Scene 17

Le Casino de Monte-Carlo

I stepped into the men’s room on my way to Maggie’s room. As I went about my business, I basically ignored the other men there. That proved to be a mistake.

I suddenly found myself pinned to the wall as two men threw themselves against me. A third man held a photo up next to my face.

“It’s him; Newface was right. Do it!” I heard one of the men say and I felt the prick of a needle in my neck as something was injected into me. Whatever they had used worked quickly and I felt the room begin to spin around me.

As my muscles refused to function properly, the men supported my body and carried me out of the men’s room. Apparently, they were asked about my condition, as I heard one of them say, “Our friend has had too much to drink. We are taking him home.”

I wanted to protest, but my words came out a jumbled slur, reinforcing their story.

The men carried me out of the building and helped me into a waiting car.

“Empty his pockets,” one of the men ordered as I felt the car begin to move.

The men went through all my pockets, removing whatever they found. “Get rid of it,” the man ordered, “We don’t want him carrying anything that will let them track him to Ivana.” The window was opened and they threw my belongings out of the window.

So, Dr. Newface had recognized me and blown my cover. Ivana knew who I was, and these men were taking me to her. This was not good. The men had even removed my belt, which did indeed hold a tracking signal transmitter. If they got me to Ivana, I would be on my own, with no way for my team to find me.

I had to escape, but I had been drugged and I was having a hard time even thinking straight.

I had to act and it had to be soon, before we left the city. I let my head flop back and forth, letting me see my surroundings. The two men in the back with me were ignoring me; apparently they were satisfied the drugs would keep me docile. There was no one blocking the door to my left.

As I sit and waited, I noticed my limbs were beginning to respond to my thoughts. Apparently, they had not considered my large size and the dose was not large enough. I was able to move on my own, even if I was still groggy.

I watched the men and waited for them to relax their vigil over me. The moment their attention was distracted, I dove for the door, opening it and throwing myself out of the vehicle.

Leaping from a moving vehicle is never a good idea, no matter what the movies may show. I hit the pavement hard and I felt the pavement tear at my clothes. The drugs probably saved me though, as my relaxed muscles let me roll unrestrained and the momentum carried me several feet.

I heard my abductors’ car stop and saw the brake lights. I couldn’t stay here, no matter how much I hurt.

I jerked myself to my feet and started to stumble away, almost running directly into a car that had slammed on its brakes to avoid hitting me.

“Idiot! Maniac!” I heard the driver yell in French.

I was still having a hard time thinking straight. “Kidnappers! Drugged me!” was all I managed to stammer out before collapsing in front of his car.

My abductors’ car was now backing towards us and I turned back to the driver. “Help me!” I stammered.

I heard a car door open and then felt hands helping me into the car.

“Do not worry, my friend,” I heard the driver say in a familiar voice. “I will get you to safety.”