The Swiss Escape

Phone Calls

Alex

I am trying to race home. My brain keeps going over and over about how close Johnathon was to Kamryn and Kayla. There is only one move I can make to guaranty their safety.

Taking a deep breath, I call my parents. When my mother answers, she sounds happy to hear from me. “Alexander, what a pleasant surprise. How is everyone? Will you-“

“Mother, I need help. Kamryn’s ex has found us in Zurich. He emailed me pictures of us in my bedroom. Her ex knows where we live and work.” I can’t hide the worry in my voice.

I hear my father in the background. They must have me on speaker. “What can we do to help?”

Taking a deep breath, “I need you to let Kamryn and Kayla stay with you. He doesn’t know where you live. It’s the only thing I can think of to keep Kamryn and Kayla safe. If he hurts them, I don’t know what I would do.”

My mother’s voice sounds worried, “They are welcome here. Will you be coming too?”

“No, I need to stay here, so her ex doesn’t get suspicious. If her ex thinks we left the country, he will go back into hiding until he finds us again. I need this to be over now. When he comes after me, the police will arrest him.”

There is sadness in my mother’s voice. “What if he hurts you? What if he kills you before the police get there? Who will protect Kamryn and Kayla then? This is a hazardous plan, Alexander. Please let’s find another way. Kamryn and Kayla are welcome here, but don’t use yourself as bait.”

I think this is the first time my mother has worried about me. Maybe they do feel guilt about how they treated me as a child. “I know it’s risky. But it’s the only plan I have. I am going to call Baldrick and ask for his help. He has extensive military training.”

My father is the next to speak, “Would you like me to come to help you too? I am older now, but I think I remember enough to hold my own.”

It makes me smile to hear how my parents want to help Kamryn and me. “No, please stay there in case they do figure out Kamryn and Kayla left.”

“Okay. When will Kamry and Kayla be arriving?”

“I haven’t looked at tickets yet. When I get home, I will tell Kamryn about the plan. She won’t be happy about it. When I purchase their tickets, I will let you know. Thank you for doing this for me.”

“You’re welcome, Alex. Your father and I hope that we can help you again. Maybe with something less serious, but we are here for anything that you need.”

I tell them thank you and get off the phone. Next, I need to call Baldrick and Mila. Maybe they will have a plan on what to do. Before I can call Baldrick, my phone begins to ring. Mila’s name comes up, “Hello, Mila, I am so glad you called.”

A man’s voice, I don’t recognize answers. “I am glad you are excited to hear from me. Did you like the gift I sent you this morning?”

My blood runs cold. This is either Johnathon or one of his travel companions. “Who are you, and what have you done to Mila and Baldrick?”

“Oh, how rude of me not to introduce myself. I’m Johnny Miller.” His voice sounds like someone that has nothing to lose. There is an undertone of insanity to him.

“What have you done to Mila and Baldrick?”

There is a casualness to his voice that gives me an uneasy feeling. “Oh, nothing that a few stitches and a hospital stay won’t fix.”

I feel myself becoming more and more on edge. “What do you want, Johnathon?”

“Don’t be so formal, Alex. Call me, Johnny.”

“Tell me what you want.”

“I just want to chat. You see, I lost two people that are very special to me. It seems we share an interest in the same woman. What a small world, right?” I don’t say anything. I want him just to tell me what he wants and let Mila and Baldrick go. “Anyway. You and my wife seem friendly. So, here is the deal. You bring her and my daughter back to me, and I will let your friends go. How does that sound?”

“Kamryn is not your wife anymore. Besides, you said she is bad in bed and can’t fulfill your needs. Why not move on with one of your other women?”

“Oh, what a good question, Alex. I will be more than happy to shed some light on this situation. You see, Kamryn is mine. She will always be mine. She is mine to use as I see fit.

As you know, she is an amazing mother. Kamryn can also cook and clean. But the biggest reason I am taking her back is she helps Khemtech look good. When Khemtech’s ethics get questioned, they provide evidence to prove how they only hire good employees. With Kamryn being my wife, all her nonprofit work helped the company get out of many situations. Khemtech donated money to Kamryn’s nonprofit many times when they were barely scraping to stay open. Who would shut down a company that helps children? That is the kind of woman I need. Kamryn’s clean record and charity work boost us on the social ladder. As far as saying she’s terrible a physical affection, I had to lie to her. I don’t want anyone to find out what kind of bedroom behavior my wife has. It would put her character into questions. Kamryn will be the mother of my children, and I can’t have her dabbling in wanton ways. It just wouldn’t be right for a mother to engage in such activities. However, you did give me an excellent show last night. Did you like the pictures?” I can hear the smile in his voice as he speaks. Something in me feels as though it will snap at any moment. All he must do is say one more thing about Kamryn or Kayla.

“You could find someone else. Why waste your time on someone you don’t love?”

“Alex, I never said anything about not loving Kam. I love her a lot. She’s the only woman I have ever met that could give me the lifestyle I want. Kam cooks, cleans, works for a nonprofit, and takes care of our child. It would be a mistake to throw that away. Kam just needs some time to realize how things are. You know how some women need to be on a short leash, or I guess it is a rope. She will snap back to the person she was; it may take a little convincing, but I am sure she’s smart enough to understand the consequences of her actions.”

I felt sick to my stomach. Johnathon plans on hurting Kamryn. “Another woman could give you those things. Kamryn doesn’t love you. Just let her go.”

“Alex, let me make something clear. I was an only child growing up, so I never learned to share. Kamryn is mine, and I will bring her home even if it’s in a body bag.” Johnathon speaks in a calm tone. It’s clear to me that he will do anything to take Kamryn away. “I let you play with my toy; now I want it back.”

“Would you take Kayla’s mother away from her? Kayla needs her mom.” My voice sounds desperate. I don’t like how it sounds.

I can hear the smile in his voice. “Do you know what I love most about Kamryn?” I don’t answer. After a minute, he continues. “She’s predictable and easy to manipulate. Maybe she gets along so well with young children because she’s as dumb as they are.” I make it back to the police station and hurry inside. The same officer from before brings me into a room with four other officers. One is on a laptop trying to trace the call.

“Then why do you want her? It’s clear you don’t care about her well-being, you don’t think she’s attractive, and you don’t think she’s intelligent. Why go through all this trouble just for one woman? It has to be more than manipulation.”

I can hear the annoyance in Johnathon’s voice, “What are you not understanding, Alex? Is this a language barrier or something? Kamryn and Kayla are mine; I want them back. The reason doesn’t matter.” I hear him take a deep breath. Two officers run out of the room; I think they found where he is. “If you want your friends back, you give my wife and daughter back to me. You and Kamryn played family long enough.”

One of the officers tells me to keep him distracted. “What would you want in exchange for Kamryn and Kayla? I can give you money. Just name your price.”

Johnathon lets out a laugh, “I don’t want money. You have nothing I want other than my wife and daughter.”

“Kamryn isn’t your wife anymore, and Kayla is better off without you!” I am losing my composure. Everything this man is saying infuriates me.

“I am Kayla’s father, not you! Her mother thought she could take my daughter from me! Kamryn knew what would happen if she left!” Johnathon takes a deep breath and starts speaking in a calmer voice, “Now I am here to get them back. If you’re smart, you will hand them over to me without any issues.” I can hear the sirens in the background. Johnathon, let’s out a curse before talking to me again. “I have to go, Alex; I’ll give you some time to think about things. If I need to, I will let you and Kamryn be together, just not alive.” He hangs up the phone.

“Where is he?” I ask the officers still in the room.

“He was at a nursery school.”

My body feels as if it’s shaking in anger. Someone comes into the room and motions for other officers to follow. I wait to hear news of Johnathon. An officer comes in and sits down across from me. “We were able to find people he took as hostages but were not able to catch and arrest him. Officers have already been sent to your home and will stand watch. When he shows up, we will arrest him.” I tell him thank you and leave. I’m sure Kamryn is worried. It’s an hour past when I told her to expect me home.