Well, I knew when Papa Levi left, that he would likely come back again, and he was probably watching our chateau too. I didn’t like that idea. That means we have to be careful and make sure that Nadia and Ana don’t go outside. We don’t have to worry about our windows anymore, we have some special windows now made at one of Sienna’s companies. We can see out just fine, like an ordinary window, but no one can see inside whether they are far away or right up close.

Even with lights on at night, it’s still impossible to see inside. Though we still use drapes and curtains anyway, just feels better, especially at night. Anyway, I decided to try something in the morning to see if we can fool this Papa Levi character. We called the bus company to stop at our place in the morning to take on two passengers, so at 7am the bus stopped. Jennifer and four other girls were there waiting with Nadia and Ana, complete with suitcases.

They all hugged and Jennifer handed Nadia an envelope and got on the bus with them. After a couple of minutes Jennifer got off the bus and the group waved as the bus pulled away. Three of Levi’s men were already in place watching this and were overjoyed to see Nadia and Ana leaving our chateau. Levi then told his men to quietly follow the bus to the station in the city, but to watch in case anyone got off along the way. But the bus never stopped again until reaching the bus station and Levi’s men watched carefully as the passengers got off the bus.

Then Yury went to the bus driver and asked if a woman and little girl were still on the bus. The driver knew who he meant and went back in the bus to check, but no one was there, so he said they must have gotten off already. Yury was mad as could be that somehow he had missed seeing them get off the bus. Papa Levi would be angry too and Yury knew it, but he had to go back and tell him anyway. I wasn’t sure if our little trick would work, but I hoped it would.

I was having trouble explaining how Levi’s men wouldn’t be able to see them, but Misty came along and told them it was like a blanket we had developed and it would make it appear like people were invisible, so other’s couldn’t see them. That they understood easily enough. “You get too technical Steve,” said Misty shaking her head. Sigh. I guess we would find out soon if my plan worked or not. That morning another important car came driving in, rather fast and stopped out front. A rather plump man came running inside and into the library.

“What is the meaning of this, my good man?” asked Mandar, “Why was I not informed of such important matters?” “Sorry Mandar,” I said, “but you were on another business trip and you said only disturb you if it was something seriously important.” “Well, what do you think this is, my good man,” he said as he sat in his favorite chair, huffing and puffing from running inside. Aasta came in at that moment with his nice, hot coffee and fresh, hot donuts. He always times it just right, amazing really. “Ah, fresh donuts,” he said, “oooo, hot, hot!”

He then grabbed his hot coffee to go with his hot donuts and did he ever jump out of his chair fast, running to the kitchen, but Misty met him with a glass of cold water which he drank quickly. “You never learn,” she said, giggling, then gave him a hug. “Okay, now, down to business,” he said, “tell what is going on with this Poppy Levvy?” “That’s Papa Levi,” I said and then I told him the story. “Well, of course you can’t let this woman and her adorable little girl be taken by that, that…” he was saying. “Creep!” interrupted Misty.

“Um, yes, a good name for him,” said Mandar, “did your trick work?” “I don’t know yet, but I’m sure we will find out today,” I said, “I’m already sensing trouble.” Suddenly Jennifer called out, “Danger, the girls in town!” Some of the girls had gone to pick up some fresh vegetables in town, a normal thing that we do. “Aari,” I said, “the girls in town are in danger, your team is closer!” “On it Steve,” he said. He sent 10 of the Black Wolves out quickly and had the rest get ready in case they were needed.

When the guys arrived at the market in town, they were told that the girls had been taken at gun point by men in two important looking government cars. That didn’t make sense, but the guys went after them and it didn’t take long to overtake the two cars. By now Aari and the rest of the Black Wolves were on their way to help, if needed. The first group stopped the cars and told everyone to get out, but no one moved. The biggest of the guys were in this group and some of them took out shotguns and blasted the tires of the cars, so they would not be going anywhere soon.

While this was going on, another important looking car, an embassy car from the Belarus embassy. I didn’t know we had one here, but guess we do. Also, three police vehicles came along with this car. A total of 4 officers from our own police, plus this embassy official and two men with him, beside the driver who stayed in the car. We allowed them all to come in, though the Ambassador and his bodyguards were told they had to leave their weapons in their car, or in a drawer we have at our door for the purpose of keeping people’s guns while they visit.

The Ambassador was indignant, as I thought he would be, and told me they have permission to carry guns for his protection. I told him that his protection was guaranteed by me while in my chateau, so they didn’t need guns. So, I again gave him the choice, otherwise they would have to stay outside, at their car only. He complained to the police saying they have a search warrant to look for Nadia Kovalyuk and her daughter Ilyana to bring them back to Belarus. Nadia is an escaped convict and Ilyana is a ward of the state since her father died in a tragic accident.

“You mean he was shot by a man who should be in prison,” I said calmly, “Nadia and Ilyana were here, but they left early this morning on the bus, headed for the city. They didn’t want to stay here and get us in trouble.” “Then you won’t mind if we search for them,” he said, smiling. “Yes, I do mind,” I said, “let me read that search warrant please.” The main officer handed it to me, apologizing for such terrible inconvenience. I quickly read it and said that the police could search anywhere they chose. “Good, let’s begin,” said the Ambassador.

“No,” I said, “the police can do the searching, not you or your men. The search warrant only gives the police the right to search. You can either sit here in the library with us, or return to your car while the search is conducted.” That got him angry, but he had no choice in the matter, except to choose where to stay, so they stayed in the library. The police began their search and I sent 4 of the girls with them to make sure they searched everywhere.

Jennifer and Kat made sure that Nadia and Ana were kept invisible until the search was over. After about an hour the Ambassador said I should return Nadia and Ilyana and then he would return the 4 women his men had just picked up at that market in town. “Oh, that was your men who did that?” I asked. “Yes, it was,” he said smiling, “so you see, we have something to bargain with now. So, let us be reasonable men. Nadia and her daughter mean nothing to you, but those 4 women do mean something, I imagine…”

To Be Continued. ©2025 Steve McLeod.