After those men left, in a hurry I might add, we continued our conversation with Arielle. However, it might be cut short by a sniper who was getting a rifle ready in that building down the street from us. Up on the fourth floor, the window was open and the sniper was arranging the rifle in the best position to kill one of us, or perhaps all of us. This sniper seems to be able to shoot multiple people quite quickly, and that is not a good thing for us.

However, Angel is with us, though invisible, and she is truly our guardian Angel today, watching in every direction for any irregularities around us. She is absolutely amazing at times, and she certainly scared away those two men in a hurry! Now, back to our conversation. “Here is another photo for you to look at,” said Sky, “two adorable little children. This photo is from a year ago, this one is more recent.”

“They are cute,” said Arielle smiling, “who are they?” “You have never seen them before?” I asked. “No, never,” she said, “that’s why I asked who they were.” She smiled when she said it. “They are supposed to be Rose’s children,” I said, “though from what you said previously, I didn’t really think they were now.” Arielle laughed.

“There is no way they could be Rose’s kids,” said Arielle, “I would know about it if they were. Rose and I were kind of close, being the two youngest. And as I said, Rose was terrified of even talking with men, no way she would get that close to any.” “Did you get all that Cristy?” I asked. “Yep, and I am already on it,” she said, “but trying to find out who they are is like finding a needle in a haystack, literally.” “Yes, I know,” I admitted, “but check out some possibilities anyway.”

Now, back to our sniper “friend”. The sniper had placed the rifle just perfectly and the sniper’s finger was on the trigger. But then something odd happened. “I just can’t do this,” said the sniper and he backed away from the window, “Mr. Stone will kill me, but I still can’t do this!” Suddenly there was a sharp knife against the sniper’s neck. Then the sniper heard a deep, gruff voice. “Back further away from that rifle,” said the voice, “don’t try to pull that trigger, and don’t try anything else, or you will die.”

The sniper did so, slowly and carefully. “Now, sit on that chair right there,” he said, and the sniper did so. “Let’s take off this hood and get a good look at you,” he said, and he pulled back the hood to reveal the sniper’s face. “Come take a look at the rat I caught, Steve,” said Mac. Arielle looked confused a bit when she heard a new voice. “I need to leave for a few minutes,” I said, “but the girls will stay with you and keep you safe.”

“Oh, look over there,” said Colette, pointing in the opposite direction to where I was going, “oops, too late.” Arielle turned around and noticed I was gone. “Wow, he sure disappeared fast,” she said. “Steve does that sometimes,” said Sky, “especially when there are fresh donuts around.” She then explained this to Arielle and she laughed out loud over that one.

“Well, well,” I said, “who do we have here?” “I don’t have to talk with you, or him either,” said the sniper, “so you may as well kill me and get it over with.” “That is not quite the way we do things, Miss…” I said, “what is your name?” She just gave me a very stubborn look. “I could turn you over to the police,” I said, “you are wanted in a number of killings, something the police call murder. We are not police officers, but we are private investigators. Why do you want to kill us?”

“I don’t,” she said slowly and quietly, “it’s my job, and when I decided not to kill you and the others, well, that means death for me. Mr. Stone does not tolerate disobedience. I have seen what he does to people who disobey orders. It isn’t nice. So, please, tell your man to kill me quick, I, I don’t want to die at the hands of Mr. Stone. Please, I beg, kill me quickly.” She was in tears at this point and was actually on her knees in front of me.

I helped her get back up and sitting on the chair. “I told you we don’t do things that way,” I said again, “we obey the law. And, we can protect you from this Mr. Stone if you help us.” She looked at me and I could see she was doubting what I said. “No one can protect me from Mr. Stone,” she said, “he is all over the world, there is nowhere to hide.” Then she looked up at me. “But if you think you can help me,” she said, “I will help you if you take me with you, please?”

“We’ll take you with us,” I said, “come with me now to join my friends. Does Mr. Stone have someone watching you right now?” “Most likely he does,” she said, “that’s why I said there is no way to protect me.” “Did you hear or see Mac come in her looking for you?” I asked. “No, I didn’t,” she said, “and I’m always careful, looking around and listening for any noise that shouldn’t be there. I’m surprised he could sneak up on me like he did.” Mac just smiled at her.

“Years of practice,” he said, “helps keep me alive.” We then rejoined the others and I put another chair at our table for our new friend. Mac returned to wherever he came from. For someone who isn’t a ghost, he sure acts like one. I’m glad he’s on our side now. It also looks like we have picked up two new women to join our team, maybe, first it will be up to them to make the choice. “This is, um, I seem to have forgotten your name,” I said to the sniper.

“I didn’t tell you, remember?” she said, “Anyway, it’s Dorothy, I’m from Canada originally, then ended up in England where I met my, um, boss.” “Thank you,” I said, “this is Colette, Sky and Arielle,” I said. Meanwhile, not far away. “I’m sorry to bother you Mr. Stone…” But the man never got any further than that and he fell to the ground, dead. He had been stabbed. “Best leave the area Steve,” said Mac, “might be more visitors show up soon.”

I then told everyone it was not safe to stay here any longer, so we should go elsewhere. Arielle and Dorothy said they wanted to come with us and I was very happy with their decisions. Sherry drove up right away and we left for a safer location. Well, we found out who our sniper is, and hopefully she will tell us all about this Mr. Stone. He is a dangerous man and must be stopped. There are too many people involved in this case, and it still doesn’t make sense…

To Be Continued. ©2025 Steve McLeod.