“Well Harmon,” John began, “we have some talking to do.” Just then Harmon’s phone rang. “Go ahead Harmon,” said John, “I think it might be important, but I want to listen in.” “I am back Harmon,” said Jake, “I see you have skipped Iceland in exchange for foggy London. That will not help you though, wherever you are, I will be there as well. Now, that money.” “Look,” said Harmon, “I do not have as much as you think, most of it is controlled by the directors and I will not be able to touch it.”

“Yes, I am aware of that,” said Jake, “so we will make it just 1 million and this is where to send it.” He gave Harmon the instructions and Harmon got hold of his bank to send the money. “Good boy,” said Jake, “now about the books, how are you going to pay for them? Or do I contact the directors?” “You do that and I am a dead man!”, exclaimed Harmon, “give me a bit of time and I will get you the money, but you will have to trust me and give the books to me now.”

Jake laughed loudly. “Look Harmon,” said Jake, “I am not a fool like you, I keep these books until I get full payment. That means you have one week to raise the money. I will be in touch.” Harmon slammed his phone on the little table. “See?”, said Harmon to John, “no matter what I am going to be dead.” “So that means you have no money now,” said John, “that is really too bad, it doesn’t leave us much to talk about.

However, unlike the man on the phone, I know you do not go anywhere without a substantial bit of change with you. Now, hand it over, or do I search you for it? If I search, you will not like it.” Harmon sighed and handed John his vest which was stuffed with money. “Hmm, not too bad,” said John, “not too bad at all.” Then he turned to Brian. “And who are you?”, he asked. “Me?”, said Brian very nervously, “I, I am just the driver.”

“Okay driver,” said John, “here is 20 thousand, this should get you somewhere so I do not see you anymore, got it?” “Yeah, yeah,” said Brian, “you won’t see me no more, promise!” John tapped on the window separating them from his driver and the van turned onto a side street and stopped. “Out!”, growled John and Brian got out fast and went back to the main street and got a taxi. “Now Harmon,” said John casually, “what should I do with you?”

Meanwhile back to us in the hospital…”Man here to see you,” said the officer at the door. Rock checked and let him in. “Hi Kat girl,” said Jake, “how is Steve.” “Well, Chung said he should live,” said Kat, “but his PI days might be done.” “I do not know about that,” said Jake, “Steve is kind of a stubborn type, I think he will be back at it again, just might take a little while.” Kat smiled at Jake. “Did you find Harmon?”, asked Baldwin.

“Sure, no problems there,” said Jake, “right now he is basking in not so sunny London with some guy named John.” “John certainly did not waste time,” said Jenny. “Yep, but John did not want to lose some easy money,” said Jake. “Do you think he will let Harmon go?”, asked Kat. “Well, Harmon does not have much money to deal with,” said Jake, “The Company keeps it all and only divides it up once a year.

Even then, it is still under their control, each person needs permission to put their hands on it. And I do not think he will want to ask them about it right now.” Then Jake gave some information to Baldwin. “It is some insurance for Kat,” he said, “and do not worry Kat girl, this money is legit, I checked it out myself to make sure.” Then he handed a large briefcase to Baldwin. “The Company in books,” said Jake smiling, “do whatever you want with them.”

“Well, I am sure the police will be very interested in these,” said Baldwin, “and that will end The Company.” Meow,meow=Me thank you very much human Jake, you help my human, you very nice man. She looked at Jake with tears in her eyes. “Hey look little princess,” said Jake softly, “that human of yours is going to be just fine, so no more crying. But he will need some help for a while and you 3 will need to be with him every minute, day and night.”

Meow.=Yep, we can do that and be big help. Meowr.=Me too human Jake. You are nice, but need to join our team. Jake chuckled, “still after me I see Baldwin, but then how could I help?” “In a lot of different ways Jake,” said Baldwin, “we could certainly use a man like you.” Meow,meow.=You think about it? “Okay little princess,” said Jake, “for you I will think about it.” Meow,meow.=That good.

To Be Continued.

©2022 Steve McLeod.