“We can do those tests later,” I said, referring to testing me to see if they had given me a drug similar to the “nowhere” drug from before, “Kat, take Chung down to look at Kristina.” So off they went to Kristina’s room. “Don’t get any ideas about continuing this case Steve,” said Jennifer, “not until you are completely better.” “Right, no ideas,” I said, “I do need to feel better before continuing.” “That almost seemed too easy,” said Jennifer. “Yes, it sure did,” added Annelie. “Really, this is one time I need to agree,” I answered, “I don’t want John getting away again, and I certainly cannot do anything much the way I feel.”

So Annelie and Jennifer go off to the kitchen to start making supper. Baldwin arrives and comes into the library with me. I let him know what is going on. “Hmm, you are going to need to be extra careful Steve,” he said, “if they can do that with the cats, they just might try doing it to you as well.” “Yes, I am wondering if the cats were just an experiment to see if their idea would work,” I added, “and it did work very well, too well. So hopefully we can stop John and his doctor friend too.”

“Yes, they could actually control people with something like that, and that would be very dangerous,” said Baldwin. Just then Jennifer called for help and we all went running to the kitchen. Annelie was lying on the floor. I noticed right away the one kitchen window was open and went to close it. As I was closing the window I noticed a small hole in the screen. “Check Annelie for a small dart,” I told Jennifer. She found one in her neck, hidden under her hair. Chung and Kat were with us by then and Chung removed the dart carefully and put it in a small plastic bag.

Then he studied the tiny hole it made. “Kristina, she has similar mark on neck,” he said, “we must take both to the clinic quickly.” Baldwin took them in his car, along with Chung. But before he left he notified the guards outside to look for someone and all guards must be checked too. The person who shot that dart must have been close to the window since it would not fly far. “I thought it was odd for Kristina to get that headache so suddenly,” I said to Kat and Jennifer. “Do you think this is something John is doing?”, asked Kat.

“Yes, I think he is trying to reduce our numbers,” I answered, “he wants this to be just between him, the cats and I.” “Well, that is not going to work,” said Kat, “Jennifer and I will be extra careful so we can go with you!” “Right,” added Jennifer, “John will not get things his way!” “That’s good,” I said, “now it is just for me to get better so we can go after him.” The night passed quickly and the next day while I rested the best I could. Annelie was back with us that afternoon.

Because we got her quickly to the clinic, Chung was able to treat her right away with an antidote to that poison she was given in the dart. Unfortunately because it had been so long for Kristina it will take longer for her to recover, but Chung said she will be fine. That evening Annelie discovered who those other 2 men were in the pictures I had sent her. Both had been in prison, the same one that John was in once, that is likely where he got to know them. One was actually a PI at one time.

I was feeling much better now and so were the cats. Now it was time to start making plans. However, I told Kat that I did not want her coming along, it was too dangerous. She just looked at me. I knew that look, it meant she was coming anyway. Baldwin and Rock were here too as we made our plans. Rock wanted to come, but I said no, he was too big to hide and I do not want to scare John away. Trying to persuade Kat and Jennifer to stay behind was futile. So I finally gave up…

To Be Continued.

©2022 Steve McLeod.