part 26

The men are in a car. Christian is driving.

Josh: I can't believe someone would be so desperate to kidnap sick children so you have to sign a contract.

Alex: There are enough crazy people in the world. We're trying to keep them out of a society where power plays a role.

Christian: Unfortunately, some have more power than we do. But Ethan is worthless. And he'll find out soon enough.

Rhys: The safety of the children is the biggest priority.

Josh: Agreed.

They pull into an old underground car park and see Ethan standing by his car. A bomb-proof suitcase in his hand. Christian parks the car in front of him, 5 meters away.

The men get out. Alex and Christian walk a few steps forward.

Christian: Where are they.

Ethan: Chuckles. Is that how you talk to your new business partner Harper. Ts ts ts. Someone needs to teach you some business manners.

Alex: You can still fix this now Ethan.  Last chance. Give us the kids. Drive away, far away. And never let me hear from you again.

Ethan: Laughs. Do you really think after all this shit that I'm going to turn my back on you? No. It's over now. You're going to sign your names. Knocks on his suitcase. And you're going to be grateful for what I'm going to do for you. That you can be happy that you're still CEO.Anyway. I'll show you that I keep my word.

Walks to the passenger side of the car and opens the door. Come out.

Rowan: Gets out of the car. His eyes are red from crying and he looks very scared and shaking.

Christian: Takes a deep breath to stay calm.

Ethan: Puts his hand on Rowan's shoulder. Look who I have here for you. Your little friend.

Alex: Let him go.

Ethan: Of course. I'm not a monster. Takes his hand off his shoulder.

Rowan: Looks uncertain.

Christian: Drops to one knee.  Rowan, it's okay. Come over here.

Rowan: Looks at Ethan uncertainly and scared.

Ethan: Grins at him. Go. Now!

Rowan: Quickly runs to Christian.

Christian: Hugs him when Rowan is with him and Rowan hugs back.

Rowan: Sobs. Elena. Sobs. Elena. He has Elena. Sobs.

Christian: It's okay. We're going to help her. In the meantime, you have to do something for me. Pulls back from the hug and looks at him. Stella's best friend. Mister Unicorn, is in our car. Will you watch over him and protect him while I help Elena. Can you do that?

Rowan: Wipes away his tears and nods

Christian: Go over to Josh. He's going to get in the car with you. Okay?

Rowan: Nods and walks over to Josh

Josh: Gets in the car with Rowan. checks on him how his health is

Christian: Stands up again and looks at Ethan.

Alex: Where's Elena?

Ethan: Who? Oh...his girlfriend. Well, I don't know. I only brought Rowan. But you know how kids are. They can be curious and crawl into the car without you knowing. He shrugs. Hmmm if that's the case, then I guess I don't have such good news. I've swapped cars in the meantime. So it's possible that your Elena is now in a parking lot somewhere, lying in the car. Dark and cold.

Christian: You dirty bastard

Rhys: She's seriously ill. She needs help, now. Where's your car.

Ethan: Tilts his head. I think we're missing an important step. I just gave you Rowan. I think it's only fair that Harper and Volkov sign the contract now.

Alex and Christian look at each other for a moment.

Alex: As soon as we sign that pointless piece of paper of yours, you're going to tell us where your car is.

Ethan: Laughs. So you can shoot me in the head right after. I don't think so. No, first I'm going to drive out of here, let's say...15 minutes. I'll have enough time to seal this piece of paper with your signatures on it. And then I'll tell you where that miserable thing is.

Rhys: Walks up to him menacingly but Christian stops him.

Christian: We'll do it. The longer we stand here arguing. The longer it takes to find her. Walks up to Ethan.

Alex: Follows him.

Ethan: See what a little motivation can do. Gets the papers out of his suitcase.

Christian: Stop talking until you say something sensible.

Ethan: Sensible, like...I'll make it 20 minutes.

Christian: Stares at him deadly. If Elena dies, I will do everything in my power to make sure she never sees you again in the afterlife. Even if I have to put God himself under fire for it.  Holds out his hand.

Ethan: Places the papers in Alex's hands but keeps looking at Christian. Take a look through the papers if you want, Volkov. I have all the time.

Alex: Opens the papers and signs them. Then hands the papers to Christian.Looks at Ethan. You know you can't get away with this, right?

Ethan: Looks at Alex.

Christian: Takes a few steps away so he can sign somewhere.

Ethan: Well, if you read the contract, you know it says that if anything happens to me, you lose your company and your assets. So I'm going to protect myself. Nods to Rhys. Maybe your Bodyguard can give me some extra protection.

Christian: Sneaky puts a microchip under the staple of the contract. Signs and walks back to Ethan. Pushes the papers into his hands.

Ethan: Checks the signatures. That looks good. You both have a tight hand by the looks of it. I bet your wives can enjoy that.

Christian: Drive off and give us the location.

Ethan: Oh yeah, we're in a hurry, right? Puts the papers in his suitcase and walks to his car. These were good business men.  Let's meet at Volkov's office on Monday to discuss our future. Unless you happen to have a funeral at that time. Let me know. You have my number. Winks. Then gets in the car and drives off at full speed.

The men watch him go.

Christian: Picks up his phone, someone is calling. Find Ethan Krove's car. Top priority. Call me when you know more. Hangs up again.

Rhys: Mumbles softly. Hang in there Elena. We are going to find you.