When our helpers arrived I didn’t quite expect what happened. Kat had sent a note along with Angel and she gave it to me. Sky was on one side of me, Misty on the other, and both wanted to see the note, so I let them read it with me.

“Steve, you are to let Lombardi, Spence, David and Vinnie go free. That’s an order! Our part was to free the family and we did that, except for David and Vinnie, and they don’t want to be rescued. Apparently they don’t want their children either so other family members will look after them. But, you are right, we can’t let Vinnie expose our team or it will be everywhere in less than 24 hours.

Angel has the plan and she will explain it to you. I can’t wait to get home and listen to your report, I’m sure it will be quite humorous! By the way, it was Rossana that told us to let them go free, the police will handle things. They already arrested Rossana’s boss for working with Lombardi.

Since this operation began before he took over his position, he didn’t know which police officers had infiltrated Lombardi’s organization, so he had to dig around until he found the names of everyone which he then sold to Lombardi and he had David pick up the list. See you back at the chateau guys! Kat.”

“She knows something,” said Sky and Misty together. “Yes, that seems to be quite obvious,” I said, “we could be in for a slight bit of trouble.” “What do you mean we?” asked Sky. “Yeah, what do you mean we?” asked Misty, “Kat mentioned “your” report, not mine.” “Or mine,” said Sky. I put my arm around Misty.

“Do you remember,” I began, “that stunning blue skirt and jacket, with matching shoes and purse? And that amazing summer, floppy brimmed hat you loved? Or perhaps that…” “You can stop there,” she said, “after all, it’s “our” report since we worked on this together.” I looked at Sky. She sighed. “Okay, I’m in,” she said, “we’re all going to get some inactive duty time anyway.”

“Yep,” said Misty. I just sighed. “Which one of you is in charge for this last part anyway?” I asked. Apparently it was Angel and she didn’t like the idea too much. Angel is not a team leader and doesn’t feel she is ready to be one either. She prefers her role as a team helper instead. Not everyone is ready to be a team leader and Angel is perfect as a team helper. She looked at me and smiled.

Then she gave me a big hug and a kiss. “And you thought my kiss was long,” said Misty. “Yep,” said Sky, “Angel has never kissed Steve before. This is quite amazing really.” “I wonder if Jennifer and Kat have little cameras watching us?” asked Misty, “they seem to know what’s going on.” Sky just looked at her, then at the buttons on her shirt.

“Nah, couldn’t be,” she said shaking her head. Anyway, Angel asked if I would take over, she had a headache and didn’t want to make a mistake. For some reason I believed that without question, forgetting momentarily that she was a ghost. Oh well. Down we went to the second level and found Lombardi in another, very large, office.

I went in first after unlocking the door and Lombardi actually looked genuinely surprised to see us. I guess they didn’t have any security cameras watching us. “Well, well, looks like the leader of the Investigators has caught up with us,” said Lombardi, “but don’t expect to leave here alive Steve.” “This guy has really lost his senses,” I said to Misty, “no wonder Raven decided not to join up with him.” We laughed together.

While we were doing this, Kitty went over and whispered something to Vinnie and slipped an envelope into her purse. I should also mention that while we were upstairs, Sky had removed the paralysis from Vinnie so she was able to talk with Lombardi before we came down. Lombardi didn’t let on, but he noticed when Kitty slipped that envelope into Vinnie’s purse.

“By the way Lombardi,” I said, “Raven sends his regards and thanks you for that nice shipment of goods you gave him. Also, you might want to leave this underground dungeon right away, or it might be your grave. It seems some nasty people are going to set fire to that building on top of this spot.” We then turned and left again, laughing our way out.

“Let me see that purse,” said Lombardi. “There’s nothing important in here,” she said nervously. “Then you won’t mind showing it to me,” he said, “now, hand it over!” She did so and he took out the envelope which held a nice thank you note from Raven, in his handwriting too, which Lombardi knew very well. This one was written by Cynthia. She has also become very good at copying the handwriting of other people.

There was also $10,000 “for this month’s payment”, the note said. “I hate being betrayed Vinnie,” he said, “I was wondering how you could know so many of those Investigators, unless you just made up the list, or maybe Raven made up the list and gave it to you? What about this list of cops that had infiltrated my organization? Another fake list?” He then took out his gun and shot her.

“You may as well stay with your wife David,” he said. “No, wait, I’m loyal, it was just my wife!” he exclaimed. “Then why didn’t you tell me before?” asked Lombardi. He then shot David. Lombardi, Spence and 6 other men came out, barely making it out the back door. They jumped into their car and off they drove. “So sad we had to let them go,” said Sky. “Yep,” said Misty. “Yep,” added Angel.

We were driving away as the fire department and police arrived at the restaurant. By that time the fire was burning on every floor. Lombardi did lose a lot of men, plus that big shipment of drugs, guns, women and young girls. There were also diamonds and other gems, gold and money. Lots of money. Which the police let us keep, plus the diamonds and guns and the 4 women.

Rossana thought we could perhaps help the women. She has been promoted to take over from her boss. Fortunately Lombardi believed our story that Raven was still alive, but he is not, Aoife shot the real Raven when he arrived that first night.

Aari and his boys took the shipment of goods from Lombardi and hid it in an old warehouse at the edge of the city. Well, I guess that concludes this case, except for giving our reports when we get home, but that’s not too important anyway. I wonder what our next case will be? Somehow I don’t think it will include me though. Sigh.

The End. A new case will begin shortly.

©2025 Steve McLeod.