Chapter 40

"I still don't understand why we have to kidnap you." Sally said. "And how can we kidnap you if you know about it?"

"If you only kidnap Bob, she'll just be mad at me and still won't listen. If I've been 'kidnapped' too, then we're both victims. Two people being oppressed by crazed fans." He took a bite of his Reuben and washed it down with coffee.

"She'll even feel guilty that she brought this on to you." Ellen observed.

"Exactly! And then maybe we can talk and she might actually listen to me."

"But will you be able to convince her?" Betty asked him.

He looked down at his plate. "I don't know. I hope so. But if I don't tell her, there will never be a chance for us."

The three women got all gooey-eyed at that. He glanced up at them and frowned.

"I still don't get why you care so much if she and I get back together. She's still writing, isn't she? You'll still get your books."

"But it won't be the same. If she's not happy with you, Sam won't be happy with Jeff. And we need Sam and Jeff to be happy. Otherwise, that detective is going to move in on her."

"Who?" House was confused.

"Detective Rodney Stewart. A police detective that likes Sam. SOME people actually think she should be with him."

"Damn Rammies!" Ellen muttered.

"What?" House asked. "And do I want to know?"

"You see, we want Sam to be with Jeff. So we're Jammies. But this other group wants her to be with Rodney. They're the Rammies. And if you and Roberta aren't together, Sam might fall into Rodney's arms. And we can't let the Rammies win."

They were crazier than he thought. House began to reconsider his decision to work with them. But he was still as desperate as he'd been a little while ago. This was the only chance he had.

"Okay, we can do this. I just don't want to ever hear the words 'rammies' or 'jammies' again, understand?"

They nodded.

"So did you find a place to keep us."

"Got it." Ellen said. "My uncle has a beach house. Not only is it now out of season, this place is in a pretty isolated spot. No neighbors around and no one driving by."

"He'll let you use it?"

"Yep. He doesn't have kids, so he lets his nieces and nephews use it all the time. No problem."

"But you have to secure us in one room."

"Why can't we just lock you into the house?" Sally asked.

"Bob and I learned how to pick locks to get into fraternity houses and other places when we were in college. She'd be able to figure a way to get out."

Ellen nodded, "That's fine. There's a small room on the first floor with an attached bathroom. It has a high small window. It's really only used when we have too many people there. We can put a padlock on the outside of the door and keep you locked in."

"That'll work." House said. "You need to put a small fridge in there and a microwave. Stock it with enough food for two days. New toothbrushes and toothpaste in the bathroom. Also deodorant, soap, shampoo, etc."

"Why?"

"Because Bob likes to be clean and comfortable. I don't want her to be miserable. She'll be more willing to listen to me if she's not."

"That's true."

"I have a gun." Ellen said.

Sally and Betty stared at her with wide eyes.

"Are you crazy?" Betty asked. "You can't bring a gun!"

"This is getting bad, very bad." Sally cried.

House looked at her. "Just make sure there aren't any bullets in it."

The other two now stared at him.

"You think she should bring a gun?"

"Of course. How else are you going to get her to do what you want? Or make her believe you kidnapped me? Just no bullets. I don't trust any of you with a loaded gun."

"Where did you get a gun?" Sally whispered.

"Oh, please! I'm a single woman living alone in Jersey. Of course I have a gun."

Betty just shook her head.

House threw something on the table. "Oh, and take this."

"What's this?"

"A pre-paid cell phone. Hide it in the room. Somewhere she won't be able to find it, but tell me where it is."

"Why?'

"In case of an emergency. I'm not putting her life in danger for this. If she gets sick or something, I want be able to contact someone. And don't hide it somewhere high. I need to be able to get it and I'm not good at climbing."

"You really love her, don't you?" Sally was moony-eyed again.

"Why do you think I'm doing this?"

The three of them nodded, their eyes getting misty.

He rolled his, and gave them a few other details that he wanted included. Then he got to his feet. "Call me when you've got everything ready and we'll finalize the plans."

He started to walk away from the table. "So you're sure Sam will end up with Jeff, right? What if she ends up with someone else, someone completely different?"

"That can't happen!" they all cried. "It has to be Rodney or Jeff. And we believe it must be Jeff."

He rolled his eyes again as he headed for the door, then turned his head to add, "You can pay for my food. Just think of it as a stab to the 'Rammies.'"