The Douglas Farm

After what seemed like an eternity to Oliver, the police finally arrived at the Douglas's door. Eb got up from his seat on the couch by Oliver and Joseph to answer it.

"Good evening," a portly looking officer greeted as he stood at the door. He was followed by an equally stout officer with a grim look on his face. Both officers entered the house and stopped right at the landing. Oliver got up to introduce himself.

"Good evening, officers," Oliver said without any enthusiasm. "I'm Oliver Wendell Douglas and these are my hired hands, Eb Dawson and Joseph Gallagher."

"I'm Officer Henning and my partner here, is Officer Williams," the first officer said. The second officer just nodded in agreement. "We're with the State Troopers."

"I'm so thankful that you men were able to come out here," Oliver said. "Would you gentlemen like to sit down?"

"Yes we would, thank you," Officer Henning said politely. Eb and Joseph got up from their seats on the couch and headed out to the barn to give them some privacy. Officer Henning and his partner took their seats on the sofa and pulled out two small notepads from their pockets, obviously ready to take notes. Oliver assumed that they were ready to talk to him, so he sat down in the chair facing them.

"Now Mr. Douglas, let's get down to business. Can you please recount for us the events that took place before, during, and after your wife was kidnapped," Officer Henning asked as he readied his notebook and pencil.

Oliver really didn't want to relive the horrible events that had taken place not too long ago, but he knew that if it would aid in the search for Lisa, he would have to do it. He drew in a slow, shaky breathe and began to tell his story with a great degree of difficulty.

"And then they just dragged her into the car and drove off," Oliver concluded, a single tear running down his cheek. Officer Henning nodded without looking up from his notebook. Oliver quickly wiped the tear away from his eye and waited for the officer to respond.

"I see," he mumbled. He then finished writing his notes, closed his notebook, and looked up at Oliver.

"Mr. Douglas, do you or your wife have any enemies that you can think of? Anyone you can think of who would want to hurt her?"

"Of course not," Oliver exclaimed. "My wife was, or is, a very beloved woman. She is very charming and has many friends! I can't think of a single person who doesn't like her!"

"Calm down, Mr. Douglas. It was just a standard question. We need to know everything if we are going to find your wife. Alright," Officer Henning asked soothingly.

Oliver took a deep breathe and nodded. "I apologize. As you can understand, I'm a little on edge."

"I understand," Officer Henning replied. "Well, I think we have all the information we need for now," he said. He and his partner then stood up and began to head towards the door.

"Now Mr. Douglas, if this is a standard kidnapping, which I believe it is, the kidnappers should be calling soon for a ransom. In that case, all you have to do is give them whatever amount of money they want, and they will probably return your wife safely."

"Probably," Oliver asked uneasily.

"Mr. Douglas, please. Now, there is nothing much we can do until they call, but as soon as they do, call us and we will head over here and advise you what to do."

"Yes, sir," Oliver agreed.

"Good. Oh, and when the kidnappers do call, be sure to remember as much details as you can and write some of them down if possible. Where's your phone," the officer asked.

"Outside, on top of the pole," Oliver replied.

"On top of the pole," the officer asked incredulously.

"Yeah, our incompetent telephone company was never able to hook up our phone in the kitchen," Oliver explained.

"Well, we'll send a man out to make sure it's connected. That way you'll be able to have quicker access to it."

"Thank you so much for everything officer," Oliver said as they stepped out the door.

"You're welcome," Officer Henning replied, taking Oliver's hand and shaking it firmly. Officer Williams bid him the same farewell. Both men then headed out to their car and drove away. Oliver closed the door behind them, walked over to the couch, lay down, and stared into space.

As he lay there and listened to the silence, Oliver never felt more alone in his life. Before, no matter how silent it was, he knew that he could always count on the fact that Lisa was nearby. He could feel her presence, even if she wasn't even in the house. They had always shared a deep connection with one another.

Now, Oliver couldn't even sense her. He had never felt more disconnected with his wife then he did at that moment. It was an extremely lonely feeling. Oliver closed his eyes and tried to feel what Lisa was going through, but he got nothing.

Lisa, please come back to me, Oliver thought. Please, be okay. Please, be okay. With those thoughts running through his head, Oliver drifted off into a deep, restless sleep.