Free Kris Longknife's Bloodhound, a novella by Mike Shepherd Page A

normal, checking out his own situation.  There were the usual joggers and skaters.  Business men and women went from their last meeting to their next one.  Here and there, a couple strolled along, intent on each other.
    A limo pulled up to the stop light.
    The bus he wanted turned onto the street.  Taylor turned to watch it as it headed toward him.
    Suddenly, a couple that he’d have sworn were too interested in each other to bother anyone stepped up to him.  The door in the limo opened and he was shoved into it.
    He opened his mouth to scream, but a small prick at his neck did something and the day turned dark before he could get a sound out.
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 11
     
     
    Taylor came aware of his surroundings slowly.  Before opening his eyes, he took stock of matters and found them grave. 
    He was seated in a comfortable chair.  His hands were cuffed in his lap.  He could also feel restraints at his ankles.  In all likelihood, the two were chained together.
    His first glace upon opening his eyes verified that.  He kept his chin resting on his chest and surveyed his surroundings through slit eyelids.
    The room looked comfortable, in an expensive way.  The rug was white, the chair and sofa he could see were white leather.  The walls were a sterile white as well.
    If they beat up on me, the blood will sure make a mess of the decor. 
    Taylor didn’t find his joke funny.
    Arlen Cob sauntered into the room.  “Ah, sleeping beauty has awoken.  I feared I’d have to give you the required kiss.”
    “It only works if true love is behind it,” Taylor said, dryly.  “But I would trouble you for a drink.  Water please.”
    “I think that can be arranged,” and Arlen left the room.  A moment later he returned with an icy glass of water and a straw.  He brought the straw to Taylor’s lips and the agent sucked up half the glass in one gulp.
    “Yeah, I’m told that stuff dries you out,” he said.  “There’s more cool stuff where that came from.”
    “So you don’t intend for me to die of thirst.  Starve?”
    “We intend to return you to your life, untouched by angry human hands, right about the time your leave runs out.”
    “How nice, and, no doubt, after the ships have sailed.”
    The security man’s smile was pure evil.  “I don’t know nothing about no ships.”
    Taylor looked around the room.  “Comfortable place you got here.”
    “We like to think it is.  In time, I think you’ll find it that way.  We can provide all kinds of amenities, once you understand that you aren’t going anywhere.  Why, I’ve even been given a cash allotment to give you so you can join in our poker game.  We really want you to think of this as a holiday.”
    “And not a kidnaping?”
    “Oh, you strike me to the quick,” Arlen said, raising his free fist to his heart.  “Such a strong word for folks that just want you to enjoy your holiday and not waste it poking your nose where it don’t belong.”
    “Into what you don’t want me to know.”
    “Six one way, half a dozen the other,” the security man said.  “Just so long as you understand that you are not leaving here for the next two, three weeks, we’ll get along fine.”
    “And if I refuse your hospitality?”
    “That would be a major mistake, Agent.  A major mistake.  We can do this the easy way, and you can join our poker game, swim in our pool.  Share the hot tub with some truly lovely gals that don’t own a swim suit among them.  Maybe share other stuff they got that you wouldn’t believe,” he said with a friendly leer.
    All the friendly was gone in a blink.  “Or we can do this the hard way.  I got more of that shit we used on you.  We can keep you out for a long, long time.  ‘Course, I understand that it ain’t healthy for a man of your age to spend a couple of weeks in bed.  It could lead to embolisms and other messy stuff.  It’s your call.  Choose wisely.”
    And with that, Arlen left the room, leaving