It was another picture perfect Sunday in San Francisco. The cloudless sky was a startling blue, as the last of the morning fog burned off the city streets. There was a chill to the air, but the sun was glorious and warmed the bones of any who ventured outside.
In North Beach, Washington Square Park was crowded way before noon with running children, picnic-minded couples and frisbee fanatics even as the Italian Mass was letting out across the street at the Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral.
The bells from within the tall spires of Peter and Paul melded with the bells ringing from the St. Francis of Asissi Church at Columbus and Vallejo, as Iwana Binder turned east on Vallejo and found the North Beach Motorlodge.
Iwana had started early from LA and was in a particularly sour mood. She was driving her Ford Big Ass Truck (which is what she always called it, in reality it was a silver and black F-350 with an extended cab and long bed, tricked out with a lot of chrome and a turbo-charged, Triton big block V-8), and the gas it had guzzled on the drive north had eaten quite a hole in her plastic.
But the truck was necessary, since the rear bed was big enough to haul Tai's motorcycle if need be. Iwana even had a set of straps and tie-downs to secure the motorbike. She also had another set of straps and tie-downs in the back seat in case she had to secure Tai.
She pulled into the parking lot of the Motorlodge and found a parking spot by the swimming pool. She spotted Tai's red Honda Superhawk TR-1000 parked in its own space.
Iwana got out and checked the bike. Both the motor and pipes wer cold. Alright, no need to panic, Iwana thought. Just means sistahgrrl took a cab last night.
Iwana was wearing a fitted, black leather bolero jacket over a black spandex tank top, tight black jeans and knee boots. She looked tall, curvy and dangerous.
She already knew Tai's room number from accessing the McClintock girl's SFPD files on her computer last night. She took the stairs two at a time and worked a lockpick on the door to Room 216.
She entered the room, kicking the door shut behind her. Clothes were scattered about and the place was a general mess. Which was exactly how Tai Anne always left a room. Sistahgrrl did not know how to pick up after herseff!
Iwana smiled as she remembered the daily room inspections back at their apartment. Tai standing at attention in her panties while Iwana bounced a quarter off the freshly made bed in her room...
Iwana looked through the bathroom, from the amount of dirty towels somebody was taking a whole lotta showers! Iwana brought one of the towels to her face and breathed in the scent. Yeah, that be her sistahgrrl.
She checked under the bed and found Tai's knapsack, and the open titanium steel cannister. Holy shit! Iwana thought. Sistahgrrl be wearin' The Little Black Dress to her dinner with that pussyhound McClintock! What the hell was she thinking?
The door to the room suddenly burst open. An elderly Asian man entered to find himself staring down the four inch, vent-ribbed barrel of a blue steel Colt Python .357 Magnum revolver.
"Yeah?" Iwana said.
"I am... Mr. Poon," he said nervously. "A-are you a friend of Ms... Roper's?"
"Oh yeah." Iwana let the hammer down gently and slipped the artillery piece back into her shoulder holster. She palmed her LAPD badge off her belt and waved it at Poon. "Ah'm also a cop. Iwana Binder. Y'know Ms. Roper's present whereabouts?"
"No!" Poon said. "She left here yesterday evening, around 7:30 or so. Last I saw of her. She never came back!"
Iwana growled. "And... how'd she leave? What was she ridin'?"
"Oh! A black stretch limo. Very ritzy!"
Off to her din-din with McClintock. "Did she pay up on this room?"
"For yesterday," Poon replied. "Checkout is 1 pm."
Iwana pulled out her wallet and flicked out a crisp C-note. "I'll take the room. Got a problem with dat?"
Poon took the hundred dollar bill. "No problem."
"Here's my card with my cellphone number," Iwana said. "You spot sistah... i mean Ms.Roper, and ah ain't 'round, you call me. Got it?"
"Got it!"
"Anybody else been around here, asking about her?"
"No."
"Okay. Thank you, Mr. Poon," Iwana said. "Oh, and leave the room be. No maid service."
"Sure!" He smiled and left.
A hotel manager named Poon! Iwana Binder shook her head. What a name!
She tossed the room, first going through Tai's knapsack and finding the official files on the Jessica McClintock case. She also found Tai's wallet with a shitload of crisp hundreds. 4K worth. Also Tai's ID, her close to maxed out plastic, her Gerber tactical folding knife and her Casio G-shock.
Her Nokia cellphone was gone, but Iwana knew it was also not turned on.
In the small fridge, Iwana found one lone bottle of Rolling Rock. She popped the top and sipped it. At least sistahgrrl saved me a brewski, Iwana thought.
In the garbage can, Iwana found three empty bottles of Rolling Rock and a sack with cellophane and crumpled napkins that still smelled like a deli. She found a receipt with a timestamp of 2:12 pm yesterday for a sandwich, chips and a pickle from Eidelmann's Deli & Bakery at 268 Columbus.
Iwana finished the Rolling Rock and burped. Back at John Shaft Detective College, that's what we called a clue.
Iwana found nothing else of interest. She policed up Tai's scattered clothing and effects and put everything in the knapsack and slung it over her shoulder.
Back at her pickup, Iwana tossed the knapsack into the back and put on her Oakley shades.
She had places to go and people to see. And a sistahgrrl to find.
***
"Wake up, darlen'."
Tai Anne Roper opened her eyes, looking up through the bars of her crib at the beautiful yet gentle face of Paige Torne. Paige was dressed in ripped and faded Levi 501s and a tight tee shirt.
She unlocked and rolled back the bars, lifting Tai up to a sitting position and removing her ballgag. The battery in the dildo that was deep in her cunt had finally given out, but she still tingled down there.
Tai looked around the nursery. It was still gently lit. Tai felt rested and somewhat lighter than air.
"It's Sunday, past noon." Paige unbuckled the straps on her straitjacket gown. "You hungry?"
Tai shook her head.
"Well, you will eat," Paige said. "But first I thought you'd like to get started on your first bondage photo spread! How 'bout it, darlen'?"
Tai found her voice. "Don't wanna!" she whined.
Awww..." Paige hugged her. "Now, everything's gonna be alright. I'm gonna introduce you to some lovely new girlfriends, and we're all gonna have a whole lotta fun!"
Tai looked at her dubiously.
Paige kissed Tai deeply. Tai found herself compulsively kissing back, sucking the spit out of Paige's mouth.
"My Gaaaaawd!" Paige finally managed to reclaim her tongue. "You are a wanton lil minx! Kunta's really been bragging on you. Now I see why!"
"Where's... Taffy?" Tai whispered.
"She's seeing to a few things. She'll be back." Paige stroked Tai's freshly shampooed and scented hair. "Y'know, Taff can be a little... intense, sometimes. You let me know if she lays a head trip on you that you can't handle. K?"
"Okay." Tai looked up at the beautiful blonde woman who now controlled her. "Paige?"
"Yes, darlen'?"
"Please... I don't wanna do this... bondage stuff, for a camera... I just can't do it. Please?"
Paige kissed her. "C'mon, lets get you dressed and then we'll go for a little walk. I wanna show you something."
***
First stop for Iwana was Eidelmann's Deli on Columbus. It was open and had a pretty heavy crowd of well-dressed churchgoers who had just finished Mass and were now knoshing on Kosher meat deli sandwiches.
She turned the corner by The City Lights Bookstore and parked next to a fire hydrant on Jack Kerouac Way. She had just hit the sidewalk when her cellphone chirped.
Iwana nearly ripped her jeans getting to it.
"Sistahgrrl?"
"No, Iwana. Its me, Glenna Jane. Still no sign of Tai Anne?"
"No, Mama Jane," Iwana replied. She had the utmost love and respect for Glenna Jane Roper, and hated to be the bearer of bad news. "But ah'm workin' some good strong leads. Ah'll find her."
"I know you will, dearheart," Glenna Jane replied. "And I hate to make your job any harder, but we have a bit of a... situation, here at New Lesbos."
Iwana found a corner to hunker in. "Wassup?"
"We have a new girl here named Shakira. She's East Indian, and a High Priestess of the Hindu Goddess Kali," Glenna Jane said. "We recently brought an entire Kali temple here to the commune!"
"Aaaaand?" Iwana rolled her eyes.
"And now Shakira has disappeared! Sometime late last night, she left! Probably hitched a ride on the PCH. She left a note, here... I'll read it, altho my Hindu isn't what is used to be."
Iwana heard a rattling of paper, "'Dearest Mama Jane, The Kali-Ma has appeared to this one in a vision... my beautifious bride and lifemate Tai Anne is in grave dangers. I must leave for The City of Hills by the Bay, and find her before harm befalls her. Do not fear, for the Mother Goddess walks with me, love... Shakira'."
"What's this 'bout 'beautifious bride and lifemate?" Iwana growled.
"Oooooh... You know Tai! She makes friends so quickly!" Glenna Jane said nervously. "But that's not all! This morning while some of the girls were out looking for Shakira in the foothills they found... a body."
"Whose body?"
"Well, the police think its a man named Oswald Starkweather. He was wanted for the murders of two doctors, one in New York, the other in Canada. Both were abortion providers. Both were shot dead with a high powered rifle at long range."
"Cops think he's the one who took a shot at you a few days back?"
"Yes, the same rifle was used in all three attacks," Glenna Jane said. "They found it near what was left of the body."
"How'd this asshole end up dead?"
"The coroner thinks he was leaving through the foothills after shooting at me, when he was attacked and killed by a large mountain lion."
"Hmph! Didn't think there were any catamounts still wanderin' dat neck of the woods."
"Well, both the sheriff and the coroner said it had to be a mountain lion, seeing how the body was so badly ripped apart... and partially consumed."
"Ouch. Bet that hurt. So some piece of walking shit got what he deserved. That's good news."
"You don't understand!" Glenna Jane said. "I think Shakira might have had something to do with this!"
"Really? She keepin' a pet cougar?" Iwana asked. "C'mon, Mama Jane! Whachoo talkin' bout?"
Glenna Jane sighed. "I don't know... Dammit, Iwana, First I'm worried sick about Tai Anne, then Shakira disappears... and now this death..."
"Okay," Iwana said. "First, give me a description of this Shakira babe..." She took out a notepad and pen and scribbled it down. "Second, kwit'cher worryin'! Ah gonna find the sistahgrrl! And as far as that dead body goes, dat just gives you one less thing to worry 'bout!"
"You are a comfort to me, Iwana."
"Talk'acha later, Mama Jane." Iwana clicked off.
She was still digesting all that Mama Jane had told her when she entered Eidelmann's Deli and Bakery to find Jerome Eidelmann at the counter grinning at her.
"Well hello, preety lady!" He gushed. "Oy Gevalt! You have made my day!"
***
Tai was led by Paige across the empty concrete expanse of the basement. There were a lot of humming fluorescents lighting up the place today, and Tai noticed smaller rooms and half-sets for the videos. Also a lot of camera and video equiptment.
Paige had given Tai a bright yellow, latex minidress that looked like it had been spraypainted on her. It had a high neck and a backless, halter top. The skirt barely covered the juncture of her thighs and there were no panties.
Tai's hands were handcuffed behind her back and she was hobbled by ankle-strapped nosebleed heels of the same bright yellow. Paige had her firmly by the elbow.
"Truth is, darlen', I don't make anybody do anything they don't want to do," Paige said. "There's just no percentage to it."
They approached another steel fire door emblazened with SLAVE LABOUR PRODUCTIONS. Paige fumbled for her keycard and unlocked it.
"I have girls begging to be in a Slave Labour production," Paige said. "We have a rep for the best BDSM vids on the West Coast. Hell, it's an honor to star in one!"
It was then down another long corridor, except here it was well lit and carpeted and could have been the hallway outside any prosperous business.
"Besides, I can't do a thing til you sign your model's release. No signature, no photo shoot!"
Paige --with Tai still in tow-- tapped on a door and entered a darkened room where over a dozen video monitors and several computers where in use. Tai blinked as overlapping images of women being bound and gagged and strapped and spanked and fucked and licked and whipped and tickled and tied overwhelmed her senses.
"Welcome to Slave Labour Productions," Paige said. "This is where we produce and edit our videos, and also run the videofeeds for our various pay websites. Kira here runs things."
A big, buffed out redheaded woman in Khakis was working the main console. She looked up at Tai and grinned. "Wail! G'day, luv! Nice to meecha in the flesh... so to speak!" She had a down to earth smile and an Aussie accent thick enough to cut with Crocodile Dundee's knife. "Kira McElroy's the name! You need anything, just gimme a holler, righty-right?"
Tai just nodded as Paige steered her to a chair and sat her down in front of a screen.
"Now, lemme show you a little something that's still in post-production, but we do have a rough cut available for a private screening." Paige worked a remote control and brought a picture to life.
Tai Anne Roper watched with growing, wide-eyed horror as she saw herself enter Club 28 in that skintight black rubber dress.
"We have six cameras in '28'," Paige said. "More than enought to edit together a very professional looking scene. Everything here is on digital feed recorded right onto DVD. Good work here, Kira!"
"Thanks boss!" Kira winked at Tai. "This babe is a natural!"
Tai saw herself talking to Paige, then the argument and her attempt to leave.
"Of course we'll have to re-edit the conversation, make it about a diamond heist or secret plans to take over the world," Paige continued. "Here, lets skip ahead."
She fast forwarded until Tai was on her knees before Kunta. Then she was in The Waterworks with Taffy.
"Hate to tell ya how many cameras we have in there!" Paige smirked.
Paige let her watch a minute or so of Taffy shaving her cunt, then fast forwarded again to Tai safely strait jacketed and cribbed, writhing helplessly in the throes of orgasm.
"Enough of that!" Paige shut it off. "Damn, darlen'... five minutes of you makes me slippery and wet!"
Tai looked down, hopelessly embarassed and red faced.
"I have enough from last night alone to make at least six home videos that would sell through the roof. All starring you!" Paige sighed. "But... a promise is a promise. And I did promise you that I would never release anything with you on it, if you cooperated with me and did everything I ask of you while you're our guest."
Tai swallowed. "You mean, unless I agree to do more of these videos, you'll release this one?"
"Well, I can't release it as a Slave Labour Production til I get your signature on a model's release. But I could just put it out on the internet." Paige giggled. "I won't make any money. but you'll be a very popular girl! Look what it did for Tommy Lee and Pamela!"
Tai groaned.
"Plus, I'll let Taffy do whatever she wants with you, and that will be captured on video as well. I believe she mentioned a tattoo or two, a series of intimate piercings and something about a buzzcut..."
"Paige?" Tai croaked.
"Yes, darlen'?"
"Can I please do that bondage photo shoot you were talking about before?" Tai swallowed. "And I want to be in as many bondage videos as you want. Please?"
Paige smiled trimphantly as she laid a model's release down on the table before Tai. She stuck a pen in Tai's mouth and let her sign her name.
Paige and Tai moved through another door and into a large dressing room with a long makeup table and mirror running the length of it. Rack after rack of exotic and erotic clothing in leather, latex, PVC, satin and silk took up the other side, everything from a Japanese schoolgirl's 'sailor suit' uniform to a Betty Page era corset and heels.
Paige sat Tai down between two other beautiful women busy fixing their faces.
"Talia, Babydoll, I want you to meet the new girl, Tai Anne Roper." Paige started working some makeup into Tai's face. "Tai, these are two of my best bondagettes, Talia Monet and Babydoll."
"Hey, girl!" Talia husked. "Great stage name! You come up with it yourself?"
***
Fifteen minutes later, Iwana was back out the door of Eidelmann's with a roast beef on rye and a celery tonic. She got in her pickup and headed south on Columbus, eating as she drove.
Her conversation with Eidelmann had been long, but fruitful to say the least. He'd told her about Tai's visit yesterday, and Jessica McClintock's visit on Thursday with her lil Asian grrlfriend in black PVC and a collar.
Did that connect up with the mysterious Dommie, Lady Ashtoreth? Was Batman a transvestite? Who knows?
Her only other clue was the mysterious Fiendly and Wenche that Tai had asked about yesterday. Maybe Big Shot McClintock would know something about them. He was the next stop on her itinerary, and Iwana intended to grill him like a cheese sandwich.
***
"Well well well... loookit all the pretty maids, all in a row!"
Tai frowned at the sound of a male voice. Part of her could accept being helpless around other women. But a man's presence un-nerved her completely.
"You're late, Crowe," Paige said. She patted Tai's shoulder and kissed her cheek. "Don't fret, babygirl. Its all girl-girl action for you!"
Tai looked up in the mirror to see a young man who reminded her of a young Jerry Lewis, only not as suave. Thick glasses, buck teeth and a nasal voice.
"So, who's the new babe?" He winked at her. He was wearing jeans and an old Star Trek - Next Gen tee shirt with a pic of the android Data saying, 'FULLY FUNCTIONAL'.
This is Tai Anne Roper," Paige said. "I told you about her, remember? Tai, allow me to introduce Slave Labour Productions' resident internet webmaster and... resident ropemaster..."
He came around and grinned at Tai, leering at her latexed boobies. "The name is Grackel. Crowe T. Grackel." He giggled like a kid in a candystore. "And I get to tie up all the wimmen!"
Behind his back, Talia Monet stuck a finger in her mouth and made a silent gagging motion.
"Now, I know this is your first day in the torrid, yet exciting world of bondage modelling," Grackel said. "So I thought I'd start you out nice and gentle with a little Nawa Shibari."
"Who's she?" Tai asked.
***
Iwana Binder finished her lunch just as she pulled up to the doors of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel. The Beefeater doorman opened her door and took her keys so her pickup could be valet parked.
She barely glanced at the opulent furnishings of the lobby as she went to the concierge's desk.
"Yes, can I help you?" he asked, looking distainfully at the tall, busty black woman in... well, black.
"Ah needs t'see Matthew McClintock right now, it concerns his missing girl, Jessica."
"And you are..."
Pissed, Iwana wanted to say. But she also knew how to play the game.
"Iwana Binder, an associate of Tai Anne Roper."
"Well, Mr. McClintock is not here at this time. Perhaps if you gave me the message..."
"Sorry, Charlie. Ah have to see McClintock. Face to face. And seein' how this is a matter of life and death, ah suggest you find him."
"One moment."
He went to the switchboard and dialed a number, talking very quietly with his back to her. Iwana looked around.
"Ms. Binder?"
"Yeah?"
"I was mistaken. Mr. McClintock is indeed in, and wishes to see you immediately. Franklin will see you to the 18th floor."
"Thanks." Iwana smiled and followed Franklin the young, black bellboy to the express elevator.
"This guy McClintock have a suite on 18?" she asked him.
"Heh, McClintock be 18! Da whole floor!" Franklin said, admiring Iwana's large, bouncy breasts and tight-assed jeans. "Not only dat, but last night he buys up the whole Starlight Room up on 21, just to wine and dine some lil hottie in a killah black dress! Man! Must be nice to be rich!"
"Must be." Iwana replied through grinding teeth.
***
Meanwhile, up in McClintock's suite on 18, a video monitor on his desk was receiving live feed from the elevator currently on its way up.
Dr. Fiendly smiled as he admired Iwana Binder's magnificent curves. He was threading a silencer onto the barrel of his 7.63mm Broomhandle Mauser pistol. He was just thinking that this ripe Nubian maid should prove an interesting afternoon diversion.
Over near the sofa, Fannikins Wenche was snapping together a .380 Ingram Mac-10 submachine pistol. It too had a silencer, plus a laser-lok sight and a 200 round drum magazine.
"Look lively there, my dear Wenche," he said. "It would appear that someone is joining us for afternoon tea."
Chapter Fifteen