Chapter Nine
June 17th, 12:33 AM
Margot wasn't sure if she was completely conscious. Her senses felt normal. She could finally see without a trail of light following every moving object, hear without echoes bouncing around in her skull. She recognized the room she was in-- it was Hammerson's basement, where she had recently squared of with Sunny-- but she couldn't believe how the situation had changed. For one, she was tied up, and tightly: the quick tugs she gave to her wrist and ankle bonds did absolutely nothing. Clearly she had been ambushed and defeated-- but she couldn't remember exactly how.
But her current predicament was overshadowed by the other incredibly strange thing that was, apparently, as real as the ropes lashing her torso: the Spaniel. He was here, too. In his garish golden spandex unitard, his arms folded, all cocky superhero-like. He was speaking, saying something to Sunny. Staring down the guards, looking on at Erin and herself, bound and helpless.
What the hell was this?
"So you're that other guy," Sunny said. "I don't believe we've had the pleasure of meeting."
"I know all about you, Sunny," the Spaniel said. His voice boomed, unnecessarily loud in this small, cramped space. "Your work for Hammerson. You're made of the same rotten fibers."
"Wow," Sunny said. "I'm insulted. You don't even know me! I can understand you saying that after dealing with me for... Oh... a few minutes. But you don't even give me that!" She chuckled. "I don't think I like you, Spaniard."
"The feeling's mutual," the Spaniel said. "Now, let the girls go."
"So, you're in on this too?" Sunny said. "It's a big superhero gala at Brent's house. Everyone's invited! Except that NONE of you were invited."
Margot wondered about that. Had the Spaniel been watching them this whole time? Making sure they were following through on his demands? Did he have some sort of tracking device, somewhere?
"Hey." A whisper.
Margot turned her head. Erin was looking at her. "You awake?"
"Yeah, I think so," Margot replied, quietly. "What's going on?"
"Your guess is as good as mine," Erin said. "But I hope they kill each other."
Margot smiled. "Yeah, that would make things simpler, wouldn't it?"
"Margot," Erin said, even quieter and more intensely. "She knows."
"Knows?" Margot asked. "Knows what?"
"My secret," Erin said. "She figured it out."
Margot gulped. "Oh no."
"Yeah," Erin said, trying to force a smile. "This hasn't been a great month."
"But, I don't understand," Margot said. "You didn't... tell her, did you?"
Erin shook her head. "No. No, she has no proof. But she's on to me, Margot. She's on to both of us."
"Damn."
"Yeah. We've got to be extra careful."
"Okay."
"But first, we've got to get out of here."
Margot nodded. "Okay."
She looked up. The Spaniel and Sunny were still making each other's acquaintance. What more could there possibly be to say?
"So you'll be seeing more and more of me," the Spaniel said. "The Blue Lynx is taking a break."
Sunny smiled. "You have no idea what the Blue Lynx is doing. I know who she is."
The Spaniel blinked. "Oh, really?"
"I'm not telling you. The Blue Lynx's secret is mine alone. For now," she said. She turned around and flashed Erin a bright grin.
"Enough games, Sunny. Either untie the girls or face the consequences."
Sunny yawned. "You're starting to bore me, Spayed and Neutered. Guards." She snapped in the two thugs's direction. "Kindly show our boring guest the door, if you please."
The guards went for their guns, and the Spaniel went at them. He disarmed them both in seconds, snapped back an arm, drove one thug into the other, slammed them against the wall. It took less than half a minute to be back on the floor, the way the were not long ago, shortly after Margot's arrival.
"Goddamn," Sunny said. "What's the fucking use of these guys?"
The Spaniel launched himself at Sunny. Moving quickly and gracefully, she proved a stronger opponent then her guards, ducking the Spaniel's first attacks, and getting a few good jabs in. But the Spaniel persisted, and eventually wrapped her in a headlock, forcing her legs apart with his own, bearing down on her neck with his immense bulk.
"You..." Sunny spat. Seconds later, she was unconscious.
Margot looked on as the Spaniel laid Sunny on the floor more gently than she deserved. She watched him survey the scene-- the bodies of the guards, Sunny, the wreckage of the basement, and finally, the two tied heroines-- and couldn't help but be impressed. The guy was the real deal. He was quick, but also thorough. Decisive, but also careful. He was big, strong, agile, cunning. There was no question that the Spaniel knew what he was doing. Could Erin have taken out those guards so easily? Or put Sunny in a headlock without breaking a sweat?
Margot gulped. Was it possible that the Spaniel was just better at crimefighting than the Blue Lynx? Maybe the Spaniel was right. Maybe Erin should step aside.
"No!" Margot thought. "That's ridiculous. Never think that again."
The Spaniel had been gazing at the two of them for a while, his expression completely blank, his arms hanging loosely by his sides. What was he up to?
"Hey Brian," Erin said, finally. "Could we get a little help with these ropes?"
The Spaniel glared at her. "I think I've helped you enough tonight, Miss Steele. You're going to have to do this one on your own. For once."
And without another word or sound, the Spaniel turned around, leaving the basement as mysteriously as he had arrived.
On to Chapter Ten
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