A FRAME OF MIND
CHAPTER EIGHT: FALSE FINISH
Christopher Tompkins and Craig Josephson arrived at the warehouse before the police did. They seemed pleased by the fact two of the gang had been caught. “We can get caught up on some of paperwork in the morning,” Anne said.
“Cindy and I can take care of that,” Drea said. “You’ve been through the worst of it, so why not take it easy? You can tell Jack what happened when visit him with Sharon and Mike.”
“I suppose I could use a rest.”
“I’m just glad to get the mess behind me.” Cindy said.
“If you have any problems with this, I might be able to arrange a session with Doctor Dawson,” Drea said.
“That’s something to consider,” Cindy said. “I’ll keep it in mind.”
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Early the next morning, preparations were made to transfer Lisa and Paula from the lock up to the county jail’s women’s wing. The stood in handcuffs await transfer. All that was needed was a vehicle for the transfer. While they were waiting, the officers in charge were in conversation with Lou Parnell and Jill Blaine. The Boss Lady had her sources and a key had been slipped to Lisa. With their escorts deep in conversation, Lisa was able to slip the key out to release Paula and herself. Once the cuffs were off, the two bolted for the nearest door.
It was here where fate took hold. Tina Flores was in an adjoining corridor and saw two figures running away. She set off after them, but as she turned the corner, ran straight into Parnell and Blaine. “Watch where you’re going!” Parnell shouted.
“Take it easy Lou,” Blaine said. “It’s not like she planned it.”
Because of the delay, Lisa and Paula got out of the building and found the van waiting, just as the one who slipped them the key had said. The sliding door was open and the van started to move even before Lisa and Paula were able to close the door.
“Perfect timing,” Lisa said.
“We thought we’d spring you ourselves rather than ask the Boss Lady to help,” Sylvia said.
“You bring the gag bag?”
“It’s right behind you,” Heather said.
“Goodie Two-Shoes is taking the day off. I think we should pay her a visit.”
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While Anne didn’t exactly sleep in the next morning, she did spend a considerable amount of time relaxing in her bedroom before she came down for breakfast. Mike had just left for school. Sharon was about to start the day’s writing when the phone rang. Anne answered and got a surprise. “I called your office and was surprised when Cindy said you’d cracked the case,” Jason said. “Today isn’t my shift at the firehouse, so how about you and I going someplace today.”
“I’d planned to spend most of the day in and around the pool,” Anne said. “Why not come over here?”
“Sounds great, I’ll be right over.”
Anne only had enough time to finish breakfast and change into a peach colored bikini when Jason showed up. They went to the pool deck, when Jason kicked off his shoes, slid off his shorts, and pulled off his shirt. He wore tan swim trunks that resembled running shorts. His shoulders and upper arms rippled with muscles built on the firehouse weights, which were there to keep the firefighters in condition and to fill the time between runs.
Anne tossed him a plastic bottle of sunscreen. “Rub me,” she said.
Jason was about to start when they heard a commotion. Soon, Heather and Sylvia appeared and pointed guns at the couple. “Inside,” Heather said.
Anne and Jason obeyed. Once inside, they were ordered down to the basement. On the way down, they saw Sharon with her wrists tied over her head to one of the wooden supports for the banister. Somebody familiar was binding Sharon’s ankles. She had already been gagged.
“Just who I wanted to see,” Lisa said.
Anne was stunned, but said nothing. Clearly, somebody had helped to engineer an escape. With guns pointed at them, there was little Anne or Jason could do. Jason was soon tied in a similar fashion as Sharon. As soon he was secured, Lisa ran a finger down his chest and stomach, even the front of his trunks. “Not bad,” she said. “Besides, anybody tell you your girlfriend goes both ways?”
Anne wanted to grab Lisa and slam her head into the nearest wall. Unfortunately, Heather and Paula held her back. Lisa watched with a smile on her face as Sylvia bound Anne’s wrists. Heather pulled a bandana from the pocket of her jeans, but Lisa shook her head. The ringleader looked through the canvas gym bag she and her cohorts brought with them and pulled out something that resembled a small belt with a ball in the center. “Use this,” Lisa said with a smile.
Anne knew it would be useless to resist. She let the felons put the gag in place with resisting. Once that part was out of the way, her ankles were bound and Heather found use for the bandana as a blindfold. “You’ll be going to a different kind of basement,” Lisa said. Anne had not doubts it was said with a smile.
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Drea and Cindy were making good progress in going with the paperwork involved in. Fortunately, due to Cindy’s excellent administration skills, the only had to deal with that which would have demanded Jack’s personal attention or in this case, his proxy Drea.
They were so good at it, they were able to keep at after Raelene dropped by to get an update on the case, or simply have somebody to talk to. Maybe both, Drea wondered.
The phone rang and after answering, Cindy gave it to Raelene. It was a brief conversation, and by the look on her face, not a good one. “Lisa Sand and Paula Stubnick escaped,” she said. “One of my friends on the force thought I should know.”
“We’d better let Anne know,” Drea said as she punched the speed dial. After several rings, Drea hung up. “Something’s wrong. Sharon should be home writing.”
Drea and Raelene raced out of the office and down to the parking garage. There, they piled into Drea’s car and hurried to the Mac Clarey home. A hasty search soon brought them to the basement, where they saw Sharon and Jason. The two captives were quickly released. “This was Lisa Sand’s doing, right?” Drea asked.
“Yes,” Sharon said.
“Do you have any idea where they took Anne?” Raelene asked.
“No.”
“Maybe we do,” Jason said. “The one with the short blonde hair said something about ‘another basement.’”
“The one where I was held?” Raelene wondered.
“Could be, “ Drea said. “It’s all we have to on. Let’s go.”
“I’m going with,” Jason said. “Don’t argue. You’re out numbered two to one. Besides, four people can fit easier into my car than yours, Drea.”
“He’s right,” Raelene said. “Another thing, they might not know his car.”
“My clothes are up on the pool deck. Shouldn’t take more than a couple minutes.”
“I’ll get some of Anne’s clothes, too,” Sharon said.
“Let’s get some of this stuff, too,” Drea said indicating the discarded rope and gags.
When Jason was dressed, they set off on their way. As a fire department paramedic, he knew how to get to place through the low traffic areas with few lights. They found the place with ease and parked a couple doors down. The van was parked out front. After about ten minutes, Lisa and Paula left the house. “That should make things easier,” Drea said.
Raelene nodded. “Jason, do you think you make a distraction?” she asked.
“Sure,” He said. He opened the glove compartment and pulled out a small clipboard. “Firefighters Benefit Fund.”
“You’re not in uniform.”
“I’m off duty.”
Drea and Raelene left first, the better to go in the back way. When Jason knocked on the door, Sylvia answered, but Heather stood in the doorway to the other room. Jason talked until Drea and Raelene seized Heather. Sylvia turned to see the noise, but Jason was able to wrap his arms around her.
Heather was easily subdued. She was face down on the carpet bound and gagged. “Your friend shouldn’t have been so boastful,” Drea said as she approached Sylvia. “Let’s see if you can take it as well as she can give it out.”
Jason released Sylvia, who crossed her hands behind her back and turned around. Drea handled the rope and Raelene the gag. When that was done, the three headed for the basement.
Anne, bound, gagged, blindfolded, and not wearing abundant clothing, had no idea what the disconnected voices were upstairs. She heard the footsteps coming downstairs, then voices. First was Raelene’s, then Drea’s, then –unbelievably—Jason’s. Anne was helped to her feet, and the gag and blindfold removed.
Anne took two deep breaths and gulped before she spoke. “Jason, you’re all right!” she exclaimed.
“That’s right,” he said.
“Sharon too?”
“She’s fine.”
Drea suppressed a smile. Typical Anne, no matter how great a danger she was in or may be facing, she worried more about others than herself. Once Anne was free, she and Jason hugged.
“You know, I like a good hug as much as the next girl,” Drea said, “but we do have business at hand.”
“Sounds like you have an idea,” Anne said.
“I do. We have the makings of a good trap here.”