Baldwin had already gone back to the chateau with Jennifer, so 7 of the girls and Benjamin were there and they started a search of the chateau. Kat phoned Baldwin, “What? How could he disappear?”, yelled Baldwin. “I have no idea, there is no way out of here without our special pass cards, they are the only way to open any of the doors,” she answered, “how many security people did you leave here?”

“There should be 8 over there now,” Baldwin said. “There are 9,” said Kat, “and one is wearing special dark glasses to help him see better he said.” “That one is not mine!”, yelled Baldwin, “get him, I want him!” Kat hung up and found Rock and told him. Rock quickly found the man with the glasses, picked him up and slammed him against the wall. Kat took his glasses off but it was not Stinger. “Who are you?”, asked Kat.

The man just spit in her face. Wrong thing to do with Rock holding him against the wall. He then slammed him twice more against the wall and then hit him hard in the stomach. The man groaned and his head dropped. “Don’t kill him Rock, Baldwin wants him,” said Kat. Then she saw a piece of paper sticking out of his shirt pocket. “Hmm, what is this?”, she said and took it out. It was a note that read, “Steve is outside under the oak tree.”

They ran out there and sure enough I was lying on the ground, unhurt, except for my original wound. They brought me back in to my room, then Kat and a couple of men took the guy back to the chateau. After dropping him off they quickly returned to the clinic. Chung met Kat, “it is Muffin’s heart, but I am sure she will be okay,” he said, “but she will have to be careful from now on.” “That will be hard for her,” said Kat, “what about MC?”

“He was hurt worse than I thought at first,” he said, “much bruising and broken bones, but he too will be okay in time.” “And the girls?”, she asked, not really wanting to though. Chung’s always optimistic smile vanished and he shook his head. “We do all we could,” he began, “Aurela has died, not yet sure about Lajla, it does not look good for her.” He then went to look at me. Kat was starting to get more angry by the minute.

Stinger must be stopped, but now he has others working with him, that will make it more difficult. However, she determined to get him no matter what. It was my turn for surgery, Annelie was out and back in her room. As they took me in the room, Chung turned to Kat, “Steve has had many injuries before…”, he said, “please do not expect too much.” He then followed the other doctor into the operating room. Kat sat down, was Chung trying to tell her I would not make it?

Rock sat down with her. “Hey, don’t worry Kat, Steve will make it,” he said. “How come you are not with Annelie?”, she asked. “The doctor said she would be sleeping for a while yet,” he said, “and Mriya is with her right now.”

Meanwhile, back at the chateau… “This guy showed up at the gate,” said one of the men to Baldwin. “Hey Mr. B, Jake here to help out if I can,” said Jake. “Just a minute,” said Baldwin, and he called for Jennifer. She came into the library. “Jake, I don’t believe it,” she said surprised to see him, “what are you doing here?” “Hey Jenny girl,” he said, “I come to help.” “So this is really Jake?”, asked Baldwin. “Yes, he sure is,” said Jennifer, “though I am sure surprised he left home!”

“Hey, I got some news that might help,” he said, “Stinger is hooked up with that John you are always looking for.” “We thought that,” said Baldwin, “we just don’t know where John is right now.” “Well, he is not here,” said Jake, “he’s in London right now. But the Stinger is here with some of John’s men.” “That is how he got in here,” said Jenny.

“Right you are girl,” said Jake, “do you know of a place that is known as a hilltop mansion?” “Yes,” said Baldwin, “it is on the other side of town and up for sale.” “And that is where Stinger and friends are staying right now,” said Jake. Jennifer called the others down to meet Jake and give them the news. “I will get more men together,” said Baldwin.

“No, this is for us,” said Jenny, “besides, it will be easier to surprise them with fewer people involved.” “So right Jenny girl,” said Jake, “and I’m coming along on this one.” Jennifer was about to say something. “I’m going,” he said to her, “this is my fight now too.” Jenny smiled, “Okay Jake, you are definitely welcome to come along.”

To Be Continued.

©2022 Steve McLeod.