Black Bird Part I



The cloth felt cold against my skin, and when the fumes hit my nostrils, I knew immediately to hold my breath, while making a desperate attempt at removing the damp rag away from my face. However, the hand holding it was too strong, and it kept pressing the sweet smelling cloth against my mouth. “I need air….have to have air.” I knew if I took one breath, the fight would be over, so my legs swung wildly, trying to make contact with his ankles, but the effort was useless. My lungs kept crying out for air, so finally I was forced to breathe in the noxious fumes. “OOHHHH…” I sighed into the cloth as the pleasant aroma caused my senses to beg for more, so I stopped struggling to inhale, and begin dreaming. I remembered where it all began......Back at a Delaware Restaurant, where I met Sargent Lex Cooper, my team leader from my days in the Special Forces. He told me his new boss at Winslow Oil had a problem.

I could still taste the escargot. It was exquisite, as well as the wine. The Sarge sat across the satin covered table, and stared at me waiting for a response. Taking my time thinking over the man's offer, I sipped more of the wine. "I'm not sure what I can accomplish that the police haven't, but I'm willing to try." Then I put the wine glass back onto the table and bit into the most delicious cheese cake in the world.

“Here’s a file I managed to obtain from the police. You might find it useful.” He handed me a yellow envelope that contained an official file.

“How did you get this?” My startled reaction made my old team leader smile.

“ Doris.” He paused for a moment. “ Money can accomplish most anything.” He drank the rest of his coffee. “Do we have a deal?”

“We do.” I replied, accepting his deal, which was to find Stafford Bennet's daughter, who suddenly disappeared a week ago. She was living alone in a downtown apartment, had a boy friend, who professed that he had no knowledge of her where abouts, and was working for BLT Imports at the time she disappeared. The Police report contained no obvious clues, but it mentioned her employer several times. It even linked their name with another disappearance three months ago.

I'll expect a report every day." He then handed me another envelope containing a sizeable retainer. "Order anything else you like." Mr. Bennet is willing to pay for whatever it takes to get his daughter back. The Sarge excused himself and then left.

In the morning my time was spent on line investigating BLT Imports, which led nowhere until I ran across an obscure little company they owned, Scorpion Enterprises. Its tax report showed no financial activity, but it owned a warehouse in Delaware. "What do they do?" I wondered, so my next move was to check them out.

The morning air was crisp and cool as the breeze whipped in from the cold ocean water. Standing on the empty boardwalk with my golden tresses flying in the wind, was a refreshing change from the hustle and bustle of Dover. The bright sun shone down upon the white sandy beach as I lifted the binoculars to see the warehouse three blocks away. "It appears to be abandoned." I thought, and when I walked up to it's large main door, no one seemed to be inside, so I found an open side door, and then entered. Inside were several empty crates, and tire tracks leading past the main door. "There's been activity here, but when?"

My next move would be to check the place at night, but as my alter ego, Black Bird. Having spent several years with Special Forces, I had talents, and abilities far beyond a normal woman, so I decided to hide those talents in the personna of Black Bird, dressed in a shinny black latex leotard, black mesh panty hose, high heel boots, and a mask. When night time approached, I hid near the warehouse to wait for any signs of activity, and I didn't have long to wait, as a large truck backed inside the building. Soon smaller vehicles arrived, carrying young women, bound and gagged. They were taken into the back, where men loaded them into the crates, which were then loaded into the big truck. "Slave Traders."

I started to raise up off my knees, when a cold damp cloth was pressed over my face. The sudden surprise caused me to gasp in a quantity of the sweet smelling fumes, before I could hold my breath. At first I violently struggled with the assailant; The exertion causing more of those seductive fumes to be inhaled. I became dizzy and disoriented, as they stung my nostrils and invaded my lungs. It wasn't before long before I was breathing in the aroma willingly. As my arms flopped limply to my sides, I realized all my army training was for naught. My mind became confused, then dizzy, then sank into a dark void, and then I lost feeling in my whole body.

When I awoke, my head was bent over, pulling my shoulders forward, but I was prevented from falling, because my wrists were tied behind the chair. There was no light, however my senses told me I was inside the warehouse. “Why did they leave me untouched?” I wondered, straining at the ropes. It was apparent that whoever tied me was a professional, but with enough skillful effort, the ropes finally loosenedenough for me to get free. Then peering into the darkness I realized I was alone, and since everyone seemed to have left, there was no reason for me to hang around. It took only a few minutes to cover the two blocks to my car, and as I slid behind the wheel, a sudden flash lit up the sky followed by a thunderous noise. “ Good Gracious the warehouse exploded!!”

I sat there, stunned. "They left me untouched, because I wasn't going to be a problem. I WAS GOING TO BE DEAD." These guys are smart, efficient, and very professional, so should I become involved with them? Yes, my mind flashed to the picture of those women being loaded onto that truck, bound and gagged. "I have to do something." First it would be necessary to discover who was head of Scorpion Enterprises.

"Hello John, I need some help." He was a good friend when I was in Special Forces, and had now become a regional director for NSA. "Can we meet for lunch?"

"Certainly, Doris. I'll meet you at Jarrod's Cafe." His voice was familiar even though we hadn't spoken in years We could have been lovers, except for Mabel, his devoted wife.

After John hung up, I sat for a while remembering those days of danger, and comeraderie. Those days were gone, but would never be forgotten. It took a long time for me to become accepted into the group, but when I was finally a part of the team, the feeling was unbelievable. We were a team, relying on each member to do their job, and I was a part of that team. That feeling never went away, so I knew I could count on my fellow team member, and good friend to help me.

John was seated in the back, and looked just as I remembered him. "Hello John." I slid into the booth across the table from my old friend.

"You're as beautiful as ever." He reached out for my hand.

"Careful, what would Mabel say?" I squeezed the big rough hand, in true friendship fashion.

"We were divorced a year ago, after she caught me with another woman." Looking sad, he slowly loosened his grip.

"Too bad it wasn't me." I chuckled a bit, and looking into those sad blue eyes, I felt a sense of regret. "John, I have a problem. There are women being kidnaped, and sold as slaves. I know who's doing it, but I can't locate them."

"So what can I do?" The pizza finally arrived, but was too hot to eat right away.

"BLT Imports has a secret entity called Scorpion Enterprises, and I need to know where they're located as well as who heads it." The beer was cold, the pizza hot, and sitting there with an old friend made it a nearly perfect afternoon. "Why don't we get a room where we can discuss this in private." John looked surprised, but a bit relieved that I had mentioned it first. "We have wasted a lot of time away from each other." We left the cafe, arm in arm. "You haven't asked anything about me, aren't you interested, or am I just a quickie." After he related my life history in detail, since I left Special Forces, it dawned on me that John was more than just interested. Using the NSA resources, the man had actually kept track of me.

Once in the Motel room, I headed for the bathroom.  “You're still the most beautiful woman I've ever seen." His eyes stared at my body as I exited the bathroom naked. Those large rough hands gently caressed every part, and then after an exciting and pleasantly erotic afternoon, he lay silently on his back.

I rolled onto his chest, where I lay thinking about what might have been, before I drifted off into an exquisit dreamland. His body became a soft white cloud supporting my heavenly state of reverie, and then my eyes closed.

After we parted, It took a mere two hours for John to send me an encrypted Email identifying Benhala Kareb aka the Black Scorpion as the head of Scorpion Enterprises, which had an office above the Benfield Bank on Main street. They also had another warehouse in Clarksville, a small town five miles from the beach. He then attached a personal comment. “Be careful.”

When darkness fell, I drove to the bank building with the intention of breaking into the second floor office, but surprisingly there were people inside, so I waited. Soon two men dressed in dark suits exited the building, entered a nice blue sedan, and drove away. “I have to know where they’re going.” They went into downtown, to a corner where two working girls stood under a street lamp. The sedan stopped, beckoned to one of the hookers, and then invited her inside. They said something to the other girl, and she too entered the car. I couldn’t see what was happening, but I could guess.

Inside the luxury sedan the first girl looked at the two well dressed men. “We need the money up front. A hundred apiece.” The man on the passenger side reached into a pocket, drawing out a small container and then sprayed its contents right in both girl’s faces. The startled  hookers waved their hands wildly in a futile attempt at removing the fine spray. “WHA..DID…YO…DOOO?” At first they yanked at the door handles, trying to escape, but the doors wouldn’t open. “HELP…COUGH..COUGH.” They soon lost coordination, as their vision blurred. They had tried to strike out at the men, but their arms slid limply down the back of the seat, and their heads flopped forward.

It was difficult following the sedan at night along the lonely road, until it reached its destination. The two girls were then carried over the shoulder into the warehouse. “What do I do now.” I said to myself.

“You can get out of the car.” A hand pressed a gun against my head, and I quickly turned to face the intruder, pushing the weapon sideways. Then I swung a fist into the man’s nose, sending him reeling backwards, and when the door flew open, it hit him in his already stumbling body. After he landed on the ground I placed a knee in his stomach, and rendered the man unconscious with a stroke to the throat. “Hope you’re the same one that put me to sleep.”

I pondered my options. At first I thought there were too many men to capture by myself, but if I dialed 911, they’d be gone by the time anyone arrived. “There’s really only one solution to saving the women.” Racing into the warehouse I yelled, “Raise your hands, everyone’s under arrest.” The startled men lifted their arms, but one of them started to laugh.

I was puzzled by this strange reaction until.... “UUNNGGG!!” Suddenly my head was filled with pain. The gun I was holding slipped out of my hand as my legs crumbled, sending me to my knees. “Can’t..stand up..the..pain” All I could see was a universe of stars.

“Let me take care of your pain.” A voice sliced through the ache, and I didn’t know what it meant, and then…..

“UUGGGHHH!!” There was a dull thud in the back of my head, blacking out the stars, and eliminating the pain.

“Isn’t this the same woman we blew up?” The attacker stood over Black Bird, who laid on the ground unconscious. “Tie her up, we’ll take her to the auction house this time.” The slim delicate ankles were bound together, after her wrists were bound behind her back. “Don’t put her in the truck.” The man lifted the beautiful young intruder, flipped her limp body over his shoulder, and then threw her into the trunk of his car.

There was no telling how long I'd been out or where I was. It felt like I was drowning in a sea of water. Fighting to rise to the surface, I strained to get a breath of air, and then a man’s voice broke into my reverie.

“Wake up dearie.”

“Wuuuuf.” Shaking my head, I realized someone had thrown water in my face, and was  trying to wipe my forehead. I tried to push the man away, but found that my wrists were bound behind my back.

“Welcome to my little abode.” A set of pearly white teeth, contrasting sharply with a jet black goatee slowly came into view. “Come on, I didn’t hit you that hard.” A hand grabbed my chin, lifting my head off my chest.

“My head says otherwise.” Merely groaning out the words didn’t gain me any sympathy, as the man released my chin, and then slapped me. “Oowww. Why did you do that?”

“I need you awake, so I can question you.” He leaned over to stare into my bleary eyes. “Who are you?”

“No, you first.” I snapped back, only to receive another slap.”

“You don’t want to be difficult.” He then went to a wooden chest, retrieved a syringe, and approached me. “This will make you more cooperative.”

“Ohhh…“ The needle pricked my skin, and its effect was immediate, as the room started swirling around me. Through the sudden dizziness I imagined the man saying he was the Black Scorpion. I wondered where the other women were taken. “My,,,plan…didn’t…wooor.” The swirling stopped, but I could no longer feel my body, and my vision was like seeing things through a reflection in a rippling pond.

“I’ll ask you again, who are you?” The voice sounded as if it came through a long tunnel, and I had to answer.

“I am called the Black Bird.”

The questions droned on, and it seemed like an eternity had passed. “Unnnnnn…my…mouth..feels so dry. Where am I?” My arms and legs were stretched apart, and I was laying on a very soft mattress. “My plan doesn’t seem to be working very well.” When I raised my head I could tell that every stitch of clothing had been removed. “How am I going to get out of this?”

“You’re not going to get out of this, my dear.” The man with the goatee entered the room. “I hope you’re not too uncomfortable.” His hand caressed my chest. “You’re very well endowed.”
“Could I possibly have some water?” My mouth was so dry I could barely speak.

His hand ran up each arm to untie my wrists. “Sit up, and I’ll pour you a glass.” There was a crystal pitcher on a table next to the bed, and while I drank, he untied my ankles.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll escape?” Peering around the room, I searched for a possible way out.

“On the contrary, I’m hoping you’ll try.” He smiled a challenging smile.

Figuring there was no time like the present, I tossed the glass at his head, and leaped from the bed. Unfortunately, he was able to duck the glass,and tackle me as I raced for the door. I fell face forward onto the plush carpet, and when he released my legs, I rolled over to give him a swift kick in the face. However, the man anticipated my move, by jumping on top of my chest with his six foot five, 250 pound body. I could do nothing but lie there, waiting for his next move, which was totally unexpected. He then grabbed my hair, and then planted a big kiss on my lips. At first I struggled to get away, but soon found my resistance waning. The two of us remained in a close embrace, while both of us eagerly searched for erotic pleasure. When he finally rolled off, I was startled at my reaction to his advance.

“Would you like to try it again?” He leaned on his elbow next to me on the floor. I lay there looking at the handsome creature, until my passion got the best of me. Suddenly my body rolled over on top of him, and this time I pressed my lips against his.

We seemed to lay there for an eternity, but it was interrupted by a burly arm grabbing me around the waist, and then a hairy hand pressing a cloth over my face. The pleasant sweet aroma of chloroform surged past my nostrils as I gasped in surprise.”MMMPPHHH!!” Yelling into the cloth only served to draw more of the drug into my lungs.

“STOP.” My hazy vision saw the goatee jump to his feet, and try to free me from the Herculean grip around my waist, but a third man intervened. They stood discussing my future, but their voices faded in and out as the chloroform did its work.

“Mmmmmmm….uuhhhhhhh.” I felt a deep sigh escape my throat, and then nothing.

“When she didn’t show up with the other girls, I figured you were doing something stupid.” The man chastised the Black Scorpion. “Get her to the auction house now.” He turned and left.

Looking down at the beautiful young woman, unconscious at his feet, he thought about her future. “It’s a shame for that wondrous creature to be sold into slavery.” He then lifted her, and gently cradle carried the gorgeous limp body out to his car.

“POLICE, DON’T MOVE.” Lights suddenly lit up the night, showing the tall bearded man holding a naked woman in his arms. “PUT THE WOMAN DOWN, AND PLACE YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR.”

When I awoke, John was sitting next to the bed. “Unnnn…what happened?” My mind was so confused. Did I dream the erotic embrace with the Black Scorpion? Who was the man, who interrupted us. How did John get here?

“I’ll explain everything over dinner.” John smiled, but I wasn’t sure I felt the same about him now, since another man had abruptly entered my life.....

 

The End, or are there too many unanswered questions?

 

Boomer