The Little Death 25

Riding his bike, Mike had been first to reach the harbor where he placed himself inside a small café. From here, he could have an eye on the landing pier of the barge and in addition, Lioba knew about the café and could meet him here once she had found a place to park.

He sipped from his coffee and tried to watch both the pier and the café`s door, wondering what took Lioba so long. When he was just about to leave and hide somewhere else, she finally rushed through the door.

»Sorry, it took me hours to find a free spot to park!«

Lioba hugged him and placed a kiss on his cheek, a gesture he returned whilst looking at her.

»You were just parking and then, you immediately came here, eh?«

She was now wearing a sleeveless light summer dress that ended above her knees. Also, it seemed she had found time to get a pair of matching sandals, too. Lioba shrugged.

»I thought it would be more convincing if I didn`t look like a rag doll. And I am just in time. Look!«

She pointed at the bunch of people that just ascended the stairs that led to the paved yard on which the café was located. Mike had shortly briefed her about Cassandra, her bodyguard and Amy. Lioba, who had no reason to hide, looked at the black couple that just stood in front of one of the souvenir shops.

»The man really is handsome!«

»So, you will seduce him to help me get closer to Cassandra?«

Lioba once again shrugged and Mike thought that at least Isabelle would appreciate if Lioba found someone else than him to be interested in. In the corner of his eye, he had seen how Lioba had looked as he had kissed Isabelle and he had to admit that some of the chemistry between him and her was still there.

»Just let me do the preliminaries first – capture a potential traitor and fight a bunch of criminals sponsored by the Chinese Government!«

He saw that Amy was standing close to the couple and whilst the man obviously bought some postcards, she was talking to Cassandra. They were both laughing and it seemed that Amy had managed to get in contact with her target.

»If I weren`t already from my bath in the sea, I really could get salty now!«, he thought and got up, using Lioba as a shield towards the three people they were watching. In German, he whispered:

»Can you get closer and try if you can overhear something?«

Lioba twinkled and answered in the same language, but rather loud:

»You are right, we have to send your parents a card!«

Then, she rushed directly to the souvenir shop. Mike watched as she did not pretend to look at the postcards on the racks outside. Instead, Lioba walked directly towards Amy and Cassandra and started talking to them.

»What the-«

He remained calm on the outside and he was sure that even if Amy or the bodyguard became suspicious, they wouldn`t dare to attack Lioba at a crowded place, but nevertheless, he felt for his gun hidden under his jacket.

It seemed that Lioba was mostly talking to Amy, as Cassandra soon turned back for the man. Mike saw that Lioba made a phone call with Amy`s cell phone and then, she thanked her and went into the shop. Forcing himself to remain patient, Mike waited until Cassandra and the others had strolled away and Lioba finally came back for the café. She waved a postcard as she saw him and when she had entered, she placed a kiss on his mouth. Playing the game, Mike took her hand and they walked along the street whilst Lioba told him about what she had done:

»I just told them that I heard them speak English and so, I asked them whether I could use one of their phones, for mine seemed to be missing. Amy finally gave me hers and so, I could book a room at the Hotel Gambetta.«

Mike had told her that he was residing at that hotel, though under an alias. Mike frowned.

»So, you now have a room at my hotel. Don`t get me wrong, but how does that get us closer to finding out where Cassandra is lodging?«

Lioba stretched so that, despite the two being of the same height, she could look down on him.

»Hotel Ambassador. Sorry, but in the short time, I couldn`t get the room number or figure out whether she and Morgan are sharing a room or not.«

She smiled and again kissed him.

»Aw, you look so sweet when you are admiring my cunning! When I looked up the number of the Gambetta, I ›accidentally‹ opened Google Maps and it seems that Amy`s last search was the Ambassador. So, I am sure they are there.«

»That`s brilliant, Mircalla!«, he said with a smile. However, when Lioba demanded another kiss, he placed it on her cheek and added:

»Though, you maybe weren`t as subtle as you thought.«

Lioba raised one of her perfectly plucked eyebrows.

»You do remember that I was 2009 city champion in the chess competition?«

»Yeah, you were a true nerd girl before I taught you the pleasures of beer and going to parties.«

She scoffed.

»Well, it seems you didn`t contaminate me completely, for I still was able to think one step ahead: if Amy got suspicious about me, she will most likely want to know who I am. So, she will come to the Gambetta – not knowing that you are there, too!«

They had reached Mike`s bike and she added:

»Now, get to the hotel. My room`s 144, if you want to hide under the bed or something like that. I will get a small suitcase and a few things so I look more convincing as a hotel guest.«

»When this mission`s over, I will inform the headquarter that they shall hire you the next time the Empire is in danger!«, Mike said, and his admiration wasn`t feigned. Lioba straightened and put her hand on her chest.

»For King and Country!«

Then, she cocked her head and smiled.

»Or, since I never became a British citizen – for the country where I lost my virginity!«

She kissed his lips and then, she pranced away. Mike looked after her, shaking his head. He knew all too well where and when Lioba had lost her virginity, since he had been the only other person present. In fact, he had lost his on that occasion, too.

»So, she doesn`t want to leave the field to Belle without a fight – and maybe, I shouldn`t enjoy that at all!«

And yet, Mike couldn`t help grinning like a Cheshire cat as he rode to the hotel.

***

Lioba also had a smile on her face as she walked towards her car. She felt a bit guilty towards Isabelle whom she appreciated, even liked. However, it was open game now and though she had seen that the chemistry between Isabelle and Ozzie was strong, he wasn`t like a dead fish towards her either.

»Perhaps, I should not only buy a toothbrush and a few clothes, but also some nice lingerie!«

She had reached her car and rummaged for the keys in her handbag. Something poked her arm and she rubbed it with a surprised gasp.

»I must have touched a thorny twig!«

However, as she looked to her left, there was no bush. Instead, someone stood there. At the same time, Lioba felt her legs get wobbly and she staggered.

»Wha-«

A hand grabbed her arm when she collapsed. Lioba opened her mouth to scream, but only a faint croak came out. She was lowered to the ground and her eyes saw a face bend over her, as if it was hidden behind clouds. Then, everything went black.

***

From her post, Isabelle could see the Porsche drive through the gate. The driver spoke to the guard and handed him something and the man pointed behind himself, obviously explaining to the driver where to get. After just half a minute, the Porsche slowly rolled along the rows of parked cars.

Isabelle looked at the dashboard and cursed. This was a point where she would have ignored her concerns about her career and called her colleagues, but she remembered that this was Lioba`s car that had no radio and she had not yet been able to organize a new cell phone.

»All right, at least, I still have my senses!«

She left the car and went to the fence, trying to watch where the Porsche was going. It drove towards one of the garages and after a while, the door opened, allowing the car to enter. She went on her tiptoes, but she couldn`t see more than just the concrete wall of the garage.

Now, it would have been possible to just get to the main entrance and show her Police badge to the guard. She doubted that he would ask for a search warrant – but perhaps, he would call the people inside the garage. Maybe, he wasn`t even an accomplice, but wanted them to know that the Police was looking for them. And if she told the man that she was »just looking around«, he would perhaps follow her.

She looked at the fence. It was nothing special, just an ordinary fence, some two and a half yards in height. After all, this wasn`t a high security area. Most of the cars were more than ten years old and destined for developing countries. And if someone climbed the fence, he still could not just take one of the cars with him.

»I will get a suspension anyway!«, Isabelle thought as she strolled along the fence until she discovered a loose part. She looked over her shoulders and, when there was no one around, she slipped inside. For a moment, she feared that an alarm would get loose, but there was nothing and neither a shouting guard nor a growling Doberman was approaching.

She drew her gun and sneaked through the rows of cars, keeping her head low. Ducked behind a Mercedes, she then could observe the garage. From the outside, it was very much »you get what you see«: a concrete block, some twelve meters long, six meters wide and three or four meters high. Isabelle guessed that it was designed for four cars.

The garage had a small iron door at one side and she guessed that the main gate was on the side she couldn`t see from her hideout. Near the roof, she spotted a few skylights. Then, her eyes fell on a ladder lying around in the grass.

»Well, if that can`t be called an invitation!«

Isabelle sneaked closer and, repeatedly looking if there was someone who could see her, she took the ladder and leaned it against the garage`s wall. Carefully, she then ascended it and peeped through one of the skylights.

»Gotcha!«

The skylights were quite narrow, but the men inside had put on the neon lights and so, she had a good view on the interior. The white van, or at least one that had a very strong resemblance, was parked close to the wall opposite to the gate. In the middle, she spotted the two posts of a hydraulic ramp and beside it, the Porsche was standing. Isabelle saw the back of a man who had bent into the car whilst another one was close to him. Number three was a few yards away, sitting on a folding chair and sipping from a Coke bottle. All three men were definitely Asian and she was sure it were the very same that had assaulted her and Lioba.

The man in the car now reached a blanket to the man beside him. He tossed it aside and then, they lifted something else from the backseat. Isabelle licked her lips. It was the body of a woman.

For a terrible moment, Isabelle feared that she was dead, but when the men had placed her on the floor, she could see that she still was breathing. She was naked and had her arms trapped in a leather sheath that was also fixed to her upper body at the shoulders and her waist. Also, a vertical strap disappeared in the thatch of brown pubic hair. The woman`s head was covered by a hood. Isabelle hadn`t looked that closely at Sistine, but the girl definitely had bigger breasts than that one and so, she concluded that this was Dr. Sophia Chabrol.

Isabelle spun around and nearly fell from the ladder when she heard a sound from behind, but it had just been a seagull that was looking for edible trash. Nevertheless, she realized that her position was too exposed. Ob the other hand, she wanted to know what was going on inside the garage.

She saw that one of the men was untying the legs of the pantyhose that covered Sophia`s head and that he had a bottle standing beside him. The two others seemed to be busy with the van. So, Isabelle decided that they were obviously not planning a gang rape and therefore, she could get back to the ground.

She had just reached the grass when she spotted an approaching car: it was the Audi! Quickly, she jumped behind the Mercedes and drew her gun.

»Fuck! I forgot the ladder!«

The car stopped in front of the main gate where Isabelle couldn`t see it. She let out a sigh of relief. Maybe, they hadn`t seen the ladder, or considered it had already been there. She knew that retreating would be the best now, but she had to be sure that Sistine was alive.

So, she sneaked from one parked car to the next to get a better view of the garage`s front. The door had opened and the Audi was rolling inside. Isabelle tried to see if she could get a glimpse of Sistine, but the automatic rolling door was beginning to close once the Audi had entered the garage.

»Isabelle, I presume?«

Feeling a shiver run down her spine, Isabelle turned around and aimed at Lan. The Chinese was wearing her grey business dress and she was obviously unarmed. In her hands, she held her shoes; apparently, she had taken them off to be able to walk soundlessly.

»If you shoot me, Sistine`s blood will be on your hands, too!«, she said in a calm voice. Without bothering that Isabelle was pointing a gun at her, she put her shoes back on, even brushing the dust from her soles.

»So, you saw the ladder!«

Isabelle didn`t lower her gun. Lan was perhaps right with her threat, but if she gave in, her position would be even worse. She added:

»My shot will alarm the guard and he will call the Police. Then, everything will be over – you will be dead, your men go to prison and the formula will be given back to its righteous owner!«

Lan looked at her, still showing no sign of nervousness. She didn`t make any fast moves, but Isabelle knew that she should not underestimate that woman.

»If you shoot me, my men will also be alarmed. And I am quite sure that they will get you before the guard has even realized what is going on and has put away his coffee. And then, with nothing to lose, they would try to break free and leave the country – then, the butcher`s bill would be not only you, me and Sistine, but also Dr. Chabrol, the guard and an unknown number of both Policemen and civilians.«

Isabelle had to admit that Lan had a point, but she answered:

»Seems that my death is a constant no matter how I decide. If I surrender, you would kill me anyway!«

Lan shrugged.

»But Sistine would live!«

»I only have your word on that! Who guarantees me that you wouldn`t kill her off, too?«

Lan was less than two yards away from her. She would not miss her, even if she made a sudden move. However, it seemed that the Chinese was not the least impressed by her gun.

»A simple fact, Isabelle: I love her – and the only way I would allow that she gets harmed is by punishing myself with my own death!«

That came quite unexpected and Isabelle tried to figure out whether this was a strange kind of bluff. However, like most Asians, Lan was able to hide her feelings behind a stoic expression. And yet, when she had confessed her love for Sistine, her eyes had shown a glimpse of softness. Now, the Chinese sighed:

»The poor girl is in a terrible dilemma and therefore, I would go so far to guarantee your life, too – just to ease things for her. Tomorrow, when we leave, we would leave you behind to be found by your colleagues or the guard. How does that sound – no deaths, instead of at least four, including Sistine and Dr. Chabrol, not to forget you!«

»And you!«, Isabelle added, trying not to think too much about Lan`s strange offer. But her opponent was right: if she fired, she would outlive the Chinese for mere seconds. And then, her henchmen would kill Sophia and Sistine, which would only be the beginning of a killing spree.

Slowly, Lan reached out with her hand. Isabelle hesitated for a few seconds, but then, she handed the weapon to the other woman who took it and aimed at her now. Only now, Isabelle noticed the bright red spot on her chest: all the time, one of the men had been aiming at her.

She looked back towards the main gate, but there was no sign of the guard or any other person. Slowly, she walked towards the small door where one of the men was waiting, a rifle in his hands.

»At least, the others know where I am and if I am not back at 6 pm, they will know where to find me! And then, the tide will turn once again!«

***

Mike had returned to the hotel and after a quick trip to his own room, he had looked for room 144 to wait for Lioba. The Gambetta was located near the historical city center, but it was a rather old hotel and therefore, Mike had had no problems in opening the door with his picklocks. The room, of course empty since Lioba hadn`t checked in yet, was very much like his own or like thousands of other middle class hotel rooms. He looked at the bed and for a moment, he thought if he really should hide under it, but then, he decided to just sit in the armchair instead.

»Holy shit, is she shopping for a two week`s stay?«

Now, some two hours had passed since he and Lioba had separated and still, she hadn`t shown up. He was just about to phone at Isabelle`s apartment to see whether Luana had heard something when he heard the sound of the key in the door. Reflexively, Mike checked if his deodorant still worked.

To his surprise, the door only opened a bit and then, he heard a female voice:

»Please, if you are here, don`t do anything you may regret later!«

The voice wasn`t Lioba`s. However, Mike knew the voice all too well – after all, he had heard her before, just a few hours ago. He forced himself to remain seated and put his hands on the armrests. Then, he answered:

»Come in, Amy!«

The door opened and his former colleague stepped in, closing the door by a push with her hip. She placed a backpack on the floor and smiled at him.

»You are in advantage, for I remember your face, but not your name!«

»Bond, James Bond!«, Mike replied, looking at her. Amy still wore the same clothes as she had when he had seen her at the Chateau d`If and she seemed relaxed, though her smile was a bit presumptuous.

»Well, Mr. Bond, I am afraid your original date won`t make it. However, she sends you this!«

Amy opened the backpack and tossed him a crumpled piece of colored cloth that had a strong resemblance to Lioba`s summer dress. Mike let his eyes wander over Amy.

»All packing and no present. So, have you come to offer yourself as her substitute or is this your way of making an offer I can`t refuse?«

She arched her shoulders to emphasize her breasts.

»You look at me and call me a substitute? Anyway, I have come to recruit you to come back from retirement and to work for King and Country once again.«

Mike frowned.

»I am working for King and Country!«

Amy made a wavering gesture with her hand.

»Isn`t it rather working for Bishop, to iron out the mistakes of the old Billy-goat? Seems that he was a little too talkative after the Caribbean tart had taken care of his physical needs.«

Mike focused her and he began to understand.

»So, your goal is not only to get Cassandra back into the custody of the Empire, but to also get Bishop`s seat as a payment. One could argue whether you or me is the better patriot.«

Amy smiled.

»At least, I am in the better position. And speaking of positions-«

She took out her cell phone and showed him a picture. For a moment, Mike thought of attacking her when she bent forward, but he doubted that Amy wouldn`t have foreseen such an attempt.

The photo showed Lioba and Mike had to admit that he had recognized her body at once, though it had been more than a decade since he had last seen her naked. Lioba`s breasts seemed to point directly at him, indicating that not only her wrists, but also her elbows were tied behind her back. However, it was other details that made him bent forward to have a closer look at the details.

Her legs were tied ankle-to-thigh, forcing Lioba into a quite inconvenient position. She was balancing on what looked like a toilet seat and her blue eyes stared at the camera over a mass of silver duct tape that had been wrapped around the lower half of her face multiple times. Mike could also see that a scarf was tied around her neck. He wanted to enlarge the picture, but Amy withdrew her hand and put the cell phone back into her pocket.

»Currently, she`s just a bit uncomfortable. But if she has to stay like that for very long, she will collapse and then-«

Amy made a retching sound, indicating that the consequence would be that Lioba would topple over and strangle herself to death. Mike nodded slowly.

»What do you want me to do?«

Amy smiled surprisingly warm.

»I have to admit that negotiating with you is quite effective – Mr. Bond. Well, my – our target is residing at the-«

»Hotel Ambassador«, Mike interrupted her and noticed a moment of confusion on Amy`s face before she continued:

»Currently, she and Morgan are out for dinner. These Americans always want to eat so early and therefore, they have booked a table for 6 pm at a nearby restaurant. I am not sure what they will do next, but I know the name of the restaurant and sooner or later, we will cross their evening plans.«

Her plan was simple: she wanted him to distract Morgan, the bodyguard, so she could get Cassandra into her clutches. Once she had the girl securely stowed, she would give Mike the address where she kept Lioba.

»I even go so far to free her myself if you are not in a position to come to her rescue! So, even if you die for King and Country, there will be no additional casualty!«

Mike looked at his watch. It was 5 pm now; so, if he guessed that Lioba was tied like she was for about an hour now, they didn`t have time to lose. He had to admit that at least for the moment, Amy had him by his balls.

He thought of Isabelle who would expect him and Lioba to be back at her apartment in an hour, but he decided against phoning Luana. Amy had laid hands on Lioba and he didn`t want her to even know about the second redhead in his life.

»Let`s get this done – for King and Country! Show me the restaurant!«, he said, taking out his cell phone and opening Google Maps.

***

Isabelle was escorted inside the garage. She first saw Sophia who was sitting leaned against one of the posts of the hydraulic ramp. It seemed that they had shown some mercy, for she no longer was wearing the armbinder, but had her wrists tied or cuffed behind the post. She was, however, still stark naked and her lower face was hidden under rounds of tape. Also, Isabelle could see the straps of a harness gag. Sophia blinked, obviously too exhausted to care much about the latest captive.

»Mhhmmph!«

She turned her head and saw Sistine. To her surprise, she was dressed in a white blouse and a black skirt, both a bit too tight, but covering her nevertheless. At first sight, Isabelle thought that she wasn`t restrained at all, but then, she saw the transparent tape sealing her lips and a bit of white packing underneath. Sistine`s hands were tied behind her back and she was sitting on the Audi`s engine hood.

»I don`t think I have to introduce you«, Lan said and stepped beside Sistine. Then, she turned towards her henchmen and said something in Chinese.

One of them grabbed a large plastic bag and told her to give him her jacket. Isabelle obeyed, adding the shoulder holster that now had become useless anyway. Meanwhile, another of the man approached and for a moment, she thought that he held a giant vibrator in his hand. However, it was just a metal detector, similar to those used by airport security.

»Legs apart, hands on your head!«, he ordered and Isabelle obeyed. The men took off her sneakers and also removed her socks, throwing both into the bag his accomplice had placed on the floor. He then grabbed her ankle and brushed over her sole. He grumbled something in Chinese; obviously, he was a bit disappointed she wasn`t ticklish.

He then worked his way up her legs, both checking her with the detector and thoroughly feeling her legs. Isabelle doubted if he was just checking if she was wired or also tried to humiliate her. She gritted her teeth when she felt his hands get above her knees and up her thighs.

As one could expect, the detector beeped when he reached her belt and he removed it from her trousers before he emptied her pockets one by one, taking some liberties in the process. Then, he moved it over her crotch in small circles. Still, it indicated metal.

»It`s just the zipper, you moron!«, she thought. Then, she stiffened as the man opened the button and then pulled down said zipper. The fact that Isabelle stood with her feet apart meant he couldn`t peel down her jeans very much, but it was enough to fully expose her plain black cotton panties.

She was almost sure the man would remove those, too, but he just inspected them with the metal detector. Isabelle panted when he pushed the device between her legs. Then, he put it aside and ostentatiously put a latex glove on his right hand.

»Bend forward!«

Isabelle inhaled sharply as she felt the man`s fingers between her buttocks. He had put some oil on them, but nevertheless, the experience was humiliating and she was blushing all over. Sistine protested through her gag and Lan put an arm around her, but didn`t intervene.

»Clean!«

The man withdrew from her rear and removed the glove. Then, he pushed his hand into her panties at the front. At least, he didn`t try to get his fingers inside her, but he brushed through her pubic hair and touched her labia, »in search of plastic wires«.

When the procedure was over, he didn`t bother to put her jeans back in place. Instead, he checked her upper body and another humiliation followed as he reached under her T-Shirt and groped her breasts, even feeling inside her bra cups. Isabelle had managed not to utter a sound, but her chest was heaving and she felt like physically exhausted.

Another order in Chinese followed and Isabelle had to lean against the other post where her hands were cuffed behind it. With her jeans still hanging mid-thigh, she sat down to get a little more modesty. Then, she saw the man approach with a roll of tape. In his other hand, he held her discarded socks.

She had put on these socks just that morning, but hadn`t been able to take a shower since the day before and so, they didn`t taste very pleasant. However, they tasted better than used panties. The man secured the gag by winding the tape around her head five times. Then, he pushed her head against the post and fixed it with more tape so Isabelle could no longer move her head, except for a weak nodding or shaking. Lan approached her, her hand loosely on the shoulder of Sistine who stared at her apologetically, but otherwise held still.

»Just a little inconvenience, but don`t mind, Isabelle! Tomorrow, we will be on our way and then, it will only be a matter of hours until you will be found.«

Before she left, she looked at her wrist watch. Isabelle got a glimpse of it and noticed it was half past five. In 30 minutes, she was supposed to get home to meet with Mike and the others. Soon, they would recognize that something was wrong and then, this would soon be over!

***