Captive Hearts by Anita Louise

Chapter 15

The two women followed the ridge, which made a gradual descent to the south; it was a long strenuous journey, unnerving at times. Sarah had been doing her best to keep up with Bobie but she seemed to have a death wish, for regardless of the obstacles the woman found a way to get around or over them.

Heaving a very heavy sigh and trying to catch her breath Sarah coughed out, "Wait!"

Bobie reached up to brush her left forearm across her brow, then did her best to remove beads of perspiration that had also made its way onto her eyes. She stopped and squinted towards Sarah, who was leaning against a huge granite boulder. "What?"

"Need to rest…"

It was hot out and though she hated to admit it, her body felt it would collapse any second. Tracing her steps back to where Sarah huffed and puffed she stopped and gazed at the woman's red face. "Good idea to rest a bit. I am tired too." She glanced around then added, "Let's make it up to that rock platform above, there are hanging rocks above and there will be some shade. Think you can make it up there?"

Nodding, Sarah stood, her right hand grasping her side. "I'll do my best. I'm not as good with the outdoors as you but I will try."

Shaking her head Bobie said, "No, not 'try', do it, if you can't do not even attempt it. We can just sit right here."

Sarah looked at the small path they were on and replied, "I'll do it. It is not that high and one thing I have learned being with you is how to climb among other things. Go ahead, I'll follow."

"No, you go first, I'll follow behind."

Sarah stared at Bobie, and asked, "Are you crazy?"

"Why?"

"Cause, the last thing you need is for me to fall on you."

"Then I suggest you do not fall."

Sarah got a very belligerent look and spouted, "Then I will stay here, you go up."

"Sarah, Sarah, Sarah, what am I going to do with you. You should have stayed back there, yet here you are."

"They would have killed me."

"Perhaps, but where we are going now, could surely be death or an end to this life."

"Nah, I prefer to think of it as a roller coaster drop and a nice swim."

Bobie placed a finger of her left hand under Sarah's chin and raised her head so their eyes met then said, "My eyes do not lie, and I know all too well jumping into the falls may end our lives. You my dear are a dreamer, well this is not a dream, some gallant knight will not come racing up on a steed to save you, it is best you make peace with the life you have now."

Sarah grasped Bobie's hand and held it tightly, her eyes became a blank slate as she said, "If you are trying to read my eyes, don't. I have always been good and just zoning out. But I will tell you, since the day we met I found a friend and if I have to end this life, if I am with you, I will be fine."

Bobie gave Sarah's hand a comforting squeeze then pulled away. "Nothing will ever mean more to me than the fact you saved me from a time that was so hard, all I wanted was to close my eyes and not wake but that would not happen. So if you truly have your mind made up, then I will be honored to have you with me when the time comes."

Sarah tipped her head and gazed at Bobie Parker, the woman had been through so much, yet she still was beautiful. Blond hair slightly dancing about her head from the breeze, blue-green eyes filled with life, skin that glowed perfection in so many ways. All the things she had heard, all the things she had read about this remarkable woman, didn't even touch the person she had come to know. "It is I that would be happy to be by your side Bobie Parker, though I didn't know you before, I am grateful I do now. Thank you."

"For what?" Bobie had a very quizzically look as she gazed toward Sarah.

"For being my friend, for getting me out of that place and away from those people."

"You are welcome. Have you rested enough to make the climb?"

Sarah nodded. "I am. It is not that far."

"Good, just don't look down and make sure you have a good foot hold and hand hold. I will go first, follow close."

Bobie checked the rock formation, looking for cracks, crevices, any place where she could get a good grip. Slowly she began her climb, stopping at times to check on Sarah. The two were almost near the top when Sarah slipped, the woman let out a huge yell that almost caused Bobie to loose the hold she had as she looked down to see the woman dangling, knuckles of her hands beet red from the grip she had.

"Sarah, pull yourself up, get your feet back on the foot holds!"

Bobie looked up at the woman she admired and replied, "I'm not you, I have no idea where the 'foot holds' are."

Bobie began to make her way back to where Sarah was doing her best to hold on, she knew that a person's body weight would soon cause the woman to give out and fall. She had found several new holds and was close enough to grab Sarah's right hand when she said, "Reach out and grab my hand."

"No, I'll lose my grip besides; my weight will just pull you down."

"Don't be ridiculous, I'm stronger than you think, now, do it, reach out and grab my hand. I'll pull you up and you can find the foot holds. They are not that far."

Took Sarah a few seconds before she got the courage to make the attempt and was very happy to feel Bobie's grip. Did not take her long to find the foot holds and was soon ready to continue her climb. "I'm fine now; go on, I'll be right behind you."

Bobie took a few minutes catching her breath as she gazed at her hand, swollen and red. She was happy to be able to help Sarah, and begin the climb again. Once on top she lay on her stomach and helped the woman up. Sarah sit and stared at the canyon, she shivered and said, "Thank you again."

Bobie smiled, "You're welcome again. You would have done the same for me"

"I would hope so, but . . ."

"No buts, we are partners, good friends, so let's sit back against the rock wall, there is shade and it will be better for us. I am tired and definitely need to rest, get my bearings. Good thing you stopped me back there."

Sarah found a spot near Bobie and sat, she pointed and said, "You just kept going, and I tried to keep up but finally gave, sorry. It feels good to sit and not have the ground move beneath my feet."

"I felt it too, more than likely the power of the falls sending a vibration."

"I'd say that was pretty powerful. How far away are we now?"

Bobie gazed around the area finally settling her eyes on a distant rise of mist; it was swirling toward the sky in dazzling ways. "If you follow my finger it is off there, you can see the mist that is rising from it."

Sarah watched as Bobie pointed, her eyes were tired, the sun had caused lights to dance around in her vision making it harder to see but finally she cried, "I see it!"

"Still a ways to go, good thing we stopped, not sure why I was in such a hurry we have a good lead on them, that is if they even come this way. The distance is further than I thought."

Sighing, Sarah leaned her head against the wall, closed her eyes and said, "I for one am happy to be still, to rest. The sun has had fun with my vision; I see lights dancing around now and hate it."

"Me too, too bad we do not have sunglasses but we don't so have to make due with what we have. I think I will take a nap."

Sarah watched the woman close her eyes, then reached into her back pack and brought out a small mirror."

A woman screaming and the loud flapping of wings woke Bobie. Opening her eyes, she could see a blurry dark object, immediately rubbing them to get better vision and all the time cursing herself for falling asleep, she called out, "Sarah! Sarah!" The only words she could get out as her body froze when the large bird came into view. It was dark like night, with a wing span she could not even begin to measure, flashing greenish eyes, a beak that could do serious damage and its, strong legs and talons looked sharp. The creature squawked hovering like a giant helicopter. She had never seen anything like it before. Was she dreaming, shaking her head trying to wake she stood and looked around for Sarah, the woman was leaning back against the rock wall and had gone as far as she could. The overhanging rocks were keeping the thing from going in for the kill.

Sarah's face was filled with terror as she tried to become one with the wall, hoping this thing would go away, instead it flew closer, and Bobie was almost knocked over from the wind circulated by its wings. Picking up a rock, Bobie walked toward what looked like an ancient relative of perhaps the crow. "Shoo! Go away you thing!" Tossing the rock, it made contact only to bounce off but did draw its attention as its head turned toward her, and then back again at the woman trapped as if trying to decide which was the easiest to go after.

Sarah screamed, "Bobie, get back! Did you think that rock was going to chase it away?"

"Where did that thing come from?"

"Don't know, all of a sudden it dropped from above!"

Suddenly Bobie fell to her knees and began to go through her backpack, tossing everything out and quickly rummaged through the articles. Standing she looked as if the sky had fallen down before she yelled, "The gun, where is the gun?"

Sarah squeaked, "I don't know!"

Throwing up her hands in despair, Bobie quickly surveyed the area. There were deposits of rocks, here and there, solid formations and fragments. Turning to glance toward Sarah she called out, "Stay back!"

"You got that right, I am not going anywhere but this thing is not leaving!"

Quickly separating fragments of rock, sniffing, scratching she finally picked four and then picked up her backpack forming it into a sling. Taking out the matches, she carried the rocks in her arms and headed toward Sarah. The woman spied her out of one eye and called out, "Are you crazy? The thing will be after you in quick time!"

"Good, that is what I want! Stay put!"

Sarah nodded but looked confused pointing to the rocks in Bobie's arms. "You carry them like you would a baby; I doubt that rocks will hurt this thing."

Bobie did her best to stay positive as she replied, "Thing has to go away sometime and from what I have seen, it hasn't figured out how to get you yet so there is time."

Sarah squeaked, "Thank God for that! Get back!"

Bobie took a deep breath, gazed at the flying menace and set the stones down, she then placed one in the sling she had made from the backpack took out a match and walked toward the creature. "Hey! You! You big hunk of feathers, not enough meat on her, come and get me!"

The creature squawked, turned its head and gazed at the woman; she stood tall, holding some sort of object in her right hand as it quickly turned its attention on the thing that dared challenge it.

Sarah screamed, "Get back Bobie, its coming for you!"

In those few seconds, Bobie struck a match, placed it on one of the rocks in the sling she had made of the backpack. With terrific agility she swung the sling, and tossed the rock directly at the creatures face; just before it made contact, a burst of flames emitted sending the creature catapulting backwards. The cries echoed the area as it flew circles, its wingspan sending winds strong enough to throw Bobie back against the wall. Sarah was in a dazed state, as she mumbled, "Did I just see what I thought?"

Bobie nodded, "You did. Don't move, it has not gone away and could come back."

"Where, how did you come up with that?"

She gazed at the young woman who had turned pasty white and said, "Not Important, but good thing there were a few matches."

The creature swooped up one more time and hovered in the air as if deciding to attempt to get a meal or leave it for another time; finally, it let out a blood-chilling cry and flew away.

Bobie slid to the ground and uttered, "Whew!"

Sarah ran to where the woman sat and hugged her. "Thank you, thank you, you saved my life."

With one eye closed and one eye open Bobie gazed at the woman and replied, "My life too. That thing whatever it was had lunch in mind."

Sitting beside Bobie, Sarah asked, "What are we going to do now?"

"Not sure. Where there is one there is always another, so odds are there are two of those things flying around out there. Not sure what it was, or where it came from but it was bigger than any bird I have ever seen."

Shivering, Sarah muttered, "Closest thing I ever saw was in a book about dinosaurs. I thought you were funning me back there when you mentioned them."

"I was. Had no idea these things were out here. But we have seen some signs that point to ancient times and even this area, the land, the formations, all point to an era long past."

"Do you mean we could run into one of those Rex things?"

Reaching out to pat Sarah's right hand in a comforting way, Bobie replied, "I sure hope not."

"A good thing you suggested we get up here, I hate to think what would have happened had we been out on that path." Sarah shivered and brought her knees up to her chest hugging them.

Bobie knew when the woman did this she was scared and the last thing Sarah needed to hear was, so was she. "It is good we came up here but now it knows we are here and will be back and more than likely not alone. We have to get out of here as soon as we know the coast is clear and find another place for shelter."

Sarah stood, reached out her right hand and said, "Then I am ready. You live up to your name."

"Parker?"

"No, silly, Annie Oakley, she couldn't have done it any better."

Allowing herself to smile, Bobie took the woman's hand and replied, "Where did you get that I am like Annie Oakley?"

"Heard it somewhere, or read it. And to me you are. So where too now partner?"

"You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law . . ."

Sky heard the words, but Sheriff Burgess might as well have been dancing a jig, too much had happened, her body was giving out on her it was a fight to stay focused at all. Tara listened to the woman spout the Miranda act, all the time thinking she was the last person on earth to do this. The woman had bent many laws and it seemed she was going to bury the two of them in some way. Maybe not death but the woman made it clear she was not going to release them anytime soon. She had gazed toward Sky from time to time and knew by her color that she was not feeling well. Stopping, Tara called to the Sheriff, "Can't you see Skylar Richmond needs a doctor?"

Deanna Burgess turned and scowled at Tara. "Who made you the woman's protector? She has a tongue and certainly can speak for herself!" She approached Sky, glared into her eyes and growled through clenched teeth, "Speak!"

Sky felt an ache in her throat as she swallowed, and then replied, "I can talk. Just get this over with."

Deanna turned to glare at Tara and snapped, "There, she spoke. Woman is fine. Now, the two of you onward and let's 'get this over with' as your friend requested."

They went through having their pictures taken; being finger printed and was now standing in front of a counter. A stocky woman approached from the other side holding two large manila envelopes. She gazed at Sky then Tara before she said, "Check the contents of the envelopes, make sure they are your things, and then sign this paper acknowledging this." Sky looked confused and quickly reached for her pocket only to feel the hand of one of the guards twist her arm behind her back and say, "Do what she asked."

Tara glowered at the guard but did not move, instead, she said, "Sky, when you passed out, they took our things."

Sky tried to turn towards Tara but the hold on her arm was too painful as she uttered, "Thanks for telling me."

"You two through chatting? Check the envelopes; sign the paper so we can get on with this."

It didn't take long to check the contents and sign the paper, when finished Sky turned to Deanna Burgess and asked, "When can we call our lawyers?"

A sadistic smile crossed the woman's face, as she replied, "Not through booking you. I suggest you keep your mind on the here and now. And now, I think it is time to see what you two are hiding under those clothes."

Tara could not keep her mouth shut, instead she said, "You searched us already, we are not hiding anything under our clothes."

Sky chuckled then straightened up and said, "Probably a lot of desert not much else."

Sparks few from Sheriff Burgess's eyes, her face looked like it would explode any minute. She quickly took several quick steps stopping in front of Sky, then she walked past Tara turned and with lightning speed kicked her legs out from under her. Sky ran to help the woman only to be met with a rubber baton strike behind her knees and found herself lying near where Tara had fallen. She silently mouthed, "Are you all right?"

Tara winked then looked up at Deanna Burgess and touched a finger to her lips, then made a mark in the air. Deanna tipped her head from side to side trying to figure out what the woman was doing and finally said, "I hit your legs not your head, you are acting like --"

Getting to her knees, Tara said, "Just meant that's one."

"One what?"

"Perhaps sooner than later you will find that out."

Once again, Tara felt the woman's boot as her leg shot out with malice sending Tara flat onto her face. "Thought by now you would know I am not someone to mess with Coltrane. I guarantee in here you are no one special and you will find this out sooner than later! Now get her up, the other one also and take them to room two."

Sky was already back on her feet and within seconds, she had struck out at the two guards, sending them falling back against the stone wall. Deanna reached for her gun but instead of touching the gun handle, she felt Sky's hand on hers as Sky's other hand sent a crashing blow into the softness of her stomach. Falling forward, Sky reached out and grabbed her, removing the cuffs from the woman's belt she placed them on Deanna, removed the woman's gun from the holster then pushed her toward the two guards that were trying to get to their feet.

"Stop!" Sky shouted as she pushed the Sheriff toward them. "Take out your guns and drop them on the floor, then take out your cuffs and cuff the two of you together. Sit!"

Deanna Burgess was happy to sit she was feeling dizzy and welcomed the floor. "You're only making more trouble for yourself and your friend Richmond."

Tara scrambled to her feet, staggering toward Sky, she uttered, "Damn. Woman you are amazing." She quickly picked up the guns stood and stared at Sky. "Thanks I think."

Sky kept her eyes on Deanna who was fidgeting like something was crawling all over her. "Thanks for what?"

"For going off like a fire cracker and wanting to help me."

Sky smiled, "That what I was doing."

"Sheriff has it in for me and for you; maybe we should take her into room two and see if she will tell us?"

Deanna made a harrumph sound and said, "You forget this is a jail, I will be missed and so will the guards. Someone will come looking for us if we do not chec--" She bit her tongue and glared at the two women.

Sky looked at the Sheriff then Tara and said, "Do you think the Sheriff just had a slip of the tongue?"

"I do." Tara limped toward the woman and said, "We will have to make sure one of you does check in."

The two guards looked at one another and from their faces; it was obvious they thought the Sheriff just made a dumb move
Sky leaned against the wall; her legs were shaking as she tried to steady them. Tara did her best to walk to where Sky was without winching, because her legs were hurting too and her body was not in the best shape. The last thing she wanted was for Sky to see her cave.

Leaning with her back to the wall, Tara stared back at the empty hall. "Won't be long before someone comes through those doors and we don't want to be caught here. It was wonderful to see you in action again but if Deanna Burgess gets hold of us she just may kill us."

Sky's emerald green eyes filled with warmth as she gazed into Tara's eyes. "Why have we spent so many years at each other's throats, things could have been so different."

"Always thought you were some goody two shoes, waving that red hair for the entire world to see and fall at your feet."

"Ouch, that hurt. I just did my job."

"Too well I might say."

Sky managed a grin and said, "Don't count yourself short dear, seemed you would just pop up in the darned places and always giving me a hard time."

"Come on, you know you loved it. If not for me messing up your plans half the time, be truthful it could have been boring."

Sky slid down to the floor and sit. She stretched out her legs as she reached up, grasped Tara's hand and tugged lightly. Tara followed suit and was soon sitting beside her. "Tara there was times I felt like strangling you."

The woman smiled and replied, "Same feeling here. Hated that you always seemed to be one-step ahead of me and always getting the glory. Have to admit it though we have had some really good knock down fights."

"That we have but I now must look at you in a different way."

Tara frowned asking," Why?"

"Because you have shown me in there (Sky placed the palm of her right hand over Tara's heart) is also a very loving, kind woman."

"Come now Richmond, don't go change personalities on me, I am just getting used to the one you have."

"I mean it, Tara, you have stood by me, you have helped me in my quest to find Bobie, and you didn't have to do any of this. But look where it has gotten you."

Tara laid her head against the wall and chuckled. "Same place you are and this seems to be what happens most of the time. Be it Africa, Egypt or wherever, we eventually end up together in some way."

"Yes but usually trying to one up each other."

"Can't think of anyone I would want to go up against when it came to adventure, search and seizure--"

Sky closed her eyes and laid her head back against the wall and said, "Not going to walk into that one Coltrane."

"What? I just made a statement."

"Nope uh, you want me to ask but I already know. Besides, look where we are, with both wobbly legs and three prisoners but not just any prisoners, Sheriff and her deputies. We are in deep mire my friend."

"Sure are and we had better get out of it real quick before someone comes looking for these three."

Getting to their feet, the two walked to the prisoners and motioned for them to get up. As Sheriff Burgess stood she asked, "Where too? The place is not one you two will just walk out of."

"Sky raised an eyebrow looked skeptical then looked at Tara and said, "Sheriff doesn't know some of the tight spots we have been in, this should be a piece of cake."

"Yeah if only we had Houdini here."

"Never fear, if we can get to a phone and call Bern or Bobie, we won't need Houdini. Come on lets go see what is behind door two."

From the appearance of the room, it was obvious this was where a person walked out of life as they knew it into prison garb but not before other things took place. Sky pointed to a bench and said, "The three of you make yourself comfortable there."

Tara turned and took in the area then said, "shower looks good, rest of this stuff isn't touching me."

Sky surveyed the area then turned to Sheriff Burgess and the two guards that were sitting rather quietly and said "Take it this is where one does their utmost to humiliate a person."
As she said this she spied a box of latex gloves and removed a pair slipping them on saying, "Good fit."

Tara looked to the ceiling then muttered, "Grief woman! Hope you are not thinking about anything but trying those on."

Sky chuckled and walked toward Deanna. The woman's eyes shot all around the room, her fists balled up and she had a look of terror as she sputtered, "Stay away from me, you really have a screw loose."

Sky reached out and brushed her hand against the woman's face, though she tried to pull away, her other hand made sure Deanna was not going anywhere. "Take it easy Sheriff, Just wanted you to feel a little of how you make others feel in here." With those words, Sky removed the gloves and tossed them in a waste container.

Tara let out a resounding, "Thank you Lord."

Sky paced the room, checking out every desk, anything that wasn't rock solid she glanced through and finally stopped when she could not get a desk drawer to open. Turning to look back, she called out, "What big secret do you have in here Sheriff Burgess and how about giving Tara the key?"

"There is confidential information pertaining to this office in that drawer, has nothing to do with you."

Sky scowled at the woman and said, "Just give Tara the key. If you don't we will turn you on your head and shake it out of you."

Tara stood in front of Deanna Burgess and said, "The key, please."

She said a few unkind words before she reached into her shirt and came out with a small key. "Here, you two are in for a world of trouble, guess you know that."

Tara ignored the woman's words as she walked toward Sky and handed the key to the woman. "What do you think is in there?"

"Have no idea but when things are locked it's always a reason to suspect it is to keep people like prisoners from getting into it. Lets see what the Sheriff is hiding shall we?"

"Get on with it, now you have my curiosity sparked too."

The second Sky pulled the drawer out both women shouted, "Bingo!"

Deanna was rocking back and forth like an angry teenager while the two guards tried to keep up with her movements because they were cuffed together so where one went the other two had to follow.

Tara and Sky's eyes met as their faces lit up. Sky reached out to take the black phone from the drawer. Setting it on the desk she said, "We hit the wrong buttons it could send a signal to those we don't want in here at this time."

Tara turned and walked toward Deanna Burgess as she neared she asked, "Is there a special number to get an outside line?"

Deanna began to shake her head but at the same time one of the guards said, "Yes."

Reaching out, Tara un-cuffed the man and said, "You get us an outside line, don't look at the Sheriff she is in no position to order you around but if you value your life, it would be a good idea to do as I ask."

He nodded and walked with her to the phone. Before long Sky heard Bernie Herbella's voice on the other end. Smiling toward Tara she whispered, "Thanks."

Tara took the guard back to the bench and cuffed him once more but before she walked away, she thanked the man.

Bernie was so excited to hear Sky's voice he broke out in an Irish Jig before asking, "Where have you been woman? The State Police are looking for you, I have a team looking for you, thank the heavens above you live. Where is Tara?"

Sky motioned for Tara to come take the phone and said to her, "Wants to know where you are?"

When she handed the receiver to Tara, their hands touched for a moment and before Sky pulled away she whispered, "Tell him where we are."

Taking a deep breath Sky walked toward a chair and sat. The room was beginning to spin and she was not feeling too good. The woman's actions hadn't gone unnoticed by Deanna Burgess who softly said, "Looks like the redhead is going to take a nap again. The other one is too busy with the phone, this is our chance."

The guard that made the outside call hesitated and said, "She wakes, could kill us and the other one is no sleeping beauty, woman has many skills and I don't want to be caught at the end of one."

Deanna whispered in his ear. "You come with us now, or I'll make sure you get a cell next to them."

Tara's back was to them, all they could hear was laughing and talking, it was obvious she felt Sky was taking care of the prisoners. It was easy relieving Sky of her gun, also getting the keys and undoing the cuffs. One guard stayed near Sky, while Sheriff Burgess and the other guard eased their way toward Tara.

Tara had just finished filling Bernie in on all that had taken place as well as where they were and why, when blackness surrounded her.

"What now Sheriff?" The two guards looked at the woman neither knowing what came next.

"Take Richmond to solitary, this one is going to have a shower."

Before the two guards walked toward Sky who was still unconscious, one turned and asked, "When she comes too and she will, hate to say it but you are no match for her."

Deanna laughed, "You think they are the only ones with hidden talents, I've beaten this one before but don't you worry, send Deputy Sparks in here. She can stand guard and make sure Coltrane minds her manners."

After they left the room with Sky who still was not awake, she dropped to her knees and felt Tara's neck pulse, she was fine, would have a headache but this would be the least of her worries.

"Finally got you two figured out, kinda like Samson and Delilah, remove one thing and this is all that is needed, in your case it is Richmond and in her case it is you. Together you are almost unstoppable, apart, things will be different."

Deputy Sparks entered the room; she stared at the woman laying unconscious on the floor then at the Sheriff who was looking at the prisoner in a way that sent chills up and down her body. "You sent for me Sheriff?"

Deanna Burgess turned to see the Deputy and replied, "I need you to stand watch, and if this prisoner tries any thing, shoot."

"She is unconscious, doesn't look like she is going to do anything. Should I call someone to help us get her to the infirmary?"

"No. There is a lot you don't know but this woman is a terrorist and can't be trusted."

"Ter--or is--t . . ."

"Someone nip your tongue Deputy?"

"No. It is just if she is a terrorist, what is she doing here and unconscious. Shouldn't she be in the government's hands, not yours?"

Deanna Burgess walked toward the deputy and when she was face to face with the woman she snarled, "Which one of us is Sheriff?"

"You are."

"Right, so I am ordering you to do what I asked. No more questions is that clear?'

She nodded but it was obvious the woman was not comfortable with the situation.

Deanna walked toward the fallen woman and once again dropped to her knees. But not before she left her handgun with the deputy. She had no idea how long Coltrane would be unconscious so she had to work faster than she would have wanted. Taking out a small pocket knife she ran it it along the inside of the tank top the woman was wearing, quickly severing the material and when she finished the tank top was no longer on the woman. Then standing behind Tara, she reached down, grasped her wrists, and began to pull her backwards until she was able to cuff her wrists to a solid steel bar.

Deanna stood for a few minutes trying to catch her breath, the woman was tall, and not that easy to move. It was déjà vu all over, only this time; she was not going to let the dark haired woman get the best of her again.

Dropping to her knees, she stared and mumbled under her breath, "Shame to see someone like you with such a fantastic body." It was then she spied the pierced navel ring and the diamond, which she quickly removed and put in her top shirt pocket closing the flap and buttoning it. She turned her attention back to the prisoner. Reaching out she grasped the bra and ran a finger under the center raising it as her knife made quick work of the material. Quickly brushing the cups back, she stared at the two bounteous breasts now freed from their restraints and slowly placed a hand on each one, the warmth, and the fullness were enticing as she ran her thumbs over sleeping nipples each coming awake at the touch.

This woman was too beautiful her body was a temple and she hated people that looked like that. Feeling Tara Coltrane's pulse, she smiled cruelly and squeezed each breast before sliding her hands down to the waist of the blue jeans. Once there she easily had them loosened and quickly pulled off, tossing them aside she ran her hands slowly up the shapely tanned legs stopping when she came to the bikini panty the woman wore.

Deputy Sparks was nervous and bouncing on the balls of her feet as she called out, "Sheriff, what are you doing to her?"

"Doing my job, making sure the prisoner doesn't have any contraband. You know the drill, just stand guard and do what I say." Deanna Burgess ran her hands across a hard abdomen and thought, it was obvious this woman kept in good shape, as her hands continued downward it took little time to remove the bikini panty and toss it to the floor where it fell among the blue jeans.

Deputy Sparks replied, "I understand Sheriff ." But the look on her face and her nervous state said just the opposite.

Deanna's attention had been drawn away for a short time. But now she was once again staring at Tara Coltrane's lengthy legs, tanned thighs and the valley that separated them. Looking up she called, "Toss me the box of latex gloves."

Deputy Sparks did and quickly turned and walked back where she had been stationed.

After putting on the gloves, Deanna took her time exploring, the woman's fingers palpitated, stroked and soon she placed a leg over Tara's left and with both hands forced the woman's legs apart. Once again she meticulously checked and double checked, upon running a finger over what she knew was Tara Coltrane's bell and whistle she lingered as her other hand stroked
this very alluring area, it did not take long before she pressed several fingers into her vagina. Leaning over the woman, she smiled wickedly and said, "Too bad you are not awake, you might enjoy this."

Deputy Spark watched Sheriff Burgess's body move forward and backwards in repetition she also heard the woman's heavy breathing and turned away. She was afraid to go against the woman but what she was doing had her stomach churning and at that moment, she felt a spasm of nausea sweep through her.

After hearing many satisfied groans then nothing she finally called out, "Sheriff, are you all right?" There was no answer so she walked toward the woman and could see by the dampness of her uniform and the way she was laying on the prisoner the Sheriff was spent. Swallowing hard she tapped Sheriff Burgess on the shoulder and said, "Sheriff, you need to get up, no one should find you like that."

Deanna Burgess got to her feet and stumbled toward the trash container where she removed and tossed the gloves before saying, "Take the prisoner into the shower, clean her up, and then call someone to help you get Coltrane to solitary room two."

Deputy Sparks watched the Sheriff leave the room then she turned her attention on the prisoner and muttered, "Thank goodness you were not awake through all that." She spied the clothes and went about picking them up and tossing them away. She soon had another guard enter the room who helped her get the prisoner into the shower.

The water did bring Tara Coltrane around and for a few moments she lashed out striking and hitting nothing. Finally realizing where she was the woman reached behind her head and could feel a lump. Turning to ward of anyone coming too close she called out, Sky! Where is Sky?"

Deputy Sparks stood, gun in one hand and a bar of soap in the other as she said, "Have no idea about anyone called Sky but you need to wash up."

Tara could not believe what was going on, her body ached and she had no idea how she got in the shower. "Where are my clothes?"

"Won't need them. After you shower, we have the standard issue waiting for you to put on. Now I am going to toss this bar of soap to you, you have ten minutes, so don't waste any of it."

Sky began to wash, the water felt good, it was when she realized the diamond was missing she yelled, "Where is my piercing? Where is the Sheriff?"

Deputy Sparks shook her head and replied, "Have no idea what piercing you are talking about and in so far as the Sheriff, she has other duties."

Tara began to walk toward the woman until she saw the gun. "My diamond it was right here (she pointed to her navel) now it is gone. Someone took it and I want to know who?"

"If you had a diamond on yourself, I am sure it was taken when you were searched, all items will be kept in security until you are released."

"That had better be soon, I want to talk to my lawyer, now."

As the water shut off, Deputy Sparks tossed the woman a towel and said, "Dry off, and then put these clothes on."

Tara frowned at the blue trousers and what looked like a hospital smock of the same color. "Would like to have my own clothes."

"You are an inmate now and your personal clothes are not allowed, so hurry up, change and we will go."

"Where?"

"To lockup, where do you think?"

"I would think a room where I can call my lawyer?"

"That is up to the sheriff, you will have to talk to her."

"Then where is she?"

"Like I said other duties. You are dressed so let's go."

"Wait, my boots, where are they?"

"Won't need any shoes the first week."

"You people are goofy here, I have rights and I want to know where Skylar Richmond is, how I ended up in the shower, no clothes, my diamond is gone and every time I ask you, your face gets all red, it surely is not from the sun. I have the right to know what is going on."

"In here, rights are few and far between, just thought I would let you know, now, onward."

After going down several corridors, they finally stopped in front of a large metal door, once it was open Deputy Sparks said, "This is your new home for awhile."

Tara hesitated and asked, "Where is this? It is not a regular jail cell."

The woman raised her gun and ordered, "Step in or I'll call someone to do it for you."

The room was small and almost barren; it did not take a minute before she realized where she was and quickly tried to grasp the door before it closed. "Why are you doing this?"

"Sheriff's orders, try to rest."

Tara heard the guards walking away and felt weak in the knees as she slid to the floor.
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