her unconscious body right before he had taken the pictures of her as she slept on.

What was going on? , her mind screamed out wildly as she fought to recall what had happened to her. She remembered standing on the sidewalk in the city. She remembered looking in a store window at a dress. She remembered being grabbed...... No..... No..... How could she be snatched in broad daylight?

She remembered being injected with something that made her so dizzy and limp , resistant to everything. She remembered him threatening Alan..... Alan ....... Dear God..... Dear God, did they have her son too.....

What were they going to do to her ? , she thought as tears began to fall down her frightened face. In her mind she saw two images.

Nicholas.

And ...... Maxim......

She mentally begged them both to help her.

Save her......

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" Mr. Volkouv , sir , " the dark suited young butler Saunders said crisply and efficiently," one of the maids found this tucked in the mailbox. It has no postage oddly enough and is just addressed to Mr. Volkouv. I am unsure exactly if it is intended for you or the other Mr. Volkouvs. "

He held out the simple long brown manila envelope gingerly as though it was burning him or dirty. And there was no postmark on it or return address.

Maxim had been leaving once again for the office. He had just stopped back home for lunch in the nursery with his three sons and their governess. Now he stood in the main foyer of the estate with the odd missive in his well groomed hands.

" Thank you, Saunders," he said hesitantly as he began to open it slowly. Once he had he wished he hadn't.

Inside were the most dreadful pictures of Ariel naked and tied to a bed and appearing unconscious in a dimly lit room.

His heart almost stopped and his mouth turned dry as he drew out the accompanying note and silently read it.

It stated in cold stalkly typewritten letters," We have your lady friend , Mr. Nicholas Volkouv. If you wish her returned unharmed once more you will obey our every command. Do not contact the law enforcement authorities. If you do we shall kill her and return her piece by piece. And then we'll take the boy in the wheelchair. You are being watched. Do await further instructions. "

Saunders watched the young man's face pale greatly as he stared at the contents of the envelope he held in his hands.

" Mr. Volkouv , are you quite alright, sir ? Do you require water? "

Max fought to speak as he stood trapped in horror and shock.

Then suddenly Alan Kendall moved from the sitting room in his wheelchair. He was stressed in the aftermath of his very first physical therapy session. Not to mention his remote school wasn't going well either. He preferred being at Barrington in person. He said ," Max , Saunders, have you seen my mother? She's not answering her phone. Jeff said he hasn't heard from her either."