## The Williamsons and The Widow

Post by KP Presents » Wed Apr 02, 2014 3:31 am

This particular story takes place a few months after the current storyline in An Education. There are slight spoilers and hints for stories to come.
“Well, Alexander, I don’t think there will be a major problem with arranging this,” Mark Williamson said as he looked over the papers. “How is your father, by the way?”
“Recovering – it was a scare, thank God, but he’s a fighter.”
“So I hear,” Mark said as he closed his case. “I’ll have the papers drawn up and delivered to your office in the morning.”
“Thank you,” Alexander Holderness said as he stood up and shook Mark’s hand. “Allow me to show you out.”
He opened the door of the library at Holderness Manor, and allowed Mark to walk through before he closed the door. As they stood in the hallway, a tall short haired man came down the stairs, taking to a slim woman with long blonde hair.
“She needs a few more weeks rest, but honestly Brian, she’s doing fine – oh hello Alexander,” the woman said as they came to the bottom of the stairs.
“Mark, I believe you met Brian at the wedding, but this is Dr Kayla Smith, a friend of his and Sarah’s.”
“Of course,” Mark said as he extended his hand, “I hear congratulations are in order?”
“Thank you,” Brian said as he gripped Mark’s hand firmly, “mother and babies doing fine. Kayla came over from the States to be with us for the birth.”
Mark smiled as he nodded to the young woman. “Well, I must be going, but I hope you find fatherhood as exciting and satisfying as I do.”
“Oh I think I can guarantee that,” Brian said as he watched Alexander walk Mark out of the manor house.
“Nice man,” Kayla said as she looked at him.
“Yeah,” Brian said quietly, “I just wish I knew why he puts me on edge a bit.”
“You’re naturally suspicious,” Kayla said with a smile.
“Yeah – that’s probably it, with a healthy dash of fear about them,” he said as he looked up the stairs.
As he pulled up outside his home, Mark looked in the rear view mirror to see John and Jennifer Craig fetching the twins from their car. They were growing up so fast now, and as for Cassie and Jenny, their older daughters, they too were looking a lot older.
He remembered the first time her had met both of them, when as Jay Edwards he had spent the night with them, much against his better judgement, while one of his associates made John make a large withdrawal from one of his firm’s overseas accounts. It had been one of only two times he had broken his own rule about no friends or family – that second time being both an educational and a difficult time for him and the three men he had picked to help them. All three had been arrested, and convicted of kidnapping and extortion, but they had kept him out of the picture.
He selected those he worked with very carefully, and the compensation he offered was more than sufficient to ensure their silence. All three would have a large account waiting for them when they served their sentence.
As he walked into the house, he could hear Lisa and Charlie talking in the kitchen, while his wife Yvonne came and gave him a kiss.
“Long day,” she said as he picked up the letters from the small table.
“Not really, just up to Holderness Manor and back,” he said as he looked at one in particular, addressed to him by hand and with a London postmark. Putting the others down, he opened it and took out a single sheet of paper, on which he read the following message.
“We need to talk, Mister Edwards. Call.”
There was a number underneath, which Mark showed to Yvonne. “What the…” she said, “who talked?”
“I don’t know,” Mark said as they walked into the kitchen, and he switched on the ring on the gas hob, setting the paper and envelope alight and then depositing the burning ashes into the sink, “but I will find out.”
“Mister Williamson?”
Mark looked up from his desk as his secretary stood at the door.
“Your three o’clock appointment is here.”
Looking at his desk diary, Mark saw “John Smith, new client” pencilled in.
“Who made this appointment,” he said as he looked at his secretary.
“I’m not sure – but they’re here now. I can find out while you talk to them?”
“Very well,” Mark said as he stood up and put his jacket on. His secretary showed in a very tall and very well built man, his suit obviously tailored to suit his body shape. He had close cropped brown hair, and his eyes darted around the room as he shook Mark’s hand.
“Forgive me, Mister Smith,” he said as he indicated the chair at the other side of his desk, “normally if I have a new client I prefer to talk on the phone before I meet face to face, but this appointment was obviously made at the last minute.”
“That’s perfectly all right,” Mister Smith said as he sat down, “you are a busy man, Mister Williamson, and it can be difficult to find time in your diary to have a meeting.”
“Indeed,” Mark said as he looked at the client. Something, he wasn’t quite sure what, was putting him on edge about him.
“So, what can I do for you?”
“We wish to arrange the safe and secure transfer of funds from one account to another, and my contacts tell me you are the perfect man for the job.”
“Well, I would also normally ask for references as well,” Mark said quietly, “but exactly how much are we talking about.”
“Several hundred thousand pounds.”
“In that case, I definitely do need details of your company and references before I can proceed.”
“That might be problematic,” Mister Smith said as he leaned forward, “Jay.”
Last edited by KP Presents on Wed Apr 02, 2014 12:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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### Re: The Williamsons and The Widow

Post by KP Presents » Wed Apr 02, 2014 3:32 am

Why are we in the PG-17 section for this? There is a reason - but you will have to wait to find out. Be assured, however, the reason is NOT because of sexual content.
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### Re: The Williamsons and The Widow

Post by The Wrapster » Wed Apr 02, 2014 10:07 am

This should be interesting!!

### Re: The Williamsons and The Widow

Post by Tom Ford » Wed Apr 02, 2014 11:19 am

First of all, this tale tells us about some new scare that will happen to Lord Holderness.
So I was wrong about the Holderness Carters finding out on their own. It is obvious that they don’t find him evil just because he puts them on edge and brings the suspicion out of them. But it is evident that they will somehow be involved in this, but will they find out? Doubtful, and I hope not, if only to preserve the friendship of Mark and John Craig.
What puzzles me is how can Mr Smith find out about him? First of all, no one can talk, even if they are willing to, since the crooks he hired don’t know him as Mark Williamson. In fact, the only person who knows Mark Williamson is Jay Edwards is Yvonne, so it can’t be his associates who told Mr Smith because they don’t know that it’s Mark who is Jay. I mean, the accent, etc everything about Mr Edwards would scream that he is not Mr Williamson.
But the clincher is the events of The New Neighbors. His associates “know” that Jay Edwards targeted Mark Williamson, tied and gagged his family, took him out for a ride, he escaped, Mr Edwards himself called Mark and Mark crawled back to the handler, and he even got beat up! Everybody, especially Cassie and his associates that night, “know” that Mark and Jay could not be the same person. The police certainly don’t think so.
And if only Yvonne knows, how can Mr Smith know too?
Mr Williamson should not panic, or even act surprised. He should tell him that his nickname is not Jay, and that he must be mistaken. Mr Smith will tell him why he thinks Mr Williamson is Mr Edwards, Mr Williamson should calmly listen but tell him his ultimate trump card. That he himself was a victim of Jay Edwards, that he could ask the police about what happened, that his neigbors’ kids could tell them that she saw Jay Edwards take Mr Williamson hostage, that he himself was found unconscious on a pool of his own blood with a head wound, etc. How could he possibly have taken himself hostage? It’s impossible if he really is Jay Edwards!!
And he would never have willingly taken his own family hostage if he is really Jay Edwards (which is 100% true. It was all a misunderstanding and a coincidence!)

### Re: The Williamsons and The Widow

Post by William F Somebody » Wed Apr 02, 2014 11:27 pm

I would echo Tom’s sentiments. How the heck did Smith know who Jay Edwards is? Not even his associates get the privilege of knowing the identity of their boss, and only Mrs McPhee really shares his secret. And I’m 100% sure that Yvonne is not the one who leaked it. So who can talk and give away his identity?
Besides, anyone who is smart enough to research about Jay Edwards would know that he Mr Williamson is just one of the many victims of the Jay Edwards, as Tom said! How could he make the connection? How could he know that his associates decided to show some initiative, took their bosses family hostage unknowingly, that Mark jumped and escaped from his handler when they did not follow procedures to bind him, that he went home dressed as Jay and called himself, then he changed back and crawled back to the handler? It sounds so ridiculous and implausible that they wouldn’t think of the possibility! The most logical answer was that Jay and Mark are two different people, just like what Cassie concluded earlier!
So how can John Smith know? He really has no way of knowing!! Because Jay and Mark are very cautious about his operations and his true identity? Even if his associates sing like a bird, they can only tell that he has a Geordie accent, he is very good at finances and at taking hostages, that he knew them well, etc, and nothing more!

### Re: The Williamsons and The Widow

Post by KP Presents » Thu Apr 03, 2014 3:48 am

Mark Williamson looked across his desk at the man, before he said “I’m sorry, who is Jay? As you are aware, Mister Smith, my name is Mark Williamson.”
“That’s all right, you can be your public face if you want, but I know you are also Jay Edwards,” Mister Smith said as he sat back in his chair, “In fact, we’ve been keeping an eye on you for quite some considerable time.”
“Mister Smith,” Mark said as he stood up, “I have no idea who you think I am, but I assure you, I am a director of this accountancy firm. Nothing more, nothing less. I have only heard the name Jay Edwards in conversation with friends.”
“Oh we know how good you are,” Mister Smith said quietly. “Sit down, Mister Williamson – at least listen to what I have to say.”
“Mister Smith, unless you have a genuine piece of business to discuss…”
“I said sit down, Mister Williamson.”
Mark could see a steely look in the eyes of Mister Smith, so he said “Well, if you insist on wasting my time, my bill is still the same. Go on.”
Mister Smith smiled, a smile that would not look out of place on Shere Khan. “You are very, very careful, and very, very successful and I applaud that. Jay Edwards is a rare commodity – a bank robber who never hurts anyone, never leaves a trail, and has never been seen without the mask. But we have a lot of contacts, and a lot of patience, and we have been watching you for some considerable time.
“We particularly liked your last visit – getting both parents to make large extractions from the accounts of their business shows the planning mind of a genius. We followed you from the time you left your home and your children in the care of their friend’s parents, to the return the next morning. From the collection of your associates and right through to the day after. Very, very impressive.”
“Mister Smith,” Mark said as he looked directly at him. “I am not this Jay Edwards. In fact, I can prove I’m not this character.”
“Oh,” Mister Smith said quietly, “how?”
“Because I have been a victim of him and his associates,” I said quietly. “They visited me some months ago, held my wife, my children and some friends of theirs hostage, and forced me to make some quite substantial withdrawals of my own from this company’s accounts. It is not a night I care to remember – especially as I ended up in the A&E department of the local hospital that night.”
Mister Smith looked on impassively as Mark quietly continued. “If I was this Jay Edwards character, as you seem to believe I am, would I seriously place my own family in danger, as well as that of a close friend? Would I allow myself to be beaten up and assaulted? Would I really have robbed myself? You can look at police records, ask my family, ask my neighbours – they will all tell you I am not this man. Now, unless you have any further business you wish to discuss?”
Mister Smith looked again round the office, before he stood up. “No, I think you have made your view perfectly clear, Mister Williamson. We shall, I am sure, discuss this further at some point. I think I can find the way out.”
Mark watched as he left the office, shaking his head before he heard the telephone ringing.
“Mark Williamson?
“Oh hi Yvonne – everything all right at home?
“Well, it should be all right, but remember I have to come into the office on Saturday morning to sort out the fun day. After that, however, I think we’re fine.
“I’ll see you in an hour or two,” he said before he put the phone down. Mark considered for a moment whether or not to tell his wife about his last meeting, but shook his head.
“No,” he thought to himself, “I don’t think there is any need to.”
“Hey Cassie – you’re staying for the weekend I hear.”
Lisa Williamson embraced her friend Cassie Craig in her arms as she and her sister Jenny came into the house.
“Thanks for having us,” the young girl said as she looked round. “Where’s Charlie?”
“In his room, doing his homework, and under instructions not to disturb any of you this morning,” Mark said as he came down the stairs, wearing a blue v-necked pullover on top of a blue shirt, dark trousers and casual shoes.
“Mark, I can’t thank you enough for doing this,” John Craig said as he stood in the doorway, “Mum has no problem with the twins, but all three of them would have been a handful given she spends a lot of her time at the manor house just now.”
“Like I said, not a problem. When are you heading off?”
“Now,” John said as he turned round.
“I need to get going too,” Mark said to Lisa. Yvonne came through and said “all right – you’ll be back for lunch?”
“Should be – see you all later,” he said as he went out of the front door, closing it behind him. He waved to Jennifer Craig in their car as John got behind the wheel and set off, before getting into his own car and heading to the office.
“Come on upstairs with me,” Lisa said as she took Cassie’s hand, “I’ve got something to show you.” The two younger girls went up the staircase as Jenny said “I hope you don’t mind, but I have an essay to finish.”
“You can use the kitchen table if you don’t mind me doing the washing,” Yvonne said as they went into the kitchen. Yvonne was dressed casually, in a pair of black jogging pants and an old Great North Run shirt, as well as a pair of sneakers. Jenny was wearing a pair of faded jeans and a grey sweatshirt.
“So what is the essay on,” Yvonne said as Jenny took out a pad of paper, and set it on the table.
“D H Lawrence – great author or dirty story teller?”
“Depends on your viewpoint,” Yvonne said as she picked up a pile of clothes. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
She carried the clothes up the staircase and went into Charlie’s room. “Working hard or hardly working,” she said as she saw her young son on his computer.
“Hardy har har,” he said as he turned round and smiled. “I’m designing a poster for the sports day – what do you think?”
Yvonne looked over the shoulder of Charlie and smiled. “Not bad – you’ll be an artist yet.”
“Why thank you,” he said as he went back to work. The ten year old boy had a blue and white striped t-shirt on with a pair of khaki shorts, socks and trainers, as he kicked his legs to and fro under the chair.
Yvonne then took the pile through to twelve year old Lisa’s room. She and Cassie were lying on the bed, kicking their legs up and down as they watched a DVD. Cassie had a pair of pink and white striped leggings on with a pink t-shirt, while Lisa had a pair of black leggings under her denim shorts and a black polo neck shirt.
Going to her bedroom, Yvonne collected the dirty shirts from the laundry basket, and then carried them down to the kitchen. Jenny was concentrating on her essay, as she opened the door that led to the garage and the washing machine.
“Not a fucking word – get in and face down on the floor, bitch!”
Jenny looked up as four armed men ran into the kitchen, one of them forcing Yvonne to the floor as another said “Keep that trap of yours shut girlie,” a sawn off shotgun aimed at her head. They were all dressed in black jackets and trousers, and none of them were masked.
“Please, don’t hurt us,” Yvonne cried out as she heard the screams from up the stairs, and the rasping sound as a plastic zip tie was used to force her wrists together behind her back.
Jenny was having her wrists secured with one as well, as they both heard footsteps coming down the stairs. Cassie, Lisa and Charlie were marched through the kitchen, their hands behind their backs and strips of brown plaster pressed down over their mouths, as Yvonne and Jenny were forced to their feet.
“Who the hell are you,” Yvonne screamed, only to feel the sting of a gloved hand as it was brought down on her cheek, and then the pull on her skin as she was gagged with a strip of plaster.
She looked to the door as a tall well built man with close cropped brown hair came in. “Get them out of here,” he said as Jenny, now also silenced with plaster over her mouth, and Yvonne were dragged out. “I’ll wait to speak to Mark Williamson.”
The two were pushed into the back of a van, looking at the three younger children as the door was slammed shut and they drove off at speed. Jenny and Cassie looked at each other, as Yvonne started shaking.
“NO!!!”
Brian turned to see his wife sit bolt upright in her chair.
“Hey – are you all right,” he said as he looked at her, “I thought you were just having a catnap.”
“I… I’m not sure,” Sarah said as she looked at the two seats in front of her. “I had a dream…”
“A dream? What sort of dream?”
“The worst kind,” Sarah said as she looked at the green glow of her watch.
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### Re: The Williamsons and The Widow

Post by Tom Ford » Thu Apr 03, 2014 11:55 pm

Oh my! I thought that it would be blackmail. And I’m sure that was what Mark thought of at first too. That is why telling Smith how it’s impossible to be Jay is the best. But it seems that it’s kidnapping and extortion. Now that is a different kettle of fish.
I wonder how Mark will react? Surely, he could use his contacts in the underworld to help rescue his family. Of course, he can’t reveal his true reason why, but perhaps he could try to find out what is happening, who is Mr Smith, and perhaps reveal the location of his kidnapped family?
But the thing that worries me more is the lack of masks. It tells me that they are not planning to let go of them once this is over since they could identify the crooks by sight. But I know that they will grow up, so they won’t suffer the ultimate fate.
Still, Mark should resist to reveal himself as Jay Edwards. Or if he reveals himself because it is necessary to save his family, those crooks who would know should die before they could reveal the fact to anyone. Mark should not be revealed at all. Maybe he could “pretend” to be Jay, but not too much to arouse the suspicions of outsiders—the police least of all, and certainly not of Sarah Holderness Carter. He could simply tell them that the men were mistaken and delusional, but pretended to be Jay just to save his family, but they all know that he isn’t Jay because the real Jay attacked him before.
I feel so sorry for Cassie, Lisa, and Jenny. This looks like The Pearl of Great Price all over again, and this time, the men are more violent, and they say words that little girls should never hear at that age. This surely would be a defining event in their lives. Just like the others, but this would be much more violent. I hope they can pull through this without being too scarred!
I hope when Sarah becomes the Pink Widow, the little girls won’t be there to witness it. They are too young for it!!
Now what’s next?

### Re: The Williamsons and The Widow

Post by William F Somebody » Fri Apr 04, 2014 2:26 am

Oh my, oh my, oh my!
This really is serious! And with young damsels involved, I hope there really isn’t anything sexual involved. But given the nature of the powers of the Pink Widow, it might happen anyway.
I hope Cassie and Jenny could cope. I have no doubt that they would, and I hope they emerge stronger and better from this experience!
And I hope (and know) Mark and Yvonne’s identity as Jay and McPhee won’t be blown away. He has to survive to teach Charlie to be Jay Edwards.
Charlie has an artistic bent? All well and good, but I do hope he becomes as good in finance as his father. Perhaps even succeed him as head of the accountancy firm? Why? Because Jay Edwards needs to be really competent at the world of finance and accountancy to achieve the theft of large amounts of money undetected. But I’m sure Charlie could learn quickly.
Now back to the story. Mark, as shown in The New Neighbors, is very clever, very intelligent, and a sly man. I have every reason to believe that he not only would try to secure his family and friends, but do it in such a way as to preserve his secret identity.
But Mr Smith and his associates need to die. Because they knew that Mark is Jay, and for the sake of their peace of minds, they should be gone forever after this tale.

### Re: The Williamsons and The Widow

Post by KP Presents » Fri Apr 04, 2014 2:33 am

Okay a couple of things
Go back and read past adventures with Sarah very carefully.
And read Meet The Williamsons before the next part.
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### Re: The Williamsons and The Widow

Post by William F Somebody » Fri Apr 04, 2014 2:47 am

> KP Presents wrote:Okay a couple of things
> Go back and read past adventures with Sarah very carefully.
> And read Meet The Williamsons before the next part.

Come to think of it, in The Storyteller, Sarah scared the young man with the knife without using her most potent power. Now I guess she'll do the same if the kids are present.

### Re: The Williamsons and The Widow

Post by The Wrapster » Fri Apr 04, 2014 10:28 am

Don't forget, Sarah is pregnant and expecting twins! She cannot be the Widow without imperiling her health and that of her unborn
babies. I have a feeling this is why the Shadow looked at Chloe. I believe that Jay will be forced to go after Alexander and family.
Hopefully Anne, Sue and Chloe can get there in time to join Cassie, Sr. and Jo and rescue both situations. Remember also, Yvonne
and the others have seen their captors faces!! The criminals have no intentions of releasing them, alive!

### Re: The Williamsons and The Widow

Post by skybird137 » Fri Apr 04, 2014 10:36 am

Wrapster, if you read the first part, you will realise that Sarah has given birth.
Calling Fifty Shades of Grey a Bondage Story is like calling Titanic an Iceberg Movie...
http://skybird137.deviantart.com

### Re: The Williamsons and The Widow

Post by Mister Mistoffelees » Sat Apr 05, 2014 12:10 pm

I sense a very dark tale emerging here, KP. These villains are crude and ruthless, and have no qualms about either letting the victims see them unmasked or treating even the youngest victims crudely. I trust your well-known skill will keep this tale from veering into truly horrific veins...
Welcome to Snowden! Enter at your own risk...

### Re: The Williamsons and The Widow

Post by KP Presents » Mon Apr 07, 2014 1:58 am

“Oh no,” Brian said in a whisper, “did you make out any details?”
“No – but can you get Kayla? We need to know what I can and cannot do, just in case.”
Jenny glared at the two men as they were pushed into a cellar, truning to look at them as the five stood in a line.
“Your little home from home,” one of the men said as he grabbed several lengths of rope, “so who’s going to be first.”
Cassie looked at Lisa and Charlie, who were standing next to their mother and shaking, before she stepped forward and mumbled “mfrst” through the tape gag.
“Ndm” Jenny said as she stood next to her sister, before turning and saying “Kpclm” to the other three.
“Brave kids,” the second man said as he took a length of rope from his partner, “wonder if they know what’s going to happen?”
“Less talk – I want them unable to move so that we can go and get some coffee,” the first man said as they doubled over the rope, and started to tightly bind their amrs ot their sides, the two girls looking at each other.
Yvonne watched, marvelling again at the courage of the Craig children as the men passed more ropes under their arms and around the back of their necks. In all the times she had visited families as Mrs McPhee, she had always treated the families as if they were their own children, and here these two were, as the zipties were cut away and their wrists re-tied with the rope, not showing any fear as this was done to them.
“Lktthtm,” she whispered to Charlie and Lisa, “fllwwtheecsmpl, llrt?”
The two children nodded as Jenny and Cassie were pushed onto two dirty mattresses, and their legs bound tightly at the ankles, below the knees and round their thighs.
The two men smiled, an evil smile as they looked at the Williamson family. “Your turn,” the man said as they picked up more rope, “who’s going to be first?”
Yvonne looked at the children and then stepped forward, looking at Jenny and Cassie as the men began to bind her. She was then pushed onto another mattress, forced to watch as her legs were bound tightly, the coarse rope biting into her flesh and rubbing against her skin as she watched Lisa and Charle being bound in the same way.
“Right – they’re not going anywhere,” the man said as they walked to the door.”
“Plsssdsmfngfrs,” Jenny said as she looked at them.
“What do you want,” the man said as he turned and looked at her.
“Cnurmvvthtp?”
“Nobody’s going to hear them,” the second man said as he pointed to a camera in the wall. “We’re watching everything you do, understand?”
Jenny nodded as the plaster was pulled away from her mouth, the others wincing as they too were ungagged.
“Can we get some water,” Yvonne panted.
“Later,” the man said, “when Mister Smith gets back from talking to your husband. Now behave – or we do something worse.” The two men walked out, slamming the door shut behind them as Cassie heard a lock turn.
“Well,” she said as she looked at Jenny, “this is another fine mess you’ve got us into.”
“How can you joke,” Yvonne said a sshe looked at them.
“Defence mechanism,” Jenny said as she looked round the room, “until we find out what’s going on here.”
“Kids, Yvonne, I’m home,” Mark Williamson said as he came into the house.
When there was no reply, Mark walked into the kitchen – stopping as he saw Mister Smith sitting at the kitchen table, stirring a mug of coffee.
“Hello Mister Williamson,” he said as he looked up, “I’ve been waiting for you.”
“What are you doing in my house,” Mark said as he reached for his mobile phone.
“I wouldn’t do that – if you do, you will have five deaths on your conscience.”
Mark stopped with his phone in his hand, and looked at the man.
“Where is my wife and the children?”
“Safe – for now. Sit down Jay – or if you insist, Mark – and listen to what I have to say.”
“What have you done to them,” Mark said as he stepped forward.
“I said sit down,” Mister Smith said, firmly, as he looked at him. “I told you, we have been watching you for a very long time.”
“And I told you, I’m not this Jay Edwards character. I’ve been robbed by him, why would I do that to myself?”
“To cover your tracks when your associates tried to do something by themselves,” Mister Smith said as he sipped his coffee. “Tell me, did it ever occur to you as strange that no matter how firm your instructions are, this one time they did not bind the wrists of the target as they took them to their place of work?”
Mark looked at the man, sitting down as he did so. “I would not know – as I said, I only know of the one time he held my family hostage, and he warned me on the telephone what would happen if I did not return.”
“Quite,” Mister Smith said as he took another drink and put the mug down. “I also know you very politely, and very firmly, fired the man who beat you up. Did you know it was actually his idea to hit your family?”
“I would not know – I only remember his fist and the pistol whipping that man gave me, whoever he was.”
“He works for me – in fact, he always worked for me.” Mister Smith looked at Mark, before saying “and unless you do exactly what I say, he will be the one who kills your wife, your children, and the Craig children.”
“You bastard,” Mark said as he stood up suddenly.
“Sit down,” Mister Smith said as he took out his cell phone and showed Mark a picture of the five hostages in a cellar. “Now, we want you to force Alexander Holderness to transfer one million pounds from Red Ribbon Shipping to the account on this stick. You will do it tonight – you will assemble your team, but one of them will be my man. When the transaction is successfully completed, your family and the other girls were will be released.”
He put the memory stick on the table, and said “I’ll be waiting” before he walked out, Mark staring at the little white stick as the door closed.
“No – I’m sorry, Sarah, no way are you fit enough yet to go back on active duty.”
Sarah and Brian looked at Kayla, as she said “Do you want me to call Anne, get her and Chloe over here?”
“Not yet – hopefully it’s just my hormones,” Sarah said quietly. “I’m going to have a lie down.”
As she left the room, Brian looked at Kayla. “It’s not her hormones, is it?”
Kayla slowly shook her head. “No it’s not. I’m calling Anne.”
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### Re: The Williamsons and The Widow

Post by The Wrapster » Mon Apr 07, 2014 5:24 pm

Missed the part about Brian and Sarah's happy event. This excellent story could mark Mark aka Jay's last crime for several reasons. It's going to be tough to explain to everyone involved why this has happened without him being unmasked. Not to mention the nightmare
of his family's ordeal. I doubt whether Yvonne/Mrs. McPhee will ever be mentally able to come on another operation after this. Her trauma is and will be severe.

### Re: The Williamsons and The Widow

Post by Tom Ford » Tue Apr 08, 2014 1:03 am

This looks grim.
So that is what Smith wants. Him to be Jay and target Alexander Holderness, to transfer a very big amout, about one million pounds! Ironic! To take hostage the family to force another to take another family hostage.
So Suzie and Susan is going to be tied up and gagged. And perhaps even Lady Holderness if she is unlucky enough. How about the others? Could Patty and Rachel somehow get involved in this? How Bobby? Perhaps he could escape his fate by being at Colin at a sleepover when the inevitable happens?
By the way, where is Sarah? Is she in Maine or in England?

### Re: The Williamsons and The Widow

Post by KP Presents » Tue Apr 08, 2014 1:30 am

> Tom Ford wrote:By the way, where is Sarah? Is she in Maine or in England?

Sarah is still in England.
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### Re: The Williamsons and The Widow

Post by William F Somebody » Tue Apr 08, 2014 2:06 am

So this would be extortion. Mr Smith will extort Mark so Jay will extort Alexander! Pretty good plan. But I have faith in Mark and Jay Edwards. He has enough connections with the underworld that he could probably identify without too much trouble who is Mr Smith. He needs to know so he can ascertain whether he is really bluffing when he told him that he would murder the five captives if he doesn’t do as told.
Cassie and Jenny would probably do okay. They have experienced worse (the Pearl of Great Price comes to mind) and they would easily cope. They could stand being tied up in just one place (see Coming Together) for a long time. They could easily escape (but wouldn’t because of the camera). Would they be tied up (with fingers covered, etc and tape wrapped around their head) full job when it’s time for bed? And what about pyjamas and night dresses? Or going to the bathroom and showers? How about dinner?
Yvonne would probably do okay too. After all, she is Mrs McPhee, and probably was tied up by her husband on a regular basis. What I’m worried for is Charlie and Lisa. Poor kids. Thankfully, they are not gagged (yet) and the Craigs could comfort them. I wonder, will they hop around, and if they do, will the men stop them?
Hope that Sarah will understand Jay’s situation and act accordingly. I wonder, could Suzie and Susan, assuming Jay Edwards take the Holdernesses as hostages, join Cassie and Jenny? Or would they be kept separate?

### Re: The Williamsons and The Widow

Post by KP Presents » Wed Apr 09, 2014 2:47 am

Mark stared at the stick for what seemed like an eternity, but was really only ten minutes before he stood up and went quickly up the stairs to his home office. Unlocking a filing cabinet, he took out a mobile phone and dialled a number, thinking hard as he did so.
“This is Jay Edwards,” he said in his Geordie accent, “I need some information from you. What do you know of a tall, well built man in our fraternity called Mister Smith – Mister John Smith?”
He listened on the phone for a few minutes, nodding as his contact told him what he knew. “Yeah – yeah I got that,” he finally said, “not a man you would business with either, by the sound of things.
“No, no it’s all right, but I appreciate the offer – I had heard of him in passing, and was curious. Thanks.”
Ending the call, Mark sat back and put his hands over his face. He had to come up with a plan that would enable him to look as if he was playing along, but give him time to get the upper hand and find out where they were being held hostage.
Eventually, he picked up a mobile phone and consulted a little black book before dialling
“This is Jay,” he said into the phone. “Rendezvous point 4, 6 tonight – and if your friend harms a hair on their heads, I’ll kill you.”
“How are they?”
The two men looked round as Mister Smith came into the room, and looked at the monitor screens. He could see the five of them seated on the mattresses, talking to each other.
“Wonder what they’re saying?”
“Doesn’t matter – I’m not interested, and they’re not going to tell anyone, are they? Have they asked for anything?”
“Water.”
“Well, let’s give them water.”
Yvonne looked up as the two men walked in, the tall one who had spoken to her in the house following them in.
“I hope your husband is being a good boy, Mrs Williamson,” he said as he looked at all five of them, “for all of your sakes.”
“Please, what’s this all about? You’re scaring the children – and me.”
“Oh I think you know, Mrs Williamson – but that’s not why we’re here. Get them ready.”
Yvonne gasped as she was pulled off the mattress and made to lie face down on the floor, one of the men pulling her ankles back so that her heels almost touched her bottom as the other used a length of rope to bind them tightly to her chest ropes. She watched as they did the same to the four children, Lisa yelping with pain while Charlie bit his bottom lip to stop himself saying something. Only Cassie and Jenny said nothing, as they faced each other in a circle on the floor.
“You wanted some water,” the tall man said, “give them some water.”
They watched as the two guards left the room, returning with a dog bowl in each hand. They placed one of the bowls in front of each of the children, before one was placed in front of Yvonne.
“What the hell is this about,” Yvonne said as she looked at the tall man, “You expect us to lap the water like dogs.”
“Why not – you’re all that is to me and my associates. A family of dogs that serve only one purpose – to get your husband to do what we want.”
“And what happens after that?”
The man looked at her and the children, before he said “What do you think?” He turned and left the room with the other two, Yvonne staring at the door in shock as she heard the lock turn.
“No,” she finally whispered, “oh sweet Jesus no….”
“Mum? Mum, what’s wrong,” Lisa said as Yvonne started to cry and shake, saying “no” repeatedly under her breath.
“Mrs Williamson.”
Yvonne looked over at Jenny, her eyes red as tears started to flow.
“Mrs Williamson,” Jenny said calmly, “I know this is a frightening thing, but Cassie and I have been through something like this before several times, and we have survived. Trust me, we will get through this.”
“How can you say that, Jenny dear,” Yvonne sobbed, “You heard what he said.”
“Yes I did,” Jenny said quietly, “and I think I need to tell you a secret. This time, they have picked completely the wrong family to try and do this to.”
“Mum, what is going on,” Charlie said as she tried to move his legs.
“All of you,” Jenny said as she looked at Cassie, “the first thing is not to show them we’re afraid, that is exactly what they want. Drink the water, no matter how much you don’t want to do it this way – I’m going to tell you a very big secret. One not even Cassie really knows…”
She was walking up the driveway to Wissenden Hall, the darkening sky illuminated by the lights shining through the curtains. As she opened the door, she could hear muffled cries coming from the main room to the left, so she went in to see what was happening.
She could see Suzanne and Susan Holderness, and a woman she recognised as their housekeeper, Mrs Boyle, sat in a row on the couch. All three were ready for bed – Suzie in her pink pyjamas, Susan in a light blue nightdress, and Mrs Boyle in a pair of white silk pyjamas. All three were bound, bands of rope holidng their arms tightly to their sides, as well as their ankles and legs below the knees. Bands of white tape went around their heads, covering their mouths, but it was obvious there was something else under them.
A masked man, dressed in blue overalls, was watching over them, a black balaclava allowing her to see only his eyes and lips. She placed her hand on his shoulder and pulled him round, but was surprised to see tears in his eyes, and a quiver a she spoke in a sing song accent.
“Please – help my family, I’m doing this for them.”
She could hear the sincerity, the concern, the fear in his voice, but then the scene changed, and she stood outside an old two storey building made of red brick. She pushed open the front door, to see three men walking towards her from a room on the other side. One was tall, well built and well dressed, and the other two were thugs, but they were laughing as they walked away.
She started to walk towards the door, afraid of what she might see, but inexorably drawn to it. Looking in, she saw three girls, a boy and an older woman, lying on mattresses. She thought she knew the woman, but she could also see her lifeless eyes, and the single bullet hole in the side of her skull.
They all had been shot, and as she turned the oldest girl towards her, she saw the lifeless eyes of Jenny Craig looking straight at her…
“NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!”
Brian and Kayla turned as Sarah woke up, screaming and shaking as she looked at her watch.
“I know what’s going to happen – we have to stop it.”
“When,” Brian said as he looked at her.
“Tonight – now.”
“Then we have a problem,” Kayla said, “Anne can’t get here with Chloe for twenty four hours, and you are in no state to go back to active duty.”
“We don’t have a choice – we’ll just have to find a different way. What time is it?”
Brian looked at his watch. “Five in the afternoon – why?”
“Get me a phone, the first thing we need to do is call Alexander.”
Last edited by KP Presents on Wed Apr 09, 2014 5:11 am, edited 1 time in total.
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### Re: The Williamsons and The Widow

Post by Tom Ford » Wed Apr 09, 2014 5:09 am

That dream is horrible! And if Sarah is not there, then that is their fate. But she is there. And I know that they will survive perhaps unscathed. I could only hope that the true identity of Jay Edwards will remain a secret that only he and Yvonne knows. If Sarah figured it out, she might try to talk him out of his secret activities, or worse, turn him over to the police.
Yet Mark, I am sure, will have a plan to make sure that he is not suspected of being Jay Edwards, but of course, as per Sarah’s dream, he cannot be sure where his family is being held. I wonder, how could he ensure that his family is safe? Perhaps he could insinuate to Smith that if he would only transfer the money if his family safe, that if they are hurt, he could kiss away the one million pounds away? How about transferring Alexander’s money to another account, then tell Smith that he could easily transfer it to Smith. He could kill his son and wife and daughters, but if he does so, he won’t receive a single pence?
Or perhaps require their release before telling giving them the money.
But that of course requires him to have a poker face and persuade them that he is serious. But the crooks, I am sure, want to have the money more than they want the family dead. I mean, what use is the dead families if they don’t get the money?
In this case, Mr Smith could be persuaded to keep them safe in order to ensure the cash?

### Re: The Williamsons and The Widow

Post by William F Somebody » Wed Apr 09, 2014 10:00 am

Ah, it’s good that Sarah will understand Jay’s situation. Yet, like Tom, I hope that she won’t find out his exact identity. Even though common sense will tell us that she would find out, we know that far into the future, he keeps doing the Jay Edwards role long enough to pass the role to Charlie and to his wife. So I know that Sarah will save them without finding out the truth behind Mark and Jay.
Well, that’s it. John Smith and his men need to die. Not only are they disgusting, but that is to ensure and safeguard Mark’s hidden identity. My only request would that it would happen out of sight of any of the kids. Perhaps an “accident” could be arranged? A car crash, or a gunfight with the police?
Cassie and Jenny know that in the second encounter with the Pearl, they nearly died from gas explosion. They have been threatened with death before, so this is nothing new. I wonder if Yvonne will be afraid if Jenny tells her about Sarah’s ability? Because she would fear for her husband’s life or sanity because she would fear that Jay would fall to Sarah like other crooks before her? Great! Not only has Yvonne to worry about her own life and that of her children, but of her husband being caught by Sarah’s powers!
I would assume that the man he fired was the man who told Smith to observe Jay Edwards. And that they began to monitor Jay’s movements, and then they would notice that Mark Williamson would coincidentally appear when Jay disappeared and that from there, they observed Mark. Then they would follow him then noticed that he disappeared, then Jay appeared, and with them knowing what happened in The New Neighbors, figured it out.
I wonder how many of the crooks know that Mark is Jay? Hopefully, only Smith and the crook who pistol whipped Mark. Maybe they haven’t told the others fully what they know? Or not. Either way, they cannot be allowed to be captured by the police and divulge what they know. And they cannot get away free and trouble the Williamsons in the future with the information they know.
In short, they need to die before they can tell anyone else. That would only be the thing that could give Mark some peace of mind.

### Re: The Williamsons and The Widow

Post by The Wrapster » Thu Apr 10, 2014 7:07 am

Sarah cannot use her Widow powers, according to Kayla, and Chloe will be too late! This looks really grim. Brian's skills could help,
but these criminals are totally ruthless! Mark/Jay is going to do Smith's bidding, not knowing that it won't save his family or the girls.
Don't know how the good guys can win this one, but you can bet Cassie, Sr. and Jo will have a hand in the outcome. Hopefully, Mr. Smith
will die, along with his minion who is watching Jay. Even if this happens, this will be Jay's last crime. His schemes have put his family,
as well as innocents, in mortal danger, and he cannot allow that to happen again.

### Re: The Williamsons and The Widow

Post by The Wrapster » Thu Apr 10, 2014 7:14 am

Also, it's good to see Jenny's courage in the face of this terror.

### Re: The Williamsons and The Widow

Post by Tom Ford » Thu Apr 10, 2014 11:28 pm

In addition to what I said, how about this. Mr Williamson would deliver the cash bit by bit, say, 50,000 pounds first, then another 50,000, until the one million would get delivered. That way, Mr Smith would see that the cash is available, but he will hesitate to do away with the family until all the cash is delivered.
And how about Jay do something like this. Put it into another account, but when Mr Smith tries to access it, there would be a password or something. And Mark would only give all the money and the password once his family is safe? And that if anyone of them gets hurt, or he himself dies, the password would be lost forever and he can't retrieve it.
Basically, Mr Williamson should gently remind Mr Smith that he would give the money, but could easily withhold it from him if Mr Smith decides to renege on his terms.
In other words, he should make John Smith sweat!

### Re: The Williamsons and The Widow

Post by KP Presents » Fri Apr 11, 2014 3:36 am

Jenny looked at the four others, and took a deep breath. She knew this was sharing a great secret, but she also knew she had to keep them all calm.
“Cassie and I have a very good friend who you have met, Mrs Williamson – her name is Sarah.”
“Yes – I met her at the Manor house a few weeks ago. Mark told me that she had just given birth to twins.”
Jenny nodded, and then lapped some water from the bowl. “Do the same – we can’t let them see us not doing it, or there may be more trouble.”
“How much more trouble could we be in – they’re going to k…”
“No,” Cassie said quietly, “they’re not.”
“How can you be sure?”
“Because Sarah is a very special woman. Cassie, remember when we first met her at Aunt Jessie’s house?”
Cassie nodded and said “Yeah – that man with the scarf round his face came in, and she just looked at him. He went all pale and ran off.”
Jenny nodded and said “that’s right. You see, Mrs Williamson, Sarah has a very special talent that means if she wants, she can frighten someone so much they give up what they are doing. She used it that day to scare someone away who was threatening us – and she uses it to help people who are in very real and dangerous trouble.”
“I don’t understand,” Yvonne said as she looked at Charlie and Lisa, “what can one woman do?”
Jenny looked at Cassie, and then said quietly “she can save the lives of my mother, my aunts, my grandmother, and the Holderness women all at the same time.”
“WHAT?”
Jenny looked at Cassie, and said quietly “I’m sorry, Cass – I’ll explain everything later.”
Yvonne looked hard at Jenny for a few minutes. She had heard rumours on the grapevine of an incident at Holderness Manor a year or two ago. A gang she and Mark despised, called the Scorpions, had tried to rob Holderness Manor, before something happened and they were all caught.
One of their associates had heard a story that they had all been driven insane when a woman dressed in pink leather appeared from nowhere. She had never believed it, but was it possible…
“Mrs Williamson?”
Yvonne shook her head and said “sorry – are you saying that Sarah is some sort of secret agent?”
“I’m saying,” Jenny said, “that whoever this bunch are, they have picked the wrong family to mess with – and I am saying if we all stay calm, I do believe we will come through all this. Charlie, Lisa, trust me when I say this.
“Someone will come and rescue us.”
In the room, Mister Smith watched as they talked. Hearing his mobile phone, he took it out and said “Yeah?
“All right – keep me informed.” Ending the call, he said “Jay is going to do it, now we sit back and wait.”
Sarah leaned over and gently kissed the sleeping boy and girl on their foreheads.
“Mummy will be home real soon,” she said as she zipped up the pink fleece she was wearing, and walked out of the nursery, joining Brian and Kayla at the bottom of the stairs.
“Mrs Bridges, please – not a word to Lady Holderness. She has enough to worry about.”
The housekeeper nodded as they walked out and climbed into a car, heading off down the driveway.
The car park was emptying as the grey van drove in and stopped near the far corner. The driver looked round nervously as three men in overalls got out of their cars and walked over, then took a deep breath and climbed into the back as they came in.
“Evening Jay,” one of them said as he came in, “This a last minute decision?”
“An unexpected opportunity came up,” Jay Edwards said in his Geordie accent. “We will be moving in high society here, so on your best behaviour boys.”
“Mrs McPhee not joining us,” one of them said, as Jay looked hard at him.
“No – she’s a bit tied up with other things,” Jay said quietly. “Now, I know the place we’re going to, so as always, follow orders, and do what I tell you to do. Let’s go.”
An hour later, the grey van pulled up outside the front door of Wissenden Hall, Jay looking at the large front doors.
“All right, all three of you ready?”
The men nodded as they picked up their guns and bags, Jay stepping out and taking the lead as they walked up to the front door. Knocking hard, he took a deep breath and then smiled as the door was opened by Alexander Holderness.
“Yes, can I help…”
“Forgive the intrusion Mister Holderness,” Jay said as he walked in, the three men following, “but we have some business that we need to discuss. Where are your family?”
“My… My wife and daughter are in there,” he said as he pointed to the front room.
“Well then, we need to talk to them,” Jay said as they walked in with Alexander, who was wearing a v-necked sweater over a white t-shirt and jeans. Suzie was sitting on the couch, in a white smock top, blue leggings and white socks, while her mother was in the armchair, wearing a pair of jeans and a grey sweatshirt.
“OH my god,” Suzie said as she looked up, “you!”
“Hello again Suzie,” Jay said quietly, “Forgive the intrusion, but I am afraid I need to do some business with your father. Remember last time?”
Suzie nodded as she said “So you’re going to tie us up now?”
“With deep regret, yes,” Jay said as one of the men produced some rope and pulled Alexander’s hands behind his back. “Don’t worry – you know I won’t let you or your family come to any harm.”
He watched as the other two men used rope to secure Susan and Suzie’s upper bodies, ankles and legs with rope. “Shall we gag them as well Jay,” one of them said as he stood up.
“No – Suzie knows to be quiet,” Jay said as he took Alexander’s arm. “Show me to your office – you watch the ladies, and you two,” he said to the other masked men, “check to see if anyone else is home. If they are, bring them here.”
They nodded and headed up the stairs as Alexander said “This way” and he indicated the far side of the hallway. The two men walked over, and Jay opened the office door, Alexander going in before him.
As he closed the door, he heard a man with an Australian accent say “So this is Jay Edwards?” He turned to see Brian standing behind him, his finger to his lips as he said “We know what’s going on – and we want to help.”
Read stories of ordinary women in distress at http://www.kppresents.com

### Re: The Williamsons and The Widow

Post by Tom Ford » Fri Apr 11, 2014 6:08 am

So Brian Carter finally meets Jay Edwards? I wonder what his opinion is of Jay Edwards? I’m sure he dislikes him on principle. After all, Jay is a crook and a criminal. But he is not as bad as some of the crooks out there, and I am sure that Brian knows he can do business with Jay.
I am beginning to wrack my brain thinking of ways on how Jay Edwards can escape with his identity intact. Because Brian will know that he is doing this to save his family, per Sarah’s dream, but when they save Jenny and Cassie, they will save Yvonne, Charlie, and Lisa too, so it would be obvious that Mark is Jay. Then Brian will have no choice but to turn over Mark over to the police.
Still, Mark/ Jay have the ultimate trump card. The incident of The New Neighbors would be his alibi, and without talking to the men who kidnapped Yvonne, Brian and Sarah would have no way of knowing how it was possible.
However, there is a solution. Jay Edwards would deny that he is Mark Williamson, but that he is known in the criminal profession for his humanity, compassion for his victims, and as a result, they know that he cannot stand seeing innocent people die. He cannot, in good conscience, let the family of his former victim Mark Williamson die if he could help it. Perhaps he would apologize to Alexander for doing this, but he cannot do otherwise, or innocent people would die. He never would have to reveal that he is Mark. And Brian and the others would understand his all too human feelings, and would cast him in a nobler light, as someone who would save the family of his former victims.
Perhaps it could arranged that Jay could tell them that he contacted by Smith, shown Yvonne, Cassie, etc., and he told him that he should rob Alexander if he doesn’t want their blood in his hands? As for Mark, perhaps he still didn’t know about his family kidnapping yet? Maybe Mark does not need to know so that he won’t unduly worry?

### Re: The Williamsons and The Widow

Post by William F Somebody » Sun Apr 13, 2014 8:53 am

So Yvonne knows now about Sarah’s special powers. I’m guessing she’s thanking her lucky stars that Sarah wasn’t there when Jay Edwards targeted the Craigs both times.
Now this is an interesting development. Sarah’s dream has told Brian that Jay did it for his own family, which, because Yvonne, Charlie, and Lisa were there, would only mean that he is Mark. So obviously Brian would figure it out.
But I know that in the future, Charlie would become Jay, and his wife, Mrs McPhee. Which means that Mark continued to be Jay Edwards until he could pass the role onto his son. But if Mark is revealed as Jay, that means that either he goes to jail, or he has to stop being Jay Edwards—he can no longer continue his hobby. And it would damage his friendship with the Craigs, or even terminate his employment with Alexander.
No, the others need not know that he is Jay. But how to resolve the dilemma? Perhaps Tom’s idea that he could pretend that he is doing it out of his humanity and concern for the family of his former victim, and that he cannot stomach what would happen if he didn’t act? And that perhaps, in addition to what Tom proposed, that Smith threatened him that his family would be next and would be kidnapped like the Williamsons if he did not do as they said? That those crooks know his identity (but he won’t tell them) and his family would be in danger if he did not play their tune? That those crooks are very good and that he can’t protect his family once they are targeted?
That would make it easier to reconcile to Sarah’s dream. He is concerned that if he doesn’t do it, not only would the Williamsons be dead, they could strike at anytime to kidnap and even murder his family!
Would that work?

### Re: The Williamsons and The Widow

Post by Mister Mistoffelees » Sun Apr 13, 2014 1:43 pm

After the very comprehensive comments from Tom and William, there is little to add but that you have apparently boxed our victims in without any apparent way of saving them. I anticipate developments...
Welcome to Snowden! Enter at your own risk...

### Re: The Williamsons and The Widow

Post by skybird137 » Sun Apr 13, 2014 1:59 pm

> apparently boxed our victims in without any apparent way of saving them

That's why Project Pink Widow is so useful, this is their area of expertise.
Calling Fifty Shades of Grey a Bondage Story is like calling Titanic an Iceberg Movie...
http://skybird137.deviantart.com

### Re: The Williamsons and The Widow

Post by KP Presents » Mon Apr 14, 2014 5:08 am

Jay stared at the tall Australian, before looking at Alexander and saying “Who is this, Mister Holderness? Doesn’t he appreciate the situation you are in?”
“He does,” a female voice said, and Jay turned to see a dark haired woman sitting on the other side of the office, wearing a pink fleece and leggings, “but I don’t think you appreciate your situation, Mr Edwards.”
“Who the hell are you two,” Jay said in his soft accent as he looked at them, and started to draw his gun.
“Not a good idea,” Brian said as he put his hand on Jay’s shoulder, a feeling like an electric shock passing through Jay that made him drop the gun. Looking at Sarah, she saw him stare over his shoulder and say “Brian?”
“Nothing,” Brian said as she let go of Jay’s shoulder, and pulled his hands behind him, securing his wrists with a zip tie. “You, sit there and don’t move while I take care of your friends, and then we’ll talk.”
“But you don’t…”
“If I was you,” Sarah said as she untied Alexander’s arms, and then picked up the gun, “I’d do what he says.” Brian nodded as he left them, and slipped quietly into the hallway.
He stopped and listened, before heading quietly over to the front room, where Susan and Suzie were sitting watching the man standing in front of them. He silently walked up to him and pressed his fingers to the side of his neck, smiling as he slowly crumpled to the ground unconscious.
“All right,” Brian said to the two bound captives, “Alexander is safe – Sarah is with him and this Jay Edwards. Keep quiet while I take care of the other two.”
“All right – you three keep quiet while I take care of these two.”
“Just don’t hurt them,” Yvonne said as Charlie and Lisa were dragged away to a toilet. The five of them had eventually been untied and allowed to eat and drink, before Yvonne, then Jenny and Cassie, were taken to a toilet and allowed to take care of themselves.
Mister Smith was standing in the corner, his arms folded as he looked at them.
“Tell the truth,” Yvonne said as she stared back, “even if my husband does the things you ask him to do, are you going to let us go free?”
The tall man smiled – an evil smile, as he said “I think you already know the answer to that, don’t you Mrs Williamson?”
Yvonne blanched, as she said “But they’re just children – please…”
“If I was you,” he said as he straightened up and looked over, “I’d not let that fear show. Don’t want to scare the kiddies, do we?”
“You’re the one who needs to be scared,” Jenny said quietly, “you have no idea what you are doing, or what you have unleashed.”
“Really, little girl,” Mister Smith said as he grabbed Jenny’s shoulder, and looked into her eyes. “Then you can be first – turn round.” He forced Jenny to face the others and yanked her arms behind her back, arranging them in a box before he started to tie her wrists to her elbows.
“Remember – be brave,” Jenny said with a grunt as he pulled one rope tight, “we’ll be all right…”
“There’s nobody else here Jay,” one of the two masked men said as he came into the front room. Susan and Suzanne were both still sitting there, but there was no sign of the third guard.
“I’ll stay here,” he said to the other man, “you go and see if he’s in the other room with Jay.”
The masked intruder nodded as he walked across the hallway – only to collapse as Brian grabbed him and pinched the nerve endings in his neck, and lowered him gently to the floor.
“Hey – who the hell are you,” the third man said as he walked into the hallway, and aimed his gun at Brian. He watched as the tall Australian walked forward, a smile on his lips as he said “Now, from what I have read of Mr Edwards and his associates, you never use force unless you have to. Do yourself a very big favour – don’t try it in this case.”
The man stared at him, before lowering his gun. “Night night,” Brian said as he pinched his neck, and then carried both men down to the cellar.
Walking back up, he opened the office door and said “All right – the threat is neutralized. You can come out now.”
Alexander came out, his hand on Jay’s arm as Sarah followed them, and they walked into the front room.
“Thanks to both of you for playing along,” Sarah said as Alexander untied his wife and daughter. “Don’t worry – nothing else will happen to you tonight.”
“I’m really sorry, Mr Edwards,” Suzie said as she looked at him, “but I can’t let you hurt my daddy.”
“That’s all right, Suzie,” Jay said with a smile, “you did the right thing.”
“Alexander,” Brian said quietly, “I want you to take Susan and Suzie out for an hour or two – I’ll call you when we are done here.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure,” Brian said as he looked at Jay and Sarah. “We’ll be fine – on you go.”
“Let’s go, girls,” Alexander said as they left the room, and Sarah stood next to Jay.
“Do you want to tell me what’s going on here?” Sarah said with a raised eyebrow.
“Touch him.”
Sarah slowly walked forward and touched Jay’s arm, and then retreated slightly.
“Oh my god,” she said quietly, “I know you.”
“There are only two people in the whole work Sarah and I have had this feeling from touching,” Brian said as he removed the balaclava from Jay’s head, “and when I held you earlier tonight, I got the same feeling. So this is who Jay Edwards is.”
Mark looked at both of them, the panic clear in his eyes, as he said “You stupid idiots, I’m not Jay Edwards – this madman had forced me to…”
“Mark,” Sarah said quietly, “I know your family is being held hostage with the Craig girls. I know what is going to happen if you do not do exactly what he asks you to do. I also know what you have done in the past, to the Craigs and the Holderness family.”
“I told you, I’m not…”
“We’ll table this discussion for later – do you know where they are being held?”
Mark shook his head as Brian produced a penknife, and cut his wrists free.
“We three need to have a serious talk later – for now, you need our help, and we need yours. Put that mask back on, and then we’re going to have a little chat with your three friends.”
Mark looked at the couple, before saying “Why should I trust you?”
“Because right now, Mark or Jay or whoever, we are the only thing that can save your family. Will you trust us?”
“I don’t have a choice,” Mark said as he pulled the balaclava back on, and then spoke as Jay. “What do you want me to do?”
“The three men with you – which of them was assigned by the man holding your family?”
“I’ll show you,” he said as they walked down to the cellar. Three chairs were lined up, each of the masked men tied to the chairs with zip ties as they looked at the trio.
“Good evening Gentlemen,” Brian said with a smile, “As you can see, the plans for this evening have been altered somewhat. Your employer has agreed to help my wife and I with a little experiment. Relax, and simply answer the questions.
“Your watch,” Jay whispered to Sarah, “is it my imagination or is the face changing colour?”
Sarah looked at the watch, which was changing from green to a light yellow.
“Watch and ask the questions,” she whispered back as Brian put his hands on the shoulders of the first masked man.
“Did you rob the house of Mark Williamson and hold his family hostage?”
Brian pressed lightly with his fingers on the shoulders of the man as he said “No, you know I did not Jay.” He looked at Jay for a moment, before he moved over and placed his hands on the shoulders of the second man.
“Same question.”
“No I did not.”
Brian moved to the third man as Jay asked the same question, before he nodded to him.
“Do you know my real name?”
The masked man shook his head, and then his head slumped to the side as Brian gently pressed on his neck. Moving to the other end of the row, he nodded as Jay asked the same question, and then knocked him out.
“Now then,” Jay said as he stood in front of the man sat in the middle, “where are my family?”
“Go to hell EDwAAAAAAAAAAAAA!” The man screamed in pain as Brian pressed down on his nerves, sending an electric shock shooting through his nervous system as he pulled the balaclava off.
“Let me explain something,” Brian whispered into his ear, “I could not care less what your grievance is with this man, or what you hope to get out of this. My one concern is to see the children and the mother returned safely to the bosom of their family.”
“You mean hEEEEEEEEEEEE” the man said as Brian pressed again. “So I’m asking you nicely now – where are they?”
“Go to hell. That’s where they’re going.”
“Brian, step back.”
Jay looked at the dial of Sarah’s watch, which was now glowing yellow, as she stepped forward, and Brian came to stand behind Jay. The man looked at Sarah, his face paling as he said “Oh my god – what are you?”
“Me? I’m a mother who is very, very concerned about her children, and you, my dear friend, are threatening them. So I’m asking you very, very nicely – where are they?”
“No – no, I can’t tell you…” Jay was watching as the man started sweating, and tried to push himself back into the chair.
“Well, we have a problem,” Sarah said quietly, “because if you don’t tell me, I may get – hungry.”
“No – oh dear mother of heaven no,” he said as Jay saw a damp patch between his associate’s legs. “Don’t… Don’t eat me!”
“Then tell me where they are.”
“ALL RIGHT – There’s a warehouse, the old industrial estate on the far side of town. Benton’s Furniture.”
Brian looked at Sarah, who leaned forward and placed her hand on the man’s cheek, saying “thank you.”
“NO – no, oh dear god no, don’t, I’m begging you don’t….” He let out a silent scream and then his head slumped forward. Jay watched, horrified as the watch face slowly changed from yellow to green.
“Is he…”
Brian checked his pulse and slowly nodded. “Now, Jay, we need to talk about what we’re going to do next.”
“No – we need to talk about what your wife just did. Who the hell are you?”
“Have you heard of Project Pink Widow?”
Jay looked at both of them, before he whispered “Sweet Jesus…”
Read stories of ordinary women in distress at http://www.kppresents.com