These Lovers Fled Away
WRITTEN IN THE ORDER: SARAH, COURTNEY, MAYA, KATHRYN, IRENE, KATE
"No, I'm sorry I can't." Maya gave the diamond engagement ring back to the dark-haired, good-looking man and then ran out of the Indian Restaurant. The man watched her leave and broke down, sobbing like a child.
Meanwhile, Maya was running down busy Bourke Street. She made a sharp turn down Exhibition Street and walked into a sophisticated apartment building. She reached the first floor and retrieved her key to enter the apartment she shared with her friend Courtney. Maya turned on the lights seeing that her room-mate was out, again. She sunk onto the couch and wondered why he had possibly wanted to change and complicate their relationship with marriage. Maya picked up the remote control and switched on the television. The news was on...
"This is Irene Stamp reporting at the scene of a tragic assault against a young woman named... 
Moona Youseffi. It has been reported that Moona had been walking home from eating at a small Indian Restaurant on Bourke Street and had been dragged down the alleyway near Pelligrinis by a young dark haired man between the age of 21-24."
As Irene reported the story, Maya started to worry about the fact that she could have been the one who was assaulted. She had walked that way on her way home and she tried to remember whether she had seen anything strange as she walked past the dark and dingy little alleyway. She desperately tried to listen to the report on the assault of the young woman. She had been 20 years old - the same age as both Courtney and Maya. A wave of fear ran over Maya's head. "I need to ring Courtney to find out where she is" she whisphered to herself. As she picked up the phone and started tot dial Courtney's mobile number, she heard the key in the door closely followed by the pierce ringing of Courtney's mobile. Maya placed the receiver back onto the cradle of the phone.
"Where have you been?" Maya asked.
"Out with Matt," Courtney replied.
Maya thought to herself, "Where else?"
At that instant, the TV news came back on.
"Shh, the news is back on," Maya said. Irene Stamp's voice filled the room.
"And now, back to the assault story, with psychologist Sarah Buckley."
"Thanks Irene. It is my belief that, in a murderous rage, the man attacked Miss Youseffi, and anger was his main motive. It seems he too was at the Indian restaurant, and he was proposing to his girlfriend. When she rejected his proposal, it triggered something inside him. Of course this is just a theory. But it seems that, until this man is contained, he will remain dangerous, and residents in this area should stay inside their houses and lock their doors. Back to you, Irene."
Maya turned to Courtney, but Courtney was nowhere to be seen.
"Courtney, where are you? We're meant to stay inside!" Maya called. She saw something on the bench. It was a note. It said
"Gone to buy some alcohol for party tonight. Back soon."
"Oh no," Maya thought, "Courtney is in danger." She sprinted to the door and just as she was running down the stairs, she heard a blood-curdling scream that sounded suspiciously like Courtney...
Maya bust through the door and saw Courtney standing in the doorway.
"What? Courtney, what's wrong?"
Silently, Courtney pointed at the box on the doorstep. Maya lifted the lid and inside was a dead cat. With a cry, Maya threw the box far away from her.
"Let's go back inside," said Maya as she led Courtney back to the apartment. "We'll have to call the police."
As they reached the door, two beautiful young ladies came down from the floor above.
"Courtney! Maya! What's wrong?"
Maya looked up. "Kat! Kate! Have you heard about the murderer?"
"Yes," replied Kat, "we just saw it on the news, and were coming to see what was happening about the party tonight."
At that point, Courtney went hysterical. "Murderer?! What murderer? What are you talking about?"
Quickly, Maya explained, and Courtney looked around, wide eyed. "But that's not all," continued Maya. "Bob asked me to marry him, and I said no in that same Indian restaurant!" Kate was shocked - "Bob fits the description of the attacker! Do you realise what this means?" Maya had gone a ghostly white colour, and Kat changed the subject - "so what about this party?"
***
Loan opened the door and let herself in, knowing that the doorbell would never be heard over the loud music inside. Maya welcomed her in, and soon Loan had become lost in the sea of smoke and dancing and lights. Maya was just beginning to relax when the music was suddenly switched off, and the lights turned on. Everyone went silent as the Police-man held out his badge. "I'd like to speak to Maya immediately." Maya gulped, and stepped forward. "Please step outside, miss." Maya did as he said, fiddling with the bracelet Bob had given her. "I understand you were at an Indian restaurant tonight." The policeman said." Yes, I was." "And were you, by any chance, with a man fitting the description of the assulter on the news tonight?" Maya's eyes darted away briefly, before she lied "No. I didn't see anyone fitting that description." The policeman nodded, and Maya was blinded by a sudden flash as a camera clicked. The reporter, Irene Stamp, emerged from the darkness holding a camera. "Sorry about that" she said as she and the policeman turned and headed down the staircase. Maya was just about to go inside when she heard a noise in a storage closet. Opening the door, she gasped as a man tumbled out, tied and gagged. Maya freed him, and he explained "A man in a police uniform attacked me and shoved me in here - I didn't do anything wrong."
Maya began to worry again. What if the policeman had attacked her when she was alone with him? How did she even know that he was a policeman? Surely those badges were easily obtainable. Maya bent to help the strange man to his feet.
"Please, Come inside, and you can call someone from my house."
***
Kate and Kat watched the new arrival suspiciously from the sofa. Maya had refused to tell them anything about the policeman or where she had obtained the new addition to the party. She just said that he was waiting to be picked up, and to "Be nice." But Maya looked scared.
"What are you two staring at?" Loan collapsed between the two, a mug of beer in her hand.
"That guy," replied Kate.
"Who?" said Loan.
"The blond, good-looking one - kinda surfy." Kat explained. "I don't trust people who just show up without explanation, especially after the assault on that Moona girl."
Loan snorted. She was so sick of everyone making such a big deal of nothing.
"I talked to him," Loan announced. "His name's Todd and he's really nice." She got up and moved into the hallway, where she stood alone. Loan's head was just beginning to clear when she heard the door of the apartment open. She turned to see who had come out, but there was no-one there.
"Who is it?" Loan cried.
"BOO!" Loan jumped and was about to scream when she heard Kat's giggle.
"Don't do that. I almost jumped out of my skin." Loan breathed. They were about to re-join the party when a figure emerged from the darkness of the stairs. It was the beautiful and wordly, Irene Stamp.
"Hello, girls." She said. "Do you by chance know Miss Muthuswamy?"
"Yes," they replied. Loan continued, "She's one of our best friends."
"Oh, oh then you probably don't know about her addiction and her involvement in the recent assault on Miss Youseffi... oh dear, I shouldn't have said anything." Miss Stamp made to leave.
"Wait." Kathryn said, puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"I guess I should tell you. The police have put her under surveillance because they suspect that she was working with Bob and that both attacked Moona Youseffi. Their suscpicioun increased when they found out that she visited tat Heroin Clinic for addicts this morning. The police believe that Maya and Bob have been responsible for all those assaults that have been committed by the "SEPHORA GANG" - you know, the ones that leave their business card at the crime scene."
"Oh my gosh!" Screamed Loan. "We'd better tell everyone." Both girls quickly rushed back into the apartment.
Outside, Irene appeared extremely satisfied... Back at the party Loan and Kat walked cautiously through the last door that lead to the party.
"Hey guys where have you two been?" Courtney asked inquisitively "You know that we aren't suppose to leave the appartment."
"I know" loan said softly "but I had to clear my head You wouldn't really understand. Would you?"
"No I guess not." Courtney replied.
Kat approached Courtney however more cautiously than Loan did.
"Courtney, can I ask you a question?"
"Yes of course you can. What's wrong?"
"Has the thought of Maya being envolved in the assault on what's her name ever entered your mind?" Courtney looked at Loan who was nodding. "No... How dare you ask that question either of you. Maya is suppose to be our friend and what would even make you contemplait such a thought. Anyway the person who attacked Moona was a young male aged between...."
Loan interupted. "I know what the news has said but we just saw the reporter Irene Stamp downstairs and she told us that Maya could have been involved in assaults and that Bob was the one who performed them." "And she went to a Heroin Clinic today" Kat interupted. Courtney was shocked and decided that she had to talk to Maya and find out the truth and to try and tell her about the rumours people were spreading. She found Maya in the kitchen and lead her into Maya's bedroom."
"I think you'll need to sit down for this" Courtney said softly.
"What, why?" Maya replied.
"Have you heard what people have been saying about you?
"Like what?"
"Well, that reporter said you are under surveillance and that you and Bob are in the Sephora gang and that you did those assaults on Moona and also that you're a heroin addict," Courtney took a deep breath after speaking for so long!
"Excuse me? That is the most ridiculous story I have ever heard! Me - a heroin addict? I didn't even know what a bong was until a few days ago!"
Courtney breathed a sight of relief, "Phew, I knew it was rubbish."
"Who said this?" Maya demanded.
"Uh, that reported from Channel 9, Irene Stamp I think," Courtney stopped as Maya's face suddenly lost all colour and she breathed in sharply, "Irene Stamp? You're sure?"
"Yeah, positive - why, what's the matter?" Courtney questioned.
"Well, I suppose I should tell you. Irene and I both did the same course at Uni in 1st year - Agricultural farming. We became really good friends, and we, along with 3 other people, formed this band called Sephora. I played drums, Irene, guitar - "
Courtney interrupted, "But what about those other three people you mentioned?"
Maya looked around nervously, "Those three people were Bob, my boyfriend, Sarah Buckley, the psychologist, and... and... Moona Youseffi."
Courtney looked at Maya in shock.
"You mean the woman who was murdered?"
"She wasn't murdered. Only assulted. And yes, that was her."
Courtney was unsure. "Was it Bob?"
Maya sighed. "Yes, I fear it was. You see, back then Bob and Moona were going out. We all thought they would get married some day. It didn't quite work out. Moona left Bob for a guy named Todd, who she later married, and I got together with Bob."
Courtney sat in shock. At that moment, Kat walked in with a bottle of scotch and a guy of about 23. "Oops... Sorry, we'll go somewhere else," she said.
Maya stopped her. "No, wait. You should hear this. The others should too. Wait here."
Kat sat on the strange guy and handed the bottle of scotch to Courtney as Maya went to get the others. Courtney unthinkingly took a drink and almost choked as the firey liquid burned it's way down her throat. However, the drink did calm her nerves, and she had another drink or 2 before Kat realised and took the bottle off her.
"I thought you didn't drink?" she said disapprovingly.
"You meant that's alcohol?" asked Courtney in surprise. Kat gave her a look. "Oh, be serious. It's only about 70% proof," she said sarcastically, and took a drink. As Kat sat back on the guy's lap Maya walked back in with Kate and Loan. She began her explination again. "married Todd... Kat, are you listening?" Kat started guiltily and disentangled herself from the guy. "I am listening, Moona married who?" "Todd," Maya replied, just as Loan cut in. "Hey, wasn't he that guy we found in the cupboard?"
Maya nodded and Loan continued "well are you sure it's safe to have him in the house? Maybe -" "Wait!" Kate interrupted "I have a theory - Bob never really got over Moona when she left him for Todd, and he was using Maya to make moona jealous. When Maya dumped him too then he snapped and wanted revenge on all of them..." She looked at Maya for her opinion. "Hmmm, I don't know. It all sounds too simple. Bob is smarter than that, and why has Irene Stamp been snooping around? No, I think there are others involved." Kat stood up, impatiently "Can we go now?" Maya shrugged. "Yeah, I guess. I'd better check on Todd." To her supprise, Todd had gone! "Oh my gosh. Where is he?" Courtney cried - "I think everyone better leave." They all left Courtney and Maya alone, and Courtney muttered "Something strange is going on: I think there is something you're not telling me, Maya." Maya looked guilty, but before she could say anything the doorbell rang. Maya got up and looked through the peephole in the door. "It's Bob." She whispered to Courtney. "What should we do?"
"We have to get away."
Maya took decisive action and dragged Courtney to the window on the far side of the building.
"Up or down?" Maya queried.
"I don't know - which way do you want."
"No - you choose!"
"Fine, up." Courtney was getting cranky.
"Good. That's what I wanted." Maya slid out of the window and onto the drainpipe. It creaked dangerously, but she scrambled up it and banged on the window of Kat and Kate's apartment. There was no response for a long time, and Maya could hear Bob beginning to yell outside her apartment. He was pounding the door and yelling her name. Suddenly, the window burst in and Maya fell onto the floor of Kat's bedroom.
"A little privacy would be nice," Kat said crossly from over Maya's head. At that point, Courtney tumbled onto Maya, rose, stomped across the room, and turned on the lights.
"Maya - we want... oh, hello there, you must be Kat's new... friend?... anyway, we want to know the WHOLE truth Maya. What are you hiding? Why are you and Irene no longer friends? Why would she make up those things about you? Maya! What's going on? Bob was yelling something about you being a heroin user, too. He said he'd go to the police about you. What have you done?"
"If you just quiet down, I'll tell you. I guess I should start at the beginning... well, as I've said, Irene and I were doing AGRICULTURAL FARMING at Uni. Bob was doing THE HISTORY OF THE LITERATURE OF THE FLORENTINE CULTURE OF THE COUNTRY ITALY IN THE YEARS OF STONE AND WOOD. Sarah was doing PSYCHOLOGY and Moona was studying BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE. We, the five of us, were a really close-knit group. Since we were all interested in musci we formed the band, Sephora - Bob and Sarah were vocalists, Moona was on bass guitar, Irene was on guitar and me on drums. Everything went really well, and we had a couple of steady gigs, until one day when I and Bob were high and we accidently slept together! Irene found us and was disgusted because she was a really, really good friend of Moona's. She was going to tell Moona but we pleaded with her not to. Irene agreed but she never forgave either of us. I vowed never, ever to take Heroin again because of what it made me do with Bob... Anyway, Bob was so overrun with guilt that he broke up with Moona and it only seemed natural that he and I get together. Moona was so angry that she tried to make Bob jealous by going out with and eventually marrying Todd. Sarah was really into Psychology at that time and was trying to help Bob and Moona resolve their problem. Sarah didn't know that Moona didn't know that Bob and I had slept together and accidently told Moona about it. Anyway, it ended up Moona and Bob screaming at each other and Bob promising never to speak to Sarah again. Moona was really cruel to Bob all the time and I think that's why he assaulted her. He just couldn't take it anymore. But I didn't want to marry Bob because he is still a Heroin user. I'm getting off the point, well, because of our betrayal against her Moona became a recluse with Todd only feeling joy when she tormented Bob. Irene was separated from her best-friend and that was why she said those things about me - she blames me for losing her best-friend. Oh, it's so complicated... I haven't talked to Irene, Moona or Sarah in age and I don't want to be with Bob because I am afraid he might be violent with me..." Kate walked into the room. Kat walked over to Maya and tried to comfort her.
"It's okay Maya you don't have to see him ever again if you don't want to."
"Yeah" Kate reiterated "You both can stay here tonight in the spare room"
"Thank you so much guys" Courtney said "that would be really good."
Later that night the 4 young woman were woken by a thump at the door. Kat walked over to the door and looked out the peep hole however whoever was there was not to be seen.
***"It's okay, it's just kids" Kat explained. Maya and Courtney breathed a sigh of relieve and walked slowly back to their room However Maya found it very difficult to get back to sleep after taht and Courtney and Maya sat on their beds trying to work out what they could do now. However, once again there was a series of very aggressive thumps on the door
"Oh No" Maya said "It must be Bob" Courtney and Maya slowly walked out the door and into the hallway.
"Stay here" Kat said softly
Bang! Bang!
"I know your in there Maya and I'm not leaving here until you talk to me." Bob said sternly. By now it was morning.
"I'm not coming out!" Maya yelled through the door, "You'll kill me just like you did with Moona!"
Bob yelled back "For the last time, I didn't kill her, I just assaulted her! Anyway, I just wanted to talk to you about this invitation you sent me"
Maya looked confused, "Huh? What invitation?"
Bob paused, "You know, the invitation to the Sephora band reunion - I have it here, this is what it says:
WE ARE HAVING A BAND REUNION FOR SEPHORA, OUR OLD UNI BAND. PLEASE COME OR DIE.
Maya's eyes widened, "Or die? What the -? Why didn't I get one?" Bob voice came through the door again, "Oh, you did, it was outside your apartment. Here" and Bob slid it under the door. Sure enough, the invitation said just what Bob said it said. Maya called out, "Well, who sent the invitation if it wasn't you or me? Moona is in hospital in a critical condition so that leaves Sarah and Irene. Oh yeah, was it you who assaulted Moona?"
Bob said "Well, yeah. But it wasn't my fault. See, after you rejected my proposal, I was feeling very hurt. And you know how Moona has never been normal since our whole sleeping-together thing and how she stalks me? Well, she was there that night. What I was crying in my seat, she came over to me and started saying really mean things, like how I could never keep a girlfriend, and how you hated me, and how I would never find another girl, and I got so annoyed with her, so I left. But she followed me and kept on being cruel and it got worse and worse so finally I couldn't take it and I hit her. So, you see, it wasn't my fault at all." Maya paused, and didn't know what to think of Bob after his speech about being innocent. "But... you still use heroin don't you?"
Bob's voice came through the door again, "No I don't, I stopped a while ago but didn't want to say anything in case the addiction came back."
Maya turned to the other 3, who were huddled together in the kitchen. "Do I believe him or not?" She whispered to the other girls.
Courtney said, "Oh, he's so romantic Maya, I think he's being sincere. If only I had such a nice boyfriend." But Kate was more wary, "Just be careful."
Bob's voice came through, "Maya, I... I, I'm still in love with you. Will you have me back, my love?"
Maya looked at the others, who were nodding frantically. She ran to the door, opened it and fell into Bob's arms. Behind the two lovers the door shut so the girls inside couldn't see.
Outside the apartment, a click was heard.
"I'm sorry Maya, they made me do it." Bob pleaded. Maya finally noticed what was going on around her. She drew in a sharp breath. Behind Bob, Sarah and Irene were standing with guns pointed at her and Bob.
"Sarah? Irene? What are you doing with those guns?" Maya said in a small voice.
"Just shut up and come with us" Irene said menacingly.
Just then, the door opened. Maya bolted for the open door and collided with Courtney, who had been coming out to see what was going on. Quickly, Bob reached past them and shut the door. Irene and Sarah grabbed Maya and Courtney. "We can't have any witnesses," snarled Bob. "Even though Maya was high and claims to have no memory of that night, we must still eliminate her. Take these two down to the car, and I'll see about the others inside."
Just inside the door, peeping through the peephole, Kat quickly motioned to Kate to get back in her bed and pretend to be asleep.
"Jarrad," whispered Kat. "Come here and kiss me."
The strange guy Kat had been with all night grinned.
"With pleasure." He took her in his arms and closed his mouth over hers. After a few moments the door opened and Bob stood in the doorway. Kat and Jarrad jumped apart. Kat appeared flustered. "Oh, Bob... Maya's not here... wait a minute... didn't she go down stairs with you. Must have been my imagination. Try her and Courtney's floor."
Bob looked at her suspiciously.
"Where's Kate?" he asked.
"Asleep," replied Kat. "Where we would be if Maya hadn't come through my window and left without an explination."
Kat had even managed to sound pissed off.
"She didn't say anything?"
"We were... uh... kinda preocupied," said Kat, with a sideways glance at Jarrah who grinned and blushed at the same time. Bob smiled, assured that they didn't know anything.
"Ok, well, I'll try downstairs for Maya then."
"Ok," said Kat, already turning back to Jarrad. "Shut the door on your way out."
With a glance backwards, Bob left. As soon as Kat saw him leave the building on the TV, she disentangled herself from Jarrad.
"We have to get Kat."
Jarrad grumbled," You always do this to me," but followed.
"Sorry," apologised Kat, "but this is important. Next time, I promise." And she walked into Kate's room. Kate was sitting up in bed, waiting.
"You don't look very asleep to me," commented Kat.
"That would be because I'm not," replied Kate. "Now, do you mind telling me what's going on? And how did you make Bob leave?"
Kat quickly explained how she had seen 2 people take Maya and Courtney away, and convinced Bob that she and Kate knew nothing. Kate teased Kat when she realised how red Kat was going, but relented as she finished the tale.
"So Bob, Irene and Sarah have taken Maya and Courtney to some place we don't know, and we have to save them!"
Before Kate could reply, the doorbell rang.
"I'm not going to get any sleep tonight or this morning or whatever it is," grumbled Kate as she got out of bed and went to the door. She peeped out. "It's that really cute surfie guy from the party last night," said Kate, not opening the door. "Todd, or whatever his name was. Do we let him in?"
Kat looked at Jarrad.
"Let's see what he wants."
Kat cleared her throat and yelled through the door "What do you want?"
"Um, hi - this is Todd - I arrived at the party last night? I really need to talk to you." Kat looked at Kate, who shrugged. "How do we know we can trust you?" Kat asked.
"Please - you have to believe me!" Todd replied. "I know about Courtney and Maya's kidnapping and I can help you find them."
Kat opened the door and cautiously stepped aside as Todd entered. "Thanks." He said, and held out his police badge. Kate examined it closely, and, sure enough, it looked real. "You're a policeman?" Kat asked, supprised. Todd nodded. "I have been assigned this assult case to investigate. As it happens, I had previously known the main suspect, Bob, as I have recently married his ex-girlfriend, Moona." Kate was suspicious. "So why were you at the party last night, our of uniform and unannounced?"
"Well, I was outside the building, you know, just keeping an eye on things. I had learned that Maya was going out with Bob, and I feared for her safety. Suddenly, a man wearing surfy clothes grabbed me and forced me to swap clothes with him, before tying me and locking me in a dark closet. Since then, I have decided to go casual so I can blend in with the surroundings." Todd paused, letting it sink in. "You said you can help us find Maya and Courtney." Kat reminded him. "Yes, that's right. I have decided not to alert the station yet - there might be leaks. It will be best to rescue them by ourselves." Kate and Kat left him while they went to get dressed, after Kat had grudgingly bid Jarrad farewell.
Todd escorted them outside, to him unmarked police car, and they got in and sped away. "So, where are we going?" Kate asked.
"The Crow." Todd's tone was brisk.
"The Crow?" Kat had no idea what he was talking about, but went on anyway. "What makes you think they'd go there?"
"Well... Moona is my wife, and we have no secrets." Todd grinned. "She told me the whole story of the youth of 'Sephora'. What you know of the past is mostly correct. However... there are additions..."
"Wait!" KatE yelled. "How do you know what we know?"
"Oh there's a bug in your apartment. Old Mrs Ariel put it there for me," Todd explained casually.
"You mean that hairy old lady? How corrupt can you be Todd?"
"Look... that's not the point. You asked about where we're going. What Maya told you was true... as far as she knows. But there's more. Maya passed out, before sleeping with Bob. Irene and Sarah arrived soon after, with a body. Irene's boyfriend, Sam, had killed a man and they were going to do away with the body. Coincidently, Sam is the guy I ran into in the hallway... at least according to Moona. Anyway... they got rid of the body at The Crow, where they are now."
"How does Moona know this?" asked Kat.
"Irene gloated to Moona, but Moona was upset, rather than proud of what they had done. She knew that Maya would be too, so, after realising that Maya knew nothing of the event, Irene, Sarah, Bob and Sam told her the story she knows. The rest is true. Moona hates Maya and Bob because she also believes they slept together. The threats she threw at Bob after Maya left him caused him to attack her and go after Maya. They now believe that Maya will tell the police the truth and they're going to get rid of her."
"Why not arrest them?" asked Kat.
"I have no proof," Todd replied. "Only Moona's word. The kidnapping of Maya and Courtney will be all the proof I need."
"Okay." KatE sighed. "How can you be so sure that they're at The Crow?"
"Where else would they go?" Todd queried. "Anyway, I have a satellite trace thingo on the car."
***
They arrived at an old building on the outskirts of town. Sure enough, Bob's bright green Honda was parked outside.
"The Crow" announced Todd.
Kat stepped out of the car, and picked her way through the grotty surroundings.
"Great! Now what?"
"Well..." Todd reached into the boot of the car and distributed guns to Kat and KatE.
"We're going in there before they can hurt your friends. Just follow my lead."
They crept to a window, and Todd peered over the ledge, his gun clutched in one hand. Through the cracked, grubby glass he saw the silouette of a man sharpening a thick knife. At that moment, there was a gasp from behind. Todd spun. Kat and KatE stood with their heads down, looking sheepish. Clutching the girls' guns, and the two girls, was an evilly grinning... male figure unknown to Kat and KatE.
"You're Sam, aren't you?" Todd demanded.
"Yes, and you're caught!" Sam hauled them into the dusty room of The Crow. Inside, Maya, Courtney, Sarah and Irene were lying in an unconscious heap in the middle of the floor. Bob was prowling the room but his eyes lit up when he saw that KatE, Kat and Todd were captured.
"What have you done to those girls?" Asked Todd. Loud and erratic snoring noises were eminating from Sarah and occasionally Courtney was muttering something about ironing her shirt.
"Nothing much. To Courtney and Maya, I have given a first dose of Nexitol. To Sarah and Irene, I have merely administered their daily dose." Bob explained.
"What is Nexitol?" Asked Kat.
"It is a drug Moona devised when she was a first year BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE student. It puts the girls under my power - so much so that they will do anything Sam or I want."
"That is the cruelest thing I have ever heard of." Breathed KatE. "But it does explain why Sarah and Irene have been working for you."
"Yes." Bob smiled. "And now I have to deal with you..."
Just as Bob was about to turn and reach for his gun, Todd reached into his coat pocket and pulled out his gun.
"You're not going to get away with this" he cried "I now have just the proof that I need to arrest both you and Sam." But at that instant a loud clatter came from inside the kitchen
"What was that" Bob said erratically "Go find out what that was Sam and I'll deal with these three" In all the kaffuffle Todd dropped his gun which was instinctively picked up by Bob. Sam left he muttered something and as he entered the kitchen slammed the door. From inside the room, Bob, Todd, Kate, and Kat could hear several gun shots followed by a piercing scream from inside the kitchen.
Kat and Kate both covered their ears as the scream echoed through the dusty hall of the Crow.
"Who was that?" Todd cried.
"Shut up and sit down" Bob said as he shoved Todd back into the chair. "It's nothing for you to be concerned about"
As Bob began to tie the three people (Todd, Kat and Kate) up they heard the kitchen door open
"Good Job" Bob said franticaly "didn't think you could do it again Sam"
"Neither did I" said the deep husky voice coming from the kitchen. The door was partly shut so no one could see who it was.
Bob looked suspicious, "Sam, that is you isn't it? Come out here."
The deep voice sounded again, "Uh, in a sec, I just have to, uh, clean up."
The three who were tied up (Todd, Kat and Kate) looked on with interest, feeling a slight sense of hope.
Bob was now furious, "Sam, get out here now or I'll shoot!" His gun was pointed at the kitchen door.
Meanwhile, Kate sneaked a look at the unconscious heap of bodies. She drew in a breath - there was one missing. Luckily, Bob was still absorbed with whoever was behind the kitchen door... Suddenly there was a loud crash as the kitchen door slammed open and they all saw who the owner of the deep voice was - it was Sarah.
Bob looked surprised. Sarah pointed her gun at Bob. "Back against the wall. Drop your gun before you go. No, don't do that. Put your hands in the air!"
Reluctantly, Bob dropped his and Todd's guns, and moved back against the wall. At that moment the door opened and Jarrad walked in with Loan. Seeing Sarah had everything under control Loan moved over to untie Kat, Kate and Todd. Kate and Loan went over to the unconscious bodies, Todd went to pick up his gun, and Kat hugged Jarrad. Sarah held Bob at gun point until Todd had handcuffed him to a pole and told him he was arrested. Jarrad and Kat had moved into the kitchen and found Sam tied to the fridge. Kat smirked and called for Todd. Loan was the one who came through the door and she handcuffed Sam and read him his rights. Kat was surprised. "You mean you're a cop?" Loan grinned "Yeah, I am. We've been tailing Sam for 3 years." "Oh." She smiled. "It takes some getting used to, I know. But I really do like you and Kate and Maya and Courtney." Loan pulled Sam to his feet and shoved him through the kitchen door. Kat turned and smiled at Jarrad.
"You saved my life," she said and kissed him.
On the other side of the door, Maya and Courtney were waking up, and Irene was shrilly demanding drugs. Then the sirens were heard approaching from the distance. Sarah had willingly given up the gun and she was standing with Irene, waiting to be questioned. Maya, Courtney and Kate were standing with Loan while Todd watched over Bob and Sam. As the police force arrived and took Bob and Sam in the heavily protected car, Sarah and Irene in another car for questioning and Todd took Kate, Courtney, Maya and Loan went and found Kat and Jarrad.
***
After hours of questioning, everyone except Bob and Sam were released. Sarah and Irene were told not to leave the country, and the others went to Kat and Kate's.
"Well that was exciting," murmured Kate. Everyone gave her a look.
"Well, it was different."
Everyone agreed.
"Where's Kat and Jarrad?" asked May. Kate grinned. "They've run away. Who's hungry? I have some mud crab with chilli sauce in the fridge."
And so Kat and Jarrad fled away and everyone else had crab for dinner.
THE END