While everyone was having lunch, Matt called Mac and asked him about Armand. “One of the best hit men there is,” said Mac, “he does not usually miss, no matter who he is after, why?” “Granger put out a contract for Annelie and Armand got her today,” said Matt. Dawn had put one of our scramblers on the table so it would be safe for everyone to talk, something we do all the time now, unless we want to be heard. There was silence at the table when they heard the news.

“Is she alive?” asked Mac. “Machines are keeping her alive right now,” said Matt, “turn off the machines and she dies. Kat is coming back to see what she can do, but the rest of her Wildcats should be there very soon.” “I will get Armand once this is over,” said Mac. “You mean, ‘we will’,” said Matt. “Only way to get near Armand is for one man to go,” said Mac. “Hmm, I see your point,” agreed Matt, “but for now we want to get Steve free and stop Granger.”

Meanwhile, back to the dungeon. After Bob died Tom punched me hard in the stomach, twice. The second one really hurt, even though it was my stomach, it was right at the spot where my spine causes so much pain. I really groaned and fell onto the straw again. “Hey, don’t blame me when your men die,” I said, “I certainly can’t kill them. Granger, if you want our assistance for anything, tell your men to stop using me for a punching bag.

Maybe you should start believing those haunted castle stories. I mean, guys don’t just suddenly scream and drop dead.” “Tell me how you get out of those shackles,” demanded Granger. “Those things are old,” I said, “they don’t hold properly after a while of jiggling them. No big secret there.” “Could be true,” said Conrad to Granger. “Leave him loose,” said Granger. “Thanks,” I responded, “any chance for some food? Even a sandwich and some water would be nice.”

A few minutes later, that is what I got. Sky and I were sitting on the straw when I frowned. “There is some trouble upstairs,” I told Sky. She disappeared, but said she would not be long. She then appeared next to Jennifer, so Jennifer excused herself and went back to the room where they could talk. She told Sky what had happened and said Kat was on the way home to see if she could help Annelie. Sky was very angry at the news.

“We need to teach Granger a lesson,” said Sky, “so far he has had the upper hand, we must change that.” “You need to watch Steve carefully Sky,” said Jennifer as she started to cry, “please look after him… for both of us.” “I will, so I must get back to him,” said Sky. “Here, take our regular communicator, then you won’t need to keep coming up here,” said Jennifer. Right then Amerie came into the room with two lunch specials for Sky to take with her.

Sky thanked her and disappeared again. I was lying on the straw, still hungry, when Sky returned with lunch. “It is from Amerie,” she said, “your younger sister loves you.” “It certainly was nice of her to think of me,” I said. “That is not what I meant,” said Sky. I sighed. “People always like to talk in riddles,” I said. After we finished eating Sky told me what had happened with Annelie. Now I was angry and wanted to shout at Granger!

“No, don’t do that,” said Sky, “how would you explain knowing about this?” “Yes, I guess you are right,” I said, “we don’t want him to know what we can do.” “Exactly,” said Sky, “but we will start doing some things to get his attention. Which is why two of his men died, though that didn’t seem to disturb him much. But, I will keep at my ghostly ways which hopefully will get his attention soon. Hmm, maybe that will help.” She then jumped up in the corner where the camera was located and soon large sparks were flying out from the wiring.

“Whoa, what happened?!” exclaimed Conrad. “What are you talking about now?” asked Granger. “It would seem all the cameras in this place are no longer working,” said Conrad, “must have been a major short in the wiring.” “Oh, that’s great,” said Granger, “just what we need when a bunch more people are coming in here to snoop around. How could that happen?” “I have no idea,” said Conrad, “I would have to look at all of them until I found the one that caused the problem.”

“Well, you certainly don’t have time to do that,” said Granger, “Emerick just let me know that the other guests have arrived.” “Well, if we have an opportunity, we do have some listening devices we could put in the rooms,” said Conrad, “better than nothing.” “Good, get that Nicole to do it for us,” said Granger, “just let her know it is health insurance for her family.” “Hope she doesn’t find out about her family,” said Conrad. “If she does, we get rid of her too,” said Granger, “rather simple really.”

They both laughed. Back in the cell. “That was some nice jump Sky,” I said, smiling. “Wish I could have done that before,” she said giggling, “and now…” She went over to the door and there were more sparks and the door opened easily for her. She walked down to where the two guards were sitting, drinking and talking. Her head then appeared, but it looked horrible and she laughed at them. They both screamed but were too terrified to move! Then a hand appeared and Sky touched the one man’s heart area.

There was a large electrical shock and the man fell off his chair, dead. That is when the other man took out his gun, but it became too hot for him to hold, so he dropped it and ran! The man reached Granger’s office but was too terrified to talk at first. Once he settled down, four other men went with him to their guard spot and found the other man dead. They checked on me and found me sleeping, but the door was unlocked. They locked it again and left to report back about what they had found.

Granger was not too happy about any of this. “Armand has arrived boss,” said Conrad. “Good, tell him I want the PI’s wife and two sisters dead by tomorrow,” said Granger, “at least he is getting things done.” Sky was listening to their conversation and relayed the information to Jennifer. Although Jennifer was in no danger, Katresa and Amerie definitely were. The owner was supposed to try out the new fire alarm system just before dinner which would send everyone outside.

Armand was positioned in one of the towers where he could see everything perfectly. Three shots were all he needed, he told himself. Just then he felt something sharp against his neck. “Back away from the rifle Armand,” said Mac, “then turn around slowly.” Armand did so and when he saw Mac, he gasped! “Carver!” he exclaimed, “but you are dead!” “Never believe everything you hear Armand,” said Mac, “that is one of the main rules in our business.” Armand then fell to the floor…dead.

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.