Unforgettable Love

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Lyric fell to her knees with a gasp. “No!” she screamed “Jason!”   She felt the chief’s hand on her shoulder and heard him talk into his radio.

“There is no sign of the boy. They have left.” He finished his report and turned to her “Come on sweetie. We need to get you back to the station to get cleaned up. You can stay with me and my wife tonight.”

Lyric stood up and followed the chief. She was grateful for his kindness but it didn’t change the pain that she felt.

  The Chief and his wife, Maggie made Lyric feel as comfortable as they could. They gave her some clean clothes, food to eat, and a bed to sleep in. The next day she went to the station with him and was welcomed by the sight of Samson, her father and Joshua.

“Daddy, Joshua!” she exclaimed running into their arms

“Oh Lyric! I thought I would never see you again.” Drew exclaimed through his tears.

  The three had a short reunion then got to work. Lyric was asked to describe everything in detail to Samson and the rest. When she was done Samson spoke up.

“I have known it was Elijah! He has been in jail multiple times for stealing and such but never for kidnapping. Thank you Lyric for your help. We will find Jason, I promise.”

“Wait! That’s it? I am supposed to just sit back and wait?”

“Yes, and you will sit back and let us do the work. You know what happened last time you pitched in. Besides there is nothing more you can do.”

Lyric started to protest but decided against it. He was right there was nothing more she could do. She had to let them take control

The next day Drew, Joshua and Lyric drove back together.

“You don’t know how worried we were.” Joshua said “All we did was sit up and pray. That was all we could do! You know I swore I would k ill you when I found you.” He added with a smile

“Don’t you think I have already been through enough?” Lyric said with a faked tone of misery.

“We are so glad you are here with us.” Drew said breaking the joking mood.  “The whole family was worried. Ella and Kate were more than sad that they couldn’t come, but with the babies it wasn’t possible.”

“Well I can’t wait to see them.” Lyric replied “a week seems like a year especially when you think you will  never see your family again.” She sighed and thought of Jason “God please keep him company.” She prayed” Don’t let him lose hope.”  After a long drive they finally made it home. Lyric was greeted with many hugs, kisses and tears. She was more than grateful to be back in her bed and slept well that night.

  The next day she decided to visit the Liddells. She couldn’t imagine what they were feeling and wanted to reassure them.  The door was opened by Jake and she was welcomed in with smiles.

“Lyric!” Kassie exclaimed as she ran to hug her “We are so glad you are okay! We were praying for you non-stop.”

“I appreciate it.” Lyric said smiling. This couple has just been told that their son was found then told he was gone again, yet they were smiling and happy. She was amazed with their calmness. They had been talking for awhile when the phone rang. Jake excused himself and got up to answer it. Lyric thought nothing of it and continued to talk with Kassie.

“Who are you?” They heard Jake yell “What have you done with him?”

Kassie ran to the kitchen and joined her husband, Lyric soon followed. After a moment of silence Jake hung up.

“They have Jason.” He said through his tears “They said to meet them behind the skating rink at exactly 1 am with a million dollars. They said to not contact the police or harm will come to Jason.”

Kassie stared blankly at her husband “We have to do it.”

“No!” Lyric said “You can’t just let them win without a fight. You have to let Samson know. ”

“How?” Kassie asked “They said they would hurt Jason and I can’t bear to let that happen.”

“But if we don’t catch them then who says they won’t continue to hurt more kids and their families?”

“Then what do you suggest?” Jake asked hopefully

“You and Kassie go to the skating rink, Samson and I will follow shortly after with his team. When they hand over Jason you will signal us and we can come in.”

“But what if they refuse to hand over Jason without the money.”

“Who says you won’t have the money?” Lyric said with a mischievous smile.

“You’re saying we bring the million dollars?” Kassie asked in disbelief.

“No way! But you will bring a bag with you and in the bag you will have play money.”

Jake smiled a big smile “Lyric, you are a genius! Jason has good taste.”

Lyric blushed and ran to the phone to bring Samson over. Samson soon arrived and Lyric informed him of her plan.

“This will be dangerous you know?” Samson said when she was done

“These men are not the sharpest.”

“Don’t underestimate what they are capable of.” Samson said pulling out his cell-phone. He called his team and went over the plan.

   Hours later of practicing and planning the team was ready to rescue Jason.  They met up at Lyric’s house and checked off final details.

“Before we go I want us to pray.” Samson announced “Lyric would you do us the honor?”

The group bowed their heads and prayed.

“God, I know you will be with us tonight. I just pray you will give everyone here the comfort, strength and, hope to rescue Jason. Also give Jason a feeling of security; I know he feels so alone right now. God thank you, thank you for giving us this opportunity to be able to rescue him. Amen”

A multitude of “Amens” filled the house. And stage one of the plan began. Kassie and Jake, carrying the bag of fake money walked out of the door. They carried a mic on them so if something were to go wrong Samson would know and would be able to intervene. Lyric and Samson hung out inside the skating rink pretending to be normal people sharing dinner, while they listened through a special headphone to the conversation.

“Mr. and Mrs. Liddell!” Elijah said in an all too happy voice. “How happy you must be to see your son!”

Jake spoke up his voice seemed strong. “Hello, we have your money, now where is my son?”

“The money first.” Milo said as they had expected.

“Here, now my son?” Jake asked with a hint of impatience.

“Wait Milo, check the bag first.”Elijah said  

Lyric felt her heart stop. They hadn’t thought that through! She looked at Samson with wide eyes. He seemed calm and gave Lyric a look that said “wait”

 “Boss, this money is fake!” Milo said in surprise

“As I thought, bring the boy out.”

Samson’s face filled with worry. He pulled out his walkie-talkie and said the code word “6 o’clock” this was for if something were to go wrong and something had gone very wrong. Lyric felt her heart drop. She continued to listen through the headphones.

“Thought you could trick me, eh?” Elijah was saying in his villainous voice “Well believe it or not I had thought this ahead.”

“Mom?  Dad?” Jason said in a tired, drained voice.

“Jason!” Kassie gasped.

The head phones then were full of static as she heard Samson and his men running and shouting.  A gunshot filled the air followed by Kassie’s scream.