Third Time's A Charm (Read 6,950 times)

[blueyed358]

chapter 96


Jennifer was frantic , " How is this possible? How could someone get him out of the hotel without being seen? " Ben looked at Jennifer , he had wondered the same thing. After going through all the security tapes the one thing that stood out was the older woman pushing an older man in a wheel chair out to a waiting car. " We have an idea..but nothing concrete," Bo told her they were doing everything they could to find him. " Ben , do you think she will hurt Jack ? " Ben shook his head , " No..at least not for a while. They want to prove to Jack that they love him and that they are the only ones that can take care of him. I think Jack is smart enough to know how to handle himself. We will find him Jennifer , I promise you. " Jennifer began to cry , " You have to find him..you just have to." Ben looked to Bo and he nodded , " Jen , we want to ask you about the women at the paper. Is there anyone that you can think of that we should be looking more closely at? " Jennifer wiped her eyes , " No..I mean Lara was throwing herself at him but..well she was killed. You think that's why she was murdered? " They told her that that was in fact what they believed. They also told her that they noticed Jack's assistant Janice was sporting a band-aid in the same area JJ had said he bit the intruder. Ben told her there were two other women with band-aids around the same area . " I don't know the other women that well but Janice has never been anything but all business with Jack. He always says how invaluable she is." Ben gave it some thought then said, " Well I think we need to get a look at all three of those injuries ."


On the car ride back to the police station Ben got a call from Dean , " Hey ..Someone broke into Sara's place. I stopped by to get something and found the place ransacked. I haven't told her yet but I thought you should know. " Ben was deep in thought , " Ben you there?" He shook his head to clear his mind. "Ahh yeah..listen don't tell her , not yet..I want her to stay in China as long as possible. " Dean caught the tone in Ben's voice, " You think this has something to do with what's going on with Jack? " Ben frowned " I'm not sure , but you know how I feel about coincidences." Dean chuckled , " Yeah..I know..there is no such thing. " Ben hung up and hoped that he was wrong..maybe it was just that..a coincidence."

The woman saw how both Agent Todd and Bo Brady looked at her and her band-aid. She was sure that Jack's very intelligent little bot had told them he bit her. Very soon they would return to check it out. Luckily there were two other woman in the newsroom with similar injuries. Now she will have to experiment with make-up to see if she could either hide the bite mark or disguise it somehow. This was most unfortunate , she needed more time to work on Jack and set up their travel arrangements and new home. Of course this was her own fault . Trying to take the boy was impulsive and stupid. Of course HIS son would be smart and resourceful ..even at his young age , she should not have expected less. But she wanted Jack to have him. Not to worry , she thought if all had went as planned she would have his child . She would give him that and make their life complete. She smiled at the thought , but of course they would need time alone. They had to get to know one another..or rather he had to get know her because she knew all there was to know about Jack Deveraux. After a year or two..yes two years and then a baby. First she had to take care of this problem she had created..she wasn't worried , she was smart..smarter then that FBI agent and cop that was for sure. But Jack..that was another story altogether. She knew how he hated confined spaces and being held against his will. Perhaps when she told him she would not harm Jennifer for the sake of his children it would ease his mind. Still that reporter haunted her. She knew he still had feelings for her, she had heard him end things with Jennifer during that fight at the office and she was sure it was because of Sara Jamison. If there was one character trait of all the ones she loved about him it was that when he loved someone he could never just stop loving them like other men could. She had left him..hurt him and if he were to move on she had to die. Eventually she would take care of that..and Jennifer. She would not tell him but Jennifer had to die too and she would..in time , but for now she would use her life as leverage to keep Jack under control. She hated to do it but she had no choice. Now ..to hide those bite marks..


Jack knew it was a matter of time before the computer voice spoke to him again. She would be bringing him food and he would eat it this time , he had to keep up his strength if he was going to figure a way out of this. He had to placate her but not too much. No if he acted like he was OK with all this it would be too suspicious. He had to find the right balance . She had to know he was unhappy but ..curious . Yes that was it ! if she knew him well and Jack was sure she did..she would know his curiosity would be working overtime. She would be expecting him to try and get information from her...mind games as it were. He may get something useful and still make her feel as though she were in control and all was going as planned. Now he had to keep himself calm and work out how he would go about it. Jack paced the room. Was she watching him now , like some lab rat. His head was pounding. Jack knew she had drugged him again , but how? It had to be some sort of gas because he had not eaten or drank anything since he was there or at the hotel. What did she do when she knocked him out? He shook that thought from his head , it made him feel sick thinking about it. If he could find out where the gas was being pumped into the room perhaps he could use that in some way. It always helped him calm down to have a plan , now to figure out how he could search the room and when he was not under surveillance.

[MrsM]

Wonder who it is...

[fluffysmom]

very interesting chapter. I look forward to reading more.

[gapeach]

Loving it... can't wait for the big reveal as to who his NUMBER ONE FAN is.

[blueyed358]

Chapter 97


Jennifer paced Bo's office. " He has been gone two days now , we have to do something." Ben was waiting for Bo they were going back to the paper. They had gotten warrants to use if necessary to examine the wounds on the three women's hands. " I am going with you to the paper , with Jack missing it would be expected that I am there to keep the paper running. " Ben did not like it , but it made sense. " You go nowhere without your protection , that's means you don't leave the office, building, or anything else your mind can come up with..you got me? This is not just about protecting you , this is about Jack now. " Jennifer agreed , she would do something she rarely did...she would do as she was told...for Jack.


Jack thought he had a plan. If it worked he might get himself out of this place by day's end. He had an idea who was holding him and hopefully it will end today. Jack had everything in place for later this evening. His " admirer " should be back in a few hours..then the games would begin.


All eyes were on Jennifer as she and her police escorts entered the newsroom. She made a brief announcement stating she would be taking over until Jack returns. She entered Jack's office and Bo asked Janice to come in as well. Then Ben asked Alice , who worked in copy and the intern Nicole to come in as well. " Good morning ladies, we have called you all in here because each of you has an injury in an area..well let's just say we have reason to believe our suspect has as well. You voluntarily show us or we can give you the warrants we have already obtained..the decision is yours. " While they were being interviewed the police were searching all three of the women's desks. Janice made a face and ripped her bandage off , it exposed a burn that was just barely visible , just as she had said she had gotten. " Well ? Am i still a suspect ? " she asked. Jennifer had not thought it was Janice but relieved as she liked her. Bo called over to the officer who searched her desk and was told that there was nothing there. " Thank you , you may go back to work. " Nicole stepped forward , " I don't have a bandage anymore, it was just a scratch from my cat..see all gone. " Again..nothing was found in her desk. " After looking at her hand she was told she could go. Alice was a small woman rail thin with round glasses..the very picture of the word "mousy". She removed her bandage and there were several puncture marks on her hand in the webbing between the thumb and index fingers . " I have a puppy..he is teething. " Bo got a call from the officer searching her desk. " There are several pictures of Deveraux..candid shots..definitely taken without his knowledge. " Alice looked at them all. " Well I didn't take them ! " Ben pulled Bo aside, " She is way too small to be able to move Jack around in that wheel chair." Bo agreed but they were going to have a doctor take a look at her wounds for a conformation of her story. " You think someone planted those pictures don't you? " Jennifer asked. Ben said he did. He and Bo went down to check on her desk and see what they could find. Jennifer took a deep breath and tried to go on with the days business. She had went around talking with everyone and had tried to be inconspicuous as she checked out Janice and Nicole's hands. Jennifer made a small gasp..having seen something they had missed earlier. " Excuse me for a moment please..I forgot to do something important, I will be right back. The woman got up and went to the bathroom. She was repairing the the rubber skin on her hand when the other woman came in . She saw what the other was doing, " It's you..you are the one.." She turned and ran for the door but was caught from behind,. her head slammed into the wall. The door was locked and then she dragged her into a stall, locking the door from inside . She was then propped up on the toilet as the woman crawled from underneath and made her escape. "It looks like you and I are going to have to leave Salem sooner then expected Jack. " she said to herself as she slipped into the stairway.

Jennifer called Ben from Jack's office , " Ben ! I know who it is ..I know who has Jack ! "

[fluffysmom]

Great chapter Blueyed. I'm glad that Jennifer was able to solve the mystery hopefully Ben can find them before Jack disappears out of town.

[MrsM]

I wonder if it is who I think it is!

[gapeach]

Man we are so close to finding out who it is.... can't wait for the next chapter!!

[krw627]

Can't wait to read more...please post the next chapter...I'm dying to find out who it is that has Jack.

[blueyed358]

chapter 98

Jack ate his dinner and played chess with the computer generated voice like a good boy.

He was told that it had to be an early night because they had big plans tomorrow. " What

plans? What is going on? " The voice told him to be patient that all will e revealed in the

morning. " You know ...knocking me unconscious every night can't be too good for my

health. Perhaps you could forgo that this evening hmm? " The voice came back, " No..I am

Sorry but it cannot be helped. Perhaps someday soon it will not be necessary ." Jack

paced the room, " What else do you do while I sleep I wonder. " There was a pause..typing

he assumed. " Never mind about that. I will tell you that I do not do anything violating if

that is what you are concerned about, I only wish to take care of you...for now. The rest

will come in time I am sure." Jack could hear the gas noise , his eyes were closing..he tried

but he could not fight it. He laid down on the bed and was out. She entered the room and

cleaned up a bit. While she packed his clothes she talked to him. " We will have to move a

bit sooner then I had anticipated. Oh well..I guess you have to expect the unexpected.

Stupid rubber skin came off, too bad. I will keep my promise and not go after Jennifer. I

know how important it is to you to have your son grow up with his mother. As soon as

Jack Jr is older I will come back for her. However we do need to make a stop in New York.

Sara Jamison is back and I want to kill her ..no..I have to kill her." She stood in front of him

smiling. " You really are very handsome Jack. " She laid down next to him head on his

shoulders , " We have few moments before we leave." Jack jumped up and straddled her, his

head was swimming a little , as some of the gas still seeped in. " YOU !..I knew it !" She

gave him a sick smile, " Say it Jack...say my name..prove it to me." Jack blinked quickly then

swallowed, "Nicole. The damn intern..Nicole."


Jennifer paced as they had the building searched, " This is useless, she is gone. She knows

I saw her hand and then she attacked poor Janice, no she took off. " Ben agreed, " Well Bo

said she isn't at her apartment. They went in and found framed pictures of Jack all over.

They also found little items taken from the dead women's apartments. " Ben's cell rang, "

hey babe...No not yet , we know who she is but...NO! absolutely not..No Sara..listen to

me..she was there in your apartment , she wants you dead. I don't want you anywhere near

Salem. You could make things worse for him..I promise I will as soon as I know anything.

You be careful ..OK." He disconnected and saw Jennifer staring at him. " She went to kill

Sara? " Ben nodded, " Yeah but luckily she was in China at the time." Ben looked at the

computer, " If she doesn't have him at her place..where could she be. I will have them run a

list of any relatives she has in town or the closet surrounding towns and their properties.

Jennifer..could you research maybe some properties sold or rented recently..we have got to

find her safe house."

" Very good...you finally remembered. This is a very interesting position..I kind of like it"

Jack was disoriented , he shook his head to try and clear his mind. " Don't get any ideas,"

he said, " you aren't my type. I prefer my women sane." Nicole chuckled then pouted, "That

hurt my feelings Jack. Why don't you get off me and can discuss our travel plans hmm?"

Now Jack chuckled, " Fat chance." His breathing was becoming labored. " Honestly Jack,

you are not giving me any credit, I watch the video you know..I saw you by the vents. I had

a contingency plan..I drugged your food this time. Not as quick as the gas but effective

none the less. I just wanted some actual physical interaction. " She easily rolled Jack onto

his back and kissed him, " Sorry there isn't time for more..we have to get moving."

[fluffysmom]

Great chapter Blueyed. I'm glad to find out who kidnapped Jack. Hopefully Jennifer and the police can find him before she takes him out of town.

[gapeach]

Okay so my guess was wrong... actually jumped a little in my chair when I read who it was... of course all I saw was Nicole and I was thinking of Nicole Walker... I thought why in the world would SHE kidnap Jack. Great story can't wait to read more.

[fluffysmom]

I thought that for a second too Gapeach. I was wrong on my guess too.

[gapeach]

Jan 24, 2012 11:39:37 GMT -5 fluffysmom said:

I thought that for a second too Gapeach. I was wrong on my guess too.

Wonder if we guessed the same person??? I kinda knew my guess was wrong, as it was too obvious a person.

[blueyed358]

chapter 99

Jennifer called ever real ea state in the area and some from nearby towns as well. She had a handful of recently rented houses in secluded areas and Bo had mean checking them out. Ben had called DMV to see if Nicole had any other vehicles registered..she did not but there was an SUV registered to an uncle of hers. As it turns out he died a year ago...he lived in a farmhouse outside town. Ben and Bo looked at each other.." It couldn't be that easy...could it?" Bo asked Ben. " That would be surprising ...but I say lets check it out." Jennifer stood up to go with them. Both men stood and stared at her. " No way," Ben said followed by Bo, " Where do you think you are going? " Before she could answer Bo added, " You can just forget about it. She wants you dean Jen..You being there could make things worse for Jack. Hope will be here in a few minutes , you just stay her..we will call you as soon as we know anything." Jennifer's eyes filled with tears.." Alright..if you think it will help Jack..I will wait here." After they left Jennifer frowned at the door, " I will wait right here...for Hope...then we will see."


Jack was in the back seat covered with a blanket and his hands bound. She did not bind his mouth though..over confidence Jack thought. He was still under the influence of whatever drug she had given him. He was capable of formulating thoughts and decided he had to stop this car. He knew they were headed for New York and Jack could not allow that.

Jack pulled himself up and sat up. " Morning sunshine, I guess I didn't give you enough. Oh well now we can Talk for a while." Jack shook his head to try and clear it. " You are going to pull this car over right now." Nicole laughed , " I left a can back there for you if you have to..you know. Don't worry I wont peek." Jack had had enough of this. He lunged forward and put his hands over her head and pulled back on the rope, tightening it around her neck. She gasped, then smirked at him in the mirror. " You won't do it Jack. " Jack whispered into her ear, " You forget..I have killed before when pushed . " Nicole shook her head, " If you are referring to Harper, that was an accident. He fell out that window while you were struggling for the gun , even the police said so. As for Lawrence Alamain, that was self defense. The man was attacking you with what was it again...an ice pick I believe the papers said. Not to mention he had thrown you girlfriend off a bridge. No this is different, you would be killing an unarmed woman. You don't have what it takes Jack..sorry." Jack sighed, he could not kill her. He had to stop the car though somehow. He had not really noticed that they were on a mountain road, two laned. No room to pass a car in front as you would veer into oncoming traffic. That was his best bet, get her to veer into the opposite lane.. He pulled back on the rope , her hands went to her throat on reflex and Jack lunged forward and grabbed the wheel banging her head on the wheel. She fought him and grabbed the wheel each tugging on it. They crashed through the guard rail and plunged off the embankment rolling the car over and over.

Ben and Bo where climbing up the mountain road, " This has got to be it..every other lead was a bust." Ben said. Bo slammed on the brakes. " What the hell !" Ben said as his seat belt slammed him back into his seat. " There..you see that? The guard rail is broken. " They pulled over and and looked over the side. It was very steep and they saw the crumpled SUV , smoke coming out of the engine. " Bo..that look like a hunter green SUV to you? " Bo sighed, " Yeah..what's left of one..I can just make out the plate... 962-AML." Ben looked at his notes. " Damn it..that's it..that's the car. Call it in.."

Hope and Jennifer were in the car heading up the mountain. They heard Bo's radio call . Jennifer covered her mouth, " Oh Jack!..Please let him be alright! " Hope put her hand on Jennifer's arm. " Hang on Jen." and then she hit the gas and sped up to the accident sight.


Jack was going in and out of consciousness..his eyes were blurry, something, blood no doubt was running into his eyes. His wrists were bleeding but still bound and around Nicole who was moaning but not moving. They were pinned in the car, he thought he heard a voice..no..two male voices calling from a distance. " Ok Jack..you are losing it." He got his arms free of Nicole, but he he could not move.

Bo and Ben made their way down to the SUV. It was smoking badly. The peered in and the faces of the occupants were covered in blood. " Is it him? " Bo asked from the other side of the car, " Is it Jack? " Ben shook his head, then he saw that the man's hand were bound. " Yeah..Jack !..Jack! " Jack barely lifted his head, " Agent Todd, nice of you to join the party." and then he passed out.

Hope and Jennifer had been thoroughly scolded for showing up there but Jennifer could only watch as the rescue team worked to free Jack from the crumbled wreckage. Finally after two hours he was free as was Nicole. They were carried on stretchers up the hill and Jennifer ran for him. " Jack..is he going to be alright? " Jack was struggling to keep his eyes open, " Miss Horton..why aren't you at the paper? " then he was out again. Both ambulances drove off, Nicole's with Ben in it, Jack's with Jennifer. Bo and Hope followed behind them to the hospital.

Jack had a concussion and a dislocated shoulder. He needed stitches to close the gash in his head and he had lost a lot of blood. Nicole had more extensive injuries. " Ben..I can't thank you enough for bringing him back to me. " Jennifer said as she gazed down on Jack. He was sedated due to the intense pain in his shoulder. " Well I am just glad we found him alive," then under his breath, " I would never have heard the end of it if we didn't." Jennifer turned and looked at him, " What? I didn't hear you." Ben cleared his throat , " Oh nothing, just doing my job."

It was late at night, the nurse went into Nicole's room to get her vitals. After a few minutes she came out and passed the guard stationed in front of her door. She then went into Jack's room and leaned over him. " I am sorry Jack..I can't let you go back to her." Nicole took a syringe from the tray she had carried in and as she went to stick it in Jack's arm she was hit in the head with a tray. Jennifer stood over her as she tried to keep from passing out. Jennifer turned on the lights and yelled out the door, " Help..she is in here." Nicole charged her and wrapped her hands around Jennifer's neck.Nicole was on top of Jennifer chocking her, " You don't deserve him. You are a tramp..you go from man to man and you hurt Jack all the time. I am not going to let you do that to him again. I would sooner see him dead! But I would much rather kill you..poor Jack Jr..he will have grow up without a mother." Jennifer struggled under the weight of Nicole. She was starting to black out. She could hear Ben screaming at Nicole but that only made her hold tighter. When Jennifer went limp, Nicole was pulled off her, she pushed free of the uniformed officer and grabbed the syringe. " At least she wont hurt him again, Tell him I did this all for him ." She plunged the needle into her neck but Ben stopped her. " Oh hell no lady.. You are not getting off that easy....you are going to prison for the rest of your life."



Two weeks later.....

" Miss Horton.." Jack called out as he entered the house. " Did you see the paper..The Intern from Hell pleaded guilty. No trial..life in prison. Agent Todd called and said.." Jennifer was in the living room with Hope, Maggie and Abby. " Hello ladies..what is going on here?"
Jennifer walked over and kissed Jack , " We are planning our wedding." she said with a smile. " Our what? " he asked. " Our wedding Jack..our third and final wedding." A crease formed between Jack's eyes, " I don't recall any proposals" Jennifer smiled, " A minor technicality. " Jack raised an eyebrow, " A THIRD wedding?" Jennifer nodded, " Yes..you know what they say.." Jack smiled, " Uhh..three strikes and your out? " Jennifer shook her head and stood on her toes kissing him sweetly, " No Jack..Third Times A Charm." Abby told him to sit down and help, " Ahh ...no I promised Jack I would take him to the video game store today." Jack said goodbye and took his son out of the house. " You think what ever they are doing in there will be over by the time we get back..I want to play my new game. " Jack looked down at his son, " Lesson number one my boy..when it comes to your mother..nothing is ever over."