Danniver Beach: The Search for Lauren
By Deanna and Tracey
With the Bikini Snoopers, and special Guests.


INTRODUCTION:

It's that time of year again, the Teen Detective Convention where the world's
most famous snoops converge for their annual meeting. This year it is being
held in Danniver Beach, at the new Danniver Beach Hotel, owned by hotel
magnate Randall Cain. Cain also owns the Watertown Hotel as well as many
others in the Cain Hotel Chain. Mr. Cain's daughter Erica will also be
attending the convention.

The town of Danniver is a tourist venue that attracts travelers from all over
the world, the affluent and the regular folk. But also is the home of some
famous villains, such as Madame "M" and a new villain set to arrive, our own
Lauren Smith. Will they create havoc on our convention, will the snoops be
able to catch her before she gets them!

Did we mention that Danniver Beach is also known as Danger Beach?

As our story begins ...

CHAPTER ONE: TIME FOR A VACATION

Moonlight has set in at Danniver Beach. A 24' boat slowly cruised into the
dock, where other boats tied in their berths. A girl jumped out, and rushed up
the ramp, trying not to be seen. Darting behind a boathouse she took out her
cell phone. "Hello, I'm here.

Where are you?" Pause, "What? What do you mean?" Pause again, "Where's this
Catchwood Manor? Not far from here, you got to be kidding me!" Pause, pause,
"Ok, Ok, fine. I'll see you there later." The girl put away her cell phone and
ran up the road out of the business section towards a house that used to
belong to the first Mayor of Danniver. This mansion, according to the locals,
is believed to be haunted. (See picture at Danniver Beach.net). She rushed up
the walkway, with cracked concrete steps with weeds growing all around, to the
front door. Turning the creaking handle, the door opened. She went in and up
the shaky staircase to a secret entrance that was located in a closet at the
end of a hall. Opening the door, she went in, to a one- bedroom apartment that
was furnished with a bed, fridge, and other amenities, a lot nicer than the
rest of the building.

"Unbelievable," the guest said out loud. She looked down and spotted a phone
on a bureau. Ring ... Ring ... Ring ... the guest stared at the phone. "How
could you be working in this dump?" Picking up the receiver, "Hello, oh it's
you. What do you call this place?"

"Yeah, it's nicer that prison ... " Pause again, "Ok, I'll live with this.
What?" She looked over at the table. On it was a brochure for the convention.
"No way," she said on the phone. "You want me to do what?" Then she paused for
a moment, "Wait a minute, Is Deanna Taylor going to be there?" She waited for
an answer, then suddenly a big smile came over her face. "Count me in, hmm,"
going over to a closet she opened the door, There was coils of rope, a bag of
scarves, some handkerchiefs, and a big gallon jug of some liquid substance.
"Great, I'll do what you ask. Ok, bye!" She hung up the phone and sat down on
the bed. "I guess this will be a good vacation after all!" Our Villainess
started to cackle, a little louder, and began to break into a hysterical
laughter!

CHAPTER TWO: THE CONVENTION

Deanna and Tracey arrived back at their house. "I can't believe Lauren got
away this time!" Said Tracey in with anger in her voice.

Deanna looked at the brochure for Danniver Beach. Tracey looked at her than it
hit her. The convention is there next week, isn't it?"

"That's right," said Deanna. "At the new hotel. Erica was telling me all about
it. It will be as nice as the Watertown Hotel, but on the ocean! And that's
where Lauren has gone. And we and the other detectives are going to find her!"

Just then a voice could be heard downstairs. "Hello, is there anyone home?"

Deanna looked up and rushed down stairs, "Oh, Hi Deacon, let me guess, you've
come to ask about Lauren?"

"Yeah, sort of. I heard you were in some trouble and came to check to see if
you were ok. Just as I suspected, you are!" Deacon frowned at his younger
sister. "I want to give you some news. Lt. Tom says that Lauren got away. The
Miller's stolen boat was found in Danniver Beach, you've heard of that?

"Yes," said Deanna. "The annual convention is going to be held there ... "

"That's right, the police have searched the area, and there is no sign of her.
They do not have the manpower right now to keep up an extensive search, but
the Danniver Police are on the lookout. I think she may be hiding there. The
police think she would not stay around and took off. I know you guys are going
to the convention. I want you to be careful, and let me know if you find out
anything. Our station is doing a story on Lauren and her condition, as well as
an investigative piece on the prison where she escaped. But more importantly,
I want you and Tracey to be safe!"

Deanna looked up at him with her big blue eyes. "Moi, get into trouble, no
way." Now Deanna is smiling. "Look, I want to capture Lauren too! It's
personal, but we'll have a lot of help. So don't you worry, we'll be ok! So
stop acting like a big brother!"

"I am your big brother, and you be careful!"

Deanna paused for a moment and gave him a big hug, "I know, and you are the
best!"

"Ok, call me if you need me, got it?" Said a stern but loving Deacon.

"You got it bro!" With that Deacon went back to his apartment and Deanna to
her bedroom.

"I wish I had a brother like yours, in fact I wish I had a brother. I hate
being an only child," said Tracey, who sounded a little down.

"Yeah, I know I'm lucky, but you got me! Now let's get ready for the
convention ... "

CHAPTER THREE: MORE DANGER!

Deanna put on a plaid skirt and short sleeve white jersey with white bobby
socks. Tracey donned on a denim miniskirt, blue and white striped polo shirt
and knee- high boots.

"Let's go," said Deanna. The girl's got into Deanna's car and drove to the
town of Danniver. They would be staying at the Danniver Beach Hotel, where the
convention will be held. But first they had to meet a local private
investigator friend of Deacon Taylor, for more information of what is to come.
And since this is a teacher workshop day, Deanna and Tracey did not have to go
to school, giving them a three-day vacation from school and to get an early
start to the convention.

Danniver Beach is a beautiful place, a tourist attraction that is one of the
finest in the world. With its gorgeous weather and pristine beaches, it
attracts tourists from all over the world. The town also has a rich history
both good and questionable, but a perfect choice for the annual Teen Detective
Convention.

"There it is," said Tracey. "Amanda Walsh, Investigations, the small cottage
at the end of this street." Tracey pointed towards the sign. The girls parked
their car on the street. They walked up to the office and saw a "come in" sign
on the door. Opening the door they walked in and notice an office complete
with a desk, chairs, filing cabinets, and a computer monitor. They looked out
the window and noticed it had a perfect view of the beach. The cottage sits
atop of a hill, and the scene is spectacular.

"Hi, Come on in," Amanda directed them with a big smile. "You must be Deanna
and Tracey. It's a pleasure to meet you! I am familiar with your work in
Watertown."

Deanna noticed that Amanda looked a lot like Holly Combs, who stars in
Charmed.

"Why Thank you!" said Deanna. "My brother has told me all about you. You do
good work yourself and we are looking forward to work with you! And I noticed
you will be a guest speaker at the convention!" Deanna noticed Amanda's white
blouse and professional short black skirt. "As you know, our 'friend' Lauren
may be here in Danniver Beach. She is very dangerous, and I know we could use
your help in finding her!" Deanna said with a sarcastic tone when she said
'friend.'

"And you can help me with my own problem, we call her the Villainous Madame M.

I think she is hiding your friend Lauren out in exchange for her work. You see
there is a new smuggling ring a brewing in Danniver, an international
smuggling ring. The governments of the USA, the UK, and France are all working
together. I think Madame M is behind it. Now, do you know this man?" Amanda
handed Deanna and Tracey a picture.

Deanna looked at it and her jaw dropped open! "That's Principal Benson! He's
in prison!"

"Not any more," said Amanda. "He escaped two days ago. Did you know he's
Madame M's cousin?"

"Wow," said Deanna. Tracey looked at her with astonishment.

"I can tell you," said Deanna. "He has a skirt fetish. He will not harm girls
wearing skirts or looking nice. However he can be very dangerous as well!"

"There's more," said Amanda. "The Police believe he is working on that
smuggling ring with Madame M."

"He should know," said Tracey. "He was in to underground videos. I wouldn't
put it past him if he is up to his old tricks!"

Deanna noticed a picture of two girls on Amanda' desk. They could not be more
that 14 years old.

"Oh, they would be Heather and April. They are my interns, you might say. They
help me out on cases. They should be here shortly, and you can meet them!"

"I can't wait to meet them. I've talked to them via the internet, but it would
be so cool to meet them in person!" Said Deanna.

CHAPTER FOUR: APRIL HAS A DATE WITH LAUREN!

The Danniver Middle School was about to end early for the day. Heather Thomas
and April Connor (see profile at Dangerbeach.net) were getting ready to leave.

"Are you ready for the convention," asked April, who is almost always
prepared.

"Almost," said Heather. "Don't forget the lifeguard course after we meet with
Amanda, and then we got to get ready for the convention!"

"Oh yes, and we can finally meet Deanna and Tracey!" Said April. "I've got to
go down to the locker room and change. I'll meet you at the library and then
we'll leave, ok?" Said April.

"Cool," said Heather. "I'll return these books, and I'll see you in a few
minutes."

Heather went to the library, and April went down stairs to the girl's locker
room, which is located on the first floor in the gym.

April went into the girl's locker room and over to her locker, which was in
the middle of the locker room. The gym and area was deserted, as the kids were
heading home for the day. It was a half-day at this school, and with the good
weather many were headed for the beach. April was wearing a camisole and jean
shorts and sneakers. Reaching down to open her locker and suddenly, woosh ...
a sweet smelling damp- cloth was thrust over her nose and mouth. "Mmphh.."
April tried to scream. "Mmmphhh ... , Mmmphhh ... but she became very weak.
April's assailant held fast, and April was quickly overcome from the drug that
was being forced on her. April's eyes got very heavy, and in seconds she sank
to the floor.

"Where's your friend?" Snickered Lauren, as she stared at the 19- year- old
snoop with the long light colored hair, lying on the floor. Lauren looked at
her watch. "Crap, no time, darn it!" Lauren dragged April out the back door,
being careful not to be seen. She opened a van door, a panel van with faded
logos on the side, but hard to read from a distance. She laid the sleeping
girl on a mattress in the back and then slammed the door. Lauren drove out of
the parking lot, down the street that the school was on and turned onto the
road leading to the outskirts of town. "I missed your friend for now, but I'll
be back!" Snickered Lauren. Lauren drove onto a private paved driveway, which
was not far form CatchWood Manor. There was a big hill between this driveway
and the Manor. She suddenly turned into a secret entrance in the rocks and
drove into a cavern. It is plenty big enough to hold a van. Lauren quickly got
out of the van, opened the door and dragged the sleeping April out of the van
by arms. She scurried to a door, which led at another secret entrance to
CatchWood Manor, and to Lauren's secret hiding place. There she placed April
down on a single bed with iron frames. Lauren grabbed some nylon rope and with
three or four turns she bound April's wrists behind her back, nice and tight.
Then she took another three- foot length and tied her ankles together. Lauren
grabbed some wide leather straps, and strapped April face down on the cot. One
strap across April's arms and back, one across her thighs, and the other over
her ankles Lauren secured them to the bed in the buckles that held them.

Just then April started to wake up slowly. "Oh, my head," muttered April. Her
vision was blurry, and she tried to look around. "I can't move, where am I?"
She tried to move her tied wrists, and now everything is coming clear. She
looked up and spotted Lauren. "Who are you, why am I tied up? Untie me at
once, these straps hurt!"

"You are in no position to give me orders girlie!" Shouted Lauren. "You will
do as I say, or you will never see your friends again!"

"What to you mean?" Asked April.

"I missed your friend Heather, you are going to help me kidnap her. Or Amanda
Walsh will be in great danger. See this button?" Lauren showed her a remote
control. The tied up snooper just stared at it. She recognized it as a remote
control transmitting device. Being digital, it uses the same technology as
cell phones.

"One press of this button, and Amanda's cottage goes up in flames, with Amanda
in it, maybe even some of your friends, with a KT bomb, get it?" Cackled
Lauren.

"Ohmygod," April gasped. "You wouldn't!"

"Yes, I would!" Screeched Lauren, who was now looking at her watch. "Hmm," she
walked over to her tie up materials, and grabbed a white handkerchief and a
long white cloth. She walked over to April.

April knew she was about to be gagged. "You don't have to do that, I'll be
good ... MMMPhhhhh ... as Lauren stuffed the handkerchief into April's mouth.
Then Lauren pulled the cloth into April's mouth between her lips, and tied it
tightly behind her head.

"Sorry, actually I'm not sorry, this is just for insurance. Are you tied up
too tight? Good, you are lucky I did not hog-tie you. Next time, wear a
skirt!" Lauren took one more looked at the now bound and gagged April and left
the room.

Meanwhile Heather looked up at the clock in the library. "Hmmm, April should
have been here by now! What's taking that girl so long?" Heather, wearing a
tan miniskirt and Danniver Beach tee, stood up from her chair and rushed to
the girl's locker room. She opened the door and went inside and spotted
April's locker. She was shocked at the site. April's locker door was wide
open, books were on the floor, and her bikini was still hanging on the hook
inside. Heather walked up to the locker, and looked around. April would never
blow Heather on purpose for any reason. "I think April has been kidnapped!"
Cried Heather out loud. She turned and raced to the Main Office, but it was
locked! Everyone has gone home for the day. "There is only one thing to do,
I've got to go see Amanda!" Said Heather as she race to her nearby office ...

CHAPTER 5: HEATHER DISAPPEARS

Amanda, Deanna and Tracey were busy looking over some files when Heather ran
into the office. She was breathing heavily from being out of breath.

"Heather, What's the matter?" Asked a startled Amanda. Deanna and Tracey
looked at the 19 year old and could tell something was clearly wrong.

"April has disappeared, she was not where we were supposed to meet. Come and
see for yourselves!"

"Are you sure?" Asked Amanda. "I have to meet with a client soon ... "

"We can check it out," said Deanna. "By the way, I'm Deanna and this is
Tracey."

"Nice to meet you," said Heather, "but ... "

"Come on," said Tracey. "Show us where your friend should have been."

Heather got into Deanna and Tracey's car and drove to the school, which was
only a five- minute drive away.

"It's nice to meet you, I'm sure April is ok," said Deanna trying to comfort
the visibly shaken Heather. Heather is not a wimp, but she is worried about
her friend.

Deanna stopped the car on the street outside the front entrance of the school
and the three girls went up to the door, which was still unlocked. Heather
showed them the way to the locker room and pointed out April's locker. Deanna
and Tracey looked at the opened locker, and look for signs of a struggle. "Is
this always locked?" Asked Deanna.

"Yes," said Heather. "April would never leave the door unlocked, much less
wide open!"

"Ok, I think you should go back to Amanda's office and wait for April to
contact you. I see nothing that indicates where she could have gone. Here is
my cell phone number. Call me if you find out anything or hear from April.
Tracey and I have to meet a friend at the hotel. Then we will come right back
to the office, ok? Don't worry. Everything is going to be ok. Meanwhile stay
with Amanda until we know more. If April has been kidnapped, they might be
after you as well." Deanna gave Heather a re-assuring hug.

"All right," said Heather reluctantly. "I just want to find my friend!"

"You can count on us," said Tracey. "There is not much we can do until we hear
from April!"

Deanna and Tracey dropped Heather off at Amanda's office and drove to the
hotel. Heather went to the door, and found a note on it. "I had to run an
errand, back in a half hour or so." Heather took out her key and let herself
into the office and sat down and waited.

April tried to struggle against her bonds, Mmphing vigorously in protest
against Lauren. Lauren had gone up to the top of the Mansion, from the attic
window it had a magnificent view of the beach and she could see Amanda's
office with binoculars. Lauren noticed Heather going inside the office by
unlocking the door. "Perfect," Lauren snickered. She scurried down the stairs,
which was made of old oak, and almost tripping and falling down. She went into
the secret room where April was tied up, and rushed over and removed her gag.
"I knew it would not take your friend long to go to what's her names office.
Just like the Madame said. Now, you are going to call Heather and meet her at
the end of the beach. Picking up the remote, or else!"

April looked at her in horror, "You wouldn't!" As her heart started sinking.
April had no choice. Heather was in grave danger no matter what she did. Then
she thought, at least if she was here, together they could devise a plan to
defeat this witch!

"Ok, I'll do what you say, just don't hurt Heather and Amanda!"

"Good girl, I thought you might see it my way. Lauren dialed her cell phone
and called Amanda's office. "Here, tell her to meet you at the beach, now. And
no funny business!"

Lauren held the phone up to April's mouth. "Hi, it's me. Meet me at the end of
the beach, now! It's important ... hurry!" April stuttered with fear in her
voice.

"Where are you?" Questioned Heather. "Can I change my clothes first?"

Lauren shook her head with a vehement NO!

"No, there is not time, hurry!" Cried April. Lauren shut the phone off.

Heather took a piece of paper from a note pad and wrote where she was going.
Leaving it on Amanda's desk, Heather rushed out the door and started running
down the beach.

Lauren stuffed the hanky back into April's mouth, and cleave gagged her with
the white cloth. "This to keep you quiet, soon you will have company!" Then
Lauren grabbed her chloroform and ran out of the room, leaving April feeling
helpless and alone on the bed. She wiggled and squirmed and tried to get loose
but to no avail!

Heather ran as fast as she could to the end of the beach, still in her Old
Navy skirt and tee. The beach turned around a point and was out of site from
the rest of the town. There was no sign of April when she got there. "April,
where are you?" She looked around and noticed Catchwood Manor on the big hill
in the woods. "Ohmygod, is April up there?"

She started up the embankment towards a path that leads to Catchwood Manor,
the former home of Danniver Beach's Mayors. Heather started forward then
stopped. She turned back looked down the beach for any sign of April. Turning
suddenly ...

"Hi girlie," said Lauren. "I like your outfit! I bet you are looking for your
friend, huh?" Lauren had a twisted smile on her face.

"Who are you? Where's April?" Demanded Heather.

"You are in no position to bargain." Snapped Lauren back. Lauren pulled
something out of her pocket, the remote control. "See this girlie? By pressing
this button, that building over there will blow up. And did I mention, you
will never see your friend again if you do not do what I say. "Come with me!"

Heather just stared at her and did not move.

"Come with me or you will never see your friend again!" Lauren began to get
impatient.

"Where's April, what have you done with her?" Heather again demanded.
"Lauren?" Heather recognized her from a picture in Amanda's office. But she
began to realize, she did not have a choice, she will have to go with her to
save April!

"April is a bit tied up a the moment, but you will see her soon!" Lauren
grabbed Heather by the arm and dragged her towards the Manor. Heather
reluctantly went along. The path went up a steep hill deeper into the woods.
As they got closer to the building Heather began to feel more nervous. "What
are you going to do with me? Whatever you do, don't hurt April!"

"Do as I say, and you and your friend won't be harmed, got that girlie?"
Lauren pulled Heather towards a creaky door, and opened it. Lauren pushed
Heather into a doorway, which led to a dank and dingy hall. It had not been
used for years. Heather, wearing sneakers still was careful not to step on any
glass or nails that might be lying around. Lauren shoved Heather into side
door into a small living room with a couch and some chairs. This room looked
new. Over by the wall there was a suitcase with some clothes in it. "Sit
down," Lauren ordered as she gave Heather a shove towards the couch. "Hmmm,"
noticing Heather's outfit and bare legs, Lauren reached into the suitcase and
pulled out a pair of white knee socks, rolled into a ball. Lauren threw them
at Heather, who caught them. "You are going to need these," said Lauren.

"You are not going to gag me with these, are you?" Asked Heather.

"No, of course not, I have gags. Put them on!" retorted Lauren. Heather
reluctantly obeyed, removed her sneakers and put on the socks. "Put your shoes
back on," said Lauren.

"I've done what you asked, where's April? I want to see her now!" Heather said
with an urgent tone to her voice.

"Patience, patience," snapped Lauren. "I'm not finished with you yet! I still
have to tie you up!" Now Lauren was toying with Heather. Heather was not
amused.

"Stand up and put your hands up against that wall!" Lauren pointed in that
direction. Heather shaking her head and feeling helpless obeyed. She raised
her arms over her head and leaned against the wall, facing it. Lauren grabbed
a piece of rope and by clutching Heather's wrist she forced Heather's hands
behind her back, and slowly bound her wrists together. A piece of nylon rope,
wrapped gently but very snug three times around each wrist, and then twice
around together, tied in a sailor's knot. Heather could feel the ropes holding
her wrist together, very tight, but the rope was soft enough so that it did
not hurt her wrists to bad. Her heart started sinking even more.

"There, that should hold you," said Lauren. Lauren took a hold of Heather,
pushed her through a door. There Heather's eyes got real wide, there was
April, lying bound and gagged, strapped to a cot. "Sit down," as Lauren forced
Heather to sit in a high back chair. Lauren made sure that the back of the
chair went through Heather's arms as she sat down. Taking some more rope,
Lauren bound Heather's ankles together. "You see, these socks will protect you
from the rope! I would be nicer to your friend, but she is not wearing a
skirt, tisk, tisk!" Giggled Lauren. Lauren took another piece of rope and
twisted it five times around, neatly in a row around Heather's chest and arms,
securing her to the chair. One more rope tied Heather's ankles to a crossbar,
and now Heather was Lauren's prisoner. Taking another handkerchief and
stuffing it into Heather's mouth, she cleave-gagged Heather in the same style
as April. "I'm sorry, but I can't notice how cute you look tied up in that
skirt!" Heckled Lauren. Then she began to giggle and laugh uncontrollably.

Heather and April stared at each other, wondering what Lauren is going to do
next. They knew Lauren needed help, but how unstable is she?

CHAPTER 6: THE U.K. CONNECTION

Deanna and Tracey turned their car into the parking lot at the new Danniver
Beach Hotel. "Wow," said Tracey. "This looks like the Watertown Hotel, but
with an ocean view instead of the lake!"

"I don't think there are any secret passages though," said Deanna. "This
building is brand new." The teen detectives got out of the car and went up the
marble stairway at the front entrance. The front doors were enclosed in brass
frames, with an Italian design from the 16th century.

"Who are we looking for?" Asked a curious Tracey.

"Her name is Penelope, from the U.K. She is an intern here working for the
hotel. She has a cousin who works for the BBC and knows my brother. Deacon
told me to find her; she will be a big help!" They walked into the main lobby,
which is near the Grand Ballroom, where the convention will be held. There
standing near the front desk is a tall girl with long dark hair, and gorgeous
eyes. She was wearing a maid's uniform, a short black mini-dress, complete
with white lace and head- band, black opaque nylons, and special dark shoes.
Penelope spotted Deanna and Tracey and walked over to them.

"Good day," said Penelope, in a heavy British accent. (Which we love by the
way.)

"Hi, I'm Deanna, and this is Tracey. And you must be Penelope."

"It's nice to meet you too!" Said Penelope. "Come with me and we'll talk."

"We love your uniform," said Tracey.

"Thanks, the staff voted on this, our choices were the French Maid that I'm
wearing, a traditional boring blue outfit, or a polo shirt and tan pants,
boring! We thought this outfit would give us more tips! Between you and me
luv, I think it's cool!" Said Penelope with a broad smile.

"I think you look adorable," said Deanna. Deanna could not help noticing
Penelope's long slender legs.

The girls went into a staff office where they could talk without being heard.

"You know I'm here working, but my friend with Her Majesties' Secret Service
has told me that there may be a shipment of smuggled goods coming here to this
hotel. In fact he feels that the connection is between Danniver Beach and
London. This is one of the reasons I'm here, to find out some information and
pass it on to both the British and American authorities.

"The Teen Detective Convention is this weekend, do you suppose they will try
to give us problems to divert our attention from their real plan, their
smuggling operation? Asked Tracey.

'I wouldn't be surprise, if fact it's a good theory," said Penelope. "I can
keep an eye on things as a staff member for the Hotel."

"Thanks Penelope," said Deanna. Looking at her watch, "We've got to get back
to Amanda's and find Heather. Bye Penelope, we'll catch you later!"

Penelope watched as the two girls from Watertown turned to leave and go back
to their car. "I love your American expressions!" Said Penelope, with a big
smile.

Penelope picked up her cleaning basket and went down the hall towards the main
offices. "It's time for snooping," she thought. Looking around she did not see
or find anything unusual. Penelope went up to the first floor where some of
the executive suites are located. Being a maid of course she has keys to every
room in the Hotel. She turned down the hall when she noticed a dark figure
going into a room, one that is not ready yet. Penelope tiptoed up to the door,
but with her soft-shoes it was easy to be quiet. She could hear voices coming
from the room.

"The plan is going like clockwork," said a woman's voice. "My partner has
kidnapped those two bikini snoopers. They've been a thorn in my butt for a
long time. She'll be useful after all. How you doing?"

A man's voice answered, "I couldn't be better. Thank you for busting me out of
that prison. You won't regret it. I've got my operation going again, and as
soon as you deliver the goods, we'll get them to London! In the meantime, did
you hear? The Police have issued an advisory, those all-young girls in the
Danniver area should wear skirts, because they think I'm in the area. I have
my eye on a few girls to kidnap, and that should keep the police busy, not to
mention the teen detectives, and you can proceed with your plan!"

Both villains began to laugh in an arrogant tone. Suddenly there was a thud.
Penelope dropped her basket! The villains flew out of the room and spotted
Penelope bent down trying to pick up the stuff that came out of the basket.
Startled, Penelope looked up at the two villains who are staring at her.

"So, who do we have here?" Said the man villain.

"A snooper," said the female villain. "What did you hear?"

"Oh, nothin' really," said Penelope. "I've got to get back to work." Penelope
began to get nervous, but did not show it on the outside.

Penelope walked backwards, creating distance as she tried to leave but the man
moved so fast it almost seemed like he teleported behind her and grabbed
Penelope. She tried to resist but in less then a second he had both of her
arms behind her back and clamped his hand over her mouth. "Get..."

"I'm on it," said the female villain. She raced back into the room and came
out with a brown bottle and some cloth. "We can't take any chances," said the
female villain as she soaked the cloth with the liquid in the bottle and then
pressed it over Penelope's mouth and nose.

Penelope tried to get loose, she tried kicking the man in the groin, but he
was too strong and easily held her tight enough so there was no damage. As the
drug took effect, Penelope felt her eyelids getting heavy. She was having
trouble keeping them open. "Very sleepy, I...zzzzzz..." Soon Penelope was fast
asleep and collapsed into the male villain's arms.

"Quick, let's get her out of sight!" Said the female villain. They carried her
to the room and placed her on the bed.

"I've got some rope in the closet." Said the male villain. "Let's tie her up,
in such a short skirt use that chair and put her in the closet, out of sight!"

"Good idea," said the female. "She almost blew the whole operation before we
got started!" They picked up Penelope and sat her on a chair in a big walk-in
closet. Picking up some rope, the tied her hands behind her back, together.
The back of the leather chair was wide enough that Penelope's hands just came
together. The villains tied her by wrapping rope around alternate wrists three
times, and then twice together around tied in a square knot. Then the bound
her ankles together, twice around each ankle in alternating fashion and then
once around both ankles, again tied in a square knot. Then he wrapped a rope
around her waist, causing the hem of her dress to ride up just past her
mid-thighs, three times tight. And once more rope around her chest and arms,
in even lengths four times and tied tight in back. An anchor rope added to the
rope holding her ankles was tied to a support bar under the chair, ensuring
she could not escape. The chair had a heavy mahogany frame. Penelope was a
prisoner!

The female villain stuffed a handkerchief into Penelope's mouth and then
cleave-gagged her with a thick white cloth between her lips and teeth, tied
behind her head. Of course they were careful with her beautiful long dark
hair.

"There," said the male villain. "We'll keep her bound and gagged here for now,
but we will have to move her to the hideout, later!"

"Works for me," said the female villain. "Ok, let's go, lock that door, we'll
check on our captive later!" The villains closed the door, but left the light
on in the closet. Penelope began to wake up....

CHAPTER SEVEN: ENTER S.J.D.

Deanna and Tracey arrived back at Amanda's office and went up to the door.
Amanda had just come back from her meeting. Amanda picked up a note she
spotted on her desk. "It's from Heather, she's gone up the beach in search of
April!" That girl, I could just, she never listens to me when it comes to
danger!" Said a disgusted Amanda, but she really does not want anything to
happen to Heather or April.

"I'm sure she'll be ok. Do you want us to go and look for her?" Asked Deanna.

"That's ok, I can handle that." Said a young woman about 27, with thick medium
length brown hair. (celeb lookalike: Mel Harris). She was wearing a knee
length denim skirt and sandals. Plus a short- sleeve white button blouse
finished the professional looking outfit.

"Oh, Hi Sarah," said Amanda as Sarah came through the door. "Sarah, this is
Deanna and Tracey, from Watertown High School."

"I know," said Sarah. "I am good friends with her brother," As Sarah smiles at
Deanna. "Deacon has said good things about you, and it's my pleasure to meet
you!"

"Nice to meet you too!" Said Deanna shaking her hand.

"Me too," added Tracey.

"Sarah Jane Drake, you've made the big time!" Amanda turned and looked at
Deanna and Tracey. Sarah and I went to school together. She now writes for the
Watertown Journal, plus has her own syndicated column!"

"You're too kind," said Sarah. "Where are your side-kicks?"

"Heather and April have disappeared. They should have been here by now. I'm
getting worried. I got this note saying Heather went up the beach to look for
April, she has not come back!"

"I could go look for them," said Sarah. "And call you back..."

"Cool," said Deanna. "We've got to get back to the hotel to get ready for the
convention. There are a bunch of school- girls coming in from some private
schools who are going on a tour of the Templeton Museum. Tracey and I are
going to register them and the incoming guests as a favor to Heather, our
hostess. This would work out, but by all means call us if you need us. Here is
my cell number." Deanna gave Sarah her cell phone number. "And Amanda, you
should wait here in case they call."

"You're right Deanna," said Amanda. "Sarah, could you..."

"I'm on it," said Sarah. "I'll walk up the beach and call you if I find out
anything. And did you here the latest? This is weird, but the Police are
recommending that all of you girls should wear skirts, that guy Benson they
fear may be in the area."

"We know all about him," said Deanna. "He must be up to his old tricks. I'll
convince the girls to where clothes he likes, in case there is some funny
business."

"Oh, great," Tracey said sarcastically. "That means I'm going to have to wear
skirts this weekend!"

"Looks like I'd better get going," said Sarah. With that she went out the
cottage door and strolled up the beach. It was a warm afternoon, but not too
hot. Not bathing suit weather yet, but comfortable enough to wear a skirt or
shorts. Sarah was captivated by the beach's beauty. The waves crashed against
the rocks and the sound of sea gulls could be heard near by. She took her
sandals off to walk barefoot in the warm sand. Within 10 minutes she got to
the end of the beach where the note said Heather would be. Sarah looked for
signs of a struggle, but there were none. She noticed a path leading into the
woods. She looked up the big hill on the horizon and noticed Catchwood Manor.
Looking around there was nowhere else anyone could go. The beach ended with
some big rocks and it was deserted after that. She went up to the path and
noticed some fresh footsteps, two sets of prints. "Hmm, two fresh set of
footprints?" Then she noticed something on the ground. It was a bracelet.
Sarah picked it up and on it was an encryption. "Friends forever, love April."

"Heather must have dropped this!" Sarah said out loud. She dialed her cell
phone, but it would not work due to a weak signal. Sarah went up the path,
through the woods, following the footprints up to the side door at the Manor.
She turned the handle on the door. It would not open. "Locked," She exclaimed.
"There must be another way in!

THUMP! "Ah... Sarah collapsed to the ground unconscious!

"Take that snooper," Lauren snarled after bopping her on the head with a
billyclub

Lauren dragged her through the door, and took a piece of rope and tied her
hands behind her back, twice around each wrist, and three times around both
wrists. And then she bound her ankles together three times around both ankles
and tied in a square knot. "That should hold you for now," as Sarah lied face
down on the wooden floor. Sarah had dropped her sandals when she was hit, and
lay barefoot, all tied up.

Lauren went out the door and took a broom, went down the path, and came back
brushing away the footprints. "I forgot about these, this is how you found me,
unlucky you!"

Sarah started to moan, "Oh, my head." She tried to move and as she slowly came
to she realized that she had been tied up. Sarah rolled to her side and looked
up and there standing above her, was Lauren.

"Sorry I hit you so hard," said Lauren. "Actually, I'm not," Lauren said with
a sinister laugh.

"What do you want? Untie me! Where are Heather and April?" Demanded Sarah.

"Quiet," as Lauren shoved a cloth into Sarah's mouth.

"Mmmpph..." Sarah tried to say as she choked on the cloth.

Lauren untied Sarah's ankles and helped her get to her feet, by roughly
pulling her up. "Hope there's no glass here," said Lauren, noticing Sarah's
bare feet. "Can't find your shoes, oh well..." Lauren snickered again. She
pushed Sarah forward through the secret entrance and into the side room. Sarah
pushed the cloth out of her mouth with her teeth.

"Let us go, now! The Police are on their way, they will be here any minute!"
Pleaded Sarah.

"Sit down," as Lauren pushed Sarah into a sturdy wooden chair. Lauren made
Sarah's arms go in behind the back of the chair. Sarah's skirt slid to just
below mid thigh, a sight that delighted Lauren. Taking a long rope, Lauren
tied one end to the chair post, and then started wrapping it around Sarah's
chest four times in a row, then twice around her waste, and then twice around
her thighs at the hem of her skirt, wrapping it around the chair leg, then
twice more around her legs just below her knees, and then there was enough
rope to bind her legs together and attach it to the cross bar below. Sarah was
securely tied!

A look of horror came over Sarah's face, knowing that there was nothing she
could do! She was all tied up!

"Go ahead, try to escape," Lauren taunted her. "This is a Deanna and Tracey
story; NO one escapes their villains, especially me!" And Lauren began to
laugh louder as she stuffed the hanky back into Sarah's mouth and secured it
with a thick white cloth, cleave-gag style. And she began to laugh
uncontrollably, leaving April, Heather, Penelope, Sarah, all bound and gagged
wondering what their fates will be!

CHAPTER EIGHT: LET'S GET READY!

"Hmm," said Lauren. "I've got to go get some culture. It's time to go to the
museum to take in the sights and admire its art. Oh, you don't want to be
alone do you?" Sarah gave Lauren a real evil look. Lauren grabbed the chair
from behind and dragged it through the door into the room where April and
Heather is tied up. "Hi girls, I thought you would like come company!" Out of
breath Lauren finished dragging Sarah and placed her chair next to Heather's.
Sarah's heart sunk as she spotted the two tied up young snoopers. Heather
looked at Sarah with a helpless look, though in her mind she was devising a
possible escape plan.

"I'll be right back," taunted Lauren. "Don't go anywhere!" With that Lauren
left the room. Sarah, Heather and April struggled against their bonds. Heather
thought if she could twist her chair close enough, perhaps Sarah could untie
her hands. Heather tried to twist the chair, as April anxiously looked on. But
suddenly the door burst back open, and Lauren rushed in, now dressed in a
white blouse, gray knit miniskirt, tan nylons, and white sneakers. It is the
museum's tour guides uniform.

"Tisk, tisk," Lauren exclaimed. "Trying to escape are you? I'll fix that! You
girls look like you could all use a nap!" Lauren rushed over to her bag of
tricks and pulled out a dark colored bottle and some cloth. She soaked some
liquid on it and went up to Sarah, pressed it rather roughly over her mouth
and nose.

"Mmmph.. Mmmmphh..." Sarah tried to squeal, but ever so slowly she passed out.
Then Lauren strutted over to Heather, who shook her head, NO! Back and forth,
but Lauren clamped the damp cloth over Heather's mouth and nose too. As sweet
as it smelled, Heather tried to resist it, but it was too late. Heather was
soon sounding asleep. Lauren pushed Heather and Sarah's chairs up against the
wall; so their heads could lean back against the wall and avoid being slumped
over. "Aren't I nice," Lauren looked back at April. "I don't want them to
awake with stiff necks!" Lauren again snickered. Then Lauren walked over to
the terrified April, and clamped the cloth over April's face. The sweet
smelling odor was too irresistible for April to resist, and she was instantly
asleep. "That should keep you all quiet until I get back, and you will have
more company!" Lauren cackled as she went out the secret entrance and to her
hidden van. As Lauren drove out, she saw an incredible view of the ocean's
horizon. "The sea is beautiful," she said out loud.

CHAPTER NINE: A SEA OF PLAID

The Templeton Museum, which is located near the beach, attracts tourists from
all over the world. With its maritime history and artifacts, and its diverse
exhibits, it is a delight for all ages. Especially for a special group of
girls from private schools from all over the area who are on a special visit.
Some will be attending the Teen Detective Convention will be interested in the
exhibit on Law and Crime in the Sherlock Holmes Room. There are exhibits
containing evidence of past crimes in Danniver's history, as well as books and
stories written by famous writers. Two of those students, Julie Nelson, and
Cathy North, students at St. Anthony's High School in nearby Redfield, were
admiring all that could be seen at the museum. Julie aged 17, with long
reddish brown hair, at 5'6" looks like a young Patricia Heaton from "Everyone
Loves Raymond," TV show. Cathy, at 16 is 5'8" with an athletic build with
medium light brown hair, looks like Kristy McNichol. Both were wearing the St.
A's uniform of a white blouse and short red plaid and pleated miniskirts.
Julie is wearing white cable-knit knee socks and Mary Janes, Cathy plain
nylons and black knee high leather boots. They were in the group of about 30
girls of ages 12 to 19. The tour guide was showing them the museum, when they
walked by an office with a door that was partially open. Cathy had stopped to
admire a bust of Lord Danniver, founder of Danniver Beach and fell behind the
group. She could hear voices coming from that office. She put her ears up to
the door and heard... "The plan is in place," a woman's voice could be heard
talking on a telephone. "We had some trouble at the hotel, but it's under
control..." Pausing, "Yeah, a noisy maid. She'll be joining the others soon."
Pause..."Yes, Lauren's going to kidnap Toby tonight. This will keep those Teen
snoops busy, and then we can move in the merchandise!"

"Come on," said Julie. Cathy rushed up to her. "Let's go, we are falling
behind!" The voice on the phone stopped and looked out the door, but did not
see anything. The girls turned a corner and were out of sight.

"I heard a plot, to kidnap someone named Toby," said Cathy, with her voice
shaking.

"You mean Toby Robin O'Keefe, from Glendale? She's here. She will be at the
convention. She is one of the most prolific writers in the middle school
class. Is that who they mean?" Asked Julie.

"Yes, it must be. It's a plan to foil the convention, to keep us busy so they
can carry out some evil plan or something." Said a worried Cathy. "We must
find Toby and protect her!"

"You're right," said Julie, who now is pointing at Toby who is in the front of
the group. Yes, it is our Toby, standing a tall 4'11" with short black hair
and glasses, with a red headband, wearing her trademark red plaid jumper,
white blouse, and white knee socks and Mary Jane shoes. "Let's warn her..."
********************************************************************

Lauren drove into the back parking lot and parked the van for a quick getaway
later. She opened the back door with a key that was given to her earlier. She
crept up to the tour guides office, peering in through the door. There was a
blonde girl, wearing the same white blouse and gray miniskirt that Lauren
coincidentally had on. The blonde girl's hair is medium length, thin and
straight. Lauren crept up behind her and then, shoved the damp cloth over the
blonde girl's mouth and nose. "Mmmpphh." she tried to cry out, "mmmmmmmphhhhh,
mmmph, mmph..mm..." and the girl was lying sound asleep on the floor. Lauren
grabbed her nametag. "Hmmm, Katie!" She said out loud. "Cute name. Too bad
you're not giving this tour now." Lauren grabbed the real Katie's hands and
forced them behind her back. Lauren tied her hands with a piece of rope, twice
around each wrist and then two times around both wrists. Then she bound her
nylon clad ankles with another piece of the soft nylon rope, two times around
each ankle and then two times around both ankles. Lauren then gagged her with
a thick white cloth, tightly inserted in Katie's mouth between her teeth,
wound around her head and tied tightly with a thick knot behind her head.
Lauren then put on the nametag, pulled out a wig that looked just like Katie's
hair, and within minutes Lauren looked like the real Katie! Lauren then looked
at the bound Katie, took another piece of rope, and hog-tied her attaching a
rope to her ankles, lifting them off the floor and tied the other end to
Katie's wrists. Her legs were off the floor at about a 90- degree angle.
"There, that should hold you. Nice legs..." Lauren again snickered at her
captured victim. The floor had a nice padded shag carpet instead of a cold
tile floor. "Oops, I'm needed for a tour! Have a good night!" And then Lauren
turned off the light leaving Katie all tied up in the dark!

Back at the museum the head tour guide announced that the girls who would be
going to the convention to join Katie in the Sherlock Holmes room. The rest
would be leaving to go home. Julie, Cathy, and Toby went into the Holmes room.
In this room had the exhibits from past crime cases including the famous
Stanley Murder from the early 1900's. Also were books of detective stories
such as Nancy Drew and Sherlock Holmes as well as many others.

"Hi, you must be Toby! I'm Cathy, and this is my friend Julie."

"It's cool to meet you!" Said the younger sleuth. "Are you going to the
convention?"

"Yes we are," said Julie. "We don't want to alarm you but we heard someone
plotting to kidnap you on the phone. They want to create a distraction from
the convention."

"This may be related to that girl Lauren who escaped. My friend Deanna has
warned me about her. I'm not afraid!" Proclaimed Toby.

The door opened and "Katie" walked in. "Hi girls, afraid of what? May I ask?
This is the Detective Room," Lauren said chuckling. None of the girls
recognized her, even thought they had seen Lauren's picture. Lauren was a size
16 then. She is a size 10 now. And the wig and make-up is a perfect disguise.
"Note the statue of Sherlock Holmes," Lauren invited. "It's carved out of pure
mahogany. It took the artist months to make it!"

The statue of Sherlock Holmes featured his trademark hat and he was holding
his famous pipe. "It has a special sealing to protect it from fingerprints.
That means you can touch it. Come on, look at the pipe, it's unique! Watch
what happens when you move it!" Lauren stared at the girls in plaid with the
utmost curiosity.

Julie walked over with Cathy following. She reached down and touched the pipe.
"Ouch," she shouted. "This is sharp!"

"This," said a surprised Cathy. Cathy reached down and touched the pipe too.
"Owww," she squealed. "You're right!"

Julie put her hand up to her forehead. "I'm feeling kind of funny. I can't
keep my eyes open!"

"Me too," said Cathy. "I think we've been drugged or something!"

Julie collapsed to the floor. Cathy knelt down, unable to stay awake any more.
"Fix my skirt, would you?" As she sank to the floor both girls fell into a
deep slumber.

"And wouldn't you like to play with the pipe too, little one?" Coaxed Lauren.
Toby, who just makes 5 feet, said, "No, I'm outta here!" And ran towards the
door. Toby knew she had to get help. As Toby raced to the door a big man grabs
her. He clamped his hand over Toby's mouth before she could scream.

"Mmmmphhh ... " Toby tried to scream. She kicked him in the shins that forced
him to release her. She raced away into the main hall where the maritime
exhibit is.

"Trouble?" Said a woman who joined them.

"I'll get that brat!" Said Lauren who chased after Toby into the hall. Lauren
went into the hall and looked around. There are glass cases of model ships,
Art on the wall, displays with artifacts from sunken ships and ships from the
past such as a metal diving suit. Lauren quietly strolled around looking for
the elusive girl. There she looked at a display honoring the fishermen of
Danniver. There are two wax figures of fishermen, a dory, fishing equipment,
gaffs, harpoons, etc. Equipment you would find from the early 1900's for
fishing. Lauren pretended not to notice Toby hiding behind the dory. Toby's
reflection could be seen in the glass behind the display. "Hmm, I think she
got away!" Lauren turned to leave, and then in a flash ran around the dory and
grabbed Toby. "Gotcha you little smooch!" Lauren said in a bragging tone.

"Let me go, ouch that's too tight." Toby tried to kick Lauren. "You look so
cute in that dress and you are so feisty!" Lauren chuckled. "I need a gag!"
Just then The Madame joined them, grabbed Toby, held her arms behind her back
as Lauren gagged her with a thick white cloth. "Can I have this one?" Asked
Lauren.

"Good work ladies," said the man as he entered the room.

"Oh Hi Mr. Benson," said Lauren. They all looked at Toby as she tried to get
free, but they held her fast. Toby stopped struggling. She wanted to conserve
her energy for later for a possible escape. (Author's note; that's highly
unlikely. Hee, hee)

Lauren ran and got her chloroform and shoved the damp cloth into Toby's face.
The gagged girl collapsed to the floor. Our villains were careful with her
short dress not to reveal anything inappropriate.

Benson, Madame, and Lauren carried the three sleeping girls to Lauren's van
and laid them on a mattress inside. There they bound the girls hands behind
their backs, rope around each wrist three times, and then twice around
together. Then they tied their ankles together just three times around
together. Lauren gagged Julie and Cathy as well for their trip back to the
Manor.

"You take the girls back and wait for our call." The Madame ordered. "Benson
and I will take that other girl you tied up and she can join that maid."

"Ok," said Lauren. Lauren drove back to the Manor. The three girls started to
wake up wondering what is to become of them ...

#1 [url]<http://watertown.fr.yuku.com/forum/getrefs/id/6166/type/0>

Mar 3 07 2:28 AM

Chapter Ten to 14

CHAPTER TEN: SHUTTLE TO CATCHWOOD MANOR

Deanna and Tracey arrived at back at the hotel to get ready for the
convention.

They went up the stairs to the main entrance to find Erica Cain, whose father
owns the hotel. "We've got to go over the registration forms," said Deanna.
"And see that the hotel rooms are ready. Erica is taking care of that."

"There she is," said Tracey. "Hey, and there's Erin!" Erin spotted Deanna and
Tracey and ran over to them.

"Hi girls," said the 6' foot Erin with the long blonde hair. Erin is wearing
her usual white blouse and black miniskirt. Erica, with her medium length
jet-black hair, had on an above the knee length floral dress, as she was
working in the hotel tonight.

"Everything is all ready to go," said Erica. "The ballroom is ready, the rooms
are ready, I can't wait for the convention to start tomorrow. Oh, your friend
Nat called, she is coming later tonight. She had some late homework to finish,
and wanted it done before she came."

"Cool," said Deanna. "We've already had some excitement! Our Danniver hosts
are missing. You know, the two middle school girls from..."

"You mean Heather and April?" Said Erica. "Yes, they are very cool!" Half
joking, "Oh no, kidnapped! We'll have a mystery to solve!"

"With Lauren rumored to be in the area," said Tracey. "I'm afraid you could be
right!"

"Oops, I feel bad now. I'll help in anyway if it's true!" Said Erica.

Suddenly Deanna's cell phone rings. "Hello," said Deanna. Looking up, "It's
Amanda, hmm, ok, we'll be right there. Amanda wants us to come back and see
her. She thinks something has happened to her friend Sarah. She has tried to
call her but is getting no answer on Sarah's cell phone."

"Things are under control," said Erica. "The staff has everything ready. Why
don't you go and I'll finish up here. If I hear from Heather, I'll call you."

"I'll go with you," said Erin.

"Ok," said Deanna. "Let's go."

************************************************************************

Toby, Julie, and Cathy began to come out of the drug that put them to sleep.
All three girls quickly realized that something was quite wrong, being tied
and gagged! Each girl tried to struggle against their bonds, in hopes to
loosen the ropes for a possible escape. But they could see Lauren was watching
them. So trying to untie each other would be pointless.

"Oh, hi girls! You are awake!" Lauren sarcastically snarled. "Oh, someone to
talk to, oh, that's right, you can't. You're all gagged!"

"Mmmmphhh." could be heard from the three girls in protest.

Lauren drove up the back road to the rear of the Manor where the secret
entrance is located. The girls could not see where they were going, the van
had no side windows, and the back windows were covered with some black film.
Lying on the floor, they could not see over the seats.

Lauren pressed a button, and a door that looked like it had not been used in
years opened up, and she drove in. Pressing the button again, the door closed.

"Time for you girls to join the others," Lauren chuckled.

Cathy's heart jumped. Julie was getting nervous, and Toby kept her eyes and
ears open, to spot any clues or chances to escape. Lauren got out of the van,
came over to the side and opened the sliding side door. Lauren untied Cathy
and Julie's ankles and pulled them out by the arms to a standing position.
Toby was left lying in the van. "I'll be back for you later, little one!"
Lauren slid the door shut, and with a thump, it was closed. Toby tried in vain
to loosen the ropes that held her prisoner, well...you know.

Both Cathy and Julie groaned in protest through their gags, which delighted
Lauren.

Lauren led them through a secret door behind some old shelves that reached to
the ceiling. This part of the Manor was clean the girls noticed. Lauren opened
another door and entered the room where the other prisoners were being kept.
Lauren pushed Julie down on a mattress. Cathy watched helplessly while Lauren
re-tied Julie's ankles together and then added another rope to raise them into
a hog tie position. Then Lauren turned and looked at Cathy who was standing
beside them with her hands still tied behind her back and the gag still firmly
in place in her mouth. She led her over to another chair, tied her ankles
together and then to the crossbar, then wrapped another rope around her chest,
then her waist, and then her thighs at the hem of her skirt. Heather, April,
Sarah, had woken up from being drugged just in time to watch Lauren tie Julie
and Cathy up.

Back in the van Toby looked around and tried to find something, anything to
untie herself. Then she remembered the pocketknife she keeps hidden under the
hem of her dress. She started to reach to where it was when whoosh...the door
slide open. Startled, Toby jumped.

"Boo!" Shouted Lauren. "Did I scare you little girl?" Mocked Lauren. This did
not amuse this 13-year-old who could easily skip middle school and go right to
high school due to her high IQ. Toby just glared at her. "You are so cute!"
Lauren said. "Come on," as Lauren untied Toby's ankles. "It's time for you to
join your friends. She helped Toby to her feet and grabbing her elbow towed
her along through doors to the secret rooms where the others were tied up.
"Hmm, what to do with you, I'm running out of chairs!"

She looked over and spotted a pillar. "Do you want to stand or sit?" Asked
Lauren. The gagged Toby could not answer. I'll get another chair later and put
you in that. After all, I am a considerate villainess! Aren't I?

Lauren led Toby over to the pillar and tied her ankles to the pillar, and then
Lauren untied Toby's hands and re-tied them behind the pillar. Then she added
a rope around her stomach and arms, and another for good measure just above
her knees. "There, you won't be here long. I'll get you a chair for later."
Toby looked over the situation, Heather, Sarah, and Cathy tied to chairs.
April strapped to a cot, and Julie hog-tied on a mat.

"Wait until you girls see what is going to happen next?" Lauren could not
contain herself. "Look what my friends gave me. She pulled off a blanket,
which was covering what looked like to be a desk, revealing a computer and
stand. Toby and the three girls that are tied to chairs could see the computer
screen. April and Julie were could not. Lauren went over to the keyboard and
pressed some keys, and Amanda's office popped up on the screen! "Neat huh?"
said Lauren. "Madame had it put in so we can spy on Amanda." Amanda was
sitting at her desk doing some paper work. "Ok, cool." She turned the screen
off. "I'll be back girls, don't go anywhere." With that Lauren left the room!
The girls tried in vain to loosen the ropes that held them from escaping.
Heather, Sarah, and Cathy tried to wiggle their chairs in hopes that they
could loosen the ropes. But the mahogany chairs were just too heavy!

Lauren got into her van and drove to Amanda's office. She pulled off the side
of the road and parked in some trees. The van was completely out of sight.
"Who's the snooper now?" Lauren chuckled.

Deanna, Tracey, and Erin arrived at Amanda's cottage office. As the three
girls walked into the door, they could see Amanda was visibly upset.

"Heather and April have not come back yet, and I've not heard from them. It's
not like them to not check in with me. And Sarah has disappeared too! I'm
worried something has happened to them!"

"It's ok, we'll help. This is our friend Erin," turning to Amanda, "Amanda."
Erin and Amanda shake hands. "It's nice to meet you," said Amanda. "I wish the
circumstances were better."

"It's nice to meet you too," said Erin. "I'll help in anyway I can." The four
girls were planning what to do next when ...

Lauren emerged from her van and crept up behind the cottage. She peered into a
side window and could see the four girls talking. Lauren was holding a remote
control device in her hand, the same one she had at the Manor! "Watch this,"
said Lauren as she pressed a button ...

"I think we should search area," said Deanna. "Where did you say Heather
went?"

Amanda thought for a moment, "I, I don't remember. I don't feel very well. I'm
so tired. I can't keep my eyes open!"

"Me too," said Tracey. "I'm feeling very sleepy, look at Erin!" Erin who was
standing next to Amanda is now sitting in a chair fast asleep.

Deanna looked at Amanda as she slumped over her desk. Tracey sank to the floor
as Deanna's eyes became very heavy.

"Shoot the ball, now!" said the Coach. The fans in the stands were screaming,
"shoot the ball, shoot the ball, and pick it up!" Deanna was standing at the
foul line. She tried to pick up the basketball but she could not move her
hands! "I can't move my hands, They won't move!" Deanna started to panic; the
team was going to lose! When ...

Deanna opened her eyes. Her mind was foggy. She looked up at the ceiling and
realized she was not at a basketball game but was lying on the floor in
Amanda's office. Deanna tried to move her hands, but could not! And she could
not move her ankles either. Deanna looked down at the rope that was tied
around her ankles. Her white socks protected her ankles from pain. "Ohmmmmphhh
... " she tried to say out loud. Deanna tried to move her lips but the duct
tape that was sealing it kept her quiet. Her hands were tied behind her back.
Deanna sat up the best she could. Her mind is now clear. Tracey, Erin, and
Amanda are gone! "Ohmygod," she thought to herself. Deanna pushed her way up
into Amanda's chair. She could see her computer screen. When suddenly,
Lauren's face appeared.

"Hi sweetie! Miss me? I'm sorry to leave you all tied up like this, oh well.
You are probably wondering why I didn't take you too!"

Deanna tried to mutter, "What do you want?" But all that came out was "MMmpphh
... " in a loud groan.

"You look so mad," taunted Lauren. "I like it when you are feisty. I bet you
are wondering where your friends are, huh? Take a look." Lauren picked up her
web cam and zoomed in on the heels of a pair of boots. It was a picture of a
girl wearing boots with rope tied around the ankles. Deanna watched in horror
as Lauren slowly zoomed out and panned up at the same time revealing the girl.
Deanna immediately knew it was Tracey. She was tied up beside a girl lying on
a mattress, but Deanna could not tell that it was Julie. "Oh, I borrowed some
chairs from the office. Look ... " as she panned the camera over. Their Amanda
and Erin were bound back to back; cleave gagged with white cloth and
blindfolded as well. Tracey was also gagged and blindfolded. But Lauren did
not show the other girls.

"Oh yes, why I didn't take you. That would have been too easy. You are a
detective, so be one and find us! That's if you can get untied. By the way,
when you figure it out, don't bring cops, or your friends will not be around
to be in the next story! Got it sweetie? Here is a clue; I love playing
politics!"

CHAPTER 11: BUT I HATE POLITICS!

Just then the screen went blank. Deanna stared at it for a moment. "How am I
going to get out of this one?" She thought to herself. Deanna looked around
for something sharp to cut the ropes. But deep down she is really worried
about her friends. Lauren is so unstable that there is no telling what she
will do. Deanna turned her head and spotted a metal filing cabinet. It was
gray in a 1970's style. With the computers now filing cabinets are becoming a
thing of the past, but sometimes these are needed to store older documents.
"This might work!" She thought again.

Deanna jumped up to her feet. Being a good athlete she was easily able to
maintain her balance. Doing the bunny hop she hopped over to the cabinet and
turned so her tied wrists were against a sharp corner. Moving her hands up and
down over the edge she tried to cut the ropes that held her prisoner. "This is
going to take forever!"

Just then there was a knock on the door. Knock, Knock, Knock! Then a voice
could be heard from outside. "Is anyone there?" A girl's voice sounded.

Deanna's heart jumped. "It's Nat!" "Mmmmmphh ... Mmmmphhhh ... " Deanna tried
to scream through her gag with all her might. Then she turned and looked for
something to make some noise. Next to the wall was a lamp on the table. She
turned and brushed up against it, but before it fell off the table the door
burst open and in came Nathalie Manns, the 5'9" brunette from Weatherby
School. She was wearing the traditional uniform of the white blouse and short
gray skirt, blue knee socks but sans the sweater.

"Deanna!" Nat yelled. She rushed over and removed the tape from Deanna's lips.

"Ouch," said Deanna as the tape was ripped off. "But thanks ... "

"What happened to you? Where's Tracey?" Asked a startled and surprised Nat.

"Lauren has grabbed them. And I'm worried. She sent a message on this computer
taunting and challenging me to find her. She gave me a clue; 'I love playing
politics,' she said."

"Politics?" Nat questioned.

"Yes, politics. I hate politics." Said Deanna. Deanna spotted a map of
Danniver on Amanda's desk. "There must something ... " Deanna and Nat looked
over the map. "Look," said Deanna, pointing to a place on the map. "The old
Mayor's mansion. It's not too far from the beach and it's near the direction
where Heather and the other girls disappeared! You stay here and wait 'til I
call."

"No way are you going alone. We should call the police." Said Nat, determined
to go with Deanna.

"Yes, I know. We will when we get there and have something to report!" Deep
down Deanna is relieved that Nat wants to come. "Ok, let's go!"

Deanna and Nat made sure that their cell phones were working and raced up the
beach as fast as they could run. Both were wearing sneakers so running in the
sand was not difficult. They got to the path that leads up to the manor. Of
course now it is dark. "We should be able to sneak up there without being
seen," said Deanna ...

Lauren turned off the computer, unplugged it and carried it to the van. She
raced back and blindfolded the rest of the girls with white cloth. "Time to
go, I expect Deanna to be here any minute. Oh, by the way, I hope you like
fire!" All of the girls gasped under their gags. Lauren turned to go and
stopped. "I need a hostage as an insurance policy. Now which one ... hmmm,
tough choice, I'll take you!" Lauren went over to Heather, untied her from the
chair and untied her ankles. Heather's heart started racing. She as well as
the others that something was terribly wrong. Lauren pulled at the gagged and
blindfolded girl and pushed her out the secret entrance and into the back of
the van. There she re-tied Heather's ankles together, four coils of rope
around both ankles tied into a tight sailor's knot. Lauren removed Heather's
gag but not the blindfold.

"What do you want? Let us go!" Demanded Heather. "What do you mean when you
said fire?" Heather of course was scared but would not show it.

"I set a trap. When Deanna comes in it will set off a device that will set
this whole building on fire. Being so old it will go up instantly. The massive
fire will keep the cops and the rest busy while my bosses can carry out their
plan. And by the way, take out a few detectives along the way. I hate to see
Deanna perish, but, oh well. The Madame has promised me a trip to the
Caribbean to stay with her at her palace. You might get to come along too!"

"Please, don't hurt them!" Pleaded Heather. "I'll do what you ask. Just leave
them tied up and you can make your escape. You'll be charged with murder and
will go to jail!"

"I'm not going to JAIL!" Lauren stammered and now becoming agitated. "I've had
enough of you missy!" She shoved a hanky back into Heather's mouth and took
the white cloth and tied it tightly behind her head. The cloth squeezed
between her lips and teeth, holding the hanky in place and effectively gagging
Heather. Lauren started the van and drove off down the back drive ...

Deanna and Nat reached the Manor. "We've got to be careful!" Said Deanna.

"You are so right," said Nat. "This must be a trap. Do you hear that?" A sound
of a vehicle could be heard driving off into the distance.

"Sounds like one car," said Deanna. "I have a bad feeling Lauren is escaping.
But there is no way all of the girls could be in the same car."

"We've got to find a safe way in," said Nat. The girls walked quietly around
the Manor. Brush and weeds were everywhere. Deanna did not want to turn on her
flashlight yet and was relying on the moonlight, which was full. Carefully
checking each window for wires the found one on the south side of the
building. It was broken. "Here, help me with this." Together the two girls
slowly opened the window that swung out. It creaked from the rusty hinges.

"No one has been here for years," said Nat. Deanna easily pulled herself up
over the ledge and into the room. Her denim skirt stayed in place. Deanna
reached over and pulled Nat up. Both girls looked at the old oak wooden floor
to make sure that there were no booby traps. Now Deanna turned on her
flashlight, carefully shading it with her hand so not to attract any
attention. Shining the light around it revealed an old study, with a run down
desk and some old empty shelves. "I'll be this was the Mayor's office," said
Deanna. The girls ever so slowly moved to the door. They looked out into a
long hall. Cobwebs were everywhere and the building was deteriorating from the
lack of use and maintenance from so long ago. Squeaking and cracking sounds
from wood could be heard.

"I hope there are no ghosts here," said Nat. Deanna looked at her with a "very
funny" look. "Where could they be?" Deanna whispered ...

Tracey, Erin, and the other girls struggle against the ropes that held them
from escaping there pending doom. Groans and grunts could be heard but Lauren
did such a good job of tying them up that there was no escape! Each girl was
becoming more nervous and scared. There is a bigger fear of the unknown.
Tracey thought to herself, "Did Lauren place an incendiary bomb somewhere?
Will Deanna accidentally set it off?" Tracey struggled against the ropes,
turning and twisting in a desperate attempt to get free. Julie lying next to
her could sense Tracey's panic. She tried to untie Tracey's hands by turning
enough to reach them, but being hogtied it was difficult ...

Deanna and Nat slowly moved down the hall. Both were thinking a good place to
hide the girls would be at the back of the Mansion and upstairs where Lauren
would have a good view of the beach. They slowly came to the back stairs. The
stairs were in disrepair. "Be careful," said Nat. Both girls stepped forward.
"Look up there!" Nat pointed to a flashing red light.

"Ohmygod!" Deanna exclaimed. It's a trap. It may be a bomb! Deanna stared at
the flashing light. It's flashing slowly, but we are running out of time. When
it flashes quickly, it could go off at any minute!" The girls started to step
towards the stairs when all of a sudden a trap door opens between their feet!
WHOOOOSHHH ...

Deanna and Nat fell through the door onto a mattress below. Both landed on the
mattress with a thud, unconscious! The red light began to flash at a quicker
pace, then a little faster ... blink, blink, blink.

CHAPTER 12: RED MEANS STOP!

The blinking light flashing even faster means that the device is close to
detonation as Nat and Deanna lay on the old mattress unconscious. Tracey and
the other girls tried in vain to escape the ropes that held them. Groans and
cries of "mmmphhh" echoed in the dingy room. Tracey hoped that Deanna would
make it in time but her heart was sinking as time was running out!

Lauren drove down the old road but stopped just short of the highway. Reaching
over the back seat she picked up a case, glancing at her tied prisoner.
Opening the case, Lauren took out a reddish colored wig. She tied her dark
hair up in a bun, placed the wig on her head and then took some make up and
dusted her eyebrows to match the color of the wig. "Hmm, I'm another Ginger
Grant!" She chuckled. Applying a little more makeup to her face she was ready
to drive off.

"Oh, my head!" Deanna groaned as she began to open her eyes. She looked up and
spotted the blinking light. Deanna turned and looked at Nat, who lay
motionless beside her. She reached over and gently shook her. Nat started to
stir, and slowly opened her eyes. "What happened, where are we?" Nat said as
she tried to sit up.

"We fell through a trap door." Said Deanna. "Look, I think I found the bomb or
at least part of it!" Deanna pointed up at the blinking light, which was
attached to a beam holding up the floor just down from where the two girls
were. Deanna and Nat rose up from the mattress. The red lights continued to
flash. Deanna pulled a flashlight from her skirt pocket and flashed it towards
the light. It revealed a black box with some switches. But even at 5'11' the
box was out of Deanna's reach. "This must be a trap, a bomb control or
something."

"You don't think Lauren could be so diabolical that she would hurt anyone,
would she?" Questioned Nat.

"In her condition she is capable of anything," Deanna exclaimed. "If I could
reach up to that box..."

"Get on my shoulders," said Nat. "I can help you up to that box!" Deanna got
on Nat's shoulders and Nat stood up like a cheerleader. She was strong enough
to hold Deanna. Nat held Deanna's knees while Deanna reached up to the box.
"Yup, it's a remote control device all right," said Deanna. "We've got to be
careful, we don't want to set it off!" She looked at the buttons that were on
the side. "There's an off and on switch!" A tiny green light was next to a
switch that slid back and forth. "We've got nothing to lose, the light is
blinking faster and faster, now it's beeping!"

"It must be ready to go off, do something!" Said Nat.

Deanna reached up and moved the switch to the left, opposite of the green
light. A light turned red and the flashing red lights turned off! "I think
that's it!" Said Deanna. "Come on, let's find the girls!"

Nat kneeled down so Deanna could jump off her shoulders. "Looks like red means
stop!" Said a relieved Nat. Both girls looked around for an escape from their
prison. In the excitement they did not realize that they were trapped in a
cellar.

"There must be a way out," said Deanna. They went down the empty barren cellar
looking for a set of stairs.

"There, over in that corner!" Shouted Nat. Both girls raced over to an old set
of rickety stairs. They carefully taking one step at time went up the stairs.
The stairs creaked with every step. Nat followed closely behind. Deanna
carefully opened the door. The door squeaked on the rusty hinges. Dust was
everywhere as well as some cobwebs. Deanna brushed them aside as they went to
look for the girls. "Tracey, Tracey," Deanna yelled. There was nothing but
silence except for the house creaking from old age. They looked down a hall
from where they came in. Deanna and Nat arrived back at the stairs but this
time they avoided the trap door at the foot of the stairs. Both girls easily
jumped over the opening onto the bottom stairs and raced up to the top. This
led them to another dingy hallway. Deanna shined her flashlight down the hall.
There were old doors on each side, but she spotted something strange. There
was a door at the end of the hall but it looked new!

Lauren drove out onto the road that led back into town. She looked around and
waited for the Manor to go up in flames. "You know sweetie," Lauren said to
Heather, "Your friends should be turned into marshmallows pretty soon!"

Heather just froze with fear. She had no idea that Deanna and Nat had things
under control. Her eyes began to well up with tears. The thought of losing her
best friend was too much to bear... when...

A sound of a siren could be heard. Lauren did not panic though she was
startled. "You be quiet honey or you are toast! Got it? I have another remote
control and I can set that manor up instantly!" Heather knew she was bluffing,
but she could not take that chance so she did what Lauren asked.

Lauren pulled over to the side and a police officer came up the side of the
window. "License and registration please, ma'm!" Asked the officer. He looked
in the van an noticed a curtain behind the driver's seats.

"What did I do wrong officer?" Questioned Lauren.

"You ran through a red light!" Said the officer. Lauren handed him a driver's
license and registration complete with a picture in Lauren's disguise! "I'm so
sorry officer, I'm new to the area. I'm visiting my aunt. In fact this is her
van!"

The officer looked at the license. It said Jennifer Grant. Then he looked at
the registration. The van is registered to a Madeline Grant. The address was
the Templeton Museum. "You are the niece of the director of the museum?" Asked
the officer.

"Oh yes," said Lauren. "I just came back from an old house that we thought
would have an exhibit. But it was a false alarm. It seems that the old statue
of a sea captain was not old at all, but a good imitation. So my van is empty,
want to see?"

"No, that's ok." Said the officer. "I'm going to let you off with a warning
since you are new to the area. But be careful next time, ok?"

"Yes sir," said Jennifer (Lauren). "I'll be more careful. I'm so sorry I took
you away from your important duties!"

Heather thought to herself, "What a suck up!"

Lauren watched carefully as the officer went back to his squad car and drove
off. "That was close, now it's time to go see my aunt!" Lauren quipped.

Deanna and Nat ran down the hall to the new door. Deanna opened the door and
in the room, the missing teen detectives, Amanda Walsh and Sarah Drake as
well! Deanna quickly ran over and untied Tracey, who in turn untied Julie.
Then the girls untied April, Toby, Cathy, Amanda and Sarah. They all said a
round of thanks.

"Was that as close as I thought?" Asked Amanda. "I think Lauren had set a
booby trap!"

"Perhaps as a diversion to hide her real plan?" Asked Sarah.

"But where is Heather?" Asked April. "Lauren took her away, we've got to find
her!" April started to panic.

"I think we should go back to the hotel and formulate a plan!" Said Deanna.
"There is strength in numbers and we should stick together. With Lauren still
on the loose there is still a lot of danger!"

"You're right Deanna." Amanda added. "Sarah and I can go back to my office.
You girls should go to the convention. I'll call the police and get them
involved."

"Ok," said Deanna. "We'll do. But we must find Heather!"

"And I have an idea where she might have taken her," said Toby. "The
museum..."

"I think she's right," said Cathy. There is something strange going on there!"

Amanda, using Deanna's cell phone called the police. Within minutes they
arrived with the bomb squad. The girls were allowed to leave after giving
their statements. An A.P.B. was reissued for Lauren. The teen detectives went
back to the hotel and Amanda and Sarah went back to Amanda's cottage. And
Lauren, she drove into the museum parking lot with her new exhibit...

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: TEMPLETON'S NEW ADDITIONS

Lauren stopped the van in the parking lot outside the Templeton Museum. She
looked over the seat at her tied up captive. Heather wore herself out from
trying to wiggle and untwist the ropes that held her.

"Time for you to meet my bosses!" Scowled Lauren. "You might go on a cruise
with us to South America! Ever been to South America?" Lauren quipped. Heather
laid on the van's floor in total silence. She did not want to give Lauren any
satisfaction. Lauren looked at her watch. "Hmm, the bomb should have gone off
by now!" Heather's heart started sinking. "Oh well, life is life!" Lauren got
out of the driver's side of the van and trotted over to the side door and slid
it open. She looked around to make sure that no one was looking. Then Lauren
reached down and untied Heather's ankles. She pulled Heather to her feet.

"Mmmphh..." Heather tried to protest. Heather tried to struggle but she was no
match for the stronger Lauren, especially with her hands tied securely behind
her back. Heather's ankles did not hurt thanks to the socks Lauren had given
her. Lauren slammed the door shut and grabbed Heather's arm by the elbow and
dragged her to the back entrance of the museum. All Heather could do was
listen. The blindfold kept her totally in the dark. The heavy metal door
slammed behind them and the eerie silence was deafening. The sound of
footsteps on the concrete floor echoed as they made their way to a secret room
near the offices. Lauren opened the door and walked in with her new exhibit.
Sitting at a desk was a woman, and a large man was standing next to the desk.
Lauren removed Heather's blindfold. When her eyes adjusted to the light,
Heather could not believe her eyes. "THE VILLIANESS MADAME M!" Heather thought
to herself.

"Miss me?" Said the Madame. "Did you have fun with that friend of yours in
that cave?" Madame chuckled, referring to another time she had captured
Heather and April.

Madame looked at Lauren. "You failed, your plan did not work. Catchwood Manor
is still there. I thought you said it would burn down, with those meddling
snoops in it!" Madame started to fume. Heather breathed a sigh of relief.

"What?" Said a stunned Lauren. "It was a foolproof plan. They should all
be..."

"Silence," interrupted the Madame. "They all escaped. All of those snoops are
headed back to the hotel."

"This means we will have to delay the shipment for another day or two," said
Benson. "We were counting on that diversion. Plus the tide has to be right, or
we won't get into smugglers cave."

Madame looked at the tied up Heather, who continued to stare at the Madame.
"Remove her gag," said the Madame. Lauren untied the cloth from Heather's
mouth. Heather spit out the hanky onto the floor.

"Looks like you plans are foiled for now!" Sneered Heather. "My friends are
pretty smart, they will outwit you! Why don't you give yourselves up? You
don't stand a chance..."

"Silence!" Screamed the Madame. "You may come in handy after all. We can take
her to South America and make her our servant." Madame looked at Benson.

"Like hell I will," snorted Heather. "My friends will find me, catch you and
you will get yours!

"Gag her, I've had enough of her now. Put her in the back room and tie her up
tight. We will take her to the ship in the morning when it arrives. Then
Lauren I want you to go back to the hotel and check on our two guests, and
keep an eye on that convention. Now that April is loose, I'm concerned. We can
deal with her again, but she's trouble!"

"Not to mention Deanna and Tracey and their friends," added Lauren. "Ok,
Heather will make a welcome addition to the museum!" Lauren tugged at
Heather's arm and pulled her into a back room next to the office. There was an
old couch against the wall. Lauren pushed Heather faced down on it and took
the cloth and cleave- gagged her tight. And then she took the rope and re-tied
Heather's ankles together. "That should hold you!" Lauren sneered. Then she
turned off the light and closed the door, leaving Heather lying on the couch,
hands bound behind her back, ankles tied, and gagged. Heather looked around
for something to try to cut the ropes, but the room was pitch black!

Lauren rejoined Benson and the Madame in the office. Suddenly the office door
swung open and in popped a security guard. A burly figure at 6'3 who is
imposing at times but vary reliable, for the Madame.

Lauren gasped, "Quick, run..."

"Relax, he's working for us. What's the matter Doc?" Said the Madame.

"We have company. Some girl has climbed through a window and is snooping
around the museum. I've never seen her before. Could be one of those teen
detectives from the convention." Said the Security Guard.

"Take care of the problem. We don't need snoopers now! Lauren, help him. Grab
her, bring her here and tie her up with Heather." Ordered the Madame.

"Ok," said Lauren. "Let's go!" Lauren and the guard went out the door. "What's
your name, Doc?"

"Long story, I wanted to be a Doctor when I was young, then the accident. Now
I work for the Madame. "Hurry, in here." They went into the security office.
There are all kinds of monitors that showed all of the rooms of the museum.
"There," pointing to a monitor. Lauren looked at girl with auburn colored
hair. She is about 5'10" and 140 lbs.

"I've seen her before," said Lauren. "Betsy, I think her name is. I saw her at
the "home" where I was being held."

Betsy, wearing a A-line sleeveless navy blue knit jumper over a thin white
turtleneck blouse, tan nylons and Adidas sneakers was snooping around the main
exhibit hall. She had come late to the museum to meet up with her friends
Cathy and Julie, but when they weren't at the museum like they said, Betsy
took it upon herself to investigate. She had no idea that her friends had been
kidnapped. Betsy thought she could hear voices and ever so gently stepped
towards the offices. She was trying not to be seen. Betsy had no idea that she
was walking by the security office when... SPLAT! Betsy collapsed on the
floor, unconscious.

"That was too easy," said Lauren after she konked Betsy on the head. "Here,
help me get her to the Madame!" The guard picked up Betsy by the back of her
shoulders and Lauren held her by the ankles and they carried the girl to the
office. The sat her on a chair and found some rope. Lauren tied Betsy's hands
behind her back, wrapped rope four times around her chest and arms, took
another rope and twisted it three times around her thighs below the hem of her
short dress and tied it under the chair. Then she tied her ankles to the
crossbar, twice around her ankles and twice together. A cleave gag of white
cloth finished her off. But Betsy was still unconscious...

CHAPTER 14: THE TABLES ARE TURNED!

Betsy slowly opened her eyes revealing darkness that is before her. The room
is completely pitched black. She quickly regained her senses, her head ached,
but she could not speak. "Something is tied around my mouth," she thought to
herself. The cloth was tight between her lips and teeth. Betsy tried to move
her hands, but they were held fast in place behind her back. "Think," she
thought again. Listening very carefully she could hear a faint moan.
"Mmmph..." Betsy tried to call out.

"Mmmmph..." a voice groaned back. Betsy did not know that it was Heather who
was tied up on a couch. And Heather now realized she is not alone. After all
it is now very late Friday evening and both girls began to wonder if they
would ever be rescued.

Betsy tried to twist and turn, anything to loosen the ropes that held her to
the chair, unaware that Lauren and Doc had left her tied up with Heather. The
door of the room swung open. Some light shined through the door. Betsy could
now faintly see Heather on the couch, and vice versa. The Madame came through
the door, followed by Lauren.

"The Sea Bell has docked," said the Madame. "We will take Heather there. I
want you to move this one, (pointing to Betsy) and take her to the hotel and
leave her with the others. And then wait for my call, got it?"

"Ok, and then I will join you on the ship, right?" Asked Lauren.

"Ah, right." said the Madame. Lauren went over and untied the ropes that held
Betsy to the chair...

***********************************************************************

Deanna, Tracey, April, Toby, Cathy and Julie had gathered with Erin and Erica
at the hotel to formulate a plan. They all agreed that the museum should be
investigated. April was getting nervous, she knows all too well what it is
like to be held prisoner. And if the Villainous Madame M, as she calls her has
Heather, this made her even more nervous. Heather being in the clutches of
Lauren was bad enough.

"Are you ok Erica?" Asked Deanna. Erica seems worried as well.

"No, we have an employee missing. Penelope an exchange student from the U.K.
She showed up for work she has done for the past week, but she has totally
disappeared. No one has seen or heard from her."

"Why don't you and Erin snoop around here, and we will come back and help you
if you need us. The rest of us will go to the museum and see what we can find
out." Said Deanna. With that the group of snoops went out to Deanna's care and
drove to the museum, while Erica and Erin looked around the hotel.

Deanna drove into the parking lot with her lights off. Deanna, Toby, and
Tracey sat in the front seat, with Cathy, Julie, and April in the back. An
olds Cutlass Cierra can easily seat six snoops. Tracey reached into the glove
compartment and pulled out some night vision binoculars. She could see the
back entrance of the hotel. "Look!" Tracey handed the binoculars to Deanna.
Deanna peered through them.

"Lauren!" Deanna exclaimed. "She's leading some girl into the back of that
van. And it's not Heather. I think her hands are tied and she looks like she's
gagged and blindfolded!"

*******************************************************************

Lauren tied a piece of white cloth around Betsy's eyes. Then she tugged at her
arms and forced her to stand up. She pulled on her and dragged her out the
door. Her ankles were a little sore from the rope that had been tied around
them. "Mmmmphh...,Mmmmphh..." Betsy tried to cry out. Lauren pulled her some
more out the door, through the office, down the hall and outside to the van.
Betsy could feel cool air on her legs. She knew she was going outside, on her
way to the museum. Lauren opened the van door, pushed Betsy down on the floor
of the van, and re-tied her ankles together. She slammed the door shut and got
into the driver's seat.

*********************************************************************

"Ok, Cathy, Toby, Julie, and April you guys stay here and check out the
museum. Call us if you find anything out. Tracey and I will follow Lauren and
see what we can find out!"

"Can I come with you Deanna?" Asked April. "It was Lauren who took Heather."

Deanna looked at Tracey. Both felt that it might be dangerous for April, but
no more danger than going into the museum. "Ok," said Deanna. "Let's go!"
Cathy, Julie, and Toby got out of Deanna''s car without making a sound and
moved towards the museum. Deanna waited for the van to leave the parking lot
and started her car and drove out to follow the van. The route was back to the
hotel.

"She is going back to the hotel!" Said Tracey. They followed close behind but
not close enough to be spotted. The van turned into the back lot behind the
hotel where the employees park. Deanna and Tracey pulled over and parked near
some cars that were lined in a row away from the service entrance. Tracey
changed from her boots to sneakers so they would make less sound if they had
to be quiet. Deanna, Tracey, and April opened the doors slowly and closed them
quietly and tiptoed up to the van, staying out of sight.

Lauren got out of the van and opened the door. Betsy was rolling on the floor,
trying to undo her bonds. "Now, now," said Lauren. "You be good now. It'll all
be over soon!" Lauren untied Betsy's ankles and pulled her out of the van.
They walked up to an emergency exit in the back. Lauren opened it with her
special key. This key would not set off the fire alarm. Lauren pushed Betsy in
and closed the door. Fortunately Deanna has a similar key that Erica had given
her earlier when they went over the details of the convention. Deanna and
Tracey paused for a second, opened the door and went in. Both girls were
wearing sneakers so they could go up the stairs without being heard. Deanna
heard a door close on the second floor. They raced up the stairs and sped to
the door. Deanna slowly opened it and peeked through it. She could see Lauren
still forcing Betsy to go with her. They ducked into a room and closed the
door. Deanna and Tracey could hear the sound of the closing door. Moving up to
the room they knew it was one of the new rooms that had not been opened to the
public, yet. They hid in a closet, waiting for the right moment to take
action.

Lauren and Betsy went into the room. Lauren opened the large closet door.
Katie and Penelope were still sitting bound and gagged in two chairs. Lauren
pulled another chair over and sat Betsy in it. Lauren tied Betsy's ankles
together, and with a separate piece of rope wrapped around her ankles and tied
it to the cross bar at the bottom of the chair. Then she placed all three
girls back to back. Lauren then took a long piece of rope and wrapped it
around all three girls five times, holding them together.

"There, that should hold you." Lauren took out the cell phone that the Madame
had given her and dialed a secret number. "Hello, the job is done. Ok, room
2G, I'll wait there." With that Lauren went out the doors, turned down the
hall and went into Room 2B by mistake! Room 2B just happens to be Deanna and
Tracey's room. Lauren opened the door and went in and sat down on the bed.
"Nice digs," she thought to herself.

"You've got to be kidding!" Exclaimed Tracey. "She went into our room!" Deanna
could not believe it herself. April watched in awe. She noticed some rope
lying on the floor. "You know, between the three of us we should be able to
take her!" Said April, ever so wanting to find Heather.

Deanna smiled at the precocious 14-year-old. "Let's go!" The three girls left
the closet and slowly moved towards Room 2B. "How did she get into our room?"
Said Tracey.

"She has a master key," said Deanna. "Tracey, you and I will grab her, April
you tie her up, ok?"

"I'm ready," said April, now holding some rope.

Lauren was gazing around the room and spotted a suitcase beside the bed. She
looked at it closer, "Deanna M. Taylor," Lauren said out loud. A look of
horror came over her face. Suddenly the door burst open and three girls jumped
on her as fast as lighting. Deanna clamped her hand over Lauren's mouth, and
Tracey held her arms and legs, while April tied Lauren's hands behind her back
and then her ankles together. April did a good job, Lauren could not get
loose. "Mmmph..." Lauren tried to scream through Deanna's hand, but she soon
gave up. She realized it was no use.

"I'm going to remove my hand from your mouth and you are going to tell us
everything, got it sweetie?" Ordered Deanna. Lauren just scowled at her.

"So, you think you got me, right!" Said Lauren with a cocky voice.

"Where are the other girls, but most important, where is Heather?" Asked
Deanna. April started to grab Lauren by the neck, but Tracey stopped her.
April moved back though reluctantly.

"I'll never tell!" Lauren scowled again.

"I'll go untie the other girls in that spare room," said Tracey. Tracey went
out to rescue Katie, Penelope, and Betsy, who soon returned to Deanna and
Tracey's room. After the girls introduced themselves Penelope in that perfect
UK accent, "I thought we would never get out of that sticky one!"

"Where's Heather!" April demanded. She was growing impatient. Lauren just gave
her an evil look and said nothing. Then she looked at Deanna.

"I'll make you a deal, don't call the cops and I'll tell you all you want to
know. You should know, your friend Heather is going on a long trip!" Lauren
chuckled with an evil laugh.

Deanna thought for a moment. "Ok, we'll wait. Where is Heather?"

"Not so fast, you've got to take me with you. I'll show you!" Said Lauren.

Deanna looked at Tracey, and Tracey looked back at Deanna. "Ok," said Deanna.

Where are we going?"

"To the museum," said Lauren.

"Gag her!" Deanna ordered.

Tracey found an oversized red bandanna and cleave-gagged Lauren, who for some
reason seemed not to mind. Deanna untied Lauren's ankles and pulled her to her
feet. "Come on, let's go! Penelope, why don't you and Betsy and Katie stay
here and we'll be right back."

"No worries," said Penelope. "I've got to get back to work. Katie and Betsy
can help me! I'll talk to you when you get return to the hotel."

Deanna pulled Lauren along with Tracey's help with April looking out that know
one could spot them. Lauren was smiling through her gag. They got into
Deanna's car again and started to drive back to the Templeton Museum.

Chapter 15 to end

CHAPTER 15: THE SEA BELLE IV

While Deanna and Tracey and friends were dealing with Lauren, Madame M and
Benson were discussing the next part of their diabolical plan. "What are you
going to do with the girl?" Asked Benson.

"That's easy," said the Madame. "I'm going to put her to work for me down on
my plantation. You know, growing and picking sugar cane, if you know what I
mean." Benson gave her a funny look but he knew what she meant. "It's time to
move her to the boat." Madame ordered. The door of the office opened and again
the burly security guard burst in.

"Sorry Madame, but we've got trouble again. There are three girls trying to
get into the museum." Said the Guard. "Two of them have been here before!"

"Deal with them and we'll get this one to the boat!" Snapped the Madame who is
growing impatient with all of the snoops that seem to be coming from
everywhere. The Guard left the office. "Come on, let's go." Benson went into
the side room and untied Heather's ankles but left her gagged and blindfolded
and her hands tied behind her back. Benson and Madame led her to a car near a
side entrance on the opposite side of the building from where Cathy, Julie and
Toby are. Benson pushed Heather into the back seat and strapped her in with
the seatbelt. Heather did not say a word. She was busy trying to figure out
where she is being taken. They drove down the road to a ship that is docked at
a pier not from the museum.

At the dock is The Sea Belle IV, an old cruise ship that has been docked in
Danniver for a couple of years and driving the townspeople of Danniver crazy.
They want this eyesore out of their tourist town. At 680 feet it looms large,
but in size this ship is small based on today's cruise ship standards. It is
jet black and in serious need of an overhaul. The ship is owned by a company
out of the Dominican Republic, which coincidentally is where Madame's
plantation is located. The ship is sea worthy though and has been getting
ready for sail. Even though it needs a makeover, it's only use is for a tax
write-off.

Benson stopped the car. Before they got out, "Now you are coming with us! I'm
going to untie you and take that gag and blindfold off. Any funny business and
it will be into the drink with you! Got it?" Heather shook her head. The
Madame removed Heather's gag and blindfold and untied her hands. With Benson
grabbing her left arm and Madame on the right, there was no chance for Heather
to escape. They strutted to the ship quickly and walked up the ramp that led
to the top. When they got to the top deck the ship's Captain greeted them. The
Captain had the stereotypical graying beard and mustache. He is in is late
60's and a veteran on the seas. "Welcome Mr. and Mrs. Benton." That's right,
he said Benton. "And who is this lovely girl?"

"This is our niece," said the Madame. "She is coming for a visit down to our
estate!"

"Well, I hope you enjoy your trip!" Said the Captain. "And don't you look
nice! I like that a girl with class!" The Captain grinned. "Proceed then."
Heather did not say anything. Benson and the Madame led Heather to an inside
cabin. They opened the door and pushed Heather inside.

"What, no passport!" Heather snarled sarcastically.

"Don't need it. This ship is being moved. It's not on a real cruise. The
Captain works for us. Put your hands behind your back!" The Madame ordered
again. Heather obeyed. She was counting on the teen detectives to come to the
rescue. She was waiting for the right time to try to escape. The Madame tied
Heather's hands behind her back with a piece of nylon rope. Three turns around
each wrist and then three more turns around both wrists together. Then Heather
was forced to lie down on the floor. Another rope was wrapped around her chest
and arms.

"You know, it seems like this has been done before, but I can't remember
where!" Said Benson. Madame looked up at him. She took another piece of rope
and tied Heather's ankles together. Three times around each ankle and then
three times together finished with a tight square knot. The white cloth cleave
gag finished her off. Heather turned on her side and looked up at the Madame.

"I am not making the same mistake the Bunce's did. Only Nancy did not where
knee socks." (Unaware that Lauren made Heather where them with her skirt).
"Her ankles will be just fine! We'll be back for you later. Come on, let's
go!" Benson and Madame went out the cabin door and slammed it shut. Heather
was left bound and gagged on the floor. Heather knows the story of The Clue of
the Tapping Heels, but can I make a signal like Nancy with my ankles tied?

Back at the Museum Cathy, Julie, and Toby rushed up to the back door. Cathy
turned the handle and it opened. Lauren had left it unlocked. They were
unaware that they had triggered an alarm. "We need to look for some clues to
where they hid Heather. Who knows, she may still be here!" Said Cathy.

"We should split up to cover more ground." Added Toby. "And it will make it
harder for the villains to find us!"

"Good point," said Cathy.

"Let's all meet in the Main Exhibit Room in 20 minutes, ok?" Said a nervous
Julie. The girls split up and moved to different parts of the Museum. Cathy
went back to the Mariners exhibit with Julie close behind. She was afraid to
leave Cathy alone. And she knew Toby could take care of herself. Toby went
into another room that has not been explored before.

Cathy looked around at anything unusual. The room contained artifacts from
Mariner past, but in one corner was a model of a cruise ship. It looked out of
place, to new for this time period of the early 20th Century. "The Sea Belle
IV, isn't that the ship that is docked down the harbor?" Said Cathy to Julie.

WHACK! Karate chop to Julie's left shoulder, and WHACK! Karate chop to Cathy's
right shoulder at the same time. Both girls slumped to the floor, unconscious!

"That's right," said the burly security guard. "Aren't you girls smart, but
not smart enough." He dragged the girls over to the other side of the room,
out of sight behind an 18' fishing dory. He bound the girl's hands behind
their backs with nylon rope found in fishing area. Their wrists are crossed
together. He tied their ankles together and then with one long piece of rope
he bound them back to back. Then he cleave-gagged them each with a piece of a
thick white cloth, tying it in a knot being careful not to get it caught in
their hair. "There, that should hold you. Now for the little one."

Toby went into the room. The room had a workbench, a table saw, and other
tools for fixing things around the Museum. There is a large bronze and life
size statue of a horse against the wall in the room. Toby looked around and
noticed some old brochures and a newspaper on the bench. The brochures are for
the Sea Belle IV, and the Danniver Newspaper contained an article about the
ship that is going to leave port on Saturday. "Wow, that's later today!" Toby
thought out loud. I bet they took Heather to that ship!

Toby thought to herself. "I've got to tell the other girls," Toby said under
her breath.

She went to pick up the newspaper when suddenly a hand clamped over her mouth
and she was grabbed from behind. "Mmmmpphhhh..." Toby tried to scream. But
this 4'11" dynamo was no match for the burly guard.

"I'll take that." Said the guard. "You girls in plaid skirts have been nothing
but trouble!" He picked Toby up and put her on the horse. In no time he had
her hands tied together hugging the horse's neck. Toby could just reach around
it and her hands came together. Then he tied her ankles together under the
belly of the horse, but there was no way that Toby's feet could come together.
So it looked like she was riding the horse, holding on to its neck for dear
life, except she was tied to it and the horse is a statue. A cloth stuffed
into her mouth held in place by a white cloth detective gag to keep her quiet.

"There," he said. "That should hold you until the Madame gets back. By the
way, I have your two friends tied up in the other room. So don't try
anything." The guard picked up a large white sheet that is big enough to
completely covered Toby and the horse. He flipped the sheet over the top of
Toby and now she looked like a big white ghost!

Deanna parked the car off to the side of the parking lot. Lauren was still
grinning.

"It looks quiet in the museum," said Tracey. "We've got to hook up with the
other girls and find Heather. And I don't trust Lauren. She looks to
confidant!"

"I know," said Deanna. "One of us should stay behind with her. Unless we bring
her in,"

"You know, I know a secret way into the Museum that will not trigger any
alarms," said April.

"That's a good point, April knows the building better than anyone does," said
Tracey.

"Come on, let's go." Said Deanna. "We'll bring her with us. April, lead the
way!" April untied Lauren's ankles and they all got out of the car. April led
them to a service building, which was next to the Museum. With her key she
opened the door and the girls went in. April closed the door behind them and
moved towards a large shelf that contained some paint cans. She pushed on the
side of the shelves and it slid to the right and revealed a door. April opened
the door and we went inside a tunnel. Deanna turned on her flashlight and
April closed the door behind us. We heard the shelf case slide back into
place.

"Nice," I said. April smiled back. We went down the tunnel, which ended at
another door. April opened it and it led into a closet. We went in and she
opened the other door at the end and it revealed a fix a large room used to
fix things. Deanna looked over and noticed a large figure covered by a white
sheet. "Mmmmphhh.," MMMPPHH..." a muffled voice from inside. Deanna rushed
over and pulled off the sheet.

"Toby!" Deanna shouted out loud. We quickly untied her and got her down off
the horse.

"The other girls are in danger. I think they are in the Mariner Room." Said
Toby.

We carefully left the room and went to the Mariner room. April showed us where
the security cameras are and we did our best to avoid them. As we went into
the room Toby told us about the newspaper and brochure she found.

"They must have taken Heather to the Sea Belle, April cried. We looked around
and in the corner there was Cathy and Julie, bound and gagged! We rushed over
and untied them and removed their gags.

"Heather has been taken to a ship, we think." Said Cathy. "Look at that model
over there."

"And the newspaper and brochure," added Toby.

"And the fact that the ship is going to leave, today!" Said April. Suddenly
the doors started to slam shut. Deanna reacted instantly and pushed April who
was standing near a door out of the room before the door closed. "Quick, go
after Heather, we'll catch up later!" April looked in surprise as the door
started to close automatically. "Go!" Deanna ordered. The door closed shut.
April tried to open it, but turned and ran out the Museum's front door as fast
as she could. She knew the girls could take care of themselves and ran off in
search of Heather.

The metal doors of the Mariner room slammed shut. Tracey tried to open one
set, Cathy another and Toby a third. All of the doors were locked and there
was no way out! Lauren started to giggle though she is still gagged. "Look,"
cried Tracey. She was pointing towards a vent in the bottom of a wall. A
purple gas started to seep out the opening. "Ohmygod, gas!" Tracey cried.
Deanna looked around to find away out, but there was no way they were going
anywhere.

"Cover your mouths with the cloth," said Deanna. "Don't breathe it..." but the
girls slowly started to be overcome by the fumes.

CHAPTER 16: FRIENDS LOST AND FOUND!

April ran out the front door of the Museum and knew exactly what she had to
do. The ship was docked down past the waterfront and by a five- minute ride by
bicycle. April grabbed her bike that was near Amanda's office. She jumped on
and raced to the ship. She stopped just out of sight and hid the bike against
a building. She crept up to the ship being careful not to be seen by hiding
behind crates and boxes that are on the dock. April saw the ramp that led to
the top of the deck near the bow. They will be watching this, she thought to
herself. Instead she spotted a large rope connecting the stern to the pier.
There are four of them, on at the bow, one at the quarterdeck, one aft, and of
course the rope at the stern. There is also less light down at the end of the
pier too, as April noticed. She quietly strutted down the pier and climbed
onto the rope. Pulling herself up she moved up the rope, hand over hand until
she reached the top. Rope climbing in phys-ed. came in handy. Her hands were
free of rope burns. She climbed over the side of the ship and dropped to the
deck. This is a large ship. She could be anywhere! She thought to herself
again. She ducked into a doorway and down a hall. Then Heather got an idea.
Since they are moving the ship and its not a real cruise, I bet she's in first
class area, she brainstormed. I'm sure the Madame will sail in style, and they
will want to keep an eye on Heather!

April went down the hall towards the first class cabins. She could hear
occasional voices but only a skeleton crew was on the ship at this time. April
knew more crew would be coming. She started searching cabins, most were locked
but the curtains were open in each room so she could see in. Checking that no
one was looking she shined a small pen light flashlight into each room. But
these were all empty! Then voices started to sound around a corner.

"I'll go check on the girl. Then I'll meet you outside. The Madame and her
friend will be back later." April peeked around the corner and could see that
he was a crewmember in a sailor's uniform of blue denim material. He opened a
door and looked inside, paused for a moment, closed the door, locked it and
turned and left. April rushed down to the door and looked in the porthole
window, but a curtain blocked her view! She turned the handle of the door but
it would not turn! April did not want to call out Heather's name for fear she
might be heard. April knocked softly on the door five times, waited five
seconds, and knocked five more times. The sum of the digits of Heather and
April's ages, since each are 14, one plus four equals five. A secret code
Heather and April worked out if they were ever in trouble. April waited a
moment...

Heather tried with all her might to loosen the ropes that are around her
wrists and ankles. She looked up at the sailor who opened the door and looked
at her. She gave him an evil look. Then when the door closed Heather resumed
trying to get untied. Then

she heard a knocking sound on the door. Five knocks, pause, then five more
knocks!

It's April! She thought to herself. Heather wiggled and squirmed and by
leaning against a wall she pushed herself up to her feet. Then she hopped over
to the door turned, and with her tied wrists opened the door...

The door flung open. "Heather!" April whispered at the sight of her bound and
gagged friend. April slipped into the room and closed the door and untied
Heather's wrists. Heather removed her gag while April untied her ankles.

"What took you so long?" Heather half-smiled in a hushed voice as she hugged
April. Heather was so relieved that April was ok.

"Well, you know I'd been kidnapped!" April chuckled back. "Now where's the
Madame off to?"

"I think they went back to the Museum. This boat's going to leave soon!" Said
Heather. "We've got to get to the police..."

Suddenly the door swung open and three crewmen were standing there. "Going
somewhere ladies?" One of them asked. "The Madame is not going to be pleased.
Both girls tried to make a break for it, but they were no matches for the
three big guys. "Tie them up," one of them said. Another crewmember came back
with some more rope.

Both girls were forced to lie down on the floor, their hands bound behind
their backs and their ankles tied. Then they were placed back to back, and
with rope circled around them six times, they were tied together in a snug
package. Thick white cloth cleave-gags finished them off. "That should hold
them until the Madame gets back!" Said a crewman. With that they left the
cabin and slammed the door shut! Heather and April were left sitting on the
floor, tied back to back, and gagged!

Both girls struggled and twisted and tried to pull their hands out from the
ropes that bound them. Heather and April looked around the room for something
to cut them free, but the room is empty. After a few minutes both girls
stopped struggling, breathing heavily and started to grow weary from
exhaustion. It has been a long night and the sun was beginning to rise for the
new day. Despair is starting to set in. After all if this boat sails they are
going to have an extended vacation in the Dominican Republic.

The door swung open again! This time it was Amanda and Sarah followed by some
police officers! "Heather, April," Amanda shouted. She rushed over and removed
Heather's gag and started to untie the girls. "You two are more trouble than I
can handle!"

"Thanks Amanda," said Heather. "You must have followed April here, right?"

"That's right. We were about to leave my office when I saw April grab her
bike. I knew she was up to something so we decided to follow her. We saw her
sneak onto the ship, waited a few minutes to see what was going to happen.
When she did not get off the boat we decided to call the police. The crew have
been arrested, but the Madame is not here."

"Ohmygod," cried April. "The girls are in trouble at the Museum. She's at the
Museum!"

"Come on, let's go!" Said April.

"We need your statements," said an Officer. "Come down to the station later
and give it, can you?"

Heather, April, Amanda and Sarah got into Amanda's car and drove towards the
museum, only two minutes by car!

Deanna slowly opened her eyes. The other girls were fast asleep on the floor.
She slowly sat up. No one else was in the room. Deanna shook Tracey's
shoulder. "Wake up, Wake up," As she shook harder. Tracey started to moan and
her eyes opened.

"What happened? My head hurts!" Cried Tracey.

"Sleeping gas, I think. At least we are not tied up," said Deanna. Deanna got
up and shook Toby, Cathy, and Julie. They began to wake up too.

"Where am I?" Asked Toby. Slowly all of the girls regained their senses.
Deanna looked around for Lauren, but she was no where to be found!

"Lauren's gone!" Said a not so surprised Deanna. She looked at the metal doors
that were shut. "These must be doors to protect the Museum in case of a fire."
Deanna pressed on a button that was beside one of the doors, but it did not
open the door. The girls were still prisoners! But suddenly a door opened and
there stood Heather and April.

"Heather!" Said a relieved Deanna. Everyone was glad to see them. "I'm glad
you are ok!"

"The Madame has gotten away again, and this ticks me off!" Said Heather.

"And our Lauren," said Deanna. "Is anyone left in the Museum?"

"There is no one left," said April. "The Police and the Coast Guard have
control of the ship. Whatever plans they had for it have now been spoiled!"

"I know where you were going with this," said Tracey as Deanna sighed.
"Where's Lauren?" The girls walked out of the Mariner room and down the hall
ready to give their statements to the police.

"The convention is still on, right?" Asked Toby.

"Of course," said Deanna. "We are not going to let a bunch of pointy headed
villains spoil our convention. Besides, I have a feeling Lauren is going to
show up. And we'll get her then!"

"And the Madame too!" Said Heather and April.

A broad smile began to form on Deanna's face...

CHAPTER 17: TOO MANY SNOOPS, NOT ENOUGH VILLAINS!

It is now late afternoon at that Danniver Beach Hotel. The convention is due
to start in a couple of hours. The teen detectives would soon be arriving and
the "festivities" will begin. Up in one of the outer offices Penelope was
sitting at a computer. She studied the screen navigating the Internet with
precise precision. Katie, who was hanging out with Penelope after their ordeal
with Lauren, walked into the office. She was dressed for the convention, a
white blouse and gray miniskirt, black nylons and shoes. The first night of
the convention is traditionally a dress-up affair. Penelope had changed into a
fresh standard maid's uniform. Penelope did not see Katie come in.

Katie could see on the screen a lot of text that did not look like something
that would be seen by anyone surfing the web. What appeared on the screen
could be seen in an episode of CSI or one of the other detective shows.

Katie's mouth dropped open; "InterPol," she exclaimed. "What is a maid doing
on an a..."

"Shhh..." Penelope interrupted. "I'm working on the case. Look," as she
pointed to the screen. "Do you know who this is?" Penelope looked up at Katie.
Katie shook her head, no. "She's Madeline Combs, goes by the code name Madame
M. She is a world famous crook. The British police have been working with the
American authorities in tracking down a smuggling ring she has been in charge
of. Shipments of cocaine and heroin from London to guess where?"

"Right here in Danniver Beach," said Katie. "But what do you have to do with
this, you are not a maid, are you?"

Penelope looked up. "No, not exactly. I'm working for Her Majesty's Secret
Service. I've been able to trace the drug shipments to here. But we have been
unable to locate their whereabouts. I think Madame M and her accomplices were
going to sell the drugs, and then hide out on a used ship and leave the
country. But your friends stopped that from happening."

"I know, I just talked to Deanna. She said the police searched the ship and
found nothing. The crooks have escaped. And her nemesis Lauren escaped too!
The girls are coming back to the hotel for the convention and they should be
here soon!" Suddenly there was a thud in the outer room of the office. "What's
that?" Said a startled Katie. She turned and opened the door and went out of
the room.

Penelope continued looking over the notes in the computer program. "Did you
find anything?" The British maid (detective) looked back. There was no answer.
"Katie, Katie, are you ok?" The tall slender girl logged out of the computer
and turned to see where she was. Penelope peered through the door and "ah...."
Katie was lying on the floor unconscious! Penelope lunged towards Katie when
WHACK!... a swift karate chop to the side of her neck. Penelope's eyes
fluttered, then everything went black!

"Gotcha again!" Snickered Lauren as she is beside herself for knocking out two
snoops. "Two down and many more to go!" Lauren took some rope and tied both
the girl's hands behind their backs, three turns around each wrist and twice
around both. And then she tied their ankles in the same manner. "Sorry about
your nylons girls, but business is business!" Then she placed both girls back
to back and wrapped several coils of rope around their chest and arms and tied
them tightly together. Lauren took some thick white cloth, cleave gagged each
girl, tying a nice tight knot behind their heads, and then blindfolded each
girl as well. Lauren checked her handy work, that the gag and blindfold were
tightly in place, and the ropes were nice and snug. "There, that should hold
you. So let's see what you were up to!" Lauren went over to the computer and
checked the history file. "Hmmm," she said out loud. "I'm not sure where this
is but it looks like some kind of code or something." Lauren picked up the
phone. "I've got them Madame...I don't know what she was up to, I can't crack
this computer. Not enough time...I know...I think the maid is a spy!"
Pause..."Ok, I'll wait for the others...Yes, it's in place." Lauren hung up
the phone. She turned and went out the door, closed and locked the office door
and disappeared into the Hotel!

Katie and Penelope slowly woke up from their slumber. The drug that Lauren
used on them did not last long. Both girls realized that they had been tied
up. Penelope could smell Katie's perfume and knew Katie was behind her. Katie
assumed it was Penelope because she was the last person that she had seen.
"Mmmphhh..." cried Katie.

"Mmmmpphh..." cried Penelope, both girls trying to overcome their
mouth-filling gags. Twisting and turning they tried desperately to loosen the
ropes that bound them, but you guessed it, escape is almost impossible in a
Deanna and Tracey story.

Deanna, Tracey, with Toby, Julie, and Cathy drove back to the hotel in
Deanna's car.

Heather and April went back to Heather's house and would join them later.
Sarah and Amanda returned to Amanda's office after which they would come to
the convention.

"Wow, that was close. I wonder what they wanted to use that ship for?" Asked
Tracey.

"An escape perhaps?" Said Toby.

"We've got to find out where that ship was going, when we get to the hotel
I'll have Erin run its itinerary. They had to file one with the Coast Guard."
Said Deanna. "It seems odd that this Madame M and Benson would use an old ship
just to escape. There must be more to it."

"Maybe they were using it for smuggling," said Cathy. "But what?" The girls
pulled into the parking lot.

"It was nice of the Cain's to let us use the Hotel before they opened it to
the public!" Said Tracey. "The staff is in training for the opening and this
helps according to Erica."

The girls entered the hotel and went to their rooms to get ready for the
evening.

Tracey chose a white schoolgirl style blouse, black pleated miniskirt, white
knee socks, and Doc Martens boots. Deanna put on a turquoise blouse, matching
blue plaid miniskirt, tan nylons and her trademark Nike's.

"You brought your best shoes for the convention," Tracey joked knowing how
much Deanna likes her sneakers. Suddenly someone knocked on the door. "Come
in," said Tracey. The door opened and Erica Cain entered the room.

"Have you seen Penelope?" Asked a nervous Erica. "I've been looking all over
the hotel and I can't find her. She is supposed to be working tonight."

"No," said Deanna. "We just got here. But we'll keep an eye out for her. This
is a big hotel, she must be around here somewhere." This reassured Erica, who
said "Thanks" and went back to get ready for the convention.

"You know, I've got a funny feeling about this," said Tracey.

"Yea, me too. Why do I think Lauren is going to show up here at sometime? We
need to keep our eyes out." Deanna picked up her notebook and with Tracey went
down to the main ballroom. All of the girl detectives had arrived and were
awaiting the night's festivities, which included a guest speaker, Amanda
Walsh. Sitting at Deanna and Tracey's table are Heather, April, and Erin
Miller. Deanna noticed that Katie's chair was empty. "Katie should have been
down here too," Deanna thought to herself. She looked at her watch.

"What's wrong?" Tracey asked. "You've got that look in your eyes. What's up?"
Tracey continued to prod.

"Katie isn't here yet," all of a sudden the lights went out! Complete darkness
came over the room except for some faint sunlight gleaming through a tiny
crack in the curtains that had been drawn shut. Murmuring and some commotion
broke out, but soon quiet came over the room. All of the girls stayed calm,
after all there are no wimps at this convention. "Is everyone ok?" Asked
Deanna, standing up. Nods of yes came around the room.

"Nat's missing?" Cried Toby. At Toby's table are Julie, Cathy, Toby, Nat's
friend Cheryl, and Nat's empty chair. Toby noticed a note on the chair. She
picked it up and opened it. It read....

Ha ha, I got your friend and her friends too!

Miss me? Come find me chickens!

Toby handed the note to Deanna. "Lauren," Deanna exclaimed. "She's here, in
this building! And I'll bet she's got Katie and Penelope too! We've got to
split up in groups and search the Hotel."

"But in groups of three or four, Lauren is too dangerous," said Tracey.

"And she's working with Madame M," said Heather. "She could be here too!"

"Ok," said Deanna. "Erica, this Hotel is the same design as the Watertown
Hotel?"

"Yes it is Deanna," replied Erica. "From top to the basement."

"Ok, let's split up by tables and search the building. We'll start with the
attic. Cathy, your table can check the guest bedrooms... and so on. Erica and
the rest stay here. But be careful. Here, let's use our cell phones for
communication, let us know if you find anything!" The girls arose from their
tables and began their search...

CHAPTER 18: WHERE'S LAUREN?

"So, where we going?" Asked Tracey.

"Heather, April, Sarah and Amanda can search the basement. Julie, Cathy,
Cheryl, and Betsy go up to the attic and fourth floor. And Tracey, Erin, and I
will search the second and third floors, remember, and stay together!" Said a
concerned Deanna.

"And what about me?" Said a girl with light brown hair and speaking with a
heavy Italian accent. "I want to kick Lauren's butt. Oh hi, I'm Jill!"

Tracey looked at this Italian dynamo. "You know, I think she could do it!"

"There are offices on the main floor where she could hide!" Said Erica.

"Ok, you, Toby and Jill search the offices while the rest stay here. But be
careful." Deanna warned. "Lauren is very dangerous! With these combinations,
Lauren doesn't stand a chance! And take these portable walkie-talkies!" Deanna
handed one to a girl in each group. "Keep in touch with these!" The girls put
the hand size gadgets in their pockets.

************************************************************************

But what happened to Nat?

The girl from Weatherby was sitting with her best friend at her table when the
lights went out ... and so did she!

Lauren was so quick Nat did not know what hit her. Like a cat Lauren clamped
the chloroform soaked cloth tightly over Nat's mouth and nose. Nat went out
instantly. Lauren dragged the sleeping beauty out the side door quickly to an
elevator and went up to a certain floor in the building. (Author's note, the
snoops will have to figure this out!) Once Lauren got Nat into the light a
look of horror came over Lauren's face. There in the elevator lay a brown
haired girl in a Weatherby school uniform, a v-neck blue sweater, white
collared blouse, gray miniskirt, blue knee socks, and loafers. "You're not
Deanna!" Lauren screeched. Lauren was unaware that the table assignments had
been changed at the last minute. Deanna was supposed to be sitting at that
table. Lauren stood there in disgust. She looked down at Nat as the elevator
stopped at their destination. "This was not supposed to happen," Lauren said
as she dragged Nat out of the elevator into a room with a big walk-in closet.
Closing the door behind her she pulled Nat into the closet and closed the
door. Already there are enough rope and white cloths to tie her up and gag
her. Lauren rolled Nat on to her stomach making sure her skirt stayed in its
proper place. Lauren tie Nat's hands behind her back, three times around each
wrist and three more around each wrist together. Then she tied Nat's ankles
together, three times around each knee-socked ankle and then three times
around both ankles. Then she added a rope around her chest and arms wrapping a
piece of rope around four times, tying it securely behind her back. One last
piece or rope just above her knees finished her off. Taking a piece of the
thick white cloth she cleave- gagged Nat tightly between her lips and tying a
knot behind her head. Then Nathalie started to come-to.

A she started to moan as the drug began to wear off. Nat's eyes fluttered. As
she turned on her side she looked up at Lauren. Lauren was staring back at Nat
with a frustrated glare. But then realized, "Ok, so your not Deanna, but
you'll do. You know how the author of this story feels about you!" Lauren
began to chuckle. "Sorry about this but," as she said that she blindfolded Nat
with the other piece of white cloth. "Nah, no I'm not! Ta taa!" Lauren said as
she closed the door behind her. Nat heard the door close and try to struggle
to get free from her bonds. But as you guessed it! No one ever escapes from a
Deanna and Tracey story!

************************************************************************

The girl detectives left the main ballroom on their quest for Lauren.
Heather's group went down to the basement via the stairs. They did not to
attract attention with the elevator making noise. Ever so quietly they crept
down the stair. The basement of the hotel is huge, but with several storage
rooms. Also the Maid's laundry room and the employee's lounge are here too.
Since the hotel is not due to open for a couple of weeks now there is only a
small staff on duty, just enough to take care of the girl's convention.

Heather, April, Amanda and Sarah started searching the rooms. On one end of
the basement was a huge storage room with many boxes. Deep down both Heather
and April hoped that Madame M would be here too! But their intuition tells
them they may have to deal with her in the next story. "Stay together girls,"
Amanda whispered. Normally the way the girls were dressed would not be good
for a search in a basement, but since everything is brand new their outfits
would not be ruined. Heather's black knee-length dress, April's long Armani
light blue print dress, Amanda's white blouse and short black skirt, and Sarah
in a navy blue pant suit would remain clean when all of a sudden ...

CRASH! A BUNCH OF BOXES TUMBLED DOWN UPON THEM KNOCKING THE GIRLS TO THE
FLOOR!

"Is everyone all right?" Asked Amanda.

"I'm fine," said Heather. "Me too," said April.

"Sarah, are you ok? Sarah, Sarah?" There was no answer from Sarah Drake! The
girls pushed the boxes off the top of them. Looking around they spotted Sarah
lying on the floor under some boxes, unconscious! A heavier box struck her in
the head knocking her out! Amanda rushed over to her friend. "Don't move her,
we've got to get help!"

Heather grabbed the walkie-talkie she was carrying and tried to call Deanna.
"It's not working, the metal in the cement must be interfering with the
transmission!"

April jumped up and tried to open the storeroom door. "It's locked!" She
shouted. "We're trapped inside!" April looked around to find a way out. The
basement has windows but these are at the top of the 8- footwalls. April and
Heather moved over to the wall and looked to see if they could open the
window. They appeared to be locked!

"What are we going to do now?" Cried April.

"We'll find a way out," said Heather. "Keep looking ... "

Cathy, Betsy, Julie, and Cheryl took the elevator up to the Attic still
dressed in their convention outfits. Cathy in a white top with pink flower
prints, a short white pleated miniskirt, nylons, and MJ's. Julie had on a red
turtleneck, navy denim miniskirt, and white knee socks under Doc Marten's knee
length boots. Betsy is wearing a flower print mini-dress and nylons, pumps,
and Cheryl in the Weatherby uniform. They got to the top

floor and emerged from the elevator. They looked at a large attic. The girls
could not help noticing how clean it is. It contained furniture and beds and
stuff, but for the most part it was empty. "Look around," said Cathy. "There
are places to hide! But stay together!"

"Rats, I dropped the radio," said Cathy. "I'll be right back." She went out
the attic door towards the elevator. "There it is ... " spotting the
walkie-talkie on the floor she reached down to pick it up when "THUMP" an
object struck her on the head. Cathy collapsed to the floor, eyes shut and not
moving! (But she was still breathing).

"What's that?" Said a startled Betsy. Cheryl and Julie froze with fear. Betsy
stormed out the door and spotted the knocked out Cathy lying on the floor.
Betsy gasped when "WHACK," the same object hit Betsy. Betsy started to see
stars, then no more and collapsed next to Cathy. Both Julie and Cheryl could
hear the commotion. They rushed out the door and froze instantly.

There is Lauren was holding Cathy by the head and neck.

"Lauren," Julie screamed. "Let her go!"

Lauren just cackled at her. "No, you are going to do what I say or I'll break
your friend's neck!"

"You're bluffing," said Cheryl.

"You want to try me?" Said Lauren as she squeezed the unconscious Cathy even
tighter. Cheryl and Julie looked at her. "I thought you would see it my way.
Drag your other friend into the attic. The girls obeyed and picked up Betsy
and carried her into the attic. Lauren being careful dragged Cathy into the
attic staying clear of the two girls. "You in the plaid. Tie your friend to
the post and do it right!"

"With what," said Cheryl? Lauren pointed to a box over near the wall. Cheryl
went over to it and in the box are coils upon coils of rope. Cheryl grabbed
some and began to tie Julie up to one of the three posts that held the ceiling
up in the attic.

"Use lots of rope," said Lauren. "Don't worry, there's plenty!" Lauren watched
eagerly as Cheryl tied Julie's hands behind her back standing at the post.
Then she tied her ankles to the post and then took one long piece of rope
wrapping it several times around Julie, effectively holding her prisoner.
"Now, tie up this girl in the white skirt!"

Cheryl went over to Cathy and dragged her to another post, which was about 16'
away. Cheryl leaned Cathy against the post. She could not stand her up being
still knocked out. She managed to tie Cathy's hands behind her back and
wrapped rope around her chest and arms, and then she added another piece
around her ankles, trying not to rip her nylons. "And now this one," pointing
to Betsy. Cheryl did the same to Betsy dragging her over to the same pole that
Cathy was tied to, and tied Betsy behind Cathy in the same way. Both
unconscious girls were sitting on the floor, tied to the post.

"Guess who's turn it is now?" Smiled Lauren. Cheryl thought about trying to
attack Lauren, but Lauren is the same size as Cheryl, but in good shape now.
She thought to herself, I had better wait, knowing the rest of the snoops were
in the building. Cheryl stood against the pole that Julie was tied to. Lauren
quickly had Cheryl tied up in no time. Lauren inspected Cheryl's handy work.
"Good girl," said Lauren. "None of this leaving the rope loose so you can
escape. You've tied up girls before, NICE!" Lauren grinned. Lauren went back
to be box and pulled out a roll of duct tape. She went over and place a short
piece over Cathy's mouth, and then another just a bit longer across her cheeks
and mouth, holding that tape in place. Then Lauren taped Betsy's mouth in the
same way. Then she walked over to Julie. "Close your mouth as she gagged Julie
with two pieces of tape. But it looked like one.

"What have you done with Nat?" Demanded Cheryl.

"What makes you think I have her?" Said Lauren. Cheryl glared at her in
disbelief. "Oh, that cute girl that has the same school uniform as you! She's
a little tied up at the moment ... " now breaking out with evil laughter. "Now
it's your turn," gagging Cheryl.

"Mmmph ... " the girls tried to scream out, but to no avail.

"Now, now, girls, you be good. I've got more snoops to catch! Don't go
anywhere, eh?

Chapter 18, cont.)

Toby, wearing her finest Glendale uniform and Jill wearing an Old Navy blue
scooter skirt and short-sleeved white blouse, followed Erica into the wing
with the main offices. Jill was no longer speaking with the thick Italian
accent. "Hey, you sound like an American now! Though there is nothing wrong
with being Italian!" Said Toby as they neared a door.

"It's one of my disguises, do you like it?" Said Jill. "I can speak Italian."

"It's cool," said Erica. "I know Deanna has a Great Grandfather who was born
in Italy. Her Mother's Grandfather. He moved to the U.S. in the early 1920's
shortly after WWI. He worked in Boston as a Barber for many years. Oh, here we
are!" Erica pulled a key out of her black mini-dress and unlocked the door.
"It helps to be the owner's daughter," she chuckled. Erica swung the door
open. The three girls went inside. Erica snapped on the light in the office
hallway.

"This is creepy," exclaimed Toby. There was dead silence. The girls checked
each office until they got the main office where the computer room is. "Do you
hear that?" Asked Toby.

"Hear what?" Replied Erica. "I don't hear anything..."

Jill interrupted, "No wait, listen!"

The three girls stopped and listened for a moment. Coming from a side room
muffled sounds could be heard. "Mmmph..., "Mmmmmphhh..." Erica went over to
the door and opened it. There on the floor lay Katie and Penelope, bound,
gagged, and blindfolded!

"Penelope," Erica shouted out loud. She lunged towards Penelope to untie her,
but "CLICK" sound could be heard. "Ouch," said Erica. She reached for her
shoulder but she collapsed to the floor instantly. The dart found its mark.

"Erica," Toby said but..."Ouch," another dart nailed Toby in the back. She
joined Erica on the floor, sound asleep.

"CLICK, CLICK, CLICK, CLICK..." this time nothing happened. Jill turned to see
Lauren trying to shoot her with a dart gun, but the gun jammed! Jill turned to
take on Lauren. Lauren looked back at Jill.

"Oh, a minor inconvenience," Lauren snapped with confidence. "This should be
fun. Come on, let's see what you've got!"

Jill swung at Lauren but Lauren ducked and Jill missed. "Oh come on, you can
do better than that?" Chuckled Lauren. Jill turned and came back at her again,
this time trying to tackle her. But Lauren was too quick. All the training
back at the girl's detention facility and the workouts has put Lauren in
magnificent shape. Lauren grabbed Jill and flipped her over her back and she
landed on her butt. Jill looked up at Lauren fuming, but Lauren could not help
from laughing. "This is too easy, here, take a swing at me. You get one shot,
but then it's my turn! By the way, cute outfit!"

This made Jill even angrier! Especially where she hated wearing skirts. Jill
hauled off and smacked Lauren right in the face.

Lauren's head snapped back for a second. 'That's all you got! My mother could
hit harder than you can!" A vicious smile overcame Lauren's face. "Now it's my
turn!"

Jill's eyes opened real wide, I mean wide! She backed up against the wall.
"Ok, you win! I'll do what you want!"

"I thought you might see it my way," said Lauren. "Now, tie up your friends.
And do it right, there's rope behind the desk." Lauren was beside herself as
she watched Jill tie up Erica and Toby. Using the rope behind the desk, Jill
tied Toby and Erica's hands behind their backs, their ankles together, and
anchor ropes around their chests and arms. Jill did so reluctantly, looking
for a chance to catch Lauren off guard. But Lauren was busy trying to fix the
dart gun. "Perfect, oh yeah, no leaving those ropes loose if you value your
life!" Ordered Lauren.

Jill finished tying the girls up. "Now what..."

"Gag and blindfold them with the cloth on the desk." Lauren pointed. Jill did
so as ordered, picking up four pieces of the white cloth and tying them around
their eyes and mouths.

"Now what?" Jill asked. She had a sinking feeling in her stomach. She was
feeling frustrated that she couldn't take down Lauren. But Lauren was bigger
than Jill and no match for her.

"Now it's your turn, That's what!" Lauren aimed the dart gun at Jill firing
it. The dart hit Jill in the shoulder. Jill looked up at Lauren, and was out
before she fell to the floor. Meanwhile Toby and Erica started to wake up. The
drug does not last very long. "Now it's your turn sweetie..." as Lauren tied
Jill's hands behind her back, then her ankles around her white ankle socks.
"Now for the gag..." as she gagged Jill the door burst open.

Lauren looked up with astonishment. "Not so fast old chum," snapped Deanna.

"But... you, you should be out cold. There was enough gas..."

Deanna, Tracey, and Erin jumped through the door. Deanna at 5'11", Tracey at
5'9" and Erin at 6' are bigger girls than the 5'9" Lauren.

Lauren picked up the dart gun and fired it at Deanna. Nothing came out!

"Out of bullets?" Smiled Deanna. "We've got a score to settle!

"You're not going to fight in that little skirt, are you?" Lauren tried to
stall.

"It's not that short," said Deanna. Lauren jumped at Deanna and swung at her.
Deanna easily moved out of the way. Lauren tried to hit her again, but Deanna
was too fast for her.

"Should we help her?" Asked Erin.

"No, she's doing just fine," said Tracey. "I've never seen Deanna this angry
before, except that time when that bully picked on her sister."

"I hear you," said Erin. The two girls sat back and watched Deanna and Lauren.

"How did you know?" Said Lauren, her voice becoming more nervous.

"The radio transmitters, the girls were carrying. We could hear everything.
The girls trapped in the basement, the attic. There was no time to catch you
there. We waited until you came here. And now you are going back to jail.
Lauren swung her fist and hit Deanna right in the face, but Deanna moved her
head back enough to soften the blow. "That's enough," and with that Deanna
grabbed Lauren by the arm, flipped Lauren over Deanna's shoulder. Lauren
landed face down on the floor with Deanna on top of her pinning Lauren's arm
behind her.

"Wow, I think that's a personal best!" Said Tracey.

Jill had awoken from the drug and was able to see everything though she was
still bound and gagged.

"Let me go," screeched Lauren. Deanna tied Lauren's hands behind her back as
Tracey tied her ankles together with the remaining rope. Lauren watched with
disappointment as

Erin and Tracey untied the other girls. A man's voice could be heard down the
hall.

Into the room came Lt. Tom and three police officers, two males and one
female. "Good work girls, you've finally caught Lauren. Where she's going she
will never hurt anyone again!" Lauren was fuming as the officers replaced the
rope with handcuffs. "She will be taken back to Watertown."

"The other girls," Deanna exclaimed. "We'll be right back..." Deanna and
Tracey went up to the attic, on the way they found a grateful Nat and untied
her and rescued the rest the girls upstairs. Erin and Erica went down to the
basement, unlocked the door and rescued Heather, April, Amanda, and Sarah, who
is ok from being clobbered with the boxes. Then all the snoops returned to the
Main Ballroom, after giving their statements to the State Police.

EPILOGUE:

The convention got underway. The snoops are anxious to hear from a guest
speaker, a lady who looks good in her 50's. Her name, Jennifer McNeil, now a
best selling author.

But Heather and April are bitterly disappointed that Madame M has escaped.

"No worries," said Deanna. "We'll catch her."

"Don't worry," Lt. Tom said as he came in to say good-bye. "You girls busted
up their plans. Whatever Madame was up to you foiled it. But the State Police,
the FBI, and InterPol are on her trail. She won't get away with breaking the
law. Good luck girls, and keep in touch!" Lt. Tom gave the girls a wink and
left to go back to the station.

"Will we see you again Deanna?" Asked Heather. Heather knew Deanna and Tracey
would be going back to Watertown.

"Count on it, if Madame M shows up in Watertown, we'll be the first to call!"
Said Deanna. The girls begin to applaud as Jennifer McNeil is being
introduced...

The End

* Friends who are dear to Tracey and I are used with their kind permission
portray the characters in this story. Use of their characters or their
likeness is strictly forbidden without their consent.

And thanks again to all those who make this fun... Hugs, Deanna and Tracey

Happy Snooping!

>>From Deanna and Tracey