Misty and her team had begun to apply pressure on Tony and Camille, something they didn’t like. It was perfect too, because Misty had claimed to be a good friend of Camille’s sister who had died with her husband from a gas leak at their flat a year ago. The children were visiting their grandparents at the time, which is why they didn’t die. That was a very convenient timing for the parents death, especially in light of the fact that Tony and Camille wanted those children. But why?

We can find no reason why Tony and Camille want those children specifically. If they were using them for sex trafficking, that seems like an odd way to go about getting them. They could get children more easily and without stirring up trouble for themselves. But why else would they want the children? And what happened to them? And why bother with the grandparents by suing them?

They have no money, or anything else of value. Then there is the matter of burning down those buildings and garage, it served no purpose, except maybe to scare the grandparents. But how does that help? Then there’s the bomb, for scaring purposes too? And what about these snipers? Are they part of this case or is this something else? Interestingly, none of those bullets were aimed at me, all were aimed at the girls.

I need to be alone and do some thinking. A little later Cristy came sneaking into her bedroom and over to the girls den. But the door wouldn’t open, so she knocked and the door opened for her and in she went. “Hiding in our den,” she said, shaking her head. “I needed a quiet place to think,” I said, smiling. She smiled too. “I knew you would be here,” she said, “so I brought extra donuts, 3 each.”

As we began munching on our first donut, I asked her about Tony’s business, if she had found anything more about it. “Yep, it doesn’t exist,” she said, “but it occupies the 8th and 9th floors of that building.” “That makes no sense,” I said, “how could a business that doesn’t exist take up two floors?” We began munching on our second donut.

“And Tony is just an employee of this company,” added Cristy, “even though it doesn’t exist. Tony, or Camille, don’t own any part of that company either. It is owned by someone named Leopold Meyer, a German citizen living in Berlin. I told Misty already, but she said nothing will be done until you give the order.” I communicated with Kristina right away and told them to pay Leopold Meyer a visit. She returned a message saying that he is presently staying in Milan in a house he owns just outside the city.

I told her that was even better and to visit him right away. “How much do we know about this Leopold Meyer?” I asked Cristy. “Not much more than the company he owns,” she said sighing. We began munching on our third donut. “He’s 60 years old, his wife died 5 years ago,” said Cristy, “he had 5 sons, two were killed, one disappeared, the two oldest live in Berlin.

Mr. Meyer is quite wealthy, he owns that building where Tony works, and a couple others in Milan and 3 in Berlin.” “Something else is going on in that building,” I said, “probably on that 9th floor. Misty and her team need to get up there and look around.” I communicated this with Kristina as well. “We think quite well with donuts,” said Cristy, “too bad we ran out.” “Maybe you could sneak a couple more for us,” I said. She smiled and off she went in a hurry. Didn’t take her long and she was back with one more donut each.

“That was all there was,” she said, “and I had to sneak them off Victoria and Jackie’s plates.” “You are so bad,” I said, munching on my donut. “I know, it’s terrible,” she agreed, “I just can’t help myself.” “What about the grandparents?” I asked. “Nothing there either,” she said, “I just don’t understand what Tony and Camille think they’re going to gain.”

Meanwhile, back in Milan, Misty and her team are going to visit Tony’s company again before visiting his boss. She wants to check on that 9th floor and see what is up there. She thinks it could be a photo studio for Camille and since she is at home right now, this would be an ideal time to visit that 9th floor. Kat had given them several new inventions that Kat and Carolyn had developed.

Misty, Emerald, Astrid, Monika, Sapphire, Kitty and Kristina went into the building, but Kitty and Kristina remained invisible along with Tracker and Sunny. Once inside Kristina looked for an outlet and quickly plugged in a small device and all power in the building went off. There was one elevator empty so they used that one and with another little device were able to make it work for them. Up they went to the 9th floor and sure enough, it was a photo studio, but no one was there at the moment.

That didn’t stop the girls from looking around though. “We should have Akila with us,” said Emerald, “I’m not quite as good as her getting into computers. Once in I’m okay, but getting in is not so easy.” “Do the best you can Emerald,” said Misty encouragingly, “you’re better than you think!” She then sat down and went at it. After a little while she called out to Misty. “I found those kids,” she said, “and Camille is using them for making child porn.”

Misty came to check and confirmed it was the children. “Wish I had not seen that,” said Misty with tears. Kristina communicated to me what they had found. I told her to take that laptop and any backup copies they have, then destroy the rest of the computers. They did that right away, then left back down to the main floor. No one could tell what floor they had been to, since no electricity was working anywhere for anything.

Kristina removed the small gadget from the outlet on the main floor and electricity was restored again. Next stop was visiting Leopold Meyer, and that wasn’t so easy. He had a high fence around his property, with an iron gate. They talked with the guard at the gate and he contacted Mr. Meyer who told the guard to allow the car in. They were using one of our limousines, which probably helped a bit. They were escorted in, and through metal detectors, before entering the house.

Only Misty, Astrid and Sapphire were allowed in, plus Kristina went in while invisible. “And what may I do for you young ladies?” asked Mr. Meyer politely. “My friends and I are investigating the murders of a very good friend of mine and her husband,” said Misty. “I don’t see how that involves me,” said a startled Mr. Meyer. “It probably doesn’t,” said Misty, “but we need to check out every lead we have. One of your employees, a Tony Mancini, who works at one of your companies here in Milan, is a suspect in their murders.

The police don’t seem to think so, but in my brief investigation so far, I would say he is involved. He also abducted their children from the grandparents, who are the rightful guardians of the children, and then used those children to make child porn. Now those children have disappeared. We are not looking for the children, as such, we are just looking for the murderers of Rose and Grant.”

“Well, this is all quite amazing young lady,” he said, “but it has nothing to do with me and if you wish to talk with me further, you will have to do so through my lawyer. I would suggest you leave such things to the police and return home, before you end up in serious trouble. Matters like this are not for amateurs. Good day. Ansel, show them out please.”

Ansel was a rather large man, with a rather large gun, which he didn’t mind showing the girls. Anyway, they left promptly, which was the right thing to do, then they reported back to me. “Tony, I want you and Camille here at precisely 15:00,” said Mr. Meyer, then he hung up.

To Be Continued. ©2025 Steve McLeod.