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For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Well, we have discovered that Rossana’s family are not in Lombardi’s big building anymore, and maybe they never were there for very long. They were likely taken out of there through a tunnel that goes under the street to a store across from the restaurant, one that Lombardi likely owns. From there they could have been taken anywhere and that poses a big problem for us since time keeps ticking away.
We used an ability that we have not used before, something that Sky, Angel, Kat and Carine are able to do. While sitting at the table after eating, Sky and Angel left to look around the building, but it looked like they were still sitting at the table. However, they did appear to be a bit stiff, like they had fallen asleep with their eyes open.
Fortunately Lombardi was concentrating on me and I don’t think any of his men wanted to interrupt him or they may disappear like Warren did. That helped a lot. I must remember to talk with Kat about that. Anyway, it did work this time, but it didn’t help us. Hopefully Cristy will come up with some new information for us.
“Steve, you should have told me what was going on,” said Misty, “I was getting ready to give Sky a sharp jab with my elbow to wake her up.” “You didn’t tell Misty?” asked Sky, “That was kind of dangerous, don’t you think?” “Steve says he doesn’t like to think too much,” said Misty, “it gives him a headache!” Then she laughed. Loud and long.
“I wonder if Cristy would like to be my wife?” I asked out loud, “I could send you home and she could take your place.” I smiled at Misty. “What?!” exclaimed Misty, “You can’t change wives in the middle of a case. How would you explain that to Lombardioo?” “That’s Lombardi,” I said, “did you forget that you are twins, identical twins? Lombardi wouldn’t notice.”
“But you can’t fire me from being your wife!” she exclaimed again, “Just when I’m getting to like it too.” “Yeah, that wouldn’t be nice,” said Sky. “Okay, I won’t fire you Misty,” I said, “now, we need a plan to find those people and if they are outside the city, then we are in trouble. It’s much easier to work and move around in the city.”
“Yep, that’s true,” said Misty, “did you check the basement?” “How do you think we found the tunnel?” asked Sky rolling her eyes, “It wasn’t a very big basement though.” Cristy finally called and said that Lombardi didn’t have any country places, but he did own several buildings in the city, plus he has 2 huge yachts.
“Hmm, we will check those yachts tonight if they are at the marina,” I said, “those would be a very likely place to keep them, then they could head out to sea in a hurry if need be. Or even take them to a different city for safety.” Meanwhile, back at the chateau. “Jennifer,” said Cristy, “Jazzy is on the phone, she says it’s important.”
“Okay, let me talk to her,” she said, “hi Jazzy, what’s up?” “Isn’t Steve around?” she asked. “No, he’s on a case right now,” said Jennifer, “enjoying himself in Italy.” “Oh, that’s not good,” said Jazzy, “I just got word that Raven is after Steve, but first he was heading to see a man he knows in Italy, a Mr. Lombardi.” Jennifer spit her mouthful of tea all over the floor upon hearing that.
“I just washed the floor this afternoon,” sighed Jacquelyn. Jennifer communicated with me right away about Raven. “Oh, great, Raven is coming to town,” I said, “he is out to kill me again.” “Why are you worried about that?” asked Misty. “Because he knows many of us,” I said, “and he’s coming to visit his friend Lombardi.”
“Oh, that’s not good,” said Misty, “wait, why don’t we get Aoife to take him out as soon as he gets here. She’s a fantastic sniper and she’s with Kat’s team.” I look at Misty. I knew she would be a good team leader. I contacted Kat and told her about Raven and we need to get rid of him quickly so he doesn’t give away our cover.
We knew the approximate time he would be arriving, which was good, and we had Aoife in place across the street from Lombardi’s restaurant. At 11pm a limousine pulled up to the main restaurant doors and Raven, plus 2 other men, got out and began to walk up to the doors. Aoife began with Raven, then shot the other two as well. Then she quickly left.
Lombardi sent some of his men over to the building where Aoife had been, but she was long gone. She did leave the rifle behind though, as instructed. I wanted Lombardi’s men to find it, so he would know he’s being watched. “That’s not a police weapon boss,” said Dimitri, “someone was hired to kill Raven and maybe send a message to you as well.”
“What kind of message?” asked Lombardi. “That your head could be next,” said Dimitri, “and someone obviously knew the approximate time Raven would arrive too. That shows a bigger operation since Raven is extra careful, he usually doesn’t even tell those travelling with him what his schedule is going to be and he will often make changes along the way, just to confuse anyone that might be out to get him.”
“Didn’t help him this time,” said Vincent. “Kept him alive for years though,” said Giovanni. “That’s why it had to be a bigger organization that did it,” said Dimitri. “What about this MacLean guy?” asked Lombardi. “Not big enough to plan that one boss,” said Vincent, “but maybe the head of those Black Wolves planned it. That would explain why they are in town right now.”
“Hmm, I don’t like having people around in my territory uninvited,” said Lombardi, “Vincent, tomorrow start leaning on those guys, let them know they are not wanted. If they leave, fine, if not, kill them.” “Shall do Mr. Lombardi,” said Vincent.
Meanwhile, at the marina. This was a great diversion for us and we are now in place to check out these two yachts owned my Lombardi. They are indeed quite large, but we should be able to check them out quickly enough. Sky and Angel went aboard one, while Misty, Kristina, Kitty and I went aboard the largest one.
I really didn’t want to bring Misty along, but she insisted on coming and I didn’t really feel like arguing with her. I guess she does need to learn, just like we all did. Of course, the rest of us were killed, but that’s beside the point. The yacht we are searching is dark, unlike the other one, and that makes me a little nervous.
Where are the guards that should be here? Even an empty yacht like this one would still have guards on board and there should be security lights on everywhere. Everything is dark, and quiet. Something is not right and…what was that?
To Be Continued.
©2025 Steve McLeod.
Mr. Lombardi didn’t seem to like the fact that I disobeyed his order to come by myself and bring Misty, Sky and Angel. He probably won’t like it when I tell him we disarmed his escort he sent for me. He had told his men to bring another table over so we could all fit. After we sat down, another young woman, named Tracy, came inside with a small bag and dumped the contents on the table, then left.
“Sorry that we had to disarm your friendly escorts,” I said, “but we don’t like being told to do anything at gunpoint. The clips have been emptied however. If it should happen again, we won’t be so gentle.” I could tell that Lombardi was close to exploding. “Are these your guns?” he asked his men. They unfortunately had to say yes. “Pick them up,” he said coldly.
Then he turned to me. “I will forget this little incident,” he said, “since you obviously don’t understand who runs this territory. I know all about you Maclean, and your organization. You are small, so small I could step on you and squash you like an ant. Apparently you came here on vacation, correct?” “True,” I said, “this is a popular tourist spot with large sandy beaches and right on the Mediterranean Sea.
I thought it would be the perfect place to spend a few quiet days.” Right then our meals were brought. “Mmm, looks and smells delicious,” said Misty. Angel then reached onto her shoulder and soon a cat was in her hands, Storm to be exact. He sniffed her food, then Sky’s, Misty’s and mine last and all was fine, so her quickly returned to Angel and she put him back on her shoulder, where he disappeared again.
“What was that thing?” asked Lombardi, who was quickly losing his patience. “That is Storm, one of our cats,” I said, “he is our official food checker, to make sure their is no poison. We have had that problem before, not that I’m saying you would do such a thing, but perhaps someone in your kitchen staff might think it funny to do so.”
“I have the best kitchen staff in the country,” fumed Lombardi. “Where did the mutt go anyway?” asked one of Lombardi’s men. “He’s sitting on my shoulder,” said Angel, “anyone can see that.” “There is no cat on your shoulder lady,” he said, “so don’t play games with me.” “I can see the cat,” said Lombardi, “why can’t you Warren?” All the other men also said they could see Storm.
“Oh, I can see it now,” he said, “well, I can see it’s head, but not it’s body.” “Have you been into the drugs again Warren?” asked Lombardi. “No, no I haven’t sir,” he said, wiping sweat from his forehead. “Hey, now the guys wife is gone,” said Warren, “explain that one MacLean.” “My wife is sitting beside me,” I said calmly. Everyone else could see her too.
“Vincent, take Warren for a walk in the fresh air for a while,” said Lombardi, “give him his pay first. And Warren, don’t come back.” “Yes, yes sir,” he said nervously. The two left after Vincent got an envelope from a woman who came out of an office close to the door. “Are you interested in gambling?” asked Lombardi. “No, I never gamble,” I told him.
“I disagree,” he replied, “you gambled your life by coming here today.” “I never gamble, I said again, “I don’t do things unless I feel that I can win. You invited me here today, so I knew you would let me leave. And although my group is small, we could still give you quite a headache if something should happen to us while we are here.”
“You know, my patience is wearing thin,” he told me, “I wanted to let you know who’s territory you are in, and let it go at that. But, you are like an insolent little brat who needs to be taught a lesson. The ladies may go, but you will stay until tomorrow.” While this was going on, Aari and 5 of his Wolves came into the restaurant and sat down.
We could see them from where we were sitting. Misty touched my hand and slightly pointed to them. Lombardi saw that easily enough. “Friends of yours?” he asked me. I half chuckled. “Hardly,” I said, “I don’t know them personally, but they are a large organization from Canada. Interesting that they should show up here right now, they seldom leave Canada.”
“Do they have a name?” he asked. I looked at him, thinking if I should help him out or not. “You will be allowed to leave with the ladies,” he said. “The Black Wolves,” I said, “the leader is Aari Jensen, sitting on the left, his girlfriend is beside him. They are a much bigger problem than we could ever be to you.” At that we got up and left.
“Look up those Black Wolves Dimitri,” said Lombardi, “I want to know everything about them and why they are here. Also find out more about that Steve MacLean, I don’t trust him.” “Right boss, on it,” said Dimitri. Meanwhile, back to us, walking our way to the hotel. “Well Sky,” I asked, “did you and Angel discover anything?”
“That’s a big building to check in such a short time,” said Sky, “but we didn’t find Rossana’s family anywhere.” “There is a tunnel under the street to the clothing store across from the restaurant,” said Angel, “most likely they were taken out that way and moved somewhere else right at the beginning.” “That’s great news,” I said, “now we have to find out where they were taken and get them out of harm’s way, in just 5 days.”
“Well, technically it’s 5 1/2 days,” said Misty smiling. “I could send you back home,” I said, looking at her sternly, “Cristy, I want to know if this Lombardi owns any country estates, or whatever they are called here, but only in this general area.” “Okay Steve,” she said, “I will get back to you soon.” This is not starting off good at all…
To Be Continued.
©2025 Steve McLeod.
