Header: Molly Fusil, overpowered and bound by Melody and Mia. From an issue of Headquarters Detective, Cervantes’ site.

Footer: Molly’s wrists bound with heavy rope. From ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ 1992, Didtown.

The padded moulding on all sides of the square casket absorbed all sound from outside and even deadened the wheezing of Melody’s own breathing. She could not hurt herself in her struggles. The padding simply yielded slightly to a straining arm or leg or forehead and then returned to its original fullness.

Aside from the hysteria that was beginning to overwhelm her, Melody’s greatest enemy to survival was overheating. She was wearing a thin satin skirt and silk blouse, and the materials from which they were made were efficient at keeping her warm in the cold city streets, the tweed jacket even more. But in the square wooden trunk Melody was soon bathed in sweat. Her head was pounding. Her mouth felt dry. And, worst of all, the narrow bubble of air that surrounded her face was becoming increasingly stale. Breathing became more difficult with every second. If there were breathing holes, their efficiency was dangerously limited.

Although she was clad in a thin silk dress, Mia was also drenched in sweat and fighting for every breath. Her wrists ground uselessly against the cords that bound them. If her arms were not so tightly wedged behind her against the padded sides of the box, there might have been a chance of slipping her wrists from the loops. She had stopped crying. No point in crying. She had stopped screaming. No one can hear me through the gag and this padded box. She closed her eyes. Nothing to see. There was an insistent rushing noise in her head. She felt that she was suspended somewhere in space and that she was totally alone.

I’m sorry, Melody. I did try to cry a warning. But I winded myself falling from the bed in that hogtie and I couldn’t get the gag off in time. You should have got away. You could have warned Miles and Brod and the others, Sarah and Oscar. They might have done something. And I would have been the only hostage.

Then the ordeal ended as suddenly as it had began.

Melody’s box moved. The moulding cushioned her body and she was only partly conscious of the movement. We’re on our way, I guess. But the kidnappers are going to find one dead woman in here when this post pack reaches the end of the line. I wonder how Mia is taking it?

Mia felt her packing trunk move. The back of her head bounced softly off the padding. Here we go. I don’t think I’m going to make it. Can hardly breathe. Melody, I hope you get through.

Something had changed. The trunk in which Melody lay was no longer moving, and she was staring into what appeared to be a white wall. It took awhile for her to realise that she was able to see again, and that what she was looking at was the silk padding up close to her face. Some special sense told her not to move. Obeying it, she allowed her eyes to flutter closed. There were also voices. They were distant at first. Then, as she regained full consciousness, Melody recognised the smooth purring tones of Molly the Gun. They were punctuated by the slightly hysterical staccato of Karl’s voice, ‘... cars ... village ... ‘ Then their speech became crystal clear to Melody’s ears.

‘Run that one past me again, Karl. What exactly did Hudson say?’

‘He said he walked to the village to buy a paper. He likes reading newspapers. Looks at the pictures. And when he came to the edge of the village he saw patrol cars everywhere. He ran back as fast as he could.’

‘He didn’t take the Merc?’

‘No. Good thing too. A car like that would have drawn attention. What’ll we do, boss? There ain’t no use shifting those boxes now, not till the heat’s off.’

‘You’re right, Karl. But I’ve gotta see this for myself. Get the Merc. We’ll drive to the lookout on the hill we used before, under the trees. Where’s Hudson?’

‘At the car.’

‘Good. He can come too, and show us.’

‘What’ll we do about these two?’

Instinctively, Melody squeezed her eyes shut and relaxed limply into the moulds that surrounded her.

‘They’re barely conscious, and not going anywhere. Leave them where they are. We’ll freight them as soon as possible, maybe take them in the van. Which reminds me, where’s Johnny?’

‘Gone ter ground somewhere in the city. I’se got his cell phone number.’

‘Ring him. Tell him to bring the van up here tonight. We’ll move our merchandise in the dark.’

‘Sure, boss.’

The footsteps of the two kidnappers faded into the distance and Melody and Mia shared only the silence of their cellar prison and the distant murmuring of the surf.

Melody began frantic activity. I must get out of this horrible box. My wrists are loosely bound. It should be possible to slip the ropes if I can get out of this lining that’s wedging me so tight. It was hard, but with a surge of energy she managed somehow to push her shoulders first and then her chest up, out from the confining cushions. Her hands managed to press against the side of the box and that gave additional purchase.

She found herself sitting in the box, her legs and hips still wedged inside. Her hair was tumbled about her face. Her blouse clung to her body with sweat. Wildly Melody looked around and found herself staring into Mia’s large frightened eyes. Mia had had the same idea as Melody. Her dark glossy hair fell across her tear-stained face. It was just as tousled as that of Melody. Mia’s face was flushed from the tightness of the silk bandaged across her mouth, and her eyes were bright and feverish. God, I must look like that too, thought Melody.

‘Mmmmmph.’ Mia nodded her head, indicating the floor between their boxes, and made another expressive mmmph through her sealed mouth.

She’s suggesting we get out onto the floor, thought Melody. Easier mmphed than done I think.

Then, to Melody’s surprise, Mia literally threw herself across the edge of the box in which she sat. With an audible plop, the cushioned lining that imprisoned Mia’s legs gave up its victim and she tumbled out onto the stony floor.

If she can do that, so can I, thought Melody determinedly.

Following suit, Melody threw caution to the winds and launched herself towards the floor. For a frightening instant it seemed that her legs were welded into the box, but the cushioning around Melody’s knees gave way, grudgingly, and she slithered over the edge and onto the floor. It was not as dramatic a freeing as Mia’s, but Melody decided as the rough stone impacted against her shoulder that it was just as well.

The two friends found themselves lying side by side. Mia raised her head and Melody saw that she was having trouble breathing. She’s winded by the fall. I must get to her, thought Melody desperately.

Drawing upon an unexpected well of strength, Melody propped herself by her hands and sat up. Pushing with her hands and feet together, she inched her way to Mia’s side and without ceremony turned and found the young woman’s bound face with her hands. Melody hooked a finger under the cloth and pulled hard. The bandage wrapped around Mia’s lower face came free reluctantly, the crisp silk clinging to the tape underneath. But with a slow steady pulling, it at last slid over her friend’s chin.

Melody next reached for, and found, a corner of the tape. This has gotta hurt, Mia honey, but it can’t be helped. The tape stripped away with steady encouragement from Melody’s fingers. Desperate for air at any price, Mia twisted her head in the opposite direction to help make it come off quicker. Tears started up in her eyes as the last end of tape was stripped from the skin of her cheek.

‘Oh my God. That’s another I owe you,’ panted Mia. ‘Put your face against my hands and I’ll try to do the same for you.’

‘Oof. God that tape’s sticky,’ gasped Melody as Mia’s fingers succeeded in removing first the silk bandage then the tape from Melody’s face.

For several long seconds Melody and Mia looked into each other’s eyes, reflecting their mutual relief to be free of their gags and the square coffin-like boxes in which they had been entombed. Then both responded at once to the urgency of their situation.

‘Quick,’ cried Melody, ‘Let’s get ourselves out of here before those horrible people come back! I couldn’t stand being put back into that dreadful box.’

‘You’re not wrong,’ said Mia, ‘Turn round and I’ll have a go at your wrist bonds.’

‘No need. I think that trick Brod taught me is going to work this time.’

‘Trick?’

‘A tip about escapology. I’ll show you.’ Melody demonstrated while Mia looked on attentively. ‘There! More or less a textbook case,’ Melody said as one of her wrists slipped free.

‘Yeah. Miles showed me that too. How to tense up your arms and hands then relax them later. So how did Brod show you, if I may be so curious?’

‘Well, he tied me up once, if you must know.’

‘Only once? Sweetie, you don’t know how good it can be if the right man’s doing that to you! When this whole caper’s over, get him to give you a refresher course. I tell you what, a good tight gag sure keeps the bubbles in the champagne. You’ll know what I mean one day! I might even show you myself.’

‘That’s a date, Mia honey. But we’ve got to take advantage of this chance to get away now that they’re gone.’

‘I couldn’t agree more,’ said Mia, scrambling to her feet.

During their spirited exchange about the habits of their respective men-folk, Mia and Melody had been busily untying each other from the ropes at their elbows and ankles.

‘It’s a good trick,’ Mia continued, ‘But it doesn’t always happen in real life. That’s when reality bites. Most of the time we’ve been well and truly bound and gagged with no means of escape. Come on.’

The two young women had walked to the double doors of the cellar that led into the garage, and Mia was trying the handles. But they stop ped in their tracks when the distant sound of the Mercedes returning came to their ears.

‘Oh God,’ breathed Mia under her breath. ‘We don’t have a chance against Karl alone, and Johnny Montague and Hudson will be there as well as Molly.’

‘Don’t give up. Let’s try the door into the house,’ urged Melody. ‘If our luck holds, we’ll be able to get out through the front door while they’re coming in here.’

Melody and Mia scampered up the steps to the door opening into the cabin. It was unlocked, and in a moment they were standing in a small kitchen alcove watching the vehicle approaching up the sandy driveway. The arrival of their captors filled both women with an action-numbing fascination. They stood rooted to the spot, watching like rabbits facing the fox, unable to move in their shared terror.

Mia whimpered. Melody put her arm around her friend’s shoulders and they held hands convulsively. It was obvious that when the vehicle came to a stop one of the gang would most likely step out and enter through the front door, cutting off their line of escape. It was only a matter of time before they were tied up again, far more thoroughly, and immured in the trunks once more.

Mia drew a sharp breath. ‘Look. Melody. Molly Fusil’s driving that car. And I think Karl’s with her.’

‘I wonder where her other goon is?’ answered Melody. Then, ‘You know what this means? We’ve got a fighting chance. If we can get the drop on her.’

‘Not if she has her guns handy,’ replied Mia soberly. ‘We know she’d shoot one of us to bring the other into line. And that bastard Karl is with her. We’ll have to do what she says.’

‘I know. But if we can somehow take the gun from her ...’

‘Look! She’s parking outside ... And Karl’s taking off again. She’s coming in from the front. Quick, Melody, hide.’

‘And now she’s alone. Maybe my idea’s not as crazy as you thought.’

Acting on impulse, Melody and Mia entered one of the bedrooms. An open suitcase from which women’s clothes spilled testified to it being Molly’s room. The two friends slipped into the spacious built-in wardrobe and stood with baited breath, their hearts pounding.

They had no sooner pulled the door shut than the sound of the front door being unlocked came to their ears. There followed the click-clack of Molly’s high heels as she walked across the parqueting of the living area. She was whistling under her breath, a trifle tunelessly. Then she walked on into the bedroom. The wardrobe door behind which Melody and Mia were standing was one of those made from wooden slats, and it was possible for them to see into the room at such an angle that Molly’s shapely legs and rounded hips were visible.

The woman was wearing a light pink business suit. She was muttering to herself, something about ‘those ignoramuses.’ Melody guessed she was referring to Johnny Montague, Hudson and Karl. As she spoke, Molly began stripping off her mini skirt and unbuttoning her jacket, revealing a spotlessly white silk half slip teamed with an equally snowy bra. Clad in that lingerie, Molly walked out of view. But the sound of high heels on bathroom tiles told the two hidden women where she had gone. The door to the bathroom snicked shut.

Without a word, Mia slipped out of the wardrobe ahead of Melody, who stepped more cautiously into their erstwhile captor’s den. Melody cast a worried glance towards the bathroom door. When she looked back, she saw Mia rummaging in Molly’s handbag, which lay where ithad just been dumped on a bedside table. Within seconds a snub nosed automatic pistol appeared in Mia’s hand.

The sound of running water alerted them to Molly’s imminent return. Mia waved Melody to one side. She obeyed, backing against the corner well out of immediate sight for anyone entering from the bathroom. Mia made no effort to hide herself except to step to one side where she might not be seen immediately. The door opened and Molly walked in.

Molly Fusil was halfway to the bed before she saw Mia. She was still dressed in slip, bra and unbuttoned jacket. A towel was over her arm. She froze in her tracks.

‘D’you recognise this?’ purred Mia softly. She waved the automatic. ‘I know how to use it. And I won’t hesitate to shoot if you try any sudden moves.’

Molly tossed her head, and with a sneer said, ‘You - You wouldn’t kill me.’

‘No, I guess not,’ replied Mia steadily, ‘But I sure as hell will bore a hole in those gorgeous knees of yours. After the hell you’ve put us through, that’s the least I can do.’

‘Okay, so what are you going to do with me?’

‘I thought you’d never ask,’ said Mia ironically. ‘Sit in that chair. It’s perfect to hold you.’ Molly obeyed with noticeable reluctance, guessing what was coming next. Mia continued, ‘Melody, be a dear and get some rope from the basement. Bring as much as you can carry.’

When Melody returned carrying an assortment of white cord of varying lengths that she had found hanging on a peg behind the cellar door, and a heavy piece of rope that was lying on the floor, the scene was the same. Molly sat on the chair, her hands on her thighs. Mia stood beside the bed, the pistol trained unwaveringly on the woman’s knees.

‘Very good. Let’s get to work. Molly the Gun or whoever you are, put your arms behind your back, around the chair. Fine. Don’t make such a face. Melody, walk behind her - don’t step between her and this gun - and tie her hands. Use that heavy, scratchy rope. Tie her wrists good and tight. Remember how you were tied.’

‘Sweet revenge dears?’ murmured Molly.

‘That’s the size of it,’ gritted Melody over Molly’s shoulder. ‘I’ll thank you to let your hands and fingers go loose and relaxed. That’s it. You don’t know how good this makes me feel, you bitch.’

Melody was surprised at her own spitefulness. She was even more surprised to find that she was enjoying Molly’s discomfiture, and the feeling of power as she wound the thick rope about the woman’s wrists. It took only a couple of turns before cinching the rope very tightly and anchoring it around the central slats of the chair back, using multiple knots at each point. Melody made sure that the large knots were well out of the reach of Molly’s fingers.

The bound woman arched her back and grunted in pain. Melody watched with satisfaction as Molly clenched and unclenched her hands and strained unsuccessfully at the heavy ropes. The veins stood out on the woman’s forearms.

‘Good,’ said Mia. She put away the pistol and took up a length of cord. ‘Teamwork now, Melody honey. Let’s tie this bitch real tight.’

Between them, Melody and Mia roped Molly Fusil into the chair. When they had finished, the gang leader was secured with multiple turns of rope above and below her breasts, across her lap, above her knees, and at the ankles. Her ankles were also lashed to the central rung of the chair.

Molly watched her two captors like a snake as Mia inspected the contents of her handbag.

‘Looking for clues dear?’ she enquired sarcastically.

‘Of course,’ answered Mia, ‘But the police will do a more thorough investigation. Melody?’

‘I’m ahead of you,’ said Melody, who was picking up the phone ... ‘Drat! The damned thing’s not connected.’

‘We’ll have to get in touch with the police from the village. This horrible woman won’t be going anywhere.’

‘You sure of that?’ Molly taunted. But there was a flicker of uncertainty on her face as she discovered at every instant how securely she was tied. Then with a resurgence of spirit, Molly continued. ‘You little girls are real amateurs. Karl and Hudson will be back any minute and I promise I’ll make you pay. When I’ve got you in my clutches again there will be a little whipping to be done.’

‘I don’t believe what you say about Hudson and Karl,’ replied Melody. ‘As for your threats, you’re hardly in a position to be confident. Mia, what are you doing?’

Mia was rolling a piece of material into a ball in her hands. ‘It won’t do any harm to gag this creature,’ said Mia. ‘A couple of your silk panties in case you’re wondering,’ she added, addressing Molly coldly. ‘Don’t worry, they’re clean. Melody, take that scarf and tie this packing in place when I’ve got it in her mouth. You want us to play rough do you?’

Molly put up a fight as Mia stuffed the gag into her mouth but, tied as she was, the woman was no match against Mia and Melody combined. While Mia pinched Molly’s nostrils shut, Melody held her head so that she could not turn away. Stubbornly, Molly retained her breath for a long time, but at last she had to open her mouth. Melody closed her mind to the choking sounds that followed. When Mia had all the cloth stuffed in, Melody bound an oblong pink nylon scarf very tightly over the woman’s mouth to hold the packing in place. Molly grunted and shook her head from side to side. She looked daggers at Melody and Mia.

‘That’s everything secure,’ grunted Mia in the back of her throat. ‘Come on, Melody. The sooner we’re away from this place the safer I’ll feel.’ A snort of derision came from Molly through her gag. Melody’s parting view of the woman was to see her struggling furiously against her bonds, clearly to no effect.

*

Melody and Mia walked along the roadside towards the village. Melody felt exhilarated by their newly won freedom from their bonds and gags, and the stifling confines of car trunk and cellar. She drew in deep breaths of the fragrant sea air as they walked, and skipped lightly when the village came in sight. Mia looked at her friend with a slow smile on her face.

‘You’re a delight to be with, Melody. But, remember, we have to stay alert. The moment we hear a vehicle coming we must hide. The rest of the gang can’t be far away.’

‘You’re right,’ said Melody, sobering up at once. ‘If that woman Molly Fusil recaptures us, she’ll carry out her threat of punishment.’ A shiver ran up her spine and the hair at the back of her neck prickled at the thought.

At that moment, they heard the purring of a powerful automobile motor. It seemed to be coming from somewhere to their right, off the road. Then they came in sight of a narrow unsealed track that entered the main road ahead of them.

‘Quick!’ exclaimed Mia, ‘Into the bushes.’

They dived below the greenery at the side of the road and lay still, flat on their stomachs. A few seconds later they heard the crunching of gravel as a vehicle pulled out of the track onto the sealed road, and a grey Mercedes came into view, picking up speed as it passed.

‘Yes. There’s Karl. And Hudson’s at the wheel,’ Mia whispered. ‘Molly will soon be free. Let’s get to the village as fast as we can. Heaven knows what her next move will be. But I don’t intend to be part of it.’

It did not take long for Melody and Mia to reach the village, casting their eyes behind them continually for fear of pursuit. But no vehicles came looming behind them. Sergeant Sarah was at the HQ switchboard and in less than half an hour a police helicopter with Miles deVille at the controls and Broderick Clifford next to him landed in an open parkland. The official police debriefing was followed by more lengthy, and private, debriefings for the two women in the arms of their lovers.

*

But nefarious plans of varying complexity were being hatched in the meantime by different members of the criminal gang. All the schemes involved new abductions for Melody Hazard and Mia Chantal. The most ambitious was that of Molly Fusil, who with Karl’s active interest began meticulously blue printing another grand round-up of the heroines. But, unknown to Molly and Karl, they had rivals. Johnny Montague, now estranged from the gang, sat at the table of a seedy downtown apartment planning his moves, his one target the Duck’s Egg Diamond. To get it required the cooperation of two of our heroines. And a surprising abductor was about to enter the field, Jasmine Morris, upon whom the mystery revolves. But behind these characters and their machinations lurks the shadowy and mysterious figure of Sir Herbert Murgatroyd, dilettante, drug baron, and white slave trafficker. The mystery of the Duck’s Egg Diamond was entering into a new and more dangerous phase for our plucky heroines.

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