Chapter 22
The ride to the Trenton place was long, Belle tried to make small talk but Barbara was more interested in knowing they had all the essential things needed to take down whoever was at the end of the tunnel. They had spotted several State Police cars on the highway, seemed to be more out than usual. For this reason Belle made sure never to go over the speed limit.
When the turn off came and they were once again on the washboard road, Belle sighed and said, "This road gets worse day by day it seems."
"Wonder why they don't fix it?" Barbara asked as she pointed to a large pothole ahead.
Swerving to miss the pothole Belle replied, "County does not consider this within their jurisdiction so it is up to the people that live out this way to maintain the road. And from the look of it seems everyone is waiting for someone else to do it."
Barbara had been gazing out the side window, her mind kept going back to the hot springs and how wonderful the water felt. Under her breath, she whispered, "Strange."
Gazing toward the woman, Belle was doing the best to keep the pickup on the road and said, "What are you mumbling about?"
"Just me, for some reason I can't get the hot springs out of my head. It is there, yet it is not. To me this is a bit strange. One usually has a great recollection of where they were, what they did, and I am drawing a blank."
"Well don't feel alone, me too. However, I see you, you see me, we are both in one piece and feeling fine so, it is evident things were all right. I promise you no more hot springs, no more out of the way places."
Barbara turned her attention to the woman and said, "Belle Gardner, don't you ever do that. There was nothing wrong with the springs, they were nice, and if you stopped showing me places I feel I would miss out on a lot."
Grinning, Belle replied, "Certainly don't want you miss a thing, Barbara, so just don't say anything next time I ask you to follow me."
Smiling, Barbara said, "You should know by now, I will follow you anywhere. Looks like our turn up ahead."
The smoke had finally dissipated, but the charred rubble still lay all around the area. Belle drove as close as she could, stopped the pickup, turned it off, and asked, "Are you ready to do this?"
Barbara opened the door on her side and said, "Let's do it."
As the two women walked through the rubble, they looked more like hunters than sightseers and hoped no one else decided to take a drive out that way. Belle wore blue jeans, a yellow animal print shirt and brown cowboy boots. She carried the .22 in a gun holster on her left hip and carried a backpack. The woman did not look like she was going on a relaxing trail ride.
Barbara dressed in the faded blue jeans, blue Levi shirt with pearl snaps and black boots looked a lot like a cowgirl that is until one also saw the holstered gun that hung from her right hip as well as the belt holding ammunition, and several grenades. Peeking out of her backpack one could see what looked like the hilt of a sword. It seemed both women were prepared for what they might encounter ahead.
Didn't take long to clear the rubble and begin to work on the cover, before long they had it loose and off. Peering down at the darkness, Belle asked, "Who goes first?"
Barbara took out a flash light and shone it down; the steps that descended looked reliable. She turned to look at Belle and said, "I'll go, if I fall, you can go get help."
"Thanks a bunch. You are not going to fall, if you didn't think the steps would hold you wouldn't try them."
"Smart thinking. However, we need to find out what is down there so I will go down slowly, once on level ground I will turn the light on and off two times, then you can begin."
"All right, just be careful." Belle was gazing at the ladder her face held a veil of apprehension.
Adjusting the backpack, Barbara began her descend. All the while Belle looked like she was going to jump out of her skin every time she heard a sound. It took Barbara longer than expected to go down and Belle was very happy to see a light flickering off and on, as she called out, "You made it!"
"Made it, your turn now, come on, ladder is fine."
The woman slowly descended, Barbara made it look easier than it was, several times, she lost her footing and slipped, catching herself and saying a prayer before continuing down. She was happy to feel Barbara's hands touch her waist easing her the rest of the way. Once she was on solid ground she turned in the woman's hold and said, "Thanks. Thought I was gone a few times."
Stepping back, Barbara replied, "Welcome, you would do the same for me. I never had a doubt you would not make it down."
Feigning a smile, Belle muttered, "Ah but the trick is in one breathing piece, no injuries."
"Right, that's what I meant. You know that. If you are ready we need to continue." She shone the light around the area then added, "Looks like the path is to the right. It is man made. So it is obvious an animal did not make it, at least the four legged kind."
"Lead on I will follow. By the way, is that some sort of sword in your backpack?"
"Yes it is. But not just any sword."
"Thought it had to be smaller since it is in the pack."
"Hope I don't have to use it, but if I do, then you will see it in action." She started walking away and Belle ran after her.
"Are you telling me that thing can do some sort of dance?"
"Nope, but in my hands it may sing a bit."
Belle chuckled, "This I gotta see."
"Really Belle just because I said sing, does not mean it really sings songs. It is after all metal."
"I know, still would be interesting to see what you do with it."
Stopping, turning gazing toward the woman, Barbara reached back grasped the hilt and pulled out the sword. Belle was full of anticipation, until she saw the small blade. "Nice handle but isn't that a bit small to be called a sword?"
With a flash of her hands and several swirls in mid air, Barbara brought down a beautiful sword, full in length and deadly in appearance. "How's this?" Barbara held the sword out so the woman could see it was not small any longer.
"How, how did you do that? It's beautiful, if a sword can be called beautiful."
"I had it made special on a trip to Cairo once. Takes a bit of finesse to get it to appear but it does and sometimes at important moments. Now can we continue?"
"By all means. I'll be right behind you. Tell me, have you used that in battle?"
"Belle, Belle, sweet Belle we have a way to go, let's save energy for what lies ahead. "
They traveled the rest of the way in silence. The darkness of the tunnel was enough to keep them on their toes. Many times, Belle could be heard,
thanking the person that invented flashlights. Each time it brought a smile to Barbara Johnson.
It seemed like hours before the two women saw the ladder leading up, they approached the area carefully, thankful no one was there. Barbara glanced at her wristwatch and said, "Took us forty minutes to get here. Don't know about you but my legs are a bit shaky. It was not all straight, many times the path curved, sometimes going down sometimes back up. Seems to me they utilized what may have been a cavern of some sort at one time. Anyway, once on top, we need to be careful. Do not want anyone to see us before we are ready."
"Got you. Feel the same. Don't look at me like that, I don't want to go ahead, I'll follow."
Shaking her head, Barbara replied, "No, this time you go first, I'll follow. I want to make sure you do not slip."
Thinking what the woman had said, Belle replied, "Ever thought if I did, I would take you down with me and I am not light."
"You won't fall. Even if you did, I would catch your fall. Neither of us needs to fall back down but if we did, wouldn't bother me to have you land on me."
"Talk is cheap Barb; action can be a whole lot different."
"Then I suggest we get this action on the road, or ladder."
The two made the climb to the top with little difficulty, but it took both of them to push the cover that was hiding the entry point loose. Belle could feel Barbara brushing against her back, it was not easy to keep focused on the cover and removing it when every movement Barbara Johnson made behind her felt more like caressing, Breasts reached out to say hello while other parts of the woman made themselves also known.
"I think we have it Belle, was not that easy to remove."
Belle swallowed several times before saying, "It was good you were behind me and was able to help with the cover. I will say though, first time my back had such an erotic massage."
Barbara stepped down two rungs of the ladder and said, "Sorry, I guess. No other way to help remove the cover."
Belle glanced down at the woman and replied, "No need to be sorry woke my body big time. I do know the difference in sexual and just contact though.
Barbara could not help but grin and say, "Wasn't on my mind at that moment. Getting out was. But if you felt me as I felt you, then there were a few sparks flying around too."
"Yup." Belle pointed up and said, "Could be anything out there."
"Go ahead, be careful, and make sure no one is in close vicinity. I know I don't need to tell you that, just want you to know I care and don't want you to get hurt."
Stifling a chuckle, Belle said, "We are in the worst place if not getting hurt is on your mind, Barb,"
"I know. Nevertheless, I want you to know how I feel. I offered to come alone, you insisted, can't help but worry regardless."
As Belle peeked out, she could see the slope of a hill scattered with trees and perfectly free from underbrush and a building burrowed into the side of a hill and from the size, it was more than one floor. From appearance, it looked to be cement of some sort, sturdy and not giving.
Barbara tugged at the woman's pant leg asking, "What do you see?"
Muttering Belle said, "
Jiminy Cricket, you'll never believe this."
"What?"
"Come up here and take a look."
"Is it bad?"
Belle glanced back and said, "I'm easing my way out, won't go far, take a look then meet me."
Barbara too was surprised when she saw the building and where it was. Not many would even have taken a second look if they were just passing. It was well hidden. A perfect place to run if into problems. She looked around the area for Belle and spied the woman lying on her stomach not far away. Crawling toward her, Barbara said, "Looks like we have landed on some sort of covert place."
"No vehicles, how would anyone get out here?" The second the words were out of her mouth, Belle grimaced and said, "The tunnel. Makes me wonder where my mind is."
Crawling up to the woman, Barbara turned to gaze at her and said, "Mind is fine. Usually places like this do have vehicles near. However, guess if they want to get hold of someone, all they have to do is call. I see a tower on the hill, probably use it."
"What or who do you think it is?" Belle squinted toward the building.
"If I had to guess, I would say, this has something to do with Mary Trenton. She escaped; no one has seen or heard anything since. Most think she fled the state, however, hiding out in that would certainly suffice. Especially when no one knows about the tunnel."
"Few do not even the police."
"Right Belle, but as you have seen the police think we don't know what we are talking about. That is why we are here and they are not."
Sighing, Belle laid onto her back and gazed at the sky saying, "There could be a lot of people in there, hard to say just how big it is inside."
"You're right, I think if we move slowly, go up the far side, and see what the slope is up top, maybe we can figure how to get in without them knowing."
Belle was on her side now, gazing at the woman as she said, "Sounds like a good plan. Sure hope no one spots us out here, we would be like shooting ducks."
"Then let's not be 'ducks' instead let's make like a snake and slither out of here." With those words, Barbara was on her knees, looking for any type of cover. She quickly made it to a patch of shrubbery followed by Belle.
Once they made it to the top of the slope it was easy to see there was another opening, though covered, they were sure that is what it was. Perhaps an escape route if needed. Barbara sat and stared at the cover while Belle walked back and forth finally asking, "Why are you just sitting there? This could be our way in."
"Could, it also could be a trap."
Belle walked over to the cover and said, "Doubt it. As secluded as this area is, more than likely it is an escape route if needed. We can at least take a look."
"Can. But what if it sets on an alarm?"
With hands on her hips, she stared down at Barbara and said, "Then how do you propose we get inside?"
"Whoever is in there is not going to open the door for us, so maybe this
is the only way. There has been no action outside so no one knows we are here. I'm ready, let's see if we can budge the cover and see what is behind it."
It was harder getting this cover to cooperate but eventually they did get it to move some. Peeking under the lid, they could see it had a latch and this was keeping them from opening it all the way. Barbara reached back retrieved the sword and used it to reach the latch, sliding it back. Once this was done they easily raised it to where they could climb down a very long ladder.
Making the sound of air being deflated Belle said, "That was tough. Good thing you brought the sword. That is a long way down; I was not fond of the ladder before, now this one looks scary."
"It will be fine. We take our time, I'll go first, and that way if you slip I can help and don't even think of falling. A person outdoors like you, probably have climbed up and down tougher mountains. It is about time we got this party started."
"I'm with you. But as you said earlier, we could be descending into a trap of some sort."
"The only thing at the end of this may be a guard or two, other than that no trap. I am going on my gut instinct."
The ladder was narrower than the last, it made going down harder and slower, neither complained, all they wanted was to see the bottom and soon.
Barbara landed first, reaching out to help Belle and said, "We are here, looks like this passage leads to a room. The place is very well lit up inside, no need for flashlights this time. When you are ready we can slowly make our way to the door and hope it opens."
Didn't take long for Belle to catch her second breath and the two were on their way once more. Nearing the door, Barbara peeked through the small window near the top. She leaned back against the door and whispered, "Two men in there, look like military of some kind."
"If it's military, not ours for sure. The last compound where Bobie had been held people were dressed similar." Belle peeked then moved back.
After whispering among each other, they decided on a plan. Belle was to lay on the floor, pretend to be out; Barbara would make a noise causing the men to come out to see what made the sound. Setting the plan in motion took a little doing; Belle was not fond of being the one on the floor but finally accepted doing it. When she left her gun belt etc., with Barbara she said, "If they shoot me, I'll haunt you."
Exactly as they thought, the second Barbara made the noise, the door opened as two men, rifles in hand came racing out to check on the sound. Both stopped and stared at the woman lying on the floor. Walking toward the woman, they talked back and forth finally stopping and poking her with a rifle. It was at this time; Barbara crept out from behind the open door held a rifle to one and the tip of a sword to the other saying, "Drop your weapons, now!"
Completely caught off guard they dropped the rifles raised their hands in the air and pleaded, "Don't shoot."
Belle was on her feet having collected the two riffles she nodded to Barbara and said, "Thanks, but don't want to do that again."
Motioning them back into the room, the two women followed closely. Once inside they found some rope and tied the men up, then motioned for them to sit in the chairs that Belle rolled out onto the floor. Barbara asked, "How many are here?"
They looked at one another as if it was the hardest question in the universe. Therefore, she asked again, this time one replied, "We are the only ones."
Belle shook her head saying, "That's a lie, this place is too big for just the two of you. We are not idiots. You were guarding the door, making sure no one comes in that way. Doubt you have any real big responsibility."
They tried to get free from their bonds but soon realized it was futile, one of the men asked, "How did you find us?"
"We did that is all you need to know. Now, one of you answers my question. How many are here? In addition, where are they? We already know this is not a small place."
While Barbara was questioning the two, Belle decided to look around the room. She went through a desk, opened a few cabinets, and looked in the small fridge then her eyes caught sight of the laptop that was lying under a pile of papers in the trash basket. "Got something. Come take a look."
Taking her eyes off the men for a second, she glanced toward Belle and asked, "What is it?"
"I think you will be pleased. Come look."
She glanced at the two men and said, "Be right back now don't you two go anywhere."
They looked at her befuddled as she walked away. Approaching Belle she said, "What is it?"
Belle reached into the trash, and pulled out the laptop. "A computer, if it works might give us all we need to know."
"Good work. Let's get this baby cooking and see if it will tell us what they will not."
Soon they had the computer running but once again were stopped by the fact they needed a password. The men were no help and the last thing they wanted to do was hurt anyone so they attempted to find a password that worked. After many tries, Belle looked at Barbara and asked, "How about the most logical and easiest?"
Barbara was inputting, repeatedly only to be denied so she looked up at Belle and said, "Just what is that?"
"Trenton, one form or the other."
Smiling, Barbara began to type the different names what finally worked was JT. When it was accepted, a completely new world of information appeared.
Barbara leaned back and stared at the screen reached up, ran her fingers through her hair, and said, "Jim Trenton, might have known Mary is still holding onto him in some way. There it is the building, the rooms, the number of people, everything. Many phone numbers, addresses of, I would say contacts of some sort. This is a treasure of information."
Belle was standing behind Barbara gazing down at the screen and said, "Looks like two more guards, and two others in the lower level. Seems this place is only used for emergencies."
Barbara had written some information on a piece of paper, folded it and put it in her shirt pocket, then said, "Let's gag them tie them to the chairs and get this finished. Did you see a phone in here?"
"No phone. I'll find some more rope."
Once they were sure the men could not get loose, they made sure the rifles would not work any longer and began taking the stairs to a lower floor.
Upon nearing the lower level, voices could be heard coming their direction and they quickly dashed into a room that turned out to be a supply room. Barbara held her breath for a second, Belle looked like she was ready to jump out and confront whoever it was. Barbara reached out and whispered, "Let them pass. Easier to come up behind then in front."
After they had past, the two women crept out of the room slowly moving along the wall like a shadow. They soon spied the two guards, this time they were about to smoke a cigarette. One turned on the fan while the other lit the cigarettes then handed one to the other man. They had placed their riffles against the wall and were chatting as they enjoyed the smokes.
The two women came from two sides, it was quick and so fast they did not have time to grab the rifles they did however drop the cigarettes. After tying them and gagging them they made sure, they were not going anywhere. The two guards were like the other two no one wanted to talk. This left it up to Barbara and Belle to approach the final two and that is what they were just about to do.
Nearing the door that showed where the other two were at on the computer screen, they were met with the question of just how were they going to get in without whoever was inside knowing. Belle looked at Barbara and mouthed, "How?"
Barbara shrugged and mouthed, "Don't know."
Finally, Barbara moved up to the woman whispered in her ear and said, "How about we do what we did in the beginning?"
Belle looked at her with skepticism on her face and said, "This one may just shoot first."
"Do you have any other suggestions?" Barbara whispered.
And each time the woman did that Belle felt something she shouldn't have. After all the woman was just whispering in her ear, why the sensations. Finally chalking it up to being underground and perhaps not enough air, she pointed to Barbara and said, "This time you on the floor not me."
Barbara thought, walked away then walked back and whispered in Belle's ear again, "All right, but you better know what you are doing, the last four guards were easier than I thought, whoever is in here may not be. And more than likely one will be Mary Trenton. Are you prepared for this?"
Belle gulped, reached up and brushed at her ear before saying, "Prepared as I ever will be."
Barbara nodded, then kissed her forehead and whispered, "Be good."
Belle watched Barbara remove her gun belt, ammunition, backpack, and was not sure she had made the right choice. She was only a Tavern owner going to go against the likes of Mary Trenton, now it was too late, knowing she may have bit off more than she could chew.
Once Barbara was on the floor, looking unconscious, Belle made the sound and waited. Nothing happened she was just about to give up when the door opened slowly and Sheriff Deanna Burgess stepped into view. Belle froze for an instant as Deanna headed straight for the fallen woman. She did not have a gun instead; she held a knife in her right hand. Immediately Belle knew the woman was going to finish Barbara who she thought was an intruder that passed out.
Stepping into view, Belle cocked the .22 and said, "Stop right there Sheriff Burgess!"
Deanna whirled around to see the gun and Belle Gardner, her eyes looked wild as she said, "You! What are you doing here?"
"Drop the knife Deanna. There is no need for bloodshed." Belle never took her eyes off the woman. By this time, Barbara was on her feet. She reached out and grabbed the woman's wrist bringing her arm back then with one chop to the wrist the knife fell to the floor. Deanna was like an eel the way she wiggled from Barbara's hold; she turned and kicked only to miss Barbara's face by inches. Before the woman could get off another kick, Barbara ran, jumped touched the wall with her booted feet then bounded back with such speed she caught Deanna burgess off guard landing a solid kick to the woman's face sending her reeling backwards hitting the door and collapsing in a heap on the floor.
Barbara walked toward her pack, removed a pair of cuffs and then put them on Deanna Burgess. She winked toward Belle who still stood as if frozen and said, "All in a days work my Love." Barbara was reaching down to pick up her gun belt when the voice of Mary Trenton cut through her like the icy winds of Alaska. "Don't move, you do and I will slit this one's throat."
Barbara looked up to see Mary Trenton standing behind Belle, she was holding the knife close to the jugular the other arm was holding Belle's right arm behind her back. She looked older but still very much like she could take on a person in the most devious ways.
"Don't hurt her Mary, we can talk."
Laughing all the while her eyes darting to Deanna then back to Barbara she said, "I know who you are Johnson. I might know that somehow Skylar Richmond would still hound me in some way. If you don't want to see your friend get sliced, I suggest you go unlock the cuffs. Deanna would not be happy about this."
Barbara's hand was in the backpack and within an instant; she tossed a grenade toward Deanna Burgess. "Why don't we all blow up together, Trenton."
Mary lost her concentration for a moment, this gave Belle time to jab the woman in her side with an elbow, at the same time, Barbara leaped and grabbed Mary Trenton's hand, removing the knife. Belle looked at her, then at the grenade and shouted, "Are you crazy!"
"It's a dud; always carry it just in case. Worked didn't it?"
"Sure did. Thanks. I never even heard Mary, she could have killed me."
"She would have. There was no way either of us was walking out of here alive if it was up to her or Burgess. How about that. Ex-Sheriff Deanna Burgess in cahoots with Mary Trenton, who would have thought."
Belle gazed around the area and said, "From all we have heard about the woman, it doesn't surprise me, rats stick together. What now?"
"Guess we need to find a phone or someway to communicate with the outside world and let Bern and the State Police know about this."
Mary Trenton and Deanna Burgess were giving the two women the evil eye as they tried to free themselves to no avail. After going through a few drawers they did find a key that opened the door to a smaller room. It was in this room they found the radio set up. After a little work, figuring out how to use this particular one, Barbara was able to get hold of the State Police's main office.
After reassuring the person, who she was and who she needed to speak with Barbara was finally connected to someone in the office. Then she had to explain everything again, this time she was able to talk to Bernie Herbella. The man was ecstatic when he heard the news. Barbara did not go into detail but did give him the essentials. Bernie was able to get hold of Captain Brad Holden who seemed very interested in the women's discovery. He informed them to stay put that he was sending a team in to take over. He also advised them not to do anymore sleuthing.
Belle watched Barbara and knew whoever she was talking to on the other end was exasperating the woman. So when she signed off, set back in the chair with a look of disappointment on her face Belle asked, "What happened? Didn't they believe you?"
"Guess they believed me but not one,
you were right, or
thank you, nope, only stay put, don't touch anything and don't do anymore sleuthing."
"Ouch, that had to hurt."
"Did. Why do some men think all women are good for is to cook and clean and--you know."
Sitting in a chair near the woman, Belle replied, "Thank goodness not all are like that. I do know where you are coming from though. Seems to be some sort of club men belong to and a woman has no business straying into their so called territory."
"We are not living in the dark ages; women have proven they are more than just housewives. Many handle this as well as very productive jobs. Just makes no sense to me but I have come up against this type of feeling off an on for sometime."
"How does Sky handle this?"
"Funny, she has never had many problems. Maybe it is her height, the way she moves, woman is definitely not a person to lay back and let someone else roll over her."
Belle grinned and looked like she was about to laugh finally muttering, "I think it was the word '
sleuthing'. Kinda like calling you a
Nancy Drew impersonator."
Barbara pursed her lips, turned to face Belle and said, "Nothing wrong with
Nancy Drew, heck I still read some of the stories. There is no connection as far as how I work. However, you are right; it did hit me wrong when he said
sleuthing. As if I have a spy glass and am walking around looking for footprints."
"Well take it from me, you did a bang-up-job anyone with half a brain would know how good you are. I would like to see Captain Holden hit a wall like you did, then fly off hitting the felon with feet of fury. Takes much more than a spyglass. Where in the world did you learn that move?"
"The run, leap, contact the wall, push off since the body is already in motion, takes time and practice but as you can see it does work. I have a few talents, but nothing like Sky. However I think I could hold my own in a battle, at least for awhile."
"If I am ever in need of someone to assist me, you would be the first person I call."
Barbara looked dubious, raised an eyebrow and said, "First person you would call is Jeanne. How many times do I need to remind you, the woman loves you, she would do anything for you?"
Gazing toward the floor, Belle looked sheepish and replied, "You are right, I know that Jeanne would be there for me if she could. However, she also has other duties that take her to other places and people. I could not count on her being around or at my call if I needed her."
"First chance I get, I am going to have a talk with the woman. Just do not like the way she has you feeling. A job is good, a job is important but the person in your life that makes it worthwhile to get up, who brings sunshine into your life, should never be taken for granted."
Belle reached out and touched Barbara's right arm saying, "Please don't. I would feel terrible if she became upset with you. Besides, if you did that she would know I have been talking to you and Jeanne would be quite upset with me."
"All right, I won't. Hope you know I want to very much though."
"I do. Still grateful you do not. What are we going to do now? Captain Holden said not to do anymore sleuthing."
Barbara replied, "I think we should check the rest of the place out. Never know just what else we might find."
"The screen never showed anyone else."
"Maybe they have some dark secret not even on the computer or has been taken off."
Belle shook her head in amazement at the woman and said, "Not sure it is such a good idea, we are pretty set right here, those two aren't going anywhere. You do however amaze me after everything still being ready to go further into heaven knows what."
Standing, Barbara put the backpack on, checked her gun and said, "I'm going to scout around a bit, you can stay if you want." She turned to leave the room but didn't get very far before Belle Gardner was at her side.
"Coming with you. It is kinda creepy being in a room with those two
and their evil eyes."
Smiling, Barbara replied, "Then let's get moving, police will be here soon,
And I don't want to listen to anymore rhetoric."
The two women moved slowly, methodically, checking every room they came too, be it small or large. They found more computers, even a main frame, several DVD players, and Television sets, boxes of movies in DVD and VHS format. Belle had been looking at some of the movies while Barbara was checking Model numbers on the items. When she finished, she walked toward Belle and said, "What do you think?"
Holding a neatly packaged DVD of a movie that was not out yet she replied, "I think this is illegal contraband. Many of these movies are not even out. Never could understand why people did that. So much easier just to go to the theater, or wait for the DVD to come available."
"A lot of money can be made. People that do this know there will always be gullible people to buy the movies or those that just cannot wait. But like you I agree, much easier to wait. The law is really looking for those that earn a living like this. Guess Trenton and Burgess have their hands in a lot of things."
Placing the DVD back in the box, Belle looked up and said, "Seems they have had their hands in many illegal items. Pirating movies being one. I just hope this time Trenton can stay in jail and Burgess goes with her."
"I second that. But I really would like to get Burgess alone in a room for awhile."
"I would too, but from all I have heard the woman is a spawn of the devil and has proven to be too much for some that are really in great form."
"If it had been a fair one on one fight, no tricks, no back up, might not have been so easy for her, if it was."
"Shaking her head, Belle replied, "Don't know, but from all I have heard, I am just glad she is in one place now and can't move."
Turning around to take in all the boxes, and miscellaneous items that lay about the room, Barbara said, "Only one more room to check. Might as well see what they are hiding in that one."
Belle sighed, and then said, "Heaven knows, just hope it is not some sort of creature."
"Why Bell Gardner, you are not implying that these people could also be working somehow on physiology, genetics, perhaps a Frankenstein or two."
Shaking as if chills were running up and down her body, Belle muttered, "Yikes, just the thought of what those two could conjure up has shivers running amuck. I hope you are wrong."
Barbara checked her weapon, and said, "Time waits for no one, so let's do this. We both know how devious these two can be, we also know about Jim Trenton, so anything is possible. Might check your twenty-two make sure it is ready for action."
Belle retrieved the gun, checked the chambers then said, "Ready. Actually we have not had to even shoot once, so we have been ready from the get go."
"I know, just never hurts to double check. The worst is behind us, I hope."
"Me too. Lead the way, I'll be right behind."
When they neared the next doorway, took a turn to the left and walked up several steps, both were surprised to see a large steel door. This had to be the room but unlike the other ones, this door was different. Barbara approached with caution she ran her hands over the metal, finally coming to rest near what should have been a knob, instead it was a sliding mechanism that took a key to enter. "I'll be--"
Belle stepped close and asked, "You'll be what?"
"This door, it's not like the others."
Grinning, Belle said, "Sure enough, it is metal the others were wood."
Turning to gaze into Belle's eyes, Barbara said, "Not funny Gardner. This type of door is usually put there to keep people in. Or to keep people from getting in to see what else they are hiding."
"Well according to the screen we looked at, never listed anyone in the room, so maybe it is full of contraband too."
"Or--perhaps Frankenstein." Barbara smiled as Belle's face turned whiter than usual. "Come on Belle, I am teasing. However, the only way to find out is to see."
"How do we do that, it is locked and pretty well too."
Stepping back, Barbara brought out what looked like putty as Belle stared at her and said, "This is not the time to mess with play dough."
She began working with a small piece never taking her eyes off what she was doing she replied, "Not 'play dough.'" She already had fit the piece into the lock.
"OH, I get it, seen it in the movies, good guy blows the lock. That it?"
"Well not the movies, but you have the right idea."
Gazing up, Belle asked, "Couldn't an explosion cause this place to fall apart?"
"Not enough for that. I hope this will be just enough to blow the lock or at least cause it to release. Stand back and we will soon see."
Belle had her hand on the twenty-two, she had no idea what might come charging out of that room, but if it was not human, she was sure going to empty the gun on it, then run like heck.
Barbara was standing near her when the pfffft went off. It was not very loud, but it sure did loosen the lock because the door came ajar. Both women ran to see what was in the room. Both women were so surprised their mouths fell open, their eyes widened and they looked like they were gazing at a ghost.
"You came for us! Thank God." Bobie Parker gazed up from a sitting position near the far wall; her wrists shackled to the wall, near her sit another woman, she too was shackled to the wall. Both looked tired, and gaunt, but both were alive.
Belle poked Barbara in the side, whispered, "Are we hallucinating?"
Shaking her head, Barbara whispered, "Don't think so."
At that time, Bobie spoke, "You two going to just stand there and gawk or are you going to get us out of these restraints before the others come back?"
Belle and Barbara moved at the same time, Belle headed for Bobie while Barbara went to check on the other woman. As Belle neared the woman, Bobie gazed at her and said, "It is good to see you Belle, but golly why did you two go into some sort of trance. I must be a sight. Still I am the same person."
Belle dropped to here knees and began to examine the shackles. "Kinda a surprise that's all."
"What is a surprise? Finding us here?"
With one hand on the chain, Belle looked into Bobie's blue-green-eyes and said, "You don't know do you?"
"Know what?" She stared at Belle. It was obvious she had no idea what Belle was talking about.
"You are a breathing miracle." Belle stopped what she had been doing and
Sit beside the woman. "Bobie, everyone thinks you are dead."
This time Bobie's face fell, as well as her mouth. She not only looked drawn but she now looked very devastated. "You--they--Sky--"
"That's right, everyone believes you are gone. Have for sometime."
"How can that be, I am right here, living, breathing? God, how could this happen?"
Barbara had already released Sarah and turned her attention to Bobie calling out, "You were kidnapped."
Gazing from Belle to Barbara, Bobie replied, "Big difference being kidnapped and being called dead. Sky must be devastated."
"Not only Sky but everyone." Barbara had begun to work on the shackles and soon had Bobie freed. "We all thought you were dead. So to actually see you after all this time, surprised us."
Bobie stood and walked toward Sarah who was leaning against the wall, she put her arms around the woman and said, "It's all right Sarah these are two of my good friends."
After introducing the woman to Belle and Barbara, they all began the trek back to the main room where the two hostages were being held. This time it was not as quiet as it was before as a lot of conversation was going on. The two women were surprised to hear of Bobie's ordeal, the canyon and how she ended up there. At the same time, Bobie was surprised to hear all that had taken place since she was gone. Sky had suffered through her own hell as well as Tara Coltrane. When she asked about them, Neither Belle or Barbara had any knowledge as to where they were at that time.
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Continued