The Fugitives: There's always a plan

Morse Code

Jones paced forth and back in front of Helena. He was actually expecting a call from Melvin after realizing that Melvin cared so much about her sister. Jones wasn't a seer, but he had predicted Melvin's next move since he was able to find out his vulnerability.

“Hey papi... What should we do now?” Daniel, who was already losing patience, asked.

“We wait.” He replied with a calm voice.

“You don't seem like a killer… Are you?” Helena radiated a smile at him, trying to pry. Jones only stared at her, keeping his facial expression in a way that depicts disinterested qualities.

“Just wondering though… Because it is insensible for someone who got no idea about killing to try to kidnap and kill someone.”

“What are your ambitions?”

“Huh?…Whatever. You don't want to talk to me, yeah. I respect that. But one question, please.”

“What is it?” He finally replied, but no concern in his voice.

“Why was I abducted?” She asked with the hope of starting a conversation.

“The less you know, the better for you.” Jones replied, putting an end to the already starting convo. 

“I want to know now. Don't you get it! My mom is sick. I need to be there, I might even miss my flight. Please let me go.” She shed some tears while sobbing.

“Keep your voice down. Okay?” He scowled at her.

With no gap in time. The phone rang and it was Melvin.

“Helena… Get it together.” Jones said as he picked up the phone.

“Yes…?”

“I'm with Holly Minard now… So where is the point for exchange?” Melvin inquired.

“Put her on the phone.” Jones demanded.

“Hello…" There was serenity in Jones after he heard her voice.

“Holly Minard.” He chuckled and added, “What a nice name.” Jones grinned.

“Jones?? What the… Oh my god!!…" She exhaled sharply as she continued. “Do you know what you are getting yourself into? Huh? Answer me dummy.” She yelled deplorably. Melvin took the phone from her before Jones could reply.

“Time up. Now, where's the location.” Melvin asked again, trying to keep the conversation still without an abrupt end so that he could execute his plan flawlessly. 

“I need a visual proof.”Jones demanded immediately.

“What the hell is wrong with you? Are you even okay? I never saw Helena. I never asked for a visual proof, so tell me, what the hell is wrong with you. Hmm?” Melvin was already losing it.

“Yes… You never asked for a visual proof, but I did.”

“We're two different beings… You get it.” Jones added.

“And who cares. There is no visual proof, and that's final.” Melvin sounded a little harsh and serious.

“Time doesn't wait for a man. Keep it cool and we play this fair enough.” Jones stated. Silence shadowed them for a few seconds, Jones knew that Melvin was frazzling out and this was exactly how he wanted it to play, if only Melvin played with the low moral standards he had expected from him. Melvin finally broke the silence with his inaudibly utterances before saying,

“Fine… Visual proof,” he sighed.

There was a buzzing sound demanding for a video call. Jones answered it, but Melvin's face didn't show, rather it was Holly Minard.

“Hey…" Jones greeted her. 

“Remember what they taught us?” She said with a benevolent smile. Her brown eyes were demanding for help that Jones wanted to provide. Providing help for her was his top priority, and he was not ready to give that up until it's over. Maybe until death.

“Yeah. The only gift we were given. Yeah, I remember vividly.” Jones replied with a forceful smile. He was trying all his best to keep things, so Melvin couldn't know what sort of relationship they had.

“There is a lot of money from that… We can live with that. Just listen to them and uhm…we will be out of this mess. Okay?” She said.

“Alright…!”

“Just listen to me…Tell us the point of exchange and I promise you. There will be no tragedy.” She flicked her eyes.

“It will be at…uhm…" He exhaled sharply as he blinked his eyes as well.

“Yes… Tell me, where exactly.” She flicked her eyes again. It was a continuous feat until Jones finally gave out the location.

“30/11 Old McDonald's emporium. I know you're listening, Melvin… Meet me there by 8am tomorrow.” He said as they ended the call.

Melvin wasn't the only one who recorded the call. Jones did the same. But Jones' reasons were far different from Melvin's.

“That was smart.” Helena said, but she only got a smile from Jones.

“Did she just say smart… dummy!! Smart for recording a call…haha.” Daniel giggled.

“Everyone with keen discernment will record that call. Even Melis... Melvin, whatever his name, his recorded this damn call. You get it, Hele-na". Daniel lashed.

“It is not about recording the call. It about using it.”

“You get it, papi". Helena retaliated.

“It how about using it? You're so dumb… everyone is gonna use it, saphead.” Daniel scowled at her. While they were lashing themselves out, Jones was just calm, listening to them. He could see why he didn't like Helena one bit. It was all about the fight and how Helena almost won if he didn't intervene.

“I know someone doesn't know about morse code and the means how it can be communicated.” Helena's reply threw Daniel into questioning, asking Jones what actually happened and what their next plan was.

“It actually a morse code.” Jones said, staring at both of them.

“You heard him, papi.” Helena said while grinning at Daniel, keeping her mockery gaze at him.

“I'm not your papi.” Daniel said with an angry tone.

“So… What does it say??” Daniel asked. He didn't answer him, as he didn't want to disclose it. Not yet.

“Untie her.” Jones stated.

“Hey hey hey… Can you listen to what you're saying, untie her? No… no… no, I heard that right, yeah. I fucking did.” While Daniel was trying to interrogate, Helena felt a sudden frisson down her back. 

“I'm finally getting out of here.” She thought to herself.

“But why? What's his plan??… Whatever, I shouldn't be dragged into this.” She tried fixing her mind reflection on her sick mom.

“Yes… Untie her, let her go. Her job is done.” Jones urged Daniel to a start, despite those words didn't subdue him well enough.

“But…"

“There's no but. I'll fill you in. Yeah, just let her go.” Jones said as he called one of his firm partners discussing something entirely different.

“Thanks… Jones.” Helena said as Daniel finally disengage the knotted fabric. 

“Hmmm. Go meet your sick mom now.” Jones said, without even smiling.

“How about your…uh, Holly Minard?.” She asked with so much concern.

“That has nothing to do with you. Right? So leave!!” Jones said as he fixed his gaze on his cellphone.

“Well.” She exhaled and said, “Goodluck… But please keep in mind that Melvin will come after you, and letting a ticket that enables you slip out of the hands of a monster out isn't the best option. Well, you smart enough to figure out how you're gonna save your uh… Minard.” She flipped her shoulder-length hair and headed towards the door of the warehouse.

She was actually beautiful and one could easily lust after her on first sight. But Jones didn't even stare at her lustfully one bit. There was just one thing on his mind that supersede any other thing. Saving his family.

Daniel, who was nervously tapping his fingers on the table, aired out.

“Don't you think she's gonna rat us out”