Though Wladimir hadn`t phoned his friend yet, he had come to the conclusion that Nymphadora and Fjodor were hiding at their emergency hideout – a houseboat on the Thames.
„A houseboat, really? One of these swimming huts that travel at the speed of an asthmatic turtle?“
„Also, they are unsuspicious because there are thousands of them. Besides, you can travel with them, albeit very slowly. At least, we could reach a boat or ship that could bring us to France within a day or so.“
Wladimir was sure that, since London wasn`t Chicago, the car chase had drawn some attention and therefore his accomplices had not dared to keep the Rolls Royce for long. So, they had to use public transport to reach a place to hide, making the houseboat the most likely.
And indeed, as they reached the quay, Wladimir pointed at one of the boats that indeed looked like several of his neighbors. From a little chimney some smoke was dwelling, so obviously it was occupied.
„So, what`s your stratagem?“, Sally asked. In the Underground, they hadn`t dared to speak about what they were doing. Wladimir hugged her and said:
„Well, I will just tell them that their car theft had caused quite some trouble at the hotel and so, I decided to leave.“ He smiled at Sally: „In addition, this will prove that you don`t matter to me.“
„What a first day of our relationship“, Sally sighed and kissed him. Then, Wladimir approached the houseboat and disappeared in the deck house.
Although she knew that Wladimir`s plan was well-meant to protect her, she was no coward and besides, she was terribly curious. So, after a while, Sally sneaked closer, only to see that Fjodor stepped out and began to loosen the boat from the quay.
„Why is it always on me to rescue my beloved? Why can`t I be the girl once?“, Sally thought when Fjodor started the engine and the boat slowly chugged towards the middle of the river. Sally fought down the reflex of stepping aboard another boat and to tell the owner to „follow that boat“. Such a behavior would have been both suspicious and would have endangered Wladimir`s life. But just sitting there and waiting wasn`t an option either.
So, Sally searched the quay for an abandoned rowing boat and took one to get to the houseboat that apparently had stopped some 300 yards away. In the boat, she had found an old rubber coat and a woolen cap and she hoped that this disguise would work at the distance.
When she was some 100 yards away, she could see that all three Russians were coming on deck. They were arguing, but obviously, Wladimir wasn`t hurt. Sally wondered why they had left the deck house, but then, she could see that they were discussing where to go next, according to their gestures. They were not taking any notice of the small rowing boat, but Sally didn`t dare to come closer. Instead, she ducked deeper and tried to draw no attention at all. Then, things began to escalate.
Nymphadora suddenly held something glistering in her hand and after the fraction of a second, Sally heard a shot. She oppressed a cry, but it had been Fjodor who had been hit. The man grabbed his leg, staggered and fell into the water. Wladimir hesitated for a moment, then, he jumped overboard, too.
„What the-“
Sally frantically thought about some adequate reaction, but then, she saw that Nymphadora had started the engine and the houseboat slowly left the scenery. Then, she could see the two men. Wladimir had his arms slung around Fjodor and was trying to keep the injured man above water.
Since Nymphadora obviously had no intention of finishing what she had begun, Sally grabbed the oars and quickly brought her boat close to the men. Wladimir smiled when he recognized her and said:
„Now, our first day even has a boat trip!“
Working together, they managed to get Flodor aboard, too. Sally checked the wound in his thigh and provisionally made a tourniquet. Fjodor was obviously surprised to see her, but he thanked her with a grin, although he had to bite down his pain.
„Nympha and we argued about whether to cancel everything or not. Fjodor and I thought that too much had happened and that we should return to France as long as it is possible and no one suspects us. However, Nympha wants to get on.“
„And so, she tried to kill you?“ Sally really was indignant about what this woman had done to her lover, though Fjodor actually was the one to suffer.
Wladimir shook his head.
„On point blank distance, Nympha never misses. It was just as planned. She knew that I would not let Fjodor drown and so, it was one bullet to get the two of us out of her way – just long enough to do whatever`s next.“
Sally looked at Fjodor whose lips had turned blue, but who tried to form a smile:
„Wowa`s just – to weak to see – a friend dying!“
Though the situation was serious, Sally giggled:
„Wowa?“
„A Russian pet-version of Wladimir.“
He obviously did not seem to like being called like that and so, Sally decided to keep it in mind for more intimate situations. But now, more important things had to be done. She draped the coat over Fjodor and then, she helped Wladimir to row the boat ashore.
„So, once we have brought your friend to the hospital, we will get to where Dorothea and Olga are and will try to free them before this woman tries to get them somewhere else.“
Wladimir shook his head. Then, he explained Sally that obviously, Dorothea had managed to change the cars during the chase and that Olga had disappeared once more. And Wladimir had no idea where Dorothea was hidden.
„When I arrived, it was her and Fjodor against me and so, they didn`t tell me where she is. And then, we were too busy with quarreling. I only can guess that it is not far from the place where the other Austin will be found.“
Sally bent to Fjodor, but obviously, the combination of pain and hypothermia had rendered him unconscious. So, they rowed the last yards to the shore and Wladimir stopped a car and persuaded the driver to get him and Fjodor to the next hospital.
„Sally, I know it`s hard for you, but all we can do is to wait until Fjodor can talk and tell us where she is.“
Sally frowned, but then, she suddenly kissed Wladimir`s lips and whispered:
„There is one more option. Just trust me, I know how to take care of myself. There are just three things I need from you: your gun, some money and an information!“
***
Dorothea had come to the conclusion that she had three options: panicking, fainting or waiting for the things to come.
After her captors had left, she had tried to work on her bonds, but to no avail. Her fingers were tightly wrapped in bandages and tape and she could not move them at all. She could move her forearms a little bit, but this only caused the knotty scarf pulled between her labia to chaff her even more.
„At least, that`s something I can do if the situation becomes too boring.“
Moving her legs was quite impossible, too. They were tightly tied and wrapped and in addition, her body was tied to the board on which she was lying. Even her big toes were tied and so, she could just wriggle her other toes a bit.
The board also prevented her from turning to her side or squirming and wriggling, no matter how hard she tried. Even moving her mummified head wasn`t without a cost, for her long, braided hair was tied to her crotch rope, too. She could shake her head, but more than a slight nodding would cause pain both to her scalp and between her legs.
Then, there was the gag. Dorothea was almost used to have a pair of another woman`s used panties stuffed into her mouth, but this time, she also had that giant knot in her cleave gag forced between her teeth and also, she had to bite down hard on her gag and could not move her jaw at all. She had tried to cry for help, but with her ears plugged, it had been strange not to hear the slightest sound and so, she had stopped it, since it made breathing more difficult. Obviously, the sarcophagus wasn`t air tight, and Nymphadora had also taken care not to wrap tape over her nose. But it was covered by at least one layer of bandage and, even worse, by the crotch part of some used panties. The fragrance was vile, but Dorothea suffered even more from the fact that every breath was exhausting and that she could not stand any major effort without seeing stars and fearing to choke.
„Once I am free, I must tell that Russian woman that she will have a brilliant career in packing fragile things for transport! Maybe, she could work at a grocery store and pack the eggs for the customers.“
Dorothea still tried to mock about her helpless situation, since panic would only have meant exhaustion to the point of fainting – or worse. She was thoroughly trussed up and gagged, she was stark naked and had cloth pegs on her nipples and a knotted scarf tied between her legs. There was not much dignity left for her, but she had decided to keep that as long as possible.
Then, suddenly, she felt a move. First, she thought it was just imagination, but indeed, someone was carrying the sarcophagus away.
***
Immediately after she had left the houseboat, Nymphadora had went to the next car rental store and chosen a plain, but fast car. Now, she was on her own, but she still had a chance that the whole conspiracy would work.
She was quite sure that Wladimir and Fjodor would not inform the police. Not because they still were loyal towards her, but because they would face a few years in prison, too. Nymphadora still had quite a sum and in addition, she had a plan.
Since she had been an NKWD agent for some time, she knew that information was essential. And so, she had taken care that there were some people who had no idea who she was, but who could help her with some valid information.
After a few phonecalls, she knew that the police hadn`t heard about any girl that had been freed after being kidnapped and kept hostage for some days. But the owner of the other Austin had made a report about the theft of his car. He hadn`t mentioned Olga either and so, Nymphadora suspected that Olga was hiding at this man. Or, if not, she could get some information from him. According to her informant, it was a Charles Peter Quint, an insurance agent living in a small flat in one of the not so bad parts of the East End.
Nymphadora reached the house at dusk and examined it. Quint lived at the third floor and she could see light burning in one window. When it finally was turned off, Nymphadora checked her bag and controlled her gun before putting it into her belt. Then, she went to the main door and sneaked up the steps to Quint`s flat.
At the door, she listened carefully before she opened the door with a picklock. With raised gun, she slid inside. The corridor was dark, but some light from outside enabled her to find her way. There were three doors. The first was open and Nymphadora could see a small kitchen, obviously empty. The second led to the bathroom. So, the last room would be the living and sleeping room. Nymphadora listened at the door and could hear some snorting. She opened the door a little bit and on a bed, she could see a dark shadow lying on the bed. around it, a naked woman`s arm was slung.
„So, Olga was quite grateful to her rescuer“, she thought with a smile. Well, now the two lovebirds would face a rude awakening.
„Wakey, wakeoouch!“
Nymphadora stepped inside, raised her gun and switched on the light with the other hand. But when doing so, she felt a pain in her fingertip. Puzzled, she looked at her left. Fixed to the light switch, there was a little syringe. According to the pressed down piston, it was empty.
„So, you found my little surprise for you?“
Nymphadora spun around. On the bed, half hidden behind what now turned out to be some blankets brought into a human form, was lying. She looked at the Russian with a triumphant smile.
„In my eighteen months at the nurse school, I have learned a lot about chemicals – including narcotics of all kind.“
Nymphadora felt her left arm getting numb and she staggered. She tried to aim at Sally with her gun, but her movements were slow, as if she was swimming in honey. Her vision blurred and she croaked:
„Y-you bitch, you – will – pay-“
The gun dropped from her hand. Nymphadora sank to her knees and with dwindling sight, she could see that Sally rose from the bed. the Russian reached for the girl, croaking something unintelligible. Then, her eyes twisted and she collapsed on the carpet.
„Never mess with a Scottish lassie!“
Sally was proud of how well her plan had worked. She had to admit that also coincidence had helped a bit, but first and foremost, it had been her idea. After she and Wladimir had separated, Sally had phoned his friend at the newspaper whose number Wladimir had given to her. Peter had told her that the Austin had been found at a remote court and Sally had been able to persuade Peter to tell her that it belonged to a man named Charles Peter Quint. With a taxi, she had hurried to his place – acording to the telephone book, London had eight Charles Quint, but only one had the second name Peter.
At the house, she had quickly looked for Nymphadora and then, she had spent a visit to Quint. As she had suggested from the fact that Peter had told nothing about any kidnapping case, Olga was hiding here at Quint`s house. Luckily, the man had let her in before Olga had seen her entering. Of course, the girl had been frightened to see Sally who had at least partially been responsible for her last predicament and so, Sally had raised Wladimir`s gun and forced both Olga and Quint to listen to her.
„The woman who wants to kidnap you still hasn`t dropped her plan, although now she is alone. If we call the police, this might end up in a shooting. So, I have thought of a different plan. Is there any safe place you two can go to?“
Olga just looked like a deer facing a flashlight and Quint seemed quite overwhelmed, too. Then, he suddenly said one word:
„New York.“
Sally raised an eyebrow and Olga turned towards him. Both girls feared that he was talking nonsense, but then, Quint continued:
„I am about to leave for New York. My company sends me there and my ship will leave in four hours. That`s why I was in such a hurry today and didn`t recognize at first that-“
Apologizing, he looked at Olga who gently pressed his hand.
„Charles offered me to stay here, at least until the day after tomorrow, when his successor will take over the flat. He really is a gentleman.“
Sally interrupted the girl and asked:
„And do you think you could get her aboard, too?“
Now, Charles Peter Quint blushed deeply:
„Yes, well, no, I mean, there will be only one cabin and-“
„Oh Charles, after what I have been through, this will be no problem at all in comparison. You are such a gentleman that I don`t have to fear anything.“
Then, looking at Sally, she suddenly showed her charming smile, although she still seemed a bit exited and frightened:
„I am afraid that he will spend the nights on a deckchair, just to respect my sense of modesty.“
„Oh, I am sure you can persuade him to stay with you.“
Sally had seen that not only Charles was attracted by the pretty Olga, but also vice versa. And a three day`s trip on the Atlantic would help these two to get more acquainted.
„Well, Olga, it`s not the throne of Russia, but I am sure that you will become at least this handsome man`s Princess!“
„Please, stop talking about thrones and Princesses one and for all!“, Olga begged, laughing and crying at the same time, „just look at me! I even haven`t got any underwear!“
„Well, happy honeymoon, then!“, Sally giggled whilst Olga and Charles competed in who could blush deeper.
From a nearby phone booth, Sally ordered a taxi and little later, Olga and Charles drove off. Sally now took the small bag she had bought at a short stop at a pharmacy before. She had feigned to be sent by a doctor and her experience as a student nurse made her sound convincingly enough that the man sold her the narcotic she wanted. Then, she prepared her little trap.
Sally was sure that Nymphadora would try to get Olga back into her hands, but she was not sure whether she would be alone or if she had hired some new henchmen. So, Sally had kept the gun ready and had been more than a bit exited.
But now, everything had worked out! Sally quickly checked if Nymphadora had any accomplice waiting outside, but she could only see her empty car. Satisfied, she took the unconscious woman`s bag.
„So, at least you didn`t forget to bring a present.“
The bag contained two pairs of handcuffs, a roll of tape and some thin cord. Now, Sally decided to give Nymphadora some of her own medicine. So, she removed her shoes and stockings and took off her pullover, together with her camisole. It turned out that Nymphadora was wearing no bra.
„Wow, such big boobs and no support!“, Sally thought involuntarily. She could not help groping Nymphadora`s breast a bit and indeed, they were firm and ample. She wondered whether Wladimir had touched them, too, but then, she laughed at her own jealousy. After all, she also had had other men before Wladimir.
„Wow, that`s definitely no canvas“, Sally giggled when she pulled down the Russian`s trousers. Obviously, Nymphadora had not only decided not to need a bra, but also no panties. Now that the woman was naked, Sally turned her on her belly and pulled her over to the bathroom where she first taped her fingers to make any further escape attempts more difficult if not impossible. Then, she pulled her to the toilet, slung Nymphadora`s arms around the base and cuffed her wrists. Now, it looked as if the Russian was embracing the toilet – or as if she had a really bad hangover.
Sally grabbed the blonde`s scalp and pulled her head over the toilet, letting her chin rest on the seat. Then, she tightly wound several rounds of the cord around her upper arms and the toilet`s base to fix her in that position. Sally giggled. Actually, the position was less terrible than it looked. There was nothing but water in it and for a man living alone, Charles had an extraordinary clean bathroom. But at least, this position looked very, very embarrassing and Sally wasn`t finished with Nymphadora yet.
Sally took the belt from the Russian`s trousers and tied it around her waist. Then, she cuffed her ankles. As a crowning touch, she took the last two yards of cord and tied one end to her belt, just below her navel. Then, she worked the rope between Nymphadora`s legs and through her belt again. This crotch rope, she pulled tight, but not too tight. She did not intend to hurt the Russian, but to further humiliate her. But before, she thought of something more important.
Drawing by hugues66
„Too bad that Charles hasn`t taken the panties Olga had been gagged with“, she thought when she lifted her skirt and peeled down her own underwear. She was sure that Wladimir wouldn`t mind if he found out. Thoroughly, she stuffed Nymphadora`s cheeks and troat and secured the gag with all the tape left. She pulled with all her strength to make sure that this gag could not easily be worked off. Then, she turned back for the crotch rope. She threaded the end through the chain of Nymphadora`s handcuffs and bent her legs until her heels touched her buttocks. Then, she pulled out the slack, brought the rope`s end upwards and tied the end off to the chain of the toilet flush. When she let her legs go, the chain was pulled taut and Sally knew that if Nymphadora would struggle too much, she would pull the flush and get her face covered with water.
Again, this was actually not worse than putting the head under a tap, but Sally had the image of the time at school when sometimes the boys had bullied the nerds by pushing their heads in the toilet and flushing and she hoped that Nymphadora would have similar memories and feel humiliated. In addition, Sally knew that if she did not manage to get free on her own accord, she would have to stay like this until the new lodger would arrive on Sunday morning – which was some 30 hours from now. The fact that she would have water so close, but could not get a drop of it would sure drive the woman crazy. Sally knew that a side effect of the narcotic she had used was that one felt thirsty.
„Maybe, this is too gruesome, but after all, I don`t know what you have done to Dorothea and so, I prefer being too strict in my revenge than too lax!“
She left the room and once more searched through Nymphadora`s belongings. She found a considerable amount of money – more than 200 Pounds – and the car keys, but no sign of where Dorothea could be. Sally also took Nymphadora`s gun and left the flat, feeling just a little sad that she had no time to watch Nymphadora`s awakening.
At the street, she decided that it would be okay to take the Russian`s car, too. However, the only driving lessons Sally had ever had had been a few hours with the old van of the nurse school`s caretaker and so, she repeatedly choked the engine and when she had finally reached the hospital, she was covered with sweat and rather subdued, she let Wladimir do the further driving.
„So, the good news is that Fjodor is doing quite well and will not suffer from any lasting damage. However, they gave him some strong painkillers and so, he could not tell me where your friend is. He just drivelled something about ,Cleopatra`. But I am quite sure that she`s not in Alexandria.“
„Well, although maths has never been my best subject at school, I remember what an intersection is. We know that Dorothea`s hidden somewhere near the court where the Austin has been found. And sure, there are not many places around that have any relation towards Cleopatra. For the two of us, this should be an easy task.“
Wladimir bent over to Sally and kissed her cheek.
„If ever Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler had a daughter, it must be you.“
Sally laughed and cuddled against him. But then, she thought of something else that had not stopped haunting her mind since she had heard it:
„You said that there are other documents that more or less prove that Olga`s the last descendant of Tsarina Katharina. Now, with Fjodor in the hospital and Nymphadora, well, tied to a special throne (Sally had told the amused and admiring Wladimir about her latest adventure), you don`t have to protect me from anyone. Tell me everything – Wowa.“
„I would prefer freeing Dorothea first. Otherwise, I would have to tell the story twice – Sherlockina!“
Sally giggled:
„Sherlockina? Well, still a better name than Nymphadora!“
Now, both laughed heartily and little later, they had reached the court where somewhere not far away, Dorothea was waiting to be rescued.
***
Dorothea was not sure whether her captors were brutes or just lousy drivers. First, they had carried the sarcophagus around, shaking it as if nothing living was in it. She had screamed her lungs out, trying to attract anyone`s attention, but either there was nobody who cared or her gag was just too effective. Anyway, the lack of air had soon stopped her muffled cries.
Now, she felt that she was lying on the load area of a van and the driver obviously was not used to change the gears properly and besides, the road seemed to be covered with potholes. Sometimes, the van literally made little jumps, forcing Dorothea to throw her head up – which made her pull on her crotch rope – and causing a feeling of sickness.
„No! I won`t die from that! Although I am already inside a coffin, this will not be the end of Dorothea Helmrich!“
She took all her remaining strength together to fight down her gag reflex, but when the car finally stopped, she was short from fainting. Again, the sarcophagus was carried around and then, finally, there was calmness. Dorothea was so relieved that all the shaking had come to an end that it took her some time to realize that it maybe wasn`t the best thing to have reached the final destination of her abduction.
***
Though it was well after midnight when they reached the court, Sally and Wladimir soon found something that could be a hint towards „Cleopatra“. On one of the warehouses, they could see a faded sign saying:
„George Attleby, Antiques & Curiosities.“
When they approached the door, they could hear the cocking of a gun and an old man`s voice snarled:
„Gotcha, you thieves! This time, I am prepared!“
Wladimir and Sally turned around and saw an old man who held a shotgun in his hands. He looked as if he had been drinking and sure, he would not have a good aiming, but on the other hand, with a shotgun on a distance of less than five yards, there was no reason for proper aiming.
„Mr. Attleby? Please, let me explain-“
Sally`s smile was not as elfin and enchanting as Olga`s, but she could also be quite charming if she wanted and after a while, she had persuaded Mr. Attleby not only to lower his gun, but also to allow them to get into the warehouse. She had told him that the burglars he had been talking about had stolen something of her fiance and her and that it sure was hidden inside his warehouse.
The old man took a sip from his flask and, accompanied with some complaining about the development of the world in general and some compliments towards Sally`s appearance, he told them that indeed someone had broken into his warehouse earlier that day, but obviously hadn`t stolen anything, except for some bandages.
Sally was electrified. Sure, these burglars had been Fjodor and Nymphadora and perhaps, they had used the bandages to restrain Dorothea!
„Have you got anything that has to do with Cleopatra?“, she asked.
Grunting, the man showed them a messy area where he had stowed some Egypt and oriental artifacts. Indeed, there was a bust showing Cleopatra, but this was of no help. Then, her eyes fell on a large sarcophagus, painted with golden color.
„Quick, help me!“
Together, the two could heave the heavy lid from the sarcophagus, watched by Mr. Attleby who thought that he should call Bedlam if they were missing two lunatics.
For a terrible second, Sally thought that Dorothea had been overtaken by the Pharao`s curse when her eyes fell on the horribly looking mummy lying inside the sarcophagus. Then, she realized that it was just a dummy.
„Have you got any other Egyptian artifacts. Anything big enough to put a woman inside?“, Wladimir asked. Now, Mr. Attleby was sure that these two were completely mad, but the ten Pounds Wladimir handed him appeased his concerns and also stimulated his memory.
„Well, I had another sarcophagus, even prettier than that one!“
„Then show it to us, please!“, Sally begged. The old man scratched his head and shrugged:
„I would really like to help you, Flower of Scotland, but it isn`t here anymore. Some people from France bought it and some deliverymen fetched it a few hours ago!“
***