ALICE - A PAUL PURPLE STORY

BY CORNER GHOST

[ part 6 ]

Paul

As I left the basement my feeling of unease kicked in again, Alice’s assertion that Red would have done something was so real that I had to warn her father, but that would give me away . . . but I couldn’t just stand by and allow things to happen.

I sat down in my study and turned on the computer. I clicked on the communications icon and dialled a connection. Carol’s face appeared in the window, but it was troubled. “Master I’m glad you called, there’s been a development . . .” a new screen opened, it revealed a news report.

“Officials are still mystified regarding the explosion at the Milton Bradley housing complex; the explosion occurred at 18:30 last night and was centred in the home of a mister John Watson. It’s believed to be due to a gas main but tests are still being carried out, the explosion destroyed the apartment and those adjoining and above. The number of known dead is 12 with eight more injured several seriously” The report gave a list of names and ages, 4 of them were children and it included Alice’s father.

The screen closed down, I could see tears in Carol’s eyes, “Master, my master wants to know what happened?” She asked me.

I shook my head, “I don’t know Carol. I think that someone wants Alice back and is determined to get her whatever the cost. Carol I suggest that you cease connections with me for the time being, I’m going to have to call out for help, but before that do you have any information from the PI’s?”

“Yes master, sending as a zip file . . . Master will you be alright?” She asked me, concern in her voice.

I smiled at her, “Of course Carol, I’ll be fine.” She gave a hesitant smile back and the window closed “At least I hope I will.” I said muttering away. I moved the cursor on the screen to an icon that I never expected to use; a uniformed woman appeared on the screen.

“Ropeville Police, what is your emergency?” She asked.

“My name is Paul Purple, my address is. . .” I began.

“I’m aware of who you are and where you are Mr. Purple, what is your emergency?” She was abrupt in cutting me off.

“I believe a person has been killed as a direct consequence of my activities.” I said

“How does this concern Ropeville?” The officer asked.

I shook my head, “It doesn’t directly mean anything to Ropeville, but I need to contact your FBI office with the information, I consider it to be urgent before anyone else is hurt.” I said.

The officer thought for a moment before she appeared to press a button. My screen blanked out with a ‘Please Hold’ message.

A man’s face appeared on the screen, I recognised him, he was Commander Evans, the chief of police in Ropeville. He glared at me before speaking. “Okay Purple what have you done, who have you kidnapped to cause such a reaction?” He said simply.

I sighed, “Her name is Alice Watson . . . or Fornalski, as her mother has remarried a person called Red Fornalski – he has been making moves on young Alice . . .”I was interrupted.

“How young 10? 11? Younger?” Evans asked.

“No, she 13 and is a special request.” I said and then carried on with my report. “It was when she started to mention that Red had connections that I got worried and checked on Alice’s father, it seems he was killed in an accident that has killed a dozen more people. I think there’s a connection.”

Evans pondered for a moment before he asked, “You THINK, how much do you know?”

I shook my head, “Nothing at all, it’s just a feeling that screaming out to me – there’s something wrong here. . . Look I asked for a check to be made on these people, I’ve got a preliminary on a zip file, I haven’t even looked at it as I’ve only just got it, I’ll send it to you.” I pressed on the file icon and moved it to Evan’s window.

He did something on his end and returned to studying me closely. “So why do you need us?” He asked.

I shook my head, “To be honest I need access to your FBI office, I mean I can’t call the local one. Can you picture it ‘How are you involved with this sir?’ ‘Well Agent, I kidnapped this girl. . .’ I don’t think I’d get very far do you?”

Evan gave a chuckle, “No son, I don’t think you would.” He said and then turned to one side, “Yes Mavis . . . You’re certain? . . . Okay.” He turned back to me, “Okay we’re on board, I’ll get out people in touch with you. Just don’t move!”

Again the screen went blank, and after a few minutes, I began to wonder if I still had a connection. Then the Evan’s screen shrank down and a pair of windows opened up but remained blank.

“Why do you think we owe you any favours?” The voice was distorted electronically.

“I don’t I was after justice for a young girl!” I said.

“Justice? What do you know of the term?” The voice replied and before I could reply

“Why should we concern ourselves with her, she is not part of Ropeville? She is nothing to do with us. Why should we even listen to you?” The second voice, which was also distorted but somehow masculine, said.

“I don’t know, why are you?” I countered and waited for the reply.

There was a delay of minutes while I just concentrated on staring at the camera, I felt pressure on my mind as if someone was trying to look into it, and then it vanished. “Someone will contact you later.” Said the second voice and then both windows shrank on the screen.

I was brought back to earth by a cough in the doorway, Pauline was standing there watching me, and I looked at the clock.

“Oh I seem to be late. Thank you Pauline, I’ll be down in a moment, I’ve got bad news for Alice and she’s going to need support, we might have to modify her training.” I said

Pauline looked puzzled but she nodded her head and then left the room, I took one more look at the screen and shook my head, ‘where had the time got to?’ I wondered but decided not to take any notice of it.

I went down to the basement where the girls were seated at the desks. I could see Alice was sitting gingerly after my ‘attentions’ to her. I went to Alice’s desk and gently pulled her to her feet.

“Billie-Jo, Pauline I want you on either side of Alice, we’re going to need your support.” I said softly

Alice now looked up at me, “What . . . what’s going to happen?” She asked slightly afraid.

I pulled Alice onto my lap and wrapped my arms around her, “I want you to be strong Alice.” I said feeling her stiffen in my arms. “I’ve got some bad news for you Alice. There was an accident at your father’s home, I’m sorry to say that he died in the accident.”

Alice shook her head, “No . . . no you’re lying. My dad’s fine, you’re just trying to trick me.” She said and tried to break away from me.

“I’m very sorry Alice.” I said, “But although it would be a way to treat you I don’t work like that! There was an explosion at your father’s apartment; he lived at the Milton Bradley complex? In a ground floor apartment?” Alice nodded her head, “Then there’s no mistake.”

“Alice?” Pauline’s voice came gently from Alice’s side, “My master never plays mind games like this with his trainees, and I have respected his methods, where he might insult the girls and make them feel worthless . . .” ‘thank you Pauline!’ “He would never lie to them like this.”

“Trust him Alice. . . please!” Billie-Jo whispered into her ear.

“But if . . . then it must have been me! I killed him!” Alice said and started to scream. I held onto her.

“Alice, how could you have killed him . . . you have done nothing to him.” I said rocking the girl in my arms. I repeated this as a mantra over and over until she calmed down. “But I ran away from home . . . Red must have thought I went back to daddy, that’s why he killed him.”

Pauline reached up and held Alice, “But would he do that?” She asked.

Alice nodded her head, tears flowing down her cheeks, “Oh yes, he’s mad enough to do that.”

Billie-Jo looked at me, “But what if he finds out where you are?” She asked.

Alice shook her head, “I don’t know, probably come here to take me back.” She said.

As if on cue a buzzer sounded in the basement. Pauline scrabbled to the computer and brought up the surveillance cameras. A grey car was approaching. “Master!” She called out.

I thought fast, Alice go with Pauline to the exit and wait there, Pauline watch the screen if I give you the signal take Alice down the tunnel to the secondary base and secure it.” I then glanced at Billie-Jo, “Take Billie-Jo with you.” I added as an afterthought.

Gently putting Alice on the floor I went to the basement door and after going though it I closed and locked it, hiding the key in its normal place. I then went up the stairs and closed and locked that door.

Finally I pressed a concealed button which brought down a false wall to cover the basement door; people would have to know where to look before that gave up its secrets.

I then faced the front door; no matter who they were . . . I’d be ready for them!

The grey car pulled up to the front door, I tried to see who was driving but the windows were darkened. I checked that the small gun I had concealed by the front door was within reach.

The driver’s door opened . . . and Sharon got out of the car, I release the breath I didn’t know I was holding.

“Hi Paul, I know I’m early but . . . Paul is there something wrong?” Sharon asked me.

“Sorry Sharon, we’ve been telling ourselves horror stories and you’ve turned up just in time to make us panic.” I said starting to smile.

“Really? You must tell me, I didn’t know anything would faze you.” She said a serious look on her face now.

I pressed an all clear message down to the basement and went to Sharon’s car to get her luggage out.

“Could you stay a bit longer than you expected?” I asked her.

She considered this, “Well I’ve got my hands slightly full with my nieces but they’re back with their parents at the moment . . . although I think they’re going to need a firmer hand at some stage, so I might just impose on you at sometime.” She asked with a smile.

“After I finish with Alice, please. I need to talk to you about her, although Elizabeth might be the better one to talk to.” I said finally smiling. I lifted her overnight bag and carried it into the house.

“You’ve been redecorating I see . . . didn’t there used to be a door there?” Sharon said pointing to the camouflaged area.

“There still is!” I said and allowed the panelling to slide back into the wall; I unlocked the door and opened it.

“very nice, I must get something similar.” She said and went to walk down.

“Sharon? Just one thing. Billie-Jo is a new girl taken with Alice, when you get down there don’t say hello to her, I’ll let you talk to her later on. Alice will need a sedative as well as the contraceptive shot, but I’ll leave that up to you.” I said and then added, “Oh the key’s in the normal place.” And I left Sharon to her own devices, while I put her bags in a spare room.