Well, we have a new case, and it certainly won’t be an easy one. Trying to rescue Rossana’s family from a global criminal organization, preferably rescuing them alive, and without any of us being killed in the process. Even with our ghosts and all the other precautions we take, team members can sometimes be wounded or killed. We want to try and prevent that this time.

Kat and Jennifer are Leader 1 right now, though Samantha reluctantly gave me permission to work on this case, but not in Leader 1 position. We have to deal with this organization from a position of strength, if we look weak, they won’t take us seriously. And that would be bad for all of us.

We are hoping that no one in this organization knows us, if they do, Rossana’s family would be killed immediately, and we likely would as well. “Okay Steve,” said Jennifer and Kat, “what are you planning for this one?” “You’re the Leader 1 still,” I said, “so it’s up to you.” “No you don’t,” they said together, “you are not on recovery now, so it’s your decision.”

“No, you’re still the leader,” I said, “or didn’t you hear Samantha. I have just been given a green light to help, not to handle everything.” They stood there blinking at me again. “Cool!” said Misty as she entered the library, “they’re blinking at the same time again!” They sighed. “But you need to take the lead Steve,” they said, “maybe we should talk to Samantha again.”

“Or just have a team leaders meeting,” said Misty, munching on a donut, “and vote to put Steve in charge of this case only.” They looked at her. “We can do that?” they asked, “Steve, why didn’t you tell us?” “Must have slipped my mind,” I said, “Misty, come here and sit on my lap.” She did so. “Sometimes it’s good to keep your mouth shut,” I whispered to her, “now, about those 3 donuts you want to get for me.”

“Um, right away,” she said and she was gone very quickly. A team meeting was called and I was voted to take charge. “Um, why was I allowed to be in on the team leaders meeting?” asked Misty. I just smiled at her. She looked at Kat and Jennifer who were smiling at her too.

“Uh, wait, I’m not a team leader,” she said with a worried look, “I can’t be, I have never been one, I wouldn’t know what to do, it wouldn’t work, no one would listen to me…” “If anyone didn’t listen to you,” said Kat and Jennifer, “they would get an automatic 90 day inactive duty applied to them.” I think that was the biggest sigh I ever heard from Misty.

Well, we were off to Italy for this one, at least for now, that is where their headquarters is located for Europe. We haven’t been in Italy for a long time, kind of nice to be close to home for a change. At least I hope it will be. Since this group would likely know all the criminal organizations here in Europe, we had to change Aari’s team a bit and made them from Canada instead, calling them the Black Wolves.

Cristy had their whole history available for anyone who wanted to search for them. Kat’s Wildcats are now from California and Sky’s Bad Girls, temporarily called Amerie’s Bad Girls, since Sky is my bodyguard. Anyway, the Bad Girls are from Quebec, which is actually true for some of them. Misty’s new team will be with us, giving them their debut in their new role.

We have just been rearranging our teams, making them slightly smaller so they will all be the same size and giving Misty her own team. Although on this case, I will be the leader of her team, and we will have 3 ghosts, counting me. The other two are Sky and Angel. Kristina will be with Aari’s team, playing the part of his girlfriend. Jennifer and Carine will be staying at home to look after things there.

Kitty will be joining the Wildcats so there are two ghosts with them. We are now in position, booked into a very nice hotel overlooking the sea. We want to appear wealthy and important so that hopefully we might attract the attention of this organization. They will likely want to know why we are here and get in touch with us. At least that’s the idea and hopefully it works.

According to Rossana, her family is still being held in the same building, that’s providing they don’t have a secret way out of that building. Somehow I have a feeling that there is a secret way in and out of there, that would only make sense. Otherwise they could get boxed in and most of these organizations we have dealt with do not like to be boxed in.

We were in the hotel garden area when 4 men approached us. “Mr. Lombardi would like to extend his invitation to lunch at his restaurant,” said one of the men, “right now.” “That’s very nice of him,” I said, “shall we go my dear?” I stood up and took her hand. “The invitation is for you, not your girlfriends,” the man said. “This is my wife,” I said firmly, “she comes with, as do these charming ladies.”

“You don’t hear well,” he said and the men pulled out guns. “Neither do you,” I said, as our girls surrounded them with their guns out. I decided to do it this way for now. “Now, put your guns on the bench and we will go with you,” I said. They did so reluctantly and off we went just down the street a short distance.

“I wasn’t expecting 4 of you,” said Lombardi, “I only reserved one chair for you.” “Yes, I was told the invitation was for one,” I said, “but this is my wife, she goes with me everywhere. And these 2 lovely ladies always accompany us.” “You’re brave,” he said, “or perhaps you haven’t heard of me.” “Definitely the second,” I said chuckling…

To Be Continued.

©2025 Steve McLeod.