Backlash: Chapter 3: Harlem, NY

11/8/10

We're going back into town today. I'm going to try to mail a letter to NCIS. Maybe they'll be able to find me with it. I gleamed the address when I came back yesterday, not the street name but the numerical part of the address. That should help them. I think I'm close to my rescue. All I can do is pray they find me before I go insane. All I can think about is how Josh must be feeling. He really loves me, so he's got to have been driven mad by now. I can't wait to see his face once I'm rescued. He will receive the biggest tackle-hug ever to be given to a member of the opposite gender.

…...

The next day, the trio was in the squad room researching Damien. They were trying to find out if he had any places in New York. Unfortunately, he happened to own six different houses scattered across the state.

"That's great," Josh said sarcastically. "We have six places in six different cities scattered across the state of New York that could be a potential place that she could be held at."

"Well, it's more than we had," Nate said optimistically. "We have six specific locations where she could be."

"Still, where do we start?" Josh asked.

"Well, we wait a day and see if we get anything. If we do, we'll act. If not, we'll wait until we get something concrete," Jake said.

"Okay, I guess that's gonna be the best course of action," Josh said resentfully.

"Now, we wait," Nate said.

"For the next few hours, Nate, Josh, and Jake just sat around the office, not doing much of anything productive. Nate read, Jake listened to music, and Josh played a game on his iPod, desperately in need of the small distraction.

…...

11/8/10; 2

We're back from town. I managed to mail the letter and when I glanced back over my shoulder, the mailman was there picking up the mail. Damien's attention happened to be focused on a weapon display in a store window at the time, so he didn't notice when I mailed it. Why he's so interested in being like a ninja I don't know, and I don't think I ever will. I'll occasionally hear wood splintering and, sometimes, the sound of something breaking and some swearing. Stupid ninja obsession.

...

Still, no productivity occurred over the day. They eventually decided that, as they heard nothing new, they'd try a little more research.

"Why is it when we try and do research, we either come up with the same information or nothing at all?" Josh asked.

"I don't know. We've been at this for over two hours with no new information. I think we should call it a day. Besides, it late," Nate said.

"Okay," Josh said with a disappointed tone.

"See you guys in the morning," Nate told them.

"See ya," Jake and Josh responded simultaneously.

Nate left, followed shortly after by Josh and Jake.

…...

11/9/10

I really hope they got my letter. If they did, I might be rescued tomorrow at the earliest. Heck, if they got it, I would be rescued tomorrow. If I know Josh, he won't stop until I'm rescued and Damien either locked up or dead. I hope he gets locked up because being sentenced to life is worse than death. All I have to do now is wait. Maybe we can stay an extra day or two here afterwards. You know, see the sights and all. Maybe that will keep me sane; the prospect of actually seeing Harlem and actually exploring the city and not being on a guided tour is fantastic

…...

Josh, Nate, and Jake came in early the next morning. As usual, Nate had beat them there.

"Just what time do you get here?" Josh inquired.

"Early. I've been here for about half an hour," Nate answered.

"Mail's still sitting on your desk," Jake observed.

"I wanted to wait for you guys to get here before opening it because of the sender. How she sent it is a mystery,"

"How who sent what?" Josh asked. He thought he already knew the answer, but didn't want to get too excited just in case he was wrong.

"How Tiffany sent this letter," was the response. Josh was right, he smiled.

"Well, we're all here, so open it up already and let's see what she has to say," Josh said, his voice surprisingly calm given the circumstances.

Nate opened the letter and the three of them began to read to themselves the letter from Tiffany.

11/8/10

Josh, Nate, and Jake,

I hope you got this. I'm about to go crazy here. I'm in the basement of Damien's house that's along the Atlantic Coast. Guess where I am. I'm in HARLEM! Harlem, NY. I couldn't tell what the street name is, but the address is 215. You guys gotta come get me. Anytime during the day, I can hear the sound of wood hitting wood and usually hear the sound of wood splintering. Even the occasional sound of breaking glass followed by some swearing. Anyway, I won't bore you with anymore details until I see you guys again. Hope it's soon. Oh, by the way, there's a Black Ford Mustang in Damien's driveway. It's his. That's how I got here so quickly, that thing is fast!

Your Friend,

Tiffany

"At least we know she's safe," Nate said after he'd finished reading.

"We know where she is! We need to go and get her!," Josh almost yelled in excitement. After days without her, Josh finally heard from Tiffany.

"Let's go then. But we're not going to get her until tomorrow," Nate said, emphasizing tomorrow. "We need to plan. Figure out how we're going to get her back."

"We can talk on the plane," Josh said. "We should go get her today."

"We'll go early tomorrow morning for the rescue. We'll leave now to go to Harlem," Jake said. "Grab your carry on again. That was a good idea, having a bag packed in the car, just in case."

The trio set out for the airport to go to New York for a rescue mission.

…...

A few hours later, the small group was settled in their hotel room in Harlem.

"Alright, what'd be the best way to do this?" Nate asked.

"We go in, bust some serious Damien-butt, grab my girlfriend, and get the heck outta dodge," Josh offered, pounding his fist into his open hand for emphasis.

"We'll call that plan B. Meanwhile, let's make a plan that doesn't involve death," Nate said. "Any ideas?"

"We go after him at dawn and surprise him. We grab Tiffany and arrest Damien for double homicide. How's that?" Jake suggested.

"Fine. But if that fails, we're gonna do it my way," Josh said.

"It's late, let's go to sleep. We gotta be up by 05:00. Night," Nate said.