RINNNNGG! RINNNNGG!
The jangling rings from the phone on the gleaming Rosewood desk were jarringly loud in the office, dead quiet except for the faint whisper of overhead ventilation. Deep in thought, the prospectus of Lotusland Mining Company on the desk before her, Kimberly Dumont jerked in surprise then reach for the phone with a muttered curse.
"Yes, what is it?" she snapped into the receiver.
"Ms. Dumont, your three o'clock appointment is here," came the calm, unruffled voice of her executive assistant, Jan Linksman.
"Kimberly glanced at her desk clock, the soft green numeral confirming the time. "Give me a few minutes, Jan. I'll let you know when I'm ready."
"Very good, Ms. ...", the tiny distant voice cut off as she dropped the handset back onto the cradle.
With a quick economical motion Kimberley swept the prospectus in the desk drawer and rose and crossed the room to her private bathroom to freshen her makeup.
She liked what she saw before her in the mirror. A little over thirty years of age, the woman was the epitome of grace and poise. Blonde, carefully coiffed hair set off a pretty face that carefully applied makeup had transformed into glowing beauty. The eyes were wide and alluring, their intense blue color leaving more than one competitor speechless on occasion.
Not that her body was any slouch. Standing almost six feet tall in her four-inch high heels, she dressed carefully to show it off for maximum impact. The silken blouse and suit she wore had been carefully tailored to emphasis the very feminine body beneath without being brazen. Even her skirt with its peek-a-boo slit on the left leg, just the right length for a respectable businesswoman, gave a generous view of her trim leg and thigh gleaming in sheer imported hosiery.
There wasn't a junior male employee in the company that didn't dream of making passionate love to her, not that they had a chance. Intelligent and ambitious, Kimberley had one single desire - to amass enough money so that she could retire and live the life she deserved. A product of a broken family, raised in marginal poverty by a mother who aged before her eyes, she was determined that the same was never going to happen to her. Long ago in high school she had discovered the power her body had over males and now used it to her best advantage. Carefully selecting her lovers she had ruthlessly advanced upwards through the company, ruthlessly discarding her lovers when they could no longer help her and always looking ahead for her next 'benefactor', as she'd come to think of them.
Now the Vice-president of Foreign Acquisitions she was currently between lovers having ended a relationship a month earlier. Not completely heartless she still felt just the slightest twinge of regret when she thought of the tears in her most recent benefactor but as a Senior Manager he could help her no further. As a reward and to make sure he didn't create future problems she had arranged to have him transferred to a branch office in Munich. Still there was a certain Senior Partner who was beginning to show an increasing interest in her. It was only a matter of time.
Kimberley walked back to her desk and resumed her seat. Picking up the phone she punched in the Jan's number. The phone on he other end was picked up promptly, as expected.
"Yes, Ms. Du..."
"I'm ready now," Kimberly said cutting off her assistant. "Please show him in."
The door to her office opened and Jan showed her visitor through the door, shutting it behind him. Kimberley studied Robert Fenwick with interest as she came around her desk to greet him. Slim, maybe slightly shorter that average, he was carried himself with the quiet confidence of someone who expected to be obeyed. He obviously liked what he was seeing also as he studied thoroughly before sitting down in the easy chair by her desk. Kimberley felt a little flustered as she took her own seat, crossing her elegant legs so that the slit in her skirt showed a generous portion of thigh.
The CEO of Lotusland Mining, and one of the richest men in Africa, it had come as a surprise when Robert Fenwick had called in person yesterday specifically requested a meeting with her to discuss potential investments. Intrigued, and well aware of the potential commissions she could earn with a heavy investor like this man, Kimberley had been quick to accept. Her acceptance had required she cancel appointments with several influential clients but the potential profit far outweighed their annoyance.
"Well, Mr. Fenwick, let me welcome you America. I hope the hotel room we arranged for you is adequate? I assure you that is the finest room in the city."
"More than adequate, Ms. Dumont," he replied in a faint New England accent. "However I'm sorry to tell you that my name is not Fenwick. It's Fallows, special Agent Ted Fallows and I'm with the FBI." He said as he pulled his identification out of his inside jacket pocket.
For a moment Kimberley was speechless, staring at the identification badge in its soft leather case. "What.. what is he meaning of this subterfuge?" she finally asked looking up into his face.
"I realize this is somewhat irregular," he replied smoothly, " but recently we received some information from Interpol that puts you in extreme jeopardy."
"Interpol? Jeopardy? I think you better explain and explain quickly. I don't like games and I don't particularly having my time wasted by junior G-men."
The smile on Fallows face became thin and wan. Obviously her jab had gone home but he was far too professional to react. "Ms. Dumont, we received some interesting intelligence from Interpol yesterday morning about you, in particular a bounty."
"Bounty?" she demanded, "what the hell are you talking about."
"According to their sources a certain Arab gentleman has taken a liking to you and offered one million dollars to have you kidnapped and delivered..."
"Kidnapped?", Kimberley sputtered in anger. "Do you know what you're suggesting?
You're talking about white slavery. Don't be ridiculous! We're on the eve of the 21st Century for god's sake. That sort of evil doesn't happen anymore!"
"Ms. Dumont," Fallows replied calmly, "I assure you the trade in female flesh is still alive and well. You don't have to believe me but you are in extreme danger."
"Mr. Fallows," Kimberley snapped, her eyes flashing, "do you have any idea how ridiculous you sound. Please leave my office now. I don't want to hear anything more of this matter."
Fallows stood and shook his head. "Ms. Dumont, you're making a very big mistake. The threat is real. Please..."
"Get out," Kimberley snapped cutting him off in mid-sentence.
Fallows took a business card from his pocket and put it on her desk. "Please give me a call if you decide differently." With that he turned and left leaving Kimberley alone with her thoughts.
Two weeks later her conversation with Agent Fallows was a distant memory. Despite her disbelief she found herself taking some precautions but gradually as the ongoing demands of her job consumed her attention she fell back into her old habits. One such habit was working late on Thursdays with her executive assistant to finalize pending correspondence so that she could sign it off on Friday prior to the weekend. Punctual almost to a fault she'd finish her share of the work around 6:30 p.m. then left to change to evening wear before dining late at one of the several fashionable restaurants she frequented. The fact that her assistant would still have one to two hours of work ahead of her never even crossed her mind.
It was almost 8 p.m. when Jan toggled the power off on her computer and watched the "It's Safe to Turn Your Computer Off Now" disappear from sight. After neatly piling the letters awaiting signature on her desk, she took her navy blue trench coat from the nearby coatroom, turned the lights off and walked to the elevators.
Jan despised working late but Kimberley was not a boss to be argued with over anything. More than one junior employee had made that mistake and found himself out on the street for some perceived infraction. Most of all Jan hated the walk to her car in the parkade. It was dim and spooky with weird sounds that invariably made her want to run to her car.
The elevators doors hissed open on 'P1' and Jan, walked stiffly down the brightly-lit corridor and through the door into the parkade. The parking level was empty safe for her car in its assigned stall and a dark-colored van, 'Gino's Cleaning Service' lettered across its side, parked in the nearby handicapped parking stall. For a brief second Jan was annoyed that one of the building cleaners had brazenly used the reserved stall then chided herself for being silly - at this time of the evening what did it matter.
Jan took a quick nervous look around and then, clutching the lapels of her coat together in one hand she headed for her car, the tap of her heels quick and echoing. She had almost passed the rear end of the van when she heard a door slam shut behind her. The sound was still echoing off the concrete walls when she spun around and gaped at the dark silhouette of a large male heading towards her. Distracted, she never saw the other man behind her until his hand covered her mouth, his other arm pinning her own arms to her side.
Jan screamed in terror but the thin gurgle that got out past his hand could be barely heard. "COM's, jerk," she heard a rough male say from behind her, "get your ass over here and give me a hand."
Jan heart pounded a frantic rhythm her ears as she struggled to break free. It was hopeless, he was too strong. The other man hurried up and jerking the back doors to the van open, bent down and grabbed her ankles. In a matter of seconds the two had their squirming bundle safely out of sight inside the windowless box.
Forced to lie on her back in the rear of the van, Jan managed just one small scream before a rag was stuffed into her mouth and bands of duct tape slapped across the lower part of her face stifling her completely. The men quickly turned her onto her stomach and one man held her arms behind her, wrists crossed while the other bound them tightly together. Her legs were just a quickly immobilized with bands of rope around her ankles and thighs before she was dragged into a sitting position and her knees drawn up against her chin. A long rope was then repeatedly passed under her knees and around her neck then knotted ensuring that they'd stay there. Jan could barely twitch as she was allowed to fall on her side, her nylons covered knees rubbing on her chin.
"You just lie there and relax honey," the second man said. "You do as you're told and nothings going to happen to you. We're going to just borrow you for awhile. Think of yourself as a human door pass so to speak," he said with a laugh.
Jan lay quiet, still in shock at what had happened to her as the door were slammed shut and the two men climbed into the front of the van. Seconds later the van drove sedately out of the parking garage, their captive sobbing softly in the back.
It was almost 10 p.m. when Kimberley returned to her penthouse apartment. When it came to spending her own money Kimberley was miserly, saving every penny for the day she could kiss of the corporation good-bye. The same couldn't be said for her expense accounts. One of the perks of the job was her elegant penthouse apartment with its million-dollar view of Central Park. Luxurious almost to a fault she had spared no expense in decorating it to reflect her personality.
Kimberley was lounging on her couch, still in her business clothes, as the soft strains of Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 and the smooth elegance of a fine wine combined to relax her after a long day. She was just considering whether or not a second glass of wine might be in order when the lobby buzzer sounded.
"Damn!" she said and swung her legs to the floor, "who the hell would that be this time of night".
Straightening up she tucked her silk blouse back into the band of her skirt so that it once again flowed over her breasts like water over rocks. Her expensive French stockings received a quick tug upwards to remove any wrinkles while a delicate hand gently smoothed the wrinkles from her custom made Italian skirt. Once again the smooth, fashionably dressed executive, she slipped her heels back on and headed for the door security system.
"Who is it?" she asked peevishly into the wall intercom unit while staring at the dead monitor screen in front of her. Normally it would have shown her who was calling her from the lobby but it had stopped working a couple of days ago and the building manager still hadn't got it fixed.
"Please Ms. Dumont," the scratchy but familiar voice of Jan responded, "I have... I have to see you right away. It's important."
Jan? Kimberley thought in surprise, what would she be doing here? While she had told her she was to inform Kimberley of any important developments, never in five years of working together had she appeared at her apartment.
"Very well," Kimberley replied. "Come on up."
Kimberley waited impatiently by the door, her hand unconsciously slapping against her thigh. Finally there was a hesitant knock on the door.
"Jan," she demanded as she opened the door, "do you have any idea what time it is? You better have a good reason for disturbing me."
"Please, ma'am," her assistant replied with a slight tremble in her voice, "I need to talk with you. May I come in?"
"Very well," Kimberley replied stepping aside, "but only for a few minutes."
Jan hesitated, took a worried glance to the right then walked through the door. She had just gone past Kimberley into the vestibule when the trench coat, which had been hanging on her shoulders, slipped and fell to the floor. Kimberley started to pick it up then froze at the sight of white rope binding Jan's hands behind her back.
"What..." she started to say then froze as something hard and authoritative poked her in the ribs.
"Shut up bitch and do as your told" she heard a gruff male voice say from behind her. "Both of you get down on the floor and don't make a sound."
"What the hell..." Kimberley started to say as she turned towards the door when a stunning blow to the back of her neck sent her sprawling onto the floor. Semi-conscious, her cheek resting on the cold marble tile, she lay still watching as Jan knelt down a few feet away, her skirt riding well up on her thighs, then flopped down onto her stomach. A rough-looking white male dressed in worn black jeans and a scuffed leather jacket knelt beside her, pulled her head back by her hair and forced a large wad of cloth into her mouth. Pulling the belt off her trench coat he forced it between her teeth then wrapped it twice around her head before knotting it the ends together. The man had made no effort to be gentle, pulling the belt so tight that even through her packed mouth she could hear Jan gasp in pain.
The figure rose and Kimberley watched as his scuffed shoes came towards her. Course hands rolled her face down and pulled her arms behind her back. A rope coiled around her upper arms and then was jerked tight crushing her elbows together. Even in her dazed state Kimberley moaned from the pain, positive that her shoulder joints had been dislocated. Her discomfort gained her no sympathy as a scratchy, rough rope was wrapped around her wrists and then cinched so tight that it hurt where the skin was being pinched. Kimberly's head was beginning to clear, a small part of her brain telling her she should be resisting but she could only lay there as her mouth was roughly forced open and a thick wad of cloth jammed in. Seconds later a wide cloth band was forced between her teeth, crushing her lips as it was tied tightly behind her head.
Loathsome hands began to explore her body taking liberties that Kimberley had granted to only a chosen to few .She had barely begun to thrash, muffled cries coming from behind her gag, when a sharp slap exploded on the back of her aching head. Her ears ringing, she lay still as those hands resumed their exploration, leisurely squeezing her buttocks and fondling her breasts.
"Oh yeah, bitch" he commented as he tugged her skirt up to survey her trim ass covered in silk panties as his hand slide along the inner thigh of her left leg, "I can see why you're worth such a bundle." The touching seemed to go on forever but finally the hands stopped their wanderings. Business-like again, she felt her ankles being crossed and then rope bit cruelly into her flesh. Kimberley grunted in pain only to hear her assailant chuckle as he was enjoying her discomfort.
"You just stay here," he ordered, "while I take care of you friend."
Kimberley watched as Jan was pulled to her feet, her muffled cries fading as she was dragged out of sight into the sitting area. Long minutes passed then he was back reaching for her. The man grunted, his breath stale in Kimberly's nose as he lifted her from the floor and slung her casually over his shoulder. The shoulder pressing on her stomach, Kimberley hung limply afraid he'd drop her if she moved, watching the floor pass below as he headed crossed the carpet in her sitting room. Stopping in front of her leather couch, he bent forward and dumped her into a sitting position against the cushioned arm.
Kimberley shook the hair out of her face and began to take stock of her surroundings. Not far away Jan lay belly down on the companion love seat, her frightened eyes staring at her over her gag, seemingly unhurt but was clearly paralyzed with fear. Bands of rope now circled her legs above the knees and ankles and then they had been folded back and tied to her wrists, just a few inches of rope separating them. It looked uncomfortable and it was obvious that she wasn't going to going anywhere until someone untied her.
Kimberley began to test her bonds in earnest and quickly came to the conclusion that she wasn't going to be getting loose without help either. Despite her best efforts there just was no give at either her wrists or ankles. Her jaw muscles were already beginning to ache from the gag that filled her mouth and she already knew how effective it was from how weak her cries had been when the man began to 'feel her up'. Kimberley had spent most of her working life analyzing situations and deriving solutions and it seemed at this moment that the only option was to wait and see what was coming next.
The man watched his captives closely while he fished a cell phone from his jacket pocket and punched in a number. "Yeah, it's me," he said after a short pause, "I got her. Are you in position?"
Kimberley couldn't hear the other side of the conversation but by the way his forehead furrowed she could tell he wasn't pleased with what he was hearing.
"You're the lock expert," he barked, "I don't care how difficult it is. You get the door open to the parking garage and meet me by the elevator. Call me when you're in position."
Turning his phone off, he collapsed the antenna and put it back into his pocket.
"All right ladies," he said, "there's been a slight delay. Just relax and do as you're told and everything going to be just fine."
The next ten minutes seemed to drag endlessly. Kimberley watched as he paced back and forth across the carpet checking his watch. Twice he pulled the cell phone from his pocket only to push it back without using it. Finally it rang.
"Yeah," he grunted into the phone then listened closely. "Okay I'll be down in a few minutes."
Once again he buried the cell phone in his pocket then turned towards Kimberley. Grabbing her legs he lifted them up, dumping her on her side while he untied the rope imprisoning her ankles. Once they were free he dropped them to the floor and pulled her roughly onto her feet.
"Listen closely. You're going with me and I want no trouble. You might be worth a chunk of bucks but you do anything but what I tell you and I'll be my pleasure to hurt you... bad," he said his voice filled with promise. "As for you," he said turning to Jan, "someone will come along eventually to untie you."
The look of relief in Jan's eyes grated on Kimberley but she was in no position to chastise her. With one final look at her helpless assistant Kimberley allowed herself to be lead from her apartment.
The trip down the stairwell was uneventful. He held her arm firmly as she walked down step by step. The clatter of her heels on the concrete seemed loud and echoing but it drew no attention.
The door at the bottom of the stairwell led directly into the park level. Pushing it open, he pulled her into the dimly lit parking area, the stale exhaust fumes making her noise burn. A dark windowless van waited by the door, its motor running quietly. As they approached it a man quickly opened the driver's door, climbed down and ran to the back of the vehicle to open the doors.
Without ceremony Kimberly found herself lifted into the van and forced to sit down onto the blanket-covered metal deck. Coarse ropes were tied around her ankles and thighs then cinched to make sure they were tight. Grabbing her hair, one of them dragged her head forward until her chin rested onto her knees and then she was held there while a rope was wrapped repeatedly under her knees and around the back of her neck making sure she would stay in this position. Seconds later she was dumped on her side and could only stare at her nylon covered knees and grunt at the strain on her thigh muscles as her feet were pulled backwards as far a they would go then fastened to her wrists.
A final check of the knots holding her and then both me scrambled into the front of the van. Seconds later the van started off, its drive train whining in Kimberly's ears.
Kimberley lay helpless on the floor of the van -she could wiggle her fingers and toes, shift her head slightly from side to side but other than that she was completely immobile.
Her eyes filling with tears, Kimberley could do nothing to quell the sense of despair filling her as she was carried off into captivity.
The events are fictional and any resemblance to actual persons or events is by pure chance.
Copyright 1999, all right reserved by the author.