We were in Koffman’s office still, after having taken care of Luther and his men, although two men were still standing and we put them on the floor where Decker tied them up. Koffman gave me the directions to Helene’s hideout, which was right out in the open. What better way to hide than in the open?

No one would even think you were trying to hide if you don’t try. After getting the information from Koffman we went on our way, reminding him we may come back if he is leading us astray. He chuckled and said he would have the coffee ready. We had to head north to Hannover and look for a hotel called “The Chambers”. Amazing really.

Apparently it’s a nice hotel built around an old jail which has 8 cells in it. People can pay to stay one night in one of these original jail cells, complete with no privacy whatever. And it costs more than staying in one of the hotels regular rooms. We stopped one night about half way there, just to make sure we arrive nicely rested to deal with Helene.

Provided she is even still at her hideout. The next morning while having breakfast, I received a phone call from Koffman. “Good morning Koffman,” I said, “what’s up?” “Sorry to tell you Steve,” he replied, “but Helene is not at her hideout after all. She is right here in my office.” I then heard a gun shot, quite loud. Then I heard a familiar voice.

“Good morning Steve,” said Helene, “that gunshot you heard was aimed at your former rat. He is now dead and won’t be betraying anyone, especially me, ever again. Too bad you are heading in the wrong direction Steve. I am already in my car with my men, heading for a certain chateau. I think you might know the place, it’s where you live.

Thank you for taking most of your team along with you on this expedition of yours, it will make it so much easier for me to kill of the remainder of your team. Oh, yes, I do have the men I need to do the job, I made sure to hire the right number this time. Ta, ta, have a lovely trip Steve.”

“She outsmarted us again,” I said, “and there’s no way we can catch up to her either.” “Not all of us perhaps,” said Jennifer, “but some of us can get there ahead of her. Perhaps we can bluff her the same way she did to us.” I called all the ghosts together and we talked things over. “It just might work,” said Kat, “it doesn’t hurt to try it anyway. Sky can take 2 with her and you can take one.”

“I think Steve can take 2 as well,” said Sky, “he can get strength from one of the other ghosts if he needs it.” “But what if she’s tricking us again?” asked Kristina, “She might then try attacking us when all of our ghosts are gone back to the chateau.” “Hmm, yes, that is something to consider,” I said, “okay, Sky can take me and one other ghost back to the chateau.”

“Steve, remember that you are my twin,” said Sky, “you can do most of the things I can do, including travel. There’s a couple of things you can’t do, but there are a couple of things you can do that I can’t do. So, we each take another ghost plus one other person with us.” “That will be perfect,” said Jennifer, “Sky should take Angel and Dawn. Steve, you take Kat and…”

“ME!” said Misty as she wrapped her arms around my neck from behind me. “Good choice with Misty, Steve,” said Kat, “but take Kristina or Carine with you instead of me. Jennifer, Kristina and I will stay with the team here and try to get back as soon as we can.” “Okay, in that case I will take Carine with me,” I said. “Perfect choice,” said Jennifer.

“But what if Helene is on her way back to her hideout?” asked Misty. “I don’t think she was ever there,” I told her. “Oh, how sneaky!” said Misty. I then called Aari. “Good morning Steve,” he said, “just got the coffee started. The guys should be getting up soon I imagine…” That was as far as he got when I interrupted him.

“Aari, it’s a Code Red! Helene is on her way and she may even be at the chateau already,” I said, “get those guys up and ready to fight now!” “Right away Steve!” he said and he hit the alarm for Code Red. The alarm also sounded in the chateau itself and the remaining girls were running around getting ready.

Three of the girls were busy getting the cats ready with their backpacks and then sending them outside to scatter around the chateau to hide. I had called Hannah after talking with Aari to let her know what to expect.

I left Hannah in charge as she is a good leader having had several years experience as the leader of her own gang. She has become a very trusted member of our team. Sky, myself and our “hitchhikers” arrived shortly after…

To Be Continued.

©2025 Steve McLeod.