Lila Spencer - Trouble in Paradise




CHAPTER ONE

"Welcome to the island of Bimini ... we sincerely hope you enjoy your stay
here," the pleasant-sounding female voice announced over the speakers at the
North Bimini airport baggage claim.

Among the multitude of airline passengers that were gathering around to
collect their bags, one rather large group of people stood out among the rest.
The Spencer and Palermo families were on a joint vacation to celebrate the
dual school graduations that just occurred a couple of weeks ago. David
Spencer and Rachel Palermo were now heading for college in the Fall, while
Lila Spencer and Tina Palermo were off to their older siblings now-former high
school, Hamilton High.

In addition to the family members present (minus eldest sister, Julie, who
couldn't make it), David invited his girlfriend, Jen Ramsey, for she had
graduated as well (and will be joining her boyfriend at USC), and Lila brought
along her other close friend, Ashley Emerson, as she too will be starting high
school come September.

After all the bags were accounted for, the flock of tourists made their way to
the rental car place and picked up their pre-assigned vehicles for their
weeklong stay on the beautiful tropical island.

All the youngsters were particularly excited, as this was their first trip to
a place such as this. "Seven days of fun in the sun ... whooo!" Tina exclaimed
earnestly while riding in the backseat of the mini-van her family occupied.
Rachel smiled as well for she shared her younger sister's enthusiasm. "First
thing I'm gonna do is sit by the pool," she said noticing how beautiful the
weather was outside.

"Yeah, well I'm gonna do cannonballs in the pool ... " Joey added in his usual
jovial self. "You better not sit too close to the edge, Rach ... "

"You get me wet ... you die," Rachel threatened him almost nonchalantly for
she almost wished her trouble-making brother was not joining them on this
trip. I mean, why is he here? ... He hasn't graduated ...

"Now remember, kids ... " Victor spoke up in his authoritative voice while
driving, " ... no monkey business of any kind, or it's confined to your rooms
for the duration of the trip." Rachel gave Joey a quick smirk, hoping that
he'll goof off as he usually does.

Tina gave her big sister a wide smile as this should be one trip they'll never
forget ...

CHAPTER TWO

The front desk clerk handed out the plastic key cards to their respective
occupants. The two adult couples, of course, had their own queen-sized bed
rooms. Rachel and Jen shared a double-bed room, as well as Joey and Raymond,
Tina and Olivia, Lila and Ashley, and David""being the odd man in the group,
and the fact he was also eighteen""got to have his own room, but under strict
conditions not to have Jen over for the night ... adult or no adult.

Hustling to the elevator of the rather posh hotel they were staying in, the
kids were wasting no time into changing for the swimming pool after seeing the
immense size of it as they arrived. Bruce and Victor gave each other a weary
look while standing in the crowded elevator of chatting youngsters as they saw
this was going to be a long week. "Perhaps we should take a vacation after
this vacation," Victor quipped softly.

After the elevator doors closed, the clerk pulled out a cell phone from his
inside jacket pocket, keeping careful watch that no one was around, and
punched in a number. "It's Gibson ... " he spoke quietly into it. "We just
checked in a large group of American tourists that you may find interesting
...

CHAPTER THREE

A waiter from the hotel walked along the length of the pool, holding up a
small tray with two tall glasses on it. He stopped in front of two
chase-lounge chairs and placed the glasses onto a small table between the two
bikini-clad girls sitting in them. "Thank you," Lila spoke kindly to him as he
nodded back to her politely and then left. Lying on the other chair right next
to her, Tina grabbed her drink and took a long sip of the cold fruity
beverage. "I've made up my mind ... I want to move here," she said in
fascination to the breathtaking beauty of the resort.

"Tina ... you can't just live here, this is a hotel," Lila replied to her
friend's absurd comment.

"Well, not exactly 'here', but you know ... on this island."

"Oh, well ... for that you're gonna need to have like a ton of money, which is
something you seem to lack," Lila quipped.

"Once I make my fortune in modeling, we'll see who lives the good life ... "
Tina retorted a bit smartly.

"Accepting a job from some local photographer at the mall does not constitute
'making it big' ... " Lila said in reference of the time two months ago when a
man approached Tina, who was dressed rather appealing in a miniskirt and
heels, the opportunity to model for his website. Lila did have it checked out
as it was perfectly legitimate for a girl can't be too careful with all these
perverts walking around.

"Everyone famous starts out small," Tina defended herself for she had received
her first paycheck a couple of weeks ago, as she was fast becoming that site's
most popular model.

Soaking up the hot sun, Lila added a bit more sun block to her pale complexion
for she didn't want to get burned on the first day there. Everyone else was
currently in the pool with Joey stirring up mischief again, splashing the
girls. She noticed Ashley getting the brunt of the water assault, but the
bashful girl fought back hard with an onslought so fierce that it shocked Joey
into submission. "Thata girl, Ash!" Lila yelled out in support for she was
glad that Ashley was finally coming out of her shell.

The mood was not so festive anymore as Rachel and Jen began walking out of the
pool area. "Where're you going?" Tina asked her older sister as they walked by
her.

"To the beach ... " Rachel replied heatedly, " ... to get away from this
juvenile circus."

Once the two girls were far enough away, Tina turned to Lila. "Ever since she
turned eighteen, she's been acting like this ... thinking that she's now above
us kids."

"I guess that's what happens when you become an adult," Lila offered, as she
can relate herself when Julie turned that age.

* * *

Stepping out of the elevator, Rachel and Jen proceeded to their room at the
end of the hall to pack up some items first. "We should've just gone to the
beach from the beginning," Rachel said in reference to her younger siblings'
crazy antics. "At least there should be some cute-looking guys for us to gaze
at ... or make that for me to see." She turned to her best friend, knowing how
much in love Jen was to David.

"Oh, I can still look at other guys ... " Jen corrected her. "I mean, David
can't help himself when some floozy passes by his eyes, while he's holding my
hand no less!"

"Now you see why I don't have a boyfriend? ... Because I'm that floozy that
guys like to leer at," Rachel said half-jokingly as they reached their room.
She inserted the card key and opened the door.

Entering their modest-sized room, they were shocked to see it turned all
upside down as the contents of their suitcases were strewn all over the place.
Immediately after, both girls were suddenly grabbed from behind as their
mouths were covered up by strong hands!

CHAPTER FOUR

Ashley had finally got tired of playing in the pool and was now lying down in
her own lounge chair next to her two friends, relaxing in the hot sun. Like
Lila, Ashley had a rather fair complexion and loaded up on sun block. "You
know ... " she said soothingly, " ... I could really get used to this kind of
lifestyle."

"Don't get me started again ... " Lila spoke up irately.

"What? ... " Ashley wondered curiously while facing her. She noticed Tina
snickering softly and realized that she must've had something to do with
Lila's behavior.

Sitting up, Lila looked at her arms and noticed they were getting almost as
red as her bikini. She reached down for her lotion and grabbed it. A few drops
were all that came out after squeezing it hard. "How much did you use, Ash?"
she asked her fair-haired friend dismally.

"I'm sorry, but I burn very easy," she apologized sincerely. "I brought some
more lotion with me in my bag back in the room," she added helpfully.

"I'll be right back," Lila said as she stood up, heading back to the hotel.
"Hey, Lila ... if you see that waiter again, could you tell him to get another
one of those drinks?" Tina called out, only to get a wave from her detective
friend as her response while she kept on walking.

Stepping into the lobby, the coolness of the air-conditioned interior felt
soothing against her cooked skin. I think it's time for me to take a dip in
the pool when I get back ...

Arriving at her floor, Lila went to open her door when she heard banging
noises nearby. Walking to the door next to hers, which was Rachel and Jen's
room, she pressed her ear to it and could hear grunts and squeals coming from
inside. She knocked lightly, "Rachel ... is everything alright?" The strange
noises were more amplified now as Lila had an awful feeling what was
happening. "Just hold on there, I'm gonna get some help!" She bolted for the
stairs, heading down to the main floor.

* * *

"Uuuummm ... hhhhhmmmmffff ... " Rachel garbled through the washcloth stuffed
in her mouth with a torn strip of the bed sheet holding the wad firmly in
place. She sat in a chair, tied securely to it with more strips of bedding.
Jen sat directly behind her friend, bound and gagged in the exact same way.
Hearing Lila's voice gave them such a relief for they were stashed in their
own room for a couple of hours now as they couldn't break free of the bindings
lashed onto them.

This alarming experience served as an awful reminder from last fall when they
were tied up and held prisoner by those gamblers. At least they weren't
targets this time as they just were at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Those men that surprised them were just too strong to fight off as they were
easily subdued and now trussed up. Rachel groaned in despair as this was not
the way to start off on a dream tropical vacation.

A sound came at the door again, and the frightened girls turned to it, hoping
that it was the cavalry. It opened slowly, and a short dark-skinned man
appeared, holding a pistol in his hand. Jen's eyes grew wide with terror,
wondering if that gun was meant for them.

The man entered the room slowly, checking the surroundings carefully. "Are you
girls alone?" he asked in a quiet voice, and they in turn replied by shaking
their heads up and down vigorously.

He headed straight for them, holstering his pistol. "I'm Bart Sanders, hotel
security. I'm sorry for scaring you girls like that with the gun, but I had to
take extra precautions in case the intruders were still here." He untied the
cloth tied around Rachel's head, and she spat the washcloth from her mouth.
Jen's gag was then removed after.

"Thank you ... " Jen said to him as her mouth was parched from the washcloth.

He proceeded to untie their bindings, when Lila suddenly appeared. She rushed
over to help Sanders in freeing the captive girls. "I thought I told you to
alert their parents and stay by the pool," he said rather annoyed at her being
here.

"She's used to this sort of thing ... " Rachel interjected. "Lila here is our
little detective in the family."

"Is that right? ... " Sanders said with a hint of regard in his voice to the
bikini-clad girl standing next to him. "Still, you should have stayed
downstairs, I didn't want to see you get hurt."

"I understand, and I'm sorry ... " Lila said apologetically. "I sent a waiter
to deliver the message instead."

Finished with freeing Rachel's hands, Sanders bent down and began to untie yet
another cloth strip around her ankles. "I was afraid this would happen again
... " he muttered softly in aggravation.

"Again!? ... " Lila spoke up in response, " ... you mean this has happened
here before?"

Sanders looked at the wide-eyed teen girl, nodding his head slowly in regret
...

CHAPTER FIVE

Lying on her bed later that evening, Lila felt jittery since that incident at
the hotel room for that could've happened to anyone of them. As a sincere
apology for the horrible event, the hotel management offered them a reduced
rate for their rooms during the remainder of their stay.

The door to her room opened, and Ashley entered along with Tina. "There you
are ... we've been looking all over for you," Ashley said concerned as she and
Tina took a seat on her bed.

"I know that look when I see it ... " Tina said regarding Lila's pensive
expression. "You want to find out who committed that robbery."

"Don't you? ... " Lila asked expectantly as she sat up. "The police are saying
nothing about this, like they're embarrassed by the whole thing."

"Well, they should be," Ashley interjected harshly. "I mean if this has
happened before and they still haven't solved it, I would be pretty ashamed by
it too."

"That's why we have to try and find those responsible ourselves," Lila offered
determinedly.

"If you haven't noticed already, we're sort of on vacation," Tina pointed out
bluntly to her teen sleuth friend for snooping around to find a bunch of
criminals was not on the agenda for this trip.

"So you're telling me that you would rather let this crime wave continue with
the real possibility that someone could get hurt or even killed ... for that
could've been Rachel," Lila said emphatically.

Tina looked troubled by that thought for Rachel, and Jen, were both very lucky
they were left unharmed, considering on what might've happened""fortunately
those thugs were only interested in stealing valuables, which can be replaced.
"Okay, I'm in ... but if I end up being captured again, you can just find
yourself another partner in your little capers."

Lila smiled at Tina's reluctant assistance. "How about you, Ash? ... " she
then asked her brainy friend.

"Do I have a choice in this matter?" she asked at seeing Lila shaking her head
'no.' "I guess you're gonna need someone to watch your backs while you two go
off playing super heroines again," she added wryly in regards to her two
friends' more bold methods when it came to snooping.

"I knew I can count on you two ... " Lila said happily as Tina and Ashley
sighed grimly in response.

"So, do you have any leads to go on?" Ashley asked Lila.

"What very little I got from the police was that no obvious clues were left
behind."

"And Rachel mentioned that they wore gloves and had masks over their faces, so
identifying them would be next to impossible," Tina added.

"What troubles me the most was how they managed to gain access to the room
without breaking the door down," Lila wondered for there was no sign of forced
entry.

"Picking those locks are very difficult from what I've heard," Ashley offered.

"Wait ... are you telling me that they somehow got a key card to get inside?"
Tina asked as that dreadful thought really shook her up.

"That's what I'm thinking ... " Lila replied carefully. "And another thing is
the timing of this crime ... just hours after we all checked in?"

"Are you suggesting that someone in the hotel staff is aiding these crooks?"
Ashley asked as she found that speculation to be even more unsettling.

"From what that hotel security man could tell me, all of the clerks had been
cleared of any suspicion, but I don't trust this police force ... I think this
cover up may be infested within their ranks too."

"If you're right about that, we could be getting into a world of trouble if
they got wind of us poking around," Tina cautioned warily.

"But that's to our advantage ... " Lila rebutted confidently. "Who would
expect a group of innocent teenage girls of doing a little snooping around?"

Ashley and Tina glanced at each other uneasily, anticipating the fallout
they're probably going to get from sticking their noses again where it doesn't
belong.

CHAPTER SIX

The next day, Lila had narrowed her suspicion to the only person she could
think of that had knowledge of where they were staying""the front desk clerk
who checked them in. From what she could learn from the other hotel employees,
Gibson was a good worker, but a rather quiet individual as he liked to keep to
himself a lot, plus the fact he's single and apparently lives alone. Lila was
certainly no expert on profiling, but his personality traits do suggest a
possible candidate for criminal behavior. At least it was a start to go on.

"Okay, let's say this guy was the one that alerted those crooks ... " Tina
spoke up as she sat by the swimming pool again, " ... how're we gonna be able
to prove that?"

"I'm still trying to figure that one out," Lila replied perplexed for she
secretly wished that Katie was here with them on this trip for she could
really use some of her expert advice right about now.

"How about following him when he takes off work?" Ashley suggested directly.

"Follow him ... how?" Tina responded back in frustration, " ... he has a car,
and we don't ... genius," she added a bit mockingly.

"Wait a second ... " Lila interrupted while thinking, " ... I remembered
hearing yesterday that David wanted to rent a motor scooter. We could use
that!"

"Do you know how to drive a scooter?" Tina asked deliberately. Lila ashamedly
shook her head 'no' in response. "Good, because I know how to ... "

* * *

David's newly-rented scooter sat quietly at the hotel parking lot for the
owner was currently at the beach nearby with Jen. "Do you guys realize the
trouble you'll get in if your parents catch you riding this?" Ashley asked
tensely for they were a bit too young to ride one of these legally.

"That's why you're staying here, to cover our backs like you said you would,"
Tina responded sharply.

"What if David takes it out for a ride before that man gets off work ... what
then smarty pants!" Ashley snapped back at her tersely.

"Girls ... time out!" Lila shouted as she moved between them. "We're supposed
to be working together, okay?"

"You're right ... I'm sorry," Ashley said softly as she quickly calmed down.

Tina cracked a smile at her friend's bold demeanor. "I like when you get all
fired up ... shows that you have a backbone."

"Alright, then ... so all we now have to do is wait for him to leave here,"
Lila said.

"Like right now? ... " Tina pointed past them.

Lila twirled her head and gasped as she saw Gibson in the distance leaving the
building. "He's leaving in the middle of the day? ... But we don't have the
keys to the scooter!"

Just then, a loud high-pitched grating sound was suddenly heard. Lila and
Ashley both turned to see Tina sitting on the scooter, revving up the engine.
"Another thing I learned how to do ... jumpstart an ignition."

CHAPTER SEVEN

"Where did you learn how to jumpstart a vehicle!?" Lila yelled through the
noise of the scooter as Tina was trying to stay within sight of Gibson's car
as they traveled along a winding road. "My uncle showed me when he lost his
keys to his truck ... it's really not that hard!" Tina answered back just as
loud.

"Can't this thing go any faster!?" Lila yelled again in frustration as she saw
the car distancing itself from them.

"This is not a motorcycle, Lila! ... " Tina answered. "We're lucky it's going
this fast with both of us on!"

They soon reached the limits of Bailey Town, and thankfully, Gibson's car
slowed down a bit due to the heavy traffic of tourists walking around. Tina
also reduced her speed and cruised steadily like they were tourists on a
sightseeing trip.

"He turned left at that intersection up ahead," Lila spoke, pointing in that
direction. "I can see too, Lila ... " Tina replied agitated at her backseat
driver. She turned to follow, and then saw the car stopping at the side of the
road up ahead. Tina brought the scooter to a halt from a safe distance and
waited.

The girls saw Gibson walking across the street to what appeared to be some
sort of shop, and he stepped inside. Lila disembarked from the scooter, but
noticed Tina still remaining on it. "Aren't you coming too?" Lila asked,
figuring she would.

"I think it's better if I stay with the scooter ... in case we need a quick
exit if your hunch is correct."

"Good thinking ... I'll be right back," Lila replied and proceeded to the
shop.

Entering the modest establishment, Lila noticed no one around. The place was
one of those gift shops for tourists as there were all sorts of trinkets and
souvenirs all saying "Bimini" on them in one form or another.

The small cash register located at the far corner of the store was also
unmanned at the moment as that just piqued Lila's curiosity even more so.
Walking towards a doorway she saw up ahead, Lila tip-toed softly in her
sneakered feet trying to keep as quiet as possible.

Reaching the curtained opening, Lila could hear voices coming from the other
side. "This is getting too risky now ... people could've been hurt this time.
I think we should call off anymore robberies at the hotel." The voice Lila
could tell was Gibson spoke, as he sounded guilty about being involved in this
dastardly plot.

"You just keep doing the job you're being paid well for ... you know how Mr.
Tembo doesn't like weaklings in his organization." A woman spoke, Lila guessed
to be the proprietor of the shop. Hearing actual confessions being told in
front of her, Lila needed to get some evidence. It was fortunate that her
graduation present was a new cell phone with a built-in camera feature. She
withdrew it from her shorts pocket, and quietly entered the backroom of the
gift shop to get a closer look. Around the corner of a stack of crates, Lila
saw Gibson and that woman standing across from each other as she handed an
envelope to him""most likely his "well paid" fee. She placed the phone up to
try and get a clear shot of both of them.

"Mr. Tembo has been taking too many risks now ... and it's only a matter of
time before the police connect him""and the rest of us""to the crime wave on
the island," Gibson said emphatically as he was clearly nervous.

"You underestimate Mr. Tembo ... " the woman replied frankly, " ... he has
many individuals under him; including those in the police that will see to it
he's never caught." Lila's blue eyes widen upon hearing that, as she was
indeed correct in her assumption that some of the police were just as dirty as
these criminals. If I can't go to the police, maybe I can tell that hotel
security man, Sanders ... He seemed pretty upset by the robberies, so perhaps
he could be trusted ...

Just then, Lila's phone began to ring as she saw that it was her mother trying
to reach her! The two conspirators suddenly turned to the unexpected noise,
and caught a glimpse of Auburn hair dashing out the storeroom. "Someone was
spying on us!" the woman yelled angrily.

Lila ran as fast as her short legs would take her for she didn't even look
back to see if they were chasing her as she high tailed it out of the store.
Tina saw Lila bolting toward her and knew right away that she ran into trouble
... again. She revved up the scooter and drove straight for her. Swinging the
scooter around with the rear facing Lila, Tina yelled out, "Get on!"

"You don't have to ask me twice!" Lila said and quickly hopped on, wrapping
her arms around Tina's narrow waist. Tina then raced off as Gibson and the
shop owner appeared outside. They saw the scooter leaving very quickly and
disappearing around a corner.

"Did you get a good look at who it was? ... " the woman asked a little out of
breath from running.

"No, I didn't ... but I may know who they are ... " he replied ominously.

CHAPTER EIGHT

That night, the hotel invited the Spencer & Palermo party to a complimentary
dinner at their restaurant, as an additional apology. They did consider
checking into another lodge since yesterday, but the hotel had been so
gracious and gave them their guarantee that nothing like that robbery will
happen again. Being that the restaurant was also a four-star establishment,
guests were required to wear dressy attire, and it was fortunate they all came
prepared for just such an occasion.

After dinner was over, which was one of the most enjoyable meals she ever had,
Lila sat alone at the outside patio of the hotel, overlooking an expansive
view of the island shoreline""even though it was dark at the time. The breeze
from the water felt a bit cool on her shoulders as she wore a cute pink
strapless dress with matching peep-toe sling backs on her bare feet. Lila felt
troubled by the events earlier in the day as she kept her distance from Gibson
since he returned to work. She was relieved that he apparently didn't
recognize her back at the store.

Lila heard someone approaching and noticed Tina and Ashley taking a seat next
to her on the long stone bench. Tina looked ravishing in a short white dress
with a V-neck and short sleeves. Her dainty feet were clad in white mules with
a seductive four-inch stiletto heel. This was one of the numerous outfits she
had worn for the modeling studio and liked it very much. So as a thank you for
bringing in more revenue to the business, they gave it to her as a present,
which her parents allowed her to keep only for special occasions.

And as added proof that Ashley was indeed coming out of her shell, the cute
blonde looked stunning in a turquoise blue dress with a short pleated skirt,
and white ankle strap sandals with a two-inch wide heel, which added to her
ever-growing five-foot four frame as she was now the tallest of the trio.

"So, have you heard from Sanders yet?" Tina asked Lila now that they were
alone to talk freely.

"No ... he's been out all day. Probably trying to find out who committed that
robbery," Lila answered. "I guess we'll have to wait until tomorrow to speak
with him." Lila had found out that Sanders was a former cop himself, so it was
a sure bet he still knows some people in the department he could trust, which
would be very helpful in bringing down this cartel.

"You're just lucky that you weren't caught with that bold act," Ashley
criticized Lila's actions at town.

"Luck is for amateurs who don't know what they're doing," Lila retorted in as
much conviction as she could muster, but her brainy friend saw right through
that facade. "Who am I kidding ... Tina gets the credit for saving my butt."

"That's why I'm the clever one ... " the striking brunette stated a bit
haughtily, then giggled.

Lila then stood up from her seat. "I'm heading back to my room now. The air is
getting a bit too chilly for me, and these shoes are killing me now." Lila
stood on three-inch heels, which had taken its toll on her feet after wearing
them all evening.

"Amateurs ... " Tina said indifferently while dangling her sexy shoe, showing
off her prowess at walking in high heels.

Ashley also stood up and joined Lila. "Aren't you coming too?" she asked the
brazen brunette.

"No ... I'm gonna take in the fresh air for a little while longer. It's so
much more invigorating than back home. I'll catch up with you guys later."

"Suit yourself ... " Lila said, and the two roomies walked off, leaving the
white-dressed beauty alone.

Slipping off her shoes, Tina placed her feet on the cool stone bench,
stretching out her shapely legs. Her thoughts drifted to the studio she worked
at and had enjoyed the experience there so far. Everyone had been so friendly
as they made her feel welcome. She does plan on working there as much as she
can during the summer for she wants to build an impressive portfolio in which
to further her career, of which her parents are in full support of.

A noise was suddenly heard, breaking her mood back to reality. She wondered if
Lila and Ashley were coming back, or it could just be someone else from the
restaurant.

Without warning, a strong hand clamped itself tightly over her mouth! Her
brown eyes widen in shock at the surprise and she quickly tried to wrest it
off. In an instant, her legs were then seized as she saw a large man dressed
in black with a ski mask over his face. The petite girl was then lifted off
the bench as her captors moved swiftly towards the wooded area outside the
patio.

Tina tried her best to scream, but the hand was suffocating her as she felt
breathing to be a chore. She tried biting the fingers over her mouth, but the
hand was clad in a thick glove, which had no effect at all.

After traversing through the thicket of shrubbery surrounding the resort, Tina
noticed a small vehicle parked on the side of a road, like a jeep. Standing
right next to it, she saw a dark-skinned woman standing there with no mask
over her face. The woman approached the writhing teen girl and thrusted a
white cloth into her mouth in place of the brawny hand. The cloth was tied
securely behind her head, and Tina was then carried over to the rear of the
vehicle, which had a tarp covering it.

The woman opened a flap, exposing the rear compartment, and the frightened
girl was placed inside. In a flash, her hands were tied behind her back and
her ankles were also bound with thin rope. After that, the flap was then
quickly closed and zipped shut. The sounds of Tina's desperate cries from
inside were muffled substantially.

"One down ... one to go ... " the woman said frankly as the three of them
manned the jeep and drove off with their frantic captive in tow ...

CHAPTER NINE

"Even if you do manage to get the police involved, that recording you made on
your phone doesn't look all that great to use as sufficient evidence," Ashley
conveyed in regards to Lila's little live action shoot.

"This was only like the second time I actually used the camera on this thing,
and I didn't have the luxury of time to really get off a good clean shot,"
Lila defended herself, but was still frustrated at the second rate quality she
ended up getting. She would let Sanders determine whether it's good enough to
use or not, for he's the expert on such things.

Approaching one of the side entrances to the hotel, Lila's cell phone suddenly
started ringing. Retrieving it from her small purse, she noticed a text
message flashing from incoming messages. "It's from Sanders ... he wants me to
meet him at the hotel parking lot right away and to come alone only. He says
he has vital information about the robberies."

"If he wants to meet with you, why not at the front desk ... why the parking
lot?" Ashley asked warily of the message.

"I guess he must be afraid of someone inside overhearing him, figuring they
might be connected with the robberies," Lila answered rationally.

"Well, if you're going to meet him outside, then I'm coming with you," Ashley
stated insistently.

"No, please don't ... " Lila cautioned with her. "He hasn't met you yet, and
if he's this suspicious, I don't want to risk spooking him by not accepting
his request." Ashley looked tense, as she still wasn't satisfied. "Go on
upstairs, I'll be up there by the time you change clothes," Lila reassured her
nervous friend, and Ashley soon relented. "Okay, but you be careful."

"The parking lot is well lit ... I'll be fine."

Ashley turned to the side entrance, while Lila made her way to the back of the
hotel. She was excited by the potential information he has for hopefully her
shoddy attempt at acquiring evidence may not be necessary after all.

Entering the expansive parking area, all was very quiet save for the clacking
sounds of her heels against the smooth pavement. Lila hoped this impromptu
meeting would be quick for she was having goosebumps on her arms now. She
scanned around the multitude of cars and spotted a figure standing in front of
one up ahead. Walking a bit faster, she almost tripped as her ankle twisted
from the shoes. "Forget waiting until I get inside to take them off ... " Lila
muttered angrily as she reached down to remove her dressy footwear.

Just then, a figure appeared right in front of her, which startled the teen
sleuth. "Hi there ... remember me?" a dark-skinned woman announced sinisterly,
and Lila's mouth opened in utter shock as she recognized her from the gift
shop. Then, in an instant the woman stepped forward and send a hard punch
straight to her belly, suprised Lila gasped for air as the punch knocked her
wind out and made her clutch her tummy. As she wanted to say something she was
seized from behind as strong hands pulled her arms back.

"HEEEEEE ... mmmmphh! ... " Lila's urgent cry was suddenly cut short as that
woman shoved a strip of white cloth into her mouth, and fastened it tightly in
back of her head.

Once finished with gagging the startled girl, the woman grabbed Lila's legs,
and the two of them quickly hustled her towards that man Lila saw before she
was snatched. Upon coming closer to that person, Lila noticed that it wasn't
Sanders at all""she had been duped into this dastardly trap!

The other man held some strands of rope in his hand and quickly went about
binding Lila's wrists and ankles together tightly.

Lila's blue eyes then widen in even more shock than she already was as she
suddenly saw Tina trussed up in the rear of the vehicle after a portion of the
tarp cover was pulled back. She was then tossed inside, colliding with her
distressed friend. The tarp was sealed shut, enveloping the cramped space in
complete darkness.

The sound of the vehicle's engine was soon heard, and sensation of motion was
then felt as they were being driven away from the hotel ... and their family!

The two captive girls began sobbing and whimpered softly through their gags as
they were totally helpless in freeing themselves from these wicked people.
Tina was absolutely right in saying last night that they were in a world of
trouble now.

More than ever before ...

CHAPTER TEN

Heading back upstairs to her room, Ashley had a right mind to take the
elevator back down and accompany Lila regardless of what she said. Why do I
always have to be so compliant to everyone? ...

As the doors open to her floor, Ashley stepped in the hallway and realized
that if anyone can handle themselves it was Lila, for she had been in many
scrapes in the past and managed to get out of them one way or another ... but
that still didn't quell her worry.

Turning the corner to her room, she noticed a person standing in front of
their door, writing something on a small note pad. The person hadn't noticed
her yet, so Ashley hesitated at first in fear and thought of turning around
back to the elevator. She then came to realization that if this man was one of
those robbers, he wouldn't just be standing around idly like that.

"E-excuse me ... " she spoke up a bit nervously, but stood her ground.

The man turned around and smiled genially at the tense girl standing nearby.
"Hello ... are you by any chance a friend of Lila Spencer?" he asked
graciously.

"Yes, I am ... " Ashley replied a little more relaxed now as she got the
feeling that he wasn't so threatening. "I'm Ashley Emerson ... her roommate."

"Pleased to meet you, I'm Bart Sanders ... hotel security. I was trying to get
a hold of Lila, and ... " he suddenly stopped talking as he noticed the
alarmed look on the cute girl's face. "What's wrong?" he asked concerned.

"She was supposed to meet you outside in the parking lot right now ... but
what are you doing here?" she asked uneasily.

"Meet with her? ... " Sanders replied a little confused. "I came up here to
talk with her, but she's not in her room. What did you mean by me meeting with
her in the parking lot?"

"She just received a text message from you on her cell phone telling her you
had some important info about the robbery."

"But, I don't have her cell phone number ... she never gave it to me," Sanders
explained, trying to still figure out what was going on.

"Oh, my god ... Lila! ... " Ashley blurted out and she rushed back to
elevator. She pressed the down button, but quickly noticed that the elevator
was currently in use. Not wanting to wait for it, she bolted to the stairwell,
which was nearby. Even though Ashley had only worn heels a couple of times
before, she raced down those stairs like she was a pro at it.

Entering the main floor, she went straight for the rear exit. Opening the door
in a frenzy, she gazed out at the large parking lot, looking frantically for
her detective friend, but didn't see a soul around.

"LILA!!! ... " she yelled out as loud as she could, knowing anyone out there
would hear that. There was no response from her as Ashley started breathing
heavily in anxiety. Sanders suddenly appeared right behind her, still with a
confused expression on his round face. "Is Lila alright?" he asked concerned.

Ashley's eyes began to well up with tears as she spoke, "She's gone ... that
message must've been sent by those robbers to lure her into a trap, and now
they got her as a result!"

Sanders couldn't believe what he was hearing ... first a hotel robbery, and
now a kidnapping? "How on earth could they have gotten her cell number in the
first place?" Ashley asked in complete bewilderment.

"They most likely acquired it from someone that knows it ... " Sanders replied
logically. Ashley's green eyes then went wide in even more shock.

"Tina ... "

* * *

The jeep stopped at a small marina, which was deserted of people. The three
villians exited the vehicle as the woman stepped down to a pier where a small
boat was tethered""she climbed on board, untying the rope holding it. The two
henchmen soon followed her with each of them carrying one of their captives
over their broad shoulders. The frightened girls were placed gently down at
the rear of the boat, and the two burly men sat at the controls. The engine
then started up and the water vessel began slowly leaving the pier.

"Why don't we just throw these two overboard and be done with it?" one of the
henchmen asked while looking back at the two hapless girls reacting in muffled
wails at his dreadful suggestion.

"Because ... " the woman spoke up as she was clearly the leader in this little
task, " ... Mr. Tembo wants to see them personally," she replied directly at
her cohort. "He wants to meet the two individuals that rattled his cage
first," she then directed her attention malicously at their "guests."

Lila and Tina looked at one another with petrified expressions, wondering what
dire fate awaits them when they finally meet this Mr. Tembo ...

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Ashley sat alone on one of the benches in the main lobby as the police were
there, questioning witnesses into the disappearance of Lila as well as Tina,
as her shoes were discovered unoccupied on the main patio. She had already
given her statement to one of the detectives, since she was the last person to
see both of them before they vanished.

Under strict orders from Sanders, however, Ashley did not disclose the
information regarding Lila's taped confession for if the police got wind of
that, her life would likely be in danger as Sanders didn't know which cops
were dirty.

Lila and Tina's families were presently outside with the police for the hotel
staff didn't want a mob scene in the front lobby for other guests, and to be
spared of the emotional turmoil that Ashley could still hear from inside the
wailings of both Mrs. Spencer and Mrs. Palermo.

Ashley couldn't help but still feel guilty about what happened to her friends
for she should've heeded to the warning signs flashing all around her, but she
obeyed like a good girl, and this is what happens as a result ... Sanders did
tell her that if she did interfere with the girls' abductors, she might've
been taken herself, or worse ...

In the midst of her despair, she noticed Sanders walking toward her, giving
her a little smile as he passed her. He was heading down one the hallways and
disappeared around a corner. Deciding on wanting to talk with him, she stood
up and followed him.

Coming around the corner, she noticed him standing nearby with his back to
her, taking his cell phone out. Not wanting to disturb him, she started to
leave when she decided to eavesdrop on what he would say if it was relevant to
Lila and Tina.

"Charlie ... it's Bart," he said quietly like he didn't want anyone else
listening in. "We have a serious problem here if you haven't already heard."
He paused for a moment as he listened. "Are you free in say thirty minutes?
... I think we should pay a little visit to Mr. Gibson."

After hearing enough, Ashley quickly left the scene before being discovered.
If Sanders was going to get information that could lead to finding Lila and
Tina, then she wants to know as well. She thought what would be the best
course of action to accomplish that ... She could ask him to come along, but
she knew better that he would say no. Besides, Mrs. Spencer wouldn't allow it
anyway since she's responsible for her during this trip. Hiding in his car was
too risky, and she probably would be discovered anyway.

Then her eyes twinkled as she got an idea, but she needed to move fast! ...

* * *

The breeze while riding in the night air on the water was making both scantily
dressed girls even colder than before. They huddled closely together to try
and keep warm, despite that their arms were pressed behind their backs in
imprisonment.

Lila couldn't see anything around her at all for it was totally pitch black.
There weren't even any other signs of a life around as they seemed to be the
only boat sailing. "Hmmmmpphh ... mmmmmppphh ... " she mumbled through her gag
at the woman seated in front of them as she tried to get her attention. The
vile femme fatale did hear her mewled pleas and approached the both of them.

"You want that gag off, don't you?" she guessed at Lila's request who nodded
back affirmatively.

"I guess were far enough away now for no one to hear you. However, I can still
hear you ... and if you start screaming your lungs out, they go right back on
for good, got it?"

Both girls nodded meekly in response, and the woman reached over to them,
extracting the sodden cloths from their mouths.

Licking her dry lips first, Lila spoke over the sound of the engine directly
behind her. "Please let us go ... we promise not to mention this to anyone
before we leave this island," she pleaded urgently, hoping to bring out any
compassion she may have in her.

"You should've thought of that before you started poking her little noses
around where it doesn't concern you!" the woman shouted back harshly for she
shared no sympathy at all for the two captive girls. "I should tell you that
your friend here was kind enough on giving your cell number to us ... such a
misguided sense of loyalty you have there," the woman then laughed wickedly at
their dreadful expense.

Lila gazed over at her friend, who had her brown eyes down in deep regret. She
held no grudge whatsoever for she knew that Tina would not give in so easily
for they must've said some pretty nasty things to make her talk. If anything,
her anger was squarely set on the adults that were the cause of this whole
mess in the first place. Her thoughts then drifted back to Ashley and the
others, wondering if they were any closer to finding them ...

* * *

Ashley exited the hotel, stepping into the large parking lot where Lila was
last seen earlier. She walked over to the row of cars parked closest to the
building, and found one in particular parked in front of a sign that read,
"Hotel Security."

Approaching the small two-door vehicle, Ashley grabbed the door handle and
carefully pulled it up. To her relief""and surprise""it opened smoothly with
no sounding alarms of any kind. Working quickly now, she moved the passenger
seat up and climbed into the cramped rear seat. Opening her purse, she pulled
out her cell phone and fastened it to the back of the driver's seat with a
strip of duct from a small roll she carried as well.

She then pulled out another cell phone, which was Tina's that she got from her
room (courtesy of her younger sister, Olivia), and punched in her number. Her
phone rang instantly, and Ashley turned it on to accept the call. After that,
she pushed herself out of the car and placed the other seat back to the
upright position, then closed the door shut.

The battery on her phone as well as Tina's had a full charge on them. She
headed back to her room to now wait on hearing from what Sanders may uncover
in finding her two lost friends ...

CHAPTER TWELVE

Two men exited the quaint one-story house nestled on a small hill in a quiet
dark neighborhood. Sanders climbed into his car on the driver's seat while his
friend entered in the passenger side.

"In all the years I've known you, Bart ... I've never seen you so worked up
before. You could've sent him to hospital," detective Charlie Brewster said
astounded in regards to their little "interrogation" with Gibson, who was now
tending to his injuries.

"That dirt bag of a person was responsible in his involvement for the
abduction of two young girls ... " Sanders responded in a cold tone, which was
the exact opposite of his normally cheerful self, " ... and I'm going to do
everything I can in finding them ... alive."

"Bart ... you're in way over your head on this one," Charlie said in reason.
"If what Gibson said was true that Tembo is involved in all this, then those
girls are as good as dead, if they're not already."

"We don't know that for certain!" Sanders shot back. "I need help to get to
Holm Cay. We can sneak in there and find ... "

"Out of the question ... " Charlie interrupted, cutting Sanders off. "I can't
supply the equipment, let alone get the authorization to even go there without
some kind of warrant, and even that probably won't even yield any results as
Tembo is the most powerful man in all of Bimini!"

"So, you're telling me that in all good conscious, that you'll let two
innocent girls die needlessly? ... And you call yourself a protector of
justice ... " Sanders replied all disgusted.

Charlie exhaled in frustration, and looked at his former partner with a
defeated look. "Face it ... in this unfair world, sometimes the bad guys win
... "

* * *

Ashley hung up Tina's cell phone in utter shock at what she just overheard.
They know where they are, and they're just going to do nothing about it ...
She had hoped that the police would handle this, but they're just plain too
scared of this Tembo fellow. He must be some really big crime lord if he's got
the cops fearing him ... no wonder there's a crime spree loose on this island.

Ashley stood up from her bed and headed out of her room with a look of
determination on her cute face. She knocked on a door and David answered it.
"Ashley ... is everything alright?" he asked in a shaky voice, as he was
distraught himself over what's happen. Peering inside the room, she could see
Jen and Rachel looking back at her. "No ... everything is not alright ... "
she replied frankly. "I need to talk ... with all of you ... " she said, and
walked inside.

* * *

Ashley had just finished telling those assembled around her everything she
knew. There was short pause as everyone was still digesting that shocking and
disturbing news. "I can't believe that police know where they're most likely
are, and not going to do a damn thing about it!" David yelled as he slammed
his fist on the bed he sat on.

"What about this Sanders person? ... " Jen chimed in, " ... you said he wants
to find them just as much as we do. Why don't we enlist his help?"

"Because ... " Rachel retorted, " ... he'll just prevent us from doing
anything to find Tina and Lila, just like our parents would. If we're gonna do
this, it needs to be just us."

"Then what're we doing sitting around here, let's go get 'em," Joey said
anxiously for he was a bundle of nerves inside at the thought of his younger
sister in the hands of some deranged person.

"We need to come up with a plan first," David stated as he took control of the
situation, like he often does.

"What do you have in mind?" Rachel asked as she was open to any suggestions
that sounded good.

"First, we need to rent a boat, which I can take care of that ... " David
continued for he had gotten his boating license last spring from working at
the marina. "Joey ... I need you get a charting map of the entire island
chain. We need to know where this island is located." He nodded in response
for he was glad something was being done.

"What about us?" Jen asked, referring to the three girls present.

"I need you girls to get some supplies, and to do it without drawing any
attention ... especially to our parents," David replied as his leadership
skills were kicking into full force now. "I'll write you down a list of what
we'll need."

Ashley began to smile a little at seeing progress being made, for there was
now hope in rescuing her best friends. There's nothing like family when in
times of crisis ...

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The morning sun shone very bright over the marina where David and Joey were
getting the 15-foot motorboat readied. They were able to successfully convince
their parents that they wanted to go on quiet sightseeing trip to take their
minds off of the current crisis.

The girls soon approached the boat; each of them carried a large bag in their
arms. "Here's everything you asked ... " Rachel said as they handed them to
Joey, who placed them inside the vessel. "So, how long before we can set
sail?" she asked their "skipper."

"We're just about ready now ... " David replied busily.

"Good ... " Jen said, and three females were about to step on board.

"Ah ... no," David announced quickly. "You girls are staying here, we're it's
safe."

Rachel cast an anguished look upon hearing that sexist remark. "Wrong ...
we're coming along too. You're gonna need all the help you can get. What ...
you think just the two of you macho men can take on entire stronghold
yourselves?" she said heatedly as David just lit a powder keg in her.

"I don't want to get into this now ... " he said frustrated.

"Good ... we can talk about it on the way there ... " Jen interrupted her
boyfriend, and climbed down onto the boat with Rachel and Ashley following
suit.

David can control an entire group of men on the football field like a
well-oiled machine, but faced with a bunch of irate girls, he was as powerless
as Superman was with Kryptonite. He then looked at Joey for some support, but
the sixteen-year-old put his hands up in surrender. "Don't look at me ... I've
tried to compete with Rachel my whole life, and believe me ... it's a losing
battle."

"Then it's settled ... " Rachel smirked triumphantly as the ladies took their
seats at the rear of the boat.

"What about Ashley? ... She's only fourteen, and under my Mom's care ... "
David said wanting to still lighten the gender load.

"If it wasn't for Ashley, none of us would even be here," Jen replied strongly
to her overprotective lover. "She's earned a spot on this mission."

"I can handle myself just fine," the soft-spoken girl said adamantly.

"Okay ... we all go ... " David finally conceded, " ... but you follow my
lead. We don't know what kind of resistance we're gonna face when we get
there. This is serious business we're about to do."

"And poor Tina and Lila are in the middle of all that ... " Rachel responded
just as sharply, for they all knew the risks in what they're about to do.
David nodded silently in response, figuring he said enough already.

A minute later, the engine started up, and the boat began to cruise slowly
away from the pier. Even though everyone was committed unwaveringly to
rescuing the girls, there was that fear in the back of each of their minds
that kept them in grips with the hard reality of what lies ahead ...

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Lila awoke to the high pitch squealing sounds of a rusted metal door opening.
She squinted her eyes as bright sunlight shined upon her. Three figures then
appeared in front of her, and she stood right up on the small wooden cot she
was lying on. Tina was situated across from her on another cot in the small
empty room they shared through the night.

"Get up ... " the shop woman ordered firmly to their two visitors.

Swinging her legs over, Lila planted her feet on the dusty concrete floor
right next to where her shoes lied. She didn't even bother to put them back on
as she stood up slowly on aching muscles from sleeping on that poor excuse for
a cot. Tina also rose to her feet, stiff as a board herself.

"Let's go ... " she continued, " ... the boss wants to meet with you now." The
teen girls were escorted from their little cell, and out into the expansive
grounds that was part of an estate. Lila didn't see very much of it when she
was brought here last night on account that it was very dark outside, plus the
fact that she was still tied up and carried over someone's shoulder the whole
way.

Despite the fact that they were held there against their will, the girls
couldn't help but be in awe of the breathtaking beauty of the island they were
on, for it looked like they were in paradise. Of course, this little Garden of
Eden was home to one very nasty snake ...

Walking down a paved pathway, Lila noticed over to her right a large pool of
water just below her. Her blue eyes popped out in alarm as she suddenly saw
large sharks swimming around inside the crystal blue water. If the
accommodations of the pool were any indication of this place, Lila shuddered
to think what their idea of a barbeque was like""a fire pit large enough to
"serve" guests?

Climbing up a small flight of steps, the entourage entered into a large airy
cabana, and seated inside at a big round table was the man himself they heard
so much about ... Roland Tembo.

He certainly looked the part of a crime lord""a large overweight frame,
glittering jewelry on, pristinely dressed, and having four servants waiting by
his side at firm attention that would give the Queen's Royal Guard a run for
their money.

Currently involved with eating his breakfast""which looked like a serving for
six""his big brown eyes widen at the sight of the two fidgety girls standing
before him. "What's this? ... " he finally spoke after swallowing his food.

"These are the two troublemakers I was telling you about ... " the woman
answered back smoothly.

"But these girls are just ... children? ... " he said aghast. "You're telling
me that a bunch of kids were responsible for causing an uproar in my
organization? ... I thought it was some foolish cop."

"Don't let their youthful looks fool you, Mr. Tembo ... " the woman rebutted
politely. " ... these girls have proven to be quite clever ... "

Taking another bite into his meal, Lila saw the opportunity to speak, so she
did. "Mr. Tembo, sir ... ?" she said a bit shaky, " ... we didn't mean any
harm, really ... "

He let out a loud belch in response. "No harm!? ... " he then said in a
forceful tone, which frightened the girls even more so. "Your little 'stunt'
got several people of my competition all fired up, figuring that I finally
slipped up for the police to take me down ... I don't need that kind of
trouble!" Lila was scared stiff as she was afraid to say anything else now.
She held onto Tina just as tightly as she did for her.

"Shall I get them acquainted with your fishes in the pool?" the woman then
suggested icily, as the girls reacted in terror as she was no doubt referring
to those dreadful sharks they saw a little while ago.

"No ... killing them won't be necessary ... " Tembo spoke up, and the girls
sighed a quiet relief upon hearing that. "Why merely dispose of them and not
get something back in return?" Lila was then confused by what he was alluding
to.

"A couple of well-fit, beautiful looking white girls ... I could make a tidy
profit by just selling them ... "

Lila and Tina looked at each other morbidly, realizing they were as good as
dead either way ...

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

After traversing through calm waters for nearly an hour, their destination was
finally in sight! All of them were surprised that they made it this far after
seeing a few buoys along the way with the obligatory "No Trespassing" signs
clearly marked on them. David figured that everyone from the islands already
knows to steer clear from this particular land mass. He was also relieved to
see no other boats approaching in their direction, as they seemed to slip
through their non-existent outer defenses. Now, on to the real tricky part ...

Heading towards the shoreline, David picked a small quiet beach that seemed to
be deserted of people. He gently brought the boat as close to the sandy shore
as possible. Joey then hopped off into the warm water with a large rope in his
hand and proceeded to one of the numerous palm trees present. He tied the rope
securely around one large tree that was closest to them, anchoring the small
boat in place.

Once that was done, everyone on board then exited the craft and made their way
to the beach. "It's so beautiful ... " Jen said softly as she admired the lush
tropical surroundings.

"Looks can be deceiving," David reminded her firmly, bringing his girlfriend
back to the task at hand.

"So, now which way? ... " Ashley asked as she was eager to get started.

"I think I found a path out of here ... " Joey said, not answering Ashley's
question directly. David went to him and sure enough there was a thin clearing
in the brush, leading up through a small hill ahead.

He grabbed one of the bags they brought over, while Joey and Rachel took the
other two. "Okay, we go single file," David said. "I'll take the lead, and
Joey ... you bring up the rear." The sixteen-year-old nodded in
acknowledgement.

The youthful party of five made their way through the dense jungle as it was
starting to get hot for the morning sun was getting higher in the clear blue
sky. One of the supplies they brought along was bug repellent, as everyone
sprayed a good dose of it on themselves. During the trek, there were the
occasional cries of animals nearby as David kept careful watch should they
happen upon any one of them.

The foliage soon gave way to a clearing up ahead, and David suddenly raised
his hand up, ordering everyone to stop in their tracks. "Stay here ... I'll be
right back," he whispered to the others, and slowly made his way to the
clearing.

Reaching the edge of the jungle, he could see a tall stone wall, and two men
up ahead guarding a steel door at it""he noticed the lethal rifles slung
around their shoulders. "What's going on? ... " Jen suddenly asked quietly
right next to him, which startled David right out of his shorts.

"Are you crazy ... you could've blown our position!" he said irately in a
hushed tone back at his ever-nosy girlfriend. Seeing the two men now in the
distance, Jen felt bad. "Sorry ... " she said ashamedly.

"Should we go around?" Ashley asked in reference to the massive wall, which
stretched as far as the eye can see in both directions.

"That'll take some time ... " Joey answered her.

"Well, this whole party will be for nothing if they see us," David said
frankly as the situation looked grim at the moment.

Just then, he noticed Jen and Rachel taking off their shorts and shirts they
wore, and revealing underneath they had on these skimpy string bikinis! Joey's
brown eyes went wide in attraction at the seeing the almost naked girls in
front of him. He then shook his head in disgust as one of them was his sister
... eeewww!

David also couldn't help but stare at the two buxom beauties""even Ashley felt
a bit intimidated at their revealing selves. "Girls, this is no time for
sunbathing ... " David said aggravated at the obvious display of vanity they
were creating.

"Who's sunbathing? ... Rachel stated candidly, and the two of them began
walking ahead towards the wall.

David grabbed Jen's arm as she passed by him. "Where do you think you're
going?" as asked incredulously.

"To get through that door ... " she responded matter-of-factly. David still
looked confused by that cryptic answer. "Never underestimate the power of the
feminine charm," she added almost seductively, and with that the two
bikini-clad girls walked ever so casually towards an uncertain fate ...

* * *

The four gruff-looking guards were sweating under their "uniforms" they were
required to wear as the temperature was already hovering near 90, and it
wasn't even noon yet! Suddenly, one of them aimed his rifle towards the
looming jungle as he detected movement. And sure enough, he saw something that
made his eyes do a double-take for he thought he was seeing things through the
oppressive heat.

It was like something out of a dream, or more resembling a fantasy, as two
gorgeously barely-clothed young women were rollicking around playfully towards
each other.

"Do you see what I see? ... " one of them asked the others to make sure that
he wasn't in fact dreaming. One of them, the sultry brunette, caught the eyes
of the staring guards and waved teasingly at them. As if in some kind of
trance, the four men lumbered their way over to them, like the doomed sailors
being spellbound by the ethereal Sirens from old Greek mythology.

Still with their weapons raised, the men stopped short of the playful duo.
"Who are you? ... How did you get here?" one them asked, but with a more
meager tone.

"Hi, there ... " Jen said flirtatiously at them. "We lost our way ... could
you please tell us where the boat is?"

One of them men leaned over to his comrade, whispering in his ear, "They're
probably some of Tembo's girls ... "

"I'll say ... " the other responded in utter fascination, " ... but how did
they end up on this side of the wall?"

The other shrugged in bewilderment, then proceeded closer to the girls. "You
need to come with us ... " he instructed to them.

During the little playful melee they were engaged with each other, Rachel
suddenly held the top of her bikini with a startled look on her cute face.
"Uh, oh ... I think you just snapped off my string ... " she said in mock
embarrassment. The four men suddenly went limp all at once at that shocking
announcement.

It was then during that momentary pause, that they never saw it coming as
Rachel and Jen suddenly sprang into action, kicking and jabbing the four
guards with such speed and ferocity, that they were pummeled flat to the
ground in a mere fifteen seconds.

The bikini duo quickly seized the fallen weapons and gave each other a
triumphant high-five. David and the others quickly rushed to their side after
witnessing that incredible display of action they dispensed. "Where did you
girls learn to fight like that? ... " David asked still in a state of shock.

"Cheerleading ... " Rachel answered simply. "The routines can be murder,
particularly on the receiving end."

"So, I see ... " Joey said in sheer amazement, for he never knew his big
sister had the muscle to back up her smart mouth too.

David took the rifles from the girls before they went to changing back into
their clothes. "So, Jen? ... " David asked his girlfriend casually, " ... when
were you planning on showing me that little bikini?"

"For a special occasion ... I guess the surprise is out of the bag now." David
grinned at her and planted a quick kiss on her lips for loved her
resourcefulness.

"Okay, okay ... we still have a rescue to perform," Rachel barked at the two
lovebirds.

"Right ... " David snapped back into attention, and then handed Joey one of
the rifles. "Just in case, okay? ... " The teen boy nodded apprehensively as
he took the deadly firearm.

Reaching the now unguarded door, David opened it with ease for he hoped that
it wasn't locked. "I think we should split up to cover more ground before
those guards are missed," he suggested as the still unconscious men were now
tied up and gagged with duct tape (another handy item they brought along).

"Agreed ... " Rachel concurred. "I'll take Joey and Ashley, for I figure you'd
want Jen with you."

"Okay ... we'll keep in contact via our cell phones," David stated. "The first
team to find Lila and Tina will meet back here."

"You sound like you're back on the gridiron with that talk ... I like it," Jen
said to him sounding aroused.

"Maybe Ashley should go with you instead, David ... don't want you two being
in the middle of something while we all get our butts chased by the entire
compound," Rachel quipped in her typical sarcastic way.

He gave her a dirty smirk in response, for that's Rachel, always got to be the
wise guy ... or make that wise-gal. Turning more serious now, he spoke
sincerely to his brave group of friends assembled, "Good luck to us all ... "

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Roland Tembo wasted no time in auctioning off his "guests" for the longer they
were at his private island, the riskier it was for him should the police
develop some guts and attempt a rescue, which he felt was still a long shot at
best ... but why take chances?

It was fortunate that the two junior snoops were already dressed for the
occasion, they just needed a little freshening up first ...

Lila and Tina both sat in chairs while they were being groomed for their
little trip to hell, so to speak. Tina had always enjoyed being pampered at
the salon, but not like this as her wrists were bound to the arms of the chair
to keep her still. She couldn't stop weeping after her make up was applied to
her cute face. Looking down at her newly-pedicured feet, the woman attending
to her produced a pair of white high-heeled sandals. "You look like a size
six," she said judging her small feet, and placed the sexy shoes on them,
buckling the thin straps around her slim ankles.

Lila, for her part, was also treated to a new pair of heels""shiny pink pumps
with ankle straps. Her freckled face was all done so glamorously that she
looked like a bonafide model, which actually surprised her. If this makeover
were taking place anywhere but here, the two friends would be having the time
of their life. Once the stylist was all finished, she motioned to the two men
standing idly in a corner to come forward.

After their bonds were removed, they were brought up to their feet. The pointy
heels on both of their shoes were five inches tall, and where Tina had no
problem maneuvering in them, Lila had trouble just standing for her feet were
not used to such tall shoes. Tembo, no doubt, wanted to make sure they looked
as pleasing as possible. They were escorted out of the salon as Lila almost
stumbled. Tina quickly came to Lila's aid and assisted by allowing for her to
lean against her. The two terrified girls walked shakily along the paved
pathway to their next destination ...

* * *

Sneaking ever so carefully around the spacious compound, David and Jen made
their way through undetected so far. He realized the isolation of the island
itself was protection enough, but with them able to slip through this far,
this guy that lives here either doesn't get very many intruders, or he's so
overconfident that no one would dare go up against him. Regardless, they were
taking full advantage of the lapse in security, hoping that it will be just as
easy to sneak back out once the girls are found.

Making their way low through a thicket of shrubbery, they soon came upon a
large clearing that was in fact a helipad, judging by the yellow markings on
the smooth pavement. A man stood near the edge of it, and judging by his
appearance, David guessed this was the man of the house.

He pulled out a pair of small binoculars to get a closer look at the lone
individual, and the surroundings to get a better picture of the area should
they need to circle around. Scanning around, he happened to see a group of
people walking, and quietly gasped as he saw that Lila and Tina were among
them. They were heading in the direction of the helipad. "It's the girls ... "
David announced to Jen as he handed the binoculars to her.

Looking worriedly at them, she noticed something different about their
appearance. "Their faces look all made up, even more so than what they had on
last night ... " she observed as a woman would. "And their shoes ... I've
never recalled seeing Lila wearing heels that high before. It's almost as if
they had made them look more gratifying for some reason," Jen stated, confused
by what was happening.

David's face just turned pale at the realization of something. "Oh, my god ...
they're gonna be sold ... "

Putting down the binoculars, Jen looked in disbelief at her boyfriend. "What?
... " she asked in surprise at that absurd comment.

"Look at them ... all gussied up like that. What other explanation is there?"

Jen still couldn't believe what he was suggesting as the thought of girls
being sold was just unfathomable for her to comprehend ... and not to mention
so degrading.

A faint noise was then heard from above as a helicopter started coming into
view, and it was on a course towards the helipad. David figured out quickly
that it was meant for Lila and Tina to be taken away ... forever!

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Lila and Tina stood there in dread as the helicopter was making its approach,
knowing that their lives as they knew it would essentially be over. So, this
is where snooping has finally led too ... Lila thought dismally, for she
wished these criminals would be brought to justice instead of her and Tina
just being another casualty in their ongoing crime spree.

As all seemed hopeless now, the unexpected sound of gunfire was suddenly heard
from out of nowhere. The three men with them""including Tembo""all ducked down
for cover as Lila and Tina saw the source of the commotion ... David and Jen
rushing over to them!

"Throw your weapons down, nice and easy!" David yelled while aiming the rifle
at the men assembled. Pistols were deposited on the far end of the tarmac.
"Come on!" he then called out to the girls, and they made their way as quickly
as possible to them, despite their stiletto heels.

Lila was just in awestruck at seeing her brother actually here. How did he
even know we were here in the first place? ... As the teen girls reached their
rescuers, the happy reunion was short-lived as a barrage of gunfire suddenly
erupted near them! David quickly took note that the shots came from the
helicopter as it was now even closer than before.

With no time to spare, David began assisting the girls to cover quickly, but
Lila tripped in her lofty shoes as she was handicapped at the moment. Without
missing a beat, David scooped up his little sister in his big arms and began
carrying her at full speed towards a large group of trees close by, with Jen
assisting Tina right behind him.

The shooter on board the helicopter fired off another salvo at the fleeing
quartet below, but just stopped short of actually hitting them.

Reaching the tall foliage for cover, the helicopter flew low right over them
and began to circle around. David dropped Lila on the grassy soil, and the
teen sleuth immediately went about removing those impractical shoes from her
feet""Tina was doing just the same with hers. Once finished, Lila immediately
hugged her older brother fiercely and began sobbing.

"It's okay ... we're gonna get out of here ... " he soothed his frightened
sister to calm her down. Lila did just that and wiped the tears from her
mascara eyes. David grabbed his cell phone from his pocket and punched in a
number. "Rachel ... we found them! Meet us back at the rendezvous point
pronto!" and then hung up.

"Rachel is here too!? ... " Tina exclaimed in surprise that their siblings
were really on this island.

"Yeah ... and if we don't move it quickly, we all may never get to see her
again!" David yelled, and the foursome took off running again as their lives
depended on it!

* * *

"Let's move it!" Rachel called out to her two charges, who were currently all
at the other end of the estate.

"They found Lila and Tina safe?" Ashley asked all excited as Rachel nodded
happily back to her in response.

Joey took point as he watched intently that the coast remained clear. Back
tracking the way they came from, they saw a group of men in the distance,
blocking their way. Seeing another path, Rachel motioned to her younger
brother, "Let's go this way ... "

The path they were now on unfortunately took them deeper into the complex""the
opposite of where they were heading to. They soon came upon a large swimming
pool and the three of were taken aback at the two large sharks swimming
inside. "Nice place ... " Joey said wryly.

Turning a corner, the trio suddenly came face-to-face with two guards!
Startled at first, Joey went to aim his rifle at them, but had his weapon
quickly kicked right out of his hands by one of those men. And just as fast
again, Joey was grabbed, and a struggle commenced.

The other guard, a small Asian female with cold eyes went straight for Ashley
and Rachel as they looked on in horror. Before Rachel was able to respond the
nimble Asian spun towards her and connected a kick straight to her chest.
Gasping for air Rachel fell on her back and clutched her heaving chest with
both hands.

Ashley attacked the Asian in a explosion of motion. The two women moved in a
blur as they were both using a variety of punches and kicks in an effort to
take the other person out. Despite that Ashley was a head taller the Asian is
clearly better, Ashley was barely able to touch the Asian while the Asian
forced her backwards. Ashley took a snapping punch to her belly. In pain she
tried to reply with a punch, however the Asian batted the punch away and
snapped a hard punch against her cheek. As Ashley her head snapped back the
Asian used the moment to send a vicious uppercut between her legs. As Ashley
screamed in pain the Asian spun her around and forced her on her knees. With
trained precision the Asian placed her fingers on the nerves between her neck
and shoulders and began to squeeze. Ashley her eyes fluttered back and forth
and within seconds she slumped to the floor.

In horror Rachel ignored her pain and stood back up.

The Asian came at her with a cruel smile on her face.

Rachel stepped back just in time to avoid a chop aimed at the side of her
neck.

As the cruel woman moved at her Rachel attempted to send a hard kick straight
to her belly. However the Asian moved like water, she easily dodged her attack
and landed a powerful blow to her stomach, causing her to go straight down on
the concrete deck in pain. Looking back up at her assailant, Rachel tried to
move out of the way, but wasn't fast enough as the petite female jumped up and
landed with her knee hard in her belly.

Rachel her wind got knocked out and she was barely able to move as the Asian
wrapped her hands around her neck with a vice like grip.

As Rachel her vision was getting blurry fast she saw a sadistic smile on the
Asian her face.

Suddenly, there was loud THWAP! from behind the cruel Asian, and she fell down
right next to Rachel. Ashley stood there over them, holding a thick piece of
wood in her hands. "Good work ... " Rachel said as she massaged her painfull
neck.

Just then, there was a loud splash, and the girls saw Joey and that other
guard now in the pool ... with the sharks!

Ashley dropped the wood and quickly ran over to the edge of the pool. Rachel
went to get back up, but was stopped as that guard came to after being stunned
by the blow to his head.

Ashley watched in utter horror as one of the sharks began mauling the other
guard""his piercing screams for his life sent a chill up Ashley's spine. Joey
was making his way back to the edge of the pool when Ashley noticed the second
shark advancing towards him!

"Joey ... swim faster!!" she cried out in terror!

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Joey swam like he never swam before. He didn't even bother to look behind him
as he kept his focus squarely on Ashley's panicked expression and her frantic
cries. He just prayed that he would make it out in time!

Ashley bent over to the edge of the pool with her arm outstretched as far as
she could, praying also that Joey can reach her in time. She kept one eye on
that shark as it began picking up more speed. C'mon, Joey! ...

Reaching the perimeter, Joey frantically tried to crawl out of the water when
he suddenly felt something nudging his feet! He screamed out in panic,
figuring this was it for him.

Ashley grabbed both of Joey's thrashing hands, pulling him with all of her
might. The extreme stress of the situation caused such an adrenaline rush on
the lanky teenager, that she hauled him completely out of the pool moments
after that shark raised its head up with sharp teeth bearing from its open
mouth. The fearsome fish then dove back in the water and returned to finish
off what was left of that unfortunate man.

Joey trembled for a moment in Ashley's arms, taking in how close to death he
actually was. A hard banging noise was then heard from behind them, and they
turned to see Rachel beating the guard with the piece of wood that Ashley had
dropped. Once she was finished pummeling him into submission, Rachel crawled
over to her brother, hugging him tightly like never before that he was
safe""she also hugged Ashley as well, thanking her in gestures.

Realizing they were still in danger staying where they were, the three of them
rose to their feet and ran out of there, with Joey grabbing his rifle on the
way out ...

* * *

David was elated when he finally saw the outer wall coming into view up ahead.
They had managed to lose the helicopter that was tailing them, but he knew
that it would just be a matter of time before they were spotted again. He also
noticed that the others were not waiting for them, and that had him very
worried to say the least.

"What could be taking them so long?" he asked in frustration, for each minute
they remained on this island, the less likelihood they would make their
escape.

"Why don't you try calling them again?" Jen suggested, figuring that he
would've thought of that on his own.

After grabbing his cell phone, Lila suddenly shouted out, "Look, over there!
... " she pointed towards a small group of people advancing quickly, and sure
enough it was them.

Tina rushed over to her siblings and wrapped her arms around both of them
tightly. She then noticed how wet Joey's clothes were. "What happened to you?"
she asked puzzled.

"We ran into some ... aquatic trouble," Rachel said simply, and Tina soon
realized with wide eyes that she must've meant that shark pool she saw
earlier.

Lila also joined in the welcoming, and hugged Ashley warmly. "Why do I get the
feeling that you were behind this whole operation," she guessed toward her
bashful friend.

"I had some help ... " Ashley smiled, not wanting to take all the credit.

"We can swap stories once we get out of here, so let's move," David
interrupted, and escorted everyone to the exit door. Upon reaching it, he went
to open it and discovered that it was locked! His hazel eyes went wide with
shock at that startling revelation.

"You made a valiant effort, I must admit ... " a voice spoke and the group of
teens turned, seeing Tembo standing before them with some of his armed men
behind him, " ... but playtime is now over."

CHAPTER NINETEEN

The group of teens was forced to march back towards the helipad with their
hands bound behind their backs with plastic ties. David glanced at his
comrades guiltily, for he had failed them. He especially looked longfully at
Jen, for she and the other girls were all going to be sold now. David would
gladly give his life if he could save her, and the others ...

It was bad enough that she and Tina would be the ones whose lives were
forfeit, Lila thought dismally. But to have the others sharing the same fate
was just downright cruel. Her thoughts drifted to her parents when they
discover that two of their children had vanished without a trace, never to be
seen again ... it would break their hearts tremendously.

Seeing the helicopter on the tarmac up ahead, Lila tried to brace herself for
the inevitable. She wished that some kind of miracle would happen before it
was too late ...

Upon reaching the copter, Tembo saw a figure standing right in front of it
with his back facing him. He had a bewildered look on his corpulent face. "You
don't look like Montague? ... "

The man turned to face him, and the kids were all taken aback at seeing that
it was in fact Sanders! "Mr. Tembo, I'm here to inform that you""and your
men""are all under arrest," he said assuredly, despite the fact that he was
all alone.

Tembo laughed so loud at that audacious announcement, that it hurt the ears of
those around him. "That's got to be the funniest joke I've heard in the long
time ... " he continued to chuckle. "And tell me, just how do you intend on
detaining me ... little man?" he then said mockingly at the stalwart
individual.

As if right on cue, camouflaged men suddenly appeared all around from the
surrounding foliage with big guns drawn on them. Tembo looked in complete
shock at this latest development as he couldn't find any more words to say.

With their ties now removed, the seven teens remained together near the
helicopter while the bad guys were being rounded up as even more police began
to arrive. Each of them was extremely grateful that the cavalry did indeed
show up for the thought of what would've happened to them was just too
unbearable to imagine.

Sanders had just finished talking with Brewster, and approached the anxious
youths. In particular, he went straight for Ashley. She still had a puzzled
look in her green eyes at his presence. "How did you ... " she began to speak
as Sanders reached into his back pocket and held up a cell phone in front of
her. "You seemed to have misplaced your phone in the back of my car," he
replied knowingly on how it actually got there.

Ashley smiled broadly and reached out to hug him. He returned her gesture
warmly, thankful that she""and the others""were all safe now.

CHAPTER TWENTY

It was their last night on the island, and the residents gave their heart warm
gratitude to the brave teenagers that stood up to Tembo and his thugs after
years of terrifying them. Even the police department had arrested those
officers that were on his payroll, for a tidal wave of reform had swept the
small community.

For his part in this, Sanders was offered a lieutenant's position on the
force. However, he graciously declined that generous offer for he was very
happy just being hotel security.

Lila and Tina's parents certainly did not expect a relaxing vacation would
turn into a life-altering event. As much as they were upset with their
snooping daughters, they were extremely relieved that they (and the rest of
their brood) were safe and sound. Victor's suggestion earlier had new meaning
about taking another vacation with just themselves this time.

Lila was thrilled that everything turned out all right in the end, considering
on what could've happened. She intends to log this successful case on
MysterChicks as soon as she gets back home, and have some serious bragging
rights this time (giving Ashley and Tina their due credit as well) ...
particularly to her still renowned cousin.