Part 17: A Journey of Separate Hearts – Promises
AN to part 17: (West) EDT stands for (West) Europe Daylight Time and is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT 1). Cities like Berlin, Rome, Paris etc. are in it.
I'm sorry it took me that long to post a new chapter - I promise to do better...but with my new job, my vacation in Ireland and some changes in life time was just slipping away. Hope you still enjoy the next chapter.
Thanks to Tracey Yothers - I'm glad you like my story!! ;)
"Who is this?"
"That isn't important now, Commander…It's only important, that you do exactly what I tell you to do. If not…hmmm, then I guess your beautiful Lt. Colonel won't be so beautiful anymore…"
"You son of a bi…" shouted Harm angrily, but before he could finish his swear word, he was interrupted by the same metallic voice he had heard only some hours ago.
"Commander, Commander…that's not the behavior of such a respected and honored officer of the United States Navy! I'm shocked…" The sarcastic voice was mixed with a ridiculing laughter.
"Listen, Commander, nothing will happen to your lady if you do what I say. So here's the plan:
You'll leave London tonight for Paris. There you'll go straight to your hotel. In case you don't know what hotel you have to check into, I'm sure you'll think of someone who might have this information. You're a smart boy, Harmon Rabb. You always were." Again this laughter. Harm didn't know from where he knew the laugh, but even though the voice was altered, the laugh was familiar to him. Only Harm couldn't put a finger on it yet.
"Anyway, when you arrive at the hotel, check in and ask for any mail that might have arrived for you.
You'll get an envelope. In there are my next orders. Read it in your hotel room. Don't call the police or anyone else – I'm watching every step you make, so be a good boy and don't do something stupid. You'd immediately regret it." Now the voice was hard without any emotion in it.
"So, good bye, Commander. See you soon." The kidnapper was about to disconnect the line, when Harm stopped him.
"Wait! How do I know that you aren't just playing with me? I need an evidence…let me talk to the Colonel…please."
This time the laughter was amusing – it seemed that the man on the other end of the line enjoyed every single moment.
"I can't believe it, the fabulous Harmon Rabb, Jr. is begging for something!! Mmmm, let me think about it…No!"
"What? You…" Harm had to breath deeply because he knew that swearing and yelling wouldn't help him, it would only take him farther away from Mac. So he started again, "Please, give me some proof, that she's still alive."
"She is and after you've read my next orders, you'll know that it won't help me if I kill her right now. Besides that, she's a sweet girl and I love her company! But I'm nice today, so you'll find a really nice picture under the Colonel's bed in her hotel room. I have to say, that she's really photogenic."
With a last laugh, the line was disconnected.
Harm stared for a moment at the receiver before he slowly put it down.
This couldn't be real, it just couldn't.
Then Harm remembered the picture the man mentioned and he slowly reached under the bed. He felt paper and grabbed it. He looked at it and it was an envelope.
He hesitantly opened it, afraid to finally look at what was still hidden inside…
Afraid of realizing, that this was all real…
Afraid that Mac might not be okay…
Just afraid.
But he had to look at it…
Turning the picture to face it, he opened his closed eyes and breathed in harshly. What he had to look at was horrible: Mac, sitting on a bed, was gagged and her feet were tied. Her hands were chained with handcuffs to a metal headboard.
He was shocked, as he hadn't expected such a sight. Even though there were no visible injuries, he hated to see his marine tied up like that – helpless, confused and not knowing what had happened to her. Why she was so abruptly ripped out of her normal life – out of the wonderful trip she and Harm had started?
But then Harm saw something in her eyes that gave him hope:
Willpower! Her eyes showed him that she wasn't giving up; that she wasn't beaten up by her torturer; that she would hold on until he could rescue her.
Her eyes showed him how much she trusted him.
And this trust helped him to wake up from his helplessness. He needed to do something, needed to travel to Paris. But he wasn't willing to just do what the stranger wanted. There had to be more and he knew he needed help.
Wasting time was something what he couldn't afford to do now. He knew every single second was important for his partner's survival.
Harm ran into his room, the photo and Mac's shirt still clutched in his hands…
February 12th 2003, Wednesday
1900 Zulu (19:00 hrs GMT)
Kensington Hotel
Harm's room, number 224
Notting Hill
London, UK
Harm was sitting in his hotel room impatiently waiting for Pete, whom he had called earlier. After quickly explaining to him what had happened and what he needed to know, Pete promised to come promptly to the hotel.
He had only packed a few things in a sport's bag; he hadn't wanted to waste time with such unimportant things.
Minutes seemed like hours…but then there was finally a knock on his door.
He opened it and hurried Pete in.
"Pete, I need to be in Paris ASAP. Please tell me you have something that tells me which hotel I have to check into."
"Of course, I have it. Here's the envelope, which I was supposed to give you tomorrow evening. You stay at the Hilton Paris hotel."
Pete handed the envelope to Harm and continued, "I also spoke to Martha on the telephone and as you can guess, she was surprised by your request. But your cover story that you want to spend more time in the City of Love and you're planning to do something special for Sarah was all she needed to hear. I guess she thinks that you two finally came to your senses and took a step further in your relationship." Pete had to smile at that thought. Oh how he wished that was really the truth.
"Nevertheless, and though she was surprised, she knew what to do. She booked a flight, leaving at 9 pm and she informed the hotel that you'd be arriving tonight. Everything is arranged! So c'mon, Harm, I'll take you as quickly as I can to the airport."
"Thanks, Pete. Okay let's go."
February 12th 2003, Wednesday
2045 Zulu (20:45 hrs GMT)
Heathrow Airport
London, UK
His flight had been already announced when Harm and Pete arrived at the gate out of breath.
With the ticket and a book in his hand, he turned for the last time and hugged Pete tightly.
Careful, not wanting to arouse any curiosity, he handed Pete the small book and said as calmly and in as normal a tone of voice as possible, "Pete, thank you so much for everything you've done for me. And to show you how much that means to me, I want to give you this book. It's one of my favorites and it reminds me of your wonderful city. Especially page 25. There's a poem you need to read first."
Pete, first curious, then seeing the look in Harm's eyes, knew that Harm had to be careful and whatever was on page 25, was of absolute importance.
"Thank you, Harm, and I'll arrange for your luggage to be sent after you."
"Thanks again, Pete – for everything."
"Good bye, Harm and take care!"
Then Harm turned on his heels and hurried through the gate.
February 12th 2003, Wednesday
2100 Zulu (21:00 hrs GMT)
Heathrow Airport
Onboard the Boeing 725
Runway 6
London, UK
Harm, now seated in the plane, was exhausted. The whole stress about Mac's kidnapping took the last of his strength. Furthermore, being afraid of losing Mac tore him apart. Tired he closed his eyes. He needed to think straight, needed to calm down. He would need all his power to find a way to bring Mac home – safe, alive and in one piece.
Again he grabbed the shirt that held everything that he had now of his Sarah. The need to smell and feel at least a bit of her was overwhelming.
Inhaling her scent finally let him get some rest. He fell into a fitful sleep with images of Mac alive, but badly injured haunting him…
February 12th 2003, Wednesday
2100 Zulu (21:00 hrs GMT)
A parking lot next to Heathrow Airport
Inside Pete's cab
London, UK
After Harm had left to catch his flight to Paris, Pet drove to a not so crowded parking lot near the airport. He cut off the engine of his car and took the book Harm had given him.
"I want to give you this book. It's one of my favorites and it reminds me of your wonderful city. Especially page 25. There's a poem you need to read first." he had said.
"Need to read first."
Pete opened the book at said page and was surprised to find a hole in the book. In it were a sheet of paper and a folded photo – the one that showed Mac tied up.
"Oh my God…" gasped Pete.
He put it away and then began to read what was written on the note:
Pete,
I need you to inform my CO, Admiral AJ Chegwidden, and fax him this photo.
I'm sure he'll know what to do and can help me.
He'll know how to reach me.
But be sure that you use a place and a phone that is safe. The best would be somewhere outside of London or something.
I don't know if that's necessary, but it could be that the kidnapper doesn't work alone.
So be careful.
Thank you again for everything.
Harm.
At the bottom of the sheet was written a number and Pete immediately knew that he had to hurry home to make some important call…
February 12th 2003, Wednesday
2230 Zulu (23:30 hrs West EDT)
Charles de Gaulle Airport
Paris, France
The flight to Paris wasn't that long, but because of the time difference, he had lost another hour.
Harm knew that this time there wouldn't be a person waiting for him to drive him to the hotel.
This time Mac wasn't by his sight.
This time he wasn't excited to experience a new city.
This time he didn't look forward to the events that might have been scheduled.
This time he was scared to find out what would happen to him, to his Sarah.
This time – everything was different.
He ran as fast as the crowd in the airport building would allow him to get to the exit. He was lucky to catch the first cab and he ordered the driver to take him as fast as he was able to the Hilton hotel.
At first the cab driver tried to make casual small talk.
Where are you from? What are you doing here? Meeting a friend, wife or sibling? How are you planning to spend Valentine's Day in the City of Love?
Harm hardly heard anything from the questions and he didn't answer one, but then Valentine's Day caught his attention.
He wasn't aware that this special holiday would be the day after tomorrow. Suddenly he felt deep sadness. His biggest wish was to spend Valentine's Day with Mac, make it special for her and for him, too. This thought brought his willpower back and he vowed to himself that neither of them would be alone on this day, they would have a wonderful Valentine's Day. And he would make this day special for both of them. That he promised himself and he hadn't broken a promise yet, and wasn't planning to start with that now.
Harm looked out of the car's window and saw the buildings of Paris flew by.
His thoughts drifted to another promise he had made several years ago and that he planned to fulfill in nearly a year.
The baby deal
Mac had asked him not to make a promise that he wouldn't be able to keep.
"I haven't yet," had been his answer.
Together with his current promise he would keep both of them…