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LESSONS - A PAUL PURPLE STORY [ part 3 ] “Another day another victim!” Alan said just for the hell of it. “No Bob, another day another chance to prove yourself.” I told him, across from me Isabel nodded her head. “This was part of your original problem, you’re too sure of yourself and so you got careless. What’s the word Chris?” I called to the driver; I’d been training with this team for the past week and had got to know them. “She’s still playing with her friends; I think we’re going to have to wait for some time.” He called back. “Alright time to get reacquainted with our target.” I said which produced a groan from all three people in the van. “Well you want to clear yourselves after Bobby don’t you?” I received glares from Isabel and Alan. “What is our target’s name?” I asked them “Emma Clarkson.” I received from all three and nodded. “Why did her parents apply for her holiday?” this was something previously not passed to the collection team. “She was interested in kidnapping and had written about a girl being kidnapped, her parents want her to feel the real thing.” Isabel said. “Correct which means what Alan?” I asked him. “No dart guns to cause problems!” He sighed. “Correct, but don’t worry you’ll get them back soon.” I told him, actually he was quite an expert with the dart guns, but he had to relearn the basics. “Your cover names while we snatch Emma?” I asked them. “I’m Clover.” Said Isabel, “I’m Dave.” Said Alan. “I’m Oliver.” Chris said. “Who am I?” I asked them. “You’re Mr. Big.” They said and Isabel, sorry Clover, giggled. “Just one thing bothering me ‘Mr. Big’” Chris, I mean Dave, spoke up. “Yes what is it?” I said intrigued. “Well, won’t she recognise what we’re saying as her story?” He asked “That’s the whole point of doing it like this! She’s going to be completely scared at first, but by following her script she’ll soon understand what is happening.” I patently explained. “She’s moving Mr. Big!” Oliver said. “My cue to leave.” I said and opened the van door and stepped out. I was wearing a hat and a dark pair of glasses, in my hand was a white cane. I watched as the girl who was our target passed me, she took no notice of me. I then watched as the van drove off to the next point where the girl would be picked up. I ran through an alley and then turned right, along another side road to emerge at a park, I negotiated my way through it to arrive at the gates just as Emma was approaching, I waved my stick and started to walk to the edge of the sidewalk. “Please sir, wait!” The girl was as kind as her story. She took my arm and carefully guided me over the road just in front of a white van; she placed me on the sidewalk and went to walk away. “Please young lady, you’ve been so very kind to me, I have something for you.” I said producing a red rose from my pocket. She looked at it slightly puzzled, behind her the van had stopped and a door opened. “Where did you get that?” She asked me. “Don’t you like Roses, it’s a lovely fragrance.” I said bringing the petals to my nose. While she was watching me two people got out of the van and went either side of her. I pushed the rose to her face and she leaned back. Immediately Dave covered her face with a large black bag while Clover grabbed her arms and they both pulled her back into the van, surprisingly she didn’t scream but allowed this to happen. I followed them into the van where Emma was now seated with her hands tied behind her with a plastic tie. Her legs were also tied in the same manner. “Not to fast Oliver!” I said as the van pulled away, a glance through the windows showed that nobody had noticed anything, at least we weren’t being followed by the police. “Yes sir, Mr. Big.” Oliver said politely. Underneath the bag Emma gave a small giggle. I tapped her leg, “Quiet young lady, you should know you’re in trouble.” “Yes Mr. Big.” Emma said. “She knows your name Sir.” Clover said. “Of course she did Clover because that idiot Oliver told her, yes what is it Dave?” I said. “But sir you’ve told her our names as well, she can tell them who we are!” He said smiling as he was following the set script. “Confound it I can’t be responsible for everything you know!” I said. And watched as, while Emma was relaxed, Isabel gave her the injection that would keep her unconscious until we arrived at Ropeville. ---- We waited for the drug to take effect, Emma’s deep breathing and limp wrists were evidence of that, before taking off the bag to check that she was okay. “And that way team your target – note Alan she is a target not a victim – is relaxed by your knowledge of her likes and dislikes use them to your advantage. “Wasn’t it risky out in the open like that? What if somebody saw us?” Alan asked. “That’s why this is a rented van and we’re changing over to our van shortly, the home team will clean up the van and return it to the rental company, while we’re on our way back to base. Simple and effortless. Also I took care to ensure that nobody else was around, the van blocked any views from the park and our quickness also helped.” I explained. This was a new item I’d suggested, whereas the normal pickup van was used for surveillance when the actual snatch was to take place a local group would hire a new van for our use, then we’d swap back to the Ropeville van and then drive back. “So what is your opinion of us now Mr. Purple?” Isabel asked me. “I think you’ll be fine now and I’ll report that to base as soon as I get there.” I said smiling. A smile that remained on my face as the dart penetrated my leg and darkness fell. ---- “Wakey wakey Paul, time to get up and home.” The woman’s voice brought me to my senses the ‘thwump thwump’ of the roto-blades told me that I was in the helicopter I opened my eyes. Elizabeth was smiling at me. “Thank you for your help.” She said. I shook my head to remove the last of the cobwebs that were still hiding there. “What is it about you people, just when I’m having a good time you knock me out!” I said smiling. “I’m sorry Paul but Isabel was under orders, as soon as you were happy with the team she was to put you under and you’d be brought back here. We’ve packed all your stuff and it’s outside the helicopter. By the way did you consider the chips for Pauline and Billie-Jo?” She said. “I’m still not sure about Billie-Jo, but I think Pauline might need one, if only to let me know where she’s hiding.” I smiled to show I wasn’t too serious. “Paul, you know you’ve forgiven her, just remember the breathing exercises. Now let’s get you up and started on your way.” Elizabeth pulled me out of the seat and onto the ground. A sledge-like affair held onto my luggage – presents for the girls and some new clothes that would fit Alice – and when I gave a tug it moved easily with me. I opened the door to my house expecting a mess, but I was happy to see everything was neat and tidy, except the door to the basement was open. I closed and locked the front door. I placed the sledge into my study and checked the monitor screen, Billie-Jo was swinging her legs . . . yes she would have the cast off by now . . . and talking to Pauline, and Alice . . . wasn’t in the basement at all! I went out of the study intent on going down to the basement to find out what had happened to Alice when I heard a noise from the kitchen. I went in there to find Alice cooking some vegetables and working on some beef. She looked up when I entered the kitchen and dropped the knife. “Master Paul, You’re back!” She screamed out and dropped to her knees. |