The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest

Industry of Intrigue

By: Sapphire

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Chapter Four: Dinner

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Location: Quest Suite, Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Everyone gathered in Dr. Quest's suite at five-thirty, dressed in formal attire. Jonny was taking some pointers from Race on knotting his tie. Maggie was standing at a mirror, putting on the few pieces of jewelry she'd purchased that day.

"Your necklace doesn't match your other jewelry. Maybe you should just go without it," Jessie commented as Maggie stood back to check herself over. Maggie reached for the chain, her fingers catching the pendant, which was actually a ring.

"I never take it off," Maggie said firmly. "This is my mother's engagement ring. She gave it to me for safekeeping when I left for college last year."

"I didn't know," Jessie apologized. "I'm sorry."

"Are you finished primping yet, Maggie?" Jonny called, giving his tie a final tug. Maggie shot him an icy glare. "Whoa," Jonny said, taking a step back. "Go ahead. Primp. Take your time." Maggie stared at him a moment, then her rigid posture suddenly relaxed, and she looked a bit deflated.

"I'm sorry," Maggie apologized. "I know you were just teasing. I'm just nervous. I think I'm terrified of that man."

"Mr. Hovand?" Jonny asked. Maggie nodded.

"I don't like the way he was watching me. I don't trust him," Maggie said, then turned back to Jessie who eyed her necklace warily.

"A wise man knows he is standing on thin ice when in the presence of a woman before a mirror," Hadji advised Jonny in a conspiratorial whisper.

"Yeah, I guess," Jonny said as Hadji stepped past him to join Maggie and Jessie at the mirror.

"May I see the necklace?" Hadji asked. Maggie raised her eyebrows at him in surprise, but nodded. Hadji picked up the ring, still on the chain around her neck, and examined the simple three stone engagement ring. "I understand this has significant value to you, but is it possible it could be recognized by someone who knew your mother?"

"It's possible, I suppose, but I'm not taking it off," Maggie said firmly.

"Then perhaps I can persuade you to wear it somewhere inconspicuous. Such as around your wrist. Your sleeve will perhaps conceal it from view," Hadji suggested. Maggie considered it, then reluctantly nodded her consent. She removed the chain from around her neck, then held it out to Hadji who took it from her and wrapped it around her wrist.

"Do you think we'll find anything out, Dr. Quest?" Jessie asked. "Mr. Hovand was pretty tight-lipped this afternoon."

"I don't know," he replied. "I hope so."

"We're going to be late," Race spoke up. "Let's get going." Everyone grabbed jackets and coats and headed for the door.

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The Quest party arrived in the lobby five minutes before six o'clock. Their host having not yet arrived, they settled into the sofas and chairs of a seating arrangement. Jessie and Maggie were seated facing the elevators, and occupied themselves watching people get on and off.

"Price!" they both exclaimed in surprise when the young man they had met that afternoon stepped off one elevator with a dozen other people. He was just as surprised to see the two girls waiting on the lobby sofa.

"Maggie! Jessie! What are you two doing here!" he crossed the tiled floor to join them. "You both look beautiful. Is there a special occasion?" Neither answered because Connor Hovand had gotten off the same elevator, and was following right behind Price, a beautiful woman in her mid-forties on his arm.

"You know these young ladies?" Mr. Hovand asked, as surprised as anyone else. "Where did you meet them?" Price spun around.

"You know them, Father?" he asked. Maggie and Jessie exchanged a shocked glance, then returned the questioning looks Jonny and Hadji were giving them. They had had no idea. They hadn't even gotten Price's last name. He hadn't volunteered, they realized, and they hadn't asked.

"I met them in the mall earlier today. There was some trouble, and I helped them out," Price answered Mr. Hovand, his father.

"It seems the girls have met your son," Dr. Quest said before anyone else could react to the strange situation. "But the rest of us have yet to make his acquaintance, and of course, this lovely woman must be your wife." Whatever Connor Hovand had wanted to say died on his tongue before it was spoken. He turned to Dr. Quest.

"Of course," he said. He brought the beautiful brunette woman forward. "This is my wife Abigail, and my son Connor. He prefers to be called by his middle name, Price, to avoid confusion. Abigail, allow me to introduce our guests. This is Dr. Benton Quest and his son, Jonathan." They exchanged greetings. "Benton's adopted son, Hadji. This is Race Bannon and his daughter Jessica. They are friends of the Quests." Abigail greeted them all cordially.

"This is Maggie Hardy, Mother," Price finished, not missing his father's deliberate exclusion. He wondered why, but it wasn't the time to ask questions. "She and Miss Bannon and I met in the mall this afternoon."

"Oh, how terrible for you girls," Abigail Hovand said. "Price told me all about it. I'm so glad my son was able to help you."

"We are too, Mrs. Hovand," Jessie agreed.

"Dinner awaits us," Mr. Hovand interrupted, taking his wife's arm. "We have reservations. We mustn't be late." The rest of the group had no choice but to follow his lead and exit the building through the revolving doors at the front entrance. Outside, a white stretch limousine awaited them. "As you can see, our Limo was specially outfitted to accommodate large groups," Mr. Hovand said after they had all managed to fit in.

"Somehow that doesn't impress me," Maggie whispered to Jonny who was seated beside her. "I've never been in a Limo before. How am I supposed to know the difference between a standard and a custom car?" Jonny grinned, amused.

"What did you say?" Price asked from Maggie's other side.

"I was saying this is my first ride in a limousine," Maggie replied with a wink at Jonny.

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The drive was short; the restaurant was only a few blocks away. The chauffeur pulled up to a fancy entrance under a hunter green awning, and let the passengers out. They entered the restaurant with Mr. Hovand leading them. The Maitre d' recognized him instantly and led them through the elegant dining area to a large table at the back, directly beside a beautiful marble fountain adorned with live flowers. Everyone found seats and engaged in polite conversation while consulting the menu. After a fifteen minute discussion of the signature entrees, orders were placed and hors d'oeuvres were served.

"So," said the senior Connor Hovand, "I've been curious since this afternoon. Who, exactly, is the lovely Miss Hardy? Perhaps she is a relation?"

"No," both Maggie and Dr. Quest answered. They glanced at one another surreptitiously. Mr. Hovand laughed.

"Do you really dislike each other so much?" Maggie blushed, and Dr. Quest cleared his throat.

"Not at all," Dr. Quest replied. "I happen to like Miss Hardy very much. Actually, she's interning with me."

"Really?" Mr. Hovand said. "What kind of intern work do you do with Dr. Quest?" If anyone would have cared to notice, they would have found that the Quest party was holding his or her breath in anticipation of Maggie's response. They had not known her very long, and whether or not she'd say too much was anyone's guess. Mr. Hovand, of course, noticed.

"As you know, Dr. Quest is knowledgeable in many fields," Maggie began slowly. "I'm having trouble settling on a degree program and one of my instructors, Dr. Feldman, introduced us suggesting it would be beneficial to both of us to participate in this internship." Jonny, Jessie, and hadji found it safe to breathe again, but Mr. Hovand enjoyed watching them squirm.

"I'm aware of Dr. Quest's many talents," Mr. Hovand said purposefully. "What, specifically, are you most interested in?" Breathing ceased once again, to Connor's amusement.

"We've just begun working together," Maggie said without hesitation. "So far I've been familiarizing myself with the state of the art computer system his labs run on. Public universities just don't have the funding for that kind of technology. I'm actually hoping to learn about some of the work he's been doing with cryogenics. I hear his work has advanced technology for cryostasis by leaps and bounds. Preserving living organisms to be revived and used later could prove to be a very important technological ability in the coming decades."

"You've read about my work?" Dr. Quest asked, surprised. Maggie smiled.

"Of course. Who in the scientific world hasn't?" she asked innocently.

"Simply fascinating," Mr. Hovand said with little enthusiasm. The game had lost it's appeal. He wasn't going to trip them up in their obvious ruse. There was much more going on than what was presented on the surface, and he wanted to know what it was and why.

The rest of the dinner was uneventful. Mrs. Hovand insisted the girls tell her about their scare at the downtown shopping center. They didn't feel much like discussing it in detail in front of Connor Hovand III. Their reluctance did not phase Abigail Hovand. She praised her son's brave actions until Price was flushed with embarrassment. Jessie, Maggie, and Price were all glad when they stood up to leave at the end of dinner.

"I just had the most marvelous idea!" exclaimed Mrs. Hovand. "It is still so early, only nine o'clock. Why don't we go up to the conservatory. The gardens there are gorgeous year round. We could have cocktails and sit on the greenhouse terrace." Mr. Hovand looked as though he were about to object, but Mrs. Hovand gave her husband a look that clearly meant she'd allow no opposition.

"I think that's a wonderful idea," Price said, agreeing with his mother. He turned to the Quests. "It really is something to see. Not many get to."

"We'd be delighted," Dr. Quest agreed. Race gave him a questioning look, and as they stood to leave, he gave his friend an inquiring nudge.

"We spent all of dinner avoiding Hovand's questions," Dr. Quest murmured. "I still want to ask a few of my own." Race was satisfied with that and said nothing.

Twenty minutes later they were on the roof of the Hovand Industries building in an immense domed greenhouse that topped the tall structure. Under the glass ceiling grew literally millions of plants and flowers, even trees. Beyond the domed glass, the star speckled sky provided a beautiful backdrop to the spectacular view of the city all around.

"This is absolutely breathtaking," Maggie commented to Mrs. Hovand

"Why, thank-you dear," Mrs. Hovand beamed with pride. "I belong to an exclusive gardening club. This is where we display all of our best growing things. The rest is kept up for atmosphere."

"Mother designed the landscaping," Price added. "She went to design school, but she rarely gets to use her talents. You're compliment means more to her than she'd admit." Abigail was smiling at her son as he spoke. It was easy to see that mother and son shared a very close relationship.

"Feel free to make yourselves comfortable. There are plenty of tables and chairs on the terrace by the fish pond," Mr. Hovand invited, "I'll have one of my staff come serve drinks."

"That would be lovely," Mrs. Hovand agreed, and they did make themselves comfortable.

"Mother, where's Devin? I haven't had the chance to ask, but I've been wondering," Price asked.

"Who's Devin?" asked Jonny.

"My younger brother," Price explained. Jonny nodded.

"He said he had things to attend to," Abigail Hovand answered. "At least, that is what your father told me," Mrs. Hovand answered. Price gave her a surprised look. Abigail shrugged slightly, seeming surprised herself. She noticed the inquisitive gazes of their guests, and put on a bright smile. "My youngest, Devin, is always crusading to save this endangered species or to protect that rainforest. He's becoming quite an activist." She suddenly beamed. "I'm very proud of both my sons. They are both good men, and what more could a mother wish?"

"She seems a little over zealous of her sons," Maggie whispered to Jonny.

"That's an understatement!" Jonny whispered back. Dr. Quest had said something to Mrs. Hovand to which she was replying.

"No, Price just graduated this December. Devin is three years younger, but I suspect it will take him far longer to complete his degree. He has very definite ambitions, and he frequently interrupts his education to participate in humanitarian or ecological projects." Jonny and Maggie exchanged an amused smile. A moment later, Mr. Hovand returned, and Maggie felt the uncomfortable scrutiny of his gaze once again.

"Would you like to walk around the gardens with me?" Price quietly asked her.

"Absolutely," Maggie said, grateful for an excuse to get away from Mr. Hovand's watchful eyes. Price excused them from the group and led her down a paved pathway into the jungle growing within the immense greenhouse. Jonny gave Maggie a curious look as she passed. She smiled and waved, then gave him a wink before disappearing down the path. She walked with Price to the far side of the gardens before either of them spoke.

"So, you work for Dr. Quest," Price said curiously. "You don't strike me as the scientific type."

"What makes you say that?" Maggie inquired carefully.

"You're definitely smart enough," Price said, "don't get me wrong. It's just… Science doesn't seem to fit you," he ventured. "But then I've only known you one day, so I could be entirely wrong."

"I suppose I can see why you'd get that impression," Maggie allowed. She refrained from admitting he was entirely right. She was quite aware of the fact she was playing a part tonight. "Its hard to be serious when I'm not sure where my life is going." Well, that was true enough- in a very understated way.

"I suppose that's reasonable."

"What about you, what do you do?" Maggie asked, turning the conversation on Price. "Your younger brother seems to have his life's work all planned out. Do you have any passions like his insatiable desire to save the world?" Price laughed.

"Devin does work with United World Aid, but he really isn't the saint Mother makes him out to be," Price told her.

"I understand," Maggie said with a smile. "There is nothing more pure than a mother's love and pride for her child."

"That's true, but it's funny because Devin is adopted." Maggie couldn't help but stare at Price.

"Adopted?" she asked. "Are you adopted, too, then?" Price shook his head.

"No. I'm their natural son."

"I don't mean to be rude, but why did your parents adopt a second child when they could have children of their own…or couldn't they after you?" Maggie blushed, wondering if she had overstepped her bounds. If Connor Hovand was the evil man responsible for her family's destruction, as she was beginning to suspect, what would have possessed him to pity an orphan boy and adopt him?

"I don't think it was because they couldn't have more children, they simply didn't. As for Devin, he came to us when he was about three. I'm not sure why he was with my father. Mother went to the office that day on some errand. She saw Devin, discovered he had no family and was headed for foster care, and decided she wanted him herself. She can be formidable when she chooses to be, and from that day on I was stuck with a little brother who's been a thorn in my side for years."

"Don't you like him?" Maggie asked.

"Of course I do. You know how it is with siblings."

"I don't, really. I'm an only child," Maggie told him.

"Oh, I didn't know."

"So, where is your brother? Your mother didn't exactly say. And I got the impression you knew more than you were letting on." Price laughed.

"You're very astute," he said. "Devin is actually looking for his real family. Apparently they're dead, but Father never would name them. Devin's always resented that. Father is the only one who knows anything, and he hasn't said a word since Devin came to us. Devin has asked, but Father refused to tell him anything."

"Why would he do a thing like that?" Maggie wondered.

"We guess its because Father thinks Devin is ungrateful. That's completely untrue. So, the two of us have been trying to locate information about his biological parents without Father knowing." Price stopped and frowned as he drifted off into thought. Maggie wondered what was bothering him, and when he looked up, he must have guessed at her thoughts because he answered them. "The last time I spoke to him, Devin said he'd found a clue and was going to check up on it. He's been gone a week and I was hoping Mother had heard from him. When she said Devin had talked to Father, I was surprised. It isn't like him."

"You don't believe he actually called your father, do you," Maggie said. It wasn't a question.

"No," Price said earnestly, "and that bothers me." It seemed to Maggie that there were a whole lot of missing persons these days. Oddly, all of them had some connection to Connor Hovand III or Hovand Industries. How very interesting.

"You don't seem to have the relationship with your father that you do with your mother. And from what I can tell, neither does your brother," Maggie commented.

"Again, you're very astute," Price said. "Devin has good reason to be distant with Father, you can understand. Me, I don't see eye to eye with him on many things, mainly my own future. He wants me to take over as president of Hovand Industries someday, but I don't want anything to do with the company."

"I gather there's been more than one argument over this," Maggie surmised. Price laughed.

"You could say that," he said. "I've never had any interest in the company, and lately, with all the rumors flying about waste disposal and other things… I just wish my father would leave me alone and let me do what I want to do," Price said.

"What do you really want to do?" Maggie asked.

"I have a degree in engineering, but my father doesn't think a Hovand should do such menial work. What do you think?" Price asked.

"In my opinion?" Prince nodded when she paused. "I think you should do what you want. You're the one who has to live with your decisions for the rest of your life."

"Thanks, Maggie. I'm glad to hear someone besides Devin say that." Maggie smiled. "So, you're an only child?" he said, changing the subject. "What about your family? What was growing up like for you. You've heard my life story, now I think it's your turn." He smiled at her sheepishly. Obviously he hadn't intended to say as much as he had. But Maggie wasn't sure how to answer. She couldn't very well tell him her family had been kidnapped and that she was coming to believe his father was responsible for it.

"There you are," Jonny interrupted with perfect timing. "Dad says we have to get back to the hotel."

"Alright. I'm coming," Maggie said, joining Jonny.

"Let me walk with you," Price said, following. Jonny and Maggie paused until Price caught up, then they walked three abreast along the deserted pathway. As they walked, they started to feel uneasy, glancing around nervously. It felt as though they were being watched.

As they approached the back side of the fish pond, footsteps sounded behind them. Before they could turn to look, they were each grabbed from behind. A strange smelling rag was clamped down over their noses and mouths.

Looking to either side of her, Maggie saw Jonny and Price slowly slumping to the ground unconscious. Maggie felt her eyes droop heavily, and through the growing haze in her mind, she realized the funny odor on the rag was chloroform. Then the world went dark.

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"Jonny should have been back with those two by now," Race said to Dr. Quest. "Something's wrong."

"I agree," said Dr. Quest.

"Wrong?" Abigail Hovand asked, concerned. "What could be wrong?"

"I'm not sure," Dr. Quest replied. "But I'd like to find my son and Miss Hardy, and see for myself that everything is as it should be." Abigail nodded.

"Why don't we split up," Jessie suggested, her eyes narrowed in a suspicious glare directed at Connor Hovand III. "We'll find them faster that way." Dr. Quest nodded. Race and Dr. Quest took the path that Maggie and Price, and then Jonny, and followed. Jessie and Hadji took another path that wound around back behind the fish pond. They didn't have to go far to find a clue.

"What is that?" Hadji pointed to a folded cloth lying on the brick pathway. Jessie bent to inspect it and carefully picked it up. Her nose wrinkled as it caught a faint odor from the rag. She held it up closer to Hadji.

"Chloroform," he said, confirming Jessie's suspicions.

"And look here," Jessie gasped, dropping the chloroform rag. She bent and picked up a glittering piece of jewelry. It was the necklace that held Laura's engagement ring, the very necklace Maggie had claimed she'd never take off.

"The chain appears to be broken," Hadji said, looking at the necklace that Jessie held up, the diamonds on the ring glittering in the ambient lighting. They exchanged a glance. Something was definitely wrong here.

"Dad!" Jessie called out. "Dad, we found something!" When they heard the answering shout, they knew Race and Dr. Quest hadn't gone far. A moment later, the two men came into view down the path, Mr. and Mrs. Hovand following curiously behind them.

"Take a look at these," Hadji said, indicating the chloroform rag and the necklace Jessie was holding. "We found them here." Both Dr. Quest and Race quickly examined what they'd found. Dr. Quest took the rag from Race who had picked it up from the ground.

"It's soaked in chloroform," he gasped.

"Benton," Race said, pointing to the pathway. "Scuff marks." Sure enough, faintly visible on the brick path were several marks. "Something heavy was dragged through here," Race said.

"More than one thing, I would say," Dr. Quest assessed.

"You mean like three people," Jessie suggested. The four of them looked to each other once again.

"The elevators," Race said. They took off running toward the elevators where they had come up to the roof. When they got there, one was descending, and it was already on the thirtieth floor, nearly twenty floors below them, and descending fast. Race's gaze scoured the floor. "The drag marks lead right to the elevator," he said.

"Did you find them? Where is my son?" Abigail Hovand asked as she and her husband caught up to them. Dr. Quest looked at her for a moment, then looked up at the rapidly descending numbers above the elevator door. Mrs. Hovand's gaze followed his. "I have a terrible feeling about this," Abigail said.

"As do I," Dr. Quest agreed. "As do I."

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Maggie woke to find herself lying on a hard, cold floor. Putting a hand to her dizzy head, she sat up slowly, opening her bleary eyes to look around. She found herself in some sort of cell. There was a thick steel door set in one of the concrete walls. It had only a tiny square window in the center at about eye level. The window was the only source of light in the tiny, enclosed space. Two bunks, one on each wall, hung low to the ground. Next to her on the floor was Jonny, still unconscious. Price was missing, and Maggie briefly wondered why before realizing she should try and wake Jonny.

"Jonny," she said quietly, "Wake up." He slowly came to, confused at first, but memory returned quickly. "Are you all right?"

"Yeah, I think so," he said after a long moment. "Kind of dizzy, but that's about it."

"Do you remember how we got here? We were chloroformed, and then…" Jonny shook his head. "Me either." Maggie sighed while Jonny took a turn looking around their confined cell. Maggie watched as his eyes traveled around the space, taking in the exact details she had noted.

"Where's Price?" Jonny asked.

"I don't know," Maggie replied. "He wasn't here when I woke up, either."

"You needn't worry about him," came a deep toned man's voice from the little window in the door. Both Jonny and Maggie looked up at the angular, shadowed face barely visible there.

"Who are you?" Jonny demanded.

"Let's just say I'm a friend of your host's."

"And who would our 'host' be?" asked Jonny.

"You'll find out soon enough," replied the man.

"Are you going to tell us anything useful, or are you just going to taunt us?" Maggie demanded. "We don't need any grief from you."

"A little sassy are we, Miss Hardy?" he said in a condescending tone. "You'll know what we want you to know when we want you to know it." With that he turned and left.

"Hey!" Jonny shouted, jumping up and waving his hand out the tiny window. "Hey! Where are you going? What's going to happen to us?" The man's footsteps kept going until a heavy metal door creaked open and was closed with a slam. He was gone.

Maggie sat slumped against the wall dejectedly. Jonny stepped over and sat on one of the bunks, deep in thought. Neither moved for a long time. Ever so slowly they became aware that someone was softly calling Maggie's name. The voice sounded dry and raspy, like a very old man's.

"Maggie, Maggie! Answer me!" Maggie glanced at Jonny a moment, unsure what to do. Jonny shrugged. It was her call.

"Who's there?" she called uncertainly.

"Maggie! Is that you?"

"Yes. Who are you?" she replied.

"My baby girl! I never thought I'd ever hear your voice!"

"Are- are you my father?" Maggie asked incredulously.

"Yes, it's me sweetie. I'm Jack Hardy, your father."

"Prove it," the skepticism in Jonny's voice was clear. "Why should we believe you?" Jonny gave Maggie a warning look. Maggie kept quiet, waiting for the stranger's answer.

"Silver Bells," the man said.

"What?" Maggie hadn't expected that.

"Your mother told me to tell you 'Silver Bells.' I don't know why. There wasn't time to explain before they took her away."

"Where are you?" Maggie asked, nearly in tears.

"I'm in one of these cells, Sweetie. I don't know which one they put you in, but it must be so close…"

"Why are they doing this to us?" She was barely keeping a rein on her emotions.

"You must have some idea, sweetie, of what's going on. Tell me what you know."

"Don't say anything, Maggie," Jonny whispered urgently, putting a restraining hand on her arm. "I don't think that we can trust him."

"Don't be ridiculous," Maggie argued. "He knew-"

"So what?" Jonny said seriously, "What if these people found out about 'Silver Bells' and are setting you up? We can't risk telling this guy anything. My dad will come looking for us, and we can't risk getting him caught. Besides, you've never met your father. There's no way you can be sure." Maggie stared at him in disbelief for a moment, then slowly, she nodded.

"You're right, Jonny," Maggie admitted reluctantly, wiping tears from the corners of her eyes. "I don't know my father. We can't let them get your dad. What's happened to my family is bad enough."

"What we need," Jonny said, "is a plan. We need to get out of this cell. Then we can find out if that man is really your father or not." Maggie nodded solemnly.

"Right. And chances are, they killed my dad a long time ago," Maggie swallowed hard, keeping herself from breaking down and crying, "because obviously my mother didn't give in to these people's demands. Otherwise, none of this would be happening right now."

"Maggie? What's going on? Talk to me, Sweetie." Maggie nodded to Jonny.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I don't know anything, but maybe you could tell me what you know. Do you know why they're holding us here?"

"Your mother stole some documents these people want back. They'll murder to get it," he told them. "That's all I know."

"That's all?" said Jonny incredulously. "You've been a hostage for twenty years and that's all you have?"

"Could you…" Maggie started uncertainly, "Could you tell me something about you and Mom, something no one would know but you, her, and me?" There was no answer from the man in the other cell.

"You are not my father," Maggie announced. "My real father would have had something to say. Who are you and what do you want from me?"

"Smart-ass little girl," the man snarled. "You should have just told me where it was." Footsteps approached the cell which housed Jonny and Maggie. "It would have been less painful for you in the end."

"What do you mean?" Jonny demanded. "Are you going to torture us?" The man did not answer. He stared at them through the tiny window, then walked away. Jonny and Maggie listened in silence until the same creaking door opened and closed.

"I'm scared, Jonny," Maggie admitted. "How are we going to get out of this?"

"Don't be," he told her. "I'll think of something. I always do."

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To be continued…

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