Angela✓

Chapter 7 : Same kidnapper?

John was turning on his scooter but it wasn't working. He kicked-up the stand again and again but in vain. He made up his mind to ask for help to the old man of the graveyard.

The old man was talking to some workers when he saw John and asked:

"What happen now, sir?"

"Please go back to your work",he ordered to the workers and went towards John.

"My scooter is giving me some trouble. Do you have a spare wire or something? The spark-plug has got choked, I will have to clean it",he explained.

"Sometimes it gives me trouble otherwise it flies like an airplane",he said

"It's okay, wait here, I'll check",replied the man by laughing a bit then left.

"Sure"

•••

"I've read your case files...it looks like the same criminal is back",she explained to Father Martin.

"What's the connection with the 8 year old case?,he asked.

"No, no. You're thinking in the wrong direction. Both the case are different", he said.

"Think about it. You couldn't catch him last time. So this time, he's giving you another opportunity..",she replied.

"I don't want a second chance. Thank you very much",he replied and turned his back when Sandra said:

"Even to tell him that, you've to catch him first"

Martin turned his back and faced her again.

"Please help me",she pleaded.

"I've never dealt with such a kidnapping case before. And, you have been an expert on this"

Martin scoffed when he said:

"Was that a joke or a taunt?"

"I'm asking for your help", she said with emphasis.

"You can take all the help from the old case files",he refused.

"I've came here because I've already read it. What's your problem, Martin?",she asked a little annoyed.

Martin looked away and didn't replied.

"Okay, sorry",she apologized.

"Father Martin, there's no harm if you read the current case file once",she continued.

"I've forgotten everything. That's why leave everything to god",he refused then looked up when he continued.

"We try to give ourselves undue importance"

"I see so, now that's your solution to all your problems",she replied disappointingly.

"Those who can't help themselves can never be of any help to God. Now, it's God's turn. You've already disappointed everyone else; John, the police department..."

"..and me",she said. To this, Martin stared at her surprisingly as she walked away from the church and left.

•••

"See, maybe you can find something useful in this",the man said showing a box of mechanical stuffs to John.

"Thank you. Thank you very much",he replied then left repairing his scooter.

"Thank you, see it's fixed now. Thanks to this pen and this wire", he exclaimed to the man by placing the two stuffs in the box.

"Oh, great"

"My job is done. Thank you. Thank you again"

"You're most welcome, sir" ,he replied.

He was putting his helmet and was about to leave when the man called him out by running towards him:

"Sir, wait, please wait!", he shouted and came in front of John.

"It took two months but finally a miracle has happen",he said with a smile.

"This incident reminded me of something else",he continued by gasping a little air.

"What are you saying. I don't understand", John astonishingly asked .

"This pen was also found in that trunk as well. It completely slipped from my mind",he explained by showing him the same pen he has just used to repair his scooter.

"Look",he gave the pen in John's hand.

John looked fixedly at the pen and studied it carefully.

•••

Sandra was talking with Liza when his assistant came. She stood up and joined him when he said:

"We can't find the father"

Sandra took a deep breath when she said:

"Let him be. Maybe he doesn't want to talk to the kidnapper in front of us. He's concerned about Ronnie's safety. So..."

She was turning around when she saw Martin walking and searching for someone. He stopped on the spot as he noticed Sandra staring at him with a smile.

"Father Martin! You?",she asked with an astonish tone.

"How did you leave God alone today?",she said with sarcasm.

They stared at each other for a while when they heard someone shouting:

"Sister! Sister!"

Sandra turned her back and rushed to the mother. The latter was weakly gasping for air.

"What happen??",she asked and they grapped her in their arms.

"She had a heart surgery many years ago. Her heart is weak and she can't handle too much stress",the mother of Liza explained quickly.

"Please call for the doctor"

"Yes ma'am",replied one of her colleagues.

They carefully took the weak lady into her room and gave her a glass of water.

"Where's her husband?",Martin asked to Sandra as she returned.

"In the army",she replied then she continued after taking a breath:

"He's posted in the North East. He has been informed and will be here by evening"

"But ma'am, what if the kidnapper calls now?",her assistant asked.

"I will pretend to be the mother and talk to him"

"Yes but what if-"

"If he finds out that I'm not the mother, then we will know that he knows this family really well",she explained then walk past near Martin and went towards the telephone when she suspiciously asked:

"But why isn't he calling?"

•••

He sat on the swing of his garden worrying about his grandson. Suddenly he was interrupted from his thoughts by a ringing sound. He panickedly searched into his pocket but surprisingly it was not his phone.

Confused, he followed the sound when he bent his head down and found a small phone sticked with a black tape under his swing. Angrily, he removed the phone from the scotch when he answered the unknown call:

"Hello?"

"Grandpa! Help!,screamed the grandchild.

"Ronnie! How are you son? Where are you!?",he asked desperately.

"Please save me"

"Grandpa won't let anything happen to you. Just don't worry. Where are you??",he asked while crying.

"Grandpa...Help!-", the voice was cut by a loud maniac laugh from a stranger.