For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Mandar and the others were soon in Munich and heading to the hotel where Lavina would be staying. But as they got close to the hotel, Mandar told his driver to stop, so he pulled over. “What is wrong?” asked Kristina. “That is not a hotel Lavina would be staying at,” he said, “keep driving to the next hotel.” The went further down the street. “There, that is her hotel,” said Mandar.
They stopped along the street, but not in front of the hotel. Mandar phoned the other two cars and told them he would go behind the hotel, one of them to park in front and go inside to open the back door for him. The other car would go park in the side parking lot and go in the front door, but stay close to the building so they cannot be seen from above. The plan was put into motion.
The first men went inside and opened the back door, which was locked to outside entrance, but could be opened from the inside. The other men came in and sat in the lounge area to wait for Lavina and her friends. Mandar went to the front to ask which was Lavina’s room. “I am sorry sir,” he said, “but I cannot give out that information.”
Mandar handed the man quite a lot of money and soon they were on their way upstairs to the eighth floor, room 832. Mandar had been given the entry card and in he went to wait for Lavina. He ordered some food for everyone since they had not eaten since breakfast. Kristina was almost too excited to eat. Storm was downstairs with the men in the lounge area, eating his food with them. He too was waiting excitedly for Lavina to show up. She was to arrive before 9pm.
Meanwhile, back at the clinic… Lavina was watching the clinic and had a small device with a button on it. “Are you sure there was enough explosives?” she asked a woman. “Oh yes,” she answered, “and we got it done while they were having their Christmas dinner, so no one was around at all.” “Very good,” laughed Lavina, “now Steve, we will see if you can live through this.” But then a car drove up to the clinic so Lavina held off briefly to see who it was.
“Him!” she said, “he has more lives than a cat! But we will see if he can live through this.” Walter got out of the car, but Crandall called to him. “Someone is watching us on that far hill,” he said, “I saw the sun shine off some glass, probably a telescope.” “Drive ahead to those trees,” said Walter, “I will send some men to you, go get whoever is over there. And do not be nice about it.”
“Done,” said Crandall and off he drove and stopped behind the trees. Walter went inside and told Sky, who then told 4 men to go with Crandall and be prepared to fight. They went and jumped in the car and off they drove. Then could not be seen leaving from that spot on the hill. Crandall knew how to get there quickly, but would he be quick enough. Lavina smiled and pressed the button. The clinic was destroyed in a huge explosion! Lavina then left quickly, leaving others to destroy the chateau. Fortunately she did not know about the new chateau, only the old one. Another woman pressed a button she had and the chateau was completely destroyed in another huge explosion!
Now, back to Mandar and his group… “Do you think she will be on time, or late?” asked Kristina. “I know Lavina, she is meticulous to a fault in everything she does,” replied Mandar, “she prides herself at being punctual. She will not be late.” Mandar even had time for a short nap. Kristina laid down on the bed, but she could not even close her eyes, she was just too excited.
Mandar was on the other bed and was very quickly asleep. Storm had studied the picture of Lavina and knew right away when she came in with 3 other women. Mandar’s men were dressed in ordinary clothes so they would not be noticed. Storm went over to Lavina and rubbed against her legs. One of the women was about to kick Storm away from Lavina. “No,” she said sternly, “he is just beautiful.”
The man at the front desk said he did not know who he belonged too, but because it was raining, he let him stay inside. “If someone comes looking for him,” said Lavina, “you have not seen him.” She then handed some money to the man. Storm began purring for Lavina, even though he hated the thought, but he knew his job and did it. Lavina opened the door of her room, which was dark and one of the women turned the light on. “Mandar!!” gasped Lavina…
To Be Continued.
©2022 Steve McLeod.
Well Mandar knows Lavina to a fault! Let’s hope he can end her life of pain and misery to others! But what about you and the others in the clinic??😲😲 I hope that safe room was bomb proof or you could be a bunch of dust!😬😬😳😳
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am sure that Mandar has a plan for Lavina and I don’t think she will like it. Yes, what happened to us at the clinic? Were we able to seal off the safe room in time? Or did Lavina win after all? 🤔👩👩😾😾😾😾😾🕵️♂️
LikeLike
I guess I won’t know until Monday?🤔 or even maybe Tuesday??🙄😬😬 This could be a long weekend!!😬😬
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hard to say when it might be! I had hoped to have the wedding on New Year’s day, but it looks like that will need to be postponed, again. 😯👩👩😾😾😾😾😾🕵️♂️
LikeLike
If it can’t be helped due to circumstances beyond your control it can’t be helped!!🤔
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s what I said last time too. How can I keep using the same excuse? Depending if I am still alive or not. Or if anyone is still alive or not. I don’t see how everyone could have gotten to the safe room and sealed it off in time. Sigh.😧👩👩😾😾😾😾😾🕵️♂️
LikeLike
You didn’t really have much say in it though. How could you have possibly known?🤔
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I like that one. If I’m still able to talk I will mention that. 🤔🕵️♂️
LikeLike
Good luck with it!😉 It never helped me much…. but who knows she might buy it!😁😁😁😂😂😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I would never charge her anything for it, it would be a free excuse! I am glad that Lavina didn’t know about our new chateau anyway. The team will have some place to live. 🤔😯👩👩😾😾😾😾😾🕵️♂️
LikeLike
Coukd you have moved everyone from the clinic to the new Chateau before Lavina blew it up??😲🤔🤔
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not a chance, it was barely a couple of minutes after Walter arrived that the place blew! And Lavina would have known about it anyway. But since we did not know what was going to happen, we would not be preparing for something like that. 😧👩👩😾😾😾😾😾🕵️♂️
LikeLike
Ok, I was just fishing for clues 🎣 🦦 🐟
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like I would give things away? I’m not the type. Like saying the kittens giving their lives to protect… wait, you didn’t read that, just forget you ever saw those words! 😧👩👩😾😾😾😾😾🕵️♂️
LikeLike
🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😲😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙉🙉🙉🙉🙉🙉🙉🙉🙉🙊🙊🙊🙊🙊🙊🙊🙊🙊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good, I’m glad you have put it out of your mind. They were very brave though.
LikeLike
Poor little critters 😔🥺😥 They never had a chance!!😢
LikeLiked by 1 person
But they tried hard. 😧😺😺
LikeLike
I’m sure they did!! But they were so young and all by themselves!!😢😢
LikeLiked by 1 person
And poor Muffin, she was their main kittensitter.
LikeLike
And she was soooo…. good at it too!!🥺🥺
I hope she handles the news well….😧😧😧
LikeLiked by 1 person
It might be hard. 🤔😯😿
LikeLike
Yes it could… but she is a tough cat 🐈 She’ll get through it…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, she has had some tough things to deal with before, so she will be okay in time. 🤔😿
LikeLike
You’ll need to have a memorial service for them though…🤨
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey, I’m barely alive, and might not be now, or worse…SKY! 😧👩🕵️♂️
LikeLike
Oh yeah… I forgot about you! I sure hope Sky makes it!!😲😳
LikeLiked by 1 person
If only she hadn’t thrown herself on top of me…😧👩
LikeLike
She’s a hero!!😲😳
LikeLiked by 1 person
But I need my Sky! Without her I’m done. 😧👩🕵️♂️
LikeLike
I’m sure she didn’t even think about it and just reacted! That’s what heroes do!! Let’s just take this episode by episode until we find out what happened to everyone… miracles can happen!!😁 Although I’m not sure I’ve had one yet, but I believe that they can!!😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
We at the Investigators have sure had our share of them. But will they continue? Yep, that’s the way to do it, one at a time. Besides, every time I think about it my eyes fill with tears. Sigh. 😯🕵️♂️
LikeLike
Then don’t think about it…🫣
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think maybe I won’t think about it.🙄
LikeLike
That’s good thinking 🤔
Never go looking for bad things that haven’t happened yet!😉😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
But these bad things have happened already, even if only in my mind. That’s why I can’t think about them or I will think about them. 🤔😯🕵️♂️
LikeLike
Whoa…. 😲 that’s really deep thinking Steve!!🤯
How do you do that??😳
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not sure, it just happens sometimes. Lying in that hospital bed does strange things to me.😴❄️📷✨🎇
LikeLike
Huh…😕 It doesn’t show hardly at all!!😉🤭🤭
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s because I’m thinking about it. It would be terrible if you could see it.😧😂😹
LikeLike
I’ll wear my glasses more often then so I don’t miss it!!😉😉😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good shrinking!
LikeLike
I’ll try!!😂😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Are you and Muffin celebrating new years eve?
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, it’s too early, that’s tomorrow evening.
LikeLike
Oh silly me!🙄🙄😒😂😂
GN 😴 💤
LikeLiked by 1 person
😂😹😂😹GNT
LikeLike
Did you sleep well?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good morning Dusty! I’m here just like I said!
LikeLike
Great! Is your day going well?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not too badly at all. Warming up a bit, cloudy again. Hurt my back again too. Sigh.
LikeLike
Well… why did you do that?😏🤭😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Something to do.
LikeLike
You should’ve tried working on a puzzle!😉
We’re you putting feed in the bird feeders?🙄🤨
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nope, working on a project that needs to git done so I don keep kickin me toes and whackin me back an trippin and stuff like that. Got me too much stuff all over the place, so I trip and fall flat on me face.😧🙄
LikeLike
That’s not good, so are you and Muffin doing anything to celebrate new years eve tonight?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, we are going to bed early and snore in the New Year!😂😹🌛😴😴
LikeLike
Great plan! It’s my plan too!!😂😂 Is the sun shining up there today?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Strange, I was sure I said it was cloudy, but maybe not. It’s cloudy today and about 18. Not too bad really. Lots of birds today though, most I have had all month.
LikeLike
I’m going to try and find a movie to watch for a bit if I can find any that interests me. 🙄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not a bad thought, maybe I will do that. Oops, nope, got to finish my laundry and get my bedding back in place!
LikeLike
My laundry is in the dryer now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mine is too, but it just stopped so I must go and get things done. Talk later!
LikeLike
Alrighty
LikeLiked by 1 person
You there? I’m here.
LikeLike
I am! I just saw your reply.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The new chapter is out for your perusal!
LikeLike
Oh!! Excellent! I shall BRB!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Okie and dokie.
LikeLike
It was a very exciting episode 😀 😁
I sure hope Sky is ok!!😳
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, Sky could be seriously injured, not being able to feel anything is not good. 🤔👩🙀🕵️♂️But at least Lavina has been stopped, we don’t need to worry about her anymore.
LikeLike
Exactly! Now it’s a rescue operation!! I sure hope that beam doesn’t shift!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
If that happens the girls will be killed for sure. But they do have equipment now to help lift things, so hopefully the girls will be rescued safely.😧👩🙀🙀🙀🙀🙀🕵️♂️
LikeLike
Oh I surely hope so!! That would be a terrible loss!!🥺🥺
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, those 3 girls are a real part of our family.🤔👩👩👩🕵️♂️
LikeLike
I agree completely! And they were just starting to be able to put all that training to good use!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, and Crystal and Sky were really becoming good friends too.
LikeLike
They have to be ok!! They just do!!🥺
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, but, things happen in this business. Being a PI is dangerous work.😧🕵️♂️
LikeLike
That is more apparent with each and every chapter!!🫣🫣
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, it is not a profession for just anyone. 🤔🕵️♂️
LikeLike
That’s right! You have to be tough and in tip top condition so you don’t get hurt all the time!!😉😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, that’s for sure! People that are not in the best of condition get hurt too easily! That’s why we keep in good shape around here.😃👩
LikeLike
Right.. right!! Got it!! Those massages must really work those muscles of yours…🙄🤫
LikeLiked by 1 person
You better believe it! Sigurbjorn shows no mercy with those massages!😧👩🕵️♂️
LikeLike
😂😂 It’s a good thing she likes you!! Otherwise you’d be walking like me!!😂😂😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, that would be an improvement over what I walk like now!😂😹
LikeLike
Best be careful there! You haven’t seen me walk….😫😫😫
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh I’m back btw
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too.😃 I think.🤔
LikeLike
I think so three! hehehe🤭🤭🤭
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, do you have company? One of the neighbors just set off some fireworks, very loud! It got the neighbors dog barking and it scared Muffin. 🧨😃🙀🎇
LikeLike
Nope! No one here but me and you on WP!😁 There are fireworks 🎆 going off all over my neighborhood too…
LikeLiked by 1 person
There will be fireworks here later too, the people on the hill behind me usually wait until later. The town also has fireworks.
LikeLike
Very fun! Fireworks 🎆 are a great time! We never had them at New Years in MN.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like them, just not at midnight when I’m trying to sleep. Better in the summer when it’s warm out to enjoy them. Although tonight isn’t cold.
LikeLike
Yeah I. Agreement with there also. I like the large professional ones with the big booms 💥 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
If only they would put silencers on them!😂😹🎇
LikeLike
I guess all the pretty colors are cool to see also!😂😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
What? They have colored ones now?😃
LikeLike
Yep! Just like the rainbow 🌈 😊 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whoa, now that is amazing! I wonder if they make them around here like that?🤔
LikeLike
Who can say??? It is Canada and everything… things are very different there!!😂😂😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true, so true. We probably have exploding icicles! 🤔🙄🎇
Well, I know it’s New Year’s Eve, but I must get to bed, didn’t sleep much last night and I don’t want to fall asleep in church!🙄😂😹
Good night 🌛🥱😴😴and I probably won’t see you again until next year, so, Happy New Year Dusty!!😃🎇🎇🧨🧨✨🥳🥳😻
LikeLike
But that’s so farrrrrrr……. away!!😂😂😂
Good Night 😴 🥱 🌃 🌙 ✨️
Sleep Better Tonight!
I will be available. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
See ya next year!
LikeLike
I’ll be waiting!! GN 😴 💤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good morning Dusty! You awake yet? I’m here and wide asleep!😃🌛🥱🙄
LikeLike
I am here!😁
Sorry for the delayed reply… I just thought hey I haven’t heard from Steve yet I should check and there you were 21 minutes ago!😉😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, I was here ages back, a long time, and all that sort of thing! Caught you napping I see.
New chapter is out too.
LikeLike
I have already went and read it! I even left a comment for you!🙂😊😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
I saw it, but perhaps you missed some things.🤔🙄
LikeLike
Well of that, there should be little surprise 😮 I’m pretty good at that part 😉 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hehe! Yep, you might have missed something else too, but that was a cryptic message, a bit tough to notice, deliberately so.
LikeLike
The challenges are baked into the job, so that can’t be it.🤔 Perhaps a wedding??🤔🤔🙄🙄😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Or perhaps a lack of a wedding? However, that was not it. Like I said, it is a tough one.🤔😃
LikeLike
Well… you will need to move into the new old Chateau… I missed I did!!😒😒🤔
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmm, yes, that could prove to be impossible too, depending on things not mentioned. You will really need to put on your thinking cap to figure this one out. It is not something bad, but is important, and also sad.🤔😟
LikeLike
I will reread the whole chapter with an eye towards your hints to see if I can discover it.
I was happy to see Mandar was enjoying being a father!😊😁😉 Even if he was being a surrogate one!😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, he never had any children, though he always wanted some, but Avina did not want anymore than her Lavina. Perhaps he will “adopt” Kristina now! Keep thinking, you just might get it. Just look for the not so obvious in an obvious place!😃🕵️♂️
LikeLike
Ok 😁
LikeLike
Lavina did not win. I think all of you were at the new chateau and safe. She is not coming to a good end. Blowing up your chateau will get expensive because Baldwin already rebuilt it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, all that were here were at the clinic, but did we get the safe room sealed off in time? If not, we are in big trouble. No one was at the chateau however and I doubt that Baldwin will want to rebuild it now that we have the other one. I think Sky and I will have to postpone our wedding though, providing we are still alive. Surly I won’t lose Sky this year too!😧👩👩😾😾😾😾😾🕵️♂️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, no! You have a safe room at the clinic. Your wedding will have to be postponed not canceled. I am sure you both made it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I sure hope it is just postponement! We see today, perhaps…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh what an exciting installment! I definitely want to read more. Thank you so much for sharing, and Happy New Year 🎊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! A new story will be starting soon, maybe tomorrow but Tuesday for sure. It is an ongoing series of interconnected stories.🤔👩😺😺😺😺😺🕵️♂️ Happy New Year and thanks for following!😊😺
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooh I’m so excited to read more of your work! I’m enjoying it so far! 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your kind words! I do hope you will continue to enjoy the series.😊 Poor Sky and Steve were supposed to be married new year’s day, this is the second time the wedding has been postponed!😟
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my! That sounds like my life, and I can relate to them very much! Mine and Shawn’s wedding was pushed back three times because of Covid 😱 I hope they can get married soon like we did!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my, that’s terrible! Glad you finally made it! I am sure they will get married, eventually, as long as Steve doesn’t get cold feet now. I think he is getting a bit nervous.🤔👩🕵️♂️
LikeLiked by 1 person
My advice for him would be: if you love them and can see yourself spending your life with them, then what are you waiting for? 😃 I’m glad we made it as well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, I think he will come around, once they fully recover from their injuries. Lavina had killed his wife Kat, then his fiance, so that might be a reason for him to be cautious, right or wrong. Sky isn’t afraid though, she has already been through a lot and is quite a fearless young lady in many respects.👩
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oof that does complicate things, doesn’t it? 😅 fearlessness is a strong trait!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it is! Sky has been through a lot in her life which probably contributed to her fearlessness.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That would definitely make sense!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, and today we embark on a new journey, and hopefully a long one. Our new year introduction chapter is today and a new case begins tomorrow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay! So excited 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
As are Sky and Steve, looking ahead together!
LikeLiked by 1 person
As a short story writer, reading this short story left me feeling a mix of emotions. On one hand, I was on the edge of my seat with the tension and excitement of the plan being put into action and the anticipation of Lavina’s arrival. On the other hand, the betrayal and deceit in the story left me feeling uneasy and disturbed. Overall, this was a thrilling and suspenseful read that kept me engaged until the very end.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Sebastian! I am glad you enjoyed the story thus far. Yes, Lavina was quite the woman, filled with hate and a desire to hurt as many people as she could, following in her mother’s footsteps. The only one who could stop her was her step father, Mandar. We had tried and failed more than once, now she tried to destroy us completely while our team was spread out for the holidays. Just 2 more chapter to discover the end!🤔🕵️♂️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: The Investigators, Inc. The Year End Case. Chapter 7. Explosions. – Site Title
Thank you so much for sharing!
LikeLike