She seemed surprised that I made no effort to stop her, until I informed herthat the basement was soundproofed, and that we were also at least five mi...esfrom the nearest neighbours. Almost immediately, shestopped screaming, and tears filled her eyes. Lastly I movedher and unfastened her wrists, leaving her free of all bonds save for the metalcollar around her neck. Her hands sprung to this, and she cried again as herfingers found the padlock, and she realised she would never open it. She wasnow. If something happened to NIKA, I’d hate for her to be left in the lurch.”“You don’t think she could find a job without one?”“I’m sure that she could, but why not have every possible advantage?”Julia went back to her desk and I made two phone calls. The first one was to order the computer that I’d promised to order for Lyudmila. She’d left the address of her dorm with Elyse who’d given it to me the night before. With that accomplished, I called the Zhukovs’ to talk to Natalya.“Hi Tasha, it’s. The mall wasn't very big, boasting only one floor and three wings aside from the central food court, which itself only had five food places. The place didn't even have a bookstore, which was fortunate for me; my money tends to evaporate quickly in such places.Bypassing the shoe stores, the preppy clothing boutiques and gaming/electronics stores, I wandered into the craft's store. It was amazing what one could find in a craft store: yard decorations, water fountains, and repair tools. I loved. I want you to relax andsimply be the beautiful woman you are. A girl like you must be able tosocialize as well as look pretty."Butterflies swarmed in my stomach as he opened the glass door for me andwe entered into a place right out an old movie set. In its day therestaurant was probably chic but time had worn away at her lush redleather banquets and the carpet's past was thankfully obscured by thelow level of light emanating from the old incandescent light fixtureshanging like sad translucent.