Chapter 11: The Gemini Twins

 

"Lori, have you heard about the recent robberies in Beverly Hills?" Marla, her colleague, asked.

“What robberies?" Lori responded, as Marla presented her with the newspaper article. Lori began perusing the article. "I had no clue that there was a group of thieves preying on the rich," she exclaimed while reading. Just then, the editor of NewsMaker magazine came over. "Lori, I need you and Marla to interview the most recent robbery victim," he said. Lori agreed, saying, "Sure thing!"

Lori and Marla took her car to Beverly Hills. Despite the heavy traffic, they made it in time to interview the victim. "We represent NewsMaker magazine and are here to discuss the robbery that occurred last week," Lori announced. An older man in his 50’s answered the door. He was dressed as a butler. 

The fancy houses had a big living room. He led them to the library and shut the doors as he left. Lori was puzzled, but Marla explained that wealthy folks usually have maids and butlers, and they don't typically mingle with guests. Lori glanced around.

"It seems like some kind of library," she observed, and Marla agreed with a nod. They sat quietly for thirty minutes. "Do you think they might have forgotten about us?" Marla asked. At that moment, a woman in her early thirties walked in. Her light brown shoulder length hair shimmered in the sunlight as it streamed through the window, giving her an air of elegance. She was dressed in a blue silk button-up blouse paired with a sleek black pencil skirt and stylish black heels.

"I apologize for the delay; please help yourself to some tea," she said as the maid arrived with a silver tray holding two glass cups filled with iced tea. The maid placed the tray on the coffee table before them. The room features beautifully maintained wooden floors and furniture that exudes a classic Victorian charm. The large windows are adorned with elegant curtains that reflect the same style, and a cozy fireplace adds to the inviting atmosphere.

Lori said, "We are here to talk to you regarding the robbery that took place here, and I truly regret that you had to experience this."

"Oh no, that didn't happen to me," the woman hesitated, "it was my grandmother who was present at the time, and she mentioned that one of the intruders threatened to rape her if she didn't cease her screams.”

Marla's recording the conversation with her mini tape recorder. "My grandma was totally caught off guard when she heard a noise coming from this place, the private library." 

“Hold on, so the valuable jewels were stored in this room?" Lori asked, looking shocked. 

Jenna nodded, "The safe's hidden behind the painting of my parents." She gestured towards the beautiful painting.

“I'm uncertain about how they managed to unlock the safe, but they made off with three invaluable necklaces that were my great-grandmother's. They were truly exquisite, adorned with real diamonds.”

“Maybe someone gave them the codes?” Marla suggested. Jenna shook her head but paused before saying, “Unbeknownst to the thieves, my grandmother was resting in the same room as the safe, which held the valuable jewelry.”

Lori looked at her and asked, “Can you tell us what happened?” The woman nodded. 

“First I should introduce myself, I’m Jenna Nelson,” she leaned across and shook Lori and Marla’s hand. Settling back down on the chair, she told them what her grandmother said. 

Lori was taken aback by her Jenna’s story. "My grandmother was tied up on a chair during the robbery," she recounted, her voice trembling. "After the thieves took the priceless jewelry, one of them, a man, had the audacity to threaten her, by saying that if she said anything he will rape her." 

Lori's heart raced as she processed it. "Wait. What?" was all she could manage to say, shocked by how something so terrible could happen to a poor elderly woman.

“Yes, my grandmother told me that the male thief said he would rape her if she said anything,” Jenna paused, her voice steady. “You know, it was probably an empty threat because my grandmother said that the woman with him…”

 “Wait, a woman?” Lori cut in, her eyes wide with surprise.

 Jenna nodded, “Yes, incredible, right?” Lori pondered for a moment, glancing over at Marla as they both processed the strange twist in the story. It was hard to imagine a woman involved in something like that.

“My grandmother remembers hearing the woman who was with the man say, “Forget it, let’s go now,” she sounded angry and impatient.”

What did they wear?” Lori asked.

Both wore black fitted bodysuits and black masks,” Jenna paused and pondered for a second. 

"My grandmother also recalls the man telling her that they are the Gemini Twins and that she should be afraid." Lori shot Jenna a curious glance. "I suppose there really is no way to identify them since they kept their faces covered.” 

Jenna nodded. “In the dimly lit room, my grandmother couldn’t see much.”

After they finished their tea, Lori and Marla stood up and thanked Jenna for the information she shared. “Thanks for the lovely tea and the information,” Marla said.

As they drove back to the office, Marla shook her head in disbelief and said, “Can you believe that?”

Lori, curious, replied, “Believe what?”

 Marla continued, “That jerk threatened to rape a 75-year-old woman! He must be a seriously sick individual to even think about something like that.” Lori grimaced; her brow furrowed. The weight of the conversation hung in the air, reminding them both of how cruel some people could be and how important it is to stand up for the vulnerable.

Marla caught the change in Lori’s expression as soon as she mentioned the man who had threatened the elderly woman with rape. It was a fleeting moment, but it was enough for Marla to realize that she shouldn’t have said anything. The mere mention of rape brought back memories of Lori’s own terrifying experience with Tim. Marla understood and apologized, “Oh damn, I’m sorry Lori, I didn’t think...”

“It’s okay, not a problem,” Lori said, clearly not wanting to delve into the topic. 

Later, they arrived at the office where Lori and Marla quickly wrote their report and handed it over to the editor. Marla said her goodbyes and left, while Lori started gathering her things. Just then, Lady Lightning strutted in, looking effortlessly attractive in casual flared jeans and a brown and floral hippie-style blouse. A leather Mexican purse dangled from her shoulder, and her wooden heeled clogs made a rhythmic clanking sound on the vinyl floor. Lori couldn’t help but admire her unique style as she packed up for the day.

“Geraldine, what brings you here?” Lori asked, glancing up from her computer as Geraldine strolled into her cubicle. “I was thinking you and I should go get a drink, if you don’t mind me asking,” Geraldine replied with a hopeful smile. Lori’s face lit up, “Okay, let’s go!” They settled into a cozy booth at BJ Grill & Restaurant, where Geri began to share some intriguing information, she had gathered about Tim.

“There’s another vigilante roaming the streets of Gardena who caught wind that Tim’s gotten himself mixed up in a black-market ring. Apparently, he’s in league with a major gangster, which is pretty alarming. I can’t help but wonder if Kris is in it or if she’s totally clueless about Tim’s shady side gigs, like she always seems to be. Either way, it feels like we should investigate this situation to figure out what’s really going on.” Lori took a sip of her margarita, a contemplative look shadowing her face. “Who’s the vigilante that patrols the streets in that city?” she asked, her curiosity piqued. Her friend leaned in and replied, “Well, she goes by the name of Lady Panther, but her real name is Celindra Fernandez Gomez.” Lori chuckled a little, shaking her head. “That’s a long name,” she remarked, amused. The conversation drifted between the sips of their drinks; Lori wondered what drove someone to become a masked hero. What motivated Celindra.

“She comes from an upper-class family, living in Gardena, but where she lives exactly is unknown.”

Lori’s brow furrowed, “Do you know why she became a vigilante?”

“She’s just like you, she was assaulted,” Geraldine said and added. “That’s what I heard,” she takes a sip form her drink.

Lori was shocked. “Does she know who it was that assaulted her?”

Geraldine responded, “I don’t know, you can ask her if you want.”

“What do you mean?” Lori looked around. Geraldine lightly chuckled. 

“No, she’s not here but she does go to the diner on Wednesdays.”

Lori gave her a nod. “Okay maybe I will.”

When Lori got home, she found her uncle Frank immersed in his gadgets at the Electra Base. She took the elevator down and called out to him, “Hey uncle Frank, what are you working on?” With a proud smile, he replied that he had a new weapon for her.

He then walked over to a metal cabinet, opened a drawer, and retrieved a sleek black box.

“This gadget will make it much easier for you to catch criminals.” He pulled out a shiny silver globe, about the size of a baseball, and handed it to her. "Just hold on before you throw it," he said, moving over to position a mannequin in the center of the room.

 "Now, give it a strong toss at the mannequin," he instructed, a proud grin on his face. Lori launched the ball, and as it struck the mannequin, it exploded open, releasing a net that quickly ensnared the figure, bringing it crashing to the ground.

 “Incredible, uncle I can’t wait to use it.” She gave him a hug.

“This is just a prototype, and unfortunately, it’s the only one I’ve created so far. So, use it wisely,” he mentioned. Later, while sipping tea in the living room, Lori shared with Frank what Geraldine had told her.

“I believe that having more friends who share your,” he paused, “unique hobby increases your chances of not ending up dead.”

 “I understand, Uncle,” she said before retiring for the night.

As she lay in bed, she thought about what Geraldine said and what Jenna Nelson told her.

“I wonder if Tim and Kris are the Gemini Twins.”

 

Chapter 12: Minus One Gemini Twin

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