Xavier had just returned from the resort casino, or one of them anyway, and handed an envelope to Koffman. “Here you go Mr. Koffman,” he said smiling, “it’s almost all there, except for $5,000. The casino is a bit low on American cash at the moment.” “I would have accepted euros,” said Koffman calmly, “now, go back and get me 10,000 euros, and we will call our deal closed.”

“Oh, uh, you mean 5,000 euros,” said Fabien, chuckling. “No, I meant 15,000 euros,” said Koffman, “now Xavier, you have 2 minutes to get that money, and if you don’t get back here within that time, then we will add another 5,000 euros for each minute over that 2 minutes.” “But, there is no way I can get there and back in 2 minutes, Mr. Koffman,” he pleaded, “you have to give me more time than that.”

“Actually, I don’t have to give you any time at all,” said Koffman, “now, you have already used up 30 seconds.” “Be reasonable Koffman,” said Fabien, “that’s impossible to do so quickly.” “Perhaps you are right Fabien,” said Koffman, “as I recall, you have a hidden safe behind that bookcase. Let’s see if you have the money in there instead.” “But, but, that’s my personal money!” pleaded Fabien, “You can’t take that from me!”

“Open the safe Fabien,” said Koffman, and he took aim at Fabien’s head. “Okay, okay,” he said, and he pressed a button which moved the bookcase out of the way revealing the safe. Once open he took out a small steel box and opened it. “Wait a minute Fabien,” said Koffman, “what is that on the bottom shelf?” “Oh now wait! Those are worth over a million euros!” yelled Fabien, “they are not going anywhere! You would have to kill me for those!”

“If you wish,” said Koffman, and he shot Fabien, killing him instantly. “Kill his men,” said Koffman to his own men, and they did so immediately. “Now, Vivienne, tell Helene that she has a new business partner,” said Koffman, “my share will be 40%. If she doesn’t like the terms, then I will ensure that this resort closes, permanently. But together we could make a lot of money. And you would be a much better manager than Fabien.”

“Actually, I am already the manager,” said Vivienne. “Then you deserve a raise,” he said, “effective immediately you will receive an extra 20,000 euros annually.” “Excuse me please,” said a woman as she came into the room. “Jazzy, what brings you in here?” asked Koffman.

“Well, I thought since you were being so generous right now,” she began, “that perhaps you would be willing to let me have the contents of that cash box since I am a witness to this mur…I mean, self defense.” “I could just kill you instead,” said Koffman smiling. “True, but then my men would have to kill you and your men. They are standing right behind you.”

“You’re playing a dangerous game, whoever you are!” yelled Vivienne. “Oh, I have played much more dangerous games than this Vivienne,” said Jazzy. Just then Sky and Courage came walking in from the adjacent office. “Look at the size of that lion!” exclaimed one of Koffman’s men. “You look familiar,” Koffman said to Sky.

“I get around,” said Sky, “you could say that I’m sort of a freelancer, I go where the money is best at the time, with my pet, Courage.” “You were with that PI before, at my nightclub,” he said. “You have a good memory,” said Sky, “likely Courage helped you remember. I work for him at times too. He saved my life once, so now, if he needs help, I’m there to help him. Remember that, you’ll stay healthier that way.”

While this conversation was happening, Vivienne took the opportunity to bring out her own gun which she quickly aimed at Koffman. But Sky was quicker and with a blast of electricity from her finger, Vivienne fell to the floor, dead. “Don’t say I never did anything for you, Koffman,” said Sky, “now, if you and your men would kindly stand aside so we can leave, uh, with our cashbox.”

Koffman handed it to Jazzy and the girls left with Courage. “Get a fire started,” said Koffman, “then we go.” We had thought about a fire too and had disabled the sprinkler system, but we left the fire alarm system working so people would be warned. Soon that alarm was blaring all over the resort and people were running quickly for the exits.

Most people were actually outside at the time, which was good. Sky and Angel had already destroyed Wilbert and his work in the prison, so no one else will ever get at those notes again. And it didn’t take them long to kill Raoul and his men either, although Sky decided to fight Raoul the normal way since he was the one that had beaten Kristina.

During all this chaos we were able to safely get all the rescued women out and into Aoife and Catalina’s van. Then Catalina pressed a button and explosions were heard behind the resort complex and the prison that wasn’t there, was no longer there.

The police were here now and they began telling people to leave the area quickly, fearing an avalanche after the explosions. Fortunately people did as they were warned and left very quickly. Amazing how criminals never seem to really trust each other.

To Be Continued.

©2025 Steve McLeod.