Jennifer had called me to let me know that another message from ‘Major’ had arrived and she read it to me. “Hello dear Steve, thank you for your help. You don’t know it, but right now you are working for me and doing a wonderful job too. Do you remember Jud? Think of Carole Ann and that might help you remember.

Soon he will have someone very dear to you and he will have a lot of fun with her. I’m sure you know what that means. Bye for now. Major.” “If they are thinking of Sky or me, they will regret kidnapping us,” said Jennifer angrily. “I don’t think they are after you two,” I said, “if they have done their homework they will know that won’t be easy. But it could be someone else, like Aasta.”

“Or perhaps Misty,” added Jennifer, “you will not let those two out of your sight, understand?” “I will try to do that,” I said. “No, you WILL do that,” she said emphatically. Jennifer has a way of making things clearly understood. “Right, that’s what I meant,” I answered. Then I asked to talk with Kat. “I’m sure you know now who that Major is, correct?” I asked.

“I have a good idea,” she replied, “my half sister Livia.” “Yes, that’s the one,” I said, “and now that she’s working with Jud, that makes her even more dangerous, he is Carole Ann’s brother. There is also another brother, Allan, and I have an idea he might be in on this too.” “I will remember that name Steve,” she said, “and I request permission to chase after Livia.”

“That’s why I wanted to talk with you,” I said, “go stop her Kat, and take your Wildcats with you. Livia, Jud and Allan are smart and likely will not be staying together, so find out where they all are before you attack Livia. Hopefully then we can stop all of them, without losing one of them again.” “Okay Steve,” said Kat, “we will leave right away and I will stay in touch.

Jennifer says she senses danger right now, and it includes you, so be careful and remember, you are vulnerable. They just need to kidnap one of the girls and use her against you to force you to surrender.” Hmm, she is right about that, that does make me vulnerable. We need to be extra careful right now, it might be better for us to head back home.

I then talked to Aoife about her friend. “That was Brianna, she was a good friend,” said Aoife, with tears running down her cheeks, “she thought coming early to warn me would be safe. She didn’t know that mother had changed and began getting up early in the morning. I didn’t believe her at first, I just could not believe that my mother had changed so much. She was always such a kind, loving person.”

“Money can do that to people sometimes,” I said. I was sitting beside her with my arm around her shoulders. I communicated with Sky that if these people think Aoife is my real wife, then she is the prime target to kidnap in order to get me. Sky agreed with that and she also said that while we are here, Aoife and I will not leave the hotel room.

That should be fun. Now I’m really thinking we should go back home. Not long after this Cristy called and seemed to be quite excited about something. I can tell when she and Misty get excited. They talk fast. Incredibly fast. So fast I can’t understand them. Like right now. “Slow down Cristy,” I said, “I can barely make out what you’re saying.”

That was an understatement. I barely understood 3 words. I’m sure she can speak 30 words per second! Anyway, she said the gang over here is run by a man named Neil Moore. “Should I say it even slower for you?” she asked. “No, I understood you that time,” I said, “but perhaps you could clue me in, who is he?” There was silence.

“Cristy, are you still there?” I asked. “Yep, but how can you ask such a question?” she asked. “Am I supposed to know who he is?” I asked again. “Of course,” she said, “he is one of Carole Ann’s uncles.” “Oh, right, of course,” I said, “how could I forget that? Oh, Misty says hi.” “Hi Misty, um, what is she doing?” asked Cristy.

“Oh, uh, she’s helping guard Aoife and I,” I said. “You don’t sound convincing Steve,” said Cristy, “what is she doing specifically?” “Well, Aoife was lying on the couch with her head on my lap,” I said, “but she went to lie down on the bed.” “I ask about Misty and you tell me about Aoife?” she asks. “Well, it fits,” I said, “because when Aoife left, Misty took her place.”

There was silence. “Are you still there Cristy?” I asked. “How come I never get to lie down with my head on your lap?” she asked. “Well, um, you are never with us on a case,” I said, “Cases are stressful.” “That’s not fair,” she said, “my job is stressful too, a little.” “Hey, don’t cry,” I said. “She’s not crying,” said Misty.

“Look, when I get home you can put your head on my lap every day for a week,” I said. “YES!” she said cheerfully. “She got cheerful quickly,” I said. “She wasn’t crying Steve,” said Misty. “Yes she was,” I said, “I can tell.”

Meanwhile, “Here is a picture of the gal I want,” said Jud. “She’s at the chateau,” said Bob, “saw her there this morning.” (And in another place) “Get me one of these two women,” said Neil. “No problem, they are at the hotel in town,” said Kellen. “Don’t underestimate that PI,” said Neil, “he’s not totally stupid.”

To Be Continued.

©2025 Steve McLeod.