While Kat and I were lying on the bed talking something interesting happened. A holographic image showed up in the room with us. It was Karl, Kat’s father, adopted father really. “If you really are my daughter,” he said, “then come and join me once again. Between us we can be king and queen of all Europe. We will own the entire drug trade and will have more money than we could ever use.

We think alike and we would make an invincible team. No one could stop us, not ever! What do you say, are you with me again?” “No, I am not with you again,” said Kat, “I am ashamed of the fact that I was with you before. But now, my life has changed, and for the better, and I will never return to my old life again. I like my new life and this is where I will stay. And along with the rest of our team, I will fight you and we will stop you.”

“That stupid PI has destroyed you girl,” he yelled, “you will never be able to stop me now!” Then the image disappeared, the reason being our team had gone to the room above to check on things and found two men up there who were operating things. One tried to fight and was killed, the other one surrendered and was brought down to me.

He wouldn’t talk though, so I told Rock to take him outside and let him go free, which he did. “They are taking Ron outside now,” said a man, “they seemed to be on good terms, laughing together.” Actually, it was just Rock that was laughing. “Take Ron out somewhere and kill him,” said Karl, “he obviously talked.” “Shall do Karl,” said the man, “I always figured he was weak.”

“If nothing else, Karl is losing men,” I said, “but we still don’t know where he is.” “He is in the castle,” said Rochelle, “what better place to live if you are a king?” That made sense, but where in that castle? He could be living in one of the hidden rooms, but that hardly seems like a king. So, I decided to call for some help. “Hey Cristy,” I said, “are you awake?”

“Don’t you people sleep? It’s late,” asked Cristy. “I’m sorry Cristy,” I said, “but I would only disturb you if it was a matter of utmost importance. You are such an amazing, kind and beautiful woman and I just have one tiny question.” “How can it be a tiny question and be of utmost importance?” she asked, “Um, don’t you remember that I said flattery doesn’t get you bonus points with me? (she then giggled) Okay, what is it?”

“Are there any other castles close to us that are presently being used as a private residence?” I asked. “That is of utmost importance?” she asked in return, “To check real estate in the area?” “I’m trying to find out where Karl might be living,” I replied, “since he wants to be king, living in a castle makes sense. Rochelle thought of that one, not me though.”

“I thought someone else did, since it’s a good idea,” she said. Hmm, I wonder what she meant by that? It didn’t take her long to find a castle for us to check out. It is small, but apparently very nice. We will check that out in the morning. The rest of the night passed quietly, which was nice, so we were able to get some sleep.

We were back at the castle in the morning and although the directors showed up to open the museum I told them it would be staying closed until further notice. The one man said we can’t do that, but I told them that we have been beaten and threatened, plus kidnapped and we will do what I feel is best to get things done here.

The director threatened to get the police involved to throw us out if we did not allow them to open the museum today. I then threatened to have them arrested as accomplices in the murders of the previous directors and being on the payroll of a known murderer and drug dealer. I likely couldn’t make that stick, but it might scare them a bit.

He then calmed down and suggested a compromise, so I said they could open at noon until 5pm. They all agreed to that. I also said they could work in their offices this morning. I didn’t tell them about the other director that we had found murdered yesterday. We called the police to take care of that one and they allowed us to continue working as long as we kept them informed, to which I agreed.

Back in that tunnel Sky and Carine were looking at that wall again, so I went in there too so I could see what they were looking at. All I could see were stones. I looked at Carine. “That one woman director is back in that room again, plus two other men,” she said smiling, “wish I could hear what they were saying though.” Meanwhile, I had Aari and his men checking out that other castle.

“There’s a helicopter flying around out there,” said Lionel. Karl looked out the window. “I knew Ron talked,” said Karl, “that must be those stupid PI’s watching us, not that they will see anything that will help them.” However, the helicopter was just a decoy so the guys could come in behind and get right up to that castle. They managed to do it too.

Then they climbed up the back wall which put them even with the third floor. There were bars on all the windows, but that didn’t matter for what they wanted to do. First some of the guys went down and to the front where there were two cars, likely waiting to take Karl somewhere. John disabled the security cameras while Trapper and Lance (one of Trapper’s friends) quickly went into action, running over to the cars and slipping partly underneath.

Trapper and Lance deposited a little gift under each car and left in a hurry. John left his gift by the front door, then left in a hurry also. Clarence, Cal and Burk waited for them to return, then they each smashed a window and tossed a package into 3 different rooms. Then all of them left in a hurry over the wall. “What was that noise upstairs?” asked Karl,

“Check it out right away!” Right then the helicopter returned and began shooting at the castle, smashing a lot of the windows on the one side. Then it flew off. By now the guys were safely away from the castle and Aari pressed a button. That caused the packages upstairs to explode in a ball of fire. Then he pressed a second button and the packages under the cars and by the front door exploded.

I wasn’t planning to kill Karl with this attack, but I was hoping to get him angry so that he might make a mistake and come out in the open where we can get at him easily without any of us getting killed. Kat said her father always prided himself on not making mistakes. He said that mistakes are made by fools who don’t think.

He seems to have forgotten that he made a mistake last time we met, which is why he ended up in prison. Kat also figured he must have a second secret way to get in and out of that museum. “You know where he’s hiding that stolen treasure, don’t you?” I asked Kat. “He won’t be hiding it, he will have it in the open,” she said, “it’s his symbol of power and he wants everyone to know that he is king.”

“Then we will have to take that symbol from him,” I said. “No, I will have to do it,” she countered, “you will stay behind where it is safe. He can’t hurt me.” “If I don’t go, then neither do you,” I said. “That’s blackmail,” she said frowning. “We will take Sky as well,” I said, “and we will go this afternoon when the museum is open, since we will have to pull out of there anyway.”

“Are you even listening to me?” asked Kat. “Hmm, I have an even better idea,” I said, “tell me what you think of this.” (Rusty) Meow.= Me think your human going to get in trouble. (Muffin)Meow,meow.= That normal, he need help, which leg you want? (Rusty)Meow.=Oh, I get choice? I pick right leg. (Muffin)Meow,meow.= Okay, let’s go. Chomp! Chomp! I screamed.

“Why did you two do that?” I asked. “To keep you out of trouble,” said Kat giggling, “now, if you want to come, I’m in charge, you do what I say.” “Hey, wait a minute,” I said. “Or I call Jennifer,” added Kat. “That’s blackmail,” I said. “I learned it from the best,” she said smiling.

To Be Continued.

©2025 Steve McLeod.