Mandar and Trapper were talking together when the girls and I arrived in the restaurant for our breakfast. “See that man,” said Trapper, “I had him last night and his girls rescued him, but that was after he took my property and got away with her. I was using her to bargain with Timothy for some money and gold that he took from me not too long ago. I will get even with that PI for doing that to me.” Mandar frowned a bit. “Just when did he supposedly do this?” he questioned.

“Right around midnight, though it was closer to 1am when they finally left my place,” said Trapper. “But Daddy, that isn’t possible,” said Kat, “the girls and I were here until just after 1am and that PI’s girls were here with us all that time.” “What about that PI himself?” asked Trapper. “He went to bed around midnight with his wife,” she said, “that’s when his girls really started having fun and got themselves nearly totally drunk.” She giggled when she said that. “That’s when they started talking about things,” added Amber.

“Yep, even told us why they are here,” Catalina chimed in. “And why are they here, my dear?” asked Mandar. “Seems that PI has been losing a lot of his girls lately,” she said, “so they are trying to get some of Matt’s girls to come over to his side by promising he can keep them out of jail and give them a nice place to live.” “I didn’t know he had girls working for him too,” said Trapper, “why do all of you use so many women?” “My good man, women can do things that men cannot do,” said Mandar, “but I have men working for me too, just used in other capacities, though never far away.”

“Well, that would explain the women last night,” said Trapper, “but it still doesn’t explain the fact that I had that PI captured last night, so he must have been working for those Knight Riders.” “He might have just been taking advantage of Matt’s attack to get that woman away from you,” said Kat, “after all, he can hardly make as much noise as Matt can make. That cute little man is just too gentle, he needs to be more firm and tough, like Daddy here.” “You are so right my dear Kat,” said Mandar, “that is just one of his many flaws, otherwise he would be a terrible adversary. But that would be bad if he is the one that took that niece of Timothy’s from you. Now he has the information.”

“And what information is that?” asked Trapper, trying to act innocent. “Oh, my good man, you know as well as I do what information I mean,” said Mandar shaking his head, “a man named Carlos told the story this way. Timothy and his gang stole a substantial amount of money and gold but the police were closing in fast so Timothy gave it all to a man named, uh…” “Brink, Daddy,” said Kat. “Oh yes, odd name,” said Mandar, “anyway it soon became obvious to this man Brink that he would not get away from the police either, so he gave the stolen goods to Timothy’s niece so she could hide it.

He figured the police would not follow her and he then left. He was correct, the police continued to follow him and eventually shot him. Meanwhile the niece hid the stolen goods and so far has not revealed the whereabouts to anyone. Timothy is rather upset and wants her back, his girlfriend Lena also wants the stolen goods, and she is not in prison, so she also wants the girl. Apparently Lena is the mother of this young woman, but she only cares about the money and gold and will kill the daughter once she has it. Then she will leave poor Timothy in prison and live happily, so she believes anyway.

But Carlos knows this and is trying to get the woman before Lena, he apparently is loyal to Timothy and will keep the stolen goods for him. He hired Matt to get the woman. Timothy hired the PI to get the woman and the PI has no idea what is going on, he just thinks Timothy loves his niece and wants her safe. He is so naive, it is tragic.” “I did not know that Acadia had the loot and she is the only one who knows where it is,” said Trapper shaking his head, “had I known, then I could have made her talk.” He slammed his fist on the table.

“Now that PI has her and I want her back,” he said. “He may not have her though,” said Kat, “he might have been there and tried, but I think that Matt has her. If that PI had her, they would be long gone, he doesn’t like fighting and will do anything to keep from it.” “Yes, you are so right my dear,” said Mandar, “I would agree that Matt has the girl.” “Now we come back to why I asked if you could take Matt,” said Trapper, “I am a bit short of men now after last night and could use some help dealing with Matt so I can get Acadia back. Are you interested?”

“Well, you know, it does take money to keep these Wildcats happy,” said Mandar, “we cannot work for nothing.” Trapper laughed a bit. “Yes, I knew that,” he said, “how does $250,000 sound?” “Is that cash up front, or just a promise based on something I have not seen?” asked Mandar. “That is strictly cash up front old man,” said Trapper, “do we have a deal?” Mandar smiled and drank a bit of coffee. “What do you think my dear Kat,” he asked, “ready for a bit of fun and action?” “We’re always ready for that Daddy,” she said, “I say let’s take them.”

“Very well,” said Mandar, “but I will need to call in some backup help. Matt has a prize and he will not give it up easily.” “How long to get your extra help?” asked Trapper. “Oh, about 3 hours I would say,” said Mandar. “Good, that will give me some time to play with that cute PI over there,” said Kat, and off she went, doing a flip and landing on my lap, then kissing me. Jennifer then tapped Kat’s knee. “Um, he is my husband,” she said. “I won’t hold that against him,” said Kat smiling, “but I have some free time and need someone to talk with. I won’t keep him long, I promise.” “How long is not long?” asked Jennifer. “Only about half an hour or so,” said Kat, pouting a bit.

“Okay, I guess if you just want to talk it will be okay,” said Jennifer. “Oh good, thank you dear,” said Kat excitedly, “come with me, Mr. PI.” She then nearly dragged me off to her room. “Amazing,” said Trapper, “his wife did not even object.” “She is quite easy going, just like her husband,” said Mandar, “and just as naive.” Mandar then called in his backup and Trapper left with his men to get the money for Mandar. After they were gone Mandar called Matt to let him know what was happening, so they could get everything ready. Once in Kat’s room she told me all about the conversation with Trapper.

We need to leave town speedily with Acadia and Sabina, we want to make sure we get them out safely and hopefully without Trapper and his men seeing us. So, I got everyone together right away, we got in our vans and off we went before Trapper returned from his fortress. That is most likely where he kept his money, I doubt he would trust the banks, and this way he could access his money more quickly as well. So far so good, but it still takes a while to drive to the airport and get safely aboard our waiting jet. I called before we left, to make sure our jet will be waiting for us when we arrive. Once back home, we go on a little treasure hunt…

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.