LOST

Chapter 2

"I have your daughter", the deep voice from the other end of the line said.

Tom was seated at the corner of the bed in his hotel room. He could feel his pulse racing.

"Who are you?"

"It doesn't matter. Who I am doesn't increase the chances of you finding your daughter in the least."

"How, how can I be sure your not bluffing? How can I know that she is actually safe? Or that you even have her?" Tom asked,  rather doubtfully. He heard a prolonged mocking laughter from the other end.

"I see I have a doubting Thomas. Please check you phone for a picture I  sending you." Tom heard his phone give a notification beep. He opened the picture he had just received from the person at the end of the line. Tom was petrified when he saw the picture in the phone.

Elsie was gagged, her hands tied behind her back. Her eyes were closed, she was most probably unconscious.

"This picture may have been taken hours ago. Give me concrete evidence!"

"I thought you would say that. Look  carefully at the back ground."

Tom saw a television set in the background. Alicia was on it, reading the news. Tom compared the picture to his wife on YouTube. They was identical! This was happening right now.

Tom felt so much pain knowing his daughter, his only living child, was in danger and probably in pain, and worst of all, he could do almost nothing about it. Tom felt a lump grow in his throat. He slowly put the phone back in his ear. He talked in a low harsh tone that gradually raised and increased in pace as he continued talking.

"I swear by God if you touch one hair on her head I will..."

"You will what? "The voice thundered back.

Silence.

Tom felt scared for the first time in ages. He could feel his heart pounding.

"What will you do? I want to know. What trick does the great attorney Tom Wambu have up his sleeve? Hah? Are you going to sue me? Hah? Get this into your head-I have your daughter, you do not have any idea where I am, what I can or will do to her or anyone else who comes in my way. So you are going to do exactly what I will tell you or else, so help me God, I will butcher your daughter! Get it?" The deep voice at the end of the line thundered again.

Tom was now shaking. He could sense, through his lawyer's intuition, a sincerity in his voice. He immediately realised that this person meant business. He turned and looked at the screen where his wife was still broadcasting the news very awkwardly. He was sure she had got the same call. This further assured him that this was no bluff.

"Okay, please don't hurt her. Just tell me how much money you want."

"Don't insult me! I do not want or need your bloody money!"

"Then what do you want? I can fly back home in a few hours. We can meet in a private place and we can talk." He knew he was pushing it.

"Absolutely not. You are right where I want you. And do not even think of calling the police. I have my sources, I will find out any contact with the police and I won't hesitate finishing off your daughter. Get it?"

"You have my word." Tom answered meekly. He thought he heard a a rushing of water in the background on the other end of the line.

"So, listen to me carefully, this is what you are going to do tomorrow morning."

As the anonymous voice explained what Tom had to do, Tom felt his body grow wearier with every word he heard. He didn't have the guts to do it. What? His plan was genius but at the same time it would ruin him. This would hit him so hard, below the belt, but he knew he had to take one. For Elsie.

"How do you guarantee me that you will let Elsie go?" He asked after gathering the least bit of courage.

"You are in no position to ask for guarantees. I dare you not to obey me. I will not hesitate to kill your daughter!" And with that the line went dead.

Tom felt fear run its icy hand down his spine. The person at the other end of the line was not offering room for negotiations. His time was limited. He had less than ten hours to come up with a great alternative plan and save Elsie or else he would have to do what was asked of him. He felt trapped. He paced around the room thinking of a better solution. He didn't come all this way for nothing.

He wasn't about to lose his daughter. No. Not while he still had breath in him.

He continued staring at the picture of his daughter. He felt frustrated not knowing what to do. Why was this happening to him? He couldn't even fathom what this person, as cold as he sounded, would do to his daughter if he failed to follow his orders.

Tom went to the tiny refrigerator and poured himself some brandy as he stared at the picture of Elsie. She seemed so alone. A tear dropped down his cheek.

He would fight for her. No matter the repercussions. Whatever the man's motives were; to have him, Tom Wambu, a man of such a high calibre do such a thing ,he no longer cared.All he he wanted now was to save his daughter. It was not her fault she was in this situation.

He stared at the picture on his phone of his daughter once more as he sipped the brandy.