Sold, Packaged, and Shipped

Chapter 15: The Journey

With a gray overcast and drizzling rain, there was not much to see as the luxury auto drove north into the heart of England. They passed small towns with quaint names such as Whitchurch, Worthy Down and Old Burghclere, and then round the edge of the City of Oxford before they were onto a six-lane motorway, still heading north. On the outskirts of Manchester the car pulled off the motorway and a little way down a quieter road then into a small park. By then the drizzle had escalated to a more noticeable but still half-hearted rain. There, under some ancient oak trees and with heavy drops tapping on the roof, they ate lunch. A picnic basket provided sandwiches and drink. The girls were allowed to push the golf balls from their mouths, which, after holding them in for hours, was a welcome change. They were hand fed by the chauffer, who broke off bite-sized bits of the sandwiches. Water from a bottle equipped with a straw was provided them. Then, with the simple meal over, the golf balls were again inserted into two unwilling mouths and the drive continued.

During the journey, both of the women kept their attention outside the auto. Other cars and trucks often drove near them, even alongside. The chauffer made no attempt to prevent other traffic from cruising alongside them. Sometimes passengers in other vehicles looked into the expensive auto and noted two pretty blondes sitting in the backseat and looking back. The first few times that happened and eye contact was made, Melinda frowned and wanted so badly to spit out that ball and scream for help. The truckers and families and even children who looked in would probably not have heard her, and she was aware of Reggie and that damned button he could press and deliver so much pain. She never wanted to feel that kind of pain again.

The trip was uneventful and really rather comfortable for them, when you consider the alternative of being tightly bound and boxed up in a coffin. With arms taped behind them, they were secured but certainly more comfortably than those single gloves and ropes they had spent so much time in the last few days. Their legs were not bound and after not too many miles, Darlene moved her leg over to touch against Melinda’s. It was not much, but at least it was some communication when they could not talk.

The only time that both of them came to a high alert was twice when they stopped for petrol. As the Rolls sat there, the chauffer filling the tank, both women were very much aware of the autos also in the station and the people walking around. Here were people walking only a few steps from them! People who could call the police. The temptation was great and Melinda came close to action. Only two things stopped her. One was Darlene pressing her booted leg against Melinda’s. The other was Reggie holding the control unit. He did not even bother to turn around to look at them or offer a word of caution. He simply held up the unit for them to see. That simple little black box with his thumb so near that button scared them.

she considered pushing the ball out and screaming her head off for help. He would press the button and she would be in agony, but maybe it would be worth it. If it led to their being freed. That was a big

would also. That single button could deliver agony to both of

pressing that button before she could get out a single cry for help.

smoothly through countryside that became more rural as the miles passed. With the gray overcast and the coming evening, there was less and less to see. Finally, they were driving through almost

with a jerk as her head nodded. She wished she could lean over far enough to rest

not been all that refreshing, what with her arms pulled so tightly behind her and those high

busy with paperwork

was still raining, perhaps a little harder, when they finally reached the hunting lodge of the Harcourt family. Having called ahead when they approached, the staff had the outside