The girls had called to tell us they had found something interesting in the paperwork they were searching. They did not understand what it meant, but they did see Victor’s name mentioned. “I will go get it,” said Crystal, “I will take the cats with me for protection, even though it is just next door.” “Frank, would you please go with her too?” I asked. “Sure thing Lieutenant,” he said and off they all went.

The door had barely closed when Storm sent an alarm. “They are in trouble!” I yelled. It was amazing how fast Ralph and Carver got out that door. Frank was on the floor, dead, and MC was lying motionless with Storm guarding him. But Crystal was nowhere to be seen. The elevator was already at the main floor, no way to catch whoever it was that took Crystal.

Carver went over and picked up MC very gently and starting talking so calmly to MC. It was hard to believe it was the same man. Meowr.=Bad man kick MC real hard, I come here to protect him. They take human Crystal and kill human Frank. I turned and saw a note taped to the door. It read, “If you want your wife back, give yourself up for an exchange. You have 8 hours to think about it.” It was signed by Carnival and there was a phone number.

I gave the note to Ralph and knocked on the girls door and told them to come to my room right away. Carver put MC gently on the bed, petting him lightly, still talking calmly and quietly to him. Saranna came and immediately looked at MC, checking for broken bones. Ralph then showed the note to Carver. “Carnival is dead man,” he said, “and he is mine.” “Fine with me,” I said.

“You are not thinking about surrendering to Carnival, are you?” asked Kristina. “No other choice,” I said, “I cannot leave Crystal with him, I could not live with myself if I did that.” “She understands the risks of all cases,” said Angel, “just like all of us. But you cannot just give yourself to Carnival. He will kill you and Crystal.” “She is right Lieutenant,” said John, “just think about it for a bit.” “Yeah, we have to call the Major too,” said Ralph.

“Would you mind doing that?” I asked him. “Sure, no problem,” he said and he called the Major. “What!?” I could hear him yell. “I warned him twice and he still did this?” said the Major, “he is totally stupid, he is just laughing at me, and Victor. He is dead!” Then Ralph told him I was going to make the trade with Carnival to get Crystal back. He then wanted to speak with me.

“Lieutenant, you cannot do that, it is suicide,” he said, “and it will not get Crystal back.” “I have to try something,” I said, “she is in trouble because of me.” “Yes, and everyone there knows the risks too,” he reminded me, “I will be coming out there.” “No, you cannot do that,” I said, “you have warned Carnival and he still did this,” I said, “he is trying to show everyone that he is not afraid of you or Victor. This is his way to make a name for himself.

If you come out here, he just might decide to kill you, that would cement him as the head man in the entire country, everyone would be afraid of him. This just might be a trap for that very purpose.” “Hmm, you might be right,” he said, “but I am sending you 4 more men, how much time do you have to make this so called trade?” “He is giving me 8 hours,” I said. “Good, my men can be there in 3 hours, they are not far, looking after some business for me,” he said, “can you wait until they get there at least?”

“Okay, I will do that Major,” I said, “I sure never thought he would be brave enough to try this after you warned him.” “I never thought he would be so stupid, he is just laughing at me and Victor,” he said, “that is not good for us, we have to respond to that. Carnival is dead, one way or another.” “I agree with that,” I said. I handed the phone back to Ralph and the Major talked a bit more to him before hanging up.

Meanwhile, “Hey Major,” said Carnival, “what can I do for you?” “You are calm for a dead man,” said the Major, “I warned you twice to stay away from the Lieutenant and you go and kidnap his wife, and kill Frank. Now you are a dead man Alberto, do you understand that?” He then hung up before Carnival had a chance to say anything. “Now what is that all about?” Carnival asks.

“There a problem Carnival?” asked Rodney. “No, Major just calls me and tells me I am a dead man for kidnapping his wife and killing Frank,” he said. “Yeah, that was probably not a good idea,” said Rodney. Carnival just stares at him. “Well, you said you would like to kidnap the dame,” said Rodney, “so we did it for you. Frank had to be killed, and that one cat.”

“I do not believe I am hearing this,” said Carnival, “I said I would like to do it, that does not mean I was telling you to do it, you idiot! Now I am going to have Victor coming after me, that will finish me for good!”

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.