“I wonder how much Mandi told Alonzo?” I asked, more to myself than to the others, “this could jeopardize the meeting with John, Cindy and the Major.” “That could be very serious,” said Sky, “if Alonzo gets to the Major first, then John and Cindy… I do not want to think about it.” “Well, if John finally got in touch with Victor, it will be okay,” I said, “but if not, they will not get out alive. I just hope that John has enough sense to realize that and heads right back home.”

“Then what Steve?” asked Sigurbjorn, “just attack Alonzo, or attack Major?” “I would go after the Major,” I replied, “and shoot my way in to see him, if I had to.” “Not without me,” said Sky with a very worried look on her face, “if you go, then I go too.” The other girls said the same thing and so did the cats. The cats remained on watch while the rest of us went back upstairs. Hopefully Alonzo did not call the police yet, that would really make things bad.

Meanwhile… John and Cindy pull up to the hotel and sit in the car waiting for a few minutes. “Well, it does not look like Victor will be calling back,” said John, “so I will go and see about meeting with the Major. You stay with the car but park a little back up the street. If you see them escorting me out of the hotel, then come up quick and start shooting at my escort. I will then jump into the car, and you get this thing moving fast.”

“Um, we planned this as a duo team John,” said Cindy, “if I do not go, neither do you.” John looked at her. Just then a nice car drove up and parked in front of them. “Oh, nice car,” said Cindy. “Yeah, too nice for this little town,” said John. “Maybe the Major?” asked Cindy. “Not likely, he should be here now,” said John, “but perhaps a couple of his men.” Only one man got out though, carrying 5 pizzas.

“I do not believe it!” exclaimed John, “maybe we get to see the Major after all.” John jumped out of the car. “Need some help there Clarence?” asked John. The man turned, “Johnny!” he said loudly, “I do not believe it. Imagine meeting you here in this little, whatever it is.” “I agree,” said John, “I am here on business, I hope.” “Yeah? Same here,” said Clarence, “come with me, we can talk and walk, I do not want to be late with the Majors lunch.”

“Hey, that is who I want to see,” said John, “do you think maybe you could arrange it for me?” Clarence stopped, “the Major does not like changes to his schedule Johnny, what do you want to see him for?” “Remember how Victor saved my life, and I told him one day I would repay him somehow?” said John, “well, that time has come. I have info that Victor would want to know about. It is about Alonzo.”

“How did you know about Alonzo?” asked Clarence. “Alonzo is a big talker Clarence, it is all over,” said John, “I know Victor does not like big talkers.” “That is for sure,” said Clarence, “they have a short life. Wait here while I deliver these pizzas to the other boys.” He went to the next room and dropped off two pizzas. That signaled to John that 2 more men were in there. Something good to know.

“Wait here Johnny, I will see what the Major says,” said Clarence. It seemed like a very long time, which made John a bit nervous, but he knew he could not show any nervousness, he had to be calm and confident. “Come on in Johnny, the girl too,” said Clarence. “Sit down,” said the Major pointing to a nice chair. Cindy sat on the arm of the chair.

“I just don’t know how you do it Johnny,” said Clarence, “she is one beauty of a woman.” “Thanks,” said Cindy with a small wink. “I do not trust women, they cannot keep their mouths shut,” said a man in the far corner of the room. He would be the Majors bodyguard. John squeezed Cindy’s arm a bit to let her know not to comment. “Chub says you have some information that Victor might like, about Alonzo,” said the Major.

“Yeah, I owe him something and I figure this is important enough he would want to know,” said John calmly. “And that would be?” asked the Major looking right at John. “Alonzo says he is planning to build his own organization up here and in Germany,” began John, “using Victor’s money and a drug shipment. Alonzo loves to brag, right in public. I was in a restaurant listening in to this conversation… ”

To Be Continued.

©2022 Steve McLeod.