Family Business

GPS

Thursday May 30th Broadway and canal Street Jersey City, 2.15am

"Lieutenant" calls out FBI Special Agent Melanie Shipley, a slender fifty two year old lady that could pass for being in her early forties, she strides towards them at pace in her black suit "Lexus have given the co-ordinates for the SUV".

Rosamund perks up but O'Kelly is more cautious "where is is for? he asks.

"Big Johns Breaker Yard, Palmer Township, we have informed our local office and getting a search warrant authorised".

O'Kelly nods approvingly "Good!, what about local Police?"

"Will she be there!" interrupts Rosamund with a tone of hopefulness.

"Doubtful!" states Shipley as she then turns to O'Kelly again. Rosamund's mood of positivity is quickly quenched. She is stressed, the ransom, it's enormous, the company won't pay out on ransom. Her family have a lot of cash tied up in investments and other property. It will take time to get it all, but Bitcoin, getting her hands on it worries her more.

"Our local office, is engaging them" replies Shipley to O'Kelly "what did you get on the call!" she asks

"A crazy ransom and a heavily disguised voice, we've sent out a trace request!"

Shipley takes a look around "Can you share it with me as soon as possible and I'll get my guys to analyse it too, do we need a warrant for that trace to be given?"

"we contacted the phone companies big cheese, he's given the orders to share whatever they have".

Shipley turns to Rosamund "we're going to do all we can to get Prudence, If you don't mind I'd like to have a quick word with Lieutenant O'Kelly".

Shipley assists Rosamund into the Police Crown Victoria, they walk a few meters away from the car "What do you think we're dealing with here Lieutenant" asks Shipley.

He sighs "I think amateur, to steal her SUV with GPS and leave her with her phone, it looks like an amateur outfit but I don't want to build my or the Sternwoods hopes up they will make some fuck ups".

Shipley nods in agreement "I think so too, the security guard, just doesn't sit right with me".

"Nor me either" replies O'Kelly "As soon as we check out his former employers in the morning, we're going to interview him. I'll be in touch, anything on the Phone GPS?"

"It's harder being a big multinat-" O'Kelly interrupts with a moan "We really need that GPS!"

"It's coming, it's coming soon, they are working with us" states Shipley confidently "They always work with us."

"Good" states O'Kelly "We've been unable to locate her relatives, the longer that goes on the more likely it's them".

Shipley nods in agreement "We've sent out a request to all accommodation providers for information.

Thursday May 30th Lake Mohawk, Sparta, New Jersey, 2.15am

Prudence back ached from sitting on the hard wooden chair, her physique more suited to soft comfortable furniture. With a sigh she stands up one more time, the stale musty smell playing havoc on her airway and lungs, a permanent look of revulsion etched on her face. She feels the hard bed sofa one more time, it sinks in the middle. 'Who could have lived in these conditions' she wonders to herself. She dare not sleep on it, it will destroy her well pampered weak back and she may not be able to get out of it 'how embarrassing that would be' she thinks to herself 'Gretchen would love that!!'.

The narrow bedroom window sealed tightly with a cheap opaque plastic over it so no one can see in and she can't see out. She tries to free up the window handle but it won't budge. She curses her physical condition, there is no way she can make a run for it. 'Perhaps I could take Florence hostage?'. She discounts the plan straightaway, she is too slow moving and if Florence made a break for it in time she would never catch her, also if Florence fought back, Prudence has no stamina for a long fight. Even if she did hold her hostage, how would she take on three others as well as the fact that Henry is an ex-marine. She moans as she dismisses the plan. She will have to rely on her brains to get her through this.

Next she wonders about it being an inside job. 'Definitely not Tanya' She pays Tanya well and wants her to get the most out of her career, recently giving her more and more management opportunities and management courses. 'Holly maybe, no not Holly'. Holly has been a true friend to her, an ally in the office, everyone needs one of these. 'What about Peter Beard', she thinks about this for a moment 'No, no why would he let himself be tied up and held at gunpoint, that would be stupid, but but not impossible if for the right sum, he was living with his brother and sister-in-law, maybe he had money worries.
Next was Mike Mushford. Mike was their Head of Sales up to last year whom they fired only after 8 months in the role, he was lazy and liked alcohol too much. She thought about the neckties she was tied with an an encounter she had with him two months before he was fired. Her mind casts back to the Event

Friday March 2nd 2018 Sternwood Hospitality and Financial Services 8.45am
Prudence waddles out of her sisters office and shuts the door behind her. She gasps in horror at the shoddiness of Mike Mushfords attire as she sped down the office floors main walkway. Not only was he badly dressed but late. Her body burned with anger. "Mike" she calls just before he took a right midway through the office floor towards his office.

He looks up towards the Heavens "morning Prudence". "A word in my office please!". She waddles into her office with defiance followed shortly by Mike. "What's up" he asks.

"You forgot something!!.

I don't know what you mean?" he replies half baffled and half afraid. Her pursed lips conveying a strong emotion of annoyance.

"YOU DON'T KNOW!!" she barks "Where's your tie, storming into the office, half awake, half hungover and no tie!!, not the professionalism expected from anyone especially senior management"

"Sorry, I forgot it" he responds tamely like a bold child waiting for the outburst from an angry parent.

"Forgot it!!" she yells "You're a businessman, you wear one at least five days a week" raising her voice again "You're a senior manager and meant to be an example to everyone on the floor. My father says a businessman without a tie is like a referee without a whistle. Surely you have a spare one??"

Donald sighs "You're right it's a bad example, I'm sorry and you're right, I should have a spare one but never thought of that"

"Hah" she grunts grinding her teeth "My father also says a businessman should have a spare tie in close proximity. What if a high-net-worth client walks into the office, what do you do then?"

Her voice was beginning to give Donald a headache as he massaged his forehead with his left thumb and index finger "Your right Gloria, I apologise, I will buy two at lunch and keep one as a spare!"

"On no!!" she retorts "I have spare tie's in my office. I will get some now and select one"

Donald stands up "I'll come with you."

Shaking her head in disgust "You're not leaving this office without a tie!!"