Last Defense (Sequel to Drastic Measures)

Chapter Five

"Rise and shine, sweetheart," a low, scratchy voice spoke, waking up the already groggy detective, Eliza.

She glanced around, trying to put together her surroundings. Panic settled in and she quickly tried moving her arms up, put realized they were restrained. She turned to see Sonny tied up to a chair as well in defeat. They definitely weren't in Walters' apartment anymore either. The room was dark other than the one faint lightbulb that hung on the ceiling.

"No use sweetheart, got you tied up good," the man smiled. He had dark eyes, almost like an empty void and strands of gray hair that blended in with his messy brown ones. "Well, now that you two are awake, we can finally have a little chat."

"We'll gladly chat with you if you let us both out," Sonny offered. His face looked like he was beaten to the pulp and he was practically sprawled back in his chair in exhaustion.

"Sorry, no can do Detective Carisi," the guy shook his head.

Eliza's eyes widened at the mention of his name, and soon realized who the kidnapper was. "Jarod," she muttered.

Jarod jumped up from his position in excitement, revealing a gun that was hidden in the waistband of his pants. "Ding ding ding! We got a winner! Well your partner here caught on earlier while you were resting your poor little head, but props for trying."

"What do you want from us?" Eliza asked.

"Nothing! I just want to have fun," Jarod smiled. His cold fingers grazed along Eliza's jaw line, causing her to flinch back in response. Chills ran through her spine. He sighed, "I just want us to get to know each other, that's all. I mean, I already know so much about you."

"Oh really? And what's that?" She asked.

"Let me jog your memory, last year, junior detective Eliza Chapman was found unconscious in an abandoned warehouse and suffered a miscarriage due to the atrocious actions of her kidnapper, Mr. Henry Smith," Jarod smirked confidently. Eliza tried to keep her composure, but Jarod caught the slight twitch in her eye. He smiled triumphantly, "Oh, I hit a nerve!"

"Leave her alone!" Sonny scowled at Jarod, annoyed by the mind games.

"Oh Sonny, I know this is your first kidnapping and all, but you've got to learn not to speak when others have the mic. Eliza can tell you all about that, right?" He turned his attention back to Eliza.

She was silent at first, until she spit right in his face, in between his eyes. Jarod cackled nervously as he wiped off the spit then, without warning, flung the back of his hand across her face.

Eliza yelped at the sudden attack and grimaced as she felt the hard after-sting. "I'm sorry sweetheart but that was for your own good," Jarod apologized and patted her head. "You know, the best part about all of this is, no one knows where any of you are. So you have literally no leverage."

"Just let Eliza go. She doesn't need to be dragged into this," Sonny pleaded.

"Oh contrary, she definitely needs to be involved in this fun," Jarod said. "You two detectives need to learn the consequences of snooping around."

"That's our job," Eliza muttered breathlessly.

"And that's the problem. You two just don't know when to quit. You should've stopped once you found those dead bodies I left for you all at the beach."

"Wait-how'd you know about that? We didn't even let the press find out about it," Sonny said, eyeing Jarod suspiciously.

"I'm always one step ahead of you," Jarod shrugged nonchalantly. "But enough about that, let's get back to delving into your past."

"Okay fine," Eliza said, knowing she had to get the upper hand, "Why'd you kidnap the girl from Chicago? Seems like NY girls are more your MO."

"Ooo we're playing interrogation. Alright, I'll play along," Jarod winked, "Well I needed a way of getting your attention."

"Wait- that was all planned?" She arched a brow.

"Of course it was, everything was planned. I've been paying close attention to you since the day that case came out on the news, detective Chapman," Jarod smiled, strolling back and forth across the small room, "Wasn't planning on having your ex come along, but hey, the more the merrier."

"You're sick," Sonny said in disgust.

"I know," Jarod shrugged and there was a loud knock coming from upstairs. "That must be the pizza I ordered. How about we play another game? Rules are: if I hear so much as a scratch coming from down here, I'm killing the pizza guy. Simple, right?"

The detectives glared at their kidnapper in response. "And if you win, I won't let you two starve," Jarod chuckled to himself as he walked up the stairs. He closed he door behind him and they could hear him closing locks.

Once he was sure he couldn't hear him, Sonny turned to face Eliza and whispered, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine. What'd he do to you?" Eliza asked, referring to all the bloody gashes on his face and stomach. Some were fresh and some weren't, meaning whatever happened to him lasted a while.

Sonny grew quiet, as if he was questioning whether or not he should tell her. "It's nothing too brutal. We need a way out of here. Can you move?"

Eliza fidgeted in her seat, but to no avail. "This chair's practically glued to the ground." Her wrists and ankles were tied up with barbed wire, so trying to escape that would be a pain. "I mean, I could try slipping out of this."

She began tugging her left arm and blood quickly seeped down. She grimaced in excruciating pain and tried so hard not to scream.

"Don't!" He whispered, looking at her with concern, "I think he's coming down again."

She stopped, listening to check if his footsteps were getting closer. There were muffled voices upstairs and then she heard the front door close. "Sonny?" she whispered.

"Yeah?"

She looked into his bright blue eyes, knowing, if she didn't say this, it might be too late. "I'm sorry."