"Now as you can see Quinn is not covered by any boxes, and is barely covered by her outfit.."
Quinn tugged on the short chains holding her wrists in mock protest. In truth she had come to love the rapt attention she received as she walked on stage for the final trick. Her "costume" was a daringly brief thong of silver string and rhinestones. A pair of similarly bejeweled pasties hid her nipples and aside from a splash of make up and hairspray that was it.
Matt vaulted from the stage and into the audience inviting many of the front row to check the metal blades he was grasping were solid. "I would bang them together like they do on tv but to be honest that just makes them blunt and that seems a bit unfair..."
Matt stood behind the table and lined the first blade up with the stock over Quinn's waist . "Ready ?"
"As I will ev...." Quinn screamed as Matt shoved the blade downwards. This didn't take a of of acting. How ever many times she was divided the blades were just as intense. A crushing pinching sensation. A flash of pain as her skin was broken. Then a tidal wave of utterly erotic pleasure flood all through her, as if her whole body had become an erogenous zone. Combined with the tension from being up on stage and chained down in almost nothing, it was a huge effort of self control not to lose it completely at that point.
The blade thudded home as the audience fell silent for a moment . By the time the second followed it a few seconds later they were on their feet applauding. As ever Matt didn't pause. With a couple of clicks the latches holding the trick together were undone. One big shove and Quinn's head and upper body glided to one side of the stage while her legs and hips sailed off in the other direction. Matt wandered over and gave the head end a spin whilst one of the showgirls did the same with Quinn's legs. The lack of boxes meant it was plain to all the divided parts were real. Quinn's squirming and wriggling were clearly not robotic.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Quinn and Matt, aren't they amazing ! No idea how they do it, none at all..."
Matt took another bow, Quinn waved as best she could then Matt pushed her top half off to the right of the stage while the showgirl tidied away Quinn's legs up pushing them off stage at the other side while the compere introduced the next act.
...
Quinn was waiting patiently for the after party. It was vegas so like most things a great money making opportunity in truth. The high rollers and wannabe celebs would pay good money to come into the small lounge after the show and meet the stars and of course the girls. Some things never changed. They tended to attract an odd bunch but she told herself it was all part of the gig. She was earning more in a week from the show plus tips and gifts than a couple of months at the paper had been paying. And she had loads of time to write. She had sold several long pieces had some really interesting projects on the go and was even thinking about a book. It was the kind of work she had imagined when she was at school.
"Oh my god Quinn, you going into the lounge like that ? "
Quinn liked Chloe. She was fun loving and avoided the bitchiness of some of the dancers. The bubbly blonde had changed out of her silver show girl outfit and looked stunning in an elegant black dress.
"Looks like it!" Quinn smiled
"You are braver than I am !"
"Not sure about that!" Quin laughed
"Wanna push ? "
"Please, I think my better half has already made an entrance"
Every person in the room turned to watch Quinn's top half being wheeled in by the tall blonde. People were stunned that she was still apparently in two an hour or more after the magic part of the show had ended. And amazed they would be able to get up close and personal. Quinn chatted happily to the guests lucky or well healed enough to get an invite. She often got interrupted mid sentence as people's curiosity about her other half being real got the better of them. She glanced across and saw she was being wheeled around the far side of the room by two more showgirls. She was amassing a pleasing collection of bills tucked into her thong.
She squirmed as someone fan a finger up her thigh. The girls were looking out for her but knew that they had to be free enough with the touching to get the best tips. Turning her attention back to the conversation of the people gathered around her something stuck a chord.
"... was amazing, it really is an amazing illusion, it looks so real".
Quinn tugged on her cuffs.
"I am quite real I can assure you !"
"Sorry, I meant the effe, illusion..magic. I was just thinking that something like this would be an amazing talking point for our sale... "
"Sale?"
"I have a side line in rare and difficult to obtain collectables."
"Anything is possible, at a price".
The guy chuckled. He was heavy set and in his fifties, sharply dressed. Most of the other people gathered around Quinn seemed to be his entourage or hangers on, so Quinn figured he must be a big deal in some respect.
"We have a sale coming up, some very special merchandise and a er display like this would be something our clients would remember for a long long time. I am sure it would be very lucrative for you too."
"Well if you get in contact after the show we will certainly explore it with you."
Quinn was not sure if this would be somewhere she wanted to go but didn't really feel it was the time or place to try and be particularly business like and she wanted to check with Matt before she committed them to anything. But lucrative had definitely piqued her interest.
"Do you have a card ?" a young women stood alongside asked.
Quinn rattled the chain securing her wrists and looked down at her almost naked upper half theatrically.
"Not one me, no"
The guy chuckled. He was heavy set and in his fifties, sharply dressed. Most of the other people gathered around Quinn seemed to be his entourage or hangers on, so Quinn figured he must be a big deal in some respect.
"We have a sale coming up, some very special merchandise and a er display like this would be something our clients would remember for a long long time. I am sure it would be very lucrative for you too."
"Well if you get in contact after the show we will certainly explore it with you."
Quinn was not sure if this would be somewhere she wanted to go but didn't really feel it was the time or place to try and be particularly business like and she wanted to check with Matt before she committed them to anything. But lucrative had definitely piqued her interest.
"Do you have a card ?" a young women stood alongside asked.
Quinn rattled the chain securing her wrists and looked down at her almost naked upper half theatrically.
"Not one me, no"
Matt arrived as the chuckles died down. The girl was looking embarrassed.
"Can I help?"
"I was just asking your assistant about the chances of you guys helping out at a very special event we have coming up?"
"Can I help?"
"I was just asking your assistant about the chances of you guys helping out at a very special event we have coming up?"
"What did you have in mind ? "
" It's a select gathering of some of my best clients, who will be looking to buy some items which are almost never available, ultra high ticket items. I was just admiring your lovely display here and kinda put two and two together ".
Quinn smiled sweetly. Despite her current situation and the fact that in truth she was rather enjoying it, it still railed a little to be referred to as a display.
"Well Quinn and her unique services commands a pretty high ticket herself, but sure we can talk".
"Do you have some contact details?"
Matt smiled and stopped a passing waitress, taking a book of matches from her tray.
"Watch"
Matt held his arms up theatrically to show there was nothing up either shirt sleeve. He held the book of matches between his thumb and forefinger and showed it around the growing knot of people huddled around Quinn and her table. Matt slowly reached out and placed the open book on Quinn's chest between her all but bare breasts. There was an expectant hush. Quinn instinctively took a deep breath, having no more idea what Matt was up to than the audience.
Matt clicked his fingers. For two or three seconds nothing happened. The suspense around the table was palpable. All eyes were on Quinn, and the book of matches. Finally with a fizz one match burst into flame. Quinn tried to push into the table in recoil. A second later there was a quick series of fizzes then with a crack a fireball mushroomed up totally out of proportion to what might have been expected from a small book of matches. It expanded with a hungry whoosh and several people jumped back or screamed. They could certainly feel the heat . It took a few seconds after the flash for a plume of white smoke to clear, which gave Quinn a chance to compose herself. By the time she could be seen clearly again there was a burst of applause as everyone could see she was unharmed and smiling confidently. Once people had a chance to take in the details there were more applause as they realised the book of matches had vanished without trace. The pasties which had covered Quinns nipples had gone too, and on each pink nub there was a small white rectangle.
"My card, take one, give me a call ..."
" It's a select gathering of some of my best clients, who will be looking to buy some items which are almost never available, ultra high ticket items. I was just admiring your lovely display here and kinda put two and two together ".
Quinn smiled sweetly. Despite her current situation and the fact that in truth she was rather enjoying it, it still railed a little to be referred to as a display.
"Well Quinn and her unique services commands a pretty high ticket herself, but sure we can talk".
"Do you have some contact details?"
Matt smiled and stopped a passing waitress, taking a book of matches from her tray.
"Watch"
Matt held his arms up theatrically to show there was nothing up either shirt sleeve. He held the book of matches between his thumb and forefinger and showed it around the growing knot of people huddled around Quinn and her table. Matt slowly reached out and placed the open book on Quinn's chest between her all but bare breasts. There was an expectant hush. Quinn instinctively took a deep breath, having no more idea what Matt was up to than the audience.
Matt clicked his fingers. For two or three seconds nothing happened. The suspense around the table was palpable. All eyes were on Quinn, and the book of matches. Finally with a fizz one match burst into flame. Quinn tried to push into the table in recoil. A second later there was a quick series of fizzes then with a crack a fireball mushroomed up totally out of proportion to what might have been expected from a small book of matches. It expanded with a hungry whoosh and several people jumped back or screamed. They could certainly feel the heat . It took a few seconds after the flash for a plume of white smoke to clear, which gave Quinn a chance to compose herself. By the time she could be seen clearly again there was a burst of applause as everyone could see she was unharmed and smiling confidently. Once people had a chance to take in the details there were more applause as they realised the book of matches had vanished without trace. The pasties which had covered Quinns nipples had gone too, and on each pink nub there was a small white rectangle.
"My card, take one, give me a call ..."
Matt wandered off without another word.
...
" I am not too sure about this."
Matt passed Quinn her coffee.
"I know what you are saying but.."
"These guys have a shady rep, I have no idea what you would want to .."
...
" I am not too sure about this."
Matt passed Quinn her coffee.
"I know what you are saying but.."
"These guys have a shady rep, I have no idea what you would want to .."
"Look, I have done some digging too. I have a feeling these guys have something to do with that haul of jewellery that went missing from the casino vault last month. I thought I might be able to see what they are up to and find something out. Would be a hell of a scoop".
"I see, makes sense why you are so keen I guess. I am not sure, you will be in a pretty vulnerable position even with some magic protecting you. Whatever they have in mind is likely to wind up with you being less than ideally placed to make a quick escape".
" I know it's likely to be a pretty sleazy gig. But it could be really good. And if we quote them a nice high price then if it's a waste of time then maybe they aren't crooks and it will be a bit of fun and worth our while ? "
"If you are sure, I will call them".
After a few minutes Matt killed the call. Quinn set her mug down and sat back intently.
"Ok well its on as long as you agree. A week on Friday. Private room in a casino on the strip. A private show then you get to be the display for the evening's super secret item. Fee of $50,000 agreed without hesitation."
"Damn I must be right. It's them. Surely. Oh and damn we should have asked for more".
...
" Quinn, this is Stella, she's very exited about this evening."
"I see, makes sense why you are so keen I guess. I am not sure, you will be in a pretty vulnerable position even with some magic protecting you. Whatever they have in mind is likely to wind up with you being less than ideally placed to make a quick escape".
" I know it's likely to be a pretty sleazy gig. But it could be really good. And if we quote them a nice high price then if it's a waste of time then maybe they aren't crooks and it will be a bit of fun and worth our while ? "
"If you are sure, I will call them".
After a few minutes Matt killed the call. Quinn set her mug down and sat back intently.
"Ok well its on as long as you agree. A week on Friday. Private room in a casino on the strip. A private show then you get to be the display for the evening's super secret item. Fee of $50,000 agreed without hesitation."
"Damn I must be right. It's them. Surely. Oh and damn we should have asked for more".
...
" Quinn, this is Stella, she's very exited about this evening."
"Nice to meet you Stella".
Quinn smiled, Stella was a stunning latino who looked a few years her younger. A shiny red dress showed off her curves to great effect. Quinn couldn't help but wonder if her relationship with their client, Biggs, was true love. But given her recent career choices she wasn't ever so sure she should be taking the moral high ground, even internally.
"You are so brave, I have no idea how you do the things you do that show was amazing." Her voice was lightly accented.
"It's not brave, I trust the magic". Quinn smiled enigmatically as she trotted out her stock answer.
"I am sure everyone says this, but please, magic isn't real".
"But you saw me at the club show. How do you explain that ? " Quinn smiled.
"It's an amazingly clever illusion no doubt".
Quinn had already wandered around looking at the various open glass cases set about the room. It was easy enough to feign interest into the various valuables displayed all around the room. A mix of jewellery and works of art it was impressive, perhaps suspiciously so, but as yet Quinn hadn't seen the items she had been looking for to confirm her suspicions about the stolen goods.
"Ladies and gentlemen it's time to focus on this evening's main attraction." Biggs set down his champagne flute and walked into the spotlight in the centre of the room. Quinn steeled herself. One of the stipulations of the show was that it would be Biggs running things not Matt. His was determined to impress his guests it seemed. Matt had made all the necessary arrangements so that Quinn would be safe and the effect work without him but it did make her uncomfortable. Especially as another requirement was that Quinn was not to be in on the secret.
"We have a very special item as the headline of our sale this evening so please can Stella and Cindy come on up... and Quinn."
Quinn followed hesitantly. The other two girls made her feel a bit plain in her black wrap dress but the one thing she did know was that wasn't going to last. Cindy was a voluptuous blonde who was bursting out of her green dress. Together she and Stella were pushing a box out into the spotlight. Biggs nodded to Quinn. It was on. She took a deep breath. She was starting to have a bad feeling, but it was way too late to back out now. With a confidence she really didn't feel Quinn strode into the centre of the room.
The box was not unfamiliar.Quinn knew what she needed to do to start the trick at least. Set on a high wheeled platform you could see under it had two chunky uprights holding up a rectangular central section with a smaller box set on top. Black and unadorned it matched the open fronted black display cabinets set around the room.
Stella and Cindy opened the box up. The two legs opened, then the central section which had two doors which swung open like a wardrobe and the top box front face was hinged at the top. On this cue Quinn kicked off her black high heels and turned her back to the majority of the audience. Everyone was looking at her now, she knew. She could feel people crowding closer . The hub hub of polite chatter and clink of glasses had stopped. Slowly she unknotted the sash holding her dress together. With the sexiest shrug she could muster she let the dress slide down her tanned back and long legs to the floor. She took a step to one side and kicked the dress away decisively making it clear she would not be needing such a thing any time soon then turned to face the rapt crowd, hands on hips.
She was as required quite naked. Hair in a pony tail, light make up, no jewellery not even a tan line. Quinn's heart was pounding. It wasn't her first time naked on stage but it was still a huge deal for her. As ever she felt conflicted. Was she selling out? And yet she could feel the power. She had the room's total attention. She was vulnerable and in control.
Without a word Quinn strode to the box and stepped up onto the platform then backed towards the box. She stopped to allow Bigs to fit a set of handcuffs to her wrists crossed behind her back. Beyond the point of no return. She edged back and in. Stella and Cindy each closed a metal clamp around a thigh. Quinn could feel the anxiousness in their fingers. Quinn wriggled into place. The box was a good fit, with not much space around her shoulders. As Cindy dragged the whole platform around on its wheels Stella handed Biggs a large metal blade. Biggs banged it dramatically, his first clumsy attempt at showmanship. Stella had grabbed a cucumber from somewhere and taking an end in each hand was slicing it into halves then quarters to show the blade's sharpness. A tacky detail, Quinn knew Matt would not have included himself.
Cindy had completed her turn and was now closing up the box, the two leg boxes first, covering Quinn to near the top of her thighs. Stella took a side as the two centre section doors were flipped shut. Finally the head box cover was dropped down plunging Quinn into near darkness.
Briggs banged the blade again then lined it up with the junction of the head box. He gave it a shove and it slid smoothly into place. Quinn suppressed a cough as she felt it block her windpipe on its way through her neck before the magic let her breath once more, the sharp pain replaced with a familiar tingle.
The blade that was thrust though her thighs felt a lot better. It was only a few inches above her bare hips, she could almost feel its draft. Biggs stepped to one side and opened the head box. Quinn blinked. Biggs took an exotic purple flower from her teeth to loud applause. Cindy and Stella each opened a leg box. Quinn's slender limbs were present, glistening as if slick with baby oil. Biggs nodded and opened the front of the main box. As expected, of Quinn's torso there was no sign. The back doors were opened too leaving a clear void right through the middle of Quinn. She smiled and nodded to the applause, but Biggs was carrying on. He walked twenty yards to one side of the room to a display case which was cloaked in a dark throw. He waited for a few moments for a fresh spotlight to find him.
"I know you have all been waiting for one thing." He held up the flower that had materialised between Quinn's teeth. " And I know that this is NOT the pink orchid you are all here to see. Quinn's heart skipped a beat. Wherever it was. This was it. The pink orchid was a famous diamond. A fabulously rare pink diamond. Worth millions it and a few smaller ones like it had been the most famous items taken in the heist she was investigating. This was it, the moment of truth. Her chance to make the big time as an investigative reporter.
"Here are a few of it's little sisters.."
Quinn smiled, Stella was a stunning latino who looked a few years her younger. A shiny red dress showed off her curves to great effect. Quinn couldn't help but wonder if her relationship with their client, Biggs, was true love. But given her recent career choices she wasn't ever so sure she should be taking the moral high ground, even internally.
"You are so brave, I have no idea how you do the things you do that show was amazing." Her voice was lightly accented.
"It's not brave, I trust the magic". Quinn smiled enigmatically as she trotted out her stock answer.
"I am sure everyone says this, but please, magic isn't real".
"But you saw me at the club show. How do you explain that ? " Quinn smiled.
"It's an amazingly clever illusion no doubt".
Quinn had already wandered around looking at the various open glass cases set about the room. It was easy enough to feign interest into the various valuables displayed all around the room. A mix of jewellery and works of art it was impressive, perhaps suspiciously so, but as yet Quinn hadn't seen the items she had been looking for to confirm her suspicions about the stolen goods.
"Ladies and gentlemen it's time to focus on this evening's main attraction." Biggs set down his champagne flute and walked into the spotlight in the centre of the room. Quinn steeled herself. One of the stipulations of the show was that it would be Biggs running things not Matt. His was determined to impress his guests it seemed. Matt had made all the necessary arrangements so that Quinn would be safe and the effect work without him but it did make her uncomfortable. Especially as another requirement was that Quinn was not to be in on the secret.
"We have a very special item as the headline of our sale this evening so please can Stella and Cindy come on up... and Quinn."
Quinn followed hesitantly. The other two girls made her feel a bit plain in her black wrap dress but the one thing she did know was that wasn't going to last. Cindy was a voluptuous blonde who was bursting out of her green dress. Together she and Stella were pushing a box out into the spotlight. Biggs nodded to Quinn. It was on. She took a deep breath. She was starting to have a bad feeling, but it was way too late to back out now. With a confidence she really didn't feel Quinn strode into the centre of the room.
The box was not unfamiliar.Quinn knew what she needed to do to start the trick at least. Set on a high wheeled platform you could see under it had two chunky uprights holding up a rectangular central section with a smaller box set on top. Black and unadorned it matched the open fronted black display cabinets set around the room.
Stella and Cindy opened the box up. The two legs opened, then the central section which had two doors which swung open like a wardrobe and the top box front face was hinged at the top. On this cue Quinn kicked off her black high heels and turned her back to the majority of the audience. Everyone was looking at her now, she knew. She could feel people crowding closer . The hub hub of polite chatter and clink of glasses had stopped. Slowly she unknotted the sash holding her dress together. With the sexiest shrug she could muster she let the dress slide down her tanned back and long legs to the floor. She took a step to one side and kicked the dress away decisively making it clear she would not be needing such a thing any time soon then turned to face the rapt crowd, hands on hips.
She was as required quite naked. Hair in a pony tail, light make up, no jewellery not even a tan line. Quinn's heart was pounding. It wasn't her first time naked on stage but it was still a huge deal for her. As ever she felt conflicted. Was she selling out? And yet she could feel the power. She had the room's total attention. She was vulnerable and in control.
Without a word Quinn strode to the box and stepped up onto the platform then backed towards the box. She stopped to allow Bigs to fit a set of handcuffs to her wrists crossed behind her back. Beyond the point of no return. She edged back and in. Stella and Cindy each closed a metal clamp around a thigh. Quinn could feel the anxiousness in their fingers. Quinn wriggled into place. The box was a good fit, with not much space around her shoulders. As Cindy dragged the whole platform around on its wheels Stella handed Biggs a large metal blade. Biggs banged it dramatically, his first clumsy attempt at showmanship. Stella had grabbed a cucumber from somewhere and taking an end in each hand was slicing it into halves then quarters to show the blade's sharpness. A tacky detail, Quinn knew Matt would not have included himself.
Cindy had completed her turn and was now closing up the box, the two leg boxes first, covering Quinn to near the top of her thighs. Stella took a side as the two centre section doors were flipped shut. Finally the head box cover was dropped down plunging Quinn into near darkness.
Briggs banged the blade again then lined it up with the junction of the head box. He gave it a shove and it slid smoothly into place. Quinn suppressed a cough as she felt it block her windpipe on its way through her neck before the magic let her breath once more, the sharp pain replaced with a familiar tingle.
The blade that was thrust though her thighs felt a lot better. It was only a few inches above her bare hips, she could almost feel its draft. Biggs stepped to one side and opened the head box. Quinn blinked. Biggs took an exotic purple flower from her teeth to loud applause. Cindy and Stella each opened a leg box. Quinn's slender limbs were present, glistening as if slick with baby oil. Biggs nodded and opened the front of the main box. As expected, of Quinn's torso there was no sign. The back doors were opened too leaving a clear void right through the middle of Quinn. She smiled and nodded to the applause, but Biggs was carrying on. He walked twenty yards to one side of the room to a display case which was cloaked in a dark throw. He waited for a few moments for a fresh spotlight to find him.
"I know you have all been waiting for one thing." He held up the flower that had materialised between Quinn's teeth. " And I know that this is NOT the pink orchid you are all here to see. Quinn's heart skipped a beat. Wherever it was. This was it. The pink orchid was a famous diamond. A fabulously rare pink diamond. Worth millions it and a few smaller ones like it had been the most famous items taken in the heist she was investigating. This was it, the moment of truth. Her chance to make the big time as an investigative reporter.
"Here are a few of it's little sisters.."
Biggs swept away the drape. Revealed was another of the open fronted cases. In it was the rest of Quinn. Fully sixty feet away from her head and legs. Her naked torso rested on the short stumps of her thighs keeping her most sensitive parts just off the base. Her arms were still cuffed behind her.
"Please take a closer look at these once in a life time diamonds and their unique display."
Quinn looked closer to see what Biggs meant. Then she realised what felt strange. Well, even more strange. Each of her small brown nipples was now threaded with a gold ring. And hanging from each ring set in a decorative golden mount you might expect as part of a lavish necklace was a glistening pink diamond. A further gold ring was swinging lightly between her stumps, hanging from her clit it bore a third diamond.
"Please show your appreciation to Quinn who has allowed herself to be separated from her body and to be used as a most memorable sales aid. And please do feel free to take a closer look at the merchandise. " Briggs lifted one of the diamonds pulling Quinn's nipple painfully.
"But please do leave time to admire the main attraction..."
"Please take a closer look at these once in a life time diamonds and their unique display."
Quinn looked closer to see what Biggs meant. Then she realised what felt strange. Well, even more strange. Each of her small brown nipples was now threaded with a gold ring. And hanging from each ring set in a decorative golden mount you might expect as part of a lavish necklace was a glistening pink diamond. A further gold ring was swinging lightly between her stumps, hanging from her clit it bore a third diamond.
"Please show your appreciation to Quinn who has allowed herself to be separated from her body and to be used as a most memorable sales aid. And please do feel free to take a closer look at the merchandise. " Briggs lifted one of the diamonds pulling Quinn's nipple painfully.
"But please do leave time to admire the main attraction..."
Biggs nodded and Stella and Cindy closed up the centre of the box. After a scant couple of seconds the doors were reopened. Where once there had been space there was now a glass box. Stella and Cindy removed the front doors then the back and finally the sides leaving the glass cube resting on Quinn's bare legs, with her head perched on the roof. And there within the box was the Pink Orchid. Four carats of priceless diamond on a velvet cushion. The applause were rapturous.
For the next hour Quinn found herself playing second fiddle to the diamond. People checked out her thighs to see if they were real and maybe asked a polite question but all they wanted really do was press their face to the glass and check out the mythical jewel. Quinn for her part was happy to play the role of part of the furniture. The less people thought of her as being there the more likely she was to hear something interesting, maybe even incriminating.
It was hard to concentrate though. People across the room seemed somewhat braver, pawing at her and pulling and tugging to get a better look at the smaller stones. She had caught a few nuggets of information, but nothing conclusive. She was certain that Biggs and his crew were behind the robbery. They had hinted at it without ever mentioning anything she could use to prove it. The frustration of not being able to find the lead she wanted was overtaking the frustration of being displayed, touched, objectified. She realised deals were being done in corners of the room. It seemed she would get plenty of good stuff to follow up but not the knockout blow she was hoping for. She needed to write up her notes, maybe go through some police files to try and ID some of the other guests. But that could wait. Enough was enough.
She curled her tongue and reached to the back of her mouth to brush her tooth. Matt had hidden a transmitter there, the only thing they could be sure would get by the security and anti surveillance in place. She had hoped that she would not have to use it as or that she would have been restored at least, but enough was enough and her body was getting more and more attention of the less wanted sort.
It seemed to take an age but was probably five minutes. Quinn wanted out now. Then there was a loud crack and the door at the back of the room swung open. Half a dozen police officers wearing helmets and bulletproof vests crashed in. Quinn couldn't help but gasp. Matt followed them, dressed in his usual tee shirt and combats. Then everything got complicated very quickly.
There was a gun shot. Somebody screamed, maybe Cindy. Biggs and most the guys around him pulled handguns and opened fire. Quinn screamed. She was certain that Matt's magic would protect her from a bullet just as it did from the blades but it was still a shocking situation, even disregarding her current predicament. There were a few more shots then things calmed down for a just a second.
Quinn scanned the room for Matt. She was desperate for him to get to her to get her out of this. Then the shooting started over. Some shouting. Bullets crackled into the wall behind her. Then there was a loud crack and she felt herself falling. A bullet had smashed the glass case her head was resting on. Helpless to save herself she screamed again. She felt herself hit the edge of the platform then fall again and her head rolled along the floor. She passed out.
"Quinn... Quinn.... you're gonna be ok, wake up"
Quinn opened one eye then the other.
"What woah, I feel sick... steady that's not helping..."
For the next hour Quinn found herself playing second fiddle to the diamond. People checked out her thighs to see if they were real and maybe asked a polite question but all they wanted really do was press their face to the glass and check out the mythical jewel. Quinn for her part was happy to play the role of part of the furniture. The less people thought of her as being there the more likely she was to hear something interesting, maybe even incriminating.
It was hard to concentrate though. People across the room seemed somewhat braver, pawing at her and pulling and tugging to get a better look at the smaller stones. She had caught a few nuggets of information, but nothing conclusive. She was certain that Biggs and his crew were behind the robbery. They had hinted at it without ever mentioning anything she could use to prove it. The frustration of not being able to find the lead she wanted was overtaking the frustration of being displayed, touched, objectified. She realised deals were being done in corners of the room. It seemed she would get plenty of good stuff to follow up but not the knockout blow she was hoping for. She needed to write up her notes, maybe go through some police files to try and ID some of the other guests. But that could wait. Enough was enough.
She curled her tongue and reached to the back of her mouth to brush her tooth. Matt had hidden a transmitter there, the only thing they could be sure would get by the security and anti surveillance in place. She had hoped that she would not have to use it as or that she would have been restored at least, but enough was enough and her body was getting more and more attention of the less wanted sort.
It seemed to take an age but was probably five minutes. Quinn wanted out now. Then there was a loud crack and the door at the back of the room swung open. Half a dozen police officers wearing helmets and bulletproof vests crashed in. Quinn couldn't help but gasp. Matt followed them, dressed in his usual tee shirt and combats. Then everything got complicated very quickly.
There was a gun shot. Somebody screamed, maybe Cindy. Biggs and most the guys around him pulled handguns and opened fire. Quinn screamed. She was certain that Matt's magic would protect her from a bullet just as it did from the blades but it was still a shocking situation, even disregarding her current predicament. There were a few more shots then things calmed down for a just a second.
Quinn scanned the room for Matt. She was desperate for him to get to her to get her out of this. Then the shooting started over. Some shouting. Bullets crackled into the wall behind her. Then there was a loud crack and she felt herself falling. A bullet had smashed the glass case her head was resting on. Helpless to save herself she screamed again. She felt herself hit the edge of the platform then fall again and her head rolled along the floor. She passed out.
"Quinn... Quinn.... you're gonna be ok, wake up"
Quinn opened one eye then the other.
"What woah, I feel sick... steady that's not helping..."
Quinn grumbled as Matt lifted her head from the floor and her gently on the corner of the platform.
"What happened? Did something go wrong, what ?"
"What happened? Did something go wrong, what ?"
"You fell and cracked your head, you were just out for a few moments, shock probably.."
"Did they get them ? Where's everyone? Where's the rock? Wait Matt where the fuck is my BODY?"