The Little Death 26

At Isabelle`s apartment, Luana was feeling like a tiger in a cage. Not only was she excluded from the mission to rescue Sophia, but also, she was condemned to sit around and do nothing at all. Repeatedly, her eyes wandered towards the bedroom door behind which Ingrid was tied to the bed.

»Maybe, I should look after her!«, she considered. Luana knew that she was only a small step away from following a dangerous path: she would perhaps take advantage of the evil blonde`s helplessness and exact revenge in a way she would never be able to forgive herself. On the other hand, Ingrid had deserved a little punishment.

»As long as I don`t get carried away too much, I could give her a dose of her own medicine!«

After all, Ingrid had literally done so, by forcing her to endure the effects of Little Death. Still, Luana`s cheeks burned when she remembered how she had not been able to oppress her arousal when Lan had had her way with her.

Her eyes wandered through the living room and, just to do something, she collected a few things: another feather from the dreamcatcher, a half-burned candle plus a box of matches. She also took one of the knives from the kitchen drawer, but put it away; she did not want to risk using it.

Slowly, she entered the bedroom.

»Mhhmm! Uuuhmmm!«

»Oh, it`s just me, Ingrid — just your vengeful former victim!«

Ingrid`s eyes widened and Luana ostentatiously placed the feather and the candle on the bed, between the blonde`s splayed legs. Then, she noticed the strained expression on Ingrid`s face and she purred:

»What is it? Do you need to go to the bathroom?«

Ingrid blushed and nodded slightly. Luana suddenly was haunted by a flashback: during the first day of her captivity, the point where nature had been calling had come and she remembered all too well how they had forced her to relieve herself with all the men watching. She balled her fist and took a few deep breaths before she could continue:

»Well, unfortunately, the others have left me with no gun and so, I can`t risk setting you free, even for a few minutes!«

So far, Luana had spoken the truth. However, when she looked down on the helpless, naked woman, a devilish smile appeared on her lips.

»However, I can help you pass the time until they come back and maybe, I can even distract you from your body`s needs!«

Accompanied by a fearful squeal from the gagged Ingrid, Luana litt he candle and held it over her victim`s heaving chest. Agonizingly slow, she then twisted her wrist.

»Hrrrrrmmmm!«

Ingrid reared up when a single drop of the hot wax dripped on her breast. It wouldn`t cause lasting damage and the pain would cease quickly, but Luana now brought the candle over her belly. She spilled a few more drops around Ingrid`s belly button, causing the helpless blonde to mew and squirm more. Then, she placed the candle on her belly button, pushing it down and waiting until the wax had cooled down and would keep it in position — as long as Ingrid lay still. Luana stepped to the foot end of the bed.

»Now, you better hold still or — well, I sure don`t have to explain the effects of a flame to the human skin to you!«

She looked down on Ingrid, who, panting and staring at her, was trying not to move so the candle would not topple over. Then, after about a minute, Luana said:

»Not bad! I have to admit that you have already qualified for level two of my game!«

She took the feather and held it so Ingrid could see it. She shook her head and pleaded through her gag and Luana showed a perfect copy of Ingrid`s cold smile.

»Don`t worry, I will almost not touch you!«

Soft as a breeze, the feather brushed over Ingrid`s sole.

***

»There we are!«

In fact, they were still some 100 yards away from the restaurant at which Cassandra and Morgan were dining, but they could see the lights above the door from across the yard. Mike had not changed his clothes whilst Amy, not bothering that Mike could see her in her underwear, had changed into a black, knee-length dress that was just elegant enough she would not raise attention if she went into the restaurant, too.

»Shouldn`t bra and panties match?«, he had commented on her combination of a white balconette bra and brightly coloured panties. Amy had just shrugged:

»Tell your girlfriend, she was wearing a black lacy bra to a pair of plain white panties!«

Mike knew that the panties had been a loan from Isabelle, but he didn`t correct Amy. Instead, he tried to concentrate on their mission. Not only was it his only chance of saving Lioba, Amy had been right about one thing: getting Cassandra whilst having to cope with her bodyguard was a job for two.

Her first plan had been almost too simple: they would wait until Cassandra and Morgan left the restaurant and then, Mike should attack the man. During their fight, Amy would appear and take Cassandra with her, pretending that she was taking her to safety. However, Mike hadn`t approved it:

»This guy sure is no beginner. What if he shoots me as soon as I attack? Then, all we have achieved is that you have to run and hide before the Police arrives!«

They had thought of alternatives and finally, they had decided to get to the restaurant to see if the location offered some advantages. They had taken the car that Isabelle had borrowed Lioba instead of her own; a good choice to stay undiscovered, but not very suitable for a hit-and-run kidnapping.

From the place they were standing now, they could see Morgan and Cassandra sitting vis a vis on the terrace, playing a couple in love. However, even over the distance, Mike could notice a certain stiffness, even when Cassandra let the man taste some of her food.

»I`ve seen more convincing couples in advertisings!«, he murmured and Amy giggled.

»Well, that could be because only one side is taking the flirt seriously!«

She told him that she had spotted a ring on Morgan`s left, indicating that he was married. Cassandra, however, was wearing a few rings, but none of them matched the bodyguard`s.

»Of course, I couldn`t get into details, but I consider that he just wants her to keep her head low whilst Cassie would like to combine her mission with a little adventure. After all, he definitely is an improvement towards Bishop! I mean, he is her age, all muscles and some 6`4``!«

Amy let her eyes wander over Mike who was also quite athletic, but just an inch taller than Amy with her 5`7``. He grinned and replied:

»God gave two meters to every man — but they are distributed differently!«

Amy shook her head.

»Call me a racist, but if it comes to comparing dick sizes, I vote for the black guy!«

Mike shrugged, thinking whether he could use Cassandra`s interest in Morgan`s probably well-filled underpants to their advantage. He tried to imagine their conversation. Maybe, Cassandra was asking him about his wife, trying to figure out whether he would still be faithful if she would never find out what had happened at Marseille, whilst he was protecting his country`s interests.

»So, he has at least one reason not to risk his life, for someone`s waiting for him on the other side of the pond!«

He had only seen the man for the few seconds when he had approached him at the Chateau d`If, but Mike guessed that Morgan was about his age. So, he maybe even had a family. Suddenly, a thought came to his mind.

»Wait a minute!«

He took his cell phone and scrolled through the pictures he had taken from the couple some hours before. Morgan had been carrying a plastic bag with a plush seagull in it. Mike had considered it a part of them playing a couple, but then, he thought twice: maybe, this wasn`t meant as a fake souvenir, but as a real one, for a little Morgan Jr..

Mike took a piece of paper and scribbled a few lines. Then, he looked around and before Amy could say a word, he had waved towards a group of young men standing around drinking beer from cans and smoking.

»Do I have to remind you we are a team?«, Amy fumed when Mike returned a few minutes later. She had seen him talk to them, offering them some of his cigarettes and also, he had handed 50 Euro to one of them. The young man now approached the restaurant, watched by the others who were continuing to drink, obviously not too concerned.

»As much as I enjoy hanging around with you, watching others have some delicious seafood, I thought that we could speed up things a little.«

He told her that he had written just one sentence:

»Keep focussed on your mission, Morg!«

Below, he had sketched a drawing of a man, a woman and a little child. Of course, Mike had had no idea what Morgan`s wife or child looked like or even whether he had a little boy or girl. So, he had painted a seagull that the child was holding in his hand: the present of a loving father.

They watched as the young man approached the table and obviously said something before he left. Mike and Amy couldn`t see details, but the bodyguard rose from his seat, talked shortly to the boy and then looked at the crowded yard before he sat down again and the messenger quickly left the restaurant, getting back to his friends.

Mike made Amy enter the car and there, he explained:

»Now, what do you think our devoted husband will do?«

Amy pondered.

»If he`s really a loving husband and father, he will not react to Cassie`s advances — but how does that help us in any way?«

Mike showed her a broad, superior smile and waited until he could sense her impatience before he answered:

»Now, he must think that someone is watching them — someone who knows about his family.«

»A colleague from the CIA!«, Amy concluded and he nodded. She began to understand Mike`s manoeuvre: now, the body guard would not only have the desire to contact his wife — in addition, he would think that he could leave Cassandra alone for a few minutes, since he had to think that at least one of his colleagues was observing the scenery.

Indeed, after a few minutes, they could see Morgan step onto the street, alone. He walked over the yard, approaching the entrance of the nearby »Hotel Ambassador« where he and Cassandra were lodging. Mike nodded grimly whilst he imagined what would happen next: Morgan would call his wife, maybe even make her put his child on the phone. Of course, he wanted to do that call in private and so, he had left Cassandra under the eyes of what he thought was another CIA man.

»Now, what do you think our rejected beauty will do now?«

»What makes you think that I ever had to experience such a situation?«, Amy replied coquettishly, but she had to admit that Mike`s move had offered them a chance to attack, since now, they could concentrate on one target.

Sure, Cassandra would not remain at her table, staring at her half-emptied glass and the unfinished plates in front of her. Sure, Morgan would have paid the bill, allowing her to leave whenever she liked.

»Under normal conditions, she would either get to the bar and wait for someone to flirt with her, just to assure herself of her market value. Or, she would get to her room and pout.«

Mike added:

»I am quite sure that she won`t get to the bar at this restaurant. She might think that some people have noticed that her significant other left her alone and she sure doesn`t want anyone talk to her because of pity. On the other hand, she can`t risk going out and so, she will get back to the hotel, but I am sure she will wait in the lobby for some half an hour!«

Amy nodded. Though she guessed that Morgan had to sleep on the couch, he and Cassandra were sharing a suite and so, if Cassandra came back too early, she would have to listen to the bodyguard talking to his wife. She turned towards Mike.

»So, you think I should get out of the car and prepare to ›accidentally‹ bump into Cassie when she crosses the yard!«

»She really might need a shoulder to cry on — perhaps accompanied by a quick cocktail at the ›Bar Vidocq‹, just down the alleyway over there!«, Mike said, pointing at a corner where a narrow street could be seen. When Amy raised an eyebrow, he added:

»According to the guide, it is ›a place for the Young and Hip to go, located in the heart of Marseille! Anyway, just try to get close to the car when you go there!«

Before she left the car, Amy smiled at him and asked:

»Have you ever considered re-entering the Service?«

Mike shook his head.

»I don`t think that I will get along well with Bishop`s successor. Let`s get this done and then, we may part as former colleagues!«

***

Sophia looked at the petite redhead that obviously was a Policewoman Lan and her henchmen had caught. She knew that her first name was Isabelle, for when they had left the clinic, Lan had yelled that name. According to Lan`s promises, the woman now sitting opposite to her would be free by tomorrow. Unlike herself.

The man had taken full advantage of her helplessness when she had been tied up inside the Porsche. He had massaged her feet, sending shivers through her nerves whilst he had forced her to wriggle her hips, causing the Ben Wa balls to move and vibrate. Sophia had pleaded through her gag and tried to resist, but in the end, the only escape had been to follow her captor`s order: so, she had closed her eyes and allowed her arousal to take control.

After she had climaxed, the man had been quite gentle. He had allowed her to relieve herself and had even removed the dreadful Ben Wa balls from her. He had reapplied the crotch strap, but not too tight, and he had not put his hands on her any further until he had chloroformed her to smuggle her in the car`s trunk. However, Sophia knew that for her, any escape was very far away.

They might have fun in humiliating her, but first of all, she was precious for the project. Thus, they would treat her quite well, but never let her go. Tomorrow, she would be brought aboard the ship and then, once they had reached international waters, she would be doomed.

She gulped, swallowing the vile tasting saliva that had been filtered by the thongs of both Luana and Ingrid. Somehow, this was a detail that made her suffer: that she couldn`t tell which taste was the blonde`s and which was that of her – what was Luana? Just a colleague? A friend? Even more?

»I hope that she is free and that they will leave her alone forever! If they guarantee that to me, I will develop as many formulas for them as they want and I can produce!«

Unable to communicate with Isabelle, she looked around in the garage. The three men had left. Sophia had no idea whether they were outside guarding the garage or if Lan had sent them away, but now, only she and Sistine still were here. One of the men had blown up an air mattress and put it into the van and then, after she had sent the three henchmen away, Lan and the bound girl had withdrawn inside the car.

Some three yards away, Isabelle was trying to remain calm. She guessed that some hour had passed since her capture. Now, Mike should have realized that she was in danger – and at least, he knew where she was.

»He loves arriving in the nick of time! And he has saved me before!«

***

»Uuuhhmmmm!«

Lioba groaned as she tried to shift her position. Not that much relaxation of her aching muscles was possible. Her arms were bound at wrists and elbows and in addition, the blonde woman had taped her fingers. Lioba`s ankles were tied to her thighs, forcing her to squat in a way that made her legs ache after a while. However, there was little she could do if she wanted to see another day.

The woman had placed her on the seat of the toilet, mocking that at least, Lioba could follow nature whenever she wanted. However, she had also tied a scarf around her neck and fixed it to the water pipe. So, if she staggered and fell off, she would hang herself.

»Not quite the most dignified ending!«, she thought. Still, Lioba felt strong enough to keep balance, but of course, it would become harder every minute that passed. She forced herself to breathe calmly through her nose, as her mouth was stuffed full with something soft that tasted bad, but somehow familiar. Lioba guessed it was her own panties, or rather those Isabelle had borrowed her.

»Too bad she doesn`t wear thongs, they would be more convenient!«

She felt a cloth cut into the corners of her mouth. Above the cleave gag, the woman had wound several layers of duct tape and Lioba could only make faint noises.

»If Mike does as I say, you won`t have to wait that long – just a few hours!«, the blonde had said before she had left. Lioba had no idea how much time had passed since then. An hour? Two? She was clad in sweat, despite being stark naked, and she knew that she couldn`t stay like that for very much longer.

»Please, Ozzie, do as the woman says!«, she pleaded in her thoughts.

***

Inside the van, Sistine was waiting for Lan to speak, now they had some privacy. After she had regagged her some two hours ago, Lan had almost not spoken to her. She had not again blindfolded her and even allowed her to get out and pee. However, she had removed the scarf tied through her crotch without the usual teasing and then just left it away when she had placed her on the backseat of the car where she had draped a blanket over Sistine before driving off.

At the control whilst entering the parking lot, she had not tried to alert the guard, but now, when Isabelle had been captured, she had felt even worse. Somehow, it had reminded her that not only her future was an uncertain thing, but that also the crimes of Lan involved other people.

She had suffered when the men had groped Isabelle and searched her entire body for hidden microphones. Lan had said that they would leave her behind, but Sistine now felt as if she had become an accomplice of Lan.

She now was sitting on one end of the mattress. Lan sat beside her, typing something on her cell phone and obviously ignoring her. Sistine mewed and now, the Chinese put her phone away and turned her head towards her.

»So, you think we should talk?«

»Mhhmm!«

Lan peeled the tape from Sistine`s mouth and plucked the sodden panties from it, dropping them onto the mattress. Sistine panted and then, she croaked:

»N-no kiss this time?«

Lan`s expression softened and she placed a kiss on her lips. Then, she took Sistine`s head into her hands.

»Listen, I still haven`t found a solution for my dilemma! Our dilemma!«

Sistine wriggled on the mattress, but in a way that showed she wasn`t trying to shake Lan`s hands off. She managed to bring her bound hands to her front and now, she took Lan`s hands into hers. During the last few hours, she had also thought about the situation and now, she wanted to give her idea a try.

»Have you ever considered quitting the mission? I mean, you would have to bury your dream of modernizing China from within, but at least, you could be together with me – here, in France!«

She felt Lan stiffen and her expression showed her grief.

»Ever considered? I am thinking of that the first time we kissed, but I – I can`t! I would sacrifice everything for you, Sweet Sistine – everything but my greatest dream!«

She brusquely turned away and looked at the van`s door before she continued:

»I have thought about it again and again and-«

Lan`s confession ended in a surprised gasp as she felt something cold brush over her temple. She looked over her shoulder and saw her own gun in the girl`s hands.

»Seems that I am not the only one who considers this a dilemma!«, Sistine hissed.

»Now, get on your knees and then hand me the keys to the cuffs! Slowly!«

***

In the lane in which the »Bar Vidocq« was located, it wasn`t easy to find a place to park and so, Mike stopped in front of a water hydrant, hoping that the Police wouldn`t show up during the next ten minutes. He left the car and hid in a doorway, leaving the car`s door ajar and the key in the ignition, allowing a fast getaway if necessary. Then, he looked at the yard from where Amy and Cassandra would come – if they would show up at all.

He didn`t trust Amy the slightest and he was sure that if she found a way of getting Cassandra into her clutches without him being around, she would do so. However, he doubted that Amy had another car ready and so, she would at least try to get Cassandra to the Peugeot. The only question was how and when she would try to get rid of him.

They were coming! Mike ducked deeper into the doorway and looked at the two women. Something in their chatting made him suspicious. Cassandra seemed a bit nervous and Amy also seemed a bit too – alert. In addition, she had her hand close to her open handbag.

»There!«

Amy suddenly pushed Cassandra aside, drew her gun – and fired at him. Mike felt thrown against the door at his back and as he used the impetus to roll over the paved ground, he saw the two women dart forward to his car. He heard some shouting and then, the sound of an engine and the squeak of spinning tires. Lying half behind a parked car, Mike was on his hands and knees and watched the Peugeot drive away as fast as the narrow, crowded lane allowed.

»Oh my God! The man! He was shot!«

Mike slowly came to his feet and brushed the dust from his jacket. His ribs hurt and he knew that this would cause in another bruise, but his bulletproof vest had taken the bullet and prevented him from a real injury. He had put it under his T-Shirt that afternoon, since though he hadn`t expected to meet Amy, a shootout hadn`t been unlikely.

»Obviously, my ex-wife doesn`t want me to have the car!«, he explained to the people standing around him. Before they had recovered from their surprise, Mike turned around and ran away. He took the first sideway he saw and then, after a few dozen yards, he slowed down and caught breath whilst considering his next move.

»Freeze, motherfucker!«

Obviously, Cassandra`s bodyguard had finished calling his wife and come back when he had heard the shot. Then, he had seen a running man he knew from a previous encounter and it seemed that Morgan didn`t want to let his only clue go.

Mike placed his hands behind his head and slowly turned towards the man. He thrust out his chest so his jacket gaped open, showing Morgan his gun in its holster. The man slowly approached, his gun pointing at Mike.

»Grab the gun with two fingers of your left and drop it! One false move and you are dead!«

When Mike was about to obey, he noticed some bystanders watching the scene with dismay. They showed the usual mixture of fear and curiosity.

»It`s okay, we are doing a movie shot! Please, don`t step into the way of the camera!«, he explained to a girl that stared at him with eyes like saucers and kept her boyfriend`s arm in a vice grip as he was trying to film Mike and Morgan with his cell phone. The bodyguard still was focussed on him, but he seemed a bit nervous about having an audience. As on keyword, the siren of an approaching Police car could be heard.

Mike`s brain worked quickly. Perhaps, Morgan wouldn`t dare to shoot him, but the problem was that he could keep him at gunpoint and play the »this bastard`s accomplice has just kidnapped my fiancé«-card. Even if the Police would arrest them both, it would cost Mike – and Lioba! – too much time.

He ostentatiously fumbled on the gun that seemed to be stuck in the holster. At the same time, he calculated his chances. His opponent was a trained soldier and thus would be quick on the draw. In addition, unlike Amy who perhaps had just wanted to stop him, Morgan was aiming at his head. Sure, this man knew the usual tricks and so, he would have to surprise him.

»Your mother – is she a fan of ›Shawshank Redemption‹?«

»Eh?«

»I mean, your first name. You must be born around when the movie came out and-«

Morgan was standing beside a car and in the windshield`s reflection, Mike had seen that beside his left was a narrow gap between two buildings. So, he jumped in the middle of his sentence. Morgan reacted fast, but the bullet only hit the wall beside him. Mike heard some screaming and then, he staggered, as the gap turned out to be some steep stairs.

Cursing, he landed on his back and rolled over his shoulder, thanking his Ju Jutsu training that had included falling to the ground without getting hurt. He looked around and saw an iron dust container behind which he hit, waiting for Morgan to storm down the stairs or to fire at him.

Instead, he heard the siren again, louder this time. Then, there was some shouting and though he couldn`t see much, he was sure that Morgan had chosen not to provoke an international conflict and given in.

Mike climbed over a fence and rushed through a garden before he finally hid behind a parked van. Then, he checked his cell phone that had luckily survived his various stunts.

»Now, all I have to do is to find Amy and Cassandra and to free Lioba! Then, I just have to free Belle and Sophia and if some time is left afterwards, I might perhaps visit a museum or do a harbour cruise!«

His situation hadn`t improved during the last minutes, but he still had one chance. It depended on if he was right about one certain detail. If not, he would not only have failed his mission, he would perhaps even come too late for Lioba.

***

Luana looked up, saw her own reflection in the glass of the balcony door – and petrified. Was that really her? The woman with the dishevelled hair and the manic expression on her face? Panting, she dropped the feather and sank to her knees.

For some time, she had tickled Ingrid`s soles and toes, always taking care she teased her just as much she wouldn`t totally lose control. However, the blonde had twitched and spasmed and some of the wax had dropped over her. Her lower abdomen now looked spotted and a trickle of hardened wax went over her pubic mound. The candle now was just flickering and the German, glistering with sweat, was panting from exhaustion. The bed sheets were crumpled from her helpless struggling and a wet spot between her legs indicated that she had lost control over her bladder.

»What have I done? I am not better than her!«

Luana knew that she had not only tortured her captive – she had enjoyed it. It seemed that every writhing, every muffled laughter or squeal was a compensation for her own ordeal, a sweet revenge. Now, however, the taste had become rather stale in her mouth.

»What! Have! I! Done?«

Slowly, Luana came to her feet. If she had tortured Ingrid to get further information about Sophia`s whereabouts, she could have justified her doing in front of herself, but she had just been carried away by sheer sadism! She wet two of her fingers and unlit the candle, avoiding to look at Ingrid`s middle. The stench of urine reached her nose and Luana staggered to the bathroom where she washed her face with cold water repeatedly.

»Okay! This man, Mike – he is no Policeman! Maybe, he won`t say anything and maybe, if Ingrid confesses against me, I can say that I was of unsound mind! Hell, I am of unsound mind!«

Once again, she washed her face and took deep breaths. She blinked as she thought she had seen an indistinct shadow in the mirror, but before she could turn around, something hit the back of her head and she collapsed on the floor.

Ingrid dropped the wooden vase she had used as a makeshift club. She was still gagged and stark naked, her belly button encircled by a waxy crust, indicating where the candle had been placed. Her eyes were sparkling with rage.

Ingrid had started to work frantically at her bonds the moment Luana had staggered out of the room. Her fingers had been secured by tape, but she had sweated profusely during her ordeal and she had long fingernails and therefore, she had been able to remove the tape from her left. Then, it had been quite easy to open the strap around her wrist and after one arm was free, the rest had been piece of cake.

Now, she looked down on the unconscious Asian. She had to get away, but before, she would teach Luana that she had chosen the wrong person to play with!

***

»You know that my men are outside and one scream will alert them – or one shot!«

At gunpoint, Sistine had forced Lan to free her wrists and then to cuff her own hands. Sistine had then stepped on a box and used a zip tie to fix the chain of Lan`s handcuffs to an eyelet in the ceiling, forcing the Chinese to stand straight with raised arms. Now, she was busy tying her ankles with Lan`s own pantyhose she had taken from her.

»If they shoot, they will also alert the guards and then my colleagues!«

Sistine had finished tying Lan`s ankles and rose from the ground. She stood close to Lan and their faces were only inches apart. She had tears in her eyes and her voice sounded hoarse, but she forced herself to continue:

»I am sorry it has to end that way – but I can`t go on like this! You are not the only one who is suffering from a conflict between loyalty and love!«

»Love?«, Lan scoffed, but her eyes became wet when she looked at Sistine. The girl approached her and put Lan`s head between her hands. She nodded.

»Love, yes. It hurts me that I have to leave you and that we will perhaps never see again – but I have to do it! Perhaps, you will understand me once!«

»You mean, if my own people won`t kill me for having been so foolish to be overpowered by you!«

Sistine gasped and now, Lan forced a smile on her face.

»I am not working for a Government that is known for its clemency! But you are right – there is no us!«

She gulped and then, she continued:

»I think I can talk myself out of this. After all, I haven`t reached my position because I am unable to bend the truth a bit! Good luck, Sweet Sistine! Take care of yourself!«

Sobbing, Sistine kissed her. Then, she reached for the panties that had previously gagged her. Lan smiled wryly.

»Too bad these aren`t yours!«

Sistine looked at her for a few seconds. Then, she placed a kiss on the sodden underwear. Lan parted her lips and Sistine stuffed the panties deep into her mouth before sealing her lips with some strips of duct tape.

»Farewell!«, she whispered, kissing Lan`s gagged mouth for one last time. Then, she took the gun and carefully opened the van`s side door.

***