FORGOTTEN MEMORIES!—11
Peggy smiled thinly as the officer held the door open for her. She slid inside and reached for the tissue in her purse as tears threatened once more. She held everything inside and gazed out the window as rain began to fall in heavy sheets, draining into the gutters as her tears drained into the tissues.
Willis tried to get into a conversation, but the slumped shoulders and muffled answers told him there was no point. He sighed as he remembered this woman's husband and how his death had devastated her. He'd been pleased when she seemed to have feelings for Joe Mannix, and now there was the possibility that she'd be burying him as well. He drove quickly towards Mannix' office, the siren screaming in the advancing storm as the tires gripped the slick road. He pulled in front of the private investigators office and shut off the ignition before hurrying to open the door for his passenger. He watched her run toward the door, her purse covering her head as she did so.
'Have faith, Peggy. Joe's a fighter and he won't give up!' Willis thought as he joined the other men searching the area around the private detective's home.
Art Malcolm looked up from the desk as the door opened and an officer held it for a nearly hysterical Peggy Fair. He stood up and hurried toward her as she sank onto the couch. He held her as she cried out her pain, gently massaging her shoulder as he listened to the anguish in her voice. 'Not again,' he thought as he remembered another similar scene, not so long ago, when Joe Mannix disappeared the first time. He felt the woman he held lift her head and their eyes met.
"We have to find him, Art!" she sniffed as she rubbed the last of the tears from her eyes.
"We will, Peggy. We've got men searching the area. There's an A.P.B. out on him. Joe's got a lot of friends on the force and they're covering every snitch in the area. Something will turn up, especially if it is Al Pulverante."
"Oh, Art, if it's her...and she's got Joe...She'll...she'll..."
"Don't say it, Peggy. If she wanted him dead she'd have killed him when she first took him."
"It's not like she didn't try!" the woman hissed, standing and pacing the area between the couch and the door. "He escaped from her the last time, but not before she nearly killed him!"
"I know, Peggy, it's just a matter of time until we find him."
"Time he might not have," Peggy said softly as she stood beside the table housing a picture of Joe, Toby, and her at the small carnival that came to town. She picked it up and ran her fingers down the strong contours of the handsome face. 'Stay with me, Joe,' she thought as she replaced the picture on the table. She turned an almost glacial stare on Art Malcolm and her voice held an edge of danger as she spoke.
"So what are we going to do?" she asked him.
"We wait here and see if..."
"I'm not sitting around, Art! I'm..."
"What are you going to do, Peg? If you start searching for him and she finds out it just might get you killed."
"That's a chance I'm willing to take!" she snapped.
"Is it? What about Toby? He's already lost one parent; think he can handle losing you too?" He knew his words got through to the irate woman as her shoulders sagged and she sank onto the couch once more.
"I can't just sit here and wait!" she whispered dejectedly.
"That's just what you're going to do, Peg. I've already put out word that if anything turns up to contact me here. The captain knows where I am, and he realizes that this is where Joe's friends will call if they have any news."
"Alright, Art, but if...when they..."
"When we find him, you'll be there, Peg!" he vowed, and saw the slight nod of her head.
MANNIX-MANNIX-MANNIX
Joe clung to the last remnants of unconsciousness, but the fight was slowly being lost as a persistent voice called his name. His dreams had finally stopped and he'd drifted in the soft comfort of a world dominated by a beautiful woman he'd grown to care about. Peggy's smiling face and silky voice cut through the violence and soothed the horrific images from his mind.
"Hmm," he mumbled as a hand ran through his hair, tugging gently at the strands.
"Come on, Joseph, it's time to wake up and tell me all about your trip."
Joe heard the words spoken next to his right ear and tried to ignore them, preferring to remain in the warmth of familiar surroundings. Her voice caused a tremor to race through his body, yet he knew it was not fear that caused it. The remnants of the drug still clung to his waking mind, but the closer he came to full awareness the worse the nightmare would become. He knew what was waiting for him, but he was not a coward, and his eyes opened, slowly, painstakingly until he looked into the eyes of his real nightmare.
"Ah, that's better, Joseph," she smiled as she ran her finger through his hair, entwining the short strands until she pulled his head viciously backwards. Her fingers left his hair and wrapped around his throat, shutting off his air for a few seconds.
Joe glared in anger at the woman before him. He hated the feel of her cold hands on his neck and tried to pull away, but there was no room for movement in the confines of the chair. He heard her laugh as she used enough force to cause finger shaped bruises on his neck. He kept his eyes glued to hers, knowing to drop them would be giving her control of who he was, and what he believed in.
Al Pulverante knew this man was strong, yet there was something in the eyes that told of an even greater strength than she'd given him credit for. That Joe Mannix could still meet her eyes after everything she put him through set off a spark of admiration, and again she thought of what she could've made of him.
"Such a waste," she said as she released his neck and ran her fingers over his right cheek, smiling as he tensed and tried to draw away.
"Don't!" he snarled when she touched his lips with her fingertips.
"Don't what, Joseph? Don't do this?" she asked as again she whispered in his ear. "Don't you know you're my property to dispose of as I see fit."
"Nobody's property!" the captive snarled. He felt her close to the right side of his head and pulled away, only to snap back. Pain radiated through his skull at the force of the blow, yet a smile dawned on his face as he heard the woman cry out in a mixture of pain and rage. He knew he'd pay for his rebellion, but it didn't matter. For now he was content with the knowledge that he was far from beaten. Joe Mannix did not bow to anyone and this woman would soon get a lesson in futility.
Al moved back as pain exploded through her nose and eyes, and a wave of dizziness sent her to her knees. She released her hold on her captive and gently touched her throbbing face. Blood trickled into her hand as she stood up, moving toward the door. She knew her nose was probably broken, and winced as she warned of retribution.
"Oh, Joseph, you'll pay for that I assure you," she snapped as she opened the door. "Rest for now, because I will return shortly and we shall begin a new lesson, Joseph."
Joe looked through blurred eyes and shuddered when the door slammed behind the woman. The move he'd used on his captor had set off fireworks inside his head and he waited for the imminent explosion that would inevitably follow. He blinked rapidly against the watery eyes and tried to focus his vision. Once his vision sharpened, the pain eased to a dull throb, and he turned his attention to the clamps binding him to the chair. He realized the struggles during the drug induced nightmares were real as he looked down at the skin around the encircling clamps. The metal had bitten into his flesh, rubbing the skin raw and causing a small amount of bleeding. He tried to make his hands as small as he could and felt the top of his left hand sliding under the manacle.
Joe had no idea how long he concentrated on slipping his mangled wrist through the metal. He gasped as his hand slipped through and snapped back with the force of the release. He hissed when a tingling sensation began in his fingers, but couldn't relax until he was free. He reached for the second clamp and quickly released his right hand. Again the tingling of pins and needles raced up and down his arms as the release of his bound limbs sent blood circulating through them once more.
It didn't take long to release his ankles and Mannix forced his numbed body out of the chair. His right knee threatened to give out as he stood up, and he gasped when a wave of vertigo washed over him. He waited until the nausea subsided and gingerly made his way to the door. He reached for the handle and gently eased down on it, surprised when he heard the latch give easily. He pushed the heavy door open until he could see into the other room, surprised when he looked into a well lit lawn instead. He knew she'd have guards posted, yet he heard nothing, but the lap of the ocean and a few night birds calling to each other. Slowly he forced the door open until there was enough room for him to slip his aching body through. Once outside he closed the door and glanced around the quiet yard.
Mannix looked across the open expanse of lawn to the tree lined fence approximately 200 yards away. The grounds were well lit and Joe realized he would be easily spotted once he broke away from the small cabin he'd been imprisoned in. Taking a deep breath he looked toward the fence and knew he had to try for it. He raced across the open area, the pain in his knee growing steadily worse as he reached the halfway point. He slipped in the damp grass and gasped as his knee came in contact with the hard ground.
Joe was in a race for his life now, and memories from the last run slammed into his mind. The race against time to get away from the madwoman whose only wish was to see him suffer before he died. A vivid image of bright lights and heavy metal slamming into his body caused the nausea to rise again, but he couldn't let it stop his flight for freedom. He was less than fifty feet from the wall when he heard it...the unmistakable sound of pursuit, but not of the two legged variety. He didn't turn, knowing all would be lost if he did so. He was less than twenty feet from freedom when something slammed into him, sending his body crashing to the ground.
Joe tried to get away from the pair of snarling animals that attacked him, but each time he tried to gain his feet, gnashing teeth grabbed at him. He rolled onto his back and lifted his arms to protect his throat, kicking out with his left foot at the dog attacking his leg. He fought to get away, but the strong Dobermans were trained to capture their prey. Right now it seemed as if Joe Mannix was that prey, and he wondered if this was how his life would end. He felt sharp teeth sink into his left forearm and claws digging into his right leg, just inches above his knee. He fought as hard as he could, but could feel his strength dwindling, as the fight wore down his resolves.
"Miko! Diablo!"
The names were said forcefully, and Joe felt the animal's weight lifted from his body. He turned on his side and tried to stand, but quickly fell back as he was struck in the left shoulder with a rifle. He lay back against the ground, his right arm cradling his left, squeezing tightly in an effort to stop the bleeding. He felt someone grab his arms and pull him to his feet. Mannix stood on shaky legs and met the murderous gaze of the woman who was his own personal demon. He couldn't help the laughter as he looked into her damaged face. Her eyes were rimmed in black and her nose swollen, he'd seen enough broken noses to know that he'd broken hers.
"Mas...ked improve...ment..." he stammered as waves of white hot pain lanced through his arm and shoulder.
Al reached out and grasped his chin in her hand as he hung between her employees. "Oh, Joseph, did you really think it would be that easy? I still have money and some loyal friends. I can buy everything I need to ensure you remain under my care," she said sarcastically. "There are cameras set up in your cell and it was such fun watching you slide," she reached for his left wrist. "…slide your hand out of that clamp. Now we must ensure you do not escape again!" she warned as she dug her nails into his ravaged skin. She released his chin and smiled as he fought to stay on his feet. She signalled to her men and led the way back to the tiny shelter that was now Joe Mannix's hell.
The detective swayed between the two men and was dragged back towards his prison. It wasn't long before his body was dropped into the chair, and the leg and wrist irons were back in place.
Joe heard his captor talking with her men as pain invaded every inch of his body. He felt her hand on his chin and his head was lifted. He knew if he didn't meet her gaze all was lost to him. Forcing the pain to the back of his mind he peeled his eyelids open until he stared into the hated face standing above him. He saw the needle in her hand and knew what was about to happen. His eyes met hers and Joe knew he wouldn't be alive much longer, but until that time he would plan and plot his revenge on this woman. He felt the needle slide into his right arm, and soon felt the heat that signalled the hallucinogenic drug was entering his system once more. He continued to stare at her as nightmare images once more raced through his fevered mind.
Al removed the needle from his arm and smiled as the eyes glazed over and fear encompassed the face of her prisoner. She knew Joe Mannix was far from beaten, and she looked forward to more of these encounters, ones that would no doubt end with him fearing her. Whether he knew it or not, his life was hers to do with as she wished, and for now her wish was to see him suffer. She walked to the door as her employees left and turned one more time. Sweat beaded on her captives forehead and the eyelids clenched tightly. The corded muscles in his neck stood out starkly as he screamed at something only he could see. She laughed as she exited the room, leaving her nemesis to live out the effects of the drug.
MANNIX-MANNIX-MANNIX
Peggy paced the confines of Joe Mannix's office. Her fingers clenched and unclenched as she tried to calm her jagged nerves. Forty nine hours had passed since Joe's second disappearance and there was still no clue to his whereabouts. Art Malcolm had gone back to the station to update the police commissioner and captain on what was happening. In spite of their gruffness, both men held a great deal of respect for the missing detective. She jumped as the phone on the desk sounded and she hurried to answer it, knowing there was still a slim chance that someone other than Al Pulverante was responsible for the kidnapping. If so, there was a distinct possibility someone would call, demanding a ransom.
"Joe Mannix' office," she said quickly.
"Peggy?"
"Yes, who's this?" she asked disappointedly.
"It's Albi..."
"Oh, hi Albi, Joe's not here right now."
"I know, Peggy. I got back from Houston yesterday and only just got the news of his disappearance. I wanted to see if anything turned up."
"No...nothing yet."
"Any idea who's behind it? Does it have anything to do with his last disappearance?"
"We think so, Albi," Peggy explained, fighting to keep her tumultuous emotions in check.
"Who?"
"Do you remember Al Pulverante?" There was a pause on the other end, and she knew the man remembered the crime boss well.
"Y...yeah. I do. She vowed to get back at Joe during the trial..."
"Yes, she did..."
"I thought she was in prison for life."
"She was, but she masterminded an escape plan several months ago. The police found out when the woman who took her place was murdered and an autopsy revealed that she wasn't Pulverante."
"Damn, if she has Joe he's in more trouble than I thought. Is there anything I can do to help?" Albi asked hopefully.
"Can you put word out on the street that we're looking for information on Pulverante's location? We think she's close by, but there's not enough time to dig through all her holdings. We need to find Joe quickly."
"I agree, Peggy, and I'll see what I can do. Joe's got a lot of friends on the street. He may be a private detective, but he's also garnered a reputation of being fair. Even the street gangs respect him for that. Will you be at the office?"
"I'm staying here until we find out where Joe is."
"Are you going to be in on the raid when we find him?"
"Nothing could keep me away, Albi!" she vowed as tears slipped from her eyes.
"We'll find him," Albi said, hearing the soft sobs from the other end of the line. "Just stay by the phone, Peggy. I'll be in touch."
"I will," she said and placed the receiver back in its cradle. 'Oh, Joe,' she thought as she walked to the couch and lay down. She pulled the thin blanket over her body as her cheek touched the soft pillow. She smelled the familiar scent she associated with Mannix, and gave into the fear and pain. She pulled the blanket tighter to her and placed it next to her cheek in an attempt to feel closer to him. She drifted toward sleep, praying she'd wake up to find this had all been a nightmare and that Joe was upstairs, sleeping in his own bed.
MANNIX-MANNIX-MANNIX
Al stood in the doorway watching the sleeping man. She knew the drug had worn off hours ago, and relished the thought that this man was hers to do as she pleased. They'd removed his shirt to reveal the newest wounds to his muscular torso and she couldn't help wanting this man in her bed. She fought against her rebellious thoughts and walked toward the pale captive. The puckered wound in his right shoulder had bled during his struggles, and was showing signs of infection. The bites on his left arm were also rimmed in red. She smiled as she placed the bottle of peroxide on the table beside the dark haired man. The wounds needed to be cleaned in order to keep him alive until she exacted her revenge.
"Ah, Joseph, I have something for you," she cooed in his left ear as she knelt in front of him. She knew he was waking up, evidenced by the eyes moving under the closed lids.
The injured man ignored the voice intruding on his pain. Her soft tones did little to hide the threat her words conveyed and he fought to go back to the warmth he'd resided in since the drug wore off. Memories of being wrapped in Peggy's arms faded as he felt something poured onto the wounds on his arms. He cried out as the peroxide worked to clean the wound.
Al smiled as the liquid bubbled into the wound and turned her attention to his shoulder. Without warning she poured the clear fluid onto the raw lesion and laughed as her victim cried out once more.
"Open your eyes and look at me, Joseph."
"G...go to h...hell..." he gasped, as the fire began to ease.
"Oh, but, Joseph, don't you realize that's where you are?" she asked, running her nails across his bare chest.
"You don't k...know wh...what hell is, Al, but I p...promise t...to sh...show you!" the detective stammered as he brought his trembling body under control.
"You won't have the chance to show me, Joseph. You see the only way you'll leave this room is in a pine box. You're body will be disposed of in an unmarked grave in the desert. There you will never be found and your girlfriend will begin to wonder if you really were kidnapped or if you ran out on her. As the years go by she will grow bitter and her hatred for you will fester until she curses your memory." She knew her words cut him to the bone, and she continued to taunt the injured man. "She will turn away from the feelings she had for you and she'll turn Toby against..."
"NO! Peggy won't do that! S...she knows I...I…" He fought the clamps holding him to the chair.
"What, Joseph? Love her! Do you think that matters? A woman can only hold out for so long before she realizes she was wrong to trust a man. I trusted you, Joseph and look where it got me!"
"D...deserve w...what you g...got!" his head rocked back as she slapped him and he smiled. "What's the m...matter, Al, can't face the t...truth?"
"The truth, Joseph? The truth is I own you! You are mine to do with as I please and it pleases me to watch you suffer." As she spoke she reached for his right shoulder and pressed on the hole there, laughing as her victim fought to keep from crying out.
Joe held his body rigid as her nails dug into the injury. He felt blood running from the wound as she pressed harder, yet he refused to cry out. He needed to maintain his silence to remain the man he was. He felt her cold touch leave him and his head dropped forward on his chest.
"Rest, Joseph, for when I return we shall begin a whole new lesson in ownership and pain!" Pulverante vowed as she left the small room.
Joe heard the door close and slowly raised his head. He rotated his shoulders and winced as the movement tugged at the reopened wound in his right shoulder. He shivered as a chill ran through his body and knew he was feverish. Sweat mingled with the wounds, spreading a stinging pain throughout his sensitive nerves. He knew beyond a doubt Al Pulverante was going to kill him, what remained to be seen was whether he was able to inflict some of his own vengeance on her. He sighed as he felt a strangling weariness wash over him, sapping the remainder of his strength, and sending him into another nightmare world.
