Annelie spotted Melanie, but not soon enough but then, “Thwock!”, and Melanie fell to the floor. Annelie ran over and picked up the gun, then checked Melanie. The girls and MC came running in. “She’s dead,” said Annelie. Meow,meow.=She try kill my human, then going to kill Annelie, I needed to stop her. And Muffin looked up at Jennifer with sad eyes. Jennifer picked her up, “hey, don’t worry Muffin, you did the right thing just now, or Annelie would be dead.” “Yes, I admit it was my fault,” she said, “I got distracted and it doesn’t take long.” “True enough,” said Jennifer, “lesson learned, almost too late.”

Candace came in just then. She had come over from Baldwin’s house after finishing up her duties there. She is wanting to join the team full time and is just waiting to see if she passed her tests and security check. “What has happened?”, she asked after coming into the library. Jennifer filled her in on the details. “Hmm,” said Candace, “so you were left in charge Jennifer?” “Um, yes, I was,” she said slowly, “I’m the one to blame for all of this, not Annelie.”

“According to the rule book, there should always be two people guarding a prisoner,” began Candace, “and if that cannot happen, then the prisoner is to be restrained with handcuffs and ankle cuffs.” The girls and cats all look at each other. “Wow, I really messed up,” said Jennifer, “seems all I can think about is what is happening to Steve right now, so I am not thinking right.” “We all know the rules,” said Kristina, “seems like we all messed up, not just you Jenny.” Jennifer was crying at this point and Candace went over to sit beside her and give her a bit of comfort.

The cats came over too and starting purring. Meow.=We mess up too, we know rules also. Meow,meow.=That why I come back to library, I remember not right that Annelie be alone. “Well, at least one of us was thinking right,” said Jennifer trying to smile. “So what is going on?”, asked Baldwin as he and the others came walking in. Jennifer told him what had happened. “Okay,” said Baldwin, “time for a refresher, everyone to their rooms and go over the rule book again, there will be a test tomorrow. Cats too.

But first, we vote on Candace, she passed all her tests 100% and she passed her security check.” So they all voted to have her join the team, then they went to their rooms to study. Everyone passed the test the next day. I woke up one morning, this was my third day in the clinic. Kara came into the room, “how are you feeling this morning Bernard?” I frowned and tried to say something, but nothing happened. “I’m sorry,” she said, “here is your tablet.” I look at it but do nothing. “Do you forget how to use it?,” she asked so pleasantly and then showed me what to do so I could talk.

“Why am I in the clinic?”, I ask. “Melanie had been giving you poison, in small doses, so Chung has been clearing your system out,” she explained. “What is your name?”, I ask her. “It is Kara,” she answered, still so cheerful and pleasant, “do you not remember me?” I shook my head ‘no’. “Who is Melanie?”, I ask. “She was a member of your PI team,” said Kara, “do you not remember her either?” I shook my head ‘no’ once again. Then Chung came in and Kara talked to him quietly. “Do you remember me Bernard?”, asked Chung with a big smile. “Yes, I remember you,” I said, “why do you keep calling me Bernard?” “Do you remember your name?”, he asked. I thought for a moment…

Meanwhile, back at the chateau everyone is getting more acquainted with Candace who is going to be a good addition to our team. She also has a fantastic memory, much like Melanie did, and she has amazing knowledge of 100 different countries around the world. She needs instruction in fighting techniques, but is excellent with several different types of firearms. Just before supper I come in with Chung and Kara. I look around the library at everyone, my eyes finally stopping at Kat.

“Hi Kitten,” I said quietly, “I am back.” She came running across the room, throwing herself at me, nearly knocking me to the floor! Good thing Kara was standing there to catch us! Everyone then came over for a hug, except Carine, she was not sure what to do. “Steve, do you remember?”, and Kat pointed to Carine. “Yes, I remember Carine,” I said, “if it was not for her I would not be here today.” Kat told her to come and give me a hug too, which she did.

To Be Continued.

©2022 Steve McLeod.