I had to think about that bit of news. Should we go after Dinah Fisher right now while she is here in Vegas? Does she really have 50, or more, men with her this time? How many men does Tobias have? He doesn’t seem to have many men outside of those working at the Black Swan. I called Hannah again and asked her to check all area hotels and see if there has been a large group of men check into one of them in the last day or two.

“That may not tell you much Steve,” she said, “conventions happen there regularly which would draw in large numbers of men.” “But it might help us depending on who is paying the bill for these people,” I told her, “and check the Black Swan first, that would be the most logical place for them to stay. I can’t imagine they would be too far away, so work out from there.” “Shall do Steve,” she said, “it might take a awhile.” “Get Tracy and Wisty to help out,” I said, “even Trixie could help.”

“Hmm, that’s a good thought,” she said, “I will get them at it right away.” “Aha, my King is learning from his counseling sessions,” said Celestine, smiling. “Oooo, what did you two talk about?” asked Misty excitedly. “Different things,” I said. “Like what?” she asked again. “We talked about the beautiful sand beach, the ocean, swimming, hiking,” I said, “plus our team, my family, me.” “Nice list,” said Misty, rather disappointed, “can you be more specific?” “Yes,” I said. She sat there waiting and looking at me.

That got Celestine laughing again. I joined in this time. “I seem to have missed something,” Misty said to Jennifer. “Nothing important,” she said. Misty looked at her. Then she sighed, loud and long. That got us laughing even more. “I’m going down to get a root beer,” said Misty. “Take 3 other girls with you,” said Jennifer. “Okay,” she said. She then went to the room next door and got three others and down they went to the main floor. I finally finished laughing and Jennifer yelled, “Danger, the girls downstairs!”

“Call the other girls!” I said and I disappeared once I got into the hallway. I reappeared downstairs, but the girls were gone and the man at the front desk was lying on the floor. He had been stabbed. I ran outside, but no one was around. However, a police cruiser pulled up and two officers ran inside. I ran around the building, but there was no sign of the girls anywhere. I communicated this with Carine and Sky to let them know. Then I came back inside.

The police officers were talking to the girls that had come downstairs behind me. Interestingly it was the same officers we had seen before. “Why were you running away?” one of them asked me. “I wasn’t running away,” I said, “I’m still here. I just went outside to see if anyone was out there that might have done this. Then I could stop them before they got away.” “That’s a stupid and dangerous thing to do,” said the other officer. “Yes, I suppose it was,” I said.

“Do you have a gun?” he asked me. “No, I never carry one,” I said. “These women that are part of your club carry guns,” he said. “Yes, and they are licensed to do so,” I said. “We could arrest all of you on suspicion of murder,” he said. “And you would be joining us in jail,” I said, “because somehow you knew about this murder before anyone called it in. And you knew he was dead without even checking him. That sounds suspicious to me.” They both stared at me.

“You like to be a wise guy, do you?” he asked. Both officers then fell to the floor. “Thanks Sky,” I said. “You’re welcome,” she replied. “How come the bar is closed?” I asked. “The manager said it would be closed tonight because of something special going on at the Black Swan tonight,” said Milena. “We need to unlock the door,” I said, “so these two officers can get drunk.” It was an easy lock to open and we put the officers in a couple of the nice, comfortable chairs, then helped them to drink a bit. “They won’t be out long,” said Sky, “and they won’t remember anything either.”

“Perfect,” I said, then I called for the night manager who came running from his office. Most of the girls were gone back to their rooms by this time, and Sky was gone too. He called an ambulance and the police, not knowing about the officers in the lounge. We had put a bit of blood on the one officer’s hand, just for good measure. They will have a hard time explaining things, which is good. The real police were questioning us when they found their two friends in the lounge, so they told us we could go. I imagine they will want to question us some more tomorrow.

That we do not need, so I called Mandar and told him. He said if we had any trouble, then he would send a couple of his lawyers to help. Tobias, or Dinah, was behind the kidnapping of Misty and the other girls, so no doubt they will be in touch with me soon. I was right. At precisely 10pm I got a call from Dinah Fisher, she said that if I wanted those 4 women back, then it would cost me $50 million. I told her we didn’t have that kind of money.

“But I know you have a financial backer,” she said, “I don’t know who, but you have one. So, you can get the money.” “I doubt it,” I said, “but, if we do it a different way, then it might work.” I told her my idea and she said for me to come to the Black Swan at precisely 9am, alone and with no weapons. Then we could talk about it. I was there, waiting for someone to open the door, at 9am. “He is alone,” said Gordon, “and it doesn’t look like he has any weapons.” “Bring him in,” said Dinah, “it will be interesting to meet this crazy man.”

I was led inside and searched for weapons. “He’s clean,” said Herman, as he brought me into the very large office. “So, you want to trade yourself, for those 4 miserable women?” asked Dinah, “You are a foolish man, and crazy. I would never do that for any of my employees.” “Well, we’re like a family,” I said. “I wouldn’t do it for family either,” she said, laughing, “why don’t I just keep all of you, and then I could ask even more money.” “You can ask more money just for me,” I said, “I’m the leader, I’m worth a lot more.

But, if you want to keep all of us, then my people are instructed to destroy you, quick and thoroughly. And I do have the resources to do it.” “You would die if they tried,” she said calmly. “So would you and Tobias,” I said, “are you ready to die?” She looked right at me for a few moments. “No, I’m not,” she said. Then she told Herman to get the 4 women and take them out front, which he did. Our limousine was there waiting for them.

Dinah spoke to Jennifer through a loudspeaker and said she wanted $200 million dollars for me. Jennifer told her she wanted to speak to me twice a day, to make sure I was okay. Oddly enough, Dinah agreed, and told Jennifer she had five days to pay. Herman handed her a piece of paper, then she got in the car and they drove away. “Now, to your jail cell Steve,” said Dinah…

To Be Continued. ©2025 Steve McLeod.