[mention]GreyLord[/mention] [mention]Beaumains[/mention] [mention]Mineira1986[/mention] [mention]banshee[/mention] [mention]Bandit666[/mention] [mention]wolfman[/mention] [mention]slackywacky[/mention] [mention]mrjones2009[/mention] [mention]NotSeen[/mention] [mention]TayDay95[/mention]
TayDay95 wrote: ↑2 years ago
As for the restraining device, that was a stroke of brilliance and I hope it'll make a return in this story at some point! Maybe one of our three heroines will find themselves inside it?
Dear [mention]TayDay95[/mention] thanks for the Praise - but in that Case it belongs to [mention]mrjones2009[/mention] - who invented it and was so kind to allow me to use this Idea of his. I can assure you Sophie will not be the last Person restrained that way
The following update is the last Chapter of Part IV of the Hunt, the stage is set for the next Part of the Hunt. Now the the Trail leads to Munich. There they will confront old and new enemies and maybe they will find new Allies
The Adlernest, the next morning, Sophie´s Quarters:
When Sophie awoke she felt incredibly relaxed. It took a while before she remembered what had happened the day before: The execution of her father in law, her kidnapping. She looked around. She lay on a soft King Size bed. Sophie looked down at her; she wore red silken PJ´s which suited her perfectly.
She sat up and swung her legs out of the bed. The carpet under her bare soles was soft. Besides the bed stood a pair of comfortable slippers which seemed to be exactly her size. A matching dressing gown lay on a chair. It too matched her perfectly. She tapped to the large panorama window and took in the sight:
Large mountains: She must be somewhere in the Alps, she guessed. But it was impossible to tell where exactly. The friendly voice of a woman broke her out of her reverie: “Good morning Sophie! I hope you slept well. I can imagine that you will have a lot of questions. Some will be answered, some not. Breakfast will be 0800 Hours. You have 45 Minutes for showering and making yourself presentable. You will find appropriate garments in the Wardrobes."
“Susanne von Stülpnagel will talk about the ground rules later, but one thing first. When someone enters your room you will always stand at the window with your back to it. You will only move, when told to do so. That will be all for now.”
The Intercom fell silent.
Sophie enjoyed the long hot shower immensely. To her surprise she found all the products she normally used at home. Someone clearly had done their homework.
The wardrobe was filled with garments for all situations: Evening gowns, Business Costumes, Power Suits, Sports gears, all kinds of matching shoes in her size. Same went for the underwear.
This time Sophie opted for casual: black slacks, a white blouse and matching ballerina pumps, which fitted perfectly. It was five minutes to eight now.
Precisely at 0800 it knocked. As she had been told, Sophie stood with her back to the window. Entering was a tall willowy blonde woman, in a grey business costume with matching heels. Two women in maid uniforms accompanied her pulling a large trolley as it was used in restaurants between them.
“Good morning Sophie, I´m Susanne von Stülpnagel, Personal Assistant of Herrn von Winterfeldt. I understand that you have a lot of questions. Some I will be able to ask, some not.” She pauses for a moment appraising the woman, “You must be terribly hungry, so let me propose you this: You will have breakfast now and then we will talk.”
While formulated as a proposal it was clear to Sophie that this point was not open to debate. “That would be fine with me”, she nodded.
“Okay”, Susanne said beaming at Sophie. “That is settled then. I will be back in 30 Minutes”, crisply she turned on her heels and left with the two maids.
Traces of her perfume hanging in the Air, Sophie walked to the trolley and the scent of fresh brewed Coffee filled the Air. It was only at this moment, when Sophie registered how hungry she really was. The last time she had eaten anything had been yesterday in the Van.
“I must conserve my strength” she thought. “If they wanted to poison me, they had opportunity they had had ample opportunity” Sophie scolded herself. So she sat down and helped herself to a cup of black coffee.
Precisely 30 Minutes later the same female voice Sophie already knew, rang through the intercom: “Sophie you will assume the position at once.” Sophie stood up and stood again at the Window.
The door opened and Susanne von Stülpnagel and the two Maids entered again this time taking the Trolley with them and leaving Susanne von Stülpnagel and Sophie alone. Von Stülpnagel made an inviting gesture to two chairs. “Why don´t you have a seat and we will talk.”
When they both sat, Susanne von Stülpnagel looked at Sophie: “Surely you will want to know …”
“Why am I here?” Sophie blurted out, not being able to restrain her any longer, her host chuckled.
“As Brunhild told you yesterday, Herr von Winterfeldt has to make a proposal about your future to you. Regrettably Herr von Winterfeldt has important business matters to attend to and will be away for at least five days and he has made it very clear, that he will talk in person to you, so this point is not open to debate, I fear.”
Susanne von Stülpnagel registered the look of disappointment on Sophie´s face and said brightly: “I understand you, I really do, but this is the state of things, why don´t you think of it this way. I take it, that the last days had been very demanding of you: consider these five days as some vacation.”
Sophie gave a bitter smile: “I think I have no choice.” A moment of uncomfortable silence hang in the air, then Sophie pulled herself together: “You said, there were some ground rules, what are these ground rules?”
Delighted that Sophie had obviously accepted the situation for now, Susanne von Stülpnagel smiled: “During your stay at the Adlernest your days will have a certain structure: You will be woken at 0600 hours, then it is time for your daily exercise down at the gym, workout clothes you will find in your wardrobe.
From 0730 to 0800 you will refresh. Breakfast will be at 0800. The time after you can spend at your leisure: You can use the Spa, use the virtual library or doing some more exercise. If you want a special book, you can order it online and it will be delivered to you. Lunch is at 1230, and then you will have recreational time till 1800 a clock. Lights out will be at 2200 Hours.
Sophie interrupted her: “Will I be allowed outside?” Staying the whole time indoors will drive me crazy.” Susanne von Stülpnagel considered the request for a moment: “Why don't we see how you adjust to your situation during in the next 48 hours. If everything goes well, I think we will find a way to grant you some space.”
“Clever”, thought Sophie. “They know, I will do anything to the letter to be let outside, so they ensure my cooperation.”
“There are things you must know Sophie. We have the strongest security measures here, so try nothing stupid. It is impossible without the proper authorization to communicate with the outside. While you were unconscious a small microchip was inserted under your skin. We always know where you are.”
Sophie nodded. She had registered the itch in her neck. “I understand.”
“Furthermore there will be some restrictions to your personal liberty.”
“Such as?” Sophie asked tersely.
“Until further notice: When you leave this room you will have to wear mitts, handcuffs, blindfold, gag and Ear buds – and this is not open to debate, to your sleeping arrangements: For the time being you will spend the night in full restraints to ensure your safety.”
Sophie smiled bitterly: “As if I could ever escape ….”
“I know these things are not easy to accept.” Susanne replied evenly. “But the sooner you do, the better for all of us” Sophie sighed resignedly.
“I will do my best then.”
“See”, Susanne told her, “I will not try to convince you that this is not difficult. You are too clever for that. But this is as things are and all in all, things could be a lot worse for you.”
Sophie nodded again ruefully. “I guess you have a point here.”
A moment of Silence passed.
“Will this be all for now, or are there any other things, I should know?” Sophie asked.
Susanne von Stülpnagel regarded her question for a moment.
“I think that will be all for the time present. Take your time and think things through. If I can make a recommendation: Why don´t you spend today at the Spa and try to relax? You will just have to make a call to the Staff and they will bring you down. The massages are fantastic! I will leave you now, if you need anything call the Staff, they will deliver your request to me!”
She stood up: “I think that will be all for now.” Susanne von Stülpnagel turned on her heels, the door opened and Sophie was alone with her thoughts.
She had a lot to digest. There were things one could change, and things one could not change. Sophie considered herself always a pragmatic. She would make the best out of the Situation. Susanne von Stülpnagel had already anticipated that. Why not taking her up on her offer for a day in the Spa?
She went to the Intercom and pressed the Number One: A friendly voice responded after a short pause. “Hello, this is Helena speaking, what can I do for you Sophie?”
“I want to spend the day in the Spa”, Sophie replied. There was a moment Pause, and then Helena responded: “I will make the Arrangements, be ready in 30 Minutes. I take it; Frau von Stülpnagel has already informed you about the house rules?
“That she has”, Sophie added.
“Okay Sophie, then be ready in 30 Minutes.”
After 30 Minutes:
Sophie had changed into her Bathrobe, put her PJ´s on and wore her bathing suit beneath. On her feet she wore the incredible comfortable Fluffitas.
The female voice she already knew advised her: "Assume the Position. The Security Team will enter and escort you to the Spa!” Sophie did as ordered. The Door swung open and two of the Valkyries she knew from yesterday entered: Kriemhild and Freya?
Kriemhild spoke: “Frau von Stülpnagel has informed you about the Rules?” she asked in a professional tone, but not without warmth.
“Yes” Sophie replied. “What shall I do first?”
“We begin with the mitts: Hands out front!” Sophie complied without any hesitation. “Am I the model prisoner or not?” she smiled. When Kriemhild had applied the mitts, Freya cuffed her hands together, with the same sort of cuffs used yesterday.
“Now for the gag” While Freya held Sophie’s Hair up, Kriemhild pressed the padded Panel Gag against Sophie’s lips and tightened the strap behind her head. "It is tight still but by far not as tight as yesterday. Had it been yesterday?" Sophie thought. Next the Sleep mask was applied and finally the Ear Buds.
Sophie heard Freya saying: “You need not to fear anything we will guide you and tell you what to do. Gently they took Sophie at her upper arms and lead her out of her Suite.
In the early evening:
Susanne von Stülpnagel had been true to her word: The Spa had been wonderful. And Sophie felt incredibly relaxed after Kriemhild and Freya had returned her to her quarters. Sophie looked at her Watch: It was short before 1800 Hours: Dinner-Time. "Fascinating what massages and pampering could accomplish." Sophie could not suppress a grin.
Punctual at 1800 Hours the same female Voice intoned: “Sophie, assume the Position, Dinner will be served shortly.” The Door opened and two different maids, accompanied by two guards, rolled her dinner into her Suite.
When their hosts - she tried to call them that in her mind - had left, she opened the Trolley: "Delicious! Chicken Tikka Masala, a salad, and a well cooled bottle of Chardonnay". Only then she smelled the spicy aromas the registered how hungry she really was.
The nearer 2200 Hours came, the more restless became Sophie. She dreaded the tight embrace of the restraining bags, at 2130 Hours the female voice ordered her to stand back. Four of the Valkyries entered.
Her discomfort must have shown, because Brunhild spoke surprisingly gentle: “Not need to be afraid, Sophie. Since we are at base we will not need to apply Ear buds or a blindfold. You will be safe and comfy. Believe me.”
Sophie sighed and began to disrobe. Precisely at 2200 she lay in her Cocoons, staring at the ceiling above her. “Fascinating how fast I adapt to being restrained like that.” It was indeed comfortable beyond belief, once you got used the soft down material compressing her body from all side. Soft music filed the room. Sophie tried to relax. Finally the stress of the last 48 hours took its toll and Sophie fell in a dreamless deep sleep.
Her first day at the Adlernest had ended.
In the Surveillance Room Susanne von Stülpnagel looked at the Camera which showed the peacefully sleeping Sophie. Her Staff had informed her that she had behaved very well. She was indeed a remarkable woman. And Susanne von Stülpnagel began to see why her Boss had taken an interest in Reichenbach´s daughter in law.
Le Meridien, Breakfast Lounge, the same day early morning:
When Chris entered the Breakfast Lounge the next morning Kate and Anna could already tell that something was amiss:
Christine sat down. “I just got a call: Hermann Reichenbach has been executed and Sophie has vanished into thin Air.”
“It is as safe assumption that von Winterfeldt orchestrated this” Kate concluded. To help Sophie we must find von Winterfeldt´s HQ in the Alps, to do that we have to find this Architect who built this Headquarters. Winterfeldt assumes that von Instetten is dead, soon as he finds out that von Instetten is still alive, it will be a race against time.”
Anna nodded: “Who first finds von Instetten wins the race. So we must start for Munich as soon as possible.”
“And”, Kate continued “we will stay together in Munich, no Maverick-Actions.” “As we learned again the hard way: “Bad stuff mostly happens, when we are not together.” Kate looked her friends in the eye, Chris and Anna nodded.”
“This is settled then.” Kate asked Chris: “Where do we stay in Munich?” “Hotels are too risky.” “We have a safe house in Munich near Nymphenburg Palace.” “It cannot be traced to me or Art. Inc.” The Pianist explained.
“Ok then”, “We pack our stuff together” and start in 60 Minutes. Kate nodded.
On the Motorway Stuttgart-Munich, same day:
The Dark Lady was on her way to Munich. Von Winterfeldt, or more precisely his Assistant, this Uberbitch Susanne von Stülpnagel had tasked her to find Christine von der Marwitz and friends in Munich and report then back to von Winterfeldt.
The call had been strange. Her Spider Sense told Sarah McKenzie that something was definitely wrong. And the Dark Lady had learned to trust her instincts. It had saved her life more than once.
And that Instinct told her now, that von Winterfeldt did not play with open cards. The man would sacrifice her without any hesitation or remorse if he deemed that necessary. That he had tasked his Valkyries with the Job in Nuremberg had been a clear sign that von Winterfeldt did not trust her to full fill the mission.
She would have to rethink Strategy. And then there was that inconvenient truth that she, the Dark Lady, was indebted to the Artist. She owned Christine von der Marwitz her life. And this was a debt she was honour bond to repay. So she had to act very carefully. Von Winterfeldt could not be trusted. She would find the Detectives in the Town at the Isar but what she would do then, was an entirely different matter.
TBC