***Chapter 5***

Jonathan and Jennifer were now in Salt Lake City. She was supposed to have a few interviews for the local TV station the next day, and a book signing.

They checked into their hotel and the desk clerk had a message for her. Call Marcia.

They settled into their room, and she picked the phone up to call Marcia.

Jonathan changed clothes, and perused the room service menu, while he waited for her to get off the phone.

He handed her the room service menu, and she tapped what she wanted, and then hung up the phone.

She kissed him. "No pecans on the salad darling". She went to change clothes while he placed their order.

As she settled back into the bed, she grabbed her briefcase.

"What did Marcia say?"

"Well, there's a magazine that wants to interview me tomorrow afternoon. I agreed to it because that frees up Friday, and you and I will have the whole day to ourselves".

"Great, why don't we go skiing?"

"Ooh, we haven't done that in a long time. That's a good idea".

She went over her notes for a bit, until their dinner got there, and then they ate together.

"Did you talk to Stanley today? Any more threats?"

"I did talk to him, but he wasn't at the office. He was at home. I told Kelly to call me if there were any other threats and I haven't heard from her".

"That's good".

"No news is good news".

They finished eating and then he set the room service cart outside their door.

She climbed under the covers and he came and joined her and wrapped his arms around her.

"One more day, till peace and quiet".

He kissed her head. "Can't wait, Red".

She squeezed his chin and kissed him.

***The next morning***

Jennifer was up early to do her interviews with the TV stations. Jonathan got up with her, and they went to the studio together.

After they were done at the studio, they were going to a restaurant so that she could meet with Angela Kirksey, the reporter interviewing her for the magazine.

The magazine interview was a little bland, or maybe it seemed that way to Jennifer because she had been answering the same questions over and over for the past three weeks. She just had a feeling about this interview but she tried not to dwell on it.

As they left the restaurant, hand in hand, Jonathan leaned over to her.

"I have a surprise for you".

She turned and embraced him and grabbed the collar of his coat.

"Oh, I love surprises".

"I know you do."
"Give me a hint, please".

"Nope".

"Oh come on".

"You can try to persuade me".

"Like this?"

She leaned in close and kissed him a few times.

"That's a start, but I will need a few more".

She stared at him.

"I can't feel my nose. I can't feel my nose".

She kissed him again and they kept walking to the car.

They got back to their hotel, and into their room.

"Darling, would you like your surprise to be inside, or outside?"

"Inside".

"You got it". He called the front desk and asked for the manager and told her it was time to execute plan A.

He hung up the phone and embraced her.

"What are you up to?"

"You'll see. Now, go change clothes, into your robe. Trust me".

"Ok". She kissed him and went and undressed and put her robe on. He did the same.

"What are you up to?"

"You'll see".

Just then there was a knock at the door.

"Hang on please".

He slipped a blindfold on her. "Wait right here".

He opened the door and motioned to the people at the door to be quiet.

"Come on in".

They set up where he pointed to, and then he went back over to Jennifer.

"Darling, I am going to pick you up and I need you to trust me".

"Ok".

He scooped her up, and then stood her next to the surprise.

"Here comes the trusting me part".

He took her robe off her and placed her on the bed and covered her with a sheet.

Then he did the same to himself.

"Ok you can come in now".

"Jonathan, can I take the blindfold off?"

"Now".

She took the blindfold off just as her massage began. He had booked them a 2 hour couples massage, and then a special hot tub soak in their whirlpool bath with special ingredients.

"Great idea, darling".

After their massage was over, they were helped up and into their robes and taken to their bathroom where the whirlpool was. The lady gave him the instructions on how to drain the whirlpool afterwards.

"There will be a blue substance in the tub after you are done. Sprinkle this over it evenly and then run a bath as normal. You should be good to go".

"Thank you". He tipped them generously and then they climbed into the whirlpool. The chemicals were supposed to detox your skin and muscles of toxins and make you sleep well. They had a chilled bottle of champagne and some fruit waiting for them as well.

They spent about an hour just soaking in each other's arms.

"Darling…this might be one of my most favorite surprises you have ever given me".

"Glad you are enjoying it".

He kissed her neck.

"I honestly forgot how tiring a book tour was. Exhilarating, but tiring".

"You are worth it, though. I'm loving this".

She looked at him incredulously. "You are?"

"Yes. And I owe you an apology. I have been really selfish all these years, with it always being me in the spotlight. It's nice to see you in it for a change, it looks good on you".

He leaned over and kissed her.

"Thank you darling. It looks pretty great on you too".

"Darling, what was that thing you said in Nashville the other day?"

"The thing?"

"Yeah, you said it and the girls all copied you. Class, something, something".

"Classy. Elegance. Sophistication".

"Yeah, that's it. What was that about?"

"Darling, a sorority girl, especially a Chi Beta Gamma, never spills chapter secrets".

She took a sip of champagne and smiled at him.

"Come on, darling. It's been driving me crazy. And I've been good. I deserve a special treat too".

"Ok, you're right." She settled back against him, and he wrapped an arm around her.

"Classy. We are to be classy at all times. Elegance. We are supposed to convey and portray an heir of elegance. And sophistication is because only the sophisticated girls are initiated. It all goes back to our founders".

"You my dear, are all three".

He kissed her, and then she finished her champagne.

He picked her up and set her outside of the tub.

He grabbed a big towel and wrapped it around both of them. As they dried off, she was kissing his neck and chest.

"Darling….I'm trying to get you into your robe".

"We don't need our robes just yet".

"As you wish, Mrs. H."

He picked her up and carried her to the bed and laid her down gently.

He went and got their champagne and fruit and brought it back to the bed.

She laid next to him, and fed him fruit, and he poured them another glass of champagne.

She leaned over and ran her fingers through his hair.

"Darling…I'm out of champagne".

"So you are".

He took the glass from her and then rolled over so that he was on top of her.

He kissed her passionately, and then she started giggling.

"What?"

"Nothing". More giggling.

"Darling…what is it?"

"Nothing, honest".

She kept laughing.

He figured the only way to keep her from giggling was to kiss her, so he did just that.

He had never made love to a giggling woman before, it was quite an experience.

He continued to do the things that he knew would drive her crazy, hoping that would overcome the giggling.

He was right. She was moaning and groaning and saying his name and they exploded in passion together.

He held her close and then rolled onto his back, bringing her with him.

She was still giggling.

"You are wonderful, darling". Giggle.

"So are you".

"I think we should do that again and again". She was giggling. "And I think we should have more champagne".

"I think you've had enough".

She giggled. "Maybe so".

With that, she fell forward, and passed out.

***The next day***

Jennifer and Jonathan were up around 8. She had a champagne headache, for sure. He ordered them breakfast, and then got her a cool compress for her head, and rubbed her temples while she leaned against his chest.

"You feel up to skiing today?"

"Absolutely".

After they were finished eating, they got dressed and headed for the slopes. They bought ski suits, and rented the rest of their gear.

They did a few runs, and even raced each other a few times. They loved skiing, they just didn't do it enough.

It was the end of the day, and they were headed to do one final run. They skied up to the ski lift, and got in line.

She turned and kissed him.

"That's your prize for winning the race".

She kissed him again.

"And what was that for?"

"Me".

Just then, a bunch of people skied up and skipped the line.

Jennifer and Jonathan didn't even notice, they were staring at each other.

Someone behind them got pushed into and it caused them to fall into Jennifer and one of her boots came out of the ski.

Jonathan had to catch the lift without her.

"I'll wait for you at the top, Jennifer".

"Ok Darling".

She was over off to the side, fixing her ski, when felt the hand grab her from behind and put something over her face. She was picked up and taken to a sled, attached to a snowmobile. She was then taken down the mountain, and placed into a windowless van.

Jonathan got off the ski lift, and skied to the side, waiting on Jennifer.

After about 15 minutes, he finally asked one of the attendants what was going on.

"Oh, I think she fell, I saw them taking her down the mountain".

He skied down the mountain and went to first aid.

They didn't have anyone in there except a man with a sprained ankle. He skied around a little bit, but couldn't find Jennifer.

He figured she might have gone back to their room, so he went there. No Jennifer.

He was leaving the room again as the phone rang. He picked it up.

"Hello Mr. Hart? It's Stanley".

"Hi Stanley. Everything alright?"

"Not really. We just received a telegram for you. I hope you don't mind that I opened it".

"Not at all. Read it to me".

"We have your wife. Do as we say and you will get her back in one piece. No tricks, no cops. We will contact you at Hart Industries in 48 hours.' I'm really sorry, Mr. Hart".

"Thanks, me too. I will see you tonight, I am heading to the plane right now".

"See you then, Mr. Hart".

He quickly packed up his things and Jennifer's things and then called Jack and told him to meet him at the airport.

He landed back in Los Angeles in under 2 hours.

He went by Hart Industries, checked everything out, and called Lt. Grey.

After officially reporting Jennifer as missing, he headed to Willow Pond. Alone.

***Two days later***

Jonathan was in agony. He hadn't seen Jennifer since the ski slopes. She was his everything and he could think of nothing else. This trip had brought them closer, much closer than either of them had ever thought possible. He was desperate to get her back.

He had heard nothing from her kidnappers since the telegram. Today was the day. He was headed to the office so that he could be there when they contacted him.

***Hart Industries***

Jonathan was in his office by 8 a.m. He tried to make it look like he was busy working, but he really wasn't. He was thinking about Jennifer nonstop. He had to know she was ok. He had to know that she wasn't hurt. He needed to touch her, hear her voice, see her, hold her.

It was around 11 when the communication came. It was in the form of flowers.

The vase was full of Jennifer Hart roses, and the card said "Go to 951 Mulholland Drive at 2 p.m. Park in the back of the parking lot, and look for a green car".

He got back to work, and then around 1, went to his car. He used his car phone to call Lt. Grey.

"Any updates?"

"None. I was just on the phone with the ski patrol in Salt Lake, and they said no clues have turned up at all."

"Ok, thanks". He hung up.

He was parked in the parking lot at 1:35.

At exactly 2 p.m., a green sedan pulled up.

"Mr. Hart?"

"Yes, that's me".

The man handed him an envelope.

"Have a nice day". He left the parking lot. Jonathan opened the envelope and found a note.

"You have 24 hours to get $500,000 in diamonds and emeralds. You will be contacted at your house tonight at 9 p.m. with further instructions".

He went to the jewelry store that he and Jennifer always shopped at.

They had a diamond and emerald bracelet for $250,000. He had them sell him $300,000 worth of diamond earrings and rings to make up the difference, and then headed home.

***Jennifer***

Jennifer was in a house. She was tied to a chair. She was being well taken care of, but she was scared and missed Jonathan. She wanted to go home so badly. She wanted a hot shower. They had been feeding her, and had given her a bell for her to ring when she needed something.

She rang the bell and a young woman came in.

"Hi, what do you need?"

"Can I please go to the bathroom? And I would like to walk around and stretch some".

"Certainly."

The lady untied her and pointed her towards the bathroom. Jennifer went in and shut the door. She looked out the window. She was high up. Dammit. No escaping through that window.

She came out of the bathroom after she was finished and they let her stretch her legs and walk around some. She sipped on her water.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Certainly".

"Why are you guys doing this to me?"