The Queen Strikes

She turned around and walked away, leaving me to pay for the bill, as usual. I saw her get half a block away and then turn right into an alley. It didn’t matter what she believed, the Queen was dangerous and I had too much money riding on this case to leave her alone, even if she could handle everything herself. I was going for my car so I could properly tail her when a loud scream came from the alleyway she just entered. I decided to run after her.

I set foot into the damp alley. On the floor there were a mess of cables, buckets and tattered pieces of fabric. Rebecca was standing barefoot atop a flat four wheeled trolley with her hands and ankles handcuffed behind a pipe and her mouth covered in duct tape. Her panties laid discarded at her feet, as did her bra. The rest of her clothes had apparently being cut to smithereens, only the collar of her shirt remained along with her cap and tie. In front of her was a small dark skinned woman wearing a yellow jacket,pink blouse, hot pants and sporting a colorful carnival mask covering her eyes. Her black hair was tied into a small ponytail. She wielded a brush and was halfway into painting a pig on her captive’s stomach.

Becky was blushing pretty intensely and giving her captor the most penetrating angry stare I ever seen her do. I was really curious about just what the hell happened here, but catching the Queen was my priority.

I quickly sprinted to the Queen. She noticed me and attempted to flee. I managed to grab her arm, but that clown slid out of her jacket to escape my grasp. She immediately bolted out of the alley, leaving all her possessions behind. I gave pursuit. Rebecca could wait, I couldn’t afford to let this chance slip through my fingers. Besides, that pranker left her bag at Becky’s feet, I bet all she needs to do to free herself is crouch and pick the keys up. She was bragging about not needing my help before so I’m sure she can break free on her own.

I chased the Queen though the busy streets, across the park and up the stairs of the metro station. She jumped into one of the departing monorails and I followed. The doors closed. The train began to move. I looked all around the car but couldn’t spot her, until I gazed out the window. She was there, across the rails, in a train that was departing in the complete opposite direction, waving at me sarcastically.

I screamed in frustration. She barely managed to escape by the skin of her teeth. I was unbelievably angry at her, the universe and even myself. This was my best shot and I blew it. All I got out of my trap was a stupid jacket. Wait, the jacket! There were probably clues in there. It was my last and best shot.

I examined its pockets, there was indeed something useful in them! A lot of tickets for the carnival games in the San Pablo pier next town over. The same town which was the final destination of the train she took. Putting two and two together I managed to locate her base of operations, or at least, the location of her next target. It was time to pay her a visit.

Before I prepare to go catch her, I had to make sure that Rebecca was fine. I returned to the alley, but she was nowhere to be found. It seemed like she did manage to free herself. Huh, I wonder if she returned home in only her undies or if she scavenged something else to wear. Well, there will be time to ask her after I capture the Queen. And to say “I told you so”.