Takedown from above

Valerie realized her situation - while her assailant was better armed (and clothed, unlike her) - she had the advantage of being unseen. Combined with her higher ground and the element of surprise, she knew just the way to neutralize her enemy.

As the figure ascended the stairs, she ascended in tandem. Right at the midway point, she vaulted the railing, landing right on top of her target, causing them to stagger and fall down the flight of stairs. Before her target could recover, she was upon them, expertly grabbing their neck and using her leash as a garrote to **** them into unconsciousness.

She turned the target around so she could see their face, and to her surprise, it was a woman. She was outfitted in a tank top, a bulletproof vest and cargo pants.

The door to the fire escape opened above her, as Hawk walked in. "Mrs. Garcia, bless her heart, just doesn't stop talking. She only let me go once I knew exactly what each of her four kids was-"

He saw her inspecting the **** woman, and stopped mid sentence. "Holy shit, what happened?"

Valerie pointed to the walkie-talkie, which she had turned off. She explained how she had heard the woman acting suspiciously and taken her down.

"Any idea who she is, or who she might be working for?", he asked. She racked her brain, and a vision came back to her.

She was back in Kaiser's mansion - naked, leashed, walking on all fours at his command. As he had led her inside his dungeon, she had seen this woman guarding the door!

"Oh my god", she let out. "This woman works for Kaiser. They have tracked us here."

"There was no tail, I made sure of it. How on earth did-", he began saying, before looking at her. They both said the words at the same time.

"The collar!"

He immediately reached behind her neck and undid the collar, inspecting the inside. And indeed, there was a small chip embedded in it. She realized Kaiser probably tracked every member of his harem in a similar way.

"Fuck.", she said. "This location is compromised. The walkie-talkie means she has backup, and it's only a matter of time till they notice she's not responding."

"I think I have a plan.", replied Hawk.