Iwana Binder was a rageaholic, and she had lived with her rage all her life. It had always existed deep in her heart and had always kept her safe and warm.
At seven it had protected her from her older brother's homeys, who got broken fingers when they tried to feel her up. At sixteen, when she got kidnapped off Crenshaw Avenue in broad daylight by a carload of Cripz, her rage let her fight like a demon, ending in a crashed car and her walking down the street never to be bothered by the gangs again.
And while she was a police officer, Iwana's rage had protected her just as much as her Kevlar vest. Her rage was her shield.
And now it was gone.
Kneeling before Mistress Paige, with Kunta and Taffy beside her, bound in shiny black latex and still smarting from the piercings she had endured, Iwana was amazed to find her rage had been replaced by an inner calm. A placid, peaceful feeling of contentment that she had never felt before in her life.
"Iwana?"
She looked up to see Mistress Paige smiling at her. She felt the rubber cowl over her bald head being pulled back, freeing her mouth as it was slipped down to the posture collar that held her head straight.
Paige pulled the rubber ball from Iwana's mouth. She noticed that Iwana was licking her lips as she drooled. Trying to keep the taste of the rubber in her mouth. That's when Paige knew that Iwana had been broken.
Paige Torne had played in the world of BDSM, Dommes and subs for more than a few years, and she knew that when one started experimenting with 'power exchanges' and dominance and submission, you were playing around with some of the most powerful emotions of the psyche.
Enslavement of the mind and soul was heavy stuff to be sure. There was really no way to tell who would last for days, and who would fold like a cheap suit in a few hours.
Of course, the mild hallucinegin --a synthetic LSD derivitive that was odorless, tasteless and colorless-- had helped. Kunta had injected it deep into the rubber ball that Iwana had suckled on all night long, and also into the rubber ball she had filling her mouth right now.
Paige leaned forward and kissed Iwana deeply. Iwana groaned and returned the kiss. Paige considered her options. She should start getting Iwana ready to get out of here, and the sooner the better. But her full, dark lips beckened to Paige.
"Oh, what the hell!" Paige got up and zipped off her black leather catsuit as she kicked off her boots. Kunta and Taffy smiled and pulled off their latex and leather garments as well. Still in her harem silks, a bound and gagged Jessica McClintock moaned in frustration before Kunta finally released her to join the fun.
Mistress Paige sat on her throne before her slave Iwana and spread her legs, letting Iwana feast on her cunt.
"It's good to be the Mistress," Paige growled.
***
Riding her Honda Superhawk, Tai spotted Officer Sweet parked at a service station on the corner of Van Ness and Vallejo, right where she said she'd be when she'd called Tai on her cell a few minutes ago.
Tai pulled up next to her and cut the engine. Drew Thrasher was still hanging on behind her.
"So wassup?" Tai asked. "Did you find Iwana?"
"Yup," Sweet replied. "She was taken by the two cops I mentioned, at the behest of another cop named Harry Stoner, he's an Inspector out of Homicide."
"I know that name," Tai said. "He's the one handling the Jessica McClintock case, I've seen his name on the police reports."
"Stoner is a strange bird," Sweet said. "He's also working on the side with a woman named Paige Torne who's the true owner of The Brickyard. She also helps supposedly innocent people get new identities and new lives, which means she has some juice with the Feds and the SFPD. Now, it seems that Jessica McClintock is one of these people she's trying to help. She wasn't kidnapped afterall. She's running from her father."
"I know all this," Tai said. "That's why I was kidnapped by Paige Torne at The Brickyard on Saturday. She just wants to protect Jessica at all costs."
"Would've been nice if you'd let me in on the loop," Sweet growled. She looked at Drew. "And what about you? What's your part in all this intrigue?"
"I'm afraid I'm just an... interested observer," Drew replied.
"Oh, suuuuure," Sweet said. She turned back to Tai. "Here's where we stand. I'm gonna meet with this Stoner in a little while. Then together, we'll get Iwana sprung from The Brickyard."
"I wanna be there," Tai said.
"I think you've done quite enough," Sweet said. "Let me handle this my way and I'll get your friend back."
"Yes'm," Tai nodded.
Sweet looked at Drew again. "Needless to say, anchorbabe, I don't want to see this as the lead story on CNN tonight. Comprende?"
"Yes, Officer," Drew replied.
"I'll call you when I know something." Sweet pulled on her helmet, started her Kawasaki and pushed off into traffic.
Tai looked at her watch. "Jiminy Crickets! It's almost noon! We'd better hurry if we wanna make that lunch with McClintock."
Drew hugged tight as Tai peeled out.
***
The section of Polk Street that lies within the steep slope of Russian Hill is a long avenue of expensive restaurants, bistros and coffeeshops, not to mention trendy dress shoppes, clothiers and boutiques.
Taffy Chu's Fashion X-tremez was only a few blocks to the east, but that eclectic neighborhood of clapboard Victorians now seemed a a world away.
Tai was motoring south on Polk when her cell phone went off. She had it hooked into her helmet receiver so she clicked through.
"Yowza?"
"Tai? Don't acknowledge it's me." It was Jeb. "We have a problem, where's Drew?"
"Holding on tight behind me," Tai answered. "Don't worry, she can't hear me, I'm on my helmet. Wassup?"
"Drew is working for Paige Torne," Jeb said. "She was the one responsible for getting Iwana captured, and she might be trying to get you back into her grasp as well."
"No shit, Sherlock," Tai replied. "You just now figuring that one out? I knew Drew was on the pad to Paige back at the Motorlodge."
"How?"
"The cops knew to go right to Room 216 without asking Mr. Poon, the manager," Tai said. "Only people who knew that Iwana was in that room was you... and Drew."
"Fair enough, what's your plan?"
"Take Drew to lunch with McClintock, prove to her that I'm no longer hooked up with him, then get her to take me to Paige," Tai said. "By the way, my source on the SFPD came through, Iwana was abducted by a SF cop named Harry Stoner, works out of Homicide... and also apparently works for Paige Torne. She's going to get her sprung from The Brickyard."
"Good, I have a few things brewing myself, unless you want me to cover you while you talk to McClintock?" Jeb asked.
"Negative, I wanna handle this by myself," Tai replied. "Look, I'm here. Gotta go."
"Well, be..." Tai clicked off as she stopped her motorbike in the center lane of Polk. La Folie was more than just another restaurant specializing in nouveau French cuisine, it had a reputation as being one of the finest restaurants in The City.
It was also open only for dinner. But like everything else, the world seemed to move in different ways for Matthew McClintock. There was a valet waiting under the red cloth awning that led into the restaurant. A black stretch limo was also parked by the entrance.
"Well?" Drew asked.
"Hold yer horses," Tai said. She wasn't fond of the idea of giving up her ride to a valet who could park her motorbike Gawd knows where. Not when there was a chance she might be needing a fast exit strategy.
Tai turned left and drove into the alleyway between La Folie and the old and grandiose Alhambra Theatre. She parked her motorbike between two rusting dumpsters and cut the engine.
Tai and Drew got off the bike, Drew was busy pulling at her tight leathers and her latex top, trying to get them to fit a little less provacatively. She failed.
Tai put her helmet across the handlebars and looked herself over. Not bad. She put on her Raybans and together she and Drew headed out.
"My hair must be a sight," Drew muttered.
"Here," Tai stopped and undid her own pony tail, running a comb though her long, deep black mane to look instantly beautiful. How does she do that? Drew thought.
She faced Drew and combed out her hair for her, losing her part on the left and sweeping back her conservative bob cut.
"I don't... really wear it like this!"
"You look great." Tai twirled her around so she was looking into the mirrored glass of one of the theatre marquee signs.
"Oh... my." Drew saw a stranger in the mirror. The prim, conservative BBC journalist was gone. Replaced by a ruff and ready leathergrrl with dark glasses and attitude to spare.
"Shall we?" Tai took her hand in hers and led her down the street and into La Folie.
From across the street, Fannikins Wenche laughed, still astride her parked Ducati.
"You go, grrls!" she said aloud. She then got on her cell to Fiendly.
***
Four cars down from The Wenche, a totally unremarkable vehicle was parked on Polk. A battered, white '94 Ford Aerostar van with Achmeed and Abdul's Fine Auto Detailing! emblazened on both sides.
Inside the van was enough state of the art surveillance equipment to make a CIA agent drool. Audio, video and telecommunications out the wahzoo.
Fahd the Panther was lord of this realm. He sat in the back replaying the video capture he had just made while his associates Abbas and Gamal sat up front, smoking cigarettes.
"Well?" Abbas asked in Arabic.
"It was as your source said," Fahd replied. "I have a positive ID on target Thrasher, and the woman known as... Tai Anne Roper."
"My source says this Roper girl is well versed in the martial arts. A 'wild card' to be sure," Abbas said. "We'll take them down in the alley where she parked her motorcycle. Get them both on their way out."
"Kill Roper?" Gamal asked.
Abbas considered his options. "Noooo... not just yet. A public death might make target Torne nervous. We'll take both Thrasher and Roper alive, then pump Roper for any useful intel. That's your job, Fahd."
Fahd replayed the video, admiring Tai's firm curves in tight leather. "I am already looking forward to it, Abbas."
"We'll juice Thrasher and keep her on ice until we have acquired the second target," Abbas said.
Fahd looked at him. "You trust this 'source' of yours?"
"As much as one can trust any infidel." Abbas grinned. I do... respect him, tho. Like us, he is a man with his own agenda. He is ruthless. And he knows what he wants. Right now, he wants Jessica McClintock, and sees Miss Thrasher and Miss Roper as obstacles to that goal. Which is why he contacted me."
"Then we are working with him?"
"As long as our goals remain compatable," Abbas said. "He will assist us in the capture of Miss Torne, and if we come across Jessica McClintock, we give her to him."
Fahd nodded. "And everybody goes home happy."
Abbas shrugged. "Well, everybody except for Miss Thrasher and Miss Torne."
***
La Folie was all about elegance and the finer things in life. A maitre d' was waiting for them.
"Bonjour, madamoiselles," he said. "You are with Monseuir McClintock's party, oui?"
"Definitely," Tai Anne replied. She let him lead them through a darkened dining room full of empty tables to the back, where Matthew McClintock awaited.
"My darling, Tai!" He was dressed California casual today in pressed khakis, a white linen shirt and a cotton blazer. He looked trim, cool and handsome as always. He eyes roamed over Tai's tight, gleaming leathers, and the leathers of her cute friend.
He moved in to kiss her, but a quick swing of her head got him only a peck on her cheek.
"Hi, Matt!" Tai said. "Where are your Aryan bodyguards, Frick und Frack?"
He laughed. "Hansel and Gretal are back at my yacht. I've decided to stay there as long as I have business in The City." He looked over Drew again.
"Oh!" Tai said. "And this is my friend, Drew. I thought it'd be nice if she got to know you too."
Drew removed her sunglasses. "Mr. McClintock."
"Ms. Thrasher," McClintock's face went flush. "I'd like to say its a pleasure to see you again, but I'd be lying."
"You've met before?" Tai asked.
"Only momentarily," Drew replied. "Mr. McClintock had me tossed overboard while we were aboard a ferry boat in Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong. Good thing that Chinese junk happened by..."
"Now you know I had nothing to do with that," McClintock replied easily. "It's simply a peril of your profession that you meet the wrong kind of people... and make the wrong kind of enemies."
"Indeed," Drew smiled.
"Needless to say, I cannot dine with you, Ms. Thrasher." He turned to Tai. "I hope you understand, Tai Anne. But as my employee, I need to discuss certain things with you... in private."
Tai sighed and sat down in a chair at the table. "It doesn't really matter, Matt. Drew already knows everything there is to know about you... and Jessica."
He looked alarmed. "And how..."
"I told her," Tai replied sweetly. "Now do sit down, Matt. I'm starving!"
McClintock sat down, as did Drew, who had to wiggle in her seat some to get her tight leather pants to cooperate.
A waiter appeared out of nowhere and gave them all menus. He waited while Tai and Drew looked over the bill of fare. McClintock gulped his vodka and tonic.
"I think for the appetizer I'll have le soups d'escargots et al daux," Tai said. "And a glass of white wine. Whatever you recommend from your cellars."
"Oui, madamoiselle! An excellent choice!"
"Make that two," Drew said, handing him the menu.
"And for your entres?" he asked.
"Let's see if we're here that long," Tai said, smiling at McClintock.
"Oui." He looked at McClintock. "Monseuir?"
"Another vodka 'n tonic," McClintock said. "Light on the tonic."
"Oui, monseuir." He took off.
McClintock leaned forward in his chair. "You disappoint me, Tai."
"Really?"
"I hired you in good faith to do a job for me. To help me find my only daughter. And you stab me in the fucking back!" He slammed his empty glass on the table.
"Matt, I did find your daughter," Tai replied. "I also found out why she ran away from you."
He looked at Tai, then to Drew. For the first time Tai saw fear in his eyes.
"I know everything," Tai said. "I know about the puri-potent stem cells that make Jessica the most unique individual on earth. I know about Jessica's ability to heal others. I know that a man named Joseph Weskler is also after her. I know that all Jessica wants is a chance to live her life the way she wants to live it..."
"All I want is what's best for her!" McClintock hissed. "She is my only daughter!"
"You don't want a daughter, you want a goddamned lab rat that you can lock way in a cage for the rest of her life," Tai growled back. "So she can be kept safe... and studied. So that you can puzzle out how to creat another generation of human lab rats that can cure all the ills of the world... and make Matthew McClintock the richest and most powerful man on the planet. Am I getting warm?"
"I'd say you were right on target," Drew said.
The waiter arrived with the drinks. McClintock slugged down his, while the waiter poured Tai and Drew a glass each of white wine and then hurried off under McClintock's hard gaze.
Tai Anne Roper sipped her wine. "Excellent," she remarked.
"I want to make you an offer, Tai Anne," McClintock said. "I want to hire you as my own personal chief of security. With a guaranteed salary of three hundred thousand dollars a year, plus bonuses."
"Wow!" Tai said. "Color me impressed! Who do I have to kill?" She looked over to Drew. "Her?"
"I'll take care of Ms. Thrasher," McClintock said. "Is it a deal?"
Tai Anne Roper laughed. A long and hearty bellylaugh that left her with tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Ohhhh... oh my!" Tai wiped her eyes. "Thank you, I needed that." She cleared her throat and looked at McClintock. "Of course it's not a deal, you remarkable ass! Jiminy Crickets! Do you honestly think you can buy off anybody who comes within range of your checkbook?"
McClintock reached across the table and took her hand into his. "And what about our feelings for each other, Tai? Are you forgetting what happened between us the other night?"
"Oh, that!," Tai smirked. "You mean love and marriage and a mutant child in a baby carriage?" She squinted at him over the table. "Was any of that bullshit for real, Matt? Or was it all part of the plan?"
"Plan?"
Your plan to get my hormones working overtime, to get me to fall in love with you so that my emotions would override my sense of right and wrong, and I would just hand Jessica over to you no matter what."
"Tai..."
"Y'see, I know about your little hat trick, Matt." Tai pulled her hand away from his. "'Fun with Phermones'? Jessica told me all about it."
"I was ready to marry you, Tai," McClintock offered. "Don't you feel... anything for me?"
"Disgust. Pity. Loathing," Tai replied. "You should brush up on your Greek mythology, Matt. When a person was struck by Cupid's arrow, they instantly fell in love with the first person they saw. Until they discovered it was only Cupid's arrow, and not true love. Then the spell was broken."
"You bitch," McClintock growled.
"Ah! Finally the "B" word." Tai said. "That's my cue to leave." Tai stood up as did Drew. "And just so you know, I quit. I know you won't honor the 25K promise you made if I found Jessica, so I'll just keep the expense money and call it even."
"You're going back to Los Angeles?" McClintock asked.
"You wish. I'm staying here to offer my services to Jessica. To help her find her new life... away from you." Tai looked at Drew. "You wanna say anything?"
"You've said it all quite marvelously," Drew replied. She turned to McClintock. "I will say this. If you allow Jessica to live in peace, I promise to keep quiet about everything I've learned about you. But... continue your pursuit of her and I promise that everyone on this planet who knows how to read a newspaper or look at the telly will know everything about you."
"Color us gone," Tai said to McClintock.
The two women in black leather stood together and put on their sunglasses, turned on their heels and headed back through the dining rooom and out the front door.
As soon as the door shut behind them, a man stepped out of the darkness not three feet away from the table where they had sat.
He was handsome, in a cold and dark way. Mid-thirties with a smooth, unlined face. He had long, black hair and cold grey eyes. He wore a fitted three-piece Armani of charcoal gray.
He took Drew's chair, picked up her untouched glass of wine and took a sip.
"Excellent indeed," he said, looking at the label of the bottle still on the table. "Miss Roper had excellent taste."
"Damn you!" McClintock looked at him. "It's all gone to shit! More people know about Jessica than ever! And Weskler is still out there trolling for her! And we still don't know where she's hiding!"
"Actually, everything is going exactly as I planned," the man spoke in a cultured British accent. "I know exactly where your daughter is, and have finalized plans to have her retrieved. As for Miss Roper and Miss Thrasher, they are both about to drop off the face of the earth."
***
"Tai, there's something I must tell you," Drew said. They were walking side by side down the sidewalk, approaching the alleyway where Tai had parked her Honda motorbike.
"You came into this working for Paige Torne," Tai replied. "You hoped to throw Jeb and me off her trail and even arranged Iwana's abduction."
Drew stopped. "Damn."
"I know," Tai stopped beside her. "And so does Jeb. But we have to forget about that now and work together to do what's best for Jessica. She's all that matters now."
"Alright," Drew nodded. "I'll take you to the Brickyard straightaway. We'll settle things between you and Paige and reunite you with Iwana."
"Sounds like a plan." Tai grinned.
They walked into the alleyway to where Tai had parked her motorbike between the two dumpsters. Tai was getting her hair back into a ponytail and taking her helmet off the handlebars while Drew slipped over the saddle of the motorbike.
The rusting, green dumpster behind her had a heavy metal top that was propped open by a long steel pipe. From within the dumpster, Fahd aimed a Co2 pistol and fired a trank dart into Drew Thrasher's leathered bottom.
Tai turned as Drew slipped off her seat and hit the ground. Fahd had already shifted aim to Tai when she threw her helmet as hard as she could at the steel pipe holding up the top of the dumpster.
The dumpster top landed hard on Fahd's head and trapped his gun hand. Tai went to Drew and went for the pistol Jeb had given her. From the other dumpster, Gamal raised the lid and shot a trank dart into Tai's butt.
Tai Anne Roper managed to pull her Gerber tactical folder from her belt, snick it open and throw it at Gamal before she too fell to the ground atop of Drew.
An instant later the battered Ford van backed into the alleyway. Abbas got out and opened the sliding side door. So far their actions had gone unnoticed.
"You two okay?" he asked.
"The Roper bitch nearly knocked me out!" Fahd said as he hopped out of the dumpster, wincing at his bloodied forehead. "She was lucky."
"No, she was good," Gamal said as he eased out of his dumpster. Tai's knife was imbedded to the hilt in his upper chest, just below the collarbone. He looked down and yanked it out, slipping it into his pocket.
"No matter, soon she will be dead," Abbas said as Gamal and Fahd picked up Tai and Drew and dumped them into the back of the van.
The trank was not supposed to keep them out too long, so while Abbas drove, Fahd brought out some plastic cuff ties and secured both Tai and Drew with hands behind their backs, elbows together and more ties at knees and ankles. He then brought their ankles back to their wrists, bowing them back into a nice hogtie.
A rolled up sock into each mouth secured with another plastic tie completed their new captivity.
Tai Anne Roper groaned into her gag and Fahd smiled as he caressed her face, thinking of all the horribly wonderful things he would get to do to this beautiful infidel whore.
Praise Allah!
Chapter Twenty-Eight