Wilbert, Raoul and 9 other men had come back into the prison chambers so Wilbert could begin more work on the woman who had died. Then they would bring the women out that Koffman purchased as sex slaves. Wilbert and Raoul had stopped at the room where Sky and Angel were, though they had turned invisible for the moment to see if they could learn some new information.

Then the other men came running back. “Raoul, they’re gone, all of them!” said one man. “What?!” he exclaimed, “That is impossible! What do you know about this Wilbert?” “Why look at me?” he asked, “You know I can’t open those cell doors. That’s why I have to call for you all the time!” “What are we going to do now?” asked Raoul, “Koffman is here to pick up his merchandise, which he has already paid for, and we don’t have them anymore.

Fabien will be furious, but even worse, Vivienne will be even more furious and she will be looking for blood! Yours and mine!” “I’m safe,” said Wilbert, “Vivienne knows she needs me still.” “Ha! Don’t think you can always hide behind that fake scientist coat of yours Wilbert,” said Raoul, “you don’t know Vivienne, I do!

Besides, that little snake, Helene, is here now too, and she is even worse than Vivienne!” Meanwhile, “Steve,” said Sky, as she returned briefly, “Helene is here now too, and it was Raoul that killed that last woman and beat Kristina.” “Don’t let him get away Sky, please,” I said to her. “I won’t, I promise,” she said and disappeared again.

Jazzy has arrived and she, along with her friends, are eating lunch on the patio since it is such a beautiful day. I would like to be out there too, but Koffman is also out there eating with Fabien. Fabien was finally called inside by one of the waitresses, so he came in quickly. The waitress pointed him to Vivienne and Helene who were sitting at an inside table.

“Where is the merchandise for Koffman?” asked Vivienne. “Didn’t Raoul bring them in yet?” he asked in return. “If he did, would I be asking right now?” she growled quietly, “Now, go see where he is, and hurry.” Fabien ran down the hall to his office to try and find out what had happened. “See that woman over there Derek?” asked Koffman. “Uh, which one, there are 4 of them,” he responded.

“The beautiful blond in blue,” he said, “that is Ms. Sienna Walker, the woman who recently inherited the Baldwin empire.” “No kiddin’?” he asked, “That would make her one wealthy gal.” “The wealthiest woman in the world,” said Koffman, “I wonder who those others are?” “That one is Jazzy Anderson,” said Derek, “the wife of the late Toledo. I don’t know any of the others.”

“Well, they must work for Ms. Anderson since they came with her,” said Koffman, “but why are they with Ms. Walker? Jazzy is hardly a law abiding citizen, actually, I thought she was still in prison.” “Maybe that Ms. Walker got her out,” said Derek. “I’ll be right back,” said Koffman. “Greetings Ms. Walker,” began Koffman, “allow me to introduce myself, I’m Kurt Koffman.

It is quite a surprise to see you here all by yourself. I would think that a woman like you would be surrounded by guards.” “A pleasure to meet such a handsome man,” she responded, “as for guards, they surround me all over, including my friends here. Would you care to join us while you wait for Fabien to return? He seems to have some kind of emergency to deal with so he might be gone for a while.”

“I heard you were in prison, Ms. Anderson,” he said as he sat down. “As you can see, that rumor is false,” she answered. “How did you know that Fabien had an emergency to deal with Ms. Walker?” asked Koffman. “I like to know what goes on around me,” she said, “I find it is safer that way. It appears that Fabien lost some merchandise that one of his customers had purchased and he is now trying to figure out what to do about that little problem.”

“Very interesting, Ms. Walker,” said Koffman, “um, do you also know what this merchandise is perhaps?” “Rumor has it that perhaps the merchandise is three very beautiful women,” she replied, “and another woman wanted them, but because Fabien would not sell them to her, she decided to take them anyway.” Koffman smiled.

“I’m quite certain that Fabien could have made much more money selling to this mystery woman,” he said. “That is quite true,” she said, “but sometimes losing is winning in disguise. Though sometimes men don’t quite see it that way.” “Very true,” said Koffman, “and Fabien is going to find out that some buyers don’t like incompetence.”

“Well, it’s not really Fabien’s fault,” she said, “it’s Vivienne, she really doesn’t know how to run a business like this.” “Fabien has not mentioned her,” said Koffman. “That’s because Fabien likes his customers to think he is the manager,” said Sienna, “but really it’s Vivienne that runs things. She and Fabien are undoubtedly discussing how to deal with this problem as we speak.”

“It has been nice talking with you Ms. Walker,” he said, “but I must go now. Good bye.” “Good bye Mr. Koffman,” she said. He nodded at his men and they followed him inside, as did Catalina and Aoife, though they came to our room after turning invisible as they passed a grouping of large plants. They had met Jennifer so she could bring them to our room without being noticed. Back to Koffman.

They went into Fabien’s office. “Where is my merchandise?” asked Koffman. “Um, well, we seem to have lost them,” said Fabien. “Who is she?” asked Koffman. “None of your business!” exclaimed Vivienne. “Obviously you are Vivienne,” he said. “How did you know about her?” asked Fabien. Koffman and his men took out their guns. “I will ask once more,” said Koffman, “where is my merchandise?”

“They escaped,” said a very nervous Fabien. “They escaped that prison of yours?” asked Koffman, “I have been in there, remember? There is no way they could escape. Now, give me my money back.” “I don’t have it,” he said, “Helene picked it up today and she’s gone already.”

“Then get it from your casino,” said Koffman, “with 50% interest, that’s what I always charge on loans, and we will call this a loan. Or you die right now.” Fabien sent Xavier to get the money and he was back quickly and handed it to Koffman. But, winning often means losing…

To Be Continued.

©2025 Steve McLeod.