“It is designed to kill me on Monday, at midnight.” “Oh my, oh my,” he said, “no, I had no part in this at all. That is not the way I work and even though we might not be friends in the usual sense, I have no hatred for you, or your team and I certainly do not want to kill you.” “Have you ever heard of Avina?” I asked. “Oh yes, she is a horrid woman, worse than my late wife Brenda. They were cousins you know.”

“That is news to me,” I said, “but it is adding up perhaps. Then you must also know Toledo.” “Why yes, I do,” said Mandar, “he went into hiding after his wife was killed and, oh my, I just remembered something. His ‘hobby’ was working in devices like you mention and they have quite the explosive potential. You simply cannot have surgery done indoors where there is electricity within 10 feet.

That device can capture the electrical energy to give it more explosive power. It would certainly kill you and the surgeon as well.” “That is not welcome news, we will never find a surgeon now,” I said, putting my head down. “Not so, my good man,” said Mandar, “there is a surgeon who would gladly lay his life on the line to help you.” I looked at Mandar. Do I dare to trust him to recommend yet another doctor to me? Especially when it is a life and death situation?

Meaning my life and death. We talked some more and I finally said okay to his recommendation. “And I will be there myself,” he reminded me, “if things go wrong, your team can kill me on the spot. And believe me, I have no desire to die right now, I would prefer to live a while longer. But, if this surgery goes as I expect it shall, then you must give me an invitation.” He looked sternly at me.

I smiled. “What makes you think there will be anything to need an invitation for?” I asked him. “If there is not, then you are a great fool, my good man,” he said shaking his head. Perhaps he is right, but for now I just cannot think about it. “Shall we go then?” I ask Mandar, “but first I am sure you want to contact your organization to let them know you might be gone for a day or two.” I gave him my phone to use instead of his phone which might have a tracker on it.

He told his man not to worry, that he was going away for a couple of days and that he was in good hands. “There we go, Steve,” he said handing my phone back, “I hope you do not mind my using your name?” “Not at all,” I said, “that is what it is for. But stand back from the door.” He looked a bit bewildered. I slowly opened the door and Rock came flying in nearly tearing the door off its hinges anyway. “No Rock, do not hurt him,” I said, “he is coming with us.”

Now Rock had that same bewildered look. Jennifer came in next and looked at me. I explained to them that Mandar was coming with us as our guest to “watch over” the operation. “And if things do not work out and I die, then you have the right to kill him,” I said. “Yes, I made that agreement with Steve,” said Mandar, “and I will not resist. I say, could we get something to eat? I am famished.” “Food is already prepared and waiting on the plane,” said Jenny, “there should be enough for one more.”

As we flew back, I explained to everyone what was happening, and that included Mr. B who was on the phone with us. “Are you sure that is what you want?” said Mr. B. “Yes, it is,” I said and then I told him what we were going to need for the operation. “And Chung will be the only one with us during the operation,” I said. That was something that Jennifer and Rock did not like.

“I do not want to make our surgeon nervous,” I said, “that could prove fatal. Only Chung stays in during the operation.” Oddly, I did not feel at all nervous about this. “What do you cats think?” I asked. Meow,meow.=Me trust human Mandar, he not kill you. Meow.=Me too trust human Mandar to do opera train. “That is operation,” I reminded him. Meow.=That what I said.

Everyone laughed. Meowr.=Me agree too, Mandar okay for me too. Then Muffin went to Mandar. Meow,meow.=You please help my human, not want him to die, me need him, please. Mandar looked, and looked. Then he looked at me. “No, it is not any of us,” I said, “she is a special cat and can talk to people, but only talk to those who she trusts. So you are quite privileged.”

“I would never believe it if I had not seen it and heard her myself,” he said quite amazed, “and my precious little cat, I will do my utmost to save your human from this cruel device.” She then gave Mandar a hug and he was quite taken with her. I did not mention that all 3 cats can talk, some secrets must remain. Now, the surgery…

To Be Continued.

©2022 Steve McLeod.