Chapter 16

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Martin held his breath and waited as 'Crazy Eyes' stared him down, aiming the gun to his head. He didn't know if he was dizzy because of the situation or being sick or the fact that he had a pulsating wound that was oozing blood on his side.

"Here's what we are going to do: we are going to call your father." He slightly lowered the gun and pulled a cell phone from his jacket. "You will tell him you are fine and that you will stay that way as long as he agrees to pay me. You got it?"

Martin hesitated a moment feeling nauseous and faint but he tried to pull himself together and asked, "How do I know you won't kill me after I call?"

'Crazy Eyes' got a frustrated look on his face and said, "I just want to get paid. So if you do as I say, then you'll be fine." Martin remained quiet with an unsure look on his face. "Look over there." Crazy eyes waved the gun over to a small storage shed just to the side of the aqueduct. "I'm going to leave you there and then go collect my money. If daddy pays up then I'll tell them exactly where to find you. If you refuse to call your dad then I could just kill you now." He raised the gun again.

"Alright." Martin nodded again.

'Crazy Eyes' stepped closer to Martin and asked, "What's his phone number?"

Martin blew out a breath and replied, "843-555-3445."

'Crazy Eyes' dialed the number and held it to his ear, keeping a gun trained on Martin the entire time. Martin could hear the phone ring once, twice and then his father's voice come on the line.

"Fitzgerald." Martin noticed that he sounded stressed and he immediately knew that his father knew he had been kidnapped.

"If you ever want to see your son alive again you will do as I say. I want one million dollars by noon tomorrow. I will call you at 11:30 am for further instructions. Do you understand?"

"I understand but I want to talk to my son. I won't do anything until I am sure he is alright." Victor's voice was firm.

'Crazy Eyes' looked at Martin and gave him a look indicating that he should do as he was instructed. He held the phone to Martin's ear while keeping the gun trained on him.

"Dad, it's me." Martin tried to sound cool but he knew that he was failing miserably.

"Martin, are you okay? Are you hurt son?" Victor's voice was almost panicked. Martin had never heard him sound so worried.

"I'm fine." Martin started coughing, partly because he had too and partly to stall for time and give them a chance to trace the call if possible. He could hear his father asking what was going on, sounding distressed. He stopped coughing, looked at 'Crazy Eyes' and added, "Tell Bonnie not to worry. Just pay him and I'll come out smelling like a rose."

"That's enough." 'Crazy Eyes' muttered as he took the phone back. Martin could hear his father shouting when he turned off the phone and waved the gun at him, "Turn around and continue walking, head for the storage shed."

Martin did as he was instructed and moved towards the shed. He stumbled forward and stopped right in front of the small box like structure.

Keeping the gun aimed at him, 'Crazy Eyes' pulled some keys out of his pocket and unlocked the padlock. He swung the door open and stepped back. He pointed the gun directly at Martin's chest and said, "Get in. And don't get any wise ideas about screaming. There isn't anyone around for miles."

Martin wondered what would happen if he just rushed 'Crazy Eyes' but he also knew he was feeling really woozy and sick. He mentally calculated his odds and decided that he better just do as he was told. He moved into shed which was virtually empty with the exception of some hoses and bags of sand. Martin turned and looked back at 'Crazy Eyes' in time to for the door to slam shut. He could hear the lock being refastened. He knew that he should start looking for a way out of there but he was too exhausted. So instead, he closed his eyes, slumped against the wall, slid to floor and waited for the Calvary to arrive.

Martin blessed his luck that he was able to find a parking spot right in front of Sam's brownstone. He turned off the ignition and looked over at Sam who was dozing lightly in the passenger seat. He stepped out of the car and moved around to open her door.

She opened her eyes and Martin said, "We're home." He leaned across her and unbuckled her seat belt then moved back to help her out of the car. Holding her hand and her waist, she moved slowly as he led her up the stairs.

He unlocked her apartment door and helped her inside. When he finally got her to the bedroom he had her sit on the bed and he started to take off her clothes. She looked at him with sleepy eyes and mumbled, "Not tonight babe, I have a headache."

"Damn. I guess I'll just go home." He gave her a gentle smile and asked, "Do you need another pill?"

"No. Whatever they gave me feels pretty darn good." She gave him a small smile. Her face was swollen and bruised; it hurt just to look at her.

He finished undressing her and moved her under the covers. She reached out and squeezed his hand gratefully and closed her eyes. He stripped off his clothes and got into bed beside her. He lay on his side and looked at Sam sleeping. He needed reassurance that she was still here alive, with him, so he scooted closer and laid his arm over her belly to feel it rise and fall with every breath.

A few hours later he awoke when the morning sunlight filtered through the windows. Opening his eyes he saw that Sam was slowly waking up too. Her eyes fluttered open and he saw her wince. He propped himself up on his elbow and looked down at her. He reached over with his free hand, brushed the hair away from her face and asked, "How do you feel?"

She rolled her head over to look at him and said, "Miserable, everything hurts."

"Do you want some Tylenol?" Martin asked.

Sam closed her eyes and nodded her head. He got out of bed and went to the bathroom to get a glass of water. He came back with the water and pills and sat on the edge of the bed on Sam's side. He loved that they both had their own 'sides' of the bed.

"Here you go."

She leaned up and took the medication. She lay back down and said, "Thank you." He put the water on the nightstand when she added, "And thanks for saving my life again. I guess this is the second one I owe you. You always seem to get there in time."

Martin smiled at her, remembering the last time she thanked him for saving her life and replied, "Your welcome."

He was rewarded with a grin and she asked, "What time is it?"

Martin glanced at the clock and said, "6:45"

"Can you be late for work?" Sam reached out to hold his hand and he nodded his head. He moved over her onto the other side of the bed. She rolled over so he could spoon her from behind. She grabbed his arm so it was wrapped tightly around her. He kissed the crown of her head and closed his eyes thankful that she was still here for him to hold.

Martin opened his eyes and wished that Sam was there to comfort him now. He tilted his head back and quietly said, "It's your turn Sam. Save my life."