Their Double Blessing

George was determined to get his girlfriend out of this hellhole right away. Rats carried all kinds of horrible diseases. Seeing them run around as if this building was their playground injected a level of fear he didn’t know was possible. Perhaps Patricia was hospitalized for other reasons. Like her body reacting to all the contaminants she inhaled while living in this modern day hostel from the Twilight zone. There had to be a way to convince her this was not a normal way to live. Or if it was that she should run and never look back.

Standing by Patricia’s door was a brown skinned man he didn’t recognize. The guy looked at ease hanging out in the hallway. Though by the threads he was wearing it didn’t look like someone who actually lived there. Could this be one of Mary’s friends coming to visit? Hopefully it wasn’t the terrible man that Mary was dating. But he doubted Patricia would have him hanging out by her apartment. Not with a criminal record and certainly not while she was pregnant and vulnerable. Living in this rat nest of a building was enough of a risk.

“Hello, I’m here to see Patricia Williams. George Kent is my name and this is Cynthia. We are expected so don’t worry. If you could call her or Mary to the door, it would be much appreciated,” George greeted the man, shaking his hand with a smile.

Cynthia meanwhile looked red-faced. She pushed him aside and pulled out her pepper spray. “I did my research and know who you are. Patricia wouldn’t have your con artist butt near her apartment. Where is she and if you make any sudden moves I’ll spray this until the bottle’s empty.”

The man, smoking a cigarette, grinned and held his hands up. “I’m not here to do no harm. In fact I’m delivering good news. Ronald’s my name and Patricia is in great hands if we can come to an agreement about a few things. First, white mama please take that mace away from my face. My girl’s with Patricia and she’s not as sweet as I am. If my face gets all messed up who knows what might happen to the pregnant Missy you two like so much.” His grin widened as George pulled Cynthia away from him.

“You’re the one Patricia warned me about. Where are Mary and my girlfriend? I swear if any harm comes to them you’ll never see the outside of a prison cell.” George stepped forward. “I might not be a thug but believe me that money talks well with the justice system. Hurt the ones I love and you will pay dearly, I promise that.” He wasn’t in the mood for games. There was no question the females weren’t here. This man was too suave and carefree to have hostages nearby. The question was, did either female meet some kind of deadly fate?

“I’m glad she told you about me, Mr. Kent. Because I know quite a bit about you. Including the fact that you have more than enough money to pay a ransom. Your wife and unborn child must be priceless.” Ronald blew smoke in his face. “And don’t worry about my fiance. She’s keeping your chocolate lover company. In fact, this kidnapping plot was her idea. I was just going to find a way to get Patricia to part with your money. But this is a lot more satisfying. A mall cop shouldn’t get to fall into money like yours without earning it.”

“Well, a criminal like you shouldn’t talk about earning anything. I need proof of life and I don’t believe that Mary did this.” George slammed his hand against the wall.

Ronald pulled out a burner phone and showed George a video. One with a smirking Mary waving around a gun with Patricia tied up in a chair nearby. Mary was boasting that she was going to be rich soon and that if George didn’t get them tell million dollars in twenty four hours or if he called the cops that her sister and unborn child would die.

“Tick tock white man,” Ronald smirked. He gave strict instructions on where to drop off the money. Warning that Mary was serious about offing Patricia if cops came. Then he walked away whistling and went down in the elevator.

“What are we going to do?” Cynthia looked at George in a panic. A bodyguard who was standing down the hall walked up to them.

“Patricia has been taken, there’s only one thing to do. I’m not trusting these monsters to hand her over since she knows who they are.” George used his cell to call the FBI.