Chapter 130: Chapter 130

Jason got home and his sister and husband were surprised to see him slump into a chair with despair written all over him. His niece and nephew had already been tucked into bed.

Chris who knew where Jason had gone was sure something had gone wrong. He had expected him back sometime ago but thought that he must have taken Nancy somewhere after her date with that young man and that they had settled their differences and had decided to spend sometime together but seeing Jason in this mood, made him have a rethink.

'What happened, Jason?' he asked.

'What you predicted has finally happened. I have to pack a bag. I need to catch a flight early tomorrow morning'.

'What ate you talking about? The business trip cannot be postponed for now?' his sister asked, thinking that the trip must be a business one.

Only Chris looked at Jason and knew that this had to do with a woman and what other woman but the one who had stolen the heart of his brother in law.

He did not blame him though. If he had not loved his wife and children, he would have been attracted to Nancy. She was a very lovable lady and her manners were impeccable. She was also very beautiful and attractive though she did not flaunt it most probably because she was not even aware of her charm. As it was, he liked her very much and would like Jason to get married to no one else but her but of course that was for Jason to decide.

'Fod anything happen on the date? What was it I predicted that has finally come true?'

'Nancy has been abducted!' he said in anguish.

'Abducted?' husband and wife asked in unison. Their expression incredulous.

'By who?' Chris asked though he he felt he already knew.

'Who would want to kidnap her?' his wife asked.

Mrs. Potts dropped something in the kitchen in shock because she had heard the what had happened.

'Who else but Richmond?' Jason asked.

'Are you sure of it?'

'Can you tell me who else has the motive to abduct her? I am aware that I do not have any proof but I am sure of it'.

'Calm down and tell us exactly what happened', Chris asked reasonably.

'The date was going as should and I was getting impatient that those on the date should bring it to an end when they suddenly did to my relief be ause I had been planning on going there and asking them to end it for the day.

They had gone out into the parking lot when Alfred, that is the guy who took Nancy out on a date was roughly pushed as he opened the door for Nancy to get in.

The masked guy who pushed him, then grabbed Nancy into a waiting car and zoomed off.

I quickly went after him but lost him because he went into a path and switched cars, abandoning the previous one he was driving. I didn't see the switch do, I didn't know which car to chase and it was getting dark.

I still tried though thinking that my instinct would direct me to the car but it was just an exercise in futility'.

'And all these while, where was the Alfred guy?' Chris asked.

'Now, I do not understand what is happening or what you are saying. Are you saying that Nancy went out on a date with you or with someone else? You both are not making much sense'.Sally said looking really confused.

Both men ignored her

'Alfred was with me all the while. He recovered and drove his car after me but we got to a dead end'.

'Are you sure this young man, Alfred is not part of the conspiracy to kidnap Nancy? I know I had earlier advised that Richmond could be up to something as low as this but why was it in the day this guy took Nancy on a date that he decided to attack? They might be working together. And you said he pushed her roughly. That could also be part of the plan so that it would seem that he was powerless to stop the abduction'.

'You are right Chris', Jason said considering what he had said.

'Of course I am right!' he agreed smugly.

'But I was there and I saw how the date went and how the abduction' took place. It couldn't have been staged. If I had not been there, I would have thought exactly that sane thing but I was and I blame myself for not being vigilant. I had gone with them to be a protector but I failed miserable in the task because I could not bear to see Nancy having a great time with someone else other than me'.

'And you want to take a flight to London first thing tomorrow morning. Will that solve anything? They could not have gone far and how sure are you that they would leave for London tomorrow?

First is to find out who owns the abandoned car and if it is from a rental agency, who hired it.

Then check the flights going out of Lake District to know if their names would be part of it.

I do not think that they have had the chance to create fake passports and convincing disguises. If they are going as their real selves, then we might catch them boarding. And if they would be going in any disguise, then they would need the time to make fake passports for each other.

So if you travel abroad now, you could just miss them'.

'But if I do not go, how would I know if Rodney left Lindon for Lake District or not?'

Then, the task should be divided. The young man Alfred could go ahead and pose as someone with an important business proposition for Rodney and who needs to see him urgently. His secretary or anyone might ask him to come back or whatever if he was out of town, he would get to know. That way you would have ascertained his whereabouts.

And, you will also monitor the movement here. If after all these you do not get them, then we might think of something else like confronting him directly'.

Jason told him the plan Alfred had come up with and Chris agreed that it was a good one but that would come after they had tried out his suggestion first and failed.

There was no time to waste. Jason quickly called Alfred and intimated him on the new plan. He gave him directions to Richmond's office in London.

Alfred booked his flight with his phone and got ready to leave at first light.

Jason could not sleep that night. Images of Nancy kept floating through his eyes.

He kept imagining Richmond taking advantage of her vulnerable state.

He felt his temperature riding in anger and wanted to hit his head on the wall but it was no use, how could he hit the head of someone who was absent on the wall.

'Calm down and reason logically. Think like the villain, if you were in his shoes, what would you do?' he tried to talk to himself but he was just too highly strung and could not think further than what Nancy mist be passing through.

He did not think for one instant that Richmond was interested in his child, he felt he was just after Nancy for some selfish motive of his.

He eventually fell into a troubled sleep from exhaustion. The drive through town had taken its toll on him.