Ms Virtue: A Bold Beauty (Chapter 2) (Patreon)

Chapter 2

“Breaking news,” the radio newscaster said, interrupting the song.

Adrienne DeVille looked up and paused, cocking her head to listen. Her long, brown ponytail swished across her shoulders and back. The sales girl cocked a look at her, totally ignoring the news alert on the store radio.

“This just in, Ultra Woman actress Irina Hoffman was kidnapped in the middle of speaking to fans at Nexxus City Comicon about thirty minutes ago. Police ask all witnesses to the crime to contact them as soon as possible, and also ask for the public to be vigilant and report any possible sighting of the missing actress.”

She looked left and right, trying to figure out her best option. She had to find a private space to change. Immediately. Time was of the essence.

“What is your size?” the sales girl asked, bringing the twenty-five year old brunette back to the here and now. “Are you looking for any specific style of…”

Adrienne looked around the boutique. It was her favorite place to shop and buy fun little dresses. Mostly club wear.

“Yeah, I have to go,” Adrienne said, backing away from the stunned young woman. “I just remembered something I have to do. Right now.”

Striding away, the young woman rushed out of the front door and turned left. She hurried to the alley two stores down, turning into that dark, filthy domain. Her stilettos clattered loudly as she strode with purpose, getting away from the light of the street. Then with one last look around to ensure she was alone…

“Virtue!” she said with authority as she crossed her forearms before her chest.

Bright golden light flashed. The beautiful brunette in a flower print dress and heels vanished. In her place strode a busty blonde with a white and gold super heroine costume: strapless white corset-teddy with golden M above V on front, wide gold belt, and white thigh boots with a gold stripe up the front. She accessorized with gold tiara, white choker, and white bracers with gold trim. The brunette beauty’s face and body transformed as well, becoming a busty blonde with blue eye and full red lips.

Ms Virtue flew straight up and out of the alley, streaking across the sky towards the convention center. Dozens of police cars, emergency lights flashing, surrounded the center. People were out in the parking lot, many wearing costumes, looking up and pointing. Some were clearly excited to see her. But comic readers were some of the biggest supporters of super heroines.

The shapely blonde heroine flew straight up to the front door, landing amid a clatter of heels as she made a running landing. She raced through the convention center, deftly avoiding attendees as she made for the crowd in back. Lots of cops over there, so that had to be the scene of the crime.

Pushing through the cops and costumed fans, Ms Virtue forced her way into the conference room to find convention staff and some witnesses speaking to detectives and uniformed cops. She spotted the Field Commander and headed for him.

“Captain Jamison,” she called. “What happened? Do you have any leads?”

“Yes, Irina Hoffman was kidnapped by the Mad Markie, Professor Binder, Hyjinx, and Kitty Katniss.”

“Who?”

“They are Ultra Woman’s most common, or sinister, villains,” another cop said. “Do you not read her comic books? Or watch the movies?”

“No. I struggle with super hero entertainment like you struggle with cop shows. Do we know who was wearing the costumes? Who is responsible for kidnapping her?”

“No, but she’s the fourth high profile woman kidnapped in the city in the last month,” Captain Jamison said, scowling. “It’s not good.”

That was an understatement. The press, and the citizens of the city, state, and nation had questions. So far, no one’s had any answers. Rich, famous, very beautiful women were being kidnapped one a week. It was just embarrassing.

“Did anyone see the escape vehicle?” she asked. “Which way did it go?”

“We have security footage of them taking her to a vehicle, which tore out of here. We have officers out going to businesses and homes to find any video the escape car,” Captain Jamison said. “But it’ll take time. This is not looking like a good case for a super heroine, Ms Virtue. This will be solved by good old-fashioned police work.”

She nodded, not challenging on that assertion. Ms Virtue had heard it dozens of times before. And more often than not she found the bad guys before the cops. Nothing would be gained bringing that up. Cops could be sensitive.

“What kind of vehicle?” she asked. “Does the description match that of any of the previous escape vehicles?”

“It was a blue van this time, so no. Completely different vehicle, but I’m sure it’s the same people responsible.”

Ms Virtue nodded, looking within to consider her next move. So far, none of the recent celebrities kidnapped in Nexxus City had turned up. No ransom notes received. They just vanished. None of it made sense, because the victims were all very wealthy young women. They could pay millions in ransom.

“None of it makes sense, Captain,” she said, turned and strode away.

Finding a member of the hotel security, Ms Virtue got him to take her along the kidnappers’ escape route, looking for clues. Anything at all. She found CSI officers getting samples of the tread the kidnappers laid down burning out of there.

From there she took off flying, looking all over for any blue vans. She found six, but they were all driven by ordinary citizens. And then she spotted it — a blue utility van with all the doors open, clearly abandoned. Swooping down, she raced into it. She found Irina’s Ultra Woman costume inside. Left there to taunt her and the cops.

“The arrogance!”

The blonde heroine pulled her phone out of her right thigh boot and called the police. Hopefully, they could find a clue to lead them to the bad guys. And then a local TV station’s news van came racing up. Reporter Tisha Fisher came clattering out in skirt and heels, her phone out and recording.

“Ms Virtue, is this really the escape vehicle that took Irina Hoffman away?”

“Possibly. The police will have to confirm it,” she said.

“What were you doing when Irina was kidnapped?”

Ms Virtue gave her a sharp look. Was she blaming her?

“Not at the convention center, Miss Fisher. Where were you?”

That made the reporter reel back. So she apologized.

“I’m sorry I snapped at you. This is all very frustrating, but it ends here,” she said, face determined. “I vow I will find the kidnappers and rescue all the women they took away so cruelly.”