Kidnapped

By William Malic

High profile kidnappings and disappearances are always big news. Try seventy-eight young college woman from prestigious institutions around the country being kidnapped over a three day crime spree.
Sam Bittner engaged in investigative work for numerous high profile clients and came well recommended. Track the case as he and one of the victims unearth the facts, become enamored with each other and commit a kidnapping themselves. With the lives of the hostages at stake, over 200 million dollars in ransom and an surprise motive the story will keep you on the edge of your seat till the end.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Nov 29, 2013
• ISBN: 9781312024434

Book preview

Kidnapped

Kidnapped

Call to Duty

Private detectives and investigators find facts and analyze information about legal, financial, and personal matters. They offer many services, including verifying people's backgrounds, tracing missing persons, investigating computer crimes, and protecting celebrities.  Some college is good, however many jobs do not have formal education requirements; investigators learn on the job. Previous experience in investigative work can be beneficial and licenses in the state they operate in are generally required.

It takes just a quick glance, maybe three seconds, for someone to evaluate you when you meet them for the first time. In this short time, the other person forms an opinion about you, your business, associates, and most important of all your credibility.  These first impression can be nearly impossible to reverse or undo, making those first encounters extremely important, for they set the tone for all the relationships that follows

Security Services, LLC; a simple yet richly elegant bronze plaque identified the suite of offices.  Purposely not flashy, it gave an impression of professionalism, was to the point and hinted privacy.  The reception area was airy, uncluttered and decorated with original art; nothing too self-important that might indicate a sense of manufactured superiority.  The main attraction though was the receptionist.  Mary greeted guests with reserved enthusiasm; however the woman could have graced the cover of any fashion magazine.  If one allowed their imagination to ramble, her image would as easily qualified for the centerfold of any of the best publications generally sold from behind the counter at local convenient stores.  Of course she would never have considered such an assignment.  Mary dressed in moderately conservative, business friendly suits, yet even in workout sweats she would turn discerning eyes.

The newly arrived client was escorted into a conference room where one side wall was covered with bookshelves filled with the obligatory legal tomes.  Opposite this wall, tinted windows allowed a filtered yet magnificent panoramic view of the city.  Almost immediately, Sam Bittner entered the room from the other end and cordially greeted his guest. Sam directed the man; middle aged, well dressed with an alligator briefcase and shoes to match, to take a seat.  Sam chose a more intimate area in one corner of the room, near the windows, rather than at the heavily polished oak conference table dominating the chamber’s work space.  Both men, not trying to be too obvious, remained silent as they observed Mary’s departure approvingly.

Thank you for seeing me on such short notice, Rutherford Hampton was first to speak.  I suppose you have seen the papers.  He drew a folded newspaper from his brief case and placed it opened on a short table separating the two men.  Sam glanced at the obviously well-read daily with its glaring headline KIDNAPPED.  Sam nodded he was familiar with the story.  I am a man who believes in getting directly to the point of a visit, Hampton said.  We would like to employ your services in this matter.

Sam Bittner engaged in investigative work for numerous high profile clients and came well recommended.  The name, Rutherford Hampton, was not new to him; though he had never met the man, he knew his reputation.  One of the richest financiers in the country, Hampton was equally familiar in the cooperate world as with national politics.  Sam was intrigued, but confused as to how he might be of service.  "Exactly, Sir, how does this matter involve our firm?

Firm, shwirm, Hampton scoffed.  "This is personal and I expect you personally to handle the problem.  I cannot stress how sensitive this matter, as you call it, is to everyone involved.

I understand, Sam returned, I assure you we always keep everything in the strictest confidence.  The firm has many resources and all will be at my disposal, if I take the case.

I am not interested in your firm.  I am interested in you taking on this matter; only you, Hampton was stern.  This is too important, and again I stress, too sensitive to involve anyone but you.

Surely, Sir, Sam was little annoyed, If I can be of service, and I assure you I will not take the case unless I believe it can meet your needs, I will need my people to assist in the investigation.  Now, tell me, how are you related to this nasty business reported in the paper?

Hampton glared at Sam, first collecting his thoughts.  I understand, in most cases I am sure your associates are quite capable of secrecy.  However, this is only between the two of us, do I have your pledge?  Sam nodded in agreement.  Good, then I can rely on you to handle this completely solo?

Sir, the matter of confidentiality is a given.  Still I cannot commit to anything until I have the whole story before me.  Whatever is said between us will never leave this room.

Are we being taped? Hampton blindsided Sam.

That is not the way we operate, Sam huffed.  If I were recording our conversation you would have been informed prior to any communications.

Is that the way you always operate?  Hampton sat back in his chair and waited for Sam’s response.

Sam leaned forward and met Hampton’s eyes with his, We do not record conversations with new clients.  Sam smiled, witnesses, others, it’s at our discretion, overtly or covertly.  In this case the recorder is off, I reassure you.

Hampton gave a sneer then appeared satisfied.  You asked how I was involved in this, he pointed to the tabloid.  Are you married, Mr. Bittner?

No, Sam answered, "and please it’s Sam. 

Hampton nearly smiled, but quickly fell into a doleful frown, Any children?  Sam shook his head.  I am a father, Hampton began, two children, one a teenage boy, he grimaced slightly, that’s another problem that doesn’t concern you.  The other is my daughter, his eyes began to slightly water; she’s everything to me.  Bright girl, junior in college, everything a man could want in a daughter.  Hampton’s eyes could not hold back a small tear forming in the comer of one.   That is one of the reasons I am here.  Hampton struck the paper with his index figure pointing to the headline.

Sam bailed him out, She is a victim?  Hampton’s eyes were noticeably misty now.  I am sorry, but you said it was one of the reasons.

Hampton managed in a croaked voice, I have been elected to represent the families of all the victims, as well as my own.  We need your help to get these kids back; in one piece.

Kidnapped

In the privacy of his cloistered office, Sam gathered the numerous releases relating to the breaking news.  The local papers were using the story as their lead, as well as the national newspapers, and news media; CNN, Fox News, CNBC and international media were rapid.  Not only the story of the hour, it would it be in the headlines for days, maybe weeks.  Already it was the biggest story of the year and had potential of being one of the biggest stories ever.

High profile kidnappings and disappearances were always big news.  Charlie Lindbergh, Natalee Holloway, Patty Hearst, John Paul Getty III, Elizabeth Smart, Caylee Anthony, and many others kept the headline writers busy.  News crews from around the world descended on quiet neighborhoods, courthouses, and police stations whenever a story broke.  Local, state and federal agencies gathered in mass numbers, often fighting over turf.  Private investigators, even mediums and other unofficial locators added to the frenzy.  Then there were the families, overwhelmed and in grief; mothers, fathers, siblings and friends begging for the kidnappers to release the victims unharmed.

The latest case lay before Sam.  Clippings, photo-copies and news bytes cluttered his desk.  It was a rare occasion for an outsider to enter his private office; it was not designed for public view.  Unlike the communal side of the business, this was his sanctuary; where he could think.  Mary often kidded him about the room; the furnishings and even his outdated electronics.  She had more than once threatened to remodel the place but even his window to the outside world knew were not to tread.  This was Sam Bittner’s private den and no one, even a gorgeous receptionist with more sex appeal than a playboy bunny, dared rile the bear where he hibernated.

To be sure, few things surprised Sam Bittner; he had experience and more important he had grit.  Success afforded him many luxuries, and except for his own office he took advantage of his growing financial portfolio.  Sam enjoyed the finer things in life; expensive cars, gourmet meals, exotic vacations, and equally exotic and expensive woman.  Mary certainly was an extremely competent and efficient receptionist and by design she was likewise great window dressing.  Sam never denied he loved to surround himself with beautiful people, particularly females.  Mary was one of them.  She was also off limits; his associates and he refrained from personal fraternization with employees, though he could not deny he admired her; as any man would who had the slightest measure of testosterone flowing through his veins.  Sam and Mary enjoyed a strictly plutonic relationship, yet with obvious benefits at least for Sam’s voyeuristic side.

The private eye perused his notes.  The case was one he believed he would always remember.  Not only were the victims from highly influential families, alone monumental, it was the sheer numbers of victims.  Seventy-eight young college woman from prestigious institutions around the country had been kidnapped.  Seven-two families, there had been a few siblings among the victims, that read as a Who's Who in the annual of America’s richest families grieved at their loss.  The highest ranking political figures of the day and many celebrities outside the government had chimed in with their opinion concerning the single most dastardly escapade in modern times.  The Director of the F.B.I, Attorney General of the United States and every senior official of the various state and local authorities were personally involved in the inquiry.

In a series of bold invasions the girls had been snatched; some in broad daylight and all within a few days of each other.  The abductions had occurred during Spring Break, a recess period in early spring for universities and schools throughout the country.  Popular Spring Break destinations South Padre Island, Texas; Panama City Beach, Florida; Daytona, Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Lake Havasu City, Arizona, Miami Beach, Florida and Sanibel Island Florida were targeted.  The kidnappers grabbed the girls in groups ranging from three to a dozen in one case who had traveled to these destinations vacation.  After enduring months of cold weather, classes, and exams, most college students have only one thing on their minds: Spring Break; an experience with the wildest parties, the most beautiful beaches, and the most outrageous resorts, all in one package!  No one could have visualized it included kidnapping.

No direct evidence had yet been uncovered linking the abductions to a particular perpetrator or perpetrators.  Obvious from the facts though, there appeared to be a coordination perhaps involving numerous felons.  A common thread began to surface as Sam studied the known information.  All of the women had joined with their fellow victims in securing luxurious accommodations in condos and apartments located in upscale neighborhoods which prided themselves at being secluded and secure.  "So much for secure," Sam thought to himself.  Some of the locations had sophisticated security systems and were regularly patrolled by authorities, or they had security gates.  A whole lot of people had to be paid off for this to happen, again he was thinking.

Spring Break is known for kids running wild.  Parties abound and booze and drugs are readily accessible.  With their daddy’s credit cards and plenty of cash these girls had no limit to financial resources.  Apparently the kidnappers didn’t either.  Policing authorities clamp down on the worst offenders of civil sensibilities, but with the sheer number of incidents much goes unnoticed, and for the rich class it is sometimes purposefully overlooked.  A scream in the night would likely be attributed to someone just having a good time.  Vehicles of every type and from any state in the union would not be suspect.  Strangers were everywhere.  It was not surprising someone with the cojones to pull off such a felony could move freely about the areas and disappear before being suspect.  Still there had to be a connection.  Sam believed this was not a series of crimes, but a serial crime.

Nowhere in the press releases was any mention of ransom or other terms.  The women had literally disappeared without a trace.  The authorities are understandably reluctant to discuss such matters, and openly abhorrent to ransoms being paid.  The families however had the means and more than likely where ready to offer whatever the kidnappers demanded.  The good thing so far was that no bodies had been found.  The number of victims suggested the motive was money, not some perversion; at least everyone hoped that was the case.

Rutherford Hampton made it clear to Sam that the families were organized and a committee had been formed to deal with the incident.  He was elected their spokesman.  Sam would answer to Hampton or the committee; no one else.  They were cooperating with the police, and the lead investigators from the F.B.I were proceeding with the investigation in a deliberate manner.  Authorities have their protocol and legal responsibility.  Sam of course would be compensated for any cost, as well as gratefully rewarded for his efforts.  Money was not any real object.  If the girls were found and freed, Sam would have a lot more luxury toys to play with.  Given virtually cart-blanche, the families would use all their influence to protect him if he had to step across legal barriers.

As for the authorities, they were not only investigating the crimes, but they too had to deal with scores of very powerful individuals.  Politicians were breathing down their necks, to say nothing of the media.  Sam was to be the liaisons between the investigators and the families.  If he required access to their investigation it was to be granted or heads would role.  Any resistance from the detectives or agents would not be received well and if the agency thought it was being pressured now, they didn’t know what real pressure powerful men can exert.

Sam would be granted confidential privilege; he had information that was not been reported in any of the press releases.  The public was told that there had not been a ransom request or contact with the kidnappers.  That was not entirely correct.  There had not been a formal request for ransoms, but the committee, directed to Hampton, did receive a message from an unknown source indicating there would be some sort of communication outlining instructions and it would arrive soon.

This last bit of information solidified Sam’s theory that the abductions were connected.  The note had been delivered by a courier to Hampton’s private residence.  It stressed that the authorities should not be contacted and if they were all negotiations would cease and the girls would be lost.  Two things struck Sam immediately.  The word negotiation suggested the kidnapper or kidnappers were willing to deal.  That was a little unusual.  As for the girls would be lost, first it was plural so they may have all the girls under single control, and nothing was said about killing the hostages, or the harming them, just they would be lost; the word ‘lost’ was unusual.

The day after Hampton’s visit to Sam’s office Mary violated his standing order; she burst into Sam’s personal sanctuary.  She never just barged in, always knocking or announcing herself over the phone, then only pushing her head inside the door.  She was shaking.  Handing him her personal cell phone she couldn’t speak, waving her arms pointing to the cell, she mouthed it’s for you.  Sam took the iphone and hit speaker.  This is Sam he calmly announced.

No speaker phone! shouted a voice.  Sam took the cell off speaker.  That pretty lady still there?

No, Sam lied.

Let’s get something straight right now, the voice was angry.  You act straight with us, and we will be straight with you.  I hear her breathing.  I don’t care if she is there, but lying will insure there are a bunch of funerals you will have to attend.

Sam realized his hand was shaking.  Who is this, he hoped his voice was still calm.

Someone that can make your day, the voice was also cooler, or I can give you nightmares for a lifetime.  Listen carefully.  You will receive instructions shortly.  Follow them!"

Wait! Sam yelled into the phone.  Verification! I need verification that you have the girls, all of them."

You will receive instructions shortly.  Follow them!  The phone went dead.

Mary took her phone back, handling it as if it was covered with the plaque.  I’ll get the phone records.

Okay, Sam was also shaking.  But I bet it was a throw away still see what you can find out

First Report

Sam Bittner’s first report to the committee was merely a formality.  The bulk of the information was already known by the committee members and all that his report accomplished was to organize facts and suggest areas to be prioritized in the investigation.  During Sam’s first meeting with the lead investigator he was cordial, yet there was a definite coolness in his demeanor.  The only information he gave him was what had already been in press releases, and a few teasers concerning interviews and forensic evidence.  Hundreds of interviews had been conducted and each crime scene thoroughly searched.  The truth of the matter was there weren’t any plausible leads to follow.  Investigators were stymied from the beginning.  The other problem was that the authorities did not trust him.  They resented a private dick muscling in on their turf, wanted to exclude him from daily internal briefings and only offered to let him know if anything important came up.  Sam had expected this.

Rutherford Hampton assured him that this cold shoulder approach would not continue.  He had already made phone calls to the right people.  Sam should see a different approach immediately.  Only three days had passed since Sam and Hampton’s first meeting.  Yet, three days were an eternity to the committee.  The other two members were noticeable agitated.  Hampton however was relatively calm and business like, but Sam suspected there was definitely something on his mind.

We may have a breakthrough for you to pursue Hampton began after the initial presentation.  Damn, Feds are monitoring our personal phones, even business lines, which pissed me off, but I guess they have to do their jobs.  The Perps, I guess that’s the lingo, know a lot about us.  They know too much it seems.  You said you were first contacted through that foxy lady’s, the one you adorn your office with, personal cell phone.  My contact came via my driver’s personal cell phone.  Sam’s ears’ perked up.  On the way to the office, this bastard calls with a message.  He said that we would soon be contacted individually with terms for my daughter’s release and the other women.  I was not at all amused by his attitude, as if we were talking about trading commodities.  I let him know in no uncertain terms that before we could proceed with any monetary exchange we would have to have verification that the girls were, Hampton swallowed hard, alive and would be released unharmed.  He cackled like an old hen saying you had said the same thing.

Sam interrupted, We don’t know if this is an imposter trying to cash in, or the real McCoy.  Still we have to take him seriously.  Did anyone else receive a call?

The other two men were called also, one through his housekeeper’s cell phone, the other his secretary’s like Sam.  The messages were similar, as were the responses from the men.  The caller did not definitely reject their request for verification but offered no positive solution.  Other family members of the abducted women had not been contacted directly as far as the committee members knew.

Sam’s cell phone rang.  Looking at the display Sam saw the caller I.D. had been blocked.  That was not unusual for his business and he rejected the call.  It rang again almost immediately.  Noticing the impatience on the three committee member’s faces he still answered it.  Quickly he motioned with his free hand, signaling that it was their elusive contact.  May I place you on speaker, Sam asked politely."  This time the caller said it would be okay.

Gentleman, the caller spoke methodically in clear English.  I must be brief, you understand.  I have considered you request for verification carefully.  I guess I should have anticipated it.  We are prepared to accept, but under our terms.  Sam Bittner, are you still there?  Sam said he was.  "Good, you are the one who will make the verification.  Tonight you will go to a place called the Pink Pony on Ludlow Street on the lower east side at exactly 8:00 P.M.  Walk through the restaurant and