An Impossible Task

Chapter 13

TW: kidnapping, violence, swearing

John crossed into Fox Lake, New York after 3-1/2 hours of driving. Under other circumstances, it would have been a nice place to visit. It was decidedly rural, obviously built for summer vacationers with small country shops and cafes, Farmer's Markets and craft fairs. Now covered in the oranges and reds and yellows of fall, the crystal clear blue lake sat in the middle of it all, surrounded by 1920's 2 story Arts and Crafts homes inhabited by rich Manhattanites avoiding the city over the summer. Being November and the middle of the week, the town was quiet, with only a handful of locals walking along the sidewalk who remained year long.

Making his way around the Lake, John studied the map closely, which took him to a dirt driveway tucked in between a thicket of tall pine trees. He advanced slowly, looking for an outcropping in the road where he could conceal the car. Spotting the perfect place, he turned his car around so it was facing back towards the main road in case he needed to get out quickly.

The dog was curled up asleep in the passenger's seat as John gently stroked his head. "Good boy," he said, then exited the car quietly.

He walked off the main driveway and snaked his way forward through the trees, stopping when he spotted a white SUV parked in front of a dull colored, 1 story, large ranch house. It was quiet except for the sound of the light waves coming up on the shore. John stood still, trying to figure out his best plan of action. He still wasn't sure Cassie was here but he was sure the house belonged to Edwin Baker.

Cassie heard someone rattle the door knob and walk into the room. She shut her eyes and pretended to be asleep.

"How much of that shit have you given her?" she heard a man ask.

"Enough to keep her quiet," the woman responded.

"I told you to stop. Plans are in the works and we need her at least conscious," the man continued, irritated. "Baker is here and he won't be happy if she can't even respond to anything."

"Oh, quit being such a pussy," the woman barked at him. "You're afraid of your own shadow."

It seemed to Cassie that there was some kind of scuffle between the two of them as she heard hard footsteps on the wood floor and furniture move. She was extremely fearful, but remained still in order to avoid another shot of sedative.

"Shut the fuck up and get out," the man commanded. "Baker is waiting for a call from his father and then we find out if we're still in a holding pattern or if we have to kill her. I hope we can kill her and get out of this hell hole. This place is filthy, freezing and in the middle of fucking nowhere."

Cassie heard the squeaking of the door as it must have been opened further.

"A problem?" She recognized that new male voice, but in her sedative state, she couldn't place it.

"No sir," the woman answered. "Not at all."

"Any word from your father, sir?" the man asked.

"No. But we are going to take matters into our own hands," the other man said confidently. "How much Valium have you given her?"

"I don't know," the woman answered. "Just what you instructed me to."

"Well, we are going to up the dosage and let nature take its course," he said. "Come out here with me and we'll get another dose ready. You," he pointed to the other man. "wait here. Keep an eye on her. No one has found Wick yet and I wouldn't put it past him to figure out where she is. It'll be harder for him to rescue an unconscious woman as opposed to someone who can walk under their own steam."

Cassie struggled to name the third voice. She focused on certain words that seemed to want to trigger her memory – dosage, Valium, unconscious. Her eyes flew open as she remembered....Edwin Baker. It was Edwin Baker's voice.

"Good morning again, Sunshine," the man ran his finger down the side of her face. "Looks like we're alone and you're all bright eyed and bushy tailed. Lucky me."

"Go away," she managed to spit out. "Go away from me."

The man laughed out loud. "You're funny as shit. You don't have enough strength to swat away a fly, you stupid bitch."

The man leaned over her and she could smell his sour breath. She turned her face away and tried to raise her arms to protect herself, but they barely moved.

He came closer to her and was just about to kiss her when he jerked backwards and threw his hands up to his throat. As he went down to the ground, she watched as a telephone cord was wrapped around his neck several more times and pulled tight. He made no sound. Cassie raised her eyes and looked into John's handsome face.