Too Many Kidnappers?
It should have worked. That's what the blond reporter kept telling herself. She couldn't imagine how she had given herself away. Now, though, the situation was dire. The princess was gone; Alexandra had lost worse than a story. A major diplomatic incident might ensue here, to say nothing of the princess' fate. Alexandra could still see the smirking villainess' face as she gloated at the bound reporter.
"Thought you were smart, didn't you, blondie? You know, it's really a shame that we only brought one packing case. You see, the princess' father will be forced to co-operate with us after we send him the video of his lovely, dark-haired daughter being 'entertained' by my men, and threaten to release it to the world if he balks. I'm sure that my men would just love to entertain you, as well." Taking Alexandra's chin in her hand, she glared deep into her captive's eyes. "I might even have found time for a little fun with you, myself." At that, she had released Alexandra's chin, and delivered a sharp slap to her cheek, leaving the bound girl to struggle futilely as she issued orders to the men and women assisting her in her bold kidnap plot.
Alexandra looked up from the couch. The wig was blocking her view now, and Alexandra tossed her head; her mane of blond hair spilled out. Lucky for her she'd been wearing the wig when they gagged her, or she'd have had her hair fastened down with yards of duct tape that might have required a "G. I. Jane" haircut to remove. There was no hope of freeing herself on her own. She would have to make her way to the phone in the next room. She'd never make it before the princess was miles away, on her way to who knew where, but she wouldn't give up. Inching with painful slowness across the floor, she finally was able to knock over the table, and the phone hit the floor with a crash. Alexandra had to flip over on her back to punch the "0" button with one finger. After that, it seemed to take an eternity to squirm to where the receiver had landed. She could hear the desk clerk answering, but all Alexandra was able to do was issue strained whimpers that could barely be heard. Still, the strange noises coming from the hone in the princess' room finally persuaded the clerk to call security, and in a few minutes, Alexandra found herself being cut free of her tape bonds.
"Well, well", the tall redhead shook her head from side to side. "This would almost be funny if the princess' life wasn't at stake. Just what did you think you were doing?" Captain Cynthia Crane looked disapprovingly at Alexandra. The blond reporter looked up at her questioner, taking in the powerfully-muscled form in the tight-fitting dark blue uniform. She wondered, idly, if the captain had turned down a plainclothes assignment because she knew what her curves did for that uniform.
"Captain", Alexandra began, I know you feel I've put my nose into police business too often-"
"That's an understatement!" snorted the policewoman. "This time, though, you've gone too far. If you had given us your information, the princess would be safe now." She tossed the mane of red hair which flowed down her back. "Get out of here, and let us handle this investigation properly."
Dejectedly, Alexandra left the room. The captain was right. Her determination to expose the kidnap lot on her own had led to terrible danger for an innocent young woman. She continued to muse on her mistakes as she entered the elevator, and pushed the button for the ground floor. So lost in thought was she that she scarcely noticed the man and woman who entered the car at the next floor. It was a pity that she hadn't, for it would have aided the police in identifying them later.
The car came to a stop two floors above the lobby. Alexandra saw the man leave. She didn't notice him hold the door to keep it from closing. She didn't notice the woman reach into her purse. Her first awareness came when a powerful hand grasped a fistful of her silky blond hair, and Alexandra felt herself yanked back against the woman's chest. Before the plucky reporter could react, the woman had pressed a sweet-smelling white cloth over Alexandra's face, and was forcing her out of the car. When she had been pushed to the floor, the man released the elevator door. Alexandra fought with all her might, but the grip in her hair kept her from moving her head away from the chloroform-soaked cloth. As she began to lose consciousness, she heard the man say, "Tie her up. We missed getting our hands on the princess, but I have another plan. When she comes to, I want to know just what she told that red-headed police captain. This blond isn't the first nosy reporter we've had to kidnap, and if I have to add an arrogant policewoman to the list, I'm more than willing."
The woman released Alexandra's head. The chloroform hadn't put her completely out, but she was far too weak to put up any resistance. Alexandra was rolled over onto her stomach, and the woman drew her hands behind her back. Her wrists were crossed, and some kind of thin cord was used to bind them tightly. Even in her semi-conscious state, Alexandra recognized the cold efficiency in the woman's movements; she had done this before. When the reporter's wrists were secured, the strong hands next took Alexandra's ankles and bound them in a similar fashion. More bonds secured her legs above and below the knees. By now, Alexandra had begun to stir; far too late, of course, to be able to save herself. She tried to raise her head to call for help, but was barely able to emit a moan. A smirking voice came from behind her.
"Now, now, we'll have none of that." Alexandra again felt the strong fingers take a firm grip in her hair; this time, her head was yanked back and she could see a feminine hand holding a large red rubber ball. Even with the pain in her scalp, Alexandra wanted to resist, but the drug had her too groggy.
"MMMmmmppphhh!" The reporter tried to fight as the foul ball was forced into her slack mouth. Even at her full senses, though, she sensed that she could not have matched her captress' strength. The hard rubber was stuffed deep into her mouth, and a leather buckle was drawn behind her head, and the gag was buckled over her shining blond hair. Her head was released, and she slumped to the floor. "AAArrrggghhh!" Alexandra's cries were barely audible grunts. The ballgag in her mouth forced her jaws open, and she began to drool on the carpet. Behind her, she could hear the woman doing something, but she couldn't see what. Alexandra wheezed in despair through her gag. That this couple had come prepared with kidnapping equipment meant only one thing: there were two professional kidnap gangs operating! Here was a truly big story, if only she could remain alive to report it!