Chapter Four
Olive’s Warning
Hildee led me all the way to the back of club and a steep staircase on the left that dove to the basement. For the moment I was allowed on my feet and the stairs creaked under our combined weight. A window about halfway down, at ground level, gave a glimpse of a lush garden with bright flowers and green grass. Then Hildee tugged on my leash and the dark swallowed me.
At the bottom Hildee switched on a single light and I squeezed my eyes shut against the sudden glare. Noise greeted the light, muted sounds of desperation and begging. My eyes adjusted and I found myself in a clean, well ordered basement. Hildee switched on more lights and the source of the desperate sounds became obvious. About six women were lined up, three on each side, tied to support beams.
