Mikkael had been shot in the head, the side of his head to be exact. “Hmm,” said Galyna, “that is the same as the man who was leading us to the cave. He was not shot by the 4 men ahead of us but by someone to our right, up on the hill.” “But why just shoot him?”, asked Kat. “Because he was helping us,” said Jennifer. “Precisely,” said Baldwin, “he was a traitor so must be eliminated. Same with Mikkael, he knew too much about “The Company”, so rather than take a chance, just eliminate him.”

“And he wants to kill Sigurbjorn because she knows too much,” said Jennifer, “but why does he want to kill only Steve? He could have killed Kat and several of us before we realized the shots were coming from elsewhere besides the men in front of us.” “True,” said Baldwin, “that is a slight puzzle. Perhaps he knows Steve, maybe from before any of us joined him in his PI business. Can you think of anyone Muffin? You’re the only one that has been around since the beginning.”

Meow,meow.=Me not know, but me think more, maybe remember someone. “Good girl,” said Baldwin, “now, you need to go back and see if you can pick up a signal from Steve. Here, put these on your phones, they will work, one of my labs found a way to counteract the force that prevents our communication.” They did so and Kat, Jennifer, Angel, Galyna and Nyura, plus the cats, went back out to that cave.

Baldwin also told Rock to go along, and privately told him he was now Kat’s bodyguard, no one gets near her. He understood that and took his favorite big gun with him. After they left, Baldwin called Annelie. “I will get on it right away,” said Annelie, “and, you know, that means that Muffin might be in more danger than any of the others. Make sure Rock protects that little girl too!” Baldwin called Rock to let him know.

“I was just going to call you boss,” he said, “Muffin remembered someone, the police chief of that little town. Apparently he did not like Steve for getting involved in a case in his town without notifying him first. He got quite angry with Steve for that.” “Now that is interesting,” said Baldwin, “Muffin gets an extra bonus for that information!” “I will let her know boss,” said Rock, “wait, they got a signal from Steve.” “That is great,” exclaimed Baldwin, “it means they are still alive anyway.”

After a while Annelie called Baldwin back. “This will not be easy,” she said, “Jake said that Company was very secretive and only a few top people know who the boss of the Company really is.” “Check on a police chief, name is Harmon, that is all Muffin could remember,” said Baldwin, “he did not like Steve for coming into his town and working on a case without his knowledge. That would be a great cover for a man like that.”

“That will be easy to check”, said Annelie. She forwarded the information to Jake. Apparently that police chief is now the chief in a larger town closer to where “The Company” is thought to be located. A little further checking around by Annelie and she found out that the chief Bill Harmon is now on vacation in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. That is definitely not a coincidence. But were we lured here deliberately?

The force messing with our communication seems to suggest John is involved. Did this other guy just happen to find out I was here so decided to take advantage of an opportunity to kill me? Or is John now working for, or with, this guy. Back 3 years ago John certainly did not like that police chief, but things can change if there is something in it for John. He does want me out of the way, so maybe letting someone else do the work for him is all that he wants.

Guess we will find out at some point. “Hey Baldwin,” said Kat, “we do have Steve’s signal quite clear, but it seems to be moving, though very slowly.” “Well, that could mean they are looking for another way out,” he replied, “and if they do not have light then they would have to move along slowly.” “Hmm, that is a good thought,” she said, “I just hope it does not mean that they are hurt.”

“Look at the news as positive unless it can be proved otherwise,” said Baldwin, “we have discovered that police chief is on vacation in Reykyavik. Rather interesting bit of news.” “Yes, it certainly is,” said Kat, “I would sure like to pay him a visit!” “Well, we do have to be careful for now,” said Baldwin, “we have no proof whatever that connects him to this case.” “True,” she said, “but a little head, I mean, arm twisting does wonders sometimes.” Baldwin laughed and said he would keep her posted. Meanwhile, back to us in the cave…

To Be Continued.

©2022 Steve McLeod.