The Killer Queen by Noella Briony

Chapter 17

The van jostled along, heading out of the city.

Noella noticed they were headed towards Imperial West Hospital, and thought, “Well, ain’t that a stroke of luck! These goons are giving me a free ride.”

“Who sent you?” she demanded.

The kidnapper let out a sleazy chuckle, his face full of creep.

“Listen, girlie, we ain’t lookin‘ to harm ya, but you had to go and get greedy, eyeing stuff that ain’t yours.” he taunted.

“We’ll just dump ya in some mountain area, and don’t you worry, you won’t be seeing the light of day again! Lucky for you, you’re easy on the eyes. That pretty face of yours could bring in a good chunk of change up in the hills. Pop out a few chunky kids, and you’re golden.”

Noella swiftly reached for the small knife tucked at her waist and conked out a few of the kidnappers, then pressed the blade against the driver’s neck.

“Who sent you? My patience is wearing thin.”

The driver, shaking like a leaf and gripping the steering wheel, stammered out, “Oh please, have mercy! We’re just hired guns! It was Belinda! She forked over a cool hundred grand for us to whisk you away and sell you off in some mountain dump!”

Belinda hadn’t said that Noella could fight!

With a nonchalant “Drive to Imperial West Hospital,” Noella might as well have been the Grim Reaper sharpening his scythe. The driver nearly lit the steering wheel on fire getting her there.

As soon as Noella got out, she shouted at the guards at the door, “They kidnapped me!”

The guards had seen her coming and going from Imperial West Hospital and knew her as the pretty granddaughter of the Schnabel family who was also a chess whiz.

The hospital guards were special forces soldiers pulled from the ranks for duty. They were used to standing guard.

Hearing Noella’s cry for help, the special forces guys stepped up and quickly subdued the bad

guys.

“Thanks,” said Noella.

“Don’t mention it, Miss. Get inside. Mr. Marcel has been fussing over you for ages. We’ve got this!”

They all thought highly of Noella, a real looker who was polite and smart to boot–a true Schnabel family gem.

No sooner had Noella stepped into the ward than she heard Marcel’s robust voice, “Where’s my

13:13

say she was on her

did you take your

eyes lit up at the

here, darling. Tavian from building three is waiting

that Noella knew Marcel was dodging the subject

meds to Marcel and

Grandpa. Be good.”

downed the bitter pills and pulled a face. “Disgusting!

went shopping this morning and had lunch with Beckett.

kept mum about the kidnapping ordeal.

eating with that bore? Shopping’s fine. My granddaughter ought to dress to the nines. I’ll send you some jewelry to play with,” beamed Marcel

Thanks, Grandpa.”

excited, led her to another ward. “Come on,

day. Tavian used to make Marcel lose at chess all the time. This time

smiles, Heh, his granddaughter was a champ,

with admiration. Judging the player by the play, Marcel’s

Tavian offered, “Noella, if you ever run into trouble, come to Tavian. I’ll fix it

“Who needs your

or

go play. I’ve got to settle a

bowed to

vanished, replaced by a chilling aura. She sensed the presence of an assassin. It seemed the Cerulean Whale had sent

entered the green–lit emergency corridor, pulling out her silencer–equipped pistol and disappearing into

the Schnabel

the door, flinging herself at Sienna who was

news!! saw Noella being taken away!”

her $3 million watering can crashing to the

you

hearing the commotion, came out of the study with the

Noella a

on

you call us? Why didn’t you call the police first? What

tell Mom and Dad.”

Glory Mall treating herself to a shopping spree, a nice meal, and a full–blown skin pampering session, all to be in tip–top

phone and called the police.

went down at three in

Jasper? Of course. I was at