Scent of Gardenia (Scott Tucker Series) (19 page)

Chapter
45

She
realized what her ‘other’ had done, but it was too late. She couldn’t do
anything about the man in the cage. However, she could go to the authorities
and turn herself in. It would be difficult to explain the situation, but she
was sure they would be happy to find the other two men alive. She pulled up
anchor and quickly headed back to ‘their’ dive operation. On the way she
remembered why she had suddenly taken over from her counterpart. It was seeing
the murdered man in the cage…she felt so sorry for him.

*.*.*

Close to
forty-five minutes later she had docked the boat and was checking the stern for
any evidence of the man, or the cage being onboard. There was nothing except
the trace of fish oil, which she decided not to clean up so she could explain
to the authorities what her ‘other’ had done.

She went
inside the cabin and stripped off the wet suit. She hadn’t realized she didn’t
have a bathing suit on underneath. The shock caused her to look back up towards
her business office and she spotted a tall man and a woman walking near the
office. She couldn’t risk standing up in the cabin to put her clothes back on.
The two figures were headed down towards the boat dock. She decided when they
arrived she would just explain to them what happened and they could all go to
the authorities.

The only
lights on in the area were the spotlights on the office which flooded the parking
area and some of the gangplank and dock. There was some light hitting the stern
of the boat, but not much. Her knees hurt from kneeling in the cabin area
trying to stay out of sight. She heard the two people talking, but couldn’t
understand what they were saying. The boat rocked as someone climbed on board.
She heard a sliding sound and then a very large thump. Peeking out, she saw the
tall man lying on his back on the deck. The woman quickly climbed on board the
boat and was kneeling at his side.

Margaret’s
heart was beating a mile a minute. She could hear her heart beating in her
ears. The man must have knocked himself out when he stepped on the fish oil
substance. She watched the redheaded woman cradling the man’s head, trying to
see if he was okay. Margaret’s breathing was out of control and her vision was
starting to blur. She tried to blink away the fuzzy sight of the two people…she
knew what was happening, but it was too late. She couldn’t scream and she
started to black out.

*.*.*

When her
focus resumed she saw the large black man on his back, and the redheaded woman
kneeling over him. She saw her own reflection in the cabin door mirror,
noticing she was naked. Her heart was pounding. She didn’t know who these
people were, but she had just been delivered ‘replacements.’ She picked up the
resonator assembly beside her and slowly headed toward them.

One
quick swing of the assembly and she caught the woman totally by surprise,
knocking her across the side of the head. The redhead crashed down across the
man. Standing up now she realized she had taken over from her ‘other.’ The rush
of seeing the two people coming must have had an effect on her. She
contemplated hitting the woman again and the man.
No, they both can be my
new guests.

*.*.*

It had
taken her about two hours to move them from her boat to the pickup and then to
her basement ‘guest house.’ She was sweating profusely, but had left her
clothes off. Margaret stood in Roger’s old cell looking at the redheaded woman.
As they say, ‘clothes are optional,’ but not here. This is come the way you
were born. She had never had a woman guest and this could be an interesting
experience for her. The woman she learned was Holly and the black man was
Jules. Nice names…better bodies.

Holly
was still out, not by the blow on the head, but by the Chloroform. She left the
cell, waved as she passed Nils and Paul’s cells and entered Jules’ cell. Given
the size of him she wondered if the shackles would be strong enough to hold
him. He stretched from the headboard to the foot of the bed. She put his wrists
and his ankles into shackles. She wasn’t taking any chances he could pull the
wrists ones right out of the wall. He was also still out. She went over and
touched his body.

Her hand
looked like she had stuck it in flour compared to his dark skin. She was
getting excited about her new guests, especially Jules. While she watched her
hand on his body, she put her face close to his and could smell the sweet scent
of lime. His aftershave was almost hypnotizing. He was responding to her touch
even though he was still out. She closed her eyes, contemplating the games she
was going to play with both her new guests.

She felt
his body stir. She opened her eyes to see Jules’ eyes open, trying to register
what had happened, and what was happening now. His muffled yell made her laugh.
Her hand left him and her fist punched him there. He made a sickening sound
when his breath escaped. It took a minute for him to recover. She stood up and
displayed her body for him. He closed his eyes and she hit him again only this
time much harder. He recovered finally and she commented, “Jules, we’ll have
none of that. You will pay attention to me, or if you prefer, suffer the
consequences.” She smiled at him, and he had his eyes wide open.

“That’s
a good boy Jules. You learn your lessons fast.” She leaned over, kissing him
where she punched. “It’s pain or pleasure. The choice is yours. I prefer
pleasure myself, but I can make you very uncomfortable.” Her hand circled his
testicles with a very light touch, and then she squeezed them hard. “Which do
you prefer?”

He shook
his head back and forth, mumbling something. He couldn’t speak, since the gag
was pulled tight and something was inside his mouth.

She let
up her grasp. He took in a long deep breath through his nose. “Okay Jules, this
was lesson one. We’ll have a sign language going forward; you nod your head for
okay, and shake it for no. When I ask you a question, I expect a quick honest
yes or no…or you suffer the consequences.” She started to reach for him again
and he shook his head no. “Excellent Jules, Margaret loves a fast learner. Oh,
in case you’re wondering about your beautiful friend…she’s across the hall and
safe. I’m quite impressed with her…it’s nice to have a lady in the house. She’s
beautiful and obviously every inch a lady, but I think you knew that…didn’t
you?”

He was
slow to respond, but saw her hand dart out and quickly nodded. “That’s my good
boy,” she said with a big smile, this time affectionately tapping him instead
of punching. Here’s rule number two; if you’re not cooperative to my many
requests…you’re lovely friend will be the one suffering for your lack of
sincere
responsiveness.
And, I will make sure you hear her pain. Do you understand
rule number two?”

He
pulled on the chains and nodded his understanding.

They
both heard the chains rattle, and then they heard a frenzied rattle. “Well,
Jules I think our shared friend is finally awake.” Margaret started to stand.

“Help.
Someone help me. Jules are you here? Jules are you okay? Help me.”

Jules
tried to answer her. “Holly I’m here. I’m okay, but I can’t help you.” However,
only he and Margaret could hear his muffled words.

Margaret’s
response was quick and ugly. She recognized his reaction, wondering if he was
actually going to vomit. Fortunately he didn’t. “This is rule number three;
there will be no talking to each other, or in your case trying to.” She waited
for him to recover. “This has been quite the day. I’m glad that I have space
for you both. It was fortunate we bumped into each other tonight. I look
forward to both of your company for a very long time. Now, to find out what
your friend likes and doesn’t. I know what men like, but I need to spend some
time with your friend.”

Margaret
stood and studied Jules’ body for several minutes. He was slow responding, but
he was coming around. “It’s going to be fun being with you. I can see you’re
going to be a challenge, but remember this Jules—it’s either pain or
pleasure…take your pick. Just remember this; I hold the power either way. Now,
I need to find out from Holly who you people are and what you’re doing here.
However, I know the answer already…I just want to see if Holly quickly learns to
tell the truth or not.”

Chapter
46

Mike was
in the office alone. It gave him a chance to make the coffee the way he liked.

The
phone rang and he answered it. “Mike Miller, good morning, how can I help you?”

“Mr.
Miller, I’m glad you answered the phone. This is Mr. Douglas at the
Bermudiana
Hotel
. Good morning.”

“Good
morning Mr. Douglas. How can I help you?”

“Mr.
Miller, would you know how to reach Ms. Compton?”

“Not
exactly. She was supposed to check out of the hotel already. Why do you ask?”

“Well,
she has never settled her final bill or turned in her keys. Her luggage and
personal items are still in our storage area. Mr. Miller, you’re most likely
not aware of this, but I need to let you know why we’re concerned beyond what I
mentioned.”

“I’m
listening, and I’m glad you’re calling. Please share your concern.”

“Okay.”
Mr. Douglas paused. “Mr. Bennett, who we knew was her guide while she was here
in Bermuda, well his cab was found burning early this morning. Maybe you need
to get in touch with the police authorities here.”

“Mr.
Douglas, thank you very much for your timely call. I will contact the
authorities. Can you hold her personal effects until we decide what we’re going
to do? Do you need me to approve the final bill, or how do you want to handle
that?”

“We can
just process it against the card on file. I’m sorry to bother you Mr. Miller,
but I did think you should be made aware of this situation.”

“Your
timely call is very much appreciated. If you should see or hear from her please
have her call us, or call us yourself collect. Thank you. Bye.”

*.*.*

Mike was
looking for the phone numbers at Colleen’s desk when Paddy and Scott entered
the building. Instead of his usual greeting of ‘hello’ or ‘good morning’, he
said, “Paddy, we have a big problem. Jules’ cab was found burning this morning
and Holly hasn’t properly signed out of the hotel. It doesn’t sound good. I was
just trying to find the phone numbers for the police and Jules’ cab company.”

The door
opened and Colleen stepped in to see everyone standing by her desk. “Is
something wrong?” Colleen asked.

“Yes
there’s a problem in Bermuda. Do you have the Bermuda phone numbers?” Mike
asked.

She went
around to the other side of her desk and pulled out a 3x5 card and handed it to
Mike. “These are the only numbers I have.”

“That’s
what I need. Thanks Colleen.” Mike headed toward Paddy’s office with Paddy
following.

I spoke
with Colleen. “Colleen, Mike heard that Holly has not checked out of the hotel
properly and hasn’t picked up her personal items. Jules Bennett’s cab was found
burning this morning.”

“Oh my
God!” she cried out. “Do you think she’s okay?”

“Holly
can take care of herself. I’m sure Mike will know more when he talks to the
authorities there. I better go and see what I can do.”

*.*.*

Paddy
was on the phone. “Chief-Inspector Hughes, I want to thank you for taking my
call. I’m Patrick O’Brien and Holly Compton works for our office. What can you
tell me?”

“Mr.
O’Brien we’re still processing the burned out cab belonging to Jules Bennett.
There were no signs of any struggle where the cab was found. Right now our
officers are trying to determine where Ms. Compton and Mr. Bennett were
yesterday. We know she was doing her own investigation here.”

“Did she
visit your offices there?” Paddy asked.

“Yes she
did. In fact I met with her in person. We gave her the names of the missing
yachts, pictures of the missing men along with a description and picture of the
dive cage we found Mr. Elliot in.”

“Did she
give you any idea where she was headed?” Paddy asked.

“I’m
sorry I can’t help you there. We are trying to find out where they went and if
we learn anything would you like us to call you? Do you want us to call the FBI
about this?”

“As far
as the FBI goes, do what you would normally do. And yes, if you learn anything
about her movements would you please call us collect. I’ll give you the number
here.” Paddy gave him the number and hung up the phone.

Paddy
looked white as a ghost. “Mike, I don’t like what we’re hearing. Who knows who
kidnapped those men and took their boats? Holly might have gotten too close to
whoever is behind the kidnappings.”

“Mike, I
think we should alert Mercedes to this right away,” Paddy urged. “I’m going to
call Victor Young rather than Larz Nielsen. He might not want to say anything
to Larz, but I’ll let him decide.”

*.*.*

I went
with Mike to his office. “Scott, you’re closer to Mercedes. Why don’t you make
the call and I’ll listen?”

I dialed
her number. “Hello, this is Agent Strong.”

“Mercedes,
its Scott.”

“Hi
Scott. Are you calling for a date?”

“No
Mercedes, I’m with Mike Miller in his office. We got a call that Holly may be missing
in Bermuda, her guide’s cab was found burned this morning. We’re not sure
what’s happened, but felt if you didn’t hear yet, you should be alerted.”

“She was
down there for the Nielsen investigation, right?”

“Right,
she was down there for about five days, and Paddy extended her investigation
indefinitely. She had some leads she wanted to follow up on.”

“Was any
communication made with inspector Hughes down there?”

“Yes,
Paddy just got off the phone with him. They’re still processing the burned out
cab, but are also going to try to establish Holly and Jules’ movement before
they went missing.”

“Scott,
thanks for calling. I have to alert people here. I’ll be in touch. Bye.”

“Thanks
Scott.” Mike said. “Paddy and I have to huddle on this and determine what our
best action is. Why don’t you follow your normal routine and we’ll let you know
what we decide.”

I went
to my office and spotted the coin Mrs. Abbott had given me. I shook it and let
it land on the desk. It landed ‘tails up.’
I am not surprised. My own
captivity came to mind. I hope something like that hasn’t happened to Holly.
Would whoever is keeping the men even want a female? What happens to her if she
was indeed kidnapped and they don’t? I thought of Charlotte Williams’ letter to
me…what if her brother’s kidnappers need the space for Holly and Jules?