Now that things are getting started on their end, we need to get some things going here too. After lunch I decide to see if Mandi is still willing to tell the truth. “Okay Mandi,” I said, “I know you must have found more hidden passageways under this castle. I would like you to show them to us now please.” “I only know of a couple others,” she said, “but I am sure there are some I do not know. Alonzo spends a lot of time down there.

Yes, he does his forgery there for sure, but he also has a photo studio and a place where he hides drugs and other stuff he sells. I have tried looking for them, but without success. Last time Alonzo caught me down there he told me to stay out or I would be another accident.” “I wish you would have told us this earlier Mandi,” I said, “it sure would have helped.”

“I was scared!” she exclaimed, “I did not know if you would be able to keep me safe or not, you only came with your wife and 3 other women. Alonzo has that cop on his side, plus 10 men and Betty. Even his wife helps him. She does not care if he has a girlfriend, she gets paid a lot for her work. She delivers drug shipments all over this part of Italy and even into Germany.” She did not say much else except that Alonzo just received a big drug shipment from some guy in southern Italy named Victor.

She heard Alonzo talking with his wife 2 days ago when she was in the hidden room. The shipment would have a value of 20 million euros. We need to find those drugs before the meeting with John and the Major, if possible. But even knowing about it will worry Victor a great deal. Secrecy is important in syndicates like his. Later in our bedroom, the girls and I talk things over. “We cannot believe what Mandi says, Steve,” said Sky, “if she is giving us wrong information, that would be death for two people.”

“Yes, I was thinking the same thing,” said Angel. They all agreed with that. “That makes it important to find those drugs, if they exist,” I said, “so we start searching right away.” We got Mandi and off we went down the one passageway and into another that she knew. The cats went ahead of us to check for any traps that may be down there. Since Mandi did not mention any traps, then that would tell us she was working for Alonzo to trap us down there. Another reason for bringing Mandi with us.

Now, if she starts getting nervous, then we need to be more cautious than we are already. We spent several hours looking, but found nothing except one other passageway that Mandi said she did not know about. Back to our bedroom, then Mandi and a couple of the girls went to start making dinner. “There must be other rooms down there,” I said, “tomorrow we look again. And right now we do not take our eyes off Mandi, which means tonight two of you will stay with her, even if she protests.”

“Yes, we cannot let her contact Alonzo and warn him,” said Sky. “Exactly,” I said, “Sigurbjorn, you and Galyna stay with her tonight, she cannot use her phone or laptop.” “Okay Steve,” said Sigurbjorn, “we will watch her closely.” Later when Sky, the cats, and I were alone. “Do we really need to find that drug shipment for John?” asked Sky. “No, but it would be nice,” I said, “and a very big help. But the rest should do it anyway.”

MC suddenly went to the door with Muffin. Sky and I jumped out of bed quickly and also went to the door. I pulled it open fast, and the cats went one way and Sky looked the other way. But once again, no one was anywhere to be seen. They came back into the bedroom. Angel and Kristina were in the room across the hall, but whoever was outside our door must have a secret door close by to disappear that fast.

Meow.=It human for sure, me smell and hear. Just get to door. “That means whoever it was did not have a chance to hear us talking,” I said, “unfortunately those scramblers do not help for the old-fashioned way of spying.” “Nice to know we are so popular,” said Sky smiling. As usual, the cats took turns watching through the night.

The next morning I call Annelie. “Good morning Cindy,” I said, “and how are you doing?” “Just fine Steve,” replied Cindy, “would you like to see me?” “Yes, get going,” I said. She modeled the first outfit. Sky said it looked perfect. She modeled the other two as well. Sky suggested using the top from the last outfit with the skirt of the first outfit.

“That is what I suggested too,” said Annelie. “Where were you born?” I asked Cindy. “Minneapolis,” she answered, “but my family moved to New York when I was 12.” “When did you meet John? I asked. “About 2 years ago,” she replied…

To Be Continued.

©2022 Steve McLeod.