Jazzy had managed to find Arielle for us quite quickly. That woman has some amazing contacts, that’s for sure. She also told me that it’s necessary to look in the right place for a woman like Arielle. Hmm, I will have to remember that, however, it likely still would not help, it’s necessary to have the right contacts too. Knowledge is a good thing, but sometimes you need to have help to go along with that knowledge, or you don’t get anywhere.

So, here we are, at a sidewalk cafe in Paris, talking with Arielle, and hopefully she will be willing to help us with some information about her family. “We believe that Rose and Grant were murdered,” I told Arielle, “and we believe it was your other sister and her husband Tony.” “Who is this Grant fella?” asked Arielle. “We were told he was Rose’s husband,” I said. Arielle laughed at that.

“Rose was terrified of men,” she said, “she couldn’t even talk to one. She was single when she died, she overdosed on sleeping pills, took a full bottle of them one night, but Rose lived at home when she died.” “The coroner’s report said she died of a gas leak in the flat where she and Grant lived,” said Sky. She then showed Arielle a photo of Rose and Grant.

“That man is Tristian, our brother,” she replied, “he worked for the gas company, and yes, he died of a gas leak the same night that Rose died.” Then Sky showed her a photo of Gabriel and Josephine. “Who are they?” asked Arielle. “Have you ever seen them before?” I asked. “No, never,” she replied. Then Sky showed her that wedding photo. “That is mom and dad,” she said, almost crying at this point, “mom was 2 inches taller than dad so she decided to wear sandals on their wedding day so she wouldn’t look even taller.

They died 5 years ago in a car accident, or that’s what the police said anyway. One of those big trucks drove head on into their little car, crushing it totally, then he ran off and was never found. He didn’t work for the company who owned the truck, he had killed the driver and stolen the truck. Guess he didn’t know how to drive one of those big things.”

“I think he knew exactly how to drive it,” I said, “he deliberately killed your parents and was likely hired by someone to do it. And I think I know who that person is, but proving it won’t be easy.” Then I saw two men walking toward us and knew that they would be trouble, so I quietly told Sky to watch Arielle. “So, there you are Arielle,” said one man, “Mr. Dupuis wants to talk with you, seems you missed an appointment.” “Guess I have to go now guys,” she said.

“Do you want to go with these too misfits?” I asked, “Because you don’t need to, just stay here with us, we will protect you.” “No one can protect me from Mr. Dupuis,” she said with tears, then she looked at me, “can you help me get straightened out?” That’s when one of them grabbed Arielle’s arm. “Let go of her!” demanded Sky. “Yes, or you might get hurt,” added Colette. “You little girls better go back home and play with your dolls for a few more years,” said the one, and they both laughed.

“Please daddy, can we play with these big bad boys for a while,” asked Sky in a cute little girl voice. “Oh, I think that would be okay,” I said, “but try not to hurt them too much.” So, Sky and Colette stood up and Sky once again told the one man to take his hand off Arielle, which he did this time. As he did so he gave Sky a hard backhanded slap, knocking her to the ground. Colette, who looked rather small against her opponent, then went into action.

She is quite the acrobat and was kicking and hitting her guy, knocking him down three times before he hit her. But it was a direct hit to the side of her head with his huge fist, knocking her flat on her back. Sky was now having fun with her guy and he was soon unconscious. Colette was getting back up, but slowly, and her guy was about to jump on her back, so I got involved now. With a few well placed kicks, he was down, and out cold.

“Well, I almost had him,” said Colette. We all sat down again after relieving these men of their guns. “Mr. Dupuis will kill you, and me too,” said Arielle, “and there is nowhere for me to hide from him. Can you take me away with you?” “Do you want to change this life of yours?” I asked. “Yes, I would like to, but I need help,” she said, crying, “I sold myself to Mr. Dupuis 5 years ago after mom and dad were killed. He just came out of nowhere and said he would give me a job as a model.

I didn’t realize what he meant, but I soon found out. Then he used me for other things too. Rose told me she had a good friend in America that could help me. She was a wealthy and powerful woman. Rose said her name was Misty and she would definitely come and help. Poor Rose, she kept making up stories all the time and we never knew what was true and what wasn’t. I knew this story wasn’t true since none of us had ever met this Misty woman, so how could Rose have met her?”

“Maybe Rose was telling the truth,” I said. “Then why didn’t she come and help Rose when she needed it?” asked Arielle. “Maybe she didn’t know,” said Sky. “Yes, there is a woman here right now looking for the person, or persons, who killed Rose,” I said, “and her name is Misty. She seems to be quite wealthy and influential, she even stopped a police investigation into her and her friends she brought with her.”

“For real?” she asked. “Yes, and we have met her,” I said, “anyway, if you are serious about changing, then you can come with us. All I ask is that you tell us the truth, no lying.” “I live a life of lies,” she said, “but for you I will not lie, that is a promise.” “I was in a similar position as you,” said Colette, “and Steve helped me to change, and some friends of mine too.” Arielle told us where her parents were buried too, plus Rose and Tristian, or Grant, as we know him.

Cristy had listened to the whole conversation and was already at work checking things out, just to make sure she was giving us correct information. Those two men then got up, but for some reason they got scared of something and ran off. “That was a very strange way for them to act,” said Arielle. “Well, they didn’t have courage on their side, but we did,” I said smiling.

Courage the lion was standing there next to us. We could see Courage, so could those two guys, but Arielle couldn’t see him. While this was going on, something else was happening across the street, but down from us a few buildings. On the fourth floor a window was open and a rifle was just being put in place…

To Be Continued. ©2025 Steve McLeod.