After Kristina told me what Tobias was planning for Dean and his friends, I communicated with Carine and she told Aari who in turn told Trapper. They will not be going to the Black Swan tonight, much too dangerous. I’m glad that Delena doesn’t know much about the Investigators, or we would be in real trouble. Although, now it really doesn’t matter so much since she is not kidnapped, it’s all a plan to get a lot of money from Mandar, and maybe get Mandar too.

But I doubt that Tobias is stupid enough to try and get Mandar himself, but I wouldn’t doubt he might try to kidnap Richard too, in order to get even more money from Mandar. And for Richard, Mandar might just be persuaded to pay the ransom. Richard is like a son to Mandar and his most trusted employee. Could Richard be involved in this too, not knowing that his wife is now the girlfriend of Tobias? That would be devastating for Richard, whether he is involved or not.

Personally, I think he is innocent, but I have been wrong in things like this before, numerous times. “Cristy, how’s my favorite computer girl today?” I asked very nicely. “Oh, thank you so much Steve,” she said cheerily, “it was so nice of you to let me sleep for an entire 14 minutes and 24 seconds. I feel so very much refreshed.” “Cristy,” I said. “Yes Steve,” she said. “It’s morning over there,” I said, “why are you sleeping?” “I’m not sleeping,” she said, “you woke me up, don’t you remember?”

“But why were you sleeping when it’s morning,” I said, “night is for sleeping.” “Oh thank you dear King for pointing that out to me,” she said, “I would never have known otherwise.” “Cristy,” I said. “Yes Steve,” she said. “You’re being sarcastic again,” I said. “Do you really think so?” she asked. “Yes,” I said, “but it’s too late in the day for sarcasm.” “Actually it’s early,” she replied. “Cristy,” said Misty. “Yes Misty,” she said. “Your sarcasm made Steve scream into his pillow again,” said Misty, “that’s not nice.”

“I know, but he woke me up again,” she said, “and there are no donuts left and we ran out of coffee too.” “What?! No coffee and donuts?!” exclaimed Misty, “In that case you’re forgiven.” “Thank you Misty,” she said. “But Steve does have something important to ask you,” she said. “But I’m not on computer right now,” said Cristy, “Hannah is on the computer right now.” Then Misty told me that bit of news. “Why didn’t she tell me that?” I asked. “Did you ask her?” asked Misty. “Do I always have to ask?” I asked in return. “It helps,” said Misty, “wow, he’s screaming into his pillow a second time.”

Anyway, after all this was over. “I was thinking Steve,” said Misty. “No,” I said. “That wasn’t nice,” said Misty. “I agree with Misty,” said Jennifer. “But you always say that to me whenever I think,” I reminded her. “That’s because you’re thinking gets us into trouble,” replied Jennifer. For some reason that got Celestine laughing. And laughing. And laughing. I didn’t think she was going to stop. Anyway, Misty explained that Delena knows her and Cristy, so if she sees her then she will know that we are The Investigators.

Misty had a good point, so she now had to stay in her room with the cats. “Sorry I said anything,” she said sighing. I asked Hannah to get in touch with Mandar right away, it was very important. He was calling me within two minutes. “What is the problem Steve?” he asked. “Delena has not been kidnapped,” I said, “she is now the girlfriend of Tobias, even the kids like him. This will be devastating news for Richard, so it’s best not to tell him right now.”

“Yes, yes, I fully agree with you Steve,” he said, “I just don’t know how you will tell him such awful news.” Sigh, I kind of thought I would get stuck with that job. I then told Mandar that it might be a good idea for him and Richard to go and hide for a while, until we get this taken care of. But he said no to that idea since he has to be available for transferring money if it comes to that. Transferring money. That reminded me of something.

On that recording, the men in the background wanted to do some gambling since they were in Vegas, but their boss said no to that, they were there on business only. Now, if Tobias is the part owner of the Black Swan, wouldn’t they be around all the time? So then, who were the two men wanting to go gambling and who was their boss? Was it Tobias, or was it someone else? Was it maybe the man that Tobias works for? Is he here in Vegas too right now?

That would be great, but if we don’t know who it is, then it won’t help us very much. I contacted Hannah again to see if she could find out something about our mystery man for us. “Or woman,” said Hannah, “why do you keep saying it’s a man?” “Um, I’m not sure,” I said, “I think Celestine said it was a man.” But Jennifer reminded me that Celestine didn’t say whether it was a man or woman, only that her dad and Tobias worked for someone else.

Celestine then returned from one of the girls’ rooms with Dawn and Misty, Sir Night and Jewel. “Guess what Steve?” Celestine asked excitedly. “Must I guess?” I asked. “Good point,” said Misty to Celestine, “he’s not very good at guessing. Or remembering. Or thinking. Or…” That’s when I interrupted. “Misty,” I said. “Yes Steve,” she said. “I think she gets the point,” I said. “Oh, right,” she said. That’s when Celestine began laughing. And laughing. And laughing. I didn’t think she was going to stop.

“Celestine laughs a lot,” said Misty, “you need to laugh more Steve.” “I laughed a lot when Celestine and I were alone together,” I said. “That’s it!” exclaimed Misty, “Spend more time alone with Celestine until you learn to laugh!” That nearly finished Celestine, she was laughing so hard she could barely breathe. Dawn was sitting on the floor laughing and Jennifer was lying on the bed with Celestine, laughing. “Why is everyone laughing?” asked Misty.

“Come and sit beside me and I will explain,” I told her, so she did. I then picked her up and dropped her on the bed and began to tickle her. Soon we were all laughing. It took a while, but we finally all stopped. “Can I talk now?” asked Celestine. “You just did,” I replied. For some reason that got Misty laughing. And laughing. Oh well. “I remembered the name of the woman that dad and Tobias worked for,” said Celestine, “it’s Dinah Fisher.

Although her family is from London, she was born and raised in Brazil and she is the head of a large criminal network in Brazil, Argentina and Chile. She’s tough and very wealthy, everyone is afraid of her, including my dad and Tobias.” I quickly called Hannah and then Jazzy. Hannah had heard of her, but didn’t know anything about her.

Jazzy knew a lot, however, and told me that since Delena is not in trouble and if Dinah is actually here in Vegas, then we should leave, right away. She always travels with a large group, usually 50 men, sometimes more. Hmm, we have a large group here right now as well…

To Be Continued. ©2025 Steve McLeod.