A Night in the Desert

Chapter IX

He had set a time limit for her to remain kneeling. She started to count while determining what she could see of the room without moving her head. Along the far wall she could see some covered panels with keyholes. More ominously there were some metal rings welded to plates bolted into the wall. She reached the end of her count, but decided to wait for a while longer before standing up. She would have to be very cautious. There were no limits on what he could do to her. If she provoked his anger in any way, even by accident, it could be dangerous. Aside from fear she also felt driven to obey him. She wanted to please him, to show him she would comply with whatever he ordered. Just now, kneeling in front of him, she had actually been proud that he had not corrected her position. She didn't understand why he affected her so.

She decided to stand and explore the room. One eye on the door she slowly stood up. He could open that door at any moment. She had to be ready to resume her kneeling position with no warning. First, she had to determine where the boundaries of her collar ended. The chain terminated on the back wall in the center, the final link welded to a heavy metal plate bolted to the wall. She backed up, stretching out the chain to its limit. Holding out one arm she could almost reach the far wall with the chain pulled taut. She could not reach the door in one corner or those panels along the other corner. She could reach an open area to the right, including a metal pole running from the floor to the ceiling, and the toilet and sink to the left. She was grateful for that much consideration on his part; she made use of the facilities. She did pause for a moment. He had not given permission to use the toilet and she wasn't allowed to speak so she didn't have an opportunity to ask first. But she reasoned that the alternative would be unpleasant not only to her but to him as well, when he returned.

If he returned, she had that to worry about too. She put her hands on the collar. It was about an inch wide, like a rounded metal band curved to fit her neck. There was a welded ring in front where the chain was attached. She could feel some type of hinge or lock in the back but there appeared to be no way for her to open it. It had to be locked in some way or there wouldn't be any reason to force her to wear it. She took the chain in both hands and pulled with all her strength. The wall plate held her easily. This was simpler than cell bars and more effective. She couldn't even get to the door, though she was sure it would be locked if she could reach it. She went to the back wall and sat down, close to the cushion, facing the door. That would save time when he did come back.

She sat with her back against the wall, knees under her chin, and arms around her legs. She looked at the sink, debating if she should drink some water. She was thirsty but hesitated. He had not given permission. She looked around for hidden cameras. None were visible, but she was sure he was watching her. She had seen a few of the tiny cameras used at the bank in concealed locations. Knowing her position was precarious, she decided to wait as long as she could before taking a drink from the sink faucet.

There was no bed for her to lie on. The concrete floor was none too comfortable; she wasn't going to fall asleep on it. At least that order would be easy to obey. She smiled. He had gotten to her already. Here she was thinking about obedience, not planning an escape. Escape to where, she thought to herself, she had no place to go. If by some miracle she could get out of this place, make it to a road or house, what would happen next? Police show up, recognize her, and she is on the next plane to Mexico. She couldn't hide out. She had no money, no friends, no safe house, none of those fugitive survival skills like in the movies or TV; she didn't even have any clothes. She played with a bit of the chain dangling from the collar. She seriously doubted she would have an opportunity to run away.

Down the hall from Sue Ann's room Jim Peters watched her on the monitor. Jim Peters wasn't his real name. He had used so many aliases he had a hard time remembering his real name. He made his living stealing from other people. Not individuals, but groups large enough to absorb the loss. He had some principles. He had done very well by Sue Ann, clearing about $400,000 after expenses from the wire transfer thefts. And he got her as a bonus. The bribes had been expensive, but it looked like she would be worth it. Her diary had been the key. She had diligently noted all the access codes he had needed.

Her private musings had been fascinating too, like a window into her mind. He would never have thought from looking at her what lay beneath her façade. She was deeply submissive, desperately seeking dominance though she didn't know it. His plan had fallen into place quickly. He would take the money, frame her, and then hide her out as the police looked for her. He hadn't known about that security audit, but in the end it all worked out. He had been caught off guard when they arrested her so quickly, but after he had found the extradition order in the DA's computer all it took was some of his ill-gotten gains to arrange the bribes. He hadn't had to find some way to break her out of jail or prison; instead she would be delivered into his hands. An elegant solution, he liked that.

This way she had her old life ripped away. She would be in desperate need of something to replace it. He would be there to provide that something. It would be easier to train her without distractions. He glanced back at the monitor again. She had finally stood up and was testing the collar. He looked up at the clock on the wall. She had remained in position for nearly ten minutes after he left. That was an excellent sign, no latent defiance. He checked to make sure the microphone was active too. Anything she said would be recorded on the tape, in case he wasn't watching.

He checked the clock again, almost time for his customary evening stroll. Maybe he'd head back to the mine site one more time. Watching her on the screen, he thought back to when he had found her. He still couldn't believe the way she had delivered herself to him that night. She had no idea he lived on the other side of the ridge from the mine. While extending his house into the mine shafts on his side of the mountains he had found the gallery leading to the mine site she had been visiting. He often crossed under the ridge and came out the mine entrance to walk thorough the desert. He had been surprised to see her ride off on her bicycle just as he had come out of the mine. Curious, he had walked over to her car. When he saw the keys lying on the seat he knew something was very odd.

At first he thought it might be someone looking for him. He was careful to hide his tracks when he funded his ventures with other people's money, but someone might have gotten lucky. He searched the car and found her purse in the trunk, and a small book inside. When he opened the book and discovered it was a diary he went to the end and read the entries working backward. He had to laugh when he read the details of her plan that night. Knowing she wouldn't be back for several hours he had read through most of her diary while sitting in her car.

After he put everything back he had waited in her car debating what to do. He could go back home, or hang around and watch her return. A third possibility had started forming. She worked at a bank. She had put all her codes in her book. This was the type of work he enjoyed. It would be simple to just take her when she arrived later that night, but she would be a reluctant participant. Better if she had some additional motivation, and he could make a tidy profit in the process.

He had put her keys in his pocket and sat down a short distance from the car, out of sight. The wait was longer than he expected. She must have misjudged her abilities. He had been ready to go look for her when he heard the quiet rattle from her ankle chain dragging on the ground. Turning on the little pocket starlight night vision scope he always carried during his evening walks, he saw her image slowly crossing the road at the entrance, heading toward her car. He had been careful to keep the viewer against his eye so she wouldn't see the telltale green glow.

She had reached the car and was opening the door. He switched off the viewer as the interior dome light came on. He had to stifle a laugh as she realized the keys were gone. He watched her close the car door, wander around confused, and then clumsily sit down in the car. He knew when she had calmed down she would head back for her backup keys. He was tempted to sneak ahead of her and take them too, but it was getting late. Better to begin the game now.

When she got back out of the car he stood and headed for her. When he got close he held up her keys and shook them. She stopped, and then started to turn. "Would you be looking for these keys?" he asked innocently as he turned on his flashlight. The look on her face had been priceless, one he would fondly remember for years to come.

He looked at the monitor again. She was washing her hands. She started to take a drink but stopped. Better than he had hoped, she was extending his commands to further limit her actions. She was both intelligent and perceptive. He decided to take a short walk then feed her. He had to plan out this phase of her training carefully. For the moment she was cooperating but he expected that would change once she fully comprehended his intentions.