So very sorry to all my readers that this update has taken so long. Life sometimes is a beeatch and having to negotiate it's many crevasses can be quite hazardous and time consuming! But thank you to all who stick with me... every review makes the author rejoice! Enjoy!
Kris and Bosley drove back down the mountain and headed toward Sacramento. Bosley was unusually quiet during the journey. Kris, not a very stern believer in words thought yet unspoken, tried to prise the lid off Bosley's emotions.
"Okay Bosley, level with me okay? Why are you so against me going in with Kelly?" She turned her head directly toward Bosley as he was driving, to underline her question. Bosley kept his eyes on the road.
"You know why, Kris…it's bad enough that one of you is held captive in that…" He struggled a little to find the right adjective "…that - place! You heard what Charlie said… Markow Petreskow is a highly unbalanced individual… I hate for you to have to go in there! I hate for Kelly to have to be in there! I should have brought her out!" He inhaled deeply and let out a sigh, evidence of his feelings on the way events had taken a turn recently and were now…it seemed…destined to turn.
The compassion with which he uttered these words peeked through his usually stoic temperament, and reminded Kris of just how much Bosley cared for them all. She sighed herself, and looked ahead, the leafy green foliage of spring giving evidence of a grand summer tapping ever impatiently at natures door, as they drove down through the lush vegetation of Northern California, having briefly crossed the state line into Nevada.
Kris gathered her thoughts before replying. She understood how difficult it must be for Bosley to watch from the sidelines, sometimes. Hell, she'd hate to be in his shoes right now…although the prospect of being reunited with Sabrina right now was almost overwhelming.
Bosley seemed to be content in continuing his stoic silence, then Kris replied, filling the conversational void.
"Bosley, please, don't worry - me n Kell - we'll be okay, you know? We have some information that can be of use. Kelly and me can work on Markow - Brother Marcus - and we'll find a way to sort this out!" She again looked over at Bosley, who then momentarily turned his head in recognition of her words. Kris again pressed the point home.
"Kelly and me will be okay, we can handle ourselves. It's Bri I'm worried about right now."
Bosley nodded slightly, agreeing in his own mind, that Sabrina was a worry - yet not agreeing completely that Kris was doing the right thing. The mountain scenery continued to unfold joyously before their eyes and Bosley only wished he could enjoy the journey right now.
After about two hours, they drove back through Roseville, ready to refuel and get some refreshments. Roseville was a smaller town just west of Sacramento - almost ready to become it's kissing cousin. It's general air of the smaller 'Townsville' didn't seem to encroach upon the local residents however, as Bosley and Kris drove along the main street. Business seemed altogether booming, and the general hubbub of a towns integral activity seemed to be in full swing. As they drove along, looking for a garage, Kris spied out exactly what she was looking for. She tapped Bosleys arm and motioned for him to swing in to a local car hire company. She was grateful that her earlier suppositions that the local towns in this area would be littered with such companies for tourists, played out. Bosley was slightly taken aback, although as soon as he felt this uncomfortable sensation, realisation dawned on him.
"Wait a minute!" Bosley exclaimed, as he pulled their own hire vehicle into the parking lot of the hire company.
"What are we doing here?" He demanded, pulling the car to a stop and looking expectantly at Kris, even though he knew the answer.
Kris responded without hesitation. "Bosley, I need a another car - this car has already been seen on camera up at the sanctuary!" She threw her hands wide in explanation.
"I can't exactly turn up in the same vehicle as you, can I? " Kris put an emphatic touch to her voice as she reasoned with Bosley, although her motives were not quite as clear as she would have Bosley think. But she couldn't discuss this with him now…it would only lead to more confusion and anxiety - and she needed to avoid those problems to get on with the job at hand.
Bosley sighed in resignation, then watched as Kris let herself out of the passenger door. "Hey Kris!" He shouted after her. Kris turned once to heed his knowing words of advice….
"Be careful okay?"
Kris watched Bosley - her only link with the usually level world she was used to in Los Angeles - drive away before her. She knew in her heart that Bosley was needed elsewhere - she also knew that she had surreptitiously summoned support from elsewhere for Sabrina…but yet she could barely quell the feeling of anxiety and stress that rose high in her heart for her long time friend. Sabrina had remained the …"Kingpin"? Was that the right word? Of their organisation thus far…. Kris felt a sense of impending ….. Something…..she couldn't even put a word to it…. Kris was suddenly shocked herself, that she realised at once, that Sabrina might not be able to go on from this. Kris shook herself mentally and headed with determination for the Reception area of the hire companies building. That's stupid Kris, she told herself. Of course Bri will get through this. She's a fighter, a real tough cookie. She'll just need plenty of help and a lot of tlc. Kris entered the Reception and proceeded to procure a car for herself. A fast car.
Thirty minutes later, after she had grabbed a bite to eat and a coffee, Kris was headed back towards Heavenly Mountain. She figured that this area would be swarming with tourists this time of year, but to her disappointment, the roads were relatively empty. She drove along, looking out for any likely opportunities, but nothing presented itself. She was beginning to lose heart in her plan. Perhaps just knocking on the front door would just have to suffice. She sighed, and concentrated on the tight bends that were becoming more prevalent, and geared down to negotiate a sudden sharp climb in the road. As she came off a bend, she spotted a pull over just up ahead, and scattered like overgrown ants around an anthill, was a mob of bikers. She slowed the car a little to get a good look as she drove past. Her luck had changed. She had spotted some female bikers too. Even better. Kris checked the road, then doubled back, turned into the pull over and purposefully drove the white Mercedes convertible too close to the bikers, throwing up dirt and stones as she did so. She heard the resulting commotion as she pulled up just in front of the bikers, giving herself a little room. She got out of the car and sauntered up to the group. Two women were already making their way aggressively over to her, while the men seemed to be hanging back, taking in the pretty view.
Kris spoke first, as she slowed to a stop.
"Gee, I'm real sorry - did I drive too close?" She asked, saccharin-sweet. "I sure didn't mean to, I was just too busy lookin' at all yer bikes! I just love those big ole' bikes!" She smiled brightly, hoping that her blond hair was helping to accentuate her blond mannerisms.
The two women, both clad from head to foot in leather outfits, looked suspiciously at each other, then one of them, a redhead, replied.
"Honey, you got any closer and I would'a bin sat right behin' you!" She scowled. Her dark haired friend looked Kris up and down.
"What you want, anyhow, sister?" She gave Kris a sidelong glance to indicate that she didn't really give a darn what Kris wanted, she had better git, or else.
Kris stood her ground. "Oh I'm sorry, is this a private party?" She tutted and looked at the ground, then back up unapologetically at the dark haired one. "I plum forgot my invite!" Kris again flashed a sweet smile, but the sarcasm in her voice was all too apparent.
"Okay girlie, hike outa here or there'll be trouble!" The redhead spoke up. Then one of the men from the group shouted over.
"Hey Tina, need a hand?" Kris looked over the redheads shoulder at the man who had chipped in on the proceedings. He had also taken off his helmet, as had most of the bikers. His straggly greying hair hung unkempt around his shoulders, and he didn't look as though he'd shaved in a long time. He grinned at Kris, and showed off a sizable gap in his top row of teeth. Kris shuddered inwardly.
"No, Jay man, I can handle this…" Tina the redhead looked expectantly at Kris. "So? You wanna get lost, sweetie?" She menaced. "Or…" she pulled a long blade from somewhere down the side of her boot. Kris cocked her head to one side, feigning a look of horror.
"Wow! " She held her hands up in mock defence. "OK, I'm gone! Nice to have met y'all!" She turned and walked back to her car, and got in, starting the engine. To her small relief, the group had remained where they were. She was obviously no threat whatsoever. She pulled a little way forward, then leaned over the door, back at the bikers.
"Hey, nice bikes…..shame about the hogs!" She yelled, then stepped on the gas and roared away. She checked her mirror, and as was expected, the group was in a sudden flurry of activity, donning helmets and starting bikes. She looked forward and concentrated on driving. Now all she needed to do was keep in front long enough to reach the sanctuary. She felt adrenalin pumping and wondered why she was behaving so recklessly. But she knew she had to make some kind of impression on brother Markus if she was to get inside. She presumed they didn't take in every waif and stray. She had to make it look good. She heard the rumble and roar of maybe ten or more bikes behind her, but didn't bother to disrupt her concentration to check back…she knew they'd be gaining. The little Merc was powerful, but she knew that bikers souped up their engines way beyond factory settings, to get the fastest ride. Was she going to be fast enough? The other problem was, she had traffic to negotiate. She sped on, thankful at least, for the lack of tourists. Each bend she came off, she expected to meet up with a truck, but luck did seem to be on her side today. She'd whizzed by a camper van and a small car so far. But Kris had thought too soon. She squealed her tyres round the next sharp bend to be confronted with what she most feared… the back end of a huge truck. She braked hard and backed off, swerving to get a glance of the road up ahead. But the mountain road never straightened out long enough for a good pass. Kris swore under her breath. She sat just behind and to the left of the truck, desperate for a break. She wistfully thought of her sister, and how Jill would likely just take a chance and step on the gas, praying for a clear shot of the road. Well you sure ain't Jill, honey, Kris mused to herself.
"C'mon, c'mon, c'mon!" She muttered out loud. Now she didn't even need to check the mirror to see where her fan club was… she could almost hear the redhead, Tina, growling in her ear. Kris decided to lean on the horn and give the truck driver a bit of incentive. Her horn blared loud and long but the driver paid no heed. Neither did he slow down, which Kris thought was a good thing, all things considered. Her mind raced, along with the pace of the car. Up ahead, she could make out just a longer stretch of road. She grimaced. Now or never…. She changed up a gear and stomped on the gas, swerving out into the opposite lane. But the road was not clear. Kris swore again and made a nanosecond decision to keep right on going, knowing full well that her amazingly idiotic actions could cause a terrible accident. But her car was fast, and the truck actually was slowing it seemed, as she began to overtake. The driver she realised, saw the danger and had acted accordingly. Now for the car in front. Goddamit, she was running out of road!
"Get out of the way!" She screamed fruitlessly, at the oncoming driver. The driver of the other vehicle was already blaring his own horn, trying to force Kris to back down and get back, but Kris just stepped on the gas, flooring the accelerator. Kris saw a flash of light and swerved back in to the right, not knowing what the hell was happening. For a split second, she could feel the Mercedes juddering on rock and gravel, and, in a heartbeat, re-aligned the car with what she hoped was the road. She couldn't actually see clearly, as her vision was somewhat blurred by the fright she had just given herself… and everyone else, for that matter. She blinked repeatedly and wiped at her eyes with her sleeve. She realised that the adrenalin coursing through her must have impacted on her nervous system somehow, to produce tears. She wiped them away and tried to slow her breathing down. Amazingly, Kris was still on the road, travelling in the right direction. She eased off the accelerator a little and checked her rear-view mirror, her breaths coming in little ragged gulps. And as her senses came back to her, she could also hear as well as see, the almighty commotion she was leaving behind. She tried to breathe more evenly, and she saw the truck had stopped at the side of the road, as had the other car, although it had swerved right into the side of the mountain to let her pass. She also noticed quite a few of the bikes had stopped. Except for three, which were now cautiously making their way around everyone else and trying to catch up with her. Kris took in a long deep breath and let it out slowly.
"Dumb-ass!" She angrily scolded herself. What the hell are you doing? You could have killed people! She felt suddenly deeply ashamed of herself. You could have gotten yourself killed, she berated herself furiously. Then where would Kelly and Sabrina be? She breathed deep breaths to try and calm herself. Okay Kris, no more dumb moves like that… get a grip! Kris clutched the steering wheel tightly until her knuckles turned white, trying to let the anger and frustration of the last few days dissipate through a kind of physical barrier. What the hell was wrong with her? She needed to pull over and think, but she knew she couldn't. There was still a little matter of some bikers to deal with. She again checked her mirror, and found that - yes - there were now only three bikers gaining ground on her yet again. She guessed that one was Tina the redhead, the other was her dark haired friend… and … her heart sank at the prospect. Could the third biker be 'Jay man' ? Okay, deal with it. Kris drove on, paying little heed to the beautiful scenery that was opening up all around her. If she'd have been a tourist, she would have been marvelling at all the wonderful glory of nature in full spring, displaying such varied and vibrant shades of green, as well as a host of spectacular blossom showing off to the world, it's colour splashed splendour. She probably would have pulled over and taken a few viewpoint photographs of the beauty that awed her the most. However, today, she was not a tourist. More likely, she was a reckless driver, endangering peoples lives and bringing reproach upon herself. Kris felt even more ashamed, and her cheeks burned. But as she drove and gathered her thoughts, she realised just where she was. In fact, not very far from the turn off down the rutted road to the sanctuary. Finally. Now she didn't really care if the bikers caught up with her. She turned off down the little track and meandered her way to the big gates and pulled over, just as three bikes encircled her and cut off any escape.
Kris switched off her engine and took yet another deep breath. This was not going to be fun. She got out of the car and stood expectantly looking towards the redhead, whose long crimped hair was cascading out down her back, from under her helmet. She dismounted her bike, removed her helmet and placed it on her seat, before turning a face of thunder towards Kris. Kris had the decency to look cowed. She decided that honesty was the best policy now.
"Look, I…" Kris began.
"Shut your goddam mouth!" Tina seethed. The other two riders also dismounted and removed their helmets, to reveal the bikers whom she thought had been pursuing her. Kris suddenly felt a little nervous. They had cut off her run to the gates and the intercom. Three on one. Not that fair. She glanced towards the gates, wondering if she could make a good run for it. Then Tina's friend began to approach her, a look of pure disgust in her eyes.
"It's okay, Jackie, she aint going no where's this time!" Tina threatened. Kris waited for her to pull out the knife she had pulled on her before, but Tina, it seemed, had other ideas. Jay was hanging back, grinning, looking as though he was about to enjoy a ring side seat at his favourite entertainment venue. Kris shuddered again, only this time, it manifested itself as an outward show of fear. But Kris was not altogether fearful.
"Wait!" She said, trying to muster a note of authority in her voice. "Let me explain!"
Tina laughed without humour.
"Explain, sugar? Explain what, little girl?" Tina taunted derisively. She moved slowly towards Kris, her hands balling into fists.
"You wanna explain why you just nearly killed a whole bunch of us back there?" She flicked her head in the direction of the road.
"You wanna explain why you're a snobby little chickensh*t that thinks she's too good fer the likes of us?" Tina curled her lip at Kris, then spat on the ground in front of her, as she got near Kris.
"I'll tell you what you can explain, missie!" Tina hissed as she gave Kris a shove in the chest. "You can mighty explain to a doctor why you're in the hospital with a smashed up face, you little…" And not even bothering to finish her sentence, she launched herself at Kris, with her fists flying. But Kris was waiting for it, and side stepped Tina, who lost balance when she didn't connect, and landed in the dirt.
"Look, just wait a minute!" Kris held her hands up. "Please hear me out! I'm from a detective agency and I'm trying to track down a friend!" Tina was getting up and ready to make powder out of Kris.
"Get her Tina!" Her friend yelled from the other side of Kris. Kris ignored the shout and looked Tina straight in the eye.
"Will you just stop and listen to me for gods sake?" Kris almost yelled, even though she was desperately trying to keep a tight reign on her own emotions. Tina heard the note of desperation of something not right in Kris's voice, and, despite her overall desire to punch the stupid blonds face into the middle of next week, decided that maybe she had something worth listening to. Tina scowled inwardly. Sometimes she was just too soft.
She stood dead opposite Kris, a whole foot taller, looking down at Kris, yet seemed to calm herself.
"Alright sugar… this'd better be good…"
Kris got the threat and understood. She had one chance and one chance only to walk out of this intact.
"Thank you." Kris meant it.
"Hey Tina, what you doin'? Pop her, man! Take her out!" Her friend Jackie complained. "What ya waitin' fer?"
Tina glanced over her shoulder. "Shut it Jax! I gotta feelin' she knows something!" Tina said, folding her arms across her chest and looking back at Kris.
This remark wasn't lost on Kris. "You know something about this place?" Kris thumbed over her shoulder towards the gates.
Tina stared back. "Maybe. Start talkin' or I shut you up fer good." Again, Kris understood how much trouble she was in.
"Okay, I'm from a detective agency in L.A. and my associate and I are trying to track down another colleague who is missing. We think she's in there." Kris indicated with her thumb again. "I need to get inside, to help my friend…" Kris now looked very sheepish. "…I wanted to grab the owners attention - I needed some kind of …" Kris shrugged her shoulders and waved her hands around, trying to come up with the right words. "… dramatic entrance….to get me inside!" She finished, hoping she sounded convincing. Kris looked up at Tina and, to her surprise, Tina began to chuckle.
"Oh really? Dramatic entrance?" Tina unfolded her arms and Kris took an involuntary step back. Tina began to laugh a little.
"Well, hell! Why didn't you just say so?" Kris looked confused, then smiled a little, unsure of the way the ground was moving. Tina then yelled back to her friends.
"Hey, we got ourselves a little school of the performing arts going on right here!" Tina laughed some more and her two friends joined in the laughter. Just then, Kris suddenly realised how ridiculous her story sounded. Her smile froze on her lips. So did Tina's. She took a step towards Kris, who flinched a little. She could see Jackie cracking her knuckles, next to her bike. This was not going to go down well. She shifted herself around so that she was somewhat closer to the gates. The manoeuvre wasn't lost on Tina. She smiled at Kris with an indifferent smile that said…"you're mine".
Kris gave it one more try.
"Hey, you said you thought I knew something about this place? Well I do! I know a lot about the man that runs this place…and if you've got anyone inside there you want out… I can help you!" Kris let the words tumble out, hoping that the note of urgency in her voice was enough to make Tina think twice.
Tina stopped advancing on Kris and narrowed her eyes at her.
"What do you know?"
"I can't say right now."
"Tell me or I break your pretty neck."
"You break my neck, I can't help." Kris eyed Tina shrewdly. "You got a friend…maybe family…mixed up in there?" She asked cautiously.
Tina shrugged. "Maybe. Can you really help?" Tina sounded hopeful of something and Kris wasn't about to let that go.
"If you can get me inside, then there's more than a good chance." Kris told her truthfully. Tina again folded her arms and seemed to consider this. Kris cast a quick look in Jackie's direction and realised that Jackie was now taking a lot of interest in the conversation…as was Jay. She hoped that this little spark of… something… was going to turn out to be a good thing.
Tina then spoke again. "Okay. I got a little sister in there - I want her out. You get her out, you keep your legs."
Kris nodded at this deal solemnly.
"What's her name?"
"Molly. Molly Jason."
"Okay."
"Just one more thing, sweetie…." Tina said as she approached Kris, her arms hanging loosely, not looking for a fight. But Kris should have been expecting one, because Tina cracked Kris right across the jaw and sent her sprawling. Kris was too shocked to respond, and Tina was on her in a flash, grabbing Kris's collar and hauling her up. As Kris felt her feet making scant contact with the ground, Tina sent a crunching blow to Kris's abdomen, causing Kris to yell in pain and keel over once more, fighting for breath. But even before Kris had time to draw breath, Tina again lifted Kris off the ground with one fist clenched around Kris's neck, and as Kris struggled to get any air in her lungs, she felt a flash of white hot pain to her nose, then another immediate cracking blow to her cheekbone. Then Tina let Kris drop to the ground.
"That's for messing with me, sweetie!" Tina told her flatly. Kris couldn't even respond. Tina looked upon Kris, beaten in the dirt, in disgust.
"If you get my sis out, I'll eat hogwash!" She told Kris, the disdain evident in her voice. She then walked to her bike and motioned her friends to follow her.
Kris was dimly aware of the bikes taking off. She needed medical help, she was hurting badly. She knew her nose was broken. Now all she needed to do was to crawl to the gates and activate the intercom. Somehow, to Kris, it suddenly seemed like an almighty mountain to climb. She winced in pain and tried to move, and pulled herself a few excruciating meters towards the sanctuary. Just six or seven more meters… she lifted her head and almost laughed with the irony… she was suddenly even more desperate to get inside! Her thoughts swirled in a fog as she pulled herself closer to the wrought iron gates, her every move causing incredible bolts of pain to sear down her body, her swollen nose leaking blood onto the dry dirt beneath her. Once more she pulled herself forward…then the pain was too much. Kris blacked out, two yards from the gate.