Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Sue, part VII

Sue is back!!

I made the drop this morning and it went off smoothly. A random lady was pacing suspiciously near the back of the cemetery, but I didn't want to investigate for fear that Sue might get hurt. I kept my head down and left.

Then, this afternoon, a friend came over and she found Sue sitting outside the door when she arrived. I can't even begin to describe the relief that flooded over me when I realized that Sue was home - safe - and that this whole nightmare is finally over. She is now back on her shelf, safe and sound. It's so good to have her home.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Sue, part VI

Here is the CD, ready for drop. I even found a way to host the song so you can hear it!



I just hope our humble little recording will be enough to appease Sue's captors (and apparently Sue herself!). The house just isn't the same without her here.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Sue, part V

We received another random ransom request this evening. Sarah found it stuck in our door. The worst part is, from what the note said, it seems as if Sue isn't being held entirely against her will. Is this just a cruel ploy by the kidnappers to make us doubt Sue's desire to return home? I hope so. They are probably sitting around drinking cocktails, laughing as we fulfill their ridiculous requests.



Well, as you can see, this complicates things. Learn, practice, and record a song? Who are they kidding? Immediately after reading the note I took the sheet music to the piano to see what could be done. Turns out it wasn't too complicated and I was able to come up with a nice little arrangement that Sarah and I recorded into my laptop. The song was exported; the CD was burnt. Now we just have to wait until Wednesday to make the drop.

I wonder if this truly will be the last thing that is required of us before Sue is brought home. My cynical mind isn't letting my heart conjure up too much hope. But then again... "It goes without saying what will transpire should you fail to complete this request." That's a pretty vague statement. Maybe the captors are running out of threats. Maybe they're ready to stop this senseless game of cat-and-mouse and let Sue come home.

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Sue, part IV

Luckily, Sue's kidnappers know when to acquiesce to our requests: I found a note this morning underneath my windshield wiper that contained the picture I asked for. As of Wednesday when the paper came out, Sue was safe and had not been defaced. A small comfort in the face of the pain that numbs my heart each time my eye wanders to her vacant shelf, but a comfort nonetheless.



No mention yet of Pete. Either they haven't discovered that he's gone, or he has nothing to do with them and I swiped him out of the flower bin for nothing.

I hope "further instructions" come quickly. Each day that passes makes me more inclined to worry and less inclined to cooperate. But I feel as if I really have no choice - the ball is still in their court. All it takes is one swipe of a sharpie, and...

... I'd really rather not think about it. I will continue to believe that she's safe. I have to.

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Sue, part III

I made the drop today. Drove up, left the plastic bag with the ransom just like the note said, and left. I had to buy a gigantic bag of Swedish Fish, too, because I couldn't find a small bag anywhere. Sue had better be safe.


When I was at the drop site, I found a broken garden gnome in a bin marked "Plastic Flowers." I don't know what this means. I took him home. His name is apparently "Pete," because that's what's painted on his hat. There were no drugs hidden inside. I checked.


To Sue's Captors: Please. I did as you asked. What more could you possibly want? Please let me know that Sue is unharmed. Please bring her home.

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Sue, part II

I finally received further instructions from Sue's captors. There was a note stuck in my door when I got home after lunch.


click on the picture to enlarge it and read the note

I hope they aren't hurting her. They know what they want: these are very specific demands. I'm going to scope out the cemetery this afternoon and make sure I know where the drop location is. I can't take chances here - not when Sue's face is on the line.

Friday, February 01, 2008

Sue, part I

Sue has been taken.

Sue, who has occupied a place of honor on the living room bookshelf for almost two months, is gone.

Let me back up. Sue is the woman in the Kiwanis picture that I wrote about in December. We decided that she was random enough to deserve her own shelf in our living room, and we have grown quite fond of her. But when I got home from work this evening, something was terribly wrong: Sue's smiling face was missing. In her place was a hand-written note whose contents confirmed my worst fears. Sue has been kidnapped and is being held ransom.


The empty space in the bookshelf is where Sue lived. You can see the white note.


The contents of the ransom note.

Why is this happening? What has Sue ever done to them? We live in a cruel world, my friends.