Walter came in from the garage with an ear-splitting cry that filled the entire house. Logan’s cries were disturbing his wife Abby again, judging by the troubled expression on her face as she sat in the kitchen.
He says, “Oh, honey,” and gives her a quick backrub. “What is the duration of his tears like that?”
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“Walter, I’ve tried everything!” Abby burst into tears. “We’ve bathed, burped, fed, and changed him! I even measured his temperature! Now, I’m at a loss on what to do. He never stops crying!
The couple’s entire life altered a month ago when they became parents. Logan’s tears were what truly upset Walter, if there was anything.
Walter replied to Abby, “Come on, let’s figure this out together,” and led her to Logan’s room.
He walked up to Logan’s crib, beaming. However, he only noticed a message and a dictaphone in the cradle. Logan’s cries ended as Walter hit the dictaphone’s stop button.
“What actions did you take?” From behind, Abby called. Walter was not paying attention. His eyes closed as he grasped the note. He didn’t comprehend what had happened until Abby grabbed the note out of his hand and read it.
“I told you that you would regret treating me badly.
You can leave $200,000 in the luggage storage lockers by the port if you want to see your baby again.
You won’t see him again if you report him to the police.”
“Oh my God!” Abby gulped. What does that signify? Did I offend anyone with my behavior? Did you? Who would take Logan hostage?
Walter thought back to the maternity hospital janitor he had abused. When he fell over the janitor’s broom, he damaged the adorable bear-shaped pot he was bringing Abby while she was in the hospital.
Walter yelled at the man, calling him derogatory names, and the janitor remarked, “You’ll regret it!”
“Honey, we’re going to have to visit the police,” Walter interrupted his own reverie. “He has to be the one!”
How come? According to the note, Walter, if we report Logan to the police, we won’t see him again. All we need to do is pay the ransom!
“If we do that, we don’t know if he’ll give Logan back. Give it some thought, my dear. He is a janitor, this guy. Since we know where he works, they might be able to go straight to the maternity hospital, arrest him, and bring Logan home to us. There’s no way he’d know if we went to the police.
Abby concurred.
Outside the station, Walter parked their vehicle. Just as he and Abby were pulling out of the car, a message buzzed through Walter’s phone.
This serves as your final and initial warning. Your children are going into the bay if you step inside that police station. Transfer the funds to the address listed below.
As Abby read the message, she gasped, and Walter scanned the area in an attempt to find the abductor. However, the crowd was excessive. Logan’s only chance of survival at this point was to pay the ransom.
Walter made the quick decision to travel to the bank, but Abby’s health worsened. She had thrown up once and was on the verge of doing so again. Walter believed it would be best to drive her home.
That’s what’s best for you, honey, so don’t blame me for it, he added. And Abby made no objections.
“All right…But Walter, is that kidnapper even aware of the basics of taking care of a newborn? She cried as she asked and started to cry.
Walter took her home without saying anything. Dark thoughts may still enter his imagination, though. He would not stop picturing Logan begging for aid in a pitch-black chamber.
Walter managed to gather himself and drove to the bank. Next he went to the storage facility the abductor had indicated and put the money in it.
The janitor would have been someplace nearby, observing him, but there were too many people for him to see him. Walter went back to his car, took a short drive, and parked once more near the lockers. He didn’t take long to recognize the maternity hospital janitor.
The locker was opened by the janitor. Walter straightened his seat, but just then a group of tourists passed by, making the janitor invisible.
“Shift it!” Walter lost his temper.
As the tourists moved toward one of the statues, agonizing minutes passed. Walter cursed as the final few members of the group passed by the lockers. The cleaning staff had vanished.
Walter looked around the crowd, almost daring to breathe. The man should not have been difficult to find because he was wearing the kind of gaudy clothing found in the more eccentric, hippie-themed boutiques.
There! Walter felt a surge of relief when he noticed the janitor making his way across the street. Walter had left the money bag in the locker, and he was holding it. Walter jumped out of his car and went after him.
Before leading him into a bus station, the man led him through a parking lot, several eateries, and various museums. They were moving toward an additional locker row.
The bag was put inside a locker by the janitor. Walter was prepared when he turned to face him. Using his forearm, he pushed the janitor against the lockers and kept him there.
“Where is my son right now?” Walter insisted. “I’ve fulfilled all your requests, you jerk; please give Logan back to me.”
The man added, “Look, I was offered $100 to pick up the package and then drop it off here.” “I’m not familiar with your son.”
“You dare not lie!”
“I’m not! I got paid by this guy to deliver the gift! One day, I ran into him in the parking lot after work, but I couldn’t see his face since he was standing with the light behind him. I am a mother of two children. Never would I harm a person’s child.”
Walter could tell the older man wasn’t lying by the look in the janitor’s eyes. After releasing the man, he unlocked the locker. It was empty, though. A hole had been cut in the rear by someone.
Walter rounded the back of the lockers on his jog. A thin steel plate was placed over the opening from the back and fastened loosely with two screws. There was no one nearby with a bag similar to the one he’d put the cash in.
Walter was unsure of how to inform Abby of the news. Their miracle child was Logan. It took them years of struggle before they became parents to him. He had now lost his one and only opportunity to get Logan back.
Walter went into his house. He looked through every room below, but he couldn’t find Abby. When he went upstairs to look in their bedroom, he discovered Abby’s belongings were missing.
Walter initially thought she might have been abducted. He gave her a call. Numerous times. However, she never replied. Then it occurred to him that not everything Abby had with her would have been taken by the kidnapper. There was no hand lotion on her.
Let’s just say that Walter was devastated. Abby could not have done this to them. It makes sense why she was so anxious to get home after being ill. She’d also demanded that they cover the ransom. Logan’s kidnapper was Abby. Did she have a partner?
Walter’s heart was only slightly eased by the fact that the ransom money was counterfeit. He was going to find a way to reclaim his son.
After driving to the maternity hospital where Logan was born, Walter discovered the man he was seeking for—a doctor—near the vending machine.
Walter walked over to say hello. “Hopefully you can assist me. I need to call my wife, please.
The doctor shot back, “I’m not a phone service.”
You’re not understanding. Doctor, I will gladly pay you handsomely for both your help and your silence.
The doctor narrowed his eyes and scrutinized Walter. With a sly smile, he told Walter about his predicament and what he wanted the doctor to tell Abby.
Then Walter took out his wallet and showed the doctor the dollar dollars that were hidden within. The man gave a nod. Alright, the transaction is done. Accompany me, please!
Walter went to the second-floor nurse’s station after the doctor. Based on the activity in the hallways, it appeared that every nurse was checking in on their patients. As the doctor picked up the phone and dialed Abby’s number, nobody paid much attention.
This is Dr. Jones from the maternity hospital. Good morning, Mrs. Taylor. I’m calling to let you know that during one of your son’s routine postpartum exams, we recently found something quite serious. He must be seen right away for treatment.
From across the nurse’s station, Walter heard Abby’s heartbreaking cry, but he was unable to understand her exact words.
I apologize, but I am unable to go into detail over the phone. For now, all I can say is that he suffers from an uncommon genetic disease. Although he seems fine right now, anything can happen at any time. He has an increased chance of dying from SIDS and a number of other serious illnesses. Mrs. Taylor, you really should bring him in today.
A few minutes later, Dr. Jones hung up and gave Walter the thumbs up.
“She’s going to bring the infant in right now.” Dr. Jones wriggled his fingers and extended out his hand. “I carried out my share. It’s time for you to reimburse me now.
Once the doctor was paid, Walter returned downstairs. After a few minutes of aimless strolling, his phone began to ring. His mouth twisted in distaste as he looked at the caller ID.
Walter remarked, “You have some nerve to call me after what you did, Abby.” “Where is Logan at the moment? I command you to retrieve him.
“This is said by the man who doesn’t even think highly enough of him to pay the ransom!” Abby let out a cry. You narrow-minded bastard, that money was all counterfeit. Logan has to visit a doctor immediately, but you prevent me from taking him. Walter, where’s the actual money at?
“In my account, where it has always been. Is Logan having a problem, or is this just another scam to take my money?
Abby started crying and cursed at him. “He’s unwell, as I told you! For him to get treated, you must provide me the necessary funds. Without it, he will perish.
“My boy cannot perish! Walter said, “I’ll pay,” and hung up.
Hearing Abby admit that she was responsible for Logan’s kidnapping crushed his heart once more. It required many minutes for him to compose himself sufficiently to promptly send her a payment using his money transfer application. He just needed to wait now.
When Walter’s younger brother James and Abby arrived at the hospital, Walter started to cry. Logan was held against James’s chest while Abby conversed with the receptionist.
Abby and James were surrounded by police officers and FBI agents, and it felt like everything was happening slowly. Walter had already notified the police.
“You are being detained for kidnapping,” an FBI representative exclaimed. “Raise your hands and hand the child over, nice and slowly.”
“Leave us alone!” Shouting, Abby attempted to put herself between Logan and the FBI man. “It’s my son’s illness. He must visit a physician.
Walter yelled as he walked up to the group, “No, he isn’t.” “Logan is perfectly fine and has no issues at all.”
Abby fixed her focus on him. Walter saw her eyes change from ones filled with dread and doubt to ones brimming with rage. She charged forward, as if she wanted to hurt him. But she was tackled by the cops. James and she were taken into custody.
Feeling relieved to have his kid back, Walter gave him a hug. Abby wasn’t finished, though.
You believe you’ve triumphed? You don’t even own Logan! You recall that you were unable to conceive me? However, it’s obvious that you’re not related to someone with this problem. She screamed.
Walter stopped. He turned to face his brother, who was not even bothering to glance up at him. Walter felt hurt by it. But with Logan at his side, it didn’t matter.
“If it’s necessary, I’ll adopt him,” he snapped back. He walked out with Logan, saying, “I will watch him grow up while you two rot behind bars!”
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