Meanwhile…
Mike began pacing around the Pad, he couldn't sit still. They had to come up with a plan, who knows what was happening to Lea, he didn't even want to think about it. "What are we gonna do Pete? She needs us and I just can't think of anything other than what that creep could be doing to her." "You have to calm down Mike. We'll figure something out, we'll save her." Peter wasn't sure how, but he knew they would.
Then Peter got an idea, he was pretty proud of it too. "Mike let's go to the library." Mike spun to stare at him, "What for?" "Well, they have all kinds of newspaper archives at the library, and Lea didn't live far from New York, they have lots of newspapers maybe we can find something there. At least it might give us a better picture of James." "Peter you're a genius!" Mike grabbed some money for bus fare, remembering the Monkeemobile was trashed and ran out the door.
When they got to the library they sat in the archive section and brainstormed. "Ok," Mike said, "So if Lea was 16 when it happened that was 6 years ago, it would probably take about a year to get through the courts so we need to start around 1961. Sam said James' dad was a big shot lawyer in New York so we should check in the New York Times first." They grabbed all the New York Times archives for 1961-63 and started searching.
About an hour and a half into it they were ready to give up when Peter finally found something. "Mike! Look at this picture, this is him right?" Mike looked intently at the picture then began reading the article. "Lawyer's Son Sentenced to 8 Years for Statutory Rape" was the headline. Well this certainly seems like this is the right one. The article went on to say that James Anderson was the son of Gregory and Nicole Anderson who were pillars of the community, always volunteering and donating and what have you. He was given 8 years for raping Lea Miller instead of the customary 15 for this reason. So her last name is Miller, hmm I never even thought to ask her what her last name was. Then he thought about it, if he got 8 years he should still be in prison until 1969, he didn't even have to finish his stint. Bastard, he got off easy and he didn't even serve the full time, 5 years at the most. The paper said he was serving his time in East Jersey State Prison which was in Rahway, NJ.
"This is it Pete, now we have his full name and where he served his time. That's a start at least. Now we just have to figure out who he could have known, or met in prison, that knows us and wants to get back at us." "It's not much," Peter admitted, "But it's more than we had before at least. Let's get back to the Pad and tell the others what we learned." Mike nodded his head in agreement and they headed back.
When they got back Davy, Micky and Sam were back too. Mike and Peter sat them down and told them everything they learned at the library. Sam shared the story of how she met Lea as well. "This doesn't really get us any closer to finding out who's behind this whole thing," Mike sighed, "I just wish we had some kinda clue."
James was getting agitated, he wanted to take Lea back home with him where she belonged, cooking his meals and catering to his every desire. If she wouldn't comply with that he would beat her into submission, she should know a woman's place was serving a man. "Boss, how long's it gonna take till those weirdos come lookin for her. I wanna bring my bitch back east." "Cool it Jamsey. We gotta give 'em a hunch to go on so they find her first. Then when they come here I take care of 'em and you do whatever you want with the broad." James processed this, but couldn't quite figure it out, "How are we gonna get 'em to find her?" "We gotta send 'em an invitation," the boss smirked, "drop a hint they can't possibly fuck up." "James looked dumbfounded, "What kinda hint?" "We're gonna send 'em a little letter."
It was around 11pm and Mike just couldn't sleep. Every time he closed his eyes all he could see was Lea being tortured by James, he gave up on sleep and wandered back downstairs. He looked to the riser where Micky's drums were still placed how Lea had left them. Tears welled in his eyes as he sat behind them and remembered how much fun it was to play music with her. He thought back to that first night here at the Pad where they stayed for hours kissing, laughing and writing music together. What I wouldn't give to go back to that night.
He had loved her the moment he laid eyes on her and he knew it. No other girl had ever made him feel the way she did, so alive and so important. Sure he felt important taking care of the guys and looking out for the band, but it just wasn't the same kind of importance. I've got to get her back. He cried to himself sitting behind that drum kit for some time. Finally, after feeling like he had no tears left to cry he lay on the couch and fell asleep.
The next morning Peter found Mike passed out on the couch. He felt so sorry for his friend. If it was me I don't know what I would do. I think he's handling it much better than I would, but then again he never let his emotions show. It's only been this time he's been with Lea that we've even seen him show any emotion other than excitement over a gig. He grabbed some cereal and sat on the floor next to his friend, watching him sleep. Mike was tossing and turning quite a bit, mumbling incoherently here and there. Peter knew he must be having a nightmare about Lea, but he couldn't bring himself to wake the guitarist. He knew Mike probably hadn't been sleeping long and he would need all he could get if they were going to figure out how to get Lea back.
Micky and Sam came downstairs a few minutes later and sat with Peter on the floor. About a half hour after that Davy joined them. They all sat silently watching Mike, until Micky couldn't take it anymore. "We've gotta wake him up, he's probably horrified at whatever he's dreaming is happening to her." Before Micky could wake him there was a knock at the door. "I'll get it!" Micky sprang to the door, but when he opened it there was no one there. There was however a note taped to the door, Micky read it, the color drained from his face and his mouth dropped open. He looked to the three staring up at him from the floor, "Wake him up now."
Davy shook Mike's shoulder lightly, "Mike wake up, someone's left us a note on the door. Come on mate wake up." Mike jumped up, "Huh, what? Oh it's only you guys. What are you doin sittin on the floor? Have you been watchin me sleep?" "We did for a little Mike," Peter admitted, "But only because you were tossing and turning so bad. But look, someone left us a note, it's about Lea." Mike took the note from Micky and began reading.
If you ever wanna see your precious bitch again come to the docks at 9pm sharp tonight. And don't do nothing stupid like call the cops or we'll kill her and leave her body for you to find. If you don't show up we'll kill her anyway.
-An old friend
"Well we better do what they say, I'm not about to risk her life by callin the police. They never believe us anyway." Mike started thinking, "We need a plan to get Lea safely away from her captors and to notify the police once she's out of harm's way. "
They sat and brainstormed, Micky suggesting that they run in, grab Lea and hope James and whoever he was working with didn't notice. Mike rolled his eyes, "That'll never work Mick. Keep thinkin." Davy simply stated they should call the police anyway and let them handle it. "No shotgun, I think they meant it when they said they'd kill her. I'm not even too sure they won't if we do show up alone anyway." "What about this Mike," Peter interjected, "What if we have Sam hide out of sight and once we get there and make sure Lea's ok we signal her to go get the cops while we stall the kidnappers." "Pete, that's another great idea. Where're all these thoughts comin from all of a sudden? It's not like you to do so much thinkin." "Well normally you're the one with all the great ideas," Peter smiled, "But since this is affecting you the most someone else has to think clearly for a change." "Pete, you're a mystery to me, but I sure am glad you're one of my best friends. Are you ok with that Sam?" Sam nodded her head intently.
Mike looked to the others, "Ok, I say we get there around 15 minutes early, get Sam all set up and wait for the kidnappers to show up. Then when we've seen that Lea's ok Peter you start cryin and goin on about why can't we all just get along and shit like that. Then, Sam will go get the police and bring 'em back to where we're at. Hopefully we can stall 'em until the cops show up. Who's with me?" Mike put his hand out in the middle of their circle. "Well it was my idea so of course I am." Peter put his hand on top of Mike's. Davy and Micky followed suit, "You know we're with ya." Sam placed her hand on top, "Of course I'm in, I'll do whatever it takes to get her back."
