If it were I, I would have retired. However, in the last three years, they have picked up their pace, and are averaging three successful kidnappings a...year. They always go after high-value targets, and they always ask for twenty million dollars or more. They get it, because they have not hurt any person they have kidnapped, when the ransom is paid, promptly. The two that were not paid were never found and believed dead.’ ‘Do you have any clue as to who they are?’ Marti asked. ‘We do now,. It's what most mothers go through. I suppose I did just a little of that with my daughter, when she brought a boy around." So what can I do?" Jessica asked."Get yourself ready and then do whatever you do with John, before you leave for school."Jessica raised an eyebrow and asked, "She'll let me do that?"Snorting, he answered, "Trust me. She wants to make John remember her home cooked meals. She won't know what else is going on. I'm going in to talk with John. When you're ready, come on in.. So I had a cup of tea and then decided at the last minute to phone Melanie. Well, after the start to the day I’d had I figured I needed a bit of cheering up. ‘Hello, Jason, what a surprise… I thought-‘ ‘I’ve been let down,’ I said. ‘last minute cancellation, so I’m free. I could come over… you know, if you…’ ‘Well, that would have been lovely, but I’m just going out, dear, unfortunately.’ ‘Oh well, another time then.’ ‘When I thought you weren’t coming, I arranged to go and see my mother. What. Around the house, maybe without her daughter around, Anna, in a weak moment, might have been secretly been thrilled to see her reflection in the mirror; but to be in public like this was unthinkable.It didn't take them long to get to the Wellswood address. It turned out to be a large house, almost a mansion, with a party in full swing as they drove up to the front of the house. As they got out of the car, Mark glanced at his watch concerned about being late and was relieved to find they were.