You didn't disappoint, this update is amazingas usual.
Thank you, [mention]DeeperThanRed[/mention]. You are always kind in your remarks.
And, [mention]Muscle-Flex[/mention], you've given me a lot to chew on.
I hope you both and all my others readers enjoy this next chapter!
Chapter XIV: Hijacked!
Late Sunday Afternoon: A Sauna in a University Gymnasium, Downtown Montreal
The kiss surprised Simon, but what surprised him more was that he kissed Hugh back. As he closed his eyes and felt Hugh’s lips on his own, Simon saw and thought only of Johnny Trudeau. It was a warm, sexy, and enjoyable kiss – until he opened his eyes and the moment passed. Simon put the palms of his hands on Hugh’s chest, and he gently pushed him away. Hugh looked away, so that Simon wouldn’t see his face flush red. A moment later, he forced himself to look at Simon.
“I’m sorry.” Hugh whispered and looked down.
“Don’t be. I returned the kiss.” Simon leaned back and rested his head against the wooden wall of the sauna. They sat in silence for a few minutes. Then, Simon put his right hand on Hugh’s left leg and gave his thigh a squeeze.
“You’re very desirable, Hugh, but I love another man.”
Simon paused. Hugh lifted his head and slowly looked at Simon.
“I shouldn’t have…” Hugh began –
Simon stopped him before he finished. “It’s been tough – these last few days – I noticed you looking at me back in the hotel room, again in the locker-room, and then when I spotted you lifting. I should have said something then. I don’t know why I didn’t. Maybe I’m nervous about this mission too – maybe I enjoyed your attention, and it gave me a distraction from that anxiety.
“I hope your bobsledder knows what he has in you.” Hugh murmured.
“We know what we have in each other.” Simon said firmly with a smile.
“I don’t know what happened. You’ve been so –” Hugh paused and looked Simon in the eye. He continued, “Simon – you are incredibly good-looking and sexy. But it’s more than that – your kindness and intelligence outweigh your physical beauty. You were willing to help me – to forgive me even – after you caught me going through your valise. You had every right to turn me in. And this afternoon – you were concerned about my welfare. I let myself get too –”
Simon interrupted him. “Don’t Hugh. You’ve been through a great deal. And – I have to admit that I enjoyed the kiss – But we need to go forward with our eyes on the mission. It was a kiss we shared. But it cannot be more than that – I’m so in love with Johnny Trudeau. I hope you understand that.”
After a moment without turning away from Simon, Hugh responded softly, “Yes, Simon. I do.”
“Okay, my friend. Let’s get out of here, shower, get back to the hotel, and join the tennis team for dinner. Then call it an early evening and relax back in the room – see what’s streaming.”
“What about the kidnappers?”
“There’s not much strategizing we can do until we hear from them again. Let’s hope they took the bait that we planted on the USB Drive. If the kidnappers – whoever’s behind this “Byzantine Imports” – whether it’s this Michael Palaiologos or not – think that we are looking at a Slobobian connection, they’ll let their guards down. We may be able to find out more about this Palaiologos tomorrow night. He’s hosting a reception for the tennis teams tomorrow night at his home. Perhaps we can do some snooping while we’re there. I’m supposed to meet with a Montreal Police Inspector tomorrow afternoon, who may have some information for us. So – until tomorrow we have to sit tight.”
“Okay, Simon.”
“Are you really okay, Hugh? Are we on the same page?”
“Yes. I cannot deny that I have feelings for you, Simon. I will have to put those aside, because I know you’re committed to Johnny. And we must commit ourselves to getting my brother back and whoever else these criminals have abducted.”
“Good. Let’s get outta here –”
With that Simon and Hugh left the sauna to shower, dress, and head back to their hotel.
Monday Afternoon: The Athena Limousine and Car Service in a Storefront Office Building, Downtown Montreal
Nikolas Papas arrived early Monday afternoon at the Athena Limousine and Car Service on Mount Royal Avenue. At 47, Nikolas could take pride in becoming a successful businessman in Montreal, after emigrating from Santorini in his native Greece 26 years ago. He had built several businesses up from scratch with the help of the Greek-Canadian woman he married and for whom he named several of the businesses – the Athena Diner, the Athena Travel Agency, and the Athena Car Service. Athena was gone now, after a valiant battle with cancer a few years ago. And Nikolas missed her terribly, but he took comfort in their two sons – 24-year-old Niko and 22-year-old Costas. Those young men were the apple of his eyes. Such handsome men, too – Nikolas thought they took after him with their thick, wavy black hair, dull green eyes, and olive complexions. But they were such kind-hearted, caring, yet intelligent young men – those traits they surely inherited from the mother, Nikolas thought. And now that they had both graduated from university, they worked full-time with him, overseeing the enterprises. Niko -- like his Dad – had a good head for business. Costas was a smart boy too, but he wanted to continue his education – to become a human rights lawyer. Costas had come out of the closet at 18 to his parents and brother. All of them loved and supported him – no matter what. Nikolas told his younger son that it did not matter what man he fell in love with – as long as that man was kind and gentle like his son. If he were a Greek man – Nikolas declared – that would be the cherry on the top!
Nikolas sat alone in the office of the Athena Car Service that afternoon. He had let his secretary and receptionist Maria Kapadopolis take the afternoon off. Nico and Costas were coming in to the office a few hours from then. There was only one job for them that day – but it was an important account. One of Nikolas’ most reliable clients was the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Montreal. The Force relied upon Nikolas and his Athena Car Service to chauffeur its men and women in service or important dignitaries to functions in and around the city. Nikolas Papas took great pride as an immigrant to Canada that his adopted country’s most elite law enforcement agency had chosen him and his business out of many similar ones throughout the city. Such was his pride that Nikolas allowed no employee but himself and now his sons to drive members of the Force and their guests.
Nikolas, Nico, and Costas were set to chauffeur the RCMP’s tennis team – squad and coaches – from their hotel downtown to a reception that evening at an estate in Westmount. The host of the reception was a very wealthy businessman, who was one of the main sponsors of the upcoming tennis tournament. Nico and Costas would be the drivers of two limousines that evening, and Nikolas intended to drive the third to make sure everything went smoothly. Nikolas also hoped that his exacting attention to professional standards might come to the notice of the wealthy host of the reception, resulting in a new client for the Athena Car Service.
Nikolas was going over accounts in his private office, when he heard the front doorbell buzz. He got up from his desk and went out to the front office to see who it was. As he approached the full glass entry door, Nikolas could see four men standing outside – one gentleman who appeared to be about his age accompanied by three younger, well-built men. They were dressed in tracksuits, and the younger men carried medium -sized duffel bags. After unlocking the door, Nikolas opened it to greet them.
“Good Afternoon, gentlemen. How may I help you?”
“Hello. We would like to acquire your Car Service.” The older gentleman answered in an Eastern European accent.
His answer sounded a little off to Nikolas, but judging from the man’s inflection, Nickolas believed the man may not have had a fluent grasp of English. So, Nikolas took his answer as a desire of the men to hire his business’ services. He stepped aside to let them in before shutting the door.
“By your accent, I think we may be from the same part of the world. Are you Greek?” Nikolas asked.
“No. We are from Slobobia.”
“Ah! That mountainous land of mystery – I am afraid I gave my administrative assistant – who would normally handle bookings – the afternoon off. If you could follow me back to my office, I could perhaps take care of what you gentleman require.”
“Yes. That would be perfect for our plans.”
Nikolas led them back to his office. Not suspecting anything was afoot, Nikolas did not notice one of the younger men shut and lock the door of Nikolas’s office behind him.
When Nikolas reached his desk, he turned around. One of the three younger men stood at the opposite side of his desk. The others stood at either side and slightly behind the older gentleman, who was now pointing a Glock at Nikolas. Nikolas slowly raised his hands.
“I don’t carry a lot of cash here.” Nikolas said quietly but firmly.
“We are not here to rob you. As I said to you outside, we are here to acquire your Car Service,” the man said and paused a moment before adding, “as well as you and your two sons.”
“What? Who are you? What do you mean acquiring me and my sons?” Nikolas asked. His breathing quickened, betraying his anxiety.
“You needn’t worry about the answers to those questions right now – if you would please remove your clothes down to your underwear.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Nikolas responded.
“I assure you I am not,” the man raised the Glock higher. “You are wasting time – now please do it, or I will have my colleagues strip you themselves.”
Nikolas eyed the three other men and realized it would be futile to resist further. He took his jacket off, laid it atop his desk, and loosened his tie…
Two Hours Later
Nico and Costas went to the gym early Monday afternoon to get a workout in before they headed to the Car Service later in the day The Papas brothers had started to frequent the gym regularly, once they began high school. Nico took up football, and he was a good running back both in high school and at university. He stood at 6’2” tall and weighed 210 lb. of pure muscle. Costas took up hockey and became an outstanding winger on his high school and university teams. He was as tall as his brother, but weighed less at 183 lb., but like his older brother, his mass was solid muscle. Nico and Costas had very handsome, classically Greek features with beautifully green eyes. The brothers were very close, and they took delight in playfully teasing each other.
Nico drove them in his Jeep Wrangler from the gym to the car service. After parking in the lot behind the business, the two brothers walked around to the front door.
“Nico, you were really chatting up that chick at the gym. You gave her those puppy dog eyes, Big Bro – and she was practically melting like butter for you.”
“You’re just jealous of my charming ways, little bro! Besides – I noticed those two guys checking you out, while you hit your legs with squats. One guy couldn’t take his eyes off your butt. Ha ha!”
“Well, I do have a cute butt, Big Bro.” Costas elbowed his older brother, then gave him a slight bump with his bum.
“Ugh! Why do I encourage you, Costas?” Nico gave a good-natured push away from him.
“Because I’m you’re best wingman, Nico.” Costas said with a wink, putting his arm around his older brother.
“I love you too, baby bro.”
“And those guys at the gym can look, but – Nico – you know I only have eyes for my copper!”
“Have you introduced Felix to Papa yet, Costas?”
“Not yet, Nico. You know Pop – he loves me, but he wants me to bring home a nice Greek boy, not Felix Bergeron – A French-Canadian police inspector.”
“You underestimate Papa, baby bro – he’ll welcome any man who loves you. And I can tell Inspector Bergeron loves you.”
“Thanks, Nico. You’re the best big brother a guy could want.”
“I know – Ha! Ha!” Nico laughed heartily. The brothers had reached the front door of the Car Service. Nico unlocked the door, and he and Nico stepped into the reception area.
“Pop wants to put our best feet forward today – driving the tennis team from the Mounties and the Armed Forces to that reception out in Westmount. He’ll be coming with us.”
“Yes, Costas. Papa hopes to land a new client. That’s why he wanted us to wear our best suits for the job.”
“Where is Pop? He said he was going to give Maria the afternoon off.” Costas looked around the outer office.
“He’s probably in his own office in the back.”
Nico and Costas walked down the darkened hallway past the office they shared, the office kitchen, the storage room – all the doors to each closed – including the one to the garage where the limousines were kept. When they reached, their father’s office, Costas knocked.
“Pop?” Costas called out as he opened the door, before he and Nico entered. The room was dark – no lights were on and the curtains to the window overlooking the alley outside were closed. Nico reached along the wall, found the light switch, and turned it on.
“What the…?”
Nikolas Papas was seated at his desk. He was stripped down his underwear and black, knee-length socks, and was tied up and tape-gagged. A man wearing a dark suit, white shirt, and black tie stood directly behind him. He had one hand over the already tape-gagged mouth of Nikolas Papas. In his other hand, he held a Glock, which he now pointed at Nikolas’ sons. Nico and Costas stood absolutely still, their eyes darting from their bound and gagged father to the man behind him – to the gun pointed at them, and to each other. They heard the doors to their office and the kitchen open behind them and several footsteps quickly close in on them. Costas turned around and saw three men with revolvers pointed at them.
“Good Afternoon, Nico and Costas. We’ve been expecting you.” The man said.
“What’s going on?” Nico asked nervously.
“We are taking over your business. Now, please – step further into the office. Keep your hands where we can see them. Don’t try anything funny. I won’t hesitate to use this on your father.” The man said in perfect English – all traces of the Slobobian accent that he had spoken with before to Nikolas Papas gone.
Nico and Costas raised their hands to their sides and stepped closer to their father’s desk. Their father kept his eyes on them. They had never seen him look so concerned. Beads of sweat fell from his forehead. The other men came into the office, closed the door behind them, and stood behind Nico and Costas.
“Now, gentleman. If you would so kindly strip out of your suits.”
“What?” Costas responded.
“I said – STRIP!” The man bellowed.
Nico looked at his father, who nodded as best he could – indicating his desire for his sons to do what the man said.
“Just do it, bro.” Nico advised his brother, as he began to take his suit jacket off.
Costas did the same.
Twenty Minutes Later
Nico and Costas lay on the carpet in front of their father’s desk, as the intruders finished tying them up. Worried about what might happen to their father if they resisted, they had disrobed quickly down to their underwear and socks – revealing different styles in their choices. As an immigrant to Canada, Nikolas Papas scrimped and saved to build successful businesses, and so he opted for ordinary underwear – like Hanes briefs – and today he had put on his usual tighty-whiteys. In contrast to him, his sons liked a bit of flash against their flesh. Nico preferred boxer briefs – and red 2xist stretch boxer briefs covered his buns, bits and pieces today. Costas favored high end boxer briefs too, but today he had worn an old-school athletic supporter to showcase his bodacious buns. Like Nikolas Papas, his sons wore knee-length, Gold Toe black dress socks. When they finished taking their shoes, suits, shirts, and ties off, Nico and Costas were ordered to lay side by side on their stomachs, put their legs together, cross their ankles, and cross their wrists at the small of their backs. As the older man continued to hold his Glock on their father, his younger accomplices opened duffel bags and extracted lengths of black rope, black bandanas, a roll of black gaffer tape, and wasted no time in binding Nico and Costas starting at their ankles then working upward to right below their knees and around their upper thighs right below their bubble butts. The Papas brothers’ crossed wrists were bound so that neither man could get at the knots. The burglars then trussed the arms of the poor lads to their sides, by lacing the rope around their elbows and then under and over their torsos. As each knot was tightened, Nico and Costas – their faces turned to each other – grunted and groaned. Once they had finished roping the brothers, the intruders forced crumbled black bandanas into the brothers’ mouths, followed by another black bandana twirled lengthwise to cleave-gag them. Finally, one ruffian took the roll of black gaffer tape sealed Nico’s mouth and wound the tape around his head several times. He then did the same to Costas. As they looked at each other, Nico and Costas saw that in applying the duct-tape the man who gagged them cared little for appearance and more for effect. Each brothers’ cheeks were stretched askew from the adhesive pull of the tape.
“Fetch two chairs.” The older of the burgling quartet ordered. One of the others left Nikolas’ office and returned shortly with two straight back chairs, placing them in front of Nicholas’s desk facing him.
“Pick them up and put them in the chairs.”
The men did as they were told. The older man – the obvious leader of these raiders – drew his Glock down from Nikolas’s temple. He walked around the desk and checked out the knots that bound Nico and Costas. The brothers watched him warily. He turned to his accomplices.
“Boris, Danilo – very good.”
“Thank you, Lazar.”
“Josif…”
“Yes, Boss?”
“Take the bag with the cannisters – go out to the garages – you know what needs to be done.”
Nikolas, Nico and Costas watched the man called Josif crouch down to one of the duffel bags, open it, check its contents, then zipped it shut. He then left the office. The tied-up Papas men had seen what looked like two oxygen tanks inside the duffel. Nikolas and his sons exchanged puzzled glances. Their looks did not escape the notice of the Boss –Lazar.
“You need not worry about that,” he said to them before turning to his two other cohorts. “Boris, Danilo – it’s time to get dressed.”
Boris and Danilo took off their tracksuits and began to dress in the clothes that Nico and Costas had just discarded. With the Glock still in his hand, Lazar came over to Nico and Costas to take a closer look. He first walked around the bound men.
“Mm mm – very nice. I see the two of you have inherited your father’s good looks. Such fine specimens of Greek men.”
He stopped in front of Costas. Lazar traced the barrel of the gun around Costas’ broad chest and then pinched his right nipple with his free hand.
“UUGGHH! GGHHUUGGGHHH!” Costas flinched and rumbled through his gags.
“Very nice, indeed” Lazar then trailed the barrel of the gun down Costas’ mid-section following the path laid out by the young man’s hair. He smiled as the barrel reached below Costas’ navel where his hair fanned out at the outer edge of his man bush – teasing but not revealing its thick growth under the pouch of the jockstrap. Lazar brushed the barrel in that pubic hair above the strap and then let it graze along the pouch to map out the outline of Costas’s cock.
“I see you are circumcised. I’ve already discovered your father is not.”
“PPHHUUKK UUU!”
Even as stifled as Costas was, Lazar understood the curse. He pressed the barrel hard against Costas’ cock and then gave a sharp jab to his balls.
“UUGGHH!” Costas groaned in obvious pain.
“Let that be a lesson to you. Insolence will be punished.” Lazar turned his attention to Nico.
Punished? What does he intend it do with us? This is more than a robbery – taking our clothes. They’re replacing us? Why? Does this have to do with our job today? Remain calm, Costas! I can’t let them harm Pop or Nico. Surely, they’ll leave us tied up and gagged. But we’ve seen their faces – we know they’re names –
Lazar circled Nico, and as he did so Nico stared defiantly at him. Like he did with Costas, Lazar used the barrel of the gun to follow the hair on his manly chest down the taut muscles of his belly, but then he replaced the gun’s barrel with his own hand. Lazar pulled the strap of Niko’s red, 2xist stretch boxer briefs down to reveal the tufts of Nico’s man cabbage.
“DDLLLEEEVVVEEE UUHHMM AAHHHLLLUUNNN!” Nico’s father pleaded for Lazar to leave his son alone.
“You’re in no position to plead, but I must give you credit. You and your sons are very handsome and sexy men. Your sons are in peak condition. And for a man in his forties – even with the hint of softness around your middle – you have kept yourself buff. The three of you will do very nicely.”
Will do very nicely? What on earth – what do they intend to do with Pop, Nico, and me? Costas exchanged nervous glances with his father and brother – all three men sensing that these men may not simply leave them behind bound and gagged.
Lazar reached into Nico’s boxer briefs and groped his tool and nuts, stroking his war helmet with his thumb. Nico glared at him and tried to wriggle free, but Lazar squeezed down, causing Nico to wince in pain.
“UUGGHHH!”
“Yes – you will learn to enjoy a man manhandling your manhood, young man”
Boris and Danilo and finished dressing in Nico’s and Costas’ suits, and Josif soon returned from the garage. He brought back a dark suit and tie with him, like the ones of the Papas’ his cohorts now wore.
“The tanks are ready,” Josif informed Lazar, as he began to change clothes.
Lazar looked at his watch. They needed to leave in twenty minutes, so they would have enough time to arrive some minutes early at their destination.
“Josif – you will follow us in the limousine that you did not affix the tanks to. Once we have picked our quarry, you will drive the others to their destination.”
Lazar turned to Boris and Danilo.
“Alright, then. All that is left to pack the rest of our belongings.”
Nikolas, Nico, and Costas all felt a rush of relief – thinking that Lazar meant the duffel bags. But Lazar turned to face them. He pointed at Nikolas and Nico.
“Place the father in the trunk of the limo Danilo will drive. I will accompany you. And Boris, take the oldest son with you.” Then pointing to Costas, he ordered Josif -- “Take the younger, cockier one in the trunk of the limo you will drive. I suspect the father will give us little trouble. The sons are another matter. It is better to keep them separate, but I will not hesitate to punish the others, if one decides to resist.”
The Papas men were shocked and began to squirm in their bonds, but they could do nothing. Boris crouched down in front of Nikolas, and Danilo did the same before Nico. They soon hefted Nikolas and Nico over their shoulders, stood up, balanced their bound burdens, and carried them out of the office.
Lazar remained behind with Costas, as Josif finished changing into his suit. He came over to the struggling, tied-up, and gagged lad. Costas looked up and boldly stared down his kidnapper. Sweat dripped from his brow, and Costas breathed hard through his nostrils flared in anger. Lazar stroked Costas on the cheek.
“Yes – your father and brother should fetch a nice profit on the black market.” He grabbed Costas by the chin and forced him to look up. “You are a feistier than your brother – such spiritedness will demand a very high price. There are men who delight in breaking such mettle as you possess. But let me warn you now! Do not resist my men or me. If you do – or cause us any problems – we will give you to someone else to separate you from your father and brother. And you will fit in well with the collection that man is amassing. He will enjoy the challenge of breaking your spirit. And we will be rid of a troublesome young man, who will have little hope of seeing his family ever again. Do I make myself clear?” Lazar squeezed Costas’s chin tightly before dropping it abruptly.
Costas grunted.
He plans to sell us –Pop, Nico, and me? And if I don’t behave – separate me from them and give me to some man’s collection? What the hell is going on? I’ve got to get loose!
Costas began to thrash about. They had tied him up very tightly, and there was no give in the knots. He tried to stand up, but each time he lifted himself from the chair, he fell back onto it, causing it to teeter backwards. Lazar stood there watching him and began to laugh.
“Ha ha ha!! Such character – You cannot get loose. We – the Order of the Black Rope – know how to affix our knots well.” Lazar grabbed Costas by the chin once more and pulled his head up. “Say goodbye to life as you knew it!”
Costas looked at him in horror. Lazar stared deeply back at him, before letting Costas’ chin drop.
Boris, Danilo soon returned, and Josif was now ready. Danilo scooped Costas up in a fireman’s carry with one hand on Costas’s prized buns to steady him across his shoulder. Danilo carried him to the garage, where the trunk of one of the limos stood open. Danilo dumped the bound and gagged Costas in the trunk. Before Costas could struggle to resist, Danilo quickly closed the trunk, and locked inside – Costas was enveloped now in darkness.
About The Same Time Monday Afternoon: A Hotel in Downtown Montreal
After practicing in the morning and in the early afternoon, the RCMP tennis team returned to the hotel to rest and prepare for the reception that evening. The members of the team and their coaches were set to meet at 5:30 p. m. sharp in the hotel garage below the lobby. Limousines would be waiting for them there to take them to the reception in Westmount.
Earlier that morning before training began, Simon had received a text message from a secure source. He recognized the message as a predetermined code to arrange a meeting with an operative from the
Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM). Simon texted back and set the meeting for his hotel room at 4:30 p.m. When he received confirmation back, he let Hugh in on the details. Close to the time of the meeting, both Simon and Hugh were freshly showered, shaved, and dressed for the reception that evening. Each wore flat front, khaki colored dress trousers, white shirts, ties patterned in the RCMP’s tartan, and blue blazers with the RCMP Tennis Squad logo embroidered on the left breast pockets. Simon had no other choice but to wear his brown, military-style tactical boots. Hugh had the same style of footwear, and together the two men made a ruggedly handsome pair in their outfits.
At exactly 4:30, there was a sharp knock on their hotel room door. Simon looked through the peephole before opening it. Simon would know if the contact was legit, if the man gave the pre-determined greeting. Just in case he was not the contact, Hugh waited in the bathroom ready to assist Simon if fisticuffs became necessary. Through the peephole, he saw a blond-haired, tall-framed man with a muscular build in his mid-twenties. He was dressed casually in light, faded, blue jeans, flannel shirt, work boots, and a brown leather bomber jacket. Simon opened the door.
“Can I borrow a match?” The man asked in a deep, resonant voice.
“I use a lighter.” Simon responded.
“That’s better still.” The man retorted.
“Until they go wrong.” Simon responded and stood aside to let the man into the room. The man walked to the middle of the room. He turned around to face Simon.
“It’s okay, Hugh.” Simon called out, as he walked back from the door to greet his contact. Hugh stepped out of the bathroom.
“I’m Inspector Simon DuWright, Vancouver RCMP.” Simon extended his hand in greeting. The man grasped Simon’s hand on a firm greeting.
“Inspector Felix Bergeron of the Special Crimes Unit – SPVM.”
Hugh stepped forward and extended his hand to Inspector Bergeron.
“I’m Inspector Hugh Warwick – Winnipeg RCMP.”
“It’s a pleasure, Inspector.” Felix shook Hugh’s hand.
Simon gestured towards the table at the window. “Shall we sit down?”
The three men sat at the table. Felix looked at Simon and Hugh intently for a moment. Simon thought he was judging their trustworthiness. He also thought he saw in the gaze of Felix’s blue eyes the recognition that all three men were gay.
“Okay – then,” Felix slapped both hands on his blue jeans-clad thighs before leaning onto the table. “We’ve had some intelligence.”
“Go on –” Simon offered. He exchanged glances with Hugh.
“The head of my unit charged me with helping you in your investigation into the disappearance of Hank and Chase Leicester. I’ve been working my sources around the city. At first, no one had heard anything. Until last evening –” Felix paused and looked from Simon to Hugh. “I now believe the brothers’ disappearance is part of a larger operation – an international kidnapping ring – targeting young male athletes – for what purpose I don’t know. No ransom demands have been made and news of the kidnappings have been either deliberately hushed up or made to look like retirements.”
“That’s very interesting. We know that there have been at least two other men kidnapped.”
Felix cocked his head and looked at Simon and Hugh inquisitively.
“One of the abducted men is my younger brother – Danny. Danny was kidnapped to compel me to spy on Simon and obtain whatever information I could that he had.” Hugh confessed.
The expression on Felix’s face grew grave. He looked to Simon for further explanation.
“Hugh came clean to me – told me everything. He may have been wrong not to let the Force know what was going on – to inform them of his brother’s kidnapping – but he has cooperated and assisted me ever since. I trust him completely.” Simon turned and gave a small smile to Hugh.
Felix remained silent for a moment. He then looked at Simon. “I will have to trust you judgment,” he said.
“Based on evidence from the Leicester twins’ coach, we believe the Order of the Black Rope is responsible for kidnapping the brothers, Danny Warwick, and at least one other man.”
“One other?” Felix looked surprised.
“The kidnappers have been in contact with Hugh through text messages. And he met with two men yesterday at the Tim Hortons in the
Palais des Congrès de Montréal.” Simon started to explain.
Hugh took over from him. “The men I met with showed me a video of my brother. They said it had been recorded only a few hours before we met. The video showed my brother bound and gagged in a cage. He was tied up back-to-back to another man, who was also bound and gagged.”
“Did you recognize the other man?” Felix asked.
“No. He was taller than my brother, very muscular, and extremely good-looking.” Hugh paused and looked at Felix. “I hope you don’t mind me saying that. I’m gay.”
“It would be rather hypocritical of me, if I held it against you for noticing a man’s handsomeness. I too am gay.” Felix assured Hugh.
“He was also a Black man. When I asked about him, the men told me to worry only about my brother’s continued well-being, but at least I got a good look at the other man who was at the mercy of these kidnappers alongside my brother.”
“Hhhmmm…” Felix thought for a moment. “The other man does not match the description of the man I believe is being held captive along with your brother and the tennis-playing twins.”
Simon and Hugh exchanged glances.
“What intelligence do you have to share with us?” Simon asked.
“Some time ago, American intelligence contacted the SPVM about the disappearance of a baseball player – Tommy Neville. He simply vanished one afternoon after training with his team on the way back to where he was staying. The explanation for his disappearance is that he gave up his sports career to find himself as a missionary. But that is not what American intelligence believes. They believe Tommy Neville was kidnapped and brought here to Canada. My superiors in the SPVM gave the investigation to my unit. We began our investigation. One of my sources here in Montreal contacted me late last night, saying that he had some information. I met with him earlier today. It concerned another athlete from Canada – a hockey player named Eddie Marbot. Like Neville, the world was led to believe that Marbot retired from his career to discover himself through traveling the world.”
“I read about both men in an article in the papers on my flight here from Vancouver,” Simon said. “Both men were at the height of their careers – to give it all up – and according to the articles – not confiding their decisions to a close friend or teammate – it appeared strange to me. Not coincidental.”
“Well, Marbot was kidnapped.”
“Are you sure?” Hugh asked.
“Yes. My informer’s contact is a well-placed source – from within the organization.”
“From within the Brotherhood of the Order of the Black Rope?” Simon asked in astonishment.
“Yes.” Felix affirmed.
“Do you know who he is?” Simon leaned forward.
“I don’t know. My informer did not know or would not reveal who he is.”
“Does anyone else know this?” Simon inquired.
“Just the three of us. I haven’t had time to write it up in a report. After this, I’m heading back to my station to do so.”
“Hugh and I – along with the other members of our tennis squad and the other squads to play in the tournament – are attending a reception tonight at the home of Michael Palaiologos whose company is a major sponsor of the tournament. I believe he is connected to the kidnappings.”
Felix shared his knowledge of “Byzantine Imports” and Michael Palaiologos with the other two men. “He is an extremely wealthy and well-connected man here in Montreal. His business appears legitimate – it’s international in scope – importing and exporting sports apparel and equipment around the world. There’s an entire fleet of trucks and planes for transportation at the company’s disposal. We don’t know much about Palaiologos’ background. His estate is very secluded and well-guarded. Palaiologos also owns several properties around the world.”
“ His estate and the other properties would make ideal locations to hold the kidnapped men and transport them around the world.” Simon observed.
“Yes, I agree, but we have no hard evidence to prove Palaiologos is connected to the kidnappings.” Felix turned to Hugh. “The men you met with yesterday – what were they like?”
“There were two men – both white, one 30, the other no more than 35. The younger was medium height, dak hair, dark eyes, muscular build. The other was taller – about your height – dark hair, dark eyes. He had a bulky build – a real bruiser, if you know what I mean.”
Felix nodded that he understood.
“They both had slight accents – hard to pinpoint – German maybe, or eastern European. I gave them a USB Drive.”
“And what was on it?”
Simon answered. “We doctored some documents to make it look as if we suspected the Slobobians were behind the kidnapping of the Leicester twins.”
“Good idea, but we cannot underestimate Michael Palaiologos. He is very intelligent. And to achieve the level of success he has had, there has to be a level of wiliness in him. He may not have fallen for your ruse.”
Simon was very impressed with Felix Bergeron. “No. We cannot underestimate him. That’s why Hugh and I plan to observe him very carefully this evening.”
“Be careful.” Felix warned them.
Simon looked to Hugh. “We will.” Simon assured Felix. “If you could do us a favor?”
“Of course.”
“When you return to your unit after this meeting, could you contact my superior officer, Superintendent John Cabot in Vancouver to brief him on what you have discovered, what Hugh and I have accomplished thus far, and our plans tonight.”
“I’ll see to it, as soon as I arrive back at my station.” Felix assured Simon.
“Thank you, Inspector Bergeron. As I’m undercover, I cannot compromise the mission by contacting Superintendent Cabot myself. I want him to have the intelligence we’ve gathered and our plan to see what we can find tonight at Palaiologos’ reception at his estate. If he’s holding the kidnapped men there, we’ll find out.”
“I’ll see to it your superintendent gets that intel, Inspector DuWright.” Simon and Felix exchanged iPhones to punch their details in. “Once you’re positive that Palaiologos has the missing men, alert me. I will bring Superintendent Cabot in on it, and then begin to muster the SPVM and the Mounted Police for a rescue operation.”
“Thank you, Inspector.” The three men stood. Hugh and Simon shook hands with Felix and walked with him to the door of their room.
“Again – Be careful! Palaiologos and his men – to have engineered the kidnapping of so many men – they’re ruthless. Remember that.”
“Knowing that you are the ready to bring the cavalry in, will give us great comfort.
Felix left the hotel room, walked to the bank of elevators, and pushed the Down button. An elevator came quickly. Felix stepped into it and hit the button for the Underground Garage below.
5:00 p.m.: The Underground Garage of a Hotel in Downtown Montreal
Felix stepped out of the elevator and walked to his car parked not too far away. Strange for that time of day, the garage was empty. Using the car’s remote, Felix unlocked the car and slid into the driver’s seat. He sat there for a moment in thought.
Inspector DuWright has things in hand. And Warwick – even if he did not report his brother’s kidnapping and the blackmailing of him – he looks like a good partner for DuWright to have. We caught a lucky break with the intel my source had – someone from within Palaiologos’ organization – for whatever reason –wanted us to know Palaiologos’ is behind it. Once DuWright and Warwick have solid proof, we can pull the dragnet in and get those poor men back.
Felix was just about to start the ignition, when he looked up and over at the entrance to the underground garage.
What’s this?
Three dark-colored limousines were pulling into the garage. Felix looked at their license plates to see if they were from the company he knew.
Athena 1, Athena 2, Athena 3 –Ah, Costas!
Felix thought about the man he had been seeing for the past two months. They had met at the gym, and there was an instant physical attraction, but it was so much more –
I cannot believe that such a hot guy would fall for me. Costas is easy on the eyes, but he’s so easy on my heart. He so good around people – I don’t think I’ve seen a flash of anger from him. He’s passionate –that’s for sure –fiercely loyal to his brother Nico and devoted to his Dad. His Dad – Costas is introducing me to him later this week. “You may not be Greek,” Costas said to me, “but my Dad will love you.” All I want is to tell Mr. Papas how much I love his son – how much I want to share my life with him – how much I’ll always have his back. Jeez, I forgot that Costas had told me about this job. His family always drives the Mounties. I’ll surprise him – Wait a sec – who’s that getting out of the limos? None of those guys are Costas or his brother. What’s going on?
Felix took out his iPhone.
Shit! No signal.
Felix sat in his car and watched the four men who had emerged from the three limos after maneuvering them to face the entrance. Two of the men got into an elevator to ascend to the hotel, while two others ducked behind the elevators into what appeared to be a Mechanical Room. Felix got out of his car to take a closer look, careful to make sure he kept an eye on the elevators and the door to that Mechanical Room.
Felix crept towards the elevators, keeping close to the side of cars below eye level, until he reached the limos. There was nothing amiss inside them. As he stood by the tail end of the last limo, Felix checked to make sure is revolver was at the ready in his shoulder holster. He decided he was going to see what the two men who had gone into the Mechanical Room were up to. He was about to move, when –
“mmmppphhh mmmppphhh, mmpphh!”
It was a very feint sound, coming from the trunk of the car he crouched down beside. Felix almost missed hearing it at all.
“mmmpppphhh mmmppphhh mmpphh!”
There’s someone inside that trunk!
Felix worked his way around the car to the driver’s side. He looked over to see, if the coast was clear. There was no one in the garage. He tried the door. Felix had luck on his side. It was open. As quietly as he could, he opened the door and pushed the button to open the trunk. He heard the latch to the trunk pop. He quietly closed the door and sidled back to the trunk. Again, Felix made sure to see if the men were coming back. Seeing no one, Felix rose and extended the trunk’s lid fully open.
What the fuck!
“PPHHUUULLIISH HHUULLPPHH MMMUU!”
Felix Help Me!
Felix couldn’t believe it. Costas was stripped to a jockstrap and intricately bound and tape-gagged. He floundered about in the trunk.
“Omigod, Costas! I’ll have you out of these ropes. Hold on, buddy!”
Felix bent his knees and slid his torso into the trunk to untie the knots that bound his boyfriend inside. Costas had turned on his side to allow Felix easy access to his tied-up wrists. Felix had not touched a knot, when he heard a click and felt the cold, hard metal of a revolver nudge the back of his head.
Fuck, Fuck, Fuck –
“Put your hands on the floor of the trunk.” A voice said behind Felix. He heard the unmistakable sound of someone cocking another revolver. Out of the corner of his eye, Felix saw a man level that gun on him. He did, as he was told. Costas froze and looked at Felix with worry.
The man behind him patted Felix down. He relieved Felix of his service revolver. He also quickly found and took Felix’s police badge, wallet, and handcuffs.
“He’s a cop.” Felix heard him tell his companion.
“An interesting turn.” The companion noted.
Felix evened his breathing and looked at Costas.
Take it easy, buddy. I will get us out of this.
“What’s going on?” The other two men had rejoined their cohorts.
“A snooping detective – Inspector Felix Bergeron.”
“Well, well, well – curiosity captured the cop! We’ll just have to take him with us. Danilo – get the rope and out of the duffel.”
Merde! There’s nothing I can do now. For the safety of Costas, I cannot resist. Remember, Felix – you’re a police inspector. Think! The safety of any hostage comes first – especially if that hostage is my boyfriend!
One of the men pushed Felix’s head with the gun was still pressed against it to the bottom of the trunk.
“We can use his handcuffs on him.”
“What idiocy, Boris. Cops often keep an extra key for their cuffs hidden on them – and while I wouldn’t mind frisking our inquisitive Inspector further,” the man caressed Felix’s heavy-duty glutes under the faded denim of his jeans. “But we haven’t time. Tie him up quickly and gag him, before anyone else sees us.”
The men got to work. “Cross your wrists together behind your back,” Boris barked. Felix did so, and his wrists were quickly and tightly cross-lashed together. One of the other men grabbed hold of his hair, pulled his head back, and as Felix gasped, shoved a crumpled black cloth in his mouth. Felix heard the sound of ripping tape from a roll, and black duct-tape was quickly plastered across his lips, then looped around his head. The men next grabbed hold of the belt loops of his jeans and roughly hauled him into the trunk on top of Costas. Felix could feel his boyfriend’s hot breath on his cheeks, as Costas exhaled through his nostrils. Felix felt something else too –
Good God! How can I?
Felix’s prick was half hard, as his denim-covered crotch rubbed against Costas’s jock-covered manhood. He wasn’t the only one, however – Felix sensed Costas tremble and he tried to press into his boyfriend in a make-shift embrace of sorts. In those few moments too, he was aware of Costas’ rigid shaft dueling back against Felix’s growing erection. Costas buried his face into Felix’s shoulder.
We’ll get out of this, buddy!
The men roughly crossed Felix’s ankles together, fettered his booted feet, and then knotted rope around his knees. With surprising alacrity, the men bound Felix and Costas together from their chests to their arms and down to their feet. When then men fastened the rope around their waists, the binders noticed the hard-ons Felix and Costas each sported. They gave out a short chortle.
“They’re getting off on this, Lazar.”
Lazar gave a closer inspection of the tied-up men. It was obvious that they both had stimulated packages.
“Ha! They are. That gives me a brilliant idea. We’re risking enough. Josif – when you drop the troublesome Mountie and the other copper at the Palaiologos estate – give these two to Palaiologos’s men with the compliments of the Slobobians. If these two are popping boners now, Palaiologos can certainly use them in the rumored operation he’s planning. The father and the brother along with the tennis playing Mounties, their coaches, and those war heroes are enough booty for us. We mustn’t be too greedy.”
Felix listened to this exchange with growing alarm.
I’ve got to let DuWright and Warwick know. If they are the passengers in this car, Costas and I can make enough noise to warn them –
The men were about to close the trunk –
“Wait.” Lazar ordered. “We cannot risk them being heard. Get my valise, Danilo.”
Danilo walked away and hastily returned with a valise in hand. Lazar opened it and took out a smaller bag. He unzipped the bag and extracted two needles, a medium sized vial, rubbing alcohol and swabs. He gave the rubbing alcohol and swabs to Danilo, while he prepared the needles by filling them with equal amounts of the liquid from the vial.
“We’ll have to knock them out. Prepare them.”
Felix could do little to resist, as Danilo roughly unbuttoned his jeans and pulled them partially down, exposing the top portion of Felix’s sinewy buttocks. He swabbed an area of Felix’s right glute. Danilo then swabbed Costas’s left bicep. Still, both men squirmed as best they could while tied up face to face.
Fuck! There’s nothing I can do!
“Should we put the father and other brother to sleep, too?” Danilo asked.
“That won’t be necessary, because the passengers of those cars, once they’re in – will have no way to exit the limos. Josif made sure of that. And once we are on our way, they will all pass out from a gaseous form of the liquid I am about to administer to this busybody deputy and the horny beefcake he’s bound to. The equally beefy brother and their still buff Daddy will be knocked out by the gas, as well. We need to make sure, however, that the meddlesome Mountie and his fellow Mountie do not suspect anything or hear anything from the trunk of the automobile, while Josif chauffeurs them to Westmount.”
Lazar injected Costas in his left arm. Felix felt his boyfriend tense, as the needle pricked his flesh. Costas then pressed his face against Felix’s before he succumbed to a drug-induced sleep.
“Such fine specimens of men you are.” Lazar said, as he prepared to render Felix comatose. “Palaiologos and his doctor will have such fun with you. Pleasant Dreams, Copper – We will not meet again!”
Felix felt the needle jab at his butt.
My God! What will happen to –
As forced slumber overcame him, the lid of the trunk shut on Felix and Costas bound together.
“Boris – are the elevators fixed?” Lazar asked.
“Yes, Lazar. Our operative in the hotel will make sure that the elevator the two Mounties – the ones Palaiologos wants – engage will experience a “malfunction,” delaying them at least 10 minutes. The other tennis players, their coaches, and the two Army heroes will arrive down here in the garage at 5:30.”
“Very good,” Lazar said and then continued, ”We will persuade them not to bother waiting for Simon DuWright and the other Mountie – I’ll tell them that the third limo will bring them to the reception. We’ll divide the group into the first two cars. When we are well on our way, they may realize that our destination is not Westmount. But by then – it will be too late. They will be sealed in the backseats of the limousines. We’ll then activate the gas – the passengers and the men inside each trunk will be knocked out for quite some time. When they awake, they’ll find themselves bound, gagged, and in preparation for a flight to Slobobia.”
“Meanwhile, Josif,” Lazar went on, “You will bring DuWright and his companion to the reception. Tell them their comrades went on ahead of them. Palaiologos will take matters in hand from there. But once they are away from the car, present the nosy Inspector Bergeron and the jock-strapped Costas to Palaiologos’ men. I have no doubt he will gladly accept my presents to him.”
It was close to 5:30. Danilo, Boris, and Josif took up positions by their limousines. Lazar waited by the bank of elevators. At precisely 5:30 the doors of the first and second elevators opened and the RCMP tennis team and their coaches except for Simon DuWright and Hugh Warwick got off. Accompanying them were two Army officers – resplendent in their dress uniforms. As the doors of those elevators closed, a small alarm sounded in the third elevator, as it stopped between the ninth and eighth floors in its descent from the hotel above.
To Be Continued…
.