Attention to Details or the female version of Be Careful what you wish for.
Chapter 1 Writer’s Block
“Here’s my problem,†she started to explain to Shane Bikman, her literary agent and business manager. “In the new book I have a chapter where the female protagonist manages to escape from the prison van. She hides out in a farmhouse, contacts her friends, finally goes on to clear her name, et cetera, et cetera. The catch: she has her ankles shackled together along with the handcuffs. How far can she go in half a day of walking? And how well does she make out in the farmhouse? Can she find some way to get the chains off?â€
Shane shrugged. “You and your obsession with realism. I have no idea how far your character can walk, maybe a mile or two? What difference does it make anyway? It’s fiction, make something up.†Boundgal08 shook her head. “No, and that’s why I’m the bestseller author and you’re the agent. If something isn’t believable it ruins the whole story. There are only so many plots available. It’s the attention to the detail that gets the Keller Mystery series onto the bookshelves. Look Shane , I need to know. It’s a crucial point in the book that’s bugging me. I have to get this right or I can’t finish it. I have to capture how she feels and put it on paper: the adrenalin rush of her escape, the fear of being discovered as she hides out, the edge of panic that sharpens her wits as she tries to stay free to clear her name, all that has to grab the reader at a visceral level. I’ve tried to imagine it but I can’t get it right."
“I need your help. You’ve come to the rescue before when I’ve had writer’s block. I’ve hit a wall with the new story and like so many times before I decided to turn to you for help. Find me a way to get the realism I need. It doesn’t have to be exactly the same scene, just some way for me to get into her head.†Shane leaned back in his chair and looked across the desk at Boundgal08. She was his premier author, the biggest moneymaker he had ever represented. A steady producer too, and that was something rare in the publishing business. Whenever he had a new Boundgal08 manuscript in hand the big publishing houses came to him, called him for lunch, asked when he was free for dinner, even invited him to the company stadium box for the next game. Quite a turnaround from the days when he would come begging at their door. If she needed something his job was to ensure she got it, even if he had to skirt laws a time or two to keep her satisfied. He still had nightmares over the time she wanted to get the feel of shooting a 1920’s submachine gun from a speeding Model T car in the middle of the night…with real bullets on a real city street.
Yet for all her quirks he was forced to admit she had found a winning formula. Seven major books in the last nine years, and she was still going strong. He would be the last one to tell her to change her style. “Alright, I assume you have the relevant pages for me? Let me make some calls and I’ll see what I can arrange. You come up with some wild requests Boundgal08, but you’re the one with the talent for getting it right. Have you worked in one of your famous filter themes yet?â€
What gave Boundgal08’s books their special character was the way she provided the clues to solve the mystery. Not only would she tell the reader everything to solve the crime, but she would throw in far more misleading but seemingly consistent clues. Only when the overwhelming numbers of hints were “filteredâ€, as she put it, with a special theme did they come together and point out not only the perpetrator but the hidden motive as well.
She slid a floppy disk across the desk toward him. “This is what I’ve outlined so far. I don’t have a filter theme yet, and that’s part of the problem. Help me become her, Shane bo, so I can come up with something clever to make us both another pile of money.†She put her hand on the floppy as he reached for it. “The usual too, no one knows it’s me, no one sees this, and no one has a clue as to what I’m doing. Our secret. I trust you but no one else. Tell me the date and time, and where I have to be but nothing else except the essentials. I can’t go into this with preconceptions. Surprise me. We’ll do the usual press release, in seclusion to concentrate on the book et cetera, et cetera. No one knows where I am or when I’ll be back.â€
“A done deal,†Shane replied, “I’m sure I have the usual boilerplate somewhere on the computer. No comment from this office, no appointments or appearances until you finish. I’m sure your friends are used to this by now.â€
Boundgal08 snorted. “My friends, yeah, like I care about them. They just want to be seen in the company of the famous. Any of them show up tell them to take a flying…†“Now, now, try to be civil,†Shane interrupted her. “I’m sure there’s one or two who sincerely enjoy your acerbic company.†Boundgal08 sneered at his comment. “Acerbic, moi? Why Shane , I try to be just the sweetest thing. I’m devastated.â€
“Yeah, right. Okay, I’ll need at least a few days for this. Why don’t you plan to start on Saturday morning? Leave all next week open. I’ll get back to you with details when I know more.†Shane picked up the floppy and put it in his shirt pocket. She was right about the secrecy. Her manuscripts were easily worth their weight in gold. An excerpt in some magazine would be a real coup for some unscrupulous editor. The floppy would stay with him or in his safe until it was erased. Halfway to the door she stopped and turned to face him again. Her expression and tone of voice switched from bantering to serious. “I’m counting on you Shane . Writing is my life. You are the one person that makes it possible. You’ve never let me down when I needed help.†She turned back to the door and left his office.
Shane spun his chair around to the office window. In the distance he could see the Coast Range, the mountains that separated Los Angeles from the high deserts. An office on the top floor with picture perfect scenery came with a premium rent. If he wanted to keep that view he’d have to get to work. Opening up his laptop computer from the desk he inserted Boundgal08’s disk and brought up her outline on his display. Even as he began reading he already had some idea of how he would approach her problem. Isolation, panic, desperation, the emotions of being trapped and hunted combined with rage at being unjustly put in a position of danger, her character needed all of that and more. The complicated part would be keeping his prize talent out of real danger without her knowing about it.
Chapter 2 The Setup
The following morning Shane told his receptionist to hold all but the most important calls, and not to make any appointments for the next two days. He needed time to work on Boundgal08’s project without interruptions. Inside his private office he went to the safe in the closet and took out his address book of special contacts. These were the people who could, for a relatively expensive fee, provide products and services not normally advertised to the general public.
One advantage of being a freelance literary agent was the unique people who came to him to help shop their books around the publishing houses. Not all of them sold their story but in a few cases Shane did help to sell their dubiously legal but unique skills. Considering the size of the last contract he negotiated for an Boundgal08 book the high costs to employ those contacts would not be an issue.
At his desk he brought up on his computer the working list he had prepared after going over Boundgal08’s notes. These were the items he needed. At the top of his list was location. That was also the easiest to cover. He knew just who to contact.
Dialing the number in his book he prayed it was still good. Fortune smiled on him as a voice with a familiar accent answered on the third ring. “Tonio? It’s Shane , Shane Bikman. Are you available for some consulting?â€
“Sure thing Shane bo. Your money’s always good with me. Whatcha looking for?†Antonio Vanzetti was an exclusive travel agent who specialized in finding hideaway places for the rich and famous to vacation in privacy. Shane had arranged several vacations for his clients with Antonio, without a single complaint about his ability to deliver. Unproven rumor also had it that he had a side business providing the same service for people who were not too popular with law enforcement agencies.
“I need a place that’s isolated, and I mean really isolated. No one in or out except by air. It has to have a small house with all the basics, power, water, that sort of thing. But I don’t require any luxuries. I want it starting this Friday, for a week.†He would need a day to set up what he had in mind at the site before she arrived. “I’ll take care of stocking it with food and anything else it might need. No weather extremes either, shirtsleeve temperature during the day. What’s critical is a guarantee no one can possibly show up uninvited, and no one is around. What can you do for me?†If anyone could find such a place Tonio could. If he could deliver it then the rest of Shane ’s scheme would fall neatly into place.
“One second Shane , let me check something.†The phone went to music on hold. Italian opera, something by Verdi, a nice touch to feed those rumors, Shane thought, I bet real mafia dons listen to the Beatles. Antonio came back on the line. “Okay Shane , here’s what I got. It’s a privately owned valley in central Nevada. No roads and mountains on all sides. Only way in or out is by helicopter or a grueling 50 mile hike over rough terrain. There’s an A-frame cabin with solar panels for power and LP gas for heating or cooking. It has well water and a septic tank. It sleeps four, two in the bedroom loft and two in the fold out sofa in the main room. Complete kitchen, though you have to watch the batteries at night. You’ll have to stock it with food and LP gas, and put in a satellite phone if you want communications. No TV, telephone or radio. No cellular service either. This time of year it’s warm during the day but not hot. It is desert so it cools off at night, jacket at least. It’s open for the next month.â€
It was exactly what he was looking for. “Perfect Tonio, I knew I could count on you. Sign me up for a week starting Friday morning. This deal is discrete, no names, no middlemen and no paper, any problem with that?â€
“No problem, Shane bo. I’ll send over the details by courier, my cousin. Most days he can’t even remember his name, much less where he’s been making deliveries. Let me give you the numbers,†he paused before reading off the rate and total amount. “Any problem with the bottom line?†It was steep but within what Shane expected. “Not an issue. Tell your cousin there will be a return envelope. You made my day Tonio, go have a nice big spaghetti dinner on me tonight.†“Thanks Shane , but I hate the stuff. Olive oil and oregano keeps me up all night. You can owe me lunch. Look for my cuz by 3pm. Later Shane , always a pleasure to hear from you.â€
Shane hung up the phone and ticked off the first item on the list. Now that he had a location, he could arrange the transportation. Pilot, Boundgal08, and the supporting cast, make it four passengers total, he added up mentally. A medium sized helicopter with some range would work best given the proximity to the Nevada border. He turned to his book of special contacts once again, looking for a particular name.
The phone rang about six times before someone picked it up. Better than average, Shane thought, it usually takes a dozen or more. “Here And There Aviation, this is Doug.†Just the man Shane was looking for. Douglas Lumumba could fly just about any type of aircraft anywhere in the world. He didn’t care where he was going or what was in the back of the plane either. No drug smuggling, but otherwise he didn’t ask for names or demand to see inside the shipping crates. He only did business by reference, with people he knew. The story was he occasionally did some favors for unnamed government agencies, usually in his native central Africa, and in return they looked the other way as long as he didn’t get involved with the drug cartels. If he had the right kind of copter then he would be perfect for the trip.
“Hey Doug, this is Shane Bikman. I have a job coming up, thought you might be interested in it. Someone well known wants to get away from it all for a few days. The place isn’t too far away, central Nevada. You interested?†“Hi Shane , haven’t heard from you in a while. Nevada? I don’t see a problem. Any info on conditions at the landing site, and what can I expect for weight?â€
Shane read off the coordinates of the valley from Antonio’s information sheet. “There’s no landing strip or road so it’ll take a helicopter to get in there. I’ll need for you to make three round trips, to different parts of the valley. Cargo will be three passengers who will not wish to be disturbed.†That was a tactful way of saying no conversation and no questions. “It will be necessary for one passenger to not have a view outside. I’ll need a preliminary trip out there for supplies and an inspection, then the main trip on Saturday, and a pickup sometime later on the following week. The first two trips there might be a stop in San Francisco on the way back. And Doug, the client specified a cash deal.†That was the code word for an under-the table transaction.
“I don’t think there will be any difficulties with that. One minute while I check the charts.†Shane heard a rustle of paper over the phone. “Flying in Nevada is complicated with all the military zones. Is radar or following the flight plan a consideration? Will you need a package?†Shane almost laughed before he realized Doug was serious. A “package†referred to electronic countermeasures equipment, designed to avoid tracking and evade interception. “No, it’s just a simple charter job. You can fly at altitude. The destination is confidential but you don’t have to conceal the landing.â€
“That makes it simple. Okay, a few detours to get there but nothing major. Figure three round trips, is it going to be day or night?†“All flights will be during the day. There are no lights at the destination for night landings. It may be dark by the time you get back to L.A.†“Good, landings with night vision goggles can be dangerous. I can get you there, assuming there’s a flat spot to land and no high winds. You want a number now or just the total at the end?†Doug was casual about his rates but Shane knew he was fair. Business was just a way for him to afford his flying. For Doug the profit was being in the air.
“Let me know what you need and I’ll bring it with me. I’d like to make the preliminary this Friday morning, just myself and a few crates. There’ll be some time on the ground while I get things ready. And there’s one more detail about the trip on Saturday.†He went on to describe the rest of his travel plans.
The phone was silent for a moment before Doug answered. “I know someone who can handle that, Shane .†From the tone Shane could tell he wanted to ask the reason behind his odd addition on Saturday, but Doug had a reputation for discretion to protect. Shane didn’t volunteer any more details, a signal for Doug to move on. “Weather permitting and it looks good so far, we can go at dawn on Friday. I’ll bring a book to read so you can take all day if you need it. Unless you hear from me I’ll look for you at the hangar early Friday morning. I’ll have everything ready. See you then.†Doug hung up.
Now he had both location and transportation. There were only two more items on his list: special equipment and some assistants. One last time Shane flipped thorough his contact book, looking for the name of someone he had met who might be able to handle both requirements. He dialed the number in San Francisco, hoping she was still at the same place.
“Villarosa Enterprises, can I help you?†A soft feminine voice answered the phone, deceptive given Olivia Villarosa’s “enterpriseâ€. They had first met when he shopped around her tell-all book to moderate success, earning Olivia’s friendship in the process though he had never taken her up on the offer to visit her facilities.
“Hello Olivia, this is Shane Bikman, the literary agent. I hope you remember me.†And not mistake me for a customer, he added silently. “Shane ! It’s been quite a while since we last had lunch. Are you in San Francisco? The invitation to come by is still open you know.†Shane shook his head silently. Mistress Olivia’s Dungeon was legendary for the variety and effectiveness of her furnishings, and in the way she used them to service the thriving bondage and sadomasochism community in her home town. Shane had read the book and seen the pictures. He had no intention of acquiring any first hand experience as one of her willing victims.
“No, I’m still in Los Angeles. Listen, I have a small project in the works and I’m hoping I can get your assistance. It’s pretty tame by your standards but I’m sure you can help me out. I remember in your book you mentioned that fantasy role playing was a big part of your profession. Let me explain what I have in mind.†He went on in detail about what he would need. “And it all happens this Saturday morning.â€
“So you would need two of us, and the necessary accessories. I can get the uniforms and the rest of the equipment. I also know someone who would be perfect for the big muscle character. You wouldn’t want to meet her in a dark alley. Let’s see, two of us for a day, travel and expenses, a full setup for one person that you get to keep…†Shane heard the beep of a calculator and a pause before she gave him the total. Not cheap but in line with what he expected.
“You have a deal Olivia. By the way, I have a private aircraft chartered for this. The pilot can pick you up Friday afternoon and drop you off in San Francisco on the way back Saturday afternoon. I’ll set you up in a hotel here in Los Angeles for the night. Consider it a perk. I hope you don’t mind a helicopter instead of a plane.â€
“Sure Shane , I’ve never been in a helicopter before. I’ll expect to hear from you on Friday. Get the dress size to me and I’ll have everything ready.†Hanging up the phone, Shane marked off the last two lines on his list. Boundgal08’s adventure was ready; now all he had to do was ensure she was in the right frame of mind to appreciate it.
Chapter 3: The Time Limit
Boundgal08 showed up at Shane ’s office early Saturday morning. She had no idea what he had planned, but she trusted him. “Don’t bring anything but yourself†was all she got in his email, along with the time. When she opened the door to go in she expected him to be there. What she didn’t expect was to see Anjell, her lawyer, and Nuclearo, her stock broker. Both were in Shane ’s conference room. Shane motioned for her to join them.
“Before you ask, Boundgal08, let me explain what’s going on,†Shane began. “You set up a real challenge for me. How in the world could I give you a realistic sense of desperation if you knew in advance I’d see to it you weren’t in any real danger? Then I got this idea. Maybe you wouldn’t be risking life and limb, but there is a way to raise the stakes.
“Before I tell you the details, don’t worry that I’m spoiling your surprise. I think I have everything you asked for, and I’m not going to tell you about that. What we’re going to do first is establish the risk. You are going to be working against the clock, with real consequences if you don’t overcome certain obstacles in time. Nuclearo?â€
Boundgal08 sat down at the table, puzzled as to what Shane was doing. All three of these people had been friends of hers for many years, though they rarely saw each other outside of business. They comprised the small trusted circle in her life. She turned to Nuclearo as he began. “Shane came to me a few days ago with a rather complicated task. He didn’t go into too much detail except to tell me that you needed to make a large risky bet.†Nuclearo held up a sheet of paper. “This is a buy order instructing me as your broker to purchase twelve million shares of PetroGuateMex for your portfolio. PGM is a very high risk stock that’s considered a poor buy recommendation at the moment. There are no visible assets and on top of that there’s an ongoing investigation in three countries regarding charges of money laundering. The purchase will involve leveraging about 85 percent of your assets Boundgal08. If the company shuts down, as it surely will, you will lose every penny. It would bankrupt you. Before I go any further I have to tell you it would be an extremely foolish investment on your part.†He paused.
Boundgal08 took the buy order from him and read it over. “Why in the world would I do this? Shane ?†Shane smiled and pointed to the bottom of the sheet of paper. “You won’t, as long as you tell Nuclearo to cancel the order any time before the execute date. That’s on Tuesday morning. You will have until close of business on Monday to stop it. Three days, including today. If for any reason you don’t cancel it, Nuclearowill put up your entire portfolio as security on a loan to buy the stock first thing Tuesday morning when the markets open. Anjell?â€
Boundgal08 turned to her attorney. Anjell had rescued Boundgal08 from her first and ruinous book contract, before she hired Shane as her literary agent. Since then Anjell had reviewed all subsequent agreements and advised Boundgal08 on any other legal matters. “As your lawyer I want to join in with Nuclearo and urge you not to sign this document. It is legally binding so if you do sign and not cancel; chances are excellent you will be ruined financially. It’s a ticking bomb Boundgal08. No one in her right mind would do something like this. But if you do go ahead, I’m here to witness it. I’m also here to ensure you sign a document stating you are issuing this buy order against the express recommendation of your securities broker. That’s why Nuclearo asked me to come.â€
Boundgal08 realized Shane had not filled either of them in on the reasons behind such a foolhardy risk. She understood though. It was exactly as Anjell had described, the ticking bomb, the sword dangling over her head that would force her into that same sharp edge of panic as the character in her book. Without a word she picked up a pen on the table and signed the buy order. “You’re good Shane . I never would have thought of this.†She nodded her head in admiration as she handed the sheet of paper to Anjell to witness. “I might even use this in a book someday. Okay, you got your clock started. Five seconds and I’m already worried.â€
Anjell passed the buy order across the table to Jerry. Both of them looked at Boundgal08 as if they were unsure of her sanity. “Don’t worry you two. I’ll explain in a few days. As bizarre as that order may seem, there is a good reason for it. At least I hope there is.†Boundgal08 pointed to Shane . “He’s done this at my request, so don’t blame him. I know what I’m doing, even if the evidence indicates I should be committed.†They all laughed at her joke. Nuclearo stood up, signaling the end of the meeting. “Okay, if this is what you want. Please, please call me and cancel this thing as soon as possible. You have my home and cell numbers, so call any time day or night. I don’t want to see you papering the walls of your shanty with all the worthless stock certificates this deal would bring you.†Both Anjell and Nuclearo said their goodbyes as they left.
After the door closed behind the two, Boundgal08 sat back down at the conference table and looked long and hard at Shane . “I sincerely hope you know what you are doing. Do you have any idea how much money I just put on the table?†Shane smiled as he sat down, facing her. “As a matter of fact I do, almost to the penny. I’m your agent, I get a statement too. I can tell you I’d never sign off on a dumb stunt like you just did. I like eating three meals a day.†She leaned back and folded her arms, staring at him. “Oh that’s so reassuring. At least I know you read my outline. Clever, substituting financial ruin for a lifetime in prison. So far you’re earning your pay for the day, but I assume there’s more to your scheme than a piece of paper?â€
Shane checked the time on his wristwatch. “Indeed there is. In fact, it’s about to begin. Care to ride out to the airport with me? You will be taking a trip.†She saw the corner of his mouth twitch, normally an indicator he was about to tell a sarcastic story or pull some practical joke. Today she knew the humor would be at her expense. “We better get started. After all, you don’t have much time to waste.â€
Riding down the elevator to the parking garage, Boundgal08 had time to think about what she was doing. All the wealth she had accumulated in nine years of hard work was in jeopardy. If she lost it she could recover, in time, if her next book sold, and if she could keep her audience. A lot of ifs, she realized, and no idea of what was going to happen next, other than by the end of the day I’m going to be miserable and close to a breakdown because of my dear friend Shane .
As Shane drove his car out of the office garage her next surprise was the direction he took. Though he had told her they were going to the airport he was headed in almost the opposite direction. “Okay Shane bo, what’s with the airport? I know where it is, and you just went by every turnoff in that direction. Where are we going? Or am I not supposed to know?â€
Shane glanced at her before turning back to the road. “I told you the truth. We’re headed toward an airport; general aviation at the Ontario airport, not the commercial carrier airport at LAX. You are traveling first class this time, your own private charter.†He started laughing. “If you are laughing like that there has to be a catch. What kind of plane is this, and where exactly am I going? What are you up to?†There had to be a catch somewhere. She was puzzled because none of this seemed to be following her outline.
“Don’t worry. It can fly a nice executive model too. As for the destination you will have to be patient. It wouldn’t do to reveal the ending before you’ve read the whole novel. No more questions. Remember, you said you wanted a surprise. Boundgal08, I really am doing what you asked, even if it doesn’t appear that way right now. I’m going to put you inside that character’s frame of mind, as best I can. For it to work you are going to have to be patient and trust me from this point on. How about it, can you do that?â€
She looked out the side window. Rows of small planes appeared, parked against the highway fence. They must be at the airport. She turned back to Shane and put a hand on his arm. “Alright Shane . No more questions. Just tell me what to do and I’ll do it. You’ve never failed me before.†She had handed him some tough assignments in the past and he had always delivered. She had learned from past requests that in some cases it was better she didn’t know the details of how he accomplished his miracles.
At the airport gate he took the road toward the executive hangars, where the corporate planes were parked. These were all large prefab steel buildings with huge hangar doors, big enough to accommodate a small jet or multi-engine prop plane. Slowing as he checked the numbers, he finally stopped in front of one. Unlike many of the others it had no company logo on the entrance.
“This is it. Before we go in, you need to know something. The people inside do not know who you are. Remember that. They don’t know the purpose behind all this. I know this sounds puzzling but you’ll understand in a moment. I want to emphasize to you that once you walk in that hangar door it begins. At that point you can’t back out. It will be confusing because you won’t have all the facts immediately, but that’s part of the process. You are in character from this moment on, surviving on your wits. Ready?â€
Boundgal08 took a deep breath before nodding. She had no idea of what was about to happen. All she knew was she was taking a plane someplace, and she had to accomplish something within a time limit after that. She started to open the car door. Shane put a hand on her arm to stop her. “Leave your purse and all your personal effects in the car. No jewelry, no wristwatch, and make sure your pockets are empty. I’ll keep it safe for you.†Boundgal08 took off her earrings, a bracelet and her watch, placing them in her purse before putting it on the floor in front of her car seat.
“That’s everything I have. Anything else I should do?†Shane shook his head, so she opened the door and got out. He came around the car, took hold of her arm and led her to the small regular sized door. He held it open as she went in first. Inside was a medium sized military type helicopter. She could see two jet engine intakes below the main rotor. Instead of the skids familiar from pictures on TV it had wheels. From the open side door it looked like it could hold as many as six people. Boundgal08 had never been in a helicopter before, so this would be a new experience for her. Two women in uniform were sitting at a table in the rear of the hangar. A man was walking around the copter, performing some kind of preflight inspection. Boundgal08 figured he must be the pilot. There was a wooden platform of steps at the side door of the aircraft.
Taking hold of her arm again Shane led her toward the women at the table. Both stood up as he approached. Shane whispered to her, “Remember, do exactly as they tell you. They’re the real thing, and they don’t know who you are.†Boundgal08 saw both women appeared to be police officers. They had badges and were armed with pistols. Shane spoke first. “Hello, I’m Shane Bikman. This is my client, Bondage Girl, who is voluntarily surrendering as a detainee. I’m her attorney.â€
Boundgal08 almost laughed when she heard her alias, but it made sense. While few people would recognize her face, her name was plastered across quite a few books. No one ever looked at the photographs on the back cover, and even if they did the studio print was extremely flattering after they airbrushed it. No one would connect her to the famous author on looks alone. So she was to be a “detaineeâ€, whatever that was. What had he gotten her into?
“I’m Sergeant Villarosa, and this is Officer Kerenskova. Per our agreement I’ll take your client into custody at this time. Valentina?†Olivia Villarosa, outfitted as a corrections officer, pointed toward Boundgal08. The large woman, a Russian immigrant who worked for Olivia, moved around behind Boundgal08 and took hold of her upper arm. “The aircraft is being preflighted now. We have to get her ready for the trip. When we are finished you can visit with your client until the pilot is ready.â€
Olivia took Boundgal08’s other arm. They led her toward an office in the rear corner. “You will have to excuse us while she changes clothes. Mr. Preston, you are welcome to stay until takeoff but could you stand over by the pilot for a few minutes? We will need some privacy.â€
“Of course†Shane answered as he went to say hello to Doug. Boundgal08 turned her head to look at him one last time before they took her into the office. He saw the barest trace of a frightened little girl expression cross her face. So far it was going as planned. Once Olivia finished with her he wouldn’t have to worry about cooperation any longer. Boundgal08 could be unpredictable at times, but he had counted on her to play along to this point out of curiosity if nothing else. From now on it would go smoothly. She would have an experience for her book beyond anything she expected.
For Boundgal08 it didn’t seem like the start of a grand adventure. The moment the office door closed the woman in charge, Villarosa, shoved her against the wall. “Let’s get something straight right now. I don’t take any lip from prisoners. Understand? You follow orders and we’ll get along fine. Act up, give me any kind of trouble, and I’ll see to it you have the worst ride of your life. I don’t have to be nice to you.
“Valentina,†she nodded to the other officer, “is an expert at not being friendly. In Russia she was an interrogator for the police in St. Petersburg. She had to leave the country because she showed too much enthusiasm for her job. Now you understand our only job is to see you get where you are supposed to go, more or less in one piece. We transport over fifty women just like you every year, so don’t try to be clever and pull some kind of stupid trick.†She picked up a plastic bag and unwrapped it. “Get out of those clothes. After a search you get a regulation uniform and shoes, just like the rules say. You aren’t going to sneak anything on board, so don’t even try.â€
Now Shane ’s plan was beginning to make sense to Boundgal08. Somehow he had gotten her onto one of those planes, or in this case a helicopter, that move prisoners around the country. In her story the protagonist is supposed to escape while being taken to prison in a van. Not an exact parallel but close enough. She began to unbutton her blouse, following the sergeant’s orders. Both of the guards looked tough but the Russian woman, who had yet to say a word, was easily twice Boundgal08’s size. It was obvious her presence was intended to intimidate any would be troublemakers. For Boundgal08 it worked.
When the back office door opened Shane saw Boundgal08 emerge dressed to match the description from her novel. The sleeveless prison dress came down to just above her knees. Neatly stenciled across the front were the words Federal Prisoner, which explained the handcuffs and leg chains. Boundgal08 held her hands in front, wrists cuffed together, joined by a connecting chain to the shackles on her ankles. She could walk, slow and halting, as she demonstrated when the guards practically dragged her across the hangar floor to the open door of the helicopter. He could see she was scared, but when he caught her eye he saw the imperceptible shake of her head. She was going through with it.
Boundgal08’s escorts paused at the door so she could say goodbye to Shane . As he approached Olivia stepped in between him and Boundgal08, holding out a hand. “Sorry sir, but no physical contact is allowed for security reasons. Please keep back.†Shane admired the performance by Olivia and her assistant. If he hadn’t known better he would have believed they were genuine too. And she had been right about Valentina. The Russian woman looked like she could break him in half without much effort at all. He backed up.
“Shane ? What’s going to happen to me? Where are they taking me?†There was an uncharacteristic quiver in Boundgal08’s voice, an unspoken plea in her face for answers to her questions. “You’ll know in a few more hours. I can’t tell you anything else right now. Just remember the time limit. You can get through this if you stay calm, think before you act, and use your head. I hope to see you soon.â€
Doug the pilot came up behind Shane . “We’re ready to take off. The tow is here to move us out onto the field. I’ll need you to move your car. If the ladies would care to take their seats?†The larger woman, Valentina, literally picked Boundgal08 up off the steps and sat her in one of the rear facing seats in the back. “You sit here,†she said in heavily accented English as she sat down in the door seat next to Boundgal08. The officer in charge, Olivia, got in the front seats, behind Boundgal08, and reached around to buckle the seat belt and shoulder harness for their prisoner. At the same time Valentina bent down and pulled on the connecting chain between Boundgal08’s handcuffs and leg irons, using a padlock to fasten it to a cargo tie down ring in the bed of the helicopter.
“I’m sure you’ll behave but we don’t want you wandering around during the flight.†Olivia said from her seat in the front, where Boundgal08 couldn’t see her. The pilot got in last, pulled the door shut and latched it before sitting down in the cockpit. Looking around Boundgal08 realized she didn’t have a window to see outside. She started to twist around to see through the front windshield. “No, eyes front! There’s nothing out there you need to see,†Olivia said as she grabbed Boundgal08’s hair and painfully forced her to turn back. “Valentina, make sure she stays that way.â€
A frown from the huge woman next to her was enough to convince Boundgal08 not to try looking over her shoulder again. There was a rumble as the hangar door opened, followed by a bump as the tow bar was connected to the front of the aircraft. Then they were moving slowly forward as the tow pulled them out to the helipad. Boundgal08 could hear the pilot on the radio but his voice was too low to understand. She jumped as the overhead engine suddenly roared into life. The vibration from the rotor made her teeth chatter as the blades spun faster and faster, until the floor dropped out from under her as the helicopter jumped straight up into the air. They were on their way, but to where she still had no idea.
Chapter Four A Bleak Outlook
From the open door Boundgal08 could see the barren desert valley and mountain ranges beyond. After hours in the air, she wasn’t sure how many, they had finally landed. She watched as the sergeant, Villarosa, got out first. The woman walked off, out of sight of the door, and then returned a few seconds later. “This is the place. Valentina, you help our guest out.†The Russian took a set of keys out of her pocket and opened the padlock holding Boundgal08 to the deck of the helicopter. Boundgal08 hoped she would continue and release the shackles but instead she stopped at unlatching the seat belt and shoulder harness.
Valentina got out of the copter and reached in to help Boundgal08. Boundgal08 wasn’t sure how she was going to climb out with the restraints on but that was answered for her as Valentina once again simply picked Boundgal08 up and planted her firmly on the desert floor outside. Boundgal08 looked at her wide-eyed; she knew a lot of men who weren’t strong enough to do that. “You stay here,†the guard said in her barely understandable Russian accent. Boundgal08 had no intention of arguing with the woman.
From the outside Boundgal08 could see more of the present locale but it didn’t tell her much. Empty desert lay in every direction, nothing but sand, rocks, sagebrush and mesquite. They were in a valley surrounded by mountains. From what Boundgal08 could tell the helicopter had landed at the upper end of the valley floor. There were no buildings or roads visible. She couldn’t even see a telephone pole or fence post. Why had they landed here? Knowing Shane was following her outline in some twisted way, she had expected to step out into the courtyard of a prison or similar type of institution. This didn’t fit her story at all.
The sergeant had been talking to the pilot. Boundgal08 couldn’t hear what they said but the woman, Villarosa, pointed off to someplace on the other side of the aircraft, said something more, and then walked back toward Boundgal08 and her watchdog Valentina. Boundgal08 spoke up as the officer came closer. “What’s going on? Is there an engine problem? Why did we stop here?†Instead of an answer Villarosa simply stood silent, glaring at Boundgal08, hands on her hips. Finally she spoke. “You like to ask questions, don’t you? You’ll find out what’s happening soon enough. Till then I don’t want to hear it. Valentina, cover her eyes. And you shut up or you can have a gag too.â€
Boundgal08 was about to respond when Valentina’s hand fell on her shoulder and pushed her face first into the side of the copter. “You quiet!†the guard shouted in her ear as she used some kind of scarf to cover Boundgal08’s eyes. Instinctively Boundgal08 tried to reach up to the blindfold but the handcuffs and chain connected to her leg irons held down her hands. Boundgal08 couldn’t raise her bound wrists above her waist while standing.
“You come now.†Boundgal08 was nearly dragged off her feet as the big Russian yanked on her arm. Stumbling, blinded, she tried to comply as best she could. They walked around the helicopter and out toward the desert, but Boundgal08 couldn’t see where or in what direction. Maybe there’s something on the other side that I missed, Boundgal08 thought.
They went some distance before stopping. Boundgal08 figured it was about 50 feet by counting her hobbled steps. “Stay here. No move.†Valentina let go of Boundgal08’s arm. Waiting, Boundgal08 wondered if that woman knew more than ten words of English. How had she gotten a job escorting prisoners?
The breeze smelled of sage. The quiet was unsettling, nothing but the wind and the idling engine of the copter. Nervous and puzzled as to why they had here standing in this spot, she risked a question. “Okay, what next? Am I supposed to be doing something? And why the blindfold? There’s nothing but desert here. What’s so secret?†She half expected to feel a gag being jammed into her mouth, but instead all she got was silence. What were they doing?
Then she heard the engine suddenly rev up loudly behind her. Leaning forward and down she was able to grab the scarf covering her eyes and pull it off. Turning around she saw the aircraft, the pilot and the two guards lift off into the sky, abandoning her. Boundgal08 tried to dash toward the copter but she was too far away, and the chains on her ankles quickly reminded her not to even attempt running. She had to turn away and close her eyes as the backwash from the rotor threw stinging dust at her. She stood alone in the desert, paralyzed by the shock of being abandoned. The aircraft dwindled to a dot in the sky before finally disappearing from sight beyond the mountains.
Boundgal08 clasped her hands tightly together when she realized they were trembling. I’ve got to stay calm and figure this out, she told herself. Slowly she turned in a full circle, surveying her surroundings. She was at one end of the valley, close to the mountains that marked the end of the relatively flat valley floor. Steep mountains, with cliffs she could never hope to scale. Use your head, Shane had told her. She was sure he wouldn’t have simply dumped her out in the desert with no hope of survival.
I’m stranded, chained hand and foot, no food or water, no way to contact the outside world, so what do I have going for me? To that question she had no good answer. She was ready to sit down and start crying in despair when she noticed the bright orange painted cinder block with a canteen sitting on top. She had been so intent on distance she hadn’t noticed it only a few feet from where she was standing. Quickly she walked over to the marker and picked up the canteen. Opening the cap she saw it was full of water. Underneath the canteen an envelope was taped to the cinder block. Her name was printed on it in large block letters. Bending her knees and leaning over she was able to put the sling on the canteen around her neck before she picked up the envelope.
Since there was nothing else to do she sat down on the cinder block and opened the envelope. Inside was a single sheet of paper addressed to her. It read:
Boundgal08, I picked up on your outline at the point where your character escapes from the police van. Now you have to find shelter just like she did. You don’t have to worry about a police search, but just the same you don’t have time to waste. There is a cabin in this valley, though you can’t see it from where you were dropped off. It is in walking distance, just like your farmhouse. You have more than enough water, but you are going to be tired and hungry by the time you arrive. I hope you had a good breakfast this morning. You will find plenty to eat when you get there, but nothing till then.
Aside from food you have another incentive to find and get to the cabin as soon as possible. As you might have noticed, the guards neglected to remove your restraints. In the cabin there is a safe with an electronic time lock, using a combination plus time of day. Here is the combination: 7-9-1-3-5, but you have to use it before a certain expiration time today. If you don’t get there by the preset time you won’t be able to open the safe tonight. You will find more information in the cabin. If you pay attention to the details, don’t panic and use your head you will get there before the deadline. If you act rashly or make mistakes you will fail. Recall the words to that Joni Mitchell song, Both Sides Now? Consider all the angles. Remember Boundgal08, you asked for this. Focus on the moment, but plan your moves carefully. Ask yourself, what would your character do?
Shane
He had certainly given her all she had wanted. Boundgal08 was scared and near panic. Just like the book, she realized, good job, Shane . She folded up the note and wedged it in the cloth carrier for the canteen. Standing up she looked out over the valley again. From what she could see it was U-shaped, with a protruding ridge blocking off her view of the rest of the basin. The barrier was rocky, impossible to climb over with the chains on. The cabin must be on the other side. Her best route would be to head for the point where it ended even though it would be more distance to cover.
Following Shane ’s advice she stood up and scrutinized the path she would take to get to her first stop. The ground had a gentle downward slope from her present position. She couldn’t see any dry riverbeds or gullies that would pose a problem. All she had to do was get there as soon as possible. At least the guards had given her decent shoes to go with the skimpy uniform. Humming the Joni Mitchell melody, one of her favorites, she started walking across the desert.
Never having worn handcuffs and leg chains before Boundgal08 had no idea of the problems they would cause. It didn’t take long for her to realize the hike wasn’t going to be an afternoon stroll through a nature preserve. The length of chain between her ankles was just short enough to interfere with her normal walking stride. She kept jerking against the leg irons, bruising her ankles. In order to keep to the best pace possible, she had to concentrate on a shorter stride while holding up the chain to keep it from dragging in the dirt and occasionally catching on the weathered roots sticking out of the ground.
It wasn’t easy but Boundgal08 could see she was making progress. She had asked Shane how far a shackled prisoner could go. Now she would find out. Invaluable first hand experience, Boundgal08 thought with a rueful grin, and I did ask for it. Shane had taken her request too literally but she couldn’t criticize him for his diligence.
She had to stop several times, twice for a drink of water and other times to rest, before she rounded the point of the ridge. Once past the ridge she could see the cabin further up the other side of the valley. It didn’t look that far away but Boundgal08 knew distance in the desert could be deceptive. Looking back to where she had started the landing spot didn’t seem that far away either but she could tell from the sun that she had been walking, or stumbling, for hours. She would be walking uphill too. Without a watch she couldn’t tell the time but she knew it was already afternoon. If she didn’t move faster she would be walking in the dark.
He took my watch deliberately, Boundgal08 realized, back in the car. His request for her jewelry and watch had seemed odd but not suspicious, since she knew Shane had some kind of special trip prepared for her. She needed that watch now. But even if she were caught in the dark she would be close enough to make the cabin out in moonlight. Boundgal08 stopped suddenly and looked up into the clear blue sky as a stray thought struck. Is there a moon tonight?
She tried to walk as fast as possible but the leg chains wouldn’t cooperate. If anything she was going slower as she tired. When the sun moved behind the mountaintops she tried to pick up the pace. In the fading twilight she could still make out the path to her shelter. It would be a race against darkness for her to reach the cabin.
Shane had already solved part of her writer’s block; the section she had sketched out where the main character escapes and finds her way to the farmhouse would have to be rewritten. He had granted her wish to get inside her character’s head, complete with all the panic and fear she had left out. No one was hunting for her but she still felt as if she were being pursued. She didn’t want to contemplate being out in the open desert on a dark night. The cabin was her sanctuary. Every step took her closer to it; she couldn’t afford even a few seconds to stop and rest.