We are all in the library right now, talking over details of what we must do. We have Mandar’s special team of guards around the chateau, plus some regular guards from Baldwin. The library has specially treated steel walls to prevent any outside interference or listening in any way. That was developed by one of Baldwin’s labs for military use.

Even our phones will not work except through a special added device produced by one of Mandar’s labs and incorporated into our phones, also used for military purposes. “I do not like the idea of running away,” said Sky, “and leaving you here to get killed.” “Well, if I disappear too, then so will Carmen and Toledo,” I said, “then they will come back when we are not expecting them. This way we can hopefully trap them and deal with both together.”

“Yes, my dear Sky,” began Mandar, “Steve is correct. This is a good opportunity to deal with an enemy that has plagued you all for a long time. And you need to think of your daughter now too. And I would suggest having Crystal take the place of Sky just for a couple of days until we know that your family is safe.

Crystal will not be killed that soon, and then she can return to being herself, though she will have to be more careful. We need to be diligent and also try to find out quickly where those two are staying. Who is this Carmen person anyway?”

“She always said that Steve was her boyfriend the last year of high school,” said Kathee, “because she never had a boyfriend at any time. She was always too cruel to the girls, so the guys never liked her. She was voted the most likely to succeed in life though. Her and Steve never did date more than once, and all they did was have dinner together at a restaurant.”

“And how do you know all of this?” asked Mandar, “was this woman not attractive?” “Oh, she was very beautiful,” replied Kathee, “but, um, well, I kinda followed them to see what they were going to do. I, uh, had a crush on Steve at the time, and, uh…” “That is fine,” said Mandar smiling. He saw that Kathee was turning a very bright red with embarrassment.

“Then she got mixed up with stealing and drugs, along with her parents,” said Kathee, “but it was Carmen that got her parents involved according to my dad. Then she blamed Steve when he managed to catch them and put an end to their drug dealings.”

Meow,meow.=Yep, that right. She always phoning my human and wanting him to go on date with her, but he not want to, he not like her. He say Carmen person pretty on outside, but not on inside. Plans were made and my family would leave tonight to an undisclosed location. No one in our team would know where they would be staying, not even me. There would be no contact between us until everything was over. In an emergency our contact person would get in touch with either of us.

Meanwhile… “Hey, look at this!” said Mac to the other two. They both looked at their phones too. The message was there about the Code A1 and Code A. Apparently the place they were staying at had no electricity and their phones died on them. Finally they had gone to the nearest town to recharge them, which is why they suddenly noticed.

John called Sky, but no answer as she did not have a phone with her. He then called Rock, but again no answer since we were in the library at the time. Rock and Baldwin had come over once getting back from New York and we were having another meeting. John then called Baldwin, but again no answer. Then he remembered our library, so he switched to the other device to call. Rock answered.

“Hey Steve,” he said, “John is on the phone.” He handed the phone to me and I filled him in on what was happening. John said they would come back at once. I asked to speak with Mac. “Mac, do you know 4C9L?” I asked, “but do not say more.” “Yeah, I know,” he said. “Send John and Vince there and they will be given further instructions. I want you at G5W2.”

“Okay, it is done Steve,” he said and hung up. It would be 3 extra stops for each of them before getting to where I want them. John and Vince will go to help protect my family, while Mac will come back here. Toledo knows John very well, but he has not actually met Mac, though he may have seen him when we were chasing Carnival. I am hoping he did not, that way Mac can be of more help to us…

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.