Artwork
Chapter One - The Meeting
If such a thing were possible, Madame Elsa Von Kepp would stink of money.
Noted the pot at the expense of the kettle, reflected Mistress Catelyn Barathe
wryly as she walked down a sweeping staircase within her multi-million dollar
summer mansion.
Her guest had come slightly overdressed for the occasion. A floor-length mink
fur coat was precariously draped over her shoulders to reveal an exclusive
two-piece Ralph Lauren suit. Consisting of a white double-breasted jacket and
matching calf length pencil skirt complete with hip revealing split, the suit
would easily have cost Von Kepp upwards of twenty thousand. A fair price given
that Ralph had reportedly allowed only a dozen of the design to be made.
Von Kepp had also chosen a matching white high collared shirt to wear, buttoned
right to the throat, the cuffs - complete with diamond links - visible at her
wrists. A tightly knotted, white and black polka-dotted silk necktie was pressed
against the center of her collar. It protruded ever so slightly as a result of
the gold tie-pin attached to her shirt right beneath the knot, ensuring that it
would not work its way loose in what Catelyn was sure the Madame would consider
to be an unsightly manner. Her feet sported a pair of $5000 DKNY four inch black
heels; while a jaunty black beret perched precariously on a full head of long
blonde hair that she today wore down over her shoulders. Black, calf-skin gloves
covered her hands to the cuffs of her shirt, and the right gripped a long
tapered cigarillo holder that would not have been complete without a lighted
cigarillo.
The woman was most definitely attractive. A heart shaped face framed a button
nose, bright green eyes and incredibly full lips that were coated dark red.
Beautiful pale skin was marred only by dark eye shadow and a touch of rouge to
brighten her cheeks. Despite the fur coat and white suit, Catelyn could discern
that Von Kepp had an atypical svelte figure not normally associated with old
money and a lifetime of leisure. Although she looked no older than her early
twenties, Catelyn knew that the woman was approaching thirty, and very much
enjoyed being told how young she looked.
Catelyn was of an age with Madame Von Kepp and sported a similar head of long
blonde (though curly) hair. It was there, however, that their similarities
ended. Where Von Kepp wore white, Catelyn had chosen to cover her slim six foot
frame in basic black. A long leather jacket that swept past her knees was belted
at her waist, allowing only a glimpse of an off white blouse, open at the
collar. A knee length leather skirt was also hidden beneath the jacket, but
clearly visible were the patented leather boots that covered her feet and calves
like a snug second skin. Catelyn was thinner in the face than Von Kepp, with
sparkling blue eyes and perfectly etched cheek bones. Her skin was slightly
darker - testament to the more temperate climate she had lived her life in - her
lips a trifle thinner, and her nose distinctly more aquiline.
Aside from Von Kepp and Catelyn, three other people stood in the grand reception
foyer. Two were the German's burly bodyguards, notable only for the fact that
their holsters made barely a bulge in the lining of their impeccably tailored
suits. The other was a young Spanish girl dressed in a French maid's uniform
comprising of a no-sleeved black satin blouse and very short skirt, frilly white
apron, traditional cap, long black gloves, seamed stockings and visible
suspenders. The Spanish girl stood poised on heavy duty five inch heels, head
down, eyes never wavering from the pointed tips of her shoes.
Catelyn allowed herself a slight approving nod. Exactly as trained.
Von Keep deliberately stood half turned away from Catelyn as she completed her
descent of the staircase, booted heels ringing on the marble steps. She had
been expecting that. Young though she may be, Von Kepp had been raised in
Germany as a virtual aristocrat and was accustomed to being treated like one.
"Madame Von Kepp, I'm so pleased you accepted my invitation," said Catelyn as
she half-curtsied to her guest. "I was not at all sure you would."
The calculated gesture of respect worked. Von Kepp turned to face Catelyn
squarely, "It is my pleasure, Catelyn Barathe. You honor me by asking me into
your magnificent home." The Madame spoke with an accent, but one that was
surprisingly clear given the small amount of time she had spent in the States.
"Quite the contrary, Madame. It is you who honor me." Von Kepp smiled at that
and inclined her head in a gesture that indicated Catelyn had the right of it.
"Could I interest you in a glass of Chardonnay before the meal?"
Von Kepp was just opening her mouth to speak when the young maid interrupted
with: "I will have the drinks poured and set in the library, Mistress."
Von Kepps's mouth slammed shut and her eyes widened in disbelief. Catelyn winced
internally. Damn it. She was doing so well ...
"You are well aware of the rules in this house, slave. And you have just
violated one of the most important. Never speak unless directed to by your
betters." The maid at least had the good grace to redden at Catelyn's rebuke,
but she knew that would never be enough for someone like Von Kepp.
"Remove your panties, slave."
The Spanish girl immediately did as she was ordered, reaching down to hike up
her skirt, grip the black satin thong that was riding high on her hips, and then
pull it down so that it was caught around her ankles. Before she bent to
disentangle the underwear from her high heels, Catelyn caught a glimpse of a
neatly kept dark pubic patch shaved in a thin strip. When the girl stood up, she
smoothed the skirt of her uniform back in place and waited expectantly.
Catelyn frowned at her. "That is not correct procedure. What are you waiting
for? Wipe yourself with your panties and put them in your mouth."
The girl looked like she was about to cry, but complied without verbal
complaint. Once again, she hiked her skirt up, before this time spreading her
labia with one hand and rubbing the satiny underwear between her split lips with
the other. A moment later, the skirt was back in place, and the uniformed girl
was stuffing her own underwear into her mouth. She only stopped when the
material was packed behind her teeth and she could close her lips completely.
"Good." Out of the corner of her eye, Catelyn saw Von Kepp nodding approvingly.
"Now run and fetch the rest of your gag. Report back to me here within thirty
seconds."
The maid scampered away on her high heels, exiting the room by a door leading
into the slave quarters of the house. Catelyn began explaining this to Von Kepp,
who listened without comment, but did not have to stall for long as the maid was
back within her allotted time. She handed a roll of four inch wide medical tape
and a felt tipped pen to Catelyn, who immediately tore a strip of the former
away from the roll. She beckoned the girl closer and pressed the tape firmly
across her lips, covering her mouth from nose to chin. After smoothing the tape
down to be sure it remained in place, Catelyn took the pen and wrote "Chair -
L1" across the white tape.
"Now relief Madame Von Kepp and myself of our coats. Then take yourself to the
dining room and see Mistress Evelyn. She will administer your punishment."
The girl scooped up the roll of tape and the pen and quietly went about her
orders. Von Kepp removed her gloves and handed them and her cigarillo to one of
her guards, while the maid this time exited through the main set of double doors
leading off the foyer.
"Please do forgive me, Madam Von Kepp. Good help is so hard to find these days.
That girl had been working hard enough that I rewarded her with the privilege of
movement and an unfettered mouth." She sighed, somewhat theatrically. "It's an
incentive scheme. I suppose I'm too easy on them, really."
"Yes, I quite agree," said Von Kepp with a sniff. "All of my slaves have been
kidnapped, trained and sold to me through various distributors. But I never
allow them the luxury of no restrictions. Losing one could cost me my whole
empire. And that's not a risk I'm prepared to take." She smiled thinly. "I'd
have thought you would have similar concerns."
"That Chardonnay?" Catelyn asked to avoid the issue. Von Kepp raised an eyebrow
as if recognizing the tactic, but nevertheless nodded her consent. Catelyn
turned on her booted heel and led the way through the double doors that the maid
had exited through. Von Kepp followed; the security detail fell in behind her.
They walked along a plush carpeted corridor, closed oaken doors to the left,
large picture windows allowing a view of the mansion's lavish grounds to the
right. Catelyn stopped at the first open door. "Perhaps your men could wait
here, Madame Von Kepp?"
The Madame nodded to her guards, who took up a position on either side of the
door. Catelyn motioned for her guest to precede her into the room and then
closed the heavy door behind them.
It took a few moments for Catelyn's eyes to become accustomed to the dimmer
light of the mansion's library. Her focus, however, was on Von Kepp's face -
the way her mouth opened slightly and then closed again; the manner in which her
eyes wrinkled as she squinted to be sure she was seeing what her eyes were
registering.
The library in and of itself was unremarkable. Three walls covered by bookcases
that stretched right to the very top of the high ceiling room. Books completely
filled all of the shelves; each bound in leather, all first editions. Although
Von Kepp had not turned to see the wall behind her, she would have found it
resplendent with portraits of men and women in garb from the eighteenth through
to the nineteenth century. Reportedly, they were Catelyn's ancestors.
She smiled at that thought, wondering what they would make of the bizarre
tableau in front of them.
"I do trust everything is to your satisfaction, Madam?" inquired Catelyn as
innocently as possible, fighting to hold back the smile that was creeping out
from the corners of her lips.
Von Kepp managed half a nod, but never turned away from the furniture in front
of her.
The library was well stocked with a huge leather couch that could easily seat
six people. But it was the only piece of "normal" furniture in the room. In
front of it, a completely naked slave knelt on the floor, her lower arms bent
against her upper arms and taped together with black bondage tape to form limbs
that were only half as long as they ought to have been. Her weight rested on her
bent elbows in what Catelyn had been assured was quite the painful position. The
slave's legs were bent double and taped in a similar manner so that she was
balanced precariously on the balls of her knees. On her back, a glass table top
rested, beautifully etched with an intricate design around its edges. The weight
of the table top was plainly apparent by the look of utter misery on the slave's
face. But she was incapable of complaining about her position as her mouth was
distended around a bulbous rubber bladder that filled her entire oral cavity.
The lead attached to the bulb appeared between her lips and ended in a
compressible air pump that rested on the floor between her bound arms.
Arranged around the makeshift table and complementing the leather couch were
three slave "chairs". All were dressed in matching skin tight latex cat suits.
Their arms were encased in latex gloves that stretched past their elbows, and
their feet were held within knee-high lace-up boots. Each chair was formed by
bending the slave forward so that her forehead rested against her knees and was
then bound in that position with thin leather straps that were wrapped around
the knees and buckled behind the neck. She was then laid on her back. Thicker
straps were used to join thigh and torso, as well as lower buttocks and back.
Gloved arms were, of course, rendered useless by more straps at the wrists and
elbows, before the joined limbs were slid into a steel sheath that served as an
anchor point between the wheeled legs of the chair and the small metal brace
upon which the slave's back "rested". The slave's lower legs formed the backrest
of the chair, in that the slave held them perpendicular to the rest of her
torso. Ankles were strapped together, but otherwise the slave was expected to
hold her legs in that position - or risk the wrath of her Mistress. Each slave's
face was hidden beneath a leather discipline hood, complete with attached
blindfold and mouth piece.
There was more. The standing lamp was actually a standing woman, dressed in a
silver cat suit, and bound ramrod straight to a steel backrest. Protruding from
her leather gag that buckled over her lips was a lit globe, its light diffused
by the lampshade nestled on the crown of the slave's head. The slight movements
of the large leather footstool in front of the couch could only mean that yet
another slavegirl was packed up and sealed inside; while the flower arrangement
in the corner consisted of a large pot from which a woman's head protruded. Her
head was bent back so that her ring gagged mouth could hold the stems of a dozen
brightly colored flowers.
Catelyn stepped in front of Von Kepp and led the way over to the sitting area.
The German aristocrat followed, her hand stroking the silk of her tie, her eyes
darting from one bound slavegirl to another. She sat on one of the girl-chairs
- eliciting the quietest of "Oommmph"s - while Catelyn opted for the comfort of
the more conventional couch. After a moment's thought, she raised her booted
heels and placed them on the squirming foot rest.
"I must say, Mistress Catelyn, I am more than slightly impressed." Catelyn did
not fail to notice Von Kepp's use of her honorific title. "Are all of your
slaves kept as furniture?"
"Furniture?" Catelyn frowned. "Why, Madame Von Kepp, surely you recognize art
when you see it? I have spent the last ten years investing my family's fortune
so as to be able to create the ultimate safe-house in which I could act out my
every desire with impunity." She set her feet back down on the floor and leant
toward her guest. "And my desires exclusively involve the sculpting of female
flesh. The manipulation of consenting or non-consenting women - it makes no
difference to me - into my own personal works of art. What you see you in this
room today may have some functional implications, but I assure you they are
artworks nevertheless. And but a part of my overall collection."
Von Kepp sucked in a quick breath. "You must show me the others."
"Must I?" Catelyn smiled widely and leant back on the couch. She glanced toward
a small side door, which on cue, opened to admit another woman garbed in a
French maid's uniform. She was dark of hair and light of skin, and her uniform
was sporting one major difference to that worn by the young Spanish girl.
Specifically, the slave's blouse was open to her waist, revealing large cream
colored breasts that were only marred by the alligator clips attached to her
nipples. Matching chains descended from the clips and were joined around a
D-ring on front of the serving tray held before her. "Held", however, was not an
overly accurate word in that the maid's gloved arms were well bound behind her
back. Instead, it was only the nipple clips and the additional strap ascending
from the sides of the tray to disappear behind the maid's high leather collar
that was holding the two glasses of Chardonnay upright. Not surprisingly, given
the way the maid's nipples were being distended, her expression around the black
ball gag buckled excruciatingly tightly behind her teeth was not one of
enjoyment.
Catelyn watched closely as Von Kepp reached out to take the offered drink and
"accidentally" brushed the maid's clipped nipple. How quickly the balance of
power had shifted ... Less than five minutes ago, Catelyn had been kow-towing to
her guest. Now, the leather boot was firmly on the other foot.
In other words, the hook was baited. It was time to catch her fish.
"I would very much like to show you some of my other pieces, Madame. But I'm
afraid I have a favor to ask of you."
"Friends ask favors of one another, Mistress. Acquaintances have yet to earn
that privilege."
Catelyn took the second glass from the maid's serving tray, and waited for her
to hobble away on five inch heels. "I know that I have your interest, so let me
speak candidly. You, Madame Von Kepp, have the finest reputation of all slave
trainers in the Western world. I would like to learn from you, see you in
action, observe your techniques for myself. As you mentioned before, one unruly
slave can ruin everything for either one of us - and I want that to happen no
more than you.
"You may have wondered why you have seen only slaves and no staff since
arriving. Well, approximately half of the slaves held here were delivered to me
for discipline and obedience training. Those that have graduated work alongside
my core group of a dozen 'Carers' - as I like to call them - women who share my
peculiar interests, and have almost as much vested in keeping this estate hidden
from the authorities as I. But to keep the graduated slaves in line, I need to
be absolutely sure that I have used naught but the best training methods. And
every enquiry I have made to that end has yielded me your name."
Von Kepp smiled slightly and took another sip of her Chardonnay. She shifted her
weight on the girl-chair, obviously enjoying her position and the discomfort of
the woman bound beneath her. "And what would I get out of such an arrangement?"
"Pieces of my artwork with which to decorate your mansion. Pieces that are not
functional like these, but that I have been working on as personal gift to you."
"Interesting. May I seem them now?" Von Kepp's voice was ever so slightly husky
- despite the half-full glass in her hand.
"And where would be the anticipation be in that?" Catelyn shook her head. "No, I
would like to personally deliver them to your home at your earliest convenience.
Pay you a visit much like you have done for me today. I'll drop off the pieces
and we can make arrangements for when I can begin my observations of your
techniques."
"In that case, Mistress Catelyn Barathe, I would like to formally invite you to
attend me at my home next Sunday afternoon at 3pm."
"Madame Elsa Von Kepp, I would be delighted." Catelyn punctuated her words by
draining the remainder of her glass. Von Kepp mimicked her. "I'm sure this is be
the beginning of a mutually beneficial friendship."
"As am I, Mistress. As am I."
"Please," said Catelyn, standing. "We're friends now. I would very much like for
you to call me Catelyn."
"Very good, Catelyn. And I, of course, am Elsa."
"Shall we adjourn to the dining hall, Elsa? I've had my chefs working since dawn
on this lunch. I have to. Fettered and gagged as they are, they seem to find it
quite the chore to organize themselves as a team."
The two women shared a light laugh as they left the library. Catelyn hoped hers
was not tinged with too recognizable a note of triumph.
*****
A five course lunch was served, although Catelyn noted that Von Kepp ate very
little. She was either too busy playing with her chair - specifically, the
Spanish maid who had earlier made the mistake of speaking in her presence - or
goggling at the other furnishings in the room such as the "Grandmother" clock,
the bound and gagged coat rack, and Catelyn's ultimate design, the living
chandelier.
They chatted amiably, their business for the day concluded. Von Kepp enquired as
to some of the people who had recommended her. Catelyn mock protested that
revealing such information would be a violation of privacy, but eventually
conceded that Holly Bradbury had been her major source. Holly was an expensive
lawyer that both women had used to have charges of kidnapping dismissed before
ever reaching court proceedings.
All too soon, the afternoon came to an end. Von Kepp asked if she could take the
Spanish girl home for the week, promising that she would be impressed at the
change in her, but Catelyn politely refused. The two women reaffirmed their
meeting for the following Sunday, and Von Kepp took her leave, bodyguards in
tow.
As soon as Catelyn had closed the door behind her departing guest, she spun on
her heel and moved quickly back into the dining hall. All of her slaves were in
the process of escaping. Rope, straps and gags littered the floor. Most were
receiving help from suited men - one of whom broke away from the poor girl-chair
he was helping to rush over to Catelyn.
"Katherine, you were brilliant. Von Kepp fell for it completely." A disbelieving
grin was etched across the man's face. "I don't how you did it, but in a week's
time, we're going to have arrested the world's most notorious slaver. And it's
all going to be because of you."
Federal Bureau of Investigation agent Katherine Wytt pulled up one of the few
real chairs in the long hall and sat down wearily. "We're not there yet, Jack.
We won't be until the moment I ratchet that first cuff onto Von Kepp's wrist."
And won't that be ironically appropriate. "Which is assuming I even get that
close."
"You will, you will," busied Jack Hyland, Katherine's superior and agent in
charge of Operation Whitedove. He squatted in front of her. "Katherine, you've
been Mistress Catelyn Barathe for almost eighteen months now. Your background is
impeccable - even the CIA doesn't know you're an undercover agent. There's no
possible way Von Kepp could blow your cover. Everything is taken care of, and in
one more week, you can go home, and be done with all this. For good."
Katherine ran a hand through her hair and blew out a deep breath. She was
totally exhausted. Having to be Catelyn did that to her. In fact, it did a great
number of things to her; things that she would never tell Jack or anyone at the
FBI. "Just see to the other women, Jack. I need a few minutes here."
"Of course, you've earned that and a whole lot more. Look, why don't you take
the night off? We'll debrief tomorrow when you've had a chance to rest, and
begin planning for Sunday's op." Jack waited for her nod of consent and then
stood. For a moment, he looked as if he was about to say something else, but
then turned and strode off.
After a few minutes, Katherine slowly stood. She walked over to Ramirez - the
young Spanish maid - who was now free and examining the strap marks that marred
her arms and legs. Katherine could also see the deep groves in the corners of
her mouth, testament to how tightly she had been ball-gagged whilst turned into
a chair.
"Listen, Ramirez, I know that wasn't scripted, but I had to do something or Von
Kepp would have known I wasn't the real deal."
Ramirez was a first year agent, fresh out of the Academy. Hyland had hand picked
her earlier in the week to play the role of Catelyn's maid for a day, noting
that she had just the right look that would appeal to Von Kepp.
She nodded at Katherine's words. "I know. I screwed up, so don't worry about
it." She managed a smile. "I'm sore now, but I guess it could have been worse
..."
Katherine nodded. "True. I could have given you to Von Kepp. She was most
insistent, you know." The two women shared a smile before Katherine moved on her
way.
She moved out of the busy dining hall, through the massive kitchen, and into one
of the "servant's" bathrooms. There, she closed and locked the door behind her
before hitching up her leather skirt. With a shaky sigh, Katherine touched
herself through the white silk underwear.
She bit her lip and choked back a small sob.
Her panties were soaking wet.
Just as she had known they were since she gagged Ramirez for her disciplinary
infraction some three hours earlier.
*****
Madame Elsa Von Kepp was almost back to her estate when the most exclusive of
her cell phones began vibrating in her jacket pocket. She removed it promptly
and thumbed the answer button.
"Yes."
She listened intently for slightly less than ten seconds and then ended the call
with a quiet: "Understood."
Re-pocketing the phone, she turned to the bodyguard to her right. "Arrange for
Holly Bradbury to be brought in tonight. We have a matter of some importance to
discuss."
"Official or unsanctioned invite?"
Elsa's smile would have frosted glass. "Oh, I think unsanctioned. Don't you?"
The smile disappeared. "See to it."
Her bodyguard squared his shoulders. "Consider it done, Madame."
