Cricket had given us names of some men that Aari and his team might meet up with in that pool hall. But the one that was most important was a man named Serpent, he had a big tattoo of a serpent on each arm. “They are scary looking,” said Cricket, “and Serpent is scary too, he almost caught me one day, but I just managed to get out the door in time and I quickly joined a crowd of people crossing the street. He really hates me.

All of his men have pony tails and a black leather armband. I think they are the worst men that Sebastien has. They are the main ones that have been looking for me the past two weeks.” I thought she was going to cry at that moment, but Muffin jumped onto her lap and Cricket immediately had a big smile on her face again. Yep, we definitely need to get her a cat too, when we get one for Alizea.

Aari and his team were ready and off they went, shooting a tiny metal ball next to the security camera by the door and at the corners of the building. Rock and some of the men went to the back and did the same thing. Then Aari and his group went inside and he yelled out Serpent’s name. That made the room go quiet. There were not many men in the place, maybe half a dozen people, plus Serpent and his crew, that numbered 15. They pulled out guns but Aari and his team shot first.

That is when Rock and the others broke in through the back door. Serpent and his remaining men surrendered quickly, but he lost 6 men killed and then a fight broke out, deliberately, so we could show them we meant business. Rock focused on Serpent, making sure he was well bruised, but not too seriously hurt. Aari told him that this was a gift from Bruno, and if the Diamonds didn’t get out of Montreal, they would all receive the same treatment. Then they proceeded to smash the pool hall.

At the agreed upon time I called the police to report a large gang fight at that pool hall. Aari and his team were gone just in time and several police cruisers were arriving at the pool hall. So, now it was time for us to leave and head to our hotel. Good thing this is a large city, Sebastien won’t be able to find us easily. “You guys don’t leave yourselves much time to get away,” said Cricket. “Oh, there was plenty of time,” I said. “True, we have had cases with less time to get away,” said Jennifer.

Jennifer was lying on our bed when she said this. “Oh, come here Jewel,” she said, “I haven’t been giving you much attention, have I? There, let’s have a cuddle together.” “Okay,” I said, and laid down on the bed beside her. “I was talking to Jewel, not you,” she told me, “this is girl time.” Sigh. “Um, Aasta, can you see Jewel?” asked Cricket. “Nope, why?” she asked. “Then why is Jennifer pretending that Jewel is lying on top of her?” asked Cricket.

“She isn’t pretending, Cricket,” said Aasta, “Jewel is lying on top of her, we just can’t see her right now.” “Oh,” sighed Cricket, “I’m really going to be confused a lot living with you guys.” Aasta giggled. “Not funny,” said Cricket, “you know something and you’re not telling me, which means you’re making fun of me. Not nice.” “I’m not making fun of you, honest Cricket,” said Aasta, “but, well, um…Jennifer!” “Show yourself Jewel,” said Jennifer, “so Cricket can see you too.” Jewel suddenly showed up for all of us to see.

“How did you do that Jennifer?!” said Cricket excitedly. “That’s another secret for now,” she said. Cricket sighed. “Well, you keep secrets from us, correct?” asked Jennifer. “Um, well, uh, maybe a little,” she said quietly. “Do you keep secrets from us Cricket?” I asked, “Jennifer can pick up things like that better than me.” “Well, I guess I do,” she began, “I’m scared that if I tell you everything I know right away, then you might just drop me off somewhere and leave me.

Then I would be right back where I was, living on the street, always on the run, and eating garbage. And winter is coming and, well, I was scared you might do that. And your home sounds so fantastic, with lots of friends. I have only had one friend and she was killed by Sebastien, or probably Liana. But even after I tell you everything, I can still be helpful to you, honest I can. I learn real fast! I have never used a gun, but I can learn.

Fighting too, I mean, I know how to street fight, but not real fighting like your team. Or if you don’t want me on your team because of what I am, then I can help in other ways, like cleaning, or a cook’s helper, I can’t cook though, but I could try and learn that too. Or maybe a maid? How about a babysitter? I love kids!” I stopped her at that point, she sure can talk fast. I sat up.

“Are you brave Cricket?” I asked. “Sure am!” she said as she too sat up on their bed. “Come and sit beside me,” I said. She came over and sat on the bed. “Not way over there, beside me,” I said. She looked at me, then she moved over and sat right next to me. I put my arm around her. “We will never drop you off and leave you somewhere on your own,” I said, “we are taking you home with us and it will be your home too. You will have a lot of friends there, including me, if you will let me be your friend.”

She looked at me for a moment, then she gave me a huge smile. “I would really like to have you as my friend Steve,” she said, “all my life I have been lied to, used by, abused by, beaten by men and there was never one I could trust or would want as a friend. But I want you as my friend and I want to be your friend and Jennifer’s friend. I won’t betray that trust, I know what that’s like and I won’t do it to someone else.”

Meanwhile, “So, Bruno thinks he can order us around?” asked Sebastien, “we will show him that he has made a big mistake.” He contacted Liana and she told him what to do until she could return to Montreal. Cricket had told us that Liana was the real leader of the Montreal Diamonds, but she tried to make it look like Sebastien was the leader, that way enemies would try to kill him and not her.

It didn’t work that way with our team, our enemies would go after my wives. After dinner Kat and Aari came to our room to discuss our next move. Cricket also knew where the main clubhouse for the Blackbirds was located. That will be our next, I should say, Sebastien’s next, target. And it will be hit nice and early…

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.