Kenwood, Ivy and two bodyguards had arrived at the same restaurant where we were eating once again. They are showing up a little too often now, so I think it’s time to have a talk with them. Samantha gave me some good advice, that is, to keep things calm. After all, they haven’t done anything wrong that we know of, so it’s not a good idea to start trouble in such a public place. I agreed, but I still think it’s time for a veiled warning.

I think he might have had something to do with the kidnapping of Celestine and Misty. I’m sure he at least knows where the girls are right now. I got up and asked Crystal to come with me and we went over to Kenwood’s table. “Greetings Mr. Kenwood,” I said nicely, “my name is Steve and this is one of my associates, Crystal. We are part of a group of Private Investigators and I have noticed that you have been following us the last couple of days.

I hope the two men that crashed were not seriously hurt, but that is what happens in a high speed chase on these busy streets. Now, I think that such a thing should stop, not only for our safety, but for the safety of innocent people around us at times.” “I do not get involved in high speed chases, as you call them,” he replied, “and there is no crime in driving along the streets of Calgary, providing we are obeying the speed limits and other traffic laws.” “Yes, and interrupting our meal with your petty complaints,” said Ivy, “ruins a person’s appetite, so please leave before I call for the manager.”

She didn’t even look up from her phone when she talked, so I ignored her and went on to the next step. I showed Kenwood the photos of Misty and Celestine. “These are the women that were kidnapped from our hotel room,” I said, “and I would like them back, preferably before dinner.” “I don’t know why you are looking at me,” he said, “I don’t know these women and I certainly didn’t kidnap them. Now, as Miss Hendrick said, please leave us alone or I will call the manager.”

“I want these two women back, before dinner,” I said again, “or I will start to step on people, very hard, and I do have the ability to do so with the people I have in this city. Have a good afternoon.” “One moment,” said Ivy, “may I take pictures of those?” I said yes, so she did quickly, then she said that her people would look around for the women. I thanked her and we went back to our own table. “Why did you do that Ivy?” asked Kenwood, “I want them out of here.”

“The best way to get rid of them is by helping them right now,” she said, “they certainly won’t leave without those two women. Perhaps they will if we find them and make a deal with them.” She then made a phone call which we couldn’t hear very well, but it sounded like she was telling her people to look for Misty and Celestine. I did hear her say to check a man named Rick and also a man named Harold. I know Harold couldn’t do it, he didn’t have the time after we talked with him.

Unless he has friends working with him. And apparently he is a loner, without any friends outside of his co-workers, and they were not exactly friends. But, there was something about Harold that we didn’t know and we were going to find out soon. Meanwhile, “Well, well, the two sleeping beauties are awake finally,” said one man. “Yeah, maybe we should have some fun with them now,” said the second man, rubbing his hands together. The first man told him to watch it or they would end up in the river too.

“We are just babysitters for these two,” he said, “nothing more than that.” Then he went over to the girls. “I will take this tape off your mouths if you promise to be quiet,” he said and the girls nodded yes. So he then ripped it off fast. “I thing you ribbed my libs off,” said Misty as she made weird faces. That got Celestine laughing. And laughing. The second man told her to stop laughing, it wasn’t that funny. “I thought it was funny,” said Celestine, trying hard not to continue laughing.

“Well, if you laugh like that again,” he said, “that tape will go back over your mouth.” “Hey guys, do we get lunch too?” asked Misty when she saw them eating. “No, you don’t get lunch,” answered man 2, “but maybe if you’re really nice, we will give you breakfast.” Misty just sighed. Then one of the men got a phone call, though he didn’t say much. “Who was it?” asked man 2. “Who do you think?” he asked, “Only one person calls us.” “No, two of them do,” replied man 2, “there’s Rick and Mr. B.”

“Very good,” said Man 1, “anyway, we have to let the prisoners go free.” “What?” he questioned, “We just picked them up and now we have to let them go?” “That’s what Mr. B said to do,” said Man 1, “so that’s what we do. Unless you wish to end up in the river, or a dumpster. I, for one, prefer to stay alive.” “Well, yeah, so do I,” said his friend. So, they took the girls out and tossed them, quite literally, into a dumpster outside a restaurant. “Ewwww!” said Misty, “Gooey, yucky leftovers!” “Oooo, a piece of lemon meringue pie!” exclaimed Celestine, and she began eating it.

“You’re eating that gunk?” asked Misty. “Hey, I lived for months on food from dumpsters,” said Celestine, “sure you wouldn’t like some?” “None for me,” said Misty. But as she watched Celestine eat the pie, her stomach growled. “Um, maybe just a small piece,” said Misty finally, “hey, that is good.” So Celestine gave her a bigger piece. “Sky,” said Celestine. “You expect Sky to come and rescue us?” asked Misty. “Hey, what are you two doing down there?” asked Sky as she sat on the edge of the dumpster. “I must have missed something,” said Misty.

Sky jumped in but they all disappeared before Sky hit any garbage and they reappeared in our hotel room. “Um, maybe you two should shower,” I said, “that smell is permeating the whole room.” They told us about Rick and another man named Mr. B. That last name was interesting. We knew two men named Mr. B and both are dead, now we have a third man with that name. I called Jazzy and Hannah, but neither of them knew about another Mr. B, but they would check with their contacts.

Interesting that so soon after talking with Kenwood and Ivy, Misty and Celestine were released. That is not a coincidence. Meanwhile, “I told you I wanted Crystal, no one else,” said Mr. B. “Sorry, I wasn’t sure who Crystal was,” said the man, “but I won’t make that mistake again.” “True,” said Mr. B, “good bye.” There were two shots and all was quiet. We learned on the news broadcast later that afternoon that Harold had been found dead in his apartment.

He had been shot in the heart at close range, just a single shot. Harold knew something and someone else was getting nervous that perhaps he would talk. Perhaps I should have pushed him a little harder. Then Mac called and told me to stay away from the window, there was someone in the building across the street watching us…

To Be Continued. ©2025 Steve McLeod.