Jennifer and Tina came back inside, sooner than expected, I was hoping to have more time with Summer. But that second yacht did indeed bring that well dressed man that visits Miss Hanson regularly. Summer got this terribly worried, and scared, look on her face and she jumped out of bed, throwing her arms around me.

“Please Steve, please!” she pleaded, “Don’t let him take me away from you! Please don’t let him! And don’t let him hurt me again, please, please!!” Hmm, she never mentioned that he had hurt her before and why would he try to take her away from us. “No one, and I mean no one,” I told her, “will take you away from us, I promise you that. Will you trust me?”

I said that last part very calm and reassuringly and hoped that it might get through to her. “I trust you Steve,” she said, “I trust all of you, honestly I do. I’m just so scared all the time and never know who I can trust anymore. Every time I trust someone, they turn around and hurt me. Please don’t be mad at me.” She was still hugging me tightly.

“I am not angry with you at all Summer,” I told her, “none of us are. And all of us will protect you from this guy, whoever he is.” “He is very wealthy,” said Tina, “and has lots of people working for him. He could squash you like a bug.” Oddly, Tina didn’t seem to be afraid of him and how did she know this information about him? “Sky,” I said.

“Yes Steve,” she said, “all girls off the yacht and heading to the hotel.” “By any chance did you see the man who got off the other yacht?” I asked. “Yep, got a photo too and sent it to Cristy,” she replied, “and I got his name too, which I also sent to Cristy.” “That’s great,” I said, “um, how did you get his name, go up to him and ask him?”

She giggled. “I actually thought of doing that,” she said, “but I got his name from Irene.” “Hmm, you are coming in much more clearly now,” I said. “Makes sense,” she replied, “I’m standing beside you.” I turned, sure enough, there she was, smiling at me. Everyone laughed, except Tina and Summer, with Summer still holding onto me very tightly.

“How long have you two been hugging?” asked Sky. “Never mind,” I said, “Summer is terrified of that man who just arrived. By the way, what is his name?” “Oh, sorry,” she said, “it’s Jeremy Adamson.” “Hmm, that name sounds a bit familiar,” I said. Then I turned and noticed Cynthia and she now had a terrified look on her face too.

That’s why the name sounded familiar. A man named Peter Adamson was around to visit us one time to pick up his merchandise, meaning Cynthia. He was the one who ordered the killing of Sky. I’m surprised Sky didn’t remember, or make the connection, with Peter and Jeremy. “Is that a brother to Peter Adamson?” I asked Cynthia.

She just nodded her head affirmatively. “Irene mentioned that Adamson was likely here to pick up his merchandise,” said Sky, not realizing what she was saying. She was thinking perhaps drugs or something like that. “I want to show you something Steve,” said Summer, “I want all of you to see this. Is it okay Jennifer?”

She then whispered something to Jennifer who then looked at me for a moment and smiled. Summer then showed us two small brands with a J over an A in a circle. Because these were old wounds, Kat couldn’t heal them, it always needs to be a fresh wound. I then asked Sky if anyone on her team might be close in size to Summer and wouldn’t mind sharing some clothes with her.

“Colette!” she exclaimed and left the room. She soon returned with Colette and clothes for Summer which fit perfectly. “Um, how come it says Sky’s Bad Girls on their T-shirts?” asked Summer. “Maybe because they’re bad,” said Tina. Hmm, somehow her attitude seems to have changed since Adamson arrived. Could there be a connection between them?

“Oh, by the way Summer,” said Tina, “your delightful aunt and uncle arrived with Adamson too. I wonder what they want?” “I don’t really care,” said Summer, “I don’t have to see them, do I?” “No, it is not necessary to see them,” I said, “if they try, I will stop them. Now, back to bed for you.” “I just got dressed,” she said.

“Well, you can lie on top of the blankets now,” I said, “or are you going to disobey your older brother?” She suddenly got this big smile and gave me another hug and jumped onto the bed. “I will be right back,” I told everyone, “I want to talk with Irene if possible.” “I’ll come too,” said Jennifer. “Don’t trust me with her?” I asked. “Not with that woman,” she said smiling.

But, by the time we got outside, she was gone. “Sky,” I said, “stay with Summer, don’t let her out of your sight.” “Okay Steve, shall do,” she said. I then called Kitty, Angel, Milena, Crystal, Melanie, Misty, Astrid and Melissa who came with Jennifer and I to check out the Spider House. We also had Storm, Jewel, Tracker, Bandit, Tiia and Moonbeam with us.

I had Tina’s old key for the house that we used before, but it wouldn’t work. Then I noticed the lock had been changed, very sneaky. Now, was that Miss Hanson or Irene. Perhaps Irene discovered the Will was false and decided to lay claim to the house, since it was on her property. Or maybe Miss Hanson did it, or Jeremy Adamson, although he didn’t have the time to get it done since he arrived.

We looked around a bit looking for another way in when Misty called us back to the door, which was now open. “Mac taught me how to pick locks too,” she said smiling. I am now quite certain she has found a way to stay fresh and alert with only 4 hours sleep each night. It’s the only logical explanation for her ability to learn so much.

Anyway, in we went, me first, walking right through a nice sticky spider web and in so doing, a rather large spider ended up on my chest, though it didn’t stay there long! Storm sniffed it, then gulped it down. Meowr.= That a good juicy one.

The other cats then started sniffing around for more, but I called them back. “Storm, don’t do that while I’m watching please,” said Misty, holding her hand over her mouth. We were all in the living room when suddenly we heard footsteps in the dining room, and they appeared to be coming our way…

To Be Continued.

©2025 Steve McLeod.