Sophie seemed upset today. She’ll need me soon.

I fill a bucket with warm, soapy water and a sponge. It’s time for Sam’s sponge bath. She really is beautiful. And she’s got me the attention I deserve.

I look at her naked, petite body and gently cleanse away the dirt and grime.

“Does that feel nice?” I ask.

Her response is muffled by the duct tape.

“If I take it off, do you promise to be good?”

She nods.

“Do you promise not to scream?

She nods again.

I pull the tape off her mouth with a quick, sharp movement—I don’t want to cause her more pain than necessary.

“Thank you,” she says.

“You’re welcome.” I’m happy for her manners.

We’re both silent and I sponge her breasts, her stomach, her legs and finally her groin.

“There. Does that feel better?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t think Sophie’s taking your disappearance very well.”

“You son of a bitch, you stay away from her!” she screams, her mood suddenly changing.

For an instant my temper wells up inside me, ready to burst, but then it quickly recedes. Control.

“That’s very sweet of you. To be thinking about your friend,” I say, moving around the table as I speak. I move in close to her ear and whisper, “But don’t forget, you’re the one on the table, honey.” I emphasize the word honey. Sam loves using that word. “Sophie’s safe…until I’m finished with you, that is.”

She’s silent and I presume her smart mind is trying to find a way out of the situation. But I can’t see her eyes to be sure of this—I still have them covered.

“My name is Samantha Wright. I was born in a small town in Texas called—”

I interrupt her with a loud laugh. How ridiculous to try that one on me!

“Sam, my darling,” I say, “surely you can do better than that. That’s first-year criminal psychology, isn’t it? Personalize yourself for the perpetrator. Make him feel you’re a real person so he’ll let you go. You really have no idea who you’re dealing with, do you?”

“Tell me. Tell me about you,” she says.

“I thought you knew all about me. No?”

She shakes her head.

“You can learn more about me later.”

With her body freshly washed I run my fingers along her velvety skin. I murmur endearments in her ear and then we make love.