Chapter 15

Furey's Worry

I was really scared, so I tried to concentrate on picking up anything that would help us. Throughout the day, I worked hard to pick up information. The kidnappers were thinking about an area in a warehouse section by the wharf. The guns were already in the area, about a block from the meeting area. I didn't know if that would be important so I told Auri. She said that it was very important, keep up the good work.

I could feel her anxiety. She was really taking an emotional beating. I know, because I've been there before. It's hard sometimes when you're emotionally involved and so is everyone around you. When she let me talk to Dad, I asked him if he was going to marry her. He said it was too early, but underneath the words, I could feel that he was confused. He didn't want to get married again. He wanted it to be just us two. But, he also had these feelings for Auri and he wanted her to be near us. I figured that there was an easy fix-- just marry her, then she'd have to stay with us.

At two they came in and made me stand against the wall where they took my picture. I read the guy's mind and he was thinking about some golfer named Stuart Clink. It didn't make sense, but then he reminded himself that they needed a specific type of shot, a head shot. He took a few more photos within a few minutes he left. I watched HBO in the hotel room until it was time to go. They told me to go pee and get ready. While I was in the bathroom I heard them arguing out in the room.

"No! I'm going. I have to go, the kid trusts me." The lady yelled.

"Trusts you? Like hell. You were the one who grabbed him. He doesn't trust you. We need for you to stay here and pack everything up; then you need to get down to the airport, make sure the charter is ready as soon as we get there. Now, do you have the passports?"

"I just received his. It looks pretty good. I kept his first name, Gregory. I gave him my last name so that they'll think he's my kid." She was calmer, more in control.

"Great, then you stay behind and take care of business. We'll meet you at the airport."

"Kap, don't hurt this kid. He's a good kid."

"I'm not going to hurt him. As soon as we get into Buenos Aires, I'll make arrangements for him to leave."

Auri! Auri!

Furey? What honey?

They have a passport for me and want to take me to Buenos Aires on a chartered plane.

Anything else?

The lady isn't going with us. She's going to make sure the plane is ready.

Good Furey, good job. That's important information. Please keep listening.

Auri, we're getting ready to leave.

I could hear Auri think about this information. Why are they leaving so soon? Unless they are still on the New Jersey side and need the extra time to get to the meeting place. She turned her thoughts back to me. You do whatever they want you to do, except tell them that the people they are meeting are not ATF. Okay?

Okay. Bye.

I'm right here honey, bye.

I was so nervous I went pee again, washed my hands and went out to the room. They were standing, waiting for me.

"Let's go kid."

They didn't put a blindfold over me. They just pulled me down to a service elevator and we went down to the parking garage. They hesitated before the door opened, holding the button to keep it closed.

"Okay kid, remember we have someone watching your Dad. As long as you cooperate, he'll be okay."

This guy believed that someone was watching my Dad, but in fact, I knew my Dad was safe. I hoped that there might be someone in the garage so I could scream or something, but then I remembered that Auri told me to cooperate with them. It didn't matter, because when the door opened, the van was pulled up close to the elevator doors and I was pushed into it. There would have been no time to flag someone down.

We drove through the streets with me lying down in the back of the van, my hands and feet were tied up. I could only see the sky and tall buildings when we passed by them, nothing that looked familiar to me. I did tell Auri on occasion what I was seeing, but I could tell she wasn't familiar enough with the surroundings to know if they meant anything or not. I tried to look for words on buildings.

Auri, there's a billboard for Campbell Soup. And… we're in a tunnel now.

I could tell that meant something because she got excited.

Honey, I have to ask someone here who knows New York what this means, hold on.

She came back. We think you're in the Holland Tunnel. It would make sense. They had you in New Jersey and you're crossing into New York. We're leaving now for the rendezvous. Keep me posted. Love you. Don't worry and don't try to be a hero, okay?

Okay. Bye.

Bye, pumpkin.

I took in a deep breath and looked up at the night sky. Mom, if you can hear me. I need for you to do something about these bad guys. Keep me safe, Auri too. I love you Mom.