Title: The Collector

By: greygoose70

Chapter Five

Ashley Morgan turned to the next page in the book she is holding but she is not really reading her thoughts are more on her captivity. She has no idea where she's at or how long she's been here. She has tried to count the number of days by making a mark in the dirt below the bed whenever he was here but because she has been drugged a few times not knowing how long she was out she's pretty sure her count is inaccurate. The last time she checked the count was at twenty-two, it has also been five days since he has drugged her, she thinks. When she knows he's not here and she's able because the drug has lost some of its effect she tries staying in shape by practicing her kick boxing skills. She is hoping for the next time he comes to visit her she will be able to overpower him and make her escape. Little did she realize that time was closer than she knew.

The Precinct

Castle is alone in the conference room poring through Tomlinson files once again. Kate and Jordan have gone to the home of Ashley Morgan. Ashley's was taken from her home. It was the only known crime scene they had and worth a look. He had begged off telling them there is something in these files he's just missing it. As he flipped through the pictures in the Katie Perrelli file he found the photo of a post card. On the front was a photo of Mount Olympus. On the back in cursive writing it read, And I screamed her name as she brought me to a blissful end. It was signed Shappho. Could the abductor/killer be a woman, it was certainly a possibility. Shappho was a female poet from Lesbos India, lived during the 2nd or 3rd century, known to prefer women lovers.

Castle put the photo on the whiteboard under that of Katie Perrelli, returned to table and opened the Laetitia Casha file found a postcard photo in it also, this one showed Cave 26 of the Ajanga Caves. This one read, 8 times I brought her to a climax, this last time with position 12, This one was signed Vatsyayan. Vatsyayan Castle pondered was the author of the Kama Sutra. Not much is known about the author himself (Castle included having read the book several times) but some believe the Vatsyayan disciples went at his instructions, at the request of the Hindu Kings in the Himalayan range.

The Captors Lair

She heard the lock being removed; knew he was coming. The door swung open and there he stood, still in the shadows so she couldn't see his face. But it made little difference for as he stepped forward speaking her name she saw that he was wearing a mask, a mask straight out of Phantom of the Opera.

"Ashley, oh Ashley" he called out in that soft condescending voice he like to use, "you've been bad. And you know what that means."

"No, no" she yelled when spotting the syringe he is holding. She is determined not to go down without a fight so as he approached the side of the bed she rolled swinging her leg out aiming for the hand with the syringe – and connecting sending it to the floor. He rushed toward her, but she had landed on her feet, was ready for him, did a quick sidestep while sticking her leg out tripping him sending him sprawling across the cot, causing it to break in the middle, him lying in the vee.

Seeing her opportunity she turned and sprinted out the door, turned left and ran not looking behind. She tripped and fell, quickly righted herself, continued running. She didn't know where this tunnel led fortunately though it was well lit, so it must lead somewhere, hopefully an exit – that's when she saw it, natural sunlight shining through an opening ahead. She slowed her pace, stopped as she got to it, looked back. She didn't see him but could hear him calling her name, his voice echoing through the narrow chamber.

Looking ahead seeing what is in front of her all she saw were trees, she took off running. She was already winded, her lungs burned, she fell, she got up ran some more, fell got up and continued running never looking behind but always hearing his voice. Then she tripped staggered forward before planting face down to the ground. She laid there gasping for air, her ears picking up a strange sound. She lifted up to her knees, leaned forward, saw a waterfall the noise resulting from the water as it crashed into pool at its base.

"Looks like the end of the line, Ashley."

He was behind her, not close but close enough so she had time to consider her next move. She struggled to her feet, turned around to face him, saw him standing some twenty feet from her twirling a rope. His mask was gone she could see his face clearly and she knew this as it – he is going to kill her. With that final thought she turned back away from him and jumped.

He rushed to the edge, looked down just in time to see her landed in the water then the rapids propelling her downstream. "Sie le vie, Ashley" he spoke turning back to head for his liar. All this excitement has aroused him to the point where he needed one of his girls but which one. Katie. No. Laetitia. Yes. Laetitia was beautiful, long, brown hair, large firm breasts, she would be a perfect fit for Position 14.

The Precinct

Castle placed the postcard photo below that of Laetitia Casha but before continuing made for the breakroom and a cup of coffee. Upon his return carrying a fresh cup of his favorite java he sat down and picked up the Rose Whitley file. So far the suspect has referred to two persons considered by historians as 'great lovers' however nothing of the one known as the 'world's greatest'. He quickly flipped through the photos till he found it, the one with The Castle of Dux on the front the back reading; Having ravished her thoroughly and often, I still find myself unsatisfied, when will I find my Henriette, signed, Giacomo Girolamo Casanova.

"Discover anything interesting, Rick" Jordan said as her and Kate entered the conference room.

"Not to who he is but I think I've got a better insight to whom he thinks he is."

"And whom might that be" Beckett asked.

"Casanova."

Small inlet off the Crighton river

Burt and Curt Frazer are seated facing opposite directions in their Excursion 5 inflatable boat, their poles in the water waiting for a bite when suddenly the boat bumped against something. Looking to see what it could have been it is when they saw her floating face up in the water.

TBC