After someone shot at Carine and Brandy, Aari sent 3 of the guys after that shooter. They caught him coming down the back stairs and brought him back to Aari who was sitting in one of the vans out front. “Are you okay Brandy?” asked Carine. Brandy was just standing there looking at Carine. “Those bullets,” she said, “they hit you and fell to the sidewalk, and you’re not even hurt.”

“Well, that’s part of a, um, new invention that we are trying out on our team,” said Carine, “but I’m not really allowed to talk about it right now. It is supposed to be something secret.” “Oh, that makes more sense then,” said Brandy, “it’s just that with the way things are right now, well, I didn’t know what to think about that.”

“Yes, I can understand it wouldn’t be easy,” said Carine smiling, “I hope you will trust us, we can help to keep you safe from these people. They are a dangerous organization based in Minneapolis. We are a team of private investigators trying to stop these people.” They went over to the vans. “This guy doesn’t know how to open his mouth,” said Aari, “guess we will just let him go, without his rifle.”

He then put an envelope into the mans pocket and let him go. He quickly went back to his car where 2 of his friends were waiting. “Get her?” asked one of the men. “No, too many people around so I couldn’t get a clear shot,” he said. “Where’s your rifle?” asked the second man. “Those guys were after me, so I left it behind,” he said.

“And what is in here?” asked the second man as he took the envelope from the shooters pocket. “I don’t know, the one guy stuffed it in my pocket,” he said. The man looked in the envelope and there was $5,000 in it. “What did you tell them?” he asked. “Nothing at all,” he said nervously. “They gave you $5,000 for telling them nothing?” he asked.

“Yeah, that’s it, I don’t know why,” he said even more nervous now. The first man made a phone call to a Ms. Cameron and told her about the money. “Kill him, you and Brad keep the money,” she said, and hung up. Back to our team. “I saw that man several times going in and out of that photo studio,” said Brandy, “he always made me nervous.”

“Can you tell us where that studio is now?” asked Aari. “Yes, I can,” she said, “but please, don’t leave me alone. I’m terrified now.” “Do you mind coming with us?” asked Aari, “we promise to keep you safe. Do you have any family in the city?” “No, my family all live in Montana,” she said, “I moved down here to get away from those cold winters.

I have been living here for 4 years now and had some good friends, I thought, but when this problem with the studio happened, all my friends left me and won’t speak to me at all now.” “It doesn’t sound like they were good friends after all,” said John. “I know that now,” she said, “that Ms. Deborah Cameron has some real pull in this city.

She is the manager of that studio, and she has 4 women that are always with her. I think they are maybe bodyguards, or something. They always keep her surrounded when they are outside.” “Hmm, that is good to know,” said Carine, “I think you are correct in assuming they are bodyguards.” Aari told Brandy to stay close to Carine for protection.

It was rather open area around that old farm, so they couldn’t sneak in, which was unfortunate. Before getting out there Aari had phoned to let me know what was going on. I told Carine that her main job was to protect Brandy. They pulled up to the main building which was a large old house, they parked quickly and went running into the house! Rock, Bear and Oskar led the men inside where they were met with 6 rather large men.

They were about the size of John, Clarence and Burk. It was a rather short fight between those 6 against Rock and Bear. As they knocked out each one they tossed them to Oskar who stood at the large window in the main room. He then tossed them out the window. While they were busy, the other guys went into the studio room where guys were filming some videos of 4 kids and 3 adults.

Our guys knocked out the film crew quickly and then smashed everything in sight. While doing this, Ms. Cameron and her 4 bodyguards showed up. Carine gave Brandy to Aari and Alfred, then she attacked the other women with amazingly fast movements it was hard to keep track of her. All the women had dropped their guns, which were too hot, and they were no match for Carine’s speed and fighting ability.

Finally it was all over and they found a total of 8 kids, along with the 3 women who were also prisoners there. But, they didn’t find the kids they were looking for. According to the women, those children were taken someplace the day before our team arrived, but they had no idea where they were taken. Ms. Cameron just laughed at them when they asked her what happened to the kids.

Carine told Brandy to turn her head, which she did, and Carine then kicked Cameron once more, breaking some ribs. She screamed and said she would have Carine arrested! “You didn’t surrender,” said Carine, “so we were still legitimately fighting.”

It was necessary to call the police who came right away and arrested those who were alive. The 6 men at the beginning and the 4 bodyguards were all dead. But, where are the kids we are looking for?

To Be Continued.

©2025 Steve McLeod.