Kristina was almost ready to attack M after he punched me like he did, but she knew that would not be the best way to handle things. However, it was too much for Crystal and she exploded at M! “What are you doing?” she yelled, “after all we have done for you and helped you so that those diamonds will be yours! You had no right to hit Steve, he was just telling you the truth, it will take all 5 of us to get those diamonds for you!

Now, if Steve is not better by tomorrow you will not get those diamonds, you need to think once in a while instead of letting your rage take over!” M turned so red it looked like his head would truly explode. “You dare to talk to me that way!!” he boomed, “no woman talks to me like that, and I mean NO woman can talk to me that way!!” He then punched Crystal in the stomach, very hard and she went sliding across the floor. Sigurbjorn went over to her to help.

Galyna was by me and Kristina just looked at M. She knew fighting would just get them killed right now, there were 4 guards with guns out, plus Marven and M. But even with his size, she knew they could beat M in a fight, but they could not beat guns, so she remained as calm as she could make herself. “Any more arguments?” boomed M. “No sir,” said Kristina, “you are the boss.” “Good, I am glad that you have sense,” he said quite calmly now.

Then he told Marven to take us all back to our room and lock us in there. He did so, but before he left, he said, “I am sorry this happened, I will see what I can do.” Then he left, leaving guards at the door. After a while, once he knew M had cooled off sufficiently, Marven went to him. “I hate to bring this up M, sir,” he began, “but it would be terrible to lose your chance at getting those diamonds tomorrow. Their system will crash no matter what, so they will know someone was planning to steal the diamonds.

That means the next museum will make sure their system cannot be taken down so easily, which would make it impossible to steal those diamonds. This is our best opportunity. I have been following their planning and now with the double guards, they will need to have all 5 of them if they hope to get those diamonds for you.” “Yes, yes, I know,” said M, “I have been thinking that way myself and I do not want to miss out on those diamonds. But they must still be punished.”

“Well, they are going to be killed tomorrow anyway,” said Marven, “and they need to eat so they can do their job well. Going into that museum with grumbling stomachs will just attract attention.” “Hmm, I was just thinking that way myself,” said M, “keep them in their room, but feed them dinner and breakfast.” “Very good M,” said Marven smiling, “you are brilliant in the way you think of these things.” “Yes, I am brilliant and my ideas are always brilliant,” said M with a proud look on his face. “Yes sir,” said Marven, “I would say you are the most brilliant man I have known, or even heard about.”

“Naturally,” said M, “I think you might actually be using that brain of yours after all. I was beginning to wonder if you even had a brain. Now for my nap.” He laughed as he went to his bedroom. But Marven was certainly not laughing. He brought food to us and said that all 5 of us would be allowed to go. He also reminded us that M has planned to kill us after we steal the diamonds, but then he told us not to worry about that part, since he was in charge of that.

We did get a good meal, though Crystal and I did not really feel like eating much. I asked Crystal if she was okay and she said yes, but I do not believe her. She is hurting more than she will tell us. The next morning we had a good breakfast, though again, Crystal and I did not eat much, especially Crystal. I asked Galyna to talk with her, but Crystal insisted she was fine, just still sore. M had hit her harder than he hit me, I am sure of that.

Meanwhile, “Well, it is getting close to time,” said Sky, “I guess we better get ourselves in position.” Some would go inside the museum and some would stay outside. Sky, Angel, Tracy and John went inside the museum about 20 minutes before 2pm, while Rock, Astrid, Macey and Ashley stayed outside, with Storm. Muffin and MC came inside, secretly, with Rock who dropped them off behind some plants, then he went back out.

Just before 2 M came along in his big van and parked on the side street where we would come with the diamonds. The side door of the van was open so M could see things. The Major just smiled when he saw the van park in front of his car. Crystal was with me, but I could see she was having trouble…

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.