After I had called Kristina to bring her team out here, I remembered that half her team was away for Christmas. And we now lost 4 from the Bad Girls team, Alizea, Katresa, Sabina and Annika. So I asked Kat to call her Wildcats to come out as well and they arrived with Kristina’s team. I also called Matt and asked him to have his team ready to come and help if we need them. Because this house is about half way between our two chateaux, it takes about the same amount of time to get here from either place.

Matt has the largest team now, though 5 are away for Christmas, including 3 of the biggest members. Oh well, I am not going to tell anyone they can’t go home for Christmas, everyone needs a break now and then and this is an important time. Most of our team do not have family to be with at Christmas, we are their family. So, we need to get this case concluded quickly if at all possible. Kristina brought out some new flashlights from Baldwin Corp.

They are much brighter but still don’t use any more battery power than the old ones we had. We’re just kind of testing them out for Baldwin. Hannah also sent King and Queen out to help us, they are good for protection in bedrooms at night, plus they have proven themselves to be amazing at finding things during our testing for the cats. Meanwhile, “That sure worked well,” said a woman, “I told you it was a stupid idea. The best way to get rid of Steve is to make sure he doesn’t find anything.

Now he’s never going to leave.” “You just love saying ‘I told you so’, don’t you?” replied a man, “I will get rid of him, even if I have to kill him to do it.” “No you won’t!” shouted the woman, “That would just bring his whole team in here and they would take this house apart if you did something so idiotic as that! Just seal the secret doors, so if they find them, they won’t be able to open them. Then we just sit still for a few days until they get tired of looking around and leave.”

“What about all of our drug shipments?” said Marshal. “All of our drops and pick ups are far from here, so we can keep on with those,” said Lyla, “but we will have to shut down the photography studio for a few days.” “Great, I have men lined up to come out here tomorrow,” said Marshal. “Well, call them and let them know we have to wait a few days,” said Lyla, “I will keep the women locked up here for now.” “We should just take them out and get rid of them early,” said Marshal, “it costs money to feed them and it isn’t hard getting more women. I should have kept those 4 women we had tonight.”

“Yes, that would have been smarter than beating them and sending them back,” said Lyla, “either way we have to put up with Steve, but we would have made some good money keeping them, all 4 were beautiful women.” “Oh shut up!” yelled Marshal. She then slapped him very hard. “Just remember who the boss is around here,” said Lyla, “I can get along just fine without you.” “I agree you are very good with what you do,” he acknowledged, “but you need me for the financial end of things, and for dealing with our suppliers.”

“It wouldn’t be hard to find a replacement to handle those things,” she said, “now, do as I said so we can get rid of these people.” “Hey Lyla, take a look at this,” said Simeon. “I don’t see anything, except, what is wrong with the picture here?” “That’s just it,” he said, “I wanted to take a picture of those weird dogs they brought in and one of those gals stood in front just as I snapped the picture. See, the shape of her body is there, but she didn’t show up, that’s never happened before.”

“Maybe they have some kind of protective clothing,” suggested Marshal, “so the camera isn’t able to get their photo.” “Have you heard of such a thing?” asked Lyla. “No,” he said, “but something must have happened.” Now, back to us. Angel, Amerie, Dawn and I, plus King and Queen were walking past our bedroom. “Wait a minute,” I said, “I want my other gun.” I quickly ran around behind the door and the caracals began to growl right away. Angel was in the bedroom fast, but not fast enough.

I was gone. Dawn hit the red alert and everyone came running. But they couldn’t even find a secret door, though there had to be one behind the bedroom door…somewhere. My eyes opened, the room was brightly lit and my wrists were shackled to the stone wall, rather tightly. A woman came into the room. “Look what my men caught Lyla,” said Marshal. “Have you lost your senses completely?” she asked. “Sky,” I said. “You could have called sooner,” she said to me.

“I had been knocked out,” I explained, “so I couldn’t call. Um, can they hear us?” “No, they can’t see me either,” she said, “so we will play a bit with them.” The shackles fell from my wrists. “Hey, I thought I said to make those things tight?” yelled Marshal. “I did boss,” said Simeon. “They were too tight,” I said, “look at the marks on my wrists.” Simeon came over. “The shackles are still locked,” he said, “no way he could get out.”

“Looks like he did,” said Lyla. I put my hand on Simeon’s chest. “Don’t come any closer,” I said, “or you will die.” “Oh, I’m scared,” he said, “so go ahead, kill me.” Everyone laughed, except Lyla. “Okay,” I said, “you die!” He screamed and fell backward, dead. Another man checked him. “Yep, he’s dead,” said the man, “he was my friend PI, so now you die!” I held out my hand and a bolt of electricity left my hand and hit him, knocking him back a few feet, and he also fell to the floor, dead.

“Now, let me go,” I said, “or all of you will die.” “Vanessa said they could do strange things,” said Marshal. “No wonder you’re such an idiot,” said Lyla, “I told you before to stay away from Vanessa, she’s an idiot too.” Actually, it was Sky doing the electricity part, she just put her hand in front of mine while she was invisible. But it sure made our enemies think a bit. “How long to go bring Angel back here with you,” I asked Sky, “she feels bad that these people captured me when she was guarding me.”

“Not long, but disappear until we return,” she said, so I did. “Hey, where did he go?” asked Joe. “How did he do that?” asked Marshal in return. I tapped him on the shoulder and he turned around quickly. “Hi!” I said and he jumped, “Oh, this is my friend Sky and her pet kitty, Angel.” “Whoa!” yelled Marshal, “Look at the size of that lion!” “These people want to hurt Steve, Angel kitty,” said Sky. Angel roared and attacked, throwing the men around and biting Lyla’s leg, making her screech in pain.

“Okay,” I said, “now, let’s get serious. Either you let us go or all of you will die. I also want those women you have locked up here.” “Look,” said Marshal, “I will make you a good deal for those women.” “You are in no position to bargain,” I said, “do what I say, or you will become dinner for Angel kitty.” “You can have the women,” said Lyla, “what happens to us?” “We will have a meeting and vote to see what we will do with you,” I said, “that should take about one hour. If you are still here at that time, we will turn you over to the police.”

She then ordered one of the men to get the 3 women for us. He then took us to the secret door leading into our bedroom and once we were out, he locked the door securely. “Now, let’s get out of here, wait a few days until they are gone and then come back to continue our business,” said Lyla. “They will come after us again,” said Marshal.

“Not if we use our brains this time,” said Lyla, “and things can even be better this time, since no one will be looking for us. And we keep our work farther afield. Now, I need a doctor for this bite on my leg.” “That should be interesting to explain to the doctor,” said Marshal…

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.