Animal Magnetism - The Kidnapping, Part 3

This fictional account contains adult language and graphic sexual themes.  If
such language and themes offend you, please do not read further.  The persons
and events described in this work are purely fictional.  Any similarity to
actual persons or events is strictly coincidental.  Copyright 2002 by
SSTORYMAN.  All rights reserved.  Permission is hereby granted to reproduce
this story in any form and for any purpose as long as this notice is
reproduced and no financial remuneration is received, directly or indirectly,
by the person reproducing or using it.

This story is a second sequel to "Animal Magnetism" and "Animal Magnetism -
The Sequel" posted elsewhere on this story page.  You may find it helpful to
read them first before this one.

ANIMAL MAGNETISM - THE KIDNAPPING

3.	Ashley On Board.

	Bill didn't sleep well.  He kept thinking about Debbie.  He felt sure
someone was seeking revenge for her conversion, her return to smoking.  Debbie
was a pro-smoking advocate now, and someone was pissed because of it.  But
who?  And what could they do to her, with her power?  He didn't know, but if
he was right, he was sure it was painful.

	He spent time on the phone with Cheryl that evening.  Debbie's
assistant was upset.  Bill finally told her to come over so he could calm her
down.  After she got there, Cheryl smoked like a chimney while they talked.
That was expected.  The poor girl smoked nonstop anymore.  Despite his
attempts to pacify her, Cheryl was inconsolable.  Finally he suggested they
fuck.  That cheered her up some; girls always liked getting him into bed.  She
left at midnight, but he knew neither of them would sleep much that night.

	The next morning he canceled his sales appointments and went straight
to the police station.  He had to see Ashley Carey and find out what else he
hadn't been told.  Micaela had given the police a lead on that van.  Why
didn't she mention that to him?

	Thankfully, her partner George was in a meeting, so he was able to
meet with Ashley alone.  He confronted her about the license plate.

	"We hadn't eliminated you as a suspect. What did you expect?  We
weren't going to tell you everything we knew.  But since then, we called your
alibi.  She confirmed you were at her office between four and five yesterday.
So, at least officially, you're clean, for now."

	"What do you mean, for now?"

	She smiled.  She had a most sensitive face.  "At this point, we don't
think you're a suspect."  Then she laughed.  "Actually, we think we know who
did it now."

	"You do?  Who is it?  And why?"

	"I'll tell you if you give me a second.  George and I checked the
plate number the Moore girl gave us.  The plates were stolen from a car on the
other side of town late last week.  That means they put stolen plates on the
van, just in case someone got the number."

	His face fell.  "Then, we're no further along than we were before?"

	"Not exactly," she replied with a teasing smile.  "We figure the van's
probably rented.  We checked with car rental companies in town, and bingo!
Guess what?  A white van matching Micaela Moore's description was rented three
days ago to an Andrea Simpson, and she gave a California address."

	"Debbie's mother?"

	"Right, Sherlock," laughed Ashley.  "It looks like Debbie's mom
kidnapped her.  We made repeated calls to her California home; no answer.
We're trying to get in touch with Debbie's brother or her mother's sister.
Apparently her father's deceased."

	"I could've told you that," he interjected.  He was frankly pissed.
"Ashley, why didn't you call me last night and ask me?"

	"Protocol," she said simply.  "But the good news is, since Debbie's
mother is the prime suspect, we're not calling the FBI in."

	"And why's that good?"

	"Because no one likes dealing with the feds.  They're a bunch of
assholes.  But it also means Debbie's probably not in serious danger, and
that's very good," she laughed.  "Who knows?  Maybe her mom kidnapped her to
make her stop smoking?"

	"Don't laugh," Bill frowned.  "That's probably exactly what happened."

	"But then there's no crime.  Well, maybe technically, but in these
cases victims never press charges.  So it means we downgraded it.  George and
I are still officially working on it, but unofficially, we're treating it as a
non-criminal family dispute."

	Bill looked as if he was about to explode.  He shook his head and sat
down, resting his head in his hands.

	"Bill, I'm sorry," Ashley said compassionately.  She put her hand on
his.  "Getting someone to stop smoking isn't a crime.  You yourself said
Debbie argued with her mom about it recently.  We're assuming that's all
that's going on.  She'll be fine.  She might not be smoking when they let her
go, but she'll be okay.  And who knows?"  Her eyes twinkled mischievously.
"Maybe it won't work and you'll get your smoking girlfriend back.  Either way,
though, it's no big deal.  What's so important about her smoking, anyway?"

	His animal magnetism was weaker than the day before, but it hadn't
diminished far.  Ashley was fawning all over him.  He smiled.  "I asked
yesterday if you smoked, Detective.  You said no.  If you don't smoke, you
can't possibly understand."

	She smiled playfully.  "Try me, Bill.  I mean it."

	He smiled back.  Yes, you probably do!

	"Okay, here it is.  Many people don't understand, but I'll help you.
Smoking's a wonderful habit, Ashley.  It's highly enjoyable.  It tastes good,
it feels good, and it's sexy as hell.  Nothing's nicer than lighting up a
long, one hundred millimeter cigarette and smoking it, inhaling and exhaling
the smoke.  Does that make any sense?"

	"I'm not sure," she softly whispered.  "Do you really think smoking's
sexy?"

	"Yeah, I do.  Absolutely, and so does Debbie.  Smoking _is_ sexy.
That's why her mom's so pissed off.  I tell you, Ashley, it's sexy as hell.
Nothing's more attractive than a beautiful woman, like you, for example,
smoking a cigarette.  Go on, admit it.  It's mysterious and fascinating, isn't
it?  You know I'm right.  You yourself must've smoked at some point in the
distant past.  Aren't I right?"

	Ashley nodded.  "Yeah, I did, a little," she giggled like a schoolgirl
caught being naughty on the playground.  "In high school one summer my friends
and I used to smoke when we hung out at the mall.  One of my friends had an
older sister.  She bought cigarettes for her, and we all bummed them off her
all summer."

	"And it was fun, wasn't it?"

	She blushed.  "Yeah, I guess so.  God, I haven't thought about it in
years.  That's so weird."

	"It's not weird, Ashley.  It's fate.  Don't you see?  It's fate you
and I met.  It's your destiny that's at stake.  You see, you want to be a
smoker.  No, that's too indecisive.  After talking with me, you _need_ to be a
smoker.  Don't you agree?"

	"Aren't you being a bit melodramatic, Bill?" she laughed uneasily.

	"It's not melodrama, Ashley, it's the truth, isn't it?  Come on, admit
it.  Now that you've thought about it, don't you want to run out with me
somewhere and join me for a cigarette?"

	She eyed him suspiciously.  "Bill, are you hypnotizing me or
something?"

	He smiled sweetly.  "Ashley, I don't have to hypnotize you.  Deep down
inside, you already want to be a smoker, like me, and like Debbie.  You've
waited your whole life for this moment.  You can finally have the thing you
want more than anything.  You can finally decide to be a smoker."

	She laughed anxiously.  "God, Bill, you're something!  I never heard
anyone with a line quite like yours.  I must admit, it sounds more attractive
than I ever imagined it could.  But I think I'll pass on the opportunity this
time.  No smoking for me, thanks."

	He was crestfallen.  His animal magnetism was usually stronger because
of Debbie.  Yesterday at this point Ashley would've been begging him for a
cigarette, just like Rosemary and Micaela Moore did.  Damn!  But he decided
not to back down.

	"That's fine," he shrugged.  "Suit yourself.  But how about if we get
away somewhere to talk about Debbie's situation?  She's still being held
against her will.  Won't you at least think with me a little bit about how I
might find her?  What do you say?  Join me for a cup of coffee and brainstorm
with me awhile."

	Ashley hesitated.  This time he wasn't suggesting she do anything
unusual.  So there was no resistance.  She smiled.  "Okay.  Just don't tell my
boss.  I'll get my purse and meet you at the café down the street in ten
minutes.  Deal?"

	He grinned.  "Deal!"

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

	At the café Bill sat waiting for Ashley.  Her resistance increased his
desire to make her smoke.  With Debbie gone his animal magnetism was waning.
It'd take more time to win Ashley over.  But he didn't mind spending it.
Plus, she might be helpful in figuring out where Debbie was held prisoner.
She had access to resources he couldn't touch.

	His cell phone rang.  He looked at the number, but didn't recognize
it.  He frowned and considered letting it roll to voice mail.  But Ashley was
nowhere in sight, so he decided to take it.

	"Hello?  This is Bill Johnson.  Who's this?"

	"Bill!  Hi.  This is Rosemary Moore.  You were at our house last
night.  Remember?"

	"Oh, yeah, sure.  Hi, Rosemary.  How are you doing today?"

	"Great.  Well, no, actually, not exactly.  I mean, we need to talk.
Something weird is happening to me, to us, really, and I just thought you
might be able to help me understand."

	He smiled.  Ah, she's smoking, he thought.  She needs reassurance.
"No problem, Rosemary.  What's the matter?  I'm happy to help in any way I
can."

	"Oh, thanks so much, Bill.  God, I'm so confused.  Last night you
talked to Micaela and me about smoking.  Wow, it was such an eye-opener!  I
hadn't smoked in years, but once you had me try it again, I absolutely loved
it.  I kept smoking the rest of the night.  So did Micaela.  I now know she'd
already experimented with it.  I guess your friend Debbie talked to Micaela
and the other girls about it at their first Entrepreneurs Club meeting."

	"But that doesn't upset you, does it?  That Micaela's smoking?"

	She laughed.  "Oh God, no.  She really enjoys it, and I understand
why.  No, that's fine.  I'm really delighted that Micaela smokes.  That's not
what's confusing me.  We both thoroughly enjoy smoking cigarettes now, thanks
to you."

	"So, what's the problem?"

	"Well, remember last night when you said smoking's really sexy?  Yeah,
well, it sure is!  I never noticed, but once you brought it up, I saw what you
mean.  I feel elegant and beautiful, sexy actually, every time I smoke.
Micaela does, too.  And that's the problem."

	"Oh?"

	"Last night I noticed Micaela watching me smoke.  That was okay, but
then she asked to cuddle.  At first, it was nice.  We hadn't cuddled together
in years.  Of course, Micaela was also smoking.  Then something began to
happen.  Seeing my little girl smoking, feeling her beautiful body right next
to mine, oh my God!  It started to make me ?.  Oh shit, I can hardly say it."
She took a deep breath.  "Look Bill, Micaela's my daughter, for God's sake.
But now that she smokes, I don't know.  I felt attracted to her; I mean,
sexually.  As she sat next to me smoking, she looked so damn beautiful, so
incredibly sexy.  I couldn't stand it!  It took all the self-control I could
muster not to do something totally inappropriate.  It really scared me, Bill.
What in the hell's happening to me?"

	He gulped.  He knew.  The power shifted their paradigms.  After his
suggestion, Rosemary and Micaela were both experiencing strong sexual
attractions to other females who smoke.  Unfortunately, they were mother and
daughter.  He inadvertently incited them to lust after each other, towards an
incestuous sexual relationship!

	"Uh, Rosemary, you're right.  We need to talk."  He pondered the
situation.  At that point his animal magnetism probably wasn't strong enough
to reprogram Rosemary over the phone.  Plus, he had to talk to Micaela, too,
to make sure she wasn't attracted to her mom.  He spoke up.  "I suppose
Micaela's at school?"

	"No, I kept Micaela home today," Rosemary answered.  "She's still so
upset about what happened to Debbie, seeing her kidnapped and all, I felt it
was better if she didn't go in.  No, she's home with me.  Like I said, that's
the problem.  I let her smoke as much as she wants, and I feel great about
that.  That's no problem.  Really, I'm glad she's smoking.  But every time she
lights up a cigarette, I get these damn feelings again."

	"Okay.  Hang on.  I'll come right over.  I think I can help.  I'm
meeting with Detective Ashley Carey in a couple minutes, but I'll bring her
along."

	Rosemary brightened.  "You mean that nice female detective?  You must
be talking about the case.  Oh, that'd be fine.  She was so nice to Micaela
yesterday.  But wait.  Will the detective be upset if Micaela's smoking?
She's technically underage, you know."

	Bill laughed.  "No, don't worry.  Ashley will be completely cool with
it.  I promise"

	As he hung up, he cursed himself.  He planted the same seeds of
smoking and its sexual quality in the heads of many females.  But he never
considered the consequences of doing it together to a mother and daughter.  He
had to talk to both of them, to make sure they stopped experiencing sexual
attraction to one another.  That would be too weird, even for him.

	He saw Ashley Carey approach.  He smiled.

	"Hey, Ashley, we need to run an errand.  I have to go to the Moore's
home.  You met Micaela yesterday.  She's the witness.  I need to fix something
there, to straighten out a little mess I made last night when I talked to them
about smoking and how sexy it can be."

	The pretty detective cocked her head.  "Bill, something weird is going
on.  I don't mind going with you to the Moore's, but I want some answers.  I
tell you what.  You tell me the deal with you and this smoking thing, and I'll
share some important new info I just got about Debbie Simpson's abduction."

	"Deal," he smiled.  Yes, this was perfect.  If Ashley came, he'd keep
working on her while at the same time he'd reinforce Rosemary and Micaela's
new love for smoking, and correct his little oversight from the night before,
the one driving Rosemary, probably Micaela, too, completely crazy.  "Okay, my
car's in the visitor lot at the station.  We can talk on the way."

	As was his usual habit, he lit up a cigarette as they pulled out of
the lot.  Ashley didn't object, but took the opportunity to cross-examine him.

	"Okay, Bill, 'fess up.  This smoking thing is central to what happened
to Debbie, isn't it?  You know a shitload more than you've told me so far.
I'm not stupid.  You've been working on me relentlessly, trying to get me to
smoke, and I admit, you're very persuasive.  So, what's the deal?  Do you
hypnotize people to make them smoke?  And if so, why in the hell do you do it?
And what's Debbie's involvement?"

	"Whoa, whoa," he laughed.  "One question at a time."  There was no
reason not to be candid.  He had confidence in his animal magnetism.  He'd
make sure Ashley never used the truth against him.

	"Debbie and I both have an unusual ability, a gift, if you will.  It
lets us influence the opinions of others and change their minds.  It's not
hypnosis.  I call it animal magnetism; Debbie calls it the power.  Whatever it
is, it lets us change anyone's thinking, and make them adopt our viewpoints.
And I mean anyone, by the way, including you, Ashley!"

	She nodded.  "I felt it the moment I met you.  I found myself
_wanting_ to agree with you.  That's why I gave you Micaela's name and
address.  I shouldn't have, but I did, because I wanted to do what you asked."
She paused.  "So, it's some kind of psychic power?"

	"I guess.  I don't analyze it.  I just use it.  But till I met Debbie,
I never knew anyone else with my ability.  When we got together, we both
became more powerful.  What otherwise took me an hour of cajoling and
persuading, suddenly happened in minutes if I'd been around Debbie.  Again, I
don't understand why.  I just know it's so."

	"But why the smoking thing?  What's up with that?"

	He grinned.  "I think women who smoke are sexy, Ashley.  It turns me
on to see a good looking woman smoke a cigarette.  Plus, I enjoy it.  I like
to smoke.  It's very pleasant, so nice and relaxing.  I use my animal
magnetism, my power, to replicate my attitude in others, especially women.  If
I meet a good looking female, I immediately go to work.  Almost without
exception, I can get her smoking in no time."

	Ashley shook her head.  "Shit, I asked the question, and I got the
answer!  God, you're not afraid to admit what you're doing, are you?  You're
awful damn confident."

	"Confident because I know I can deliver.  If I put my mind to it, I
can talk most anyone into anything.  People do or believe what I want them to.
If I want them to smoke, for instance, they smoke.  It's as simple as that."

	The brunette shook her head again.  "God, that must be great!  I could
use that ability dealing with people in my line of work," she laughed.  "I get
the feeling you're not deranged, Bill.  You really are incredibly persuasive.
I think you probably can do it, can't you?"

	He nodded.  "And I want _you_ to smoke, too, Ashley.  Smoking's so
pleasant, so enjoyable.  Plus, it's sexy as hell.  I want you to become a
smoker.  And you will, won't you?"

	"I don't know, Bill," she laughed nervously.  "It hasn't worked on me
so far.  I won't say I'm not tempted, but I haven't begged you for a cigarette
yet, have I?"

	"No, you haven't," he admitted.  "I want to know why.  Something else
is going on with you.  There's something in your past, your background, making
you reticent to do what I want you to and smoke.  What is it?  Tell me."

	She looked out the car window.  "I told you I smoked one summer in
high school," she began.  "I liked it, I guess.  No, I'm sure I did.  But
then, that fall, my grandfather was diagnosed with lung cancer.  He died soon
after.  I never got over it.  I swore to myself I'd never smoke again.  And I
haven't."

	He nodded perceptively.  "I see.  That explains it.  You have a
deep-seated fear of smoking because of what happened to your granddad.  But I
can fix that.  See, Ashley, you don't need to worry about that happening to
you if you become a smoker; which you will, by the way."

	"And why is that?"

	"How old are you?  Thirty?  That means by the time you've smoked long
enough for anything bad to happen, medical science will have long since solved
the problem and found a cure, not only lung cancer but anything else bad that
might happen.  That's the answer, Ashley.  You have nothing to worry about.
If you want to smoke, you should just smoke."

	She laughed.  "God, you're good, Bill!  Damn good."  She narrowed her
eyes and gazed hopefully.  "You really think so?"

	"Yeah, absolutely," he smiled.  "See, smoking delivers lots of
pleasure.  It's so nice.  So you're missing something you should have, Ashley.
You deserve to smoke, to savor the experience at least twenty times every day
of pulling thick, luscious cigarette smoke down into your pretty chest, just
like in high school, enjoying the glorious sensation of letting nicotine
energize you.  Plus, it'll make you incredibly sexy.  You know I'm right.  You
really do _want_ to smoke.  You're almost desperate to.  You know you'll love
it.  After talking to me, you also know you'll find other women who smoke a
real turn-on.  It'll be great."

	"And you think you can do this to me, even if I know you're doing it?"

	"No doubt, Ashley.  If I want you to smoke, and I do, then you'll want
to, too.  If I want you to lust after other women who smoke because you find
them sexy, you'll see female smokers that way, too.  It's just how it works,
Ash.  Am I right?"

	She let out a long sigh.  "God, I hate to admit it, but you're dead
on.  Yeah, the entire time we've been talking I can feel my opposition to
smoking, that old paralyzing fear of something terrible happening to me if I
smoke, just melting away, disappearing.  It's weird.  Suddenly, I want it.
God damn it, I really _do_ want it.  I want to smoke again!"

	"And you're not upset that I'm making you change your mind, are you?
No bitterness or resentment, only pleasure, because now you only want to want
what I want.  Right?"

	She eagerly nodded.  "Fuck, yes.  Actually, I'm delighted you're
changing me.  It's what I want.  Right now the thought of smoking makes me
feel sexy and desirable.  God, I want to please you, Bill.  I want to make you
happy by smoking with you!  I want to smoke!"

	"Don't worry, Ashley, you will," he laughed.  "But first let me tell
you why I need to see Mrs. Moore and her daughter again.  Yesterday I did the
same thing to them, and of course they're as delighted about it as you.
Rosemary and Micaela are both smoking and loving it.  Rosemary used to be
anti-smoking, but now she's encouraging Micaela to smoke.  It's pretty cool.
In fact, it makes me hot.  I bet it makes you hot, too."

	Again his companion nodded.  He could see the lust in her eyes.

	"But I made a little mistake.  As usual, I told them, or imparted to
them, the idea that all women who smoke are sexy as hell.  The problem is, now
they find themselves attracted to each other, sexually, I mean.  You can
accuse me of being immoral; after all, I do make people love to smoke and find
it sexy.  But I don't want a mother and daughter pawing each other.  So we're
visiting Rosemary and Micaela so I can reprogram their thinking.  Like you, I
want them to find smoking a very sexy experience, one that arouses their
sexual desires.  I just need to make sure they don't feel that way about each
other.  That's all."

	Ashley laughed out loud.  "So you're trying to take care of some
unintended fallout?  God, that's noble of you!"

	"Like I said, even I have some morals.  I want them to appreciate
smoking, and to encourage one another to keep doing it because it's sexy.  But
that's all."

	The car pulled up in front of the Moore household.  He turned to
Ashley.  "I assume you want to come in with me and watch the show?"

	She leered.  "Yeah, I do, and I'll love it, too.  God!  I can't wait
to see sweet, sixteen year old Micaela smoking a cigarette.  Damn it, Bill,
you did it to me!  You made me think and feel about this smoking thing exactly
the way you do."

	"And trust me, you won't mind that at all, Ashley.  Not at all."

	Rosemary answered the door.  Her blond hair was pulled back in a pony
tail.  She wore a denim sleeveless sun dress.  She grinned seeing Bill and
Ashley.

	"Come in, you guys," she said eagerly.  "Bill, I'm so glad you think
you can help me figure out what's going on."

	The smell of ambient smoke in the house was almost overpowering.
Ashtrays sat on all the tables, and a half empty pack of Marlboro 100's was in
the pocket of Rosemary's sun dress.

	They sat at the kitchen table, and Bill suggested to Rosemary that
Micaela join them.  She called upstairs, and in seconds the teenager entered
the room.  She wore a tee-shirt and shorts, and looked cute as a button.  Bill
gazed at Ashley.  He could tell from the look on her face that she had a new
appreciation for the sixteen year old's appearance.  The power was working.

	"Okay, ladies.  Let me explain a few things ?."

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