The Risk

The Risk

Thanks for all the wonderful replies. I'm very grateful. I'm not sure how you're going to take this chapter, but trust me.

Don't blindly go on believing,
something you know nothing about.. -Unknown-

Don't blindly go on assuming,
when you have a doubt

Chapter 23

The note wasn't signed, but it was obvious, Haley was sure it was from Tim Smith. When he worked for her, he would never call her by her first name like most of the others in the relaxed environment. He always addressed her as Ms. James. Impetuously, she stuffed the letter and envelope in her purse.

The only thing on her mind was Jersey and her safety. She scrambled her brain for an excuse to go to the Days Inn without the lookout across the street getting suspicious or calling Cooper Lee. He said no cops. The girls life could depend upon her keeping her word.

Suddenly, she got a revelation and rushed to the kitchen table. She searched out one of the newspapers from earlier in the week and started skimming the entertainment section, the movie times to be specific. The theatre was less than a block away from Cineplex. She chose the only movie that let out after 10:30 pm. That way she had time to sneak out the back exit, go to the hotel to answer Smith's call and return( if she put a little duct tape on the door beforehand to prevent the door from locking.) to the show before it let out and no one would be any wiser.

She busied herself feeding the fish and washing a couple of loads of clothing. Later, she grabbed a snack and checked her messages. Nathan had left a few, but the connections were so poor, Haley couldn't decipher much of what she was saying. She only recognized "I love you" and "be safe, Beautiful." Her heart ached for him, but right now she had more important things to do than dwell on her long distance relationship.

After changing and combing her long hair, Haley put on her heavy wool coat, gloves and beanie. The night air was downright freezing.

Backing out of the driveway, she hope the FBI agent was more worried about watching her home than her actual person. Hopefully, he assumed she was going back to the McFadden's.

She was grateful the movie was somewhat interesting, Chad Michael Murray reminded her of her brother and his female lead was actually an over twenty-one for a change.

The little blonde was out of breath by the time she slipped out the back exit and ran down the alley that lead to Main Street and the Days Inn only minutes away. She pulled the hood of her coat over her head and strolled in the automatic doors of the hotel, wasting not time to get to the luckily empty red pay phone booth situated in the lobby. The front desk clerk glance her way for a moment, before back to a television hung above his work station and laughed at some skit Carlos Mencia was doing on his show.

Haley had just entered the booth when the phone started to ring. She didn't let it sound a second time before she picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Well, well, Ms. James. I thought your little boyfriend went away on a trip. Where have you been spending your nights lately? You got somebody else to keep you warm at night?"

"How's Jersey? Did you feed her?" She yelled out, her pulse racing with fear.

"Shut up! I'm doing the talking for a change!"

"Is Jersey there? Is she safe?"

"Damn! I've got the kid, okay."

"Please, may I talk to her."

"Aren't we Miss Manners?" The muffled voice snarled. "No. You don't get to talk to her. I'm making the rules this time. Understand?"

"Yes." She said softly, taking in soothing breaths in an effort to relax herself. He had to remember every detail. She had to focus. Jersey's life might depend on it. It was difficult understand Smith. She swore he put a handkerchief over the receiver again in an effort to disguise his voice, not to mention the constant slurring of his words as if he were drunk.

"I know your home and cell are tapped. I saw the agent outside your house. But I still got to you, didn't I?" He chuckled.

"Please let me speak to Jersey."

"Mmmm, I love it when you beg Ms. James." He teased.

Haley swallowed the lump in her throat. " I just want to hear her voice. Please."

"I need some cash….big money and you're going to get it for me."

Haley didn't respond, holding her breath waiting for him to continue, her mind reeling.

"Did you hear what I said?"

"Yes. What are you proposing exactly?"

"You're the reason Jersey's with me in the first place. You're the one I hate. If you want her returned to her family, you better do what I say."

Haley understood his reasoning. She was the one that fired him. He was trying to get back at her the best way he knew how, by taking away someone she loved.

"I want five hundred thousand dollars in cash by tomorrow morning."

Haley didn't lie and say she didn't have that type of money. Everyone in town knew she was the heir to the Jimmy James estate and worth billions. The delicate hold on her emotions broke and she spit angrily, "I won't give you anything if you hurt Jersey! Not a dime!"

"Shut the hell up! I'm running things. I don't have to follow your lead this time! Hear this-…."He paused. "I've got to have that money. You have exactly twelve hours to get it and bring it back to this phone with you. That's when I'll tell you where to bring the money."

"Now, it's your turn to listen. I'm not doing it……... If you don't let me talk to Jersey, I won't give you a nickel……. I'll just hang up and call the police. We've been chatting long enough for them to trace this call." Haley dared, praying he would take the bait.

"You don't get to threaten me! Have you forgotten, you're the reason we're in this situation? Have you?"

"Then let me talk to Jersey so we can fix this. If you've even looked at her wrong, hurt her in any way, you won't see any of my money!"

Haley wouldn't back down to this crazed psycho although she was terrified. She ignored how her hands shook. Jersey was her prime factor. She loved the sweet child, and she knew her parents were counting on her to keep her safe.

"Alright! Hold on, damn!" There was silence and then whispering when Jersey's scared voice came over the line.

"Mommy?"

"Jersey! It's Ms. Haley, Sweetheart. Are you alright? Has he hurt you?

"Ms. Haley, I'm so scared. Do what he says…..please." She stared to weep, at least Haley thought that's what she was doing.

"Jersey are you hurt? Don't cry, Honey. Can you tell me-" Haley noticed her voice sounded scratching and high.

"Enough! You got your little chit-chat!" Smith said, taking over the conversation. " I want my money."

"I promise you. If you touch one hair on her head, you'll get nothing!" Haley warned.

"Ten thirty in the morning…. Be here with the cash!"

"The bank doesn't open until nine thirty!"

"Then you better set your clock and get your ass there when the doors open. Get the money. Then wait for my call. I'll tell you what to do next. And don't go running home and spilling any of this to the FBI or the police. I'll know! Understand?"

"Yes."

The dial tone let her know he had hung up. She stayed there, transfixed for a some time, she was to distraught to move. Actually, she didn't stop shaking until she was inside her home….the security alarm on, all the doors and window locked and the sight of her guard across the street.

She lay in bed hours later, vowing to do whatever it took in order to ensure Jersey's safety. She owed it to Brooke and Mouth. She owed it to herself, and she owed it to the missing girl. Haley would follow Smith's instruction minus one small detail. She wouldn't hand over the money until she had Jersey back. With any luck and a lot of praying, Jersey would be snuggled into her parents loving arms by lunchtime tomorrow where she belonged.

"Oh, Nathan." She sighed aloud. If only he would call her now. If only he were here instead of a million miles away with no chance of returning anytime soon. He would know what to do to get Jersey back. He would fix everything.

Was she wrong in not notifying Sheriff Wallace or the FBI? If she botched things, this could be a huge mistake? No- this was the best way to handle things with Smith. She was sure of it.

Tears of stress and loneliness wet her pillow. Was it always going to be like this? Her man an ocean away when she need him the most. Would she ever have his total physical support on anything? Finally, exhaustion claimed her, and Haley fell into a deep sleep.

Jet lagged and hungry, Nathan Scott retrieve his luggage from the private aircraft at the Geneva airport and headed for the international terminal. His fears about Haley's safety were growing at an alarming pace. He had no time to spare.

Luckily, he would be boarding a 6am flight to Atlanta and he would be there by 2 o'clock the next day (Christmas Eve) with the time differential. The adjoining flight to Wilmington would only take an hour and a half. He would be home with the woman he loved. This time he wasn't leaving until he knew Haley was in no danger and Smith was behind bars or dead. Maybe he wouldn't even leave then.

Happy Holiday, Ms. James. You're get an early start. Trying to beat all the last minutes shoppers to the mall today?" The flirty young security guard winked, having unlocked the doors to the bank to let its first customers of the day inside. Who knew it would be twelve people in front of Haley?

"Morning, Mr. Bradshaw. Did you finally get that cute girlfriend of yours a ring for Christmas?" Haley smiled, trying to pretend her stomach wasn't twisting in knots.

"No ma'am. Cheryl won't marry me until I get a safer job. But, if you want to get rid of that pretty boy photographer, I might let her go." He eyed her appreciatively and Haley blushed in spite of herself.

"Sorry, Jerry. I kinda love the "Pretty Boy". She giggled.

Although impatient to get her transaction done and out the door, Haley wanted to appear relaxed and unhurried. She couldn't risk drawing attention to herself.

She strolled across the lobby with the occasional head nodded or hello to fellow townspeople. The warmth and hospitality is what drew her to this small town in the first place. Unfortunately, it's charm was getting in the way. She had been stopped three times with inquiries about Jersey. The town was all abuzz about the child's disappearance.

"Good Morning, Haley." Christine Parker, the bank manager greeted with a smile. "My, you're here with the roosters this morning. If I were on vacation, I would get out of my nice warm bed until noon. Even better, I would be somewhere hot and tropical, like Tahiti." She said in a daze. "How are Brooke and Marvin holding up?"

"I talked with them before I left home. They're holding up as well as expected under the circumstances."

"Let them know they're in my prayers." She said sincerely, before taking the seat behind her desk. "Now what can I do for you today?"

Haley features betrayed her as she remembered some local gossip. Christine was dating Danny Jordan, one of Tree Hills five sheriff deputies after having a torrid affair with him while she was married to some trucker from Hickory. All Haley needed was for the lovesick divorcee to casually mention over lunch to her boyfriend that Ms. James had taken out such a large amount of cash from her safety deposit box. It wouldn't be long until the police figured out what she needed it for. Money to free Jersey.

Surely, there were laws about confidentiality in the banking system? In Tree Hill? Haley would have laughed out loud if she were so busy keeping her hands in her coat pockets as they made their way through the maze of boxes that lead to hers.

After watching Haley open her box and pull it from its place, Christine hesitated. "I hope you're not planning on moving and closing the school? A lot of the working moms and dads here need your facility desperately. I know some folks have been running their mouth about Smith working so close to our kids at one time. But some things are beyond our control and not one child has said he harmed them."

"Thanks, Christine. That means a lot to me."

"So are you closing the school?"

"Oh, no….nothing like that. I just have some insurance papers and some bonds that have matured that I need to get to my financial adviser soon. This morning is the first opportunity I've had to come to the bank in weeks."

"I'm glad you're here to stay, Haley." The woman nodded happily and finally excused herself. Haley pressed her head against the cool lockers in relief. She was glad she kept
a large amount cash in her safety deposit box in case of emergencies. Some time it took days to liquidate assets like the ones much of Haley's money was invested in.

She hurriedly placed the money in the navy messenger bag she had brought strictly for that purpose. A number of times this morning she had reached for the phone only to take her hand back at the last second. She had gone as far as dialing most of Cooper Lee's phone number four times before she placed the receiver back on the mount. Her line was being traced.

There was no need to be stupid. Smith had made it very clear….no police. How could she tell Brooke what she was up to without involving them? But she deserved to know her daughter was safe for now.

Smith had her between a rock and a hard place. All morning, she had been debating on whether she was doing the right thing, while at the same time believing there wasn't another alternative. No matter how many times she reaffirmed the wisdom of her actions, she couldn't stop fretting. If she could just talk to Brooke. But what purpose would that serve, other than to frighten her friend even more.

Fear was Haley's primary agenda- fear for Jersey's safety. She didn't doubt that Smith would go through with his threats. He was a loose canon. He couldn't be trusted. Haley was going to do everything in her power to prevent him from harming the girl. Somehow she would save Jersey from that awful man, even if she had to risk her own neck.

I won't let him hurt her," was her mantra as she rushed out of the bank.

Haley was a bundle of nervous as she cranked up her car and headed for the Days Inn. "Get it together, Hales before you do something crazy." She muttered to herself. She had to stay level headed. She carefully drove the three block to the hotel and parked. Strapping the bag across her chest, she headed inside to the designated phone booth.

She heard the phone ringing before she reached it. She rushed to the booth and retrieved the call. She said, "Hello?"

"Where the hell have you been?"

"At the bank, where else?"

"You're in no position to be a smart ass if I were you, Ms. James. I'm calling the shots. Did you get it?"

"How's Jersey? Did she have breakfast?"

"The kids fine? Did you get the money?"

"Yes."

"Great. Now listen carefully. I want you to take a little road trip. It's a beautiful day for a drive, don't you think?" He laughed as if they were buddies. Apparently, he didn't expect a reply and didn't get one. Haley was trying to remember every detail of his muffled directions. "Take state road seventy-eight to Mills Cabin road. Bear off the dirt road three miles down.. There's a closed summer camp there, Camp Croatan…….Go through the main entrance and drive all the way until it dead ends. Leave the money at the giant pine in yellow garbage bag.

"Yellow? Where the hell am I suppose to get a yellow garbage bag?"

"That's your problem! Just make sure every cent is inside. Leave it, then drive back to town. If you want the kid unharmed, you won't contact the authorities. Understand?"

"Wait, what about Jersey?"

"What about her?"

"Where will she be? You're going to trade off, right?"

"I never said that! I said I wouldn't hurt her. That's the only deal I made."

"You really are insane!" She screeched into the phone, loose her temper.

"Don't ever call me that, bitch! You just get the money here by twelve and not a minute later, Ms. James!"

"Forget it! The deals off! I'm not giving a fucking penny, if you don't let that child go free. Do you hear me?"

"Remember, I'm running this show, not you."

"Cool. I'll just hang up and call the FBI. They know exactly what to do with a lunatic like you." Haley's knees were shaking and her body was quaking so badly she had to lean against one of the walls of the booth.

"Go ahead, but the kids dead!"

When this was followed up by a long silence, tears poured from Haley's eyes, but she didn't make a sound. She bit her lip to hold back her cries and despair.

"You don't have much time. Get moving."

"You have to promise me you won't touch her or harm her in any way." She had to be strong. It wasn't the time to show any weakness. "I won't play games with that child's life."

"The kids fine…..for now." The telephone when dead in her ear.

Haley did something she knew she shouldn't do, but she couldn't stop herself. She place two quarters in the pay phone slot and dialed Brooke's cell number.

"Hello?" Brooke answered quickly.

"You wouldn't happen to have any yellow garbage bags would you?"

"Yes, I use them for one of the guest bathrooms. Why?"

"I'll be over in five minutes. Meet me out front." Haley hoped Brooke wouldn't draw attention from the officers swarming the inside of her house.

When she drove up, Brooke stepped outside. Haley met her half-way around the drive.

She gave her friend a loving hug while whispering in her ear. "Please don't ask any questions. You have to swear not to tell anyone, not even Marvin. Swear?"

"What's this about?

"Swear, Brooke!"

"Okay."

Haley pulled away and quickly told her what went down with her and Smith after receiving his note, and what she was about to do, leaving out the drop-off point. She finished with, "This is not negotiable. If you haven't heard from me by sunset, tell Marvin and Cooper Lee."

"Haley, please don't do this." Brooke squeezed her hand, giving her the garbage bag.

The devoted friend squeezed back taking the yellow plastic. "I have to. This is my mess to clean up. Just remember, I love you, all of you."

She headed back to her car.

Brooke eyes were misty as she waved, "Thank you, Hales. Please be careful."

Haley didn't have to worry about what explanation Brooke would give about their little impromptu meeting, nor did she wonder if she was doing the right thing. She had only said she wouldn't tell the authorities, Smith hadn't said anything about Brooke. She knew her best friend would keep her word, her daughter was involved. By nightfall, if Smith hadn't released the girl, the FBI would be on his ass.

Once she made it to the up-to-date summer camp for children, She pulled to the side of the road and retrieve a hand gun from the glove compartment along with her cell phone. Pocketing both in her wind breaker on the balmy day. Unfortunately and unaware, she had left the mobile phone in the car over the last couple of days and forgot to charge it. She set her hands back at two and ten on the steering wheel and headed for the entrance. Thanks to Nathan, not only did she own a fire arm, but she knew how to use it.

There was nothing to fear, she told herself as she grew closer to her destination. The money had never been important and the amount Smith was asking for was mere a drop in the bucket of the settlement her parents left her after they died. Haley's heart broke just thinking about them. Money would never make up for the loss of her family. Mom, Dad and Lucas were all gone. But she knew she was fortunate. She had Nathan and good friend like Brooke and Bevin.

"I'll get her back for you, Brooke…..I promise."

Nathan checked his watch, it was noon. Where the hell was she? He nervously paced in the waiting area of gate 187 to Wilmington, NC, his ear stuck to his Blackberry that was finally working since he had reached the states. His plane wasn't leaving for two hours and he still couldn't reach anybody in Tree Hill.

"Cooper Lee."

"Thank, God! Tell me I can't reach Haley because you have he hold up in some safe house until you catch that creep bastard, Smith?" Nathan said in one breath.

"Scott?" Cooper queried.

"Yes. I just found out about Smith vandalizing Haley's house and harassing her a few days ago. I haven't been able to reach her since."

"I told her to tell you when those things happened."

"Well, she didn't." Nathan frosted.

" Well, don't worry. As far as I know, Haley's went to do some last minute outlet shopping today for Brooke McFadden. You heard about Jersey missing since Tuesday?"

"No. So that's where Haley was, at Brookes…… I'm on my way to Tree Hill now." He let out a sigh of relief. " At least she's, okay. But, I feel so bad for Brooke and Mouth. Do they think Smith has something to do with this?"

"Until fifteen minutes ago."

"What do you mean?"

" Keep this classified?"

"Of course."

"They found the girl getting off a Greyhound bus in Los Angeles an hour ago. She ran away….wanted to prove to her parents that cold do sitcom she had been offered by Nickelodeon. Her parents are being informed as we speak…… An get this, Tim Smith was arrested thirty minutes ago. He had been working as a clown for The big Apple Circus. He had been performing with them for weeks in Milwaukee. He didn't have anything to do with the child's disappearance and he couldn't have been the one that painted Haley's house…..hold on, I'm getting another call."

Nathan's fears only capitalized, his head was spinning. If only he could to Haley, hold her in his arms. He would never let her out of his sight until they caught the maniac that was doing this.

He heard the phone line click and Cooper Lee returned to the call. "Nathan, something has happened with Haley. I don't want to explain it over the phone. I'm just getting the details myself. Get here as soon as you can…sooner" The line shut off and Nathan plopped down in one of the chairs, no longer able to trust his own legs. His large palms covered his face and he did the only think he could think of at the time. Nathan Scott cried……


Pamela