CHAPTER NINE – PREMONITION

The first envelope was the least upsetting. Ranger recognized the address belonging to an acquaintance and longtime member of the D/s community. Master Reynaud had opened "US…Unknowing Submissive" years ago as a way to clarify to the vanilla world exactly what the D/s lifestyle was about.

This was during a time when a plethora of truly bad "B" porn movies had filled the rental shops. Two mentally ill individuals had used those exaggerated violent films as templates for a crime spree that involved kidnapping, rape, torture and murder. The media coverage of the crimes and resulting trial had members of the D/s community fearing for their lives. The community had always been underground not out of a sense of shame but more out of respect for the privacy of its members. The unwanted and misconstrued publicity had made any acknowledgement of "the life" dangerous.

Master Reynaud took it upon himself to fight fire with fire. Education and positive publicity were his weapons. He wrote editorials disavowing any connection between the "depraved animals" perpetrating "heinous acts on fellow humans" and those "decent, caring and law-abiding citizens" who were in "safe, sane and consensual" relationships. He spoke on talk radio programs and was a guest lecturer at college forums on human sexuality. Eventually, he opened a small institute on the second floor of a commercial building in Levittown, PA. His PhD in Deviate Psychology gave him credibility in a world where a paper framed on a wall certified intelligence and acceptance. His love of the "kink" community and his untiring fight for their lifestyle made him a living hero in their eyes. He was a powerful and honorable man and Ranger was proud to call him a friend.

The second envelope gave Ranger concern. The Hermitage had been around for decades. Originally, it had been a spa for the wealthy women in the state. When Madam Noor purchased it, the spa had seen its glory days pass and was losing money. Madam Noor (her vanilla name was Dorothy O'Shea) was a genuine Madam. Her stable of high priced call girls was known around the world. A sharp business woman, Madam saw a need that was not being filled. There was a serious lack of well trained, intelligent and naturally beautiful courtesans. She revamped the Hermitage and introduced "Awakenings"…the legal front of the business. Awakenings was advertised as an informational institute, a place where a woman could safely explore her curiosity of alternate-sex lifestyles in a luxurious spa setting. There was classroom instruction only and extracurricular activities were strictly forbidden. Madam Noor used the business to find, groom and hire the best of the best. Awakenings at the Hermitage became a most profitable adventure.

Madam Noor's sudden death had caused concern for the future of the entire enterprise. Her niece, Gwyneth Morgan, was sole heir. Mistress Gwyn was a well-known dominatrix. Her private clubs in Maryland, New York and Miami were all successful and all were rumored to be backed with laundered money. Her connections with both the New York syndicate and the Miami cartels were known only by those who needed to know. Flags had gone up with Homeland Security but priorities had put any deep investigation on the back burner. Threats of bombing innocent civilians took precedence over not-so-innocent men paying to get laid. Gwyn brought her partners in immediately after taking control. The Hermitage's purpose had changed for the worst.

Ranger was aware of the rumors regarding the spa. Over the last two years, he had become less active in the D/s community. He would go occasionally to private parties or use the services of Dominion for quick hook-ups. Surprisingly, he found himself looking forward to vanilla sex with Steph. She was having an unnerving effect on his entire life…not unwelcomed, just unnerving. He would call Reynaud later and set up a meeting. The old Master had ties throughout the country. He would be able to give updated and honest information regarding Gwyn and the Hermitage.

Steph's computer was next. Ranger grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and settled down at the dining room table. "Now let's see what you're up to, Babe. What kind of trouble did you find this time?"

If there was one thing that made Stephanie Plum predictable, it would be the fact that she was lazy…not 'sloth' lazy but 'how-can-I-get-the-maximum-accomplished-with-the least-amount-of-effort' lazy. Running only until she could feel the effects, shooting on the range only until she regularly hit the target and dieting only until a particular dress fit more comfortably were enough for her. She never wanted to push herself to discover her limits or try to overcome them. I could help her with this. She just needs a little more guidance and a lot more motivation. She could reach her full potential and go so much farther. I could help her be the woman she dreams of being. But first I have to find her and bring her home.

Steph avoided passwords whenever possible…too much work or too much to remember. "Who else uses my computer? I certainly don't need to protect myself from myself?" had been her defense during their last confrontation on the subject. Ranger had convinced her to at least password protect her login. She dutifully came up with an easily remembered password…Batman1…and used it for everything. Know her login. Know her life. At least she was trying in practice if not grasping in principle.

There were no messages from either site. In fact, there were no messages from any site related to alternate lifestyles or sex education. He checked her desktop folders and did find one (protected by the notoriously same password) labeled "research". This was the mother load of information and misinformation that Steph had collected over the past month. He skimmed through the file. There was nothing indicating a trip or a stay at any location. Ranger closed the file and was about to close the email screen when a blinking icon caught his attention. There was a message waiting on her "other" account. She has another email account. Hmmm.

The message was from US, asking if she had received their brochure and information packet. He was about to click off the message when he noticed something strange. It was addressed to Ms Plume. That's when he saw that this particular email account was owned by one Stefana Plume. Yes, the situation was serious and he was angry at both himself and her. But he couldn't help but laugh out loud. Stefana Plume! Really! From bondswoman to stripper with a stroke of the keyboard! This has got to be a year's worth of ammunition. I could have a Rangeman tee monogrammed, or better still a black g-string. Christmas will be fun this year.

His frivolity vanished as he read the saved messages from Awakenings. "Thank you for you interest." "Application attached." "Payment received." "Awaiting your arrival." Out of two bad choices, Steph (aka Stefana) had, of course, picked the worst. She had only been gone a couple of days and he could easily pick up her trail; but was that wise.

Storming into the Hermitage and pulling her out was his instinctive first reaction. Thankfully, common sense and reason took control. She is trying so hard. I don't want to embarrass her or treat her like a wayward child. What can I do to keep her safe? How can I protect her from herself as well as potential scum? A smile spread across his face as he reached for his cell.

A quick speed-dial later, and a throaty woman's voice answered on the second ring. There was no chirpy "hello". In fact there was no socializing of any sort. She answered with a simple "yes" and waited for instructions.

"There is something you need to do for me now. I will email you directions and instructions. I expect you to be in place no later than ten o'clock tomorrow morning. Contact me by text message when you are settled." Ranger's words were sharp and commanding. He didn't wait for her reply. He knew there would be no questions. She would do exactly as she was told… she always did.