Their Double Blessing

Chapter 11

Patricia kept working at the cords tying her to a metal chair. They’d taken her to an abandoned meatpacking plant. The place smelled old and disgusting with rats the size of small cars scurrying about in the open. Mary paced a lot since she feared vermin with a passion. Ronald insisted that no one would look for them here and it was a great hideout.

Ronald was the only one willing to feed her. Confessing he had to go back up to her floor to get George to give up the food. Awkward after telling the man he was a kidnapper. A woman had walked up and brought the meals forward. He assumed she was some kind of high brow assistant. Didn’t like her since she’d looked him up and had the nerve to threaten him. Patricia laughed hard at that part and almost got her meal taken away. Good thing she ate because any food left for other meals were eaten by Mary. Mocking her and only offering water. Pretending she was lying about being hungry whenever Ronald checked in.

“I can’t believe you’re being so petty. What are you hoping to do once this is over. Run off into the sunset?” It was ludicrous that they truly thought this was a crime that would end well. Kidnappings were hard to carry out and even more so to get away with. She had no doubt that George called the authorities. He was the type of person who still trusted the police. With his clout they would turn heaven and earth to find her. Catching those responsible would be icing on the cake. A win for the law in fighting against the criminal elements.

“I told you to be quiet. I’m in charge and you get to shut up and be the weaker sister for once. Always walking around with your nose in the air. Acting as if no man was good enough but jumping for a white billionaire first chance. You are just a gold digger,” Mary threw at her. “At least I’m willing to admit I’m not perfect. The sight of you makes me want to vomit. No wonder no black man wanted your self-absorbed butt. The adoption agencies saw through your crap though. Refusing to give a reject like you a baby to raise and turn into an idiot.”

Patricia blinked back tears listening to that horrible rant. Those words were hurtful. Her own sister was pretending she only dated George for his money and throwing the adoption failures in her face. Ronald could never force anyone to act like that. Mary had made the choice to go over the dark side out of jealousy and greed. There was no saving this one. She had to focus on getting out of there before the money came. Mary was too erratic to be trusted after the ransom was paid. Patricia wanted to leave here alive with her baby.

“What could I have done to make you so filled with hate? I was there for you many times. I’m your sister for heaven’s sake. Ronald is using you to get a big payday. He’ll take you out the second the opportunity presents itself.” Patricia tried to get through to Mary one final time. Even when it was hopeless she needed to let Mary know there was still a chance at redemption. They grew up together as a family. If any of that bond was genuine there was a chance that maybe her sister would face reality and end this farce before it all went downhill.

Instead, Mary started laughing her head off, pulling out the gun and holding it near Patricia’s chest. “Do I look like I care about your lies? We were never really sisters. You were the one who was better than everyone else and I existed in your shadow. Mom and dad gave me pity but they loved you. Always making you work harder because they believed in you. Not me, I had to get special treatment as the little one. Punished less because I was somehow dumber than you. The worst part was you never understood that and resented them for it.”

Mary went on to talk about different times she felt slighted by Patricia. Whether directly or inadvertently. She blamed the bound woman for everything that went wrong with her life. Even losing Ronald because back then she had doubts thanks to Patricia’s concerns. That she thought moving in with her sister should have been an adventure and instead it was like living with a nasty drill sergeant. Always ordered to do things she was getting to eventually, treated as if she was too dumb to follow basic instructions. It was hell and she hated every second.

Then the same gun toting sister ranted about having to work stupid jobs. That Patricia just had to hold down the fort until Mary was back on her feet. Stiffing the landlord would have worked if she’d been allowed to seduce him. But mall cop girl had to be noble and stick to paying all the bills. Dragging her into that mess and criticizing her for it. She was better than anyone at those stupid workplaces. Doing that kept her from finding a man willing to take care of everything. In her mind Ronald returning with cash was proof she was right.

Patricia was certain that Mary had gone over the deep end. This woman wanted to blame her for everything under the sun. Even when she was nowhere in sight. She didn’t make Ronald a conman and a liar. He was a career criminal and monster. Their parents were abusive and wanted to take advantage of them. She cut ties to preserve her sanity. They never acted out of love and the fact that Mary thought that happened was frightening. As usual her little sister had opted to blame everyone else for mistakes she made.

Her mind drifted to George. He had to be beside himself with worry. To find out that she was pregnant and now kidnapped. She knew he would blame himself for being wealthy. That a pair of vagabonds made off with the love of his life for a ransom. Every part of her wanted to scream it wasn’t his fault. But when Ronald made the video, Mary had threatened to punch her in the stomach if she said a word. They’d made the recording from inside the plant. A move she didn’t understand; why not in the van to keep the location secret? They dropped the ball.

She was determined to get back to the love of her life and not lose this pregnancy. After all that had transpired, George wasn’t going to lose her. She refused to let everything end in this dank factory with a pair of psychos. Mary made her choice and she was not going to put anymore effort into negotiating with someone willing to do such terrible things. It was beyond time to find a way out and get help. As long as it was only one of them to fight, she had a shot. Ronald had a military background so her sister was the best opponent to fight.

“And since you’re so curious, know this: After we get the money I’m personally killing you and that freaky spawn in your belly. Neither of you are leaving here alive.” Mary confirmed her worst fears. The sister she no longer knew laughed and hit her in the side of the head.

“How are my lovely ladies?” Ronald walked in with more food. He looked more jovial than usual. “No, I’m feeding her this time. She looks pale, I don’t want her fainting before we’re ready to get out of here. Baby killers get the death penalty, we’re getting away clean.”

“Whatever you say baby,” Mary kissed his cheek but gave Patricia a nasty side glare. There was no questioning the truth, her own sister was planning to commit murder, against Ronald’s wishes. To see this con man as the lesser monster was quite a shock. If things got any more out of whack she might end up needing to be put in a mental institution.

Patricia could feel the cords were loosening, a good sign. All she needed was an opportunity alone with Mary to make her escape. While both were present she had to play the part of unwilling prisoner. Pretending to be nice would only raise suspicion. “So you enjoy feeding women tied up? Anything I need to know?” she mocked Ronald.