Reversion - A Novel Part 25

At that moment we were walking past the two huge a.s.semblies hung about with cables. Again the ceiling struts seemed to rotate before us as we walked.

aMirrors on wheels,a noted Mona. aWhat will they reflect, Tim?a I shook my head. aSorry, Mona. Iam afraid youave lost the right to ask questions.a aOh, surely not! For example, may I use the bathroom?a aNot yet.a aAnd another: where are you taking me?a aTo my office.a aYou see: it depends on the question.a She sidled closer, b.u.mping me with arm and hip, lowering her voice to an intimate level. aThat moustache becomes you, Tim. In your office may I suck your c.o.c.k?a The plant was too quiet. Behind me I heard two incredulous intakes of breath. I stopped and turned. My fabricator and guard were staring wide-eyed at Mona. Maryanneas lip curled. To forestall her expected comment I raised the camera and twisted its k.n.o.bs. aLetas try F2 at a fiftieth.a I pressed the large shutter release, which responded with the satisfying thunk I recalled from the early Exactas. After advancing the film I adjusted the speed. aAnd another at a hundredth. Those a.s.semblies are well lit. ASA200 should contrast well at that setting, donat you think?a I snapped another shot.

Monaas eyebrows were raised in surprise when I turned back to her. aCome on,a I said.

When we entered my office, I surprised her again by clutching the shoulder that had stiffened when she recognized the sleeping Walker, spinning her around and pulling her to me in a s...o...b..ry kiss. At first she resisted but shortly she relaxed against me. Her lips parted as her arms went around me. I heard Maryanne gasp again.

After a moment I backed away. aWait here, Mona. You can rest in my big chair if you like. First I must see to your friends in the parking lot.a Maryanne suggested, aLet Judd get another set of cuffs.a aThat wonat be necessary.a I ordered over my shoulder, aMona, stay here and keep out of trouble. Take a nap, why donat you?a aY-yes, Tim.a Maryanne gaped at me. aYou gonna leave her free in here?a I smiled. aShe wonat go away, will you, Mona?a aN-no, Tim.a Her voice was peculiar. I glanced at her face. She had the look of a girl who has just taken her first big marijuana hit. Only this stuff was worse. She slipped around the desk, dropping her purse atop it.

aAnd leave the telephones alone.a aYes, Tim.a aB-but a"a protested Maryanne.

aCome with me, Judd. Weave got decisions to make. You too, Maryanne.a They followed me out, Maryanne looking wide-eyed back over her shoulders. But Mona had slumped into the captainas chair and closed her eyes. With a sudden grin Maryanne c.o.c.ked an eyebrow back at me. aI get it.a aWish I did,a said the guard, shaking his head.

Maryanne chuckled. aYou did already.a In the main room I handed him the camera. aPut this in a drawer of your desk, Judd. Do we have another guardas jacket anywhere?a aGibson leaves his here.a aGet it for me please a" and a pistol.a He went away to the lockers in the adjacent guardroom. I turned to the woman. aDo you really want him, Maryanne?a aJuddas a good catch,a she said wistfully.

aNot in his present state. Kiss me again.a She blinked innocently. aYou mean a"a aYou know what I mean.a I pulled her against me. She opened her mouth immediately. When we parted, I ordered, aNow you kiss him again before we go out that door.a She drew a breath and said, aYes, sir,a with evident reluctance.

aDonat worry. Youave already impressed him. You donat need that drug in him. And I donat either.a aOh. Okay. Is your name really Tim?a I had already thought about that question. aIt was when Mona knew me.a She licked her lips. Her eyes sparkled. aI bet she knew you real good.a I chuckled but said nothing.

Judd returned, bearing a jacket and a belt with holstered pistol suspended. I slipped into the jacket. Gibson, I recalled, was a hefty fellow about my size. Both jacket and belt fit me well. According to the shield on the breast pocket I was now a special officer by that name. I raised the pistol, verified its full clip, worked the slide, snapped on the safety and returned it to the holster.

Maryanne and Judd were again in a clench behind me. I waited, letting her make a thorough job of it, which she did. When they parted, the man looked at me guiltily and swiped at his mouth. aIam s-sorry, Mr. Maple. I donat know what a"a I waived a hand negligently. aDonat worry about it. Weave got a job to do.a He straightened attentively, awaiting orders.

aA couple of blue Fords are in the parking lot, each with load of trespa.s.sers intent on espionage at least. Theyare private detectives and likely armed, though I doubt theyave been ordered to shoot anyone. You and I are going to run them off. Youall back me up. If any shooting begins, take out the tires first.a He swallowed. aYes, sir.a aMaryanne, you wait here inside.a aY-yes, sir. What should I do if aa Her voice trailed off.

aWeall come back, Maryanne.a aYes, sir.a The parking lot was not well lit except near the door. Tonight relatively few cars were in attendance because most of second shift had been cancelled. The two cars in question were parked side by side, well apart from the rest. The lit cigarettes within them attracted immediate attention.

aNot very good detectives,a I commented with a snort.

aMaybe they donat think we care,a suggested Judd.

aTheyare about to find out.a We started forward but another car came chugging up the road and wheeled without hesitation into the parking slot beside my own car. When the headlights had veered away, I saw it was Karl and caught Juddas arm to bid him wait.

Karl had seen us despite the dark gray uniforms, perhaps because of my lighter trousers. He strolled up to us, peered and demanded, aWhatas going on? Huh! Is that you, John?a aWeave caught two intruders in the plant,a I explained, aand more are sitting in those two cars. Your choice: come with us or wait inside.a aIam not armed.a aI donat think weall do any shooting.a aThen Iall follow along, if you donat mind.a We had about 100 yards to go. As we walked I asked, aWhat was the cause of the sync problem?a aIam not sure. I suspect number threeas bearings. We should replace them soon as this crunch is over.a aI heard it was back on line.a aYes. I feathered the turbine up a notch, but number three is running hot.a aIt needs to last another 20 hours. Will it?a aMaybe. Iave got a hose playing on the base casting.a aKnock on wood.a aOn what? Did you say two intruders? How did they get in?a aEasily. We havenat taken the possibility seriously.a Karl thought that over as we closed the remaining distance. I saw a couple cigarettes arc into the darkness from the car windows ahead and strike the concrete with showers of sparks.

aIall do the talking,a I said in a low voice.

We stopped ten feet from the left side of the first car. Its windows were rolled down despite the cool September evening. It contained four men. Beyond it the other car seemed similarly occupied.

I demanded harshly, aWhat do you guys want?a For a moment we heard only the gentle breeze and the distant calling of night birds. The driver of the near car finally answered, aWeare waiting for someone.a aThe shift doesnat change until midnight. Please do your waiting off Fernworks property.a aWhereas the line?a I pointed towards the road. aBeyond the last light there.a The driver thrust out his chin. aThought this was a place of business.a He grinned sarcastically. aA flower shop.a aSo?a aSo you donat have a aNo Trespa.s.singa sign.a aItas after hours and Iam telling you not to trespa.s.s. Thatas just as good.a The man sitting beside the driver leaned toward the window. aAnd if we donat go?a aThen Iall arrest you and hold you for the sheriff. And you can depend on it: Fernworks will press charges.a aYouall arrest us?a sniffed the driver and barked a laugh.

The man beside him said, aIn fact he can. Pull out, Harvey.a aIf you say so,a argued the driver, abut weare eight to three and I doubt the dandy in the back even has a gun.a aI said pull out.a The pa.s.senger raised his voice. aYou too, Perkins.a Both car engines started up. The near driveras eyes glittered. aWeall be back,a he promised before his car leapt ahead.

We stood and watched them depart. They continued beyond the curve around the hill.

aThey probably will, too,a said Judd thoughtfully.

On the way back into the plant Karl asked, aWhat do they want?a aWeall discuss it in my office. Judd, where can you get some help?a The guard thought a moment. aI can call in Gibson and Wilbur, I reckon. When do you think theyall come back?a aNot till after midnight.a Not until theyave checked with Cleaver, I did not say. aMost likely not until tomorrow.a After all, Cleaver is in his fifties. aBut when they do, they may come in strength.a aYou want me to call the sheriff?a aNo,a I answered without explanation. aThe critical time is tomorrow afternoon and early evening. Do you know anyone among the other employees who might be willing to help us out?a aI expect theyall all help, Mr. Maple. Fernworks means a lot to us.a I chuckled wryly. aHate to call on my workers to fight.a aPate was elected by them crooks in Asheville, not us. Iam tickled you ainat gonna call him.a His eyes stared into mine. aYou springing Jerome made Fernworks a lot of friends in the hills. I can get fifty or a hundreda a" he p.r.o.nounced it hunnerd a" agood boys with guns in here by tomorrow afternoon. And they know how to use aem.a We had reached the door. I paused to smile and shake my head. aI donat want a war here, Judd, and the man behind those detectives doesnat either. But if you can get a sizeable force and keep them in handa a" I paused for emphasis a" atheyad be welcome.a He studied me. aI see what you mean. Then them detectives would stay back.a I nodded. aRight.a Most of our people had no telephone; Judd would have to go in person. aSee what you can do when you get off duty tonight.a aYes, sir.a I returned Gibsonas jacket and pistol and ducked to verify that seated at his desk, he could see most of the parking lot through the windows. aKeep an eye out and let me know if any more suspicious cars arrive. Whoas relieving you?a aGibson comes on at eleven.a aPa.s.s the word to him too.a aYes, sir.a aAnd give me the key to Walkeras cuffs. Come on, Karl. I think you ought to attend Monaas interrogation.a aWho?a aThe second intruder.a Maryanne, hovering nearby, asked, aWhat about me?a aGo report to Jerome. Tell him to call my office if he has anything new.a aOkay.a I saw her wink at Judd before she turned away.

As we proceeded to my office, Karl noted, aSo you know what theyare doing.a aYes. Youave seen Claraas viewers of Cleaver.a I summarized events tonight in a few words.

Outside my door he said, aYou think Cleaveras men will actually attack us?a aHeas a determined fellow. He knows the truth, most of it, and believes it.a aHow did he learn so much, Tim?a aMainly because of my mistakes,a I admitted and grinned wryly, awhich is a lesson for all of us not to be overconfident with Claraas powers.a He followed me into the office and closed the door. Mona sagged in my captainas chair, Walker in the straight chair. Both were unconscious.

Karlas eyes widened. aThey canat be asleep!a aYes, they can a" under DISINHIBITOR. Look it up.a I left him staring up at the ceiling light while I perched myself on the desk before the woman. aWake up, Mona, and letas talk.a As her eyes fluttered, Karl exploded, aIn saliva? I can believe you kissed her a" mein Gott, was eine Schnheit! a" but not the man.a I chuckled, aMaryanne took care of him for me.a aWh-what?a mumbled Mona, blinking.

aDid you have a pleasant nap?a aNap? Nap?a Briefly she stared at me. Her eyes swung from the sagging Walker to rest on Karl.

aMona, this is Carl Haines, plant director for Fernworks. I suspect youave seen his photo.a She only stared at him.

He bowed in his continental manner and said with a grin, aI am very pleased to meet such a beautiful spy.a Slowly she produced a smile of her own. aThank you. Youare not so bad yourself.a He bowed again. aI have yet to try it.a She blinked.

I asked, aTry what?a aBeing a beautiful spy.a aDonat,a I advised. aMona, tell us what were your instructions before entering Fernworks.a aTo notice everything. Mainly to photograph anything that might be a s.p.a.ceship.a aI want to thank you for the camera, by the way. In the rush I had overlooked the means to make a photographic record.a That was a lie told to dismay her; in fact Clara would recover a far more detailed record from our cellular memories.

aThatas my camera!a she insisted.

aNot any more. What did you expect to see here?a aTriangles on wheels. Youave made them into mirrors.a I looked at Karl significantly. aJimpson quit before you applied the finish.a He nodded in understanding.

aWho gave you this a.s.signment?a aCleaver, by telephone.a aWhen?a aThis afternoon.a aThe Fernworks jacket was already available for you?a aYes. Iave been in Baylor several days.a aWhere is Cleaveras local headquarters?a She sniffed. aNot his usual quality. Heas rented all the rooms at Ma Wellingtonas inn.a aThank you.a Fernworks had bought a house in town. Apparently Cleaver had less permanent intentions.

aWhat was Walkeras a.s.signment?a aTo back me up and help me get out if you discovered us a" as far as I know. Cleaver talked to him separately.a aDoes Cleaver have other intruders besides you and Walker?a aNot that I know of.a She licked dry lips. aTim, did you drug me with your kiss?a aYes, of course. Is it so unpleasant?a aNo a but I feel strange. I never could resist you anyway. Iam glad other men canat do this to me.a aBut they can, with a different instrument.a I grinned. aKarl, do you have any questions for her?a He cleared his throat. aJust one: do you know if Cleaver plans sabotage?a aNo.a She shook her head. aBut I donat think so. He would like to control your mirrors on wheels, not destroy them.a aThatas rea.s.suring,a said Karl dryly.

aIt shouldnat be,a she mused. aHe does mean to interfere.a aHow?a I asked.

aOh.a She blinked. aI remembered. He said if you caught me I should give you a message.a aLetas hear it.a aIam only supposed to give it to you.a aTell us both, Mona.a She sighed. aHe said if he canat make a deal with you heall make it with the feds.a After thinking a moment I said, aI know what he wants from me. What a"a She interrupted. aFor health stuff as well as Fernworks.a I nodded. aBut what deal could he offer the government?a aDisclose everything to them if they let him in on the raid.a aHead do that, would he? How does he think this would get him the ahealth stuff,a as you call it?a She shrugged. aHe hopes itall come with Fernworks.a aWell, it wonat.a I came to a decision quickly. aMona, I shall let you and Walker take a message back to Cleaver.a aYou a you will?a aListen closely. Warn him that I know about his man on Eisenhoweras staff, that the NSA appropriation covers some operations that are not disclosed even to the president, and that if he pushes things too far heall find himself in quicksand beyond help from anyone.a She studied me thoughtfully. aI know how heall reply.a aTell me.a aHeall ask, aWhat can I offer that interests you?aa aIf he asks that, the answer is, aNothing at present.aa aHarrison controls a lot of resources. Might some accommodation be reached in the future?a I thought a moment and said, aI wonat rule it out.a She took a breath and shook her head. aYouare just buying time, arenat you? Is something about to happen? How will you get your mirrors out of the hill?a So the secret of the roof opening was intact, though surely Cleaver would guess it! Mona herself was bright enough to understand when she thought it over.

I went to my other captive and released his cuffs. aWake up, Walker!a The man sat up, groggily at first, straightening with wide eyes when he saw Mona. aBoth of you get up and take off those green jackets.a When both Fernworks coats lay on my desk, they stumbled after me down the hall. At the guardas desk I produced my car keys. aJudd, deliver these two directly to Ma Wellingtonas front walk, please, and report immediately back here.a He rose to his feet, studying the captives. I said, aMona and Walker, you will obey this guard as if he were I.a aYes, sir,a muttered Walker.

Mona sighed. aWhen does this drug wear off?a aIn another hour or two. Youall be okay. Now go with the guard.a * * *

At 0100 with no strangers in the parking lot, Karl bedded down on the cot in his office while I went ahome.a The house in Baylor was equipped with the SS radio so that I could be summoned quickly if needed. Gibson was on duty and Wilbur scheduled for 0700. With the help of my computer I went immediately to sleep.

Rising early, I showered and treated myself to a heavy preparatory breakfast at Melas Diner. Today was September 14, 1954, the day before a man would take his first step on the moon if all went well.

The sun was just clearing the eastern peak when I pulled into my spot next to the Fernworks door. Most workers had been paid through Thursday and told to return on Friday, resulting in a spa.r.s.ely populated parking lot for a Tuesday morning a" the better to spot Cleaveras intruders, if any. But none of the several cars seemed to contain occupants.

Indeed Wilbur was on duty. He was tall but slim for a guard, younger than the other two, earnest and cautious although slow on the uptake, which I had concluded from a yearas observation. I stopped at the guard desk.

aGood morning, Wilbur.a aMorning, sir. Mr. Haines said to tell you heas checking on the generators.a aThank you.a My car keys were still in hand. aWilbur, take my car and do an airport run, please. Ann Brown is landing in Charlotte at ten. You should know her; youave picked her up several times, I believe.a aYes, sir.a aAnd she knows you. Sheas traveling with another woman on Eastern Airlines, arriving from Washington National. Bring them both back here immediately unless they give you different orders. Youare to tell them the situation as Gibson relayed it to you.a aAnn Brown and another woman at ten on Eastern from Washington, tell them the situation. Yes, sir.a aYouave got an hour and a half. You may need it to park at the airport. Better take off. Iall send Lacey in to mind the store.a aYes, sir.a aAnd take your pistol in case you need to defend them.a aBut, sir a"a aLeave it under the seat while youare in the terminal. If the cops make trouble about it Iall take care of it.a aOkay, sir.a His reluctance was evident. His hand dropped to the holstered weapon and he sighed.

aI doubt youall actually need it,a I said rea.s.suringly. aSo far our opponent has done nothing felonious.a I didnat add anything about the poor likelihood of that lasting.

Karl reported by telephone that the survival of Generator Three through suppertime was uncertain, adding dryly that he had aknocked on wood.a I told him to go home, take a nap and return at 1700. Then I visited the snack bar with a box and stocked both ships with sandwiches, cakes and c.o.kes. A thorough inspection revealed both ready to travel, except for another six hours of charge time.

I ate lunch with the blind lady in the snack bar and slipped her a $20 tip to compensate for the unannounced loss of business.

aThere you are!a cried Lacey, surprising me as I patted the blind womanas shoulder.

aWhoas covering the front?a I demanded.

aYou got an urgent phone call from Wilbur.a And we were too shorthanded today for her to find a messenger. I hurried up the hall beside her. aDid he say what it was about?a aHe canat find his pa.s.sengers.a The man was stuttering with anxiety. He had met the two women. After leaving the concourse they went to the luggage area. Annas bag was delayed and he used the time to disclose the situation here. Bags in hand at last, they had insisted on stopping at a ladies restroom. He waited and became concerned when half an hour had pa.s.sed. He described the two women and tipped a floormopper to check. She reported that no one in the restroom matched the description. aI say, aThey gotta be in there! I been watching that door like a hawk.a She laughs at me. aTheyas another door around the corner.aa Wilbur concluded that the girls had exited by the other door and become confused. He inst.i.tuted a search, checking all the bars and concourse shops and asking attendants to investigate the other restrooms: all in vain.

aFinally I give up and call you. Ainat they there, Mr. Haines?a Under other circ.u.mstances I might have reacted with sympathy to the pathos in his voice. Now I said harshly, aThey are not, thanks to you! Is a public telephone in sight of the door where you left them?a aYes, sir. I can see that door from where I am now.a aThen give me the number of that telephone. Sit where you can see the door and hear this telephone ring, but check in with me every fifteen minutes regardless.a When I hung up the phone, I stood tapping my pencil on the guard desk, wondering what to do next. Surely the girls wouldnat wander off on some foolas errand on this day of all days! Was Cleaver at the root of their disappearance? If so, how did he arrange it? I was reasonably certain that he knew nothing of Ferndep, where Rosalind a" AKA Ann Brown a" had originated, or of our home in Cleveland. I decided to wait another hour. Then with heavy reluctance I would have to call Cleaver.

Chapter 20: Liftoff.

I only had to stew for half an hour before Lacey said, aWhoas that?a She was looking out the front window.

An unmarked dun-colored van, about the size of the one in which we had first traveled to Cleveland, was crossing the parking lot toward the front door. It stopped in the traffic aisle and a" I gasped in relief a" Rosalind emerged from the driveras door, Alice from the pa.s.sengeras.

I rushed out into the parking lot in time to meet them at the far side of the van. Rosalind slid open the door just as I caught Alice in a fierce embrace. Extending my arm, I pulled Rosalind into it also. Iam sure I was muttering inanities, such as aYouare safe, youare safe!a while showering their faces with kisses.

They pushed me back. aCalm down!a Alice commanded, her eyes glaring.

aWonder if it would work on him?a asked Rosalind with a giggle.

aWhat happened to you?a I demanded. They seemed somewhat disheveled: hair in disarray, Aliceas blouse unb.u.t.toned in back, Rosalind wearing only one stocking, both without shoes.

aThey happened to us!a declared Alice, pointing into the van. It contained three a" no, four unconscious bodies in various stages of undress, all definitely male. I use that word advisedly. They all seemed to be sporting hard-ons.

Alice stepped up into the vehicle while I stared in stupefaction. After a moment to stir the bodies, she stuck one foot into her missing slipper, then threw out another in Rosalindas direction, followed by two small suitcases. She held out a drooping pink flimsy distastefully at armas length. aThis is yours. Howad it get so sopping?a aLet Bertie have it,a the tall girl answered. aHe tore it off me too late.a Alice leaned over and carefully spread it over a snoring face that looked familiar.

aBertie?a I asked.

aYou remember,a said Rosalind. aYou threw him down the steps on Cleaveras yacht.a aAll these guys work for Cleaver? You two were kidnapped?a aYes and yes.a Alice threw out another shoe and two small suitcases before stepping down from the van. Rosalind slipped on her shoes and took up her bag.

I stood with fists clenched on my hips. aThat son of a b.i.t.c.h has finally gone too far! Ladies, I want to know every detail of this adventure.a Rosalind smirked at Alice. aDidnat I tell you head say that?a aThe exact words,a Alice agreed dryly, donning her other shoe.

aIave got a viewer in my bag,a Rosalind noted. aIall download it in your office, Tim. In the meantime you ought to have someone deliver these poor fellows to their boss.a aIall take care of that,a Alice said, winking at me. She leaned over the sill of the van and dragged the head of a somnolent occupant toward her. Bending, she covered his mouth with her own. When she arose, he sat up groggily.

aWha-what?a She leaned into his face. aCan you drive the van?a aY-yeah.a aThen close this door and drive it to Cleaver.a aT-to Cleaver?a aThatas right. Get going.a aYes, maaam.a She c.o.c.ked her head. aThat was an awful wart on your c.o.c.k. I removed it.a aY-yes, maaam.a Under her watchful eye he closed the side door as directed and shambled around to the driveras side, wearing only a T-shirt. A moment later the engine started and the van threaded its way out of the lot. At that time driving barefoot was against the law in North Carolina, but this was the least of his worries.

Downloading a viewer only takes a moment when you have the talent built-in. Rosalind handed it to me, curled her lip disdainfully and said, aTurning arrogant men into pitiful little boys has its unattractive aspects. I take it back. Iad hate to see it happen to you.a Iam sure my eyes widened. aYou consider me arrogant, do you?a She managed a grin. aAnd the funniest part is, you donat see it!a She took a breath. aTim, for your information Alice and I were up all night, consulting with Clara and making provisions for the unexpected.a The grin became a wry chuckle. aThough we didnat antic.i.p.ate being kidnapped before we could get to Baylor!a aNo doubt. I wonder how Cleaver knew you were coming.a She gestured. aYouall see it in the record. Menas brags are sometimes useful. The point is, although we caught a little sleep on the plane, we still need to rest and recuperate before tonight.a aOf course.a I took a set of keys from the guard desk. aThese fit the blue Plymouth. Go take a nap. Get back here about six p.m.a aThanks, Tim. Will do.a As they departed, I said to Lacey, aCall Wilbur at that number, give him the good news and tell him to hurry back here.a But Lacey was slow to respond. When I looked up, she was staring with open mouth after the girls, who were just getting into the Plymouth. aMr. Maple, did they a cause those men to a to aa aI believe the expression is, aLose their pants.a No, my dear, I doubt the men needed help with that. They probably only needed help to sleep.a aTo sleep,a she repeated, goggling.

aWill you please call Wilbur?a She took a very deep breath. aAt that number. Yes, sir. Right away, sir!a aYou mind the front desk until Wilbur gets back. In the meantime Iall be in my office. Donat disturb me unless itas urgent, please.a Arrogant, was I? Didnat I always say, aPlease?a * * *

With an earplug in each ear a" Clara has implemented stereo a" I leaned back in my big chair and held the viewer up to the light. In this world, recently seen through Rosalindas perspective, she emerged from a restroom stall to stare at herself in a mirror and straighten her skirt. She washed her hands, smiling slightly at her reflection. Why not? She was lovely.

The image of Alice appeared behind her, moving to the adjacent sink. aI hope youare not going to primp,a came Aliceas voice. aThat hillbilly is waiting for us outside.a aToo bad heas not more handsome,a retorted Rosalind. aIam feeling rather itchy, and Iall bet Tim and Karl are too engrossed in their work to take care of us.a Aliceas hand appeared in the corner of vision, touching Rosalindas shoulder. aWe could cuddle later,a she cooed.

aThatas always nice, Alice. But right now I want to feel a guy.a They both turned to the noise of an outside door slamming open. As if on cue, a large man in a business suit stood glaring into the room.

aThat was fast!a Rosalind commented but Alice snarled, aYouare in the wrong place, Buster.a He came fully into the room, scanning around at the stall doors, all of which were now open. He pulled a pistol from beneath his jacket.

At last his gaze settled on the two women, standing side by side before the sinks. aOut, ladies! This way and move it now!a He waved his weapon at them and indicating the door through which he had entered.

The reflected faces of the two women expressed concern but not fear. aJust let me dry my hands,a Rosalind said impudently. With calculated slowness she tugged a paper towel from the dispenser.

The world tilted. Apparently the impatient man had pushed her away from the sink toward the door. She glanced back to see Alice following voluntarily, though producing a sneer as she pa.s.sed. Two more men waited outside. The first one concealed his gun as the three of them hustled the women from the building to a van waiting at the curb, the same one I had seen later in the Fernworks parking lot. I felt their hands gripping Rosalindas arms but hesitated to turn off the tactile record.

Rosalind ducked and entered the open side door of the vehicle. Alice resisted and had to be shoved in. The men followed quickly, the last one sliding the door shut with a bang. The van, engine already ticking over, revved up. The view tilted crazily and steadied from a lower angle, accompanied by a blow to the b.u.t.t. Apparently the acceleration had thrown Rosalind down. Alice must have grabbed the back of a front seat. She slid down before Rosalind in a thicket of menas legs.

Rosalindas gaze turned up to one of the faces. aSo, Bertie, whatas on the agenda?a The men sat also, not very comfortably judging by their grimaces. Only the driveras arm was visible beyond his seatback. He said nothing as he concentrated on the traffic.

aWeare just delivering you ladies,a the initial washroom invader, a blond guy in his thirties, answered in a somewhat conciliatory voice. Perhaps as a result of Rosalindas prompt, I recognized him. I had previously seen him buckling before my fist in his belly. I wished for a second opportunity.

aDelivering us!a sniffed Alice. aTo what, a life as s.e.x slaves?a aAbsolutely not!a declared the blond.

aOh, yeah? Youave never seen us before.a He pointed at me a" I mean, at Rosalind. aIave seen her, havenat I, Rosalind? And youare with her, which is good enough for me.a Alice clamped her mouth shut, but Rosalind spoke in her place. aThen youare taking us to Cleaver. Tell me something, Bertie: howad he know where to find us?a The blond only smiled but a surly fellow beside him snickered. aWe followed your stupid guard.a aShut up!a ordered Bertie.

aBut Cleaver couldnat have expected us!a Rosalind a.s.serted.

Alice said, aThey must have phoned him while we waited for your bag. I get it. Cleaver means to hold us as a bargaining tool.a as.e.x slaves too,a Rosalind jibed. I felt her lips stretch in a smile.

aThink thatas funny?a asked the bean-spiller.

aNot exactly.a Her eyes went to his hands. aI was wondering about the old saw that a manas fingers gave a hint about the size of his c.o.c.k.a aYeah!a Alice chimed in. aJudging from your stubby ones I bet you have an embarra.s.sment between the legs.a The other men laughed uproariously. aHey, Smitty,a the third guy said, ayou want to prove her wrong?a Smitty sulked without further comment.

aSo you value large ones?a the grinning blond leader said to Alice, who shrugged.

aI place no particular value on them,a Rosalind replied, abecause so many are available. But theyare always useful when a girl gets itchy.a Alice said, aYou s.n.a.t.c.hed us because of a business disagreement, Blondie. Later youall be chauffeuring us to where we were heading in the first place.a Rosalind added, aI hope you guys arenat so rushed that you donat have time to scratch our itches.a aBoth of you?a asked Smitty, blinking.

aSure,a agreed Alice.

aAre you suggesting a gang bang, lady?a the third man asked, hope in his voice.

Rosalind answered, aEven Smitty here.a aHow about me,a the driver yelled.

aAll of you,a Alice shouted back.

aStop at Minerva State Park,a the blond one called to the driver. aItas on the way. Cleaver wonat notice a half-hour delay. That is,a he said to Rosalind, aif youare serious about this. We donat rape women.a aIam sure you donat,a she said with a hand kneading his upper thigh. aIs that park gra.s.sy?a aOh yes.a aI love it in the gra.s.s, smelling the green things, hearing the birds chirp.a The van had picked up speed, skirting most of the city. Bertie hitched closer to Rosalind, who looked down to see his hand under her skirt. aIave always thought you were a looker!a he said in her ear.

aThank you. Youare not so bad yourself.a His face loomed up in my vision. Simultaneously I felt his tongue in my mouth, his hand squeezing my t.i.t and a finger prodding between my legs. I turned off the tactile record as fast as my thumb would move!

It was a h.e.l.l of a long kiss. I could see nothing and hear only the roar of the speeding van. I found the fast-forward controls. When light flashed up in my vision, I stopped. Rosalindas eyes were lowered to her hand, now jacking on a respectable d.i.c.k. The van lurched and she looked up. Tree limbs swung above the windshield and the vehicle came to a stop. Alice was sprawled just below the front seat with three men around her. Her skirt was above her waist.

The men helped the women to stand. They stepped down onto lush gra.s.s in a small clearing, blocked on one side by the vanas ma.s.sive body, on all others by thick brush. From the shadows the sun was high overhead.

aOoo!a intoned Rosalind. aThis is nice.a aIt is nice,a Alice chimed in. aLetas get to it. But we donat want to lie in the dirt.a aYou get on top, one of us at a time,a the blonde leader announced, awhile two guys remain on guard.a Rosalind demurred, aThey can guard us with their d.i.c.ks out, canat they? Iad like to squat on yours and suck another.a aOkay,a Bertie said, aif you girls take all your clothes off so you canat run away.a Rosalind and Alice stripped naked in the bright sunlight to reveal luscious bodies that caused the men to howl. Bertie and the driver undid their trousers and kicked them off, then lay on the ground.