CHAPTER SEVEN: HUMAN BAIT
The police officers were gone before Mike returned home from school. By then, there was an APB out on Lisa Sand. After all this was a major felony and definite parole violation. Sharon seemed to be bouncing back from the ordeal quite rapidly. The immediate danger was over, and she was eager to get back to the day’s writing.
The officers sent to the scene were delighted to actually have names to go with their suspects rather than having a vague description that 50,000 people could easily match. Despite this, Drea and Anne were frustrated at the fact their foes got away. There was no telling what could happen next.
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As she did at the end of the working day, Cindy Lee took the elevator down to the parking garage. Perhaps she could drop by the hospital and see how Jack was doing. As far as bosses went, she knew she could have done a lot worse than work for Jack. Drea and Anne always treated her as a friend and not a part of the furniture. She rarely saw action outside the office, except the odd occasion like last Tuesday at the marina where an extra pair of hands would be needed. Jack had mentioned taking on another detective and would probably start a search in earnest as soon as he was out of the hospital.
As she made her way to her car, Cindy was oblivious to the van traveling slowly through the garage. Once Cindy reached her car, the van rushed forward, with the sliding door open. Two figures leaped out and one clamped a hand over Cindy’s mouth. She was picked up and carried into the van.
Cindy tried to scream when the hand was removed from her mouth, but a balled-up handkerchief was stuffed into it and secured in place by another one. “Let’s see what your friends can do for you now,” a woman’s voice said. “Permit me to introduce my self. My name is Lisa Sand and you’re going to help us catch a couple friends of yours.”
Cindy grunted and tried to shake herself free, but to no avail. Lisa soon had Cindy tightly bound. Worse, she seemed to be enjoying what she did. Drea and Anne hadn’t said much about their foes, but from this, Cindy could tell they were dangerous.
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Sharon, Anne, Mike, and Drea were all in Jack’s hospital room when Drea’s cell phone rang. She clicked it on and stepped into the hallway. A short time later she was back and said, “We have a problem. I’ll explain on the way.”
Anne looked at Jack, who said simply, “Go.”
“What’s wrong?” Anne asked as they raced toward the elevator.
“Looks like Lisa and her bunch have grabbed Cindy,” Drea replied. “Not only that, it looks like the beat up Pete pretty bad.”
“What for?”
“He didn’t say. That was the chief guard at the building. He’s not too pleased by what happened.”
They got off the elevator near the emergency entrance. A team of doctors and nurses was waiting for a patient. Moments later, the doors flew open and a gurney was wheeled into the building. The man lying on it wore a security guard’s uniform. Jason was one of the paramedics. Bringing up the rear were Max Bauer and Tina Flores.
The hospital’s medical team took over from the uniformed members of the police and fire departments.
“How is he?” Drea asked.
“It looks like he has a concussion,” Jason replied.
“They one who did this are the same ones who grabbed Cindy,” Anne said.
“I’m sure they were. That’s what they were saying at the building.”
“We’ll have to go and find her.”
“Are you out of your mind? That’s probably why they did it in the first place, so you’d go chasing after them. Drea could you talk some sense into her?”
“Sorry, but I agree with her,” Drea said firmly.
“But this is obviously a trap!” Jason said.
“Which is exactly while we’ll be looking for one,” Anne said.
Jason looked at his partner. “If you can’t convince her, what makes you think I can?” she said.
Carly Brant knew Anne from the picture Jason kept at the firehouse. This brief encounter with Anne convinced the paramedic she had no chance romantically with Jason. It wasn’t appearances, but Jason’s obvious concern that convinced her. It seemed that Anne also a certain feistiness that appealed to Jason.
Drea then turned her attention to Max and Tina. “I suppose there are tapes of this from the security cameras,” she said.
“That’s right,” Max said.
“We’ll have to see them.”
“You’d better get back to your building before the tapes are locked up in some evidence room.”
Drea and Anne raced the parking garage and found the fact Cindy’s car sat abandoned a bit unsettling. They soon met with the supervisor of the guard, who showed them the tape of the incident. “Even by viewing this tape, we still don’t know where Cindy is,” Drea said as she watched the image on the screen for the third time.
“Perhaps there is a place we could check out,” Anne said.
“Name it.”
“The warehouse where Jack was shot. Remember, two people connected to it are suspects, and both have enough authority to be put unused parts of the building to use.”
“You’re right. Let’s see if there is some kind of alterative entrance not normally used.”
The daring duo made their way to the warehouse. They made sure to park where they would not draw much attention to themselves and crept into the building. There were lights on in the building, which was closed for the day.
“You go ahead,” Drea said. “I’ll stay here and make sure nobody sneaks up on you.”
“Sure, no problem,” Anne said as she slid off her shoes. She wanted to make as little noise as possible.
Drea watched as Anne crept toward a door. It was unlocked, but nobody was inside. Next, Anne turned a corner and saw a figure lashed securely to a chair. Ropes were visible around the ankles, and around the waist. The face was covered by a gag and blindfold, but Anne was well aware that Cindy, like Drea and herself, preferred short skirts. Anne turned and waved to Drea, who acknowledged the gesture.
Wary of traps, Anne slowly moved toward the captive. Occasionally, she would turn around completely to see if there was anybody behind her or lurking among the shelves. Once she reached Cindy, Anne whispered, “Drea and I are here to get you out.”
The gag and blindfold were removed in short order. The ankle ropes were no problem either. However, the rope around Cindy’s waist and upper arms was a bit of a problem. The abductors pulled some of the coils over the knot, which meant Anne had to take the time to dig it out. When she finally got it out, it took some time to undo, which left the ropes around the wrist Anne just started on those when Cindy said “Trouble.” Anne looked up and saw the way blocked by Lisa and her three cohorts. Sylvia held an automatic to Drea’s head.
“So true to form,” Lisa said. “The blonde plays cautious. Goodie-Two Shoes takes the risks. Over here.”
Anne obeyed and did as told when Lisa ordered them to place their hands on the tops of their heads.
“Can’t be too cautious,” Lisa said as she began to search Anne. “You two have been known to carry sharp objects.”
Lisa patted Anne down slowly and cautiously, far too slowly than to be checking for concealed weapons. Next she placed her hands up Anne’s skirt.
“No objections,” Lisa observed as she finished. “Perhaps you’re not as straight as I thought. Maybe the two of you are a bit more intimate than it seems. Do you get it on hotel rooms on out of town cases?”
“Well, there was that one at the ski lodge,” Drea said without thinking.
“That doesn’t really count, Drea,” Anne said sharply.
“You’re right. But that was the only way I could think of to warm you up after you got tossed out into the snow.”
“Too much information,” Anne hissed.
Lisa concluded her search of Drea. “Hey, Lis, think we should strip ‘em?” Paula asked.
“Nah,” Lisa said after a brief thought. “Seen one naked chick, you’ve seen ‘em all. I may go both ways, but I’m no pervert.”
Anne, Drea and Cindy were taken into the room Anne had checked earlier. The three were told to lie face down on the bare concrete floor. All had balled up handkerchiefs stuffed into their mouth, which were held in place with scarves. Their wrists and ankle were bound and as an added touch, their legs were brought up and connected to their wrists with a longer length of rope. “Sweet dreams, ladies,” Lisa said as she started to leave. She stopped short and said. “Oh, in case you’re wondering how long you’ll be here, I don’t know myself. It’s all up to the Boss Lady.
Drea and Anne started to struggle with their ropes, but Cindy was paralyzed with fear. Monumental effort was required just to get the ropes to budge a fraction of an inch. The two stopped, exhausted. During the pause, they heard somebody opening the door. “Ah, there you are,” Raelene said. She moved to Anne who was nearest to the door and removed the latter’s gag. “Cindy,” Anne said. “Untie Cindy first.”
Raelene complied with the request. Cindy helped Raelene untie Drea and Anne. Once free, Drea asked. “How did you get here?”
“I popped in on Jack at the hospital,” Raelene said. “Jason had been there right before I was and told him what had happened. I went to the building where your office is located and talked with the security guys there. One said you’d mentioned a warehouse and I figured this was the one.”
“Good for you,” Anne said.
“Good for us, you mean,” Cindy said.
“Let’s get some of this rope, in case some of the unholy four are still around,” Drea said.
Raelene nodded. “I knocked out one of the gang,” she said. “She might stir at any time.”
“You carried rope with you?” Cindy asked.
“Handcuffs. Not exactly police issue, but they fit the bill.”
As they approached a corner, a figure suddenly appeared. Drea and Anne seized the person, whom they recognized. “Lisa!” Anne exclaimed.
“How does it feel to have it the other way around?” Drea said.
“Okay so you got me,” Lisa said almost accepting what had happened.
“If you’re expecting help from a blonde with longer hair than yours, she’s handcuffed and groggy right now,” Raelene said.
“Cindy get the chair you were tied to,” Anne said.
“With pleasure,” Cindy said.
When Cindy arrived with the chair, Lisa sat down with no complaints. “You’re taking this calmly,” Drea observed.
“We’d better keep our eyes open,” Raelene suggested. “She’s probably expecting friends.”
Anne tied Cindy’s wrists behind the back of the chair. “What’s with the sleeveless look with full length pants?” the sleuth asked. “Seriously, were your arms warm, but your legs cold?”
“Don’t like the look?” Lisa asked. “Your taste, then.”
Anne secured Lisa’s ankles with a piece of rope, then her knees. While this was going on, Drea wrapped Lisa up with several coils of rope. Anne took some packing and to her surprise, Lisa accepted it without comment or struggle, all of which Anne found unsettling. “She’s expecting her friends to be close by,” Anne said as she secured the gag behind Lisa head. “Otherwise, she wouldn’t be so nonchalant about being tied up and gagged.”
“Maybe she enjoys it,” Drea suggested.
“Lisa?” a voice called out in the distance.
“Take the rope,” Raelene said.
Raelene led her friends to a place in the warehouse, where Paula sat on the floor, with her hands cuffed behind her. “More of the ‘no sleeves, long pants’ look,” Anne said with disdain.
“Where’s Lisa?” Paula wondered.
“We can show you,” Drea said.
Paula was lifted to her feet and taken to Lisa. The cuffs were exchanged for rope and Paula was made to sit, where her ankles tied. “What, no gloating?” she asked. “Not our style at all,” Anne said as she prepared a ball. “That can wait until the trial.”
The ball was held in place with one of the gags. All that was needed was to have somebody bring the two in.