Rise of the Wasteland Chapter 24 - The Reason for Kidnapping

Chapter 24        The Reason for Kidnapping

“Could you please first tell me why you want to kidnap me? I really don’t understand why you guys are taking such huge risks to kidnap me. You even chased me up to this hospital in Manhattan. I don’t think a group of unsophisticated kidnappers will commit such a crazy crime.”

At that moment, Lena Fox was bound and gagged by the kidnappers. She was tied up in the security room of the hospital, surrounded by several mobsters. The demeanors of the kidnappers differed; some were excited, some were angry, some were horny, and some were fierce. The boss of the kidnappers and her ex-bodyguard Raj were the special ones among them.

The boss was immensely pleased as he kept shaking his head as answer to Lena Fox’s questions. He was a dumb, bearded man. He did not have a weapon like the other kidnappers, and he was attired in simple clothing.

On the other hand, Raj was applying an ice bag to his face as his hand and face continued to burn. His pain will not be relieved for at least a few more hours.

“I’ll introduce myself. My name is Locke, and I’m Raj’s brother. I came out of prison three months ago.” The boss of the kidnappers seemed to have some hyperactive disorder as he kept shaking his head and making a lot of weird poses.

Lena Fox looked at Raj as she asked, “I remember that you don’t have any brothers recorded in your personal information.”

Raj did not speak, but his brother, Locke, answered her happily, “We’re brothers from another father, but it’s not something to be proud of anyway. To be exact, our mother hooked up with different men at the same time, and thus gave birth to two kids with different destinies.”

“How is this related to me being kidnapped?” asked Lena Fox.

“We originally planned to create a car accident, so that I can easily kidnap you and my brother will be under no suspicion.” Boss Locke sighed as he mentioned, “However, a rookie police officer suddenly appeared. He not only killed one of my subordinates, but even forced Raj to escape along with you.

“My operation did not end despite the failed incident. We took a bigger risk and came to the hospital in order to complete the mission. Our kidnapping, in fact, has just begun.”

“You guys surely want something more than money. Tell me, who are you guys looking for?” Lena Fox seemed to care less about her safety as her words were full of curiosity.

“You’re smart, no wonder people regard you as the Miss Fox.” Boss Locke lightly elbowed his brother as he said, “Raj, why don’t you tell her what we are looking for?”

“We wanted the ultimate management power for the central computer of the Fox Foundation, the one and only authority that belongs to the owner of the foundation,” Raj spoke with a rasp, as the pepper spray caused tremendous pain in his throat.

“Will you guys let me go if I let go of my authority?” Lena Fox shrugged a shoulder and said, “You guys never worried about escaping despite causing such mayhem. Obviously, someone is supporting you.”

“You’re right, Miss Fox. You’re truly smart.” Raj said, “First of all, I’ll tell you some bad news. Your father passed away yesterday, but the board of directors blocked the news from reaching you. Those old men do not want you to get the fifty billion dollars worth of property. They even refused to consign the foundation to a twenty-three-year-old young lady.”

“Furthermore, this young lady refuses to listen to the board of directors,” Lena Fox added with a wry smile. “I believe my uncle is the mastermind behind this kidnapping. He probably even used the board of directors and stripped the title of CEO from me.

“Of course, he first needs to acquire the ultimate management authority for the central computer of the foundation. They wouldn’t know how much property the foundation has without that authority, let alone taking control over more than twenty companies affiliated with the foundation.

“And for the sake of confidentiality, even if I hand over the authority, you will not let me go. You will put me down. As for your escape, I believe my uncle has prepared that for you. Am I right?"

Raj nodded his head while Locke applauded her deduction. The other kidnappers were amazed as they watched this lady who was known for her beauty, smarts and wealth.

“Alright, I’m willing to hand over the authority. You’ll need to collect my fingerprints, retinal patterns, voiceprint, and a unique passcode that I’ve designed myself. I’ll provide all these information. “ Lena Fox seemed to be extremely cooperative.

The kidnappers were surprised by her bold attempt. Even Boss Locke, who seemed to have some kind of mental disorder, was confused as he said, “I thought I would need to interrogate you in order to acquire the information that I’m looking for.”

"I don’t want to be tortured, not to mention having blood dripping all over my body. Even if I were to die, I want to die elegantly," Lena Fox said calmly. She looked as if she was discussing a topic that had no connection to her life.

“I believe that you must have other conditions,” Raj said rationally.

“Of course I have, the verification and modification of the ultimate management authority require more than a few hours. I hope to be treated better during that period. Please untie me so that I can move freely. I need a more comfortable room, and it will be better if less guards were in the room.”

Lena Fox stated her conditions. Locke considered them as he looked at his brother Raj. The latter slightly nodded his head and said, “Everything will be fine as long as she agrees to hand over the authority. As for the guards, I will look after her personally.”

The dumb Locke did not have any opinion regarding the situation. He even clapped his hands in celebration. “Wonderful! I’m so happy that we can agree on the terms. Everything will be so much easier from now on. Miss Fox, do you need something to drink? The negotiator from the police department has arrived. I believe they are more than happy to bring us a bottle of wine.”

“A bottle of wine is too cheap. I need a luxurious meal to mark my life. Tell the police: I want Jean-Georges, the best restaurant in New York, to prepare my last dinner. I’m a VIP of the restaurant,” Lena Fox looked up elegantly as she spoke to them without fear. 

Locke did not know what to say regarding her request, so he looked at his brother, Raj. Raj’s mouth twitched as he said, “That’s a Michelin three-star restaurant, one of the top restaurants in New York. Waiters wouldn’t let you enter the restaurant if you lack the identity.”

“Oh…. It seems that people like me can’t enter the restaurant for sure.” Locke clapped his hands as he murmured the name of the restaurant over and over again, memorizing it.

Lena continued to ask, “How about the cop that protected me? How is he doing?”

Locke shook his head, looking a little bit confused. “He’s only a rookie police officer. I think I’ve sent someone to the underground parking lot to kill him. He’s probably dead!”

“Really…. Are you sure?” Lena Fox felt suspicious. “Don’t you think that you need to confirm it?”

“Thanks for reminding me.” Locke touched his beard as he picked up his wireless walkie-talkie and shouted, “Hey, John! How’s your condition over there? Is the rookie policeman dead yet? Hey! John, answer me if you can hear me. Hey, hey, hey…!”

Locke shouted at his wireless walkie-talkie for quite some time before a weak breath and the sound of spitting were heard. It sounded creepy, as if someone was in the verge of dying, creating an atmosphere of despair.

Chapter end