While Rock was on his way with the others, I told the girls to go downstairs and get ready for action. I kept Crystal upstairs with me and explained my plan to her. She just looked at me like I was crazy, but she went along with it. “Well,” she said, “how do I look?” “Just perfect,” I replied, “now, can you act well?” “Now you ask me,” she answered, “how well do I need to act?” “Perfectly,” I said, “like this.” “You caught me off guard Steve,” she said, “can we try that again?” After another try I said that was just right.

“Now, can you do that comfortably in public?” I asked her, “like downstairs with the others.” Her eyes got big. “Well, I will try,” she said. “It has to look right, or it will not work,” I told her, “so just relax.” “Okay, I can do that,” she said, more confidently this time. We went downstairs and into the kitchen where everyone was waiting for us. “Sky!” exclaimed Angel, “how did you get free?” “Wow, we were getting really worried,” said Sephira, “was it Rock that freed you?”

“Oh my,” said Denise, “such a nice kiss.” Galyna came over to hug Sky, but suddenly stopped as she got close. “Now that is good!” she exclaimed, “you actually had us fooled Crystal.” “What?” said Angel, quite surprised, “you are actually Crystal?” She came closer to make sure. “Wow, you really could be a twin to Sky,” she said, “good thing Sky did not see that kiss.” “I am quite sure she will not mind,” I said, “it is all to get her free, if possible.

I am hoping that by showing up with Sky it will surprise Mack and his friend enough that they will think we already freed Sky. Then we have the upper hand.” “And if they do not believe it?” asked Galyna, “then you could be in serious trouble.” “Yes, that is always possible,” I said, “but I have a backup plan if it does not work. I am quite sure that Mack does not want to go back to prison, or die. He just wants those jewels. So, let us get going, Rock is here now I see.”

Off we went to the village square. “Why is it called a ‘square’, when it is round?” asked Crystal. I just looked at her. “How would I know that?” I asked. “Well, you are a PI, you are supposed to know answers to questions,” she said. “You are a PI too,” I reminded her. “True, but just a junior PI,” she answered, “you are the senior PI.” Sigh. Muffin giggled. “How did the cats learn to giggle like that?” asked Crystal again. “I have no idea,” I said, “and I do not want to ask, the answer might make sense.”

Crystal giggled this time. I looked at her. That giggle even sounded like Sky. We finally arrived and parked, but Mack was nowhere to be seen. I got out and sat at a table under a large tree. Mack and his friend came out of a cafe and joined me. “So, are you ready to deal for your wife?” asked Mack. I waved for Crystal to come out. “What kind of a deal are you talking about?” I asked, as Sky walked over to join us. You should have seen the look on their faces when they saw Sky!

“How did you get her back already?” asked Matt, “and how did you even know she was in the basement of the hotel?” “I am a private investigator,” I told them, “finding out information is my job.” “A cop!” exclaimed Mack, “I should have known! But you will not get out of here alive anyway, unless you give me those jewels.” “Okay, here,” I said, and reached inside my jacket. I then had my gun out quickly and pointed at Mack before they could move. Sky had her gun out even faster.

“Now, if you have any friends out there, which I doubt,” I began, “you better hope they do not try to shoot me. I have enough pressure on this trigger, that even if I am killed, you will be as well.” There was silence for a bit. I then waved my left hand and Rock came out of the car, carrying his machine gun. “He can cut you down quickly with that,” I said, “so I would suggest you do not move, except to take out your guns slowly and put them on the table.” Interestingly, they both did so without question.

I then waved a second time and Benson, Walter and Crandell came walking over from behind a building across the square. “Kidnapping will land you back in prison the rest of your life,” I said to Mack, “now, let us go back to the hotel basement.” “Why?” growled Mack, “you already have your wife back.” I told Sky to go back into the car while the rest of us went to the basement.

Another car arrived with the rest of the girls to make sure nothing happened to Crystal while we were gone. In the basement we found Sky chained to the wall. Mack and Matt stopped suddenly when they saw her. “A trick!” shouted Mack and he turned to me. I then hit him hard knocking him to the floor. He started to get up and I kicked him back down. Walter held me back then.

“Hold it Steve,” he said, “I think he gets the picture.” “The key,” I said to Mack. “I got that,” said Matt, and he handed it to me. I unlocked Sky and took her upstairs as the police came in to haul Mack and Matt away. I talked to the police briefly, then they left and we got back in our car. Sky got in, “whoa, am I looking in a mirror?” Crystal laughed and we told Sky about our plan to find her.

To Be Continued.

©2022 Steve McLeod.