Under the Floorboards...

- Prologue -

"Greetings, Mr Rye."

Dennis Rye did not look up. Could not look up, due to the blindfold tied around his eyes. "Mr Rye, it is rude not to answer back." Dennis let out a nervous noise from the back of his throat. He did not know who this man was, what he wanted, or even how he blindfolded Dennis and tied him to a chair. "What do you want?" He whimpered. "What do you want?"

"I'm not buying it, Mr Rye. I know your secret. I know you're a secret agent."

Dennis did not answer. So that was why he was here. He'd been kidnapped. A question began to tug at his mind, and it found its way to his lips without realising it. "How do you know my real name?" Almost no-one knew his real name or job. To the 'agent world', he was known only as Freddie Simon, so as to keep him safe.

"I do not think it is wise for me to share that information with you. I do not know what you would do with it."

"Let me out of this chair right now you sick little...!"

"Silence. You shall not speak."

Dennis did not need to be told twice. Although the man did not raise his voice, it had a certain malicious tone to it. A foreboding feeling started to overcome him.

"Now, now, Mr Rye. Let us reach the question of why you are here. It has come to my attention that you know classified information about the Gem of Iya..."

"I'm not telling you anything!"

"Do not speak. Anyway, I thought you might refuse to co-operate. So... noble. However, you might reconsider before I am forced to take active measure. The chair you are currently tied to is in fact a two thousand voltage electric chair."

"LET ME OUT! SOMEONE! HELP! Somebody... anybody..." Dennis did not finish his sentence.

The current was live. Not lethal - yet - but still dangerous enough to cause pain.

"Now, Mr Rye, will you co-operate?"

He received no answer.