Before this Mr. M. contacted us about a ransom for Misty, I had been talking with Jennifer and told her that Neil had kidnapped Misty and was using her to get me to cooperate. “Remember one of our main rules Steve,” she said, “we do not pay ransom of any kind for anyone, no matter what. It just can’t be done or our enemies would be kidnapping us left and right and demanding ransoms.”

“But…this is different,” I said, “it’s Misty. How can I come home and face Cristy and tell her we, or I, left Misty behind with our enemies. Misty and Cristy have no other family, just each other. Cristy would be devastated and maybe even hate us all and leave. We can’t just betray her like that.”

“Then why have that rule?” she argued, “We don’t want to leave anyone behind. But sometimes we get killed and never make it home. Every time Misty goes on a case Cristy knows that she might not come home. I know, sometimes it’s hard to be the leader and make these decisions. I will help, you be firm.” Sigh. Sometimes I think it’s time to disband The Investigators.

We have lost so many people over the years, even people we try to help. Now we lose a lawyer that wasn’t even part of our team, he worked for Sienna. Anyway, back to the present and Mr. M. He now has Misty and is holding her for ransom and wants to meet to complete the deal. I agreed, but he needed to bring Misty with him or there would be no talking.

There was a sidewalk cafe not far from our hotel, nice and open, so that is where we agreed to meet. We certainly had a lot of cash with us from the two safes we emptied. So, in a sense we are not really paying ransom, our enemies are doing that for us. I wonder if I can argue that point effectively with Jennifer?

We arrived at the sidewalk cafe about 15 minutes early, Sky being with me to help if needed. We had the money with us and Sky was guarding that. Mr. M. was very punctual, arriving just one minute early. He had a large black limousine and 2 beautiful bodyguards with him. He was dressed in black, wearing dark glasses and his bodyguards were also dressed in black and also wearing dark glasses.

I wanted to see Misty first to make sure she was okay, so one of his bodyguards opened the back door so I could see her. “Are you okay?” I asked Misty. “Yes, except I feel like an idiot for letting them kidnap me,” she responded with her head down. “Are you satisfied with the merchandise?” asked Mr. M. “Yes, the money is in that bag,” I said, and Sky handed it to him and he checked it.

“Very well,” he said, “I will keep my part of the deal. Come out here you nasty woman! That creature actually bit me!” “You pulled my hair!” she exclaimed. “That was an accident, you horrible woman,” he grumbled, “this could get infected.” “Well, I accidentally bit your hand!” Misty said firmly. He mumbled something, then got back in his car and drove away.

Our car pulled up just then and Misty got in first. I had been watching a second floor window of a building across the street. Someone had a rifle pointed at us. Sky was about to get in next but she stopped when she saw me raise my arm. I shot a ball of electricity at the window which lit up the room brightly. There were a couple of brief screams, then silence. “Yes!”

said Sky excitedly, “a perfect lightning ball Steve!” She threw her arms around me giving me a big hug. “My twin is learning!” she exclaimed again. We got into the car and drove away. “I always miss the action,” said Misty, then she added, “you two are twins?! That is so cool, we now have 3 sets of twins on our team! Oh, guess what, guess what?”

“You are very excited,” I said. “Yep, true, but that’s not it,” she said, “so I’ll give you a hint. While they had me locked in the office for about 20 minutes I turned on the computer and figured out their password, it was super easy, then I started looking for information about their gang and Carole Ann’s family and lots of other stuff.

There was a flash drive in the desk drawer so I downloaded all the information I could get on that thing and I have it with me! We thought Carole Ann only had two brothers, but she actually has 4 of them.” She then looked at me and smiled. “Cynthia has been teaching me how to break into computers, hack into them, what to look for and how to find it quickly,” she said, then smiled again.

I looked at her. “Do you ever sleep?” I asked. “Of course I do, why?” she asked. “With all that you have been learning lately,” I said, “and all your regular work too, I just don’t see how there is enough time in the day to do all that. Don’t you ever take your break periods?” “Sure, I spend them at the pool,” she said smiling.

When this case is over I’m going to watch her closely and see how she does this. “Also, we thought that Carole Ann was dead, but she isn’t,” said Misty, “she is still alive and she coordinates the activities of the rest of the family.” Sky was sitting next to me and she grabbed my arm and moved in tight beside me.

Carole Ann can’t hurt Sky anymore, but she put so much fear into Sky that she is still scared of her. I can’t even imagine what Carole Ann must have done to Sky, but it must have been absolutely unthinkable terror. I put my arm around her and held her tightly. “Um, Steve,” said Misty, “how come Mr. M’s bodyguards came with us?”

“That was part of the deal I made with him,” I told her, “he didn’t want them anymore and he would sell them to me if I wanted them. So I said sure.” “Oh, that was nice of you,” she said, “I’ll give you that flash drive at the hotel.” I almost asked why I couldn’t have it right now, but I stopped myself in time. I’m learning that there are certain things I should never ask Misty and Cristy.

Back at the hotel I contacted Aari and he was ready with his men. Jennifer said they were ready at the chateau as well and that Carine had arrived home safely. I sent her back to help out since the only ghosts left at home were Jennifer and Kitty since Kat left. That would be enough really, but they may need to help protect others.

I sent Angel with Aari to help the men and Sky and Kristina are here with me. We are now on our way to join Aari and the guys. Kat is ready on her end too, she discovered where Livia was having lunch with some of her men. “I have a grand entrance planned Steve,” she said, “Livia is not going to escape this time.”

“Good, but be careful,” I told her, “she might have some surprises ready for anyone who would dare to spoil her lunch. And your Wildcats can be killed.” “They are all wearing vests Steve,” said Kat, “the wrath of the Kat will begin now!”

“Okay Aari,” I said, “hit fast and hard, don’t give them time to think!” Misty had taken us all to the office building that Neil Moore used as his headquarters. Misty found out exactly when Jud and his men would attack the chateau, which is why we timed our attacks to match his…

To Be Continued.

©2025 Steve McLeod.