Ace: Here you are, hope you enjoy it.

Matt 3671: Thanks for the kind words. My scenes were separated in the original manuscript, but the FF format removed them. I've tried something else, hope it satisfies.

Campy: Thanks-your encouragement and advice always appreciated. On your review of Chapter 2, I was attempting to show her need and desperation with the searching scenes. I guess it didn't work as well as I hoped.

To all who read this, thank you. To those who read and took the time to review, you are what keeps the story moving. I don't have time to thank you each individually, but be assured your comments are appreciated.

Again-KP-Disney owns it-yadda yadda.

The Lecture: Chapter 4

I.

"That's all? Just 'The Lotus'?"

"If you want to be precise, The Lotus Foundation, but, yes, that's it."

"Can you find out anything about…?"

Marcy grinned as she interrupted her boss, "Been there, done that, Boss, very little information available to the general public, and surprisingly little more to organizations like us. The foundation is very low key, very private. They have not applied for tax exemption or any of the other goodies, so the IRS has nothing. Spreading my net, I found out that they have some kind of foreign base."

"Foreign?"

"Oriental. Appears to be a strong Japanese connection, but no solid evidence they are Japanese. Very old, did I say well connected? So connected you wouldn't believe it."

"Really?"

""For starters, when was the last time you heard of a private foundation with enough stroke to have their compound given diplomatic status? And before you ask, no, I couldn't find out how they got it, but I can tell you that the State Department is not happy about it. For that matter, they seem to have seriously tweaked the FBI too."

"How does an unheard of charity get that kind of pull, and who did the pulling?"

Marcy eyes twinkled, "Welll, a pissed off little birdie in striped pants told me he works out of an oval office. But, the point is, the foundation has, in effect, its' own private little country right here in Middleton."

"Marcy, you are a wonder. How did you get all this in so little time?"

The blonde laughed, "My sources are confidential, just remember this next pay and promotion board."

"Promise." Marcie's boss grinned back, "but how about we find you a nice little undercover inspection job of one of our Caribbean bases?"

"Undercover, sweet! That would mean hubby could come along, right?"

"Absolutely, just a nice little vacationing couple."

"If you mean it, I'll check John's schedule and tell you when."

"Just let me know. Back to our little charity, though. Diplomatic status complicates things."

Marcy visibly restrained herself. "Don't do it."

"Do what?" She couldn't quite pull off the attempt at innocent bewilderment.

Her friend wasn't buying it. "I know you. There's something or someone you think is in that compound. It's private, so you don't want to involve GJ. Just remember, please, that those grounds are, in effect, a foreign country. American laws and rules won't apply."

"I don't know what…"

"Save it. I knew when your eyes lit up at the word 'Lotus'. I don't want to know your plans, just promise to be careful."

"If I do anything, which of course I won't..."

Marcie's sarcastic "Of course not" interrupted her.

She frowned, "Ok, ok, I promise I'll be careful doing what I'm not going to do."

"Riiight." Marcy rose, "anything else?"

"Just keep digging on the Lotus, any information at all. And, Marcy thanks for being a friend."

"No big, as a certain hero used to say, but a suggestion? I'll check you out early and you can go home for a nice long hot soak, before your non-activities tonight."

"Tub soak, or just my head?"

Marcy laughed and left.

II.

The hot tubs' underwater jets soothed her tired muscles as the heated water relaxed her questing mind. Her bottom precariously perched on the underwater shelf; she could allow her naked body to float languidly while her calmed mind began to plan.

"How do I do this? I could just ring the bell and ask if they have a man inside who died ten years ago."

"Oh, the boys in the white coats will love that one. How about the old tried and true sneaking in?"

"That's an option, but what if I get caught? Wouldn't look good to have a senior GJ officer in the local lock up."

"If they even called the police, foreign country, remember?"

"So I don't wear the GJ suit, for old times sake, I go mission mode."

"Right, and if it is him, the mission clothes could be better anyway."

"So, when?"

"You might as well get it done tonight; at least it'll be over."

"True, no time like the present."

III.

The controlled photosynthetic glass presented the appearance of darkened windows on a parked car. To the casual passer by, the car was empty. Inside, however, a woman in a crop top sweater and gray cargo pants intently studied the readings of her monitors. The hovering stealth drone she had released earlier was transmitting pictures of the grounds and building. It's miniature cameras and sensors allowed her to see both heat signatures of people, and a grainy reconnaissance of the two story Spanish building's windows and walls. Gaining entrance through the roof looked chancy, at best. Old baked tiles had a tendency to slip and fall with a great deal of accompanying noise. If she could spot an opened window that would be her best shot. Finally spotting an open second story window at the rear of the mansion, she shut down her equipment and exited her vehicle, slipping silently to the tall adobe wall. Her surveillance had shown no broken glass or wire on top of the fence, and her ascent proved a snap.

Dropping from the wall into the grounds, she stood motionless listening for any alarm. After ten minutes of silence she began her infiltration of the compound, sliding toward the house, using the surrounding gardens as cover. Reaching the rear wall, she edged over the tiled patio to the open window she had spotted earlier. Pulling a well maintained grapple gun from her pocket, she paused to listen for any disturbance or watchers then fired the hook toward the window. When the hook caught, she pulled on the line to ensure it was anchored, then began her climb. Reaching the window in short time, she grasped the sill and began to haul herself in. Suddenly, her upper arms were grasped by strong hands, and she was hauled through the window.

Blinking in the sudden light, she saw she was being held by two black clad ninjas. Their firm holds as they forced her arms behind her back convinced her they knew their business. Facing her was a beautiful oriental woman wearing a kimono inspired dress. The woman smiled and greeted her.

"Good evening, intruder."

IV.

Testing her restraints, she looked around the darkened room. It appeared to be some kind of library or study, but with the absence of light, she couldn't be sure. The lights had not been turned on when the two ninjas, following the woman, had hustled her into this room, swiftly strapping her into the comfortable leather chair. The woman and guards had then left her in solitude. She would have used some of her gadgets to immediately escape, but instead thought that she would allow time to relax her watchers guard. She knew she was being observed, from her chair she could see the blinking red dots of two cameras and she was sure there were others. "Besides", she thought, "why hurry to escape, I'm where I intended, and maybe some answers will be coming."

"May not be the answers you want."

"At least they'll be answers."

The opening door interrupted her internal dialogue. A woman entered, backlit by the hall light, her faces shaded. She went behind what appeared to be a desk, then turned on a light, aiming it at her captive.

"Intruder, who are you?"

"I don't think you need to know."

"Possibly the police will want that information."

"If you were going to call them they'd be here by now."

The shadowed face seemed amused.

"Good, you have some spirit. Why have you broken into our home?"

"Is that what this is? I thought it was a museum."

"Sarcasm, quaint. So you are just a petty thief? For thieves we let the federal authorities take charge."

"Don't think so."

"Oh, why not?"

"You wouldn't want to let them into your little country, would you? Look, could you stop the noir third degree and turn on some lights?"

"One more question, if you are not a petty thief, why have you broken in?"

She hesitated, "I have some questions for your master."

"I have no master, but what are your questions?"

"They're private; I think I should ask him myself. What do you mean you have no master? I've heard…"

"For an intruder, you seem well informed. Very well," soft lighting came up, illuminating the study, "I do not know what you have 'heard', but there are no masters or servants in this house."

"Sensei means…"

The oriental interrupted laughing, "You Americans! Just like in your language, words can have many meanings. Sensei also means 'Teacher," or master as in master of his craft."

"Oh, guess I forgot that."

"I don't think you forgot anything. Is your parole worth anything?"

"My parole? What are you talking about?"

"You are an intruder and consequently a criminal, possibly a spy. However, if you will give me your word to attempt no escape, I will release you from your bonds."

"I know what a parole is, but for how long, what are the conditions?"

"The conditions are what I said, you will attempt no escape, you will not spy while you are here, and you will attempt no communication with the outside."

"Look, this is getting complicated, let me talk to your 'teacher' and I'll leave."

"Unfortunately, that is not possible; the Chosen One has had to leave."

"When will he be back?"

"He does not always tell us of his plans," the woman seemed worried, "but he should return tomorrow or soon thereafter."

"And I remain a prisoner until he does?"

"Think of it that way if you wish. However, I would prefer you believe yourself a quest for a few days. He will decide your future when he returns."

After a moment's thought she replied, "I will give you my parole, but before I do, I have to make one call." Sensing the coming objection she hurried on, "I won't tell anyone where I am, or the circumstances, but there are some people who will begin looking for me shortly if I don't reassure them. Then you have my word."

After a moment's reflection her warden agreed, "Under those terms and those circumstances, you may make your call. I am sorry I cannot allow you privacy while you do so."

"I understand."

V.

After calling Marcy to tell her she was taking some 'personal time' and asking her to call her second 'job' and explain her absence, she had to spend a few moments reassuring her blonde friend that she was all right. Her hostess/warden then led her to her room.

As she opened the door to usher her 'guest' in the oriental woman spoke, "I hope you will find this satisfactory for the length of your stay. There are toiletries in the bathroom, and you may make use of anything in the suite."

Stepping through the door, she saw a large, comfortable room with leather furnishings. "Very nice, but won't I need a place to sleep?"

Opening a side door, her hostess motioned her over to look into an elegant bedroom, complete with king size bed, vanity, dresser and soft chairs.

With a small smile she explained, "I said suite, not room, these are your living quarters until the master returns."

"I thought you said there were no 'masters' here?" she chuckled.

A faint flush rose in the woman's cheeks, "A synonym of teacher in my language. Now if you need anything, just dial operator on your phone."

"A phone, huh, I assume no outgoing calls? Never mind, for prison accomadations it's quite nice."

Her hostess walked back to the suite's door, removed an old fashioned iron key and handed it to her. "You may go anywhere in the compound, except guarded areas and the Chosen One's quarters. Before I leave, is there anything you would like?"

Joining her warden at the door, she replied, "I can't think of anything. Ah, you've been very polite to someone who broke into your home. I want to apologize and thank you."

"It is as he wishes. If you desire anything, do call, good night."

"Good night."

VI.

Closing the door, she turned to inspect her 'cell'. "Well, this is a sweet honey fall. I've stayed in five star hotels that weren't this plush." The room was furnished in what looked like genuine antique furniture. A thick emerald green carpet complimented the light blonde accommodations. The bookshelves were filled with volumes, which she decided she would have to explore if time allowed. A large television occupied one corner, surrounded by plush lounges. A small, intimate, breakfast nook occupied the corner closest to the floor to ceiling windows, which opened onto a small balcony.

In the bedroom she found the same emerald carpet, but light, feminine furniture. The French windows, shielded by heavy dark green drapes, opened onto another wrought iron balcony, furnished with a small table and two chairs. The vanity had recessed lights, in a three way mirror. The bed had tall columns, supporting a canopy of sheer green drapes. It seemed to her that someone had thought of everything that would compliment a woman of her coloring, and waved a wand. "This is lovely, and it makes a me feel decidedly 'girly', knowing this is mine,if only for a few days," she marveled. "It feels as if the room was designed for me."

The bathroom was another delightful surprise. A three headed walk-in shower, snow white plush carpet, and that most useful, and least known to Americans, fixture, a bidet. A two person hot tub occupied one corner. It's more mundane cousin, a deep claw foot tub, occupied the center rear wall. The mirrors were large and full view. The cabinets full with a variety of toiletries, including her favorite body lotions and perfumes.

The hot tub tempted her, but the empire tub drew her. She began to run a hot bath, while she went back to the other room to search for nightwear. Settling on a light green full length silk nightgown, she disrobed and returned to the bathroom as the tub finished filling. Settling into the chest deep, steaming water, she let out an involuntary moan of enjoyment as her tense muscles relaxed.

Later, snuggled under silk sheets, she wondered sleepily if she would meet whoever had designed this suite. She hoped so, if only to thank her (it had to be a woman, only another woman could have designed this ultimately feminine room). She fell asleep wondering how long she would be held in this silken confinement.