For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Jennifer and I came down the stairs just as Bjorn asked his question, “What is going on here?” “That is what I would like to know,” I said, “things are getting rather complicated and interesting.” “A helicopter came and took Shimeka and Vanda away,” said Angel, “we were chasing those two when we saw them sneaking down the hall. But that helicopter barely landed, someone grabbed hold of those two, pulled them on board and the chopper took off immediately.” “That was a deliberate pickup,” said Bart, Bjorn’s personal butler.”
“I agree,” I said, “but why? Who would send a helicopter here, at night, and pick up a maid and a cook’s helper? That makes no sense at all.” “Unless they are more than they seem to be,” said Sky, “perhaps they were instrumental in kidnapping your wife.” “I don’t understand what all this is about,” said Bjorn, rather convincingly, “who would be doing this to me, and why?” “I want to ask you some questions,” I said, “you hired me to find out what happened to your wife, and that means I have to check every possibility.”
“Yes, I know, that is why I hired you,” he said, “so ask what you like.” “Any financial problems lately?” I asked. “No, not at all,” he said, “I inherited a large sum of money 6 years ago, I would gladly allow you access to my bank account.” “Not necessary for that,” I said, “any other problems in your marriage?” “Nothing major,” he said, “we have some disagreements now and then, but nothing big.” “It is strange,” I must admit, “you do seem to have a good marriage, your kids are happy, so it doesn’t make sense that your wife would just walk away.
But now this incident with the maid and cook’s helper makes me think that she was kidnapped, and perhaps murdered. Except for one thing, this looks like the work of a criminal organization, a fairly large one, but why would they want your wife? Do you know anything about her past that might make this puzzle fit together?” “I wish I did,” he said, shaking his head, “but honestly, I know very little about her past, she never wanted to talk about it so I just left it alone.”
“Uh, may I add something Steve?” asked Angel. “Sure, do you have something that might help us,” I said, “I noticed you have been busy on your phone.” “I saw a marking on that helicopter,” she said, “and I thought it looked familiar, and I was right. It is a marking that the Knight Riders use all the time on their vehicles, except their motorcycles.” “Ever heard of the Knight Riders?” I asked Bjorn, “They are a criminal organization, quite large and rough. They like their motorcycles, and they are led by a man named Matt Knight.”
“Bart, look them up,” said Bjorn. Bart went to the laptop in the living room and quickly checked on the Knight Riders. “He’s right Bjorn,” said Bart, “they are a large bunch, and tough, not afraid of anyone. They have a presence in every major city in Europe, plus he has at least 50 men that he calls Riders, apparently his top persuaders. While you were in your business meetings today, a friend called me and said he saw these Riders in the city today, about a dozen of them. I forgot to tell you about that.”
“Interesting that they should appear here right now,” I said, “and send one of their helicopters to pick up two of your servants. A maid and a cook’s helper. They must be very important to Matt and his organization, yet you know nothing about them. Do you not check the backgrounds of your servants? After all, the safety of your family is at stake. One of my girls is wounded, another one is dead, I need to know what you know so I can help you and keep all of us safe.”
“I wish there was something else I could tell you,” he said, “I guess that I have been rather careless in hiring people that are going to be around my family, but I never thought anything like this would ever happen.” I decided to leave it at that for tonight and we all went back to bed. “Well, he certainly doesn’t mind lying to us,” said Jennifer. “Yes, I think he knows what happened to his wife,” I said, “he might even have murdered her himself and is trying to cover it up by doing everything right to divert attention from himself.” “I feel bad for those kids,” she said.
Then she remained silent for a few moments and I knew something was wrong. “What is wrong?” I asked her. “I feel that there is something wrong with the kids,” she said quietly, “I don’t know what it is, but there is something bad even though Sky was not able to find out anything about the library.” I then noticed Muffin by the door pointing with her tail at the door. I showed that to Jennifer, then got my gun out while she went to open the door. She went invisible first, then opened the door quickly. Erika was standing there crying so I asked her to come in.
As she came in the room Jennifer reappeared behind her and closed the door. That made her jump but when she saw Jennifer then she smiled and ran over to her and gave her a big hug. Jennifer brought her over to our bed and told her to jump on with us. “You are so very nice,” she said, “I feel very happy when you are close by.” “I am so glad to hear that,” I said, “I guess you must miss your mother.” She then began to cry again and cuddled with Jennifer. Guess I said the wrong thing. I decided that Jennifer should do the talking.
“Why do you not like the library?” she asked Erika. The answer surprised us both. Apparently she was taken in there once a week where Bjorn’s butler Bart would tell her to remove her clothes so he could take pictures of her. Sometimes Enar would be there too and they would have to do things together for those pictures and videos. Sometimes Bart would abuse Erika and sometimes Zina would abuse Enar. Then she told us something else amazing, only Enar was Bjorn and Gabriella’s child. Erika’s parents were killed a year ago, her grandparents died when she was little and she has no other relatives that she knows of.
Bjorn and Gabriella came along while she was in an orphanage and took her home. But it has been a nightmare since she came here. Dordi, the youngest girl, came from somewhere else but Erika didn’t know where she is from. Apparently Dordi keeps making up different stories about her past. That would explain why these people were trying to kill Enar, the only child of Bjorn and Gabriella. But it still doesn’t tell us who is doing this.
Then Erika looked at me with tears. “You and your wife are so nice,” she began, “will you please take me home with you and make me your daughter?” I looked at Jennifer and she was crying now too. Well, that certainly didn’t help me. I looked at Erika and smiled. “We will take you home with us,” I said. Then she hugged me very tight. I am not quite sure what happened, but she ended up staying with Jennifer and I that night. She was scared to stay alone after what happened tonight and we couldn’t tell her that it was part of our team and our plans…
To Be Continued.
©2024 Steve McLeod.
After talking with Marchelline, Jennifer and I went back to our room to talk things over. Muffin and Jewel came back with us as well. Sky took over and called Annelie to send a helicopter to pick up Mariia for the clinic and to take Maryna’s body back as well. Annelie didn’t like this news and asked about replacements, I had told Sky to ask for Galyna and Stefanie. Sky also asked to send Matt and the Knight Riders, not to the castle, but she named a town that wasn’t too far away, that had a large hotel for them to stay.
Matt had said he was strong enough to lead his team now, and that was good news. Baldwin felt better knowing the Knight Riders would be close to us in case they are needed. Samantha then came to our room. “Kat told me you have a headache,” she said, “I will check some other things too.” She then gave me something for my headache and after her quick checkup she just looked at me. “You know, I should be reporting this,” she said, “I could lose my job for not obeying orders. And even Mandar would not take me back.”
“Well, we might be looking for a new job together,” I said smiling. “And how many others?” she asked. “Oh, about half a dozen of us,” added Jennifer. “Well, we could always start a new PI business,” said Samantha smiling. “How is Mariia?” I asked. “She will be okay,” she said, “second time this year for her. Maybe give her a safer job next time.” “Yes, I will do that,” I said. “And perhaps doing the same thing for yourself,” she added, “like staying home and coordinating things from there.”
“Am I putting others at risk by staying here?” I asked. She looked at me rather sternly. “Not this time,” she said, “but you are putting yourself at risk, like you said, it could be ‘nowhere’ coming back.” “And if it is, then there is no hope for me,” I said. “I wish I knew more about that ‘nowhere’ drug,” said Samantha, “but then, I am not a doctor. If these symptoms persist or get worse Steve…” “Then I will do whatever you tell me,” I interrupted. “Uh huh, I would like to see that,” she said smiling as she left.
“You know, Marchelline had a wealth of detailed information,” said Jennifer. “Yes, she seems to keep track of things rather well,” I said. “Perhaps too well?” asked Jennifer. “She seemed to have her information memorized,” I said. “Yes, that was my impression too,” she said. There was a knock at the door just then. I said to come in and Shimeka entered the room. “Marchelline said you wanted to ask me questions,” she said, “I have precisely 18 minutes left on my break, and Marchelline requires being precise.”
“First, I want honesty from everyone,” I said. “I will be honest sir,” she said a bit nervously, “but I really don’t know how I can help.” “You do not need to worry about anyone listening to our conversation,” I said, “this little device scrambles our voices so no one can understand what we say. So, what is your real name?” She put her head down. “I guess you already know,” she said, “it is Kaja Hermanson. Yes, I have been in prison, 4 years, for drug dealing, smuggling and a few other things.
I was a member of a now disbanded gang. Mr. Hendrickson got me out of prison early somehow and gave me a job as cook’s helper a year ago.” “You know your job very well,” said Jennifer. “With Marchelline a person learns fast, or you are out,” she replied. “Is there a reason Bjorn deliberately got you out of prison?” I asked, “There are other members of that gang that still remain in prison.” “Mr. Hendrickson was one of the 3 top members of that gang,” she said, “his personal butler and driver were members also, as was Zina. None of the others though.
Although the 2 book salesmen were also gang members. He wants me for my smuggling capabilities, I am very good at that, from organizing to carrying it out. But I don’t wish to continue with this type of work, I want out, I honestly do, but there is no way out, except through death.” She looked at us with tears rolling down her cheeks. “Please, I, I want to change, is it possible for someone like me?” she asked. “Take a look at my wife,” I said, “she was in a large criminal organization.”
“I said the same thing you just said,” added Jennifer, “and I changed because I honestly wanted to, and Steve helped me a great deal, he put a lot of faith in me and I wasn’t about to let him down. We can help you too, if you want it.” “Yes, please help me,” she said, “I will not let you down.” We talked a bit more, then she had to leave.
“Sounds like a rival gang kidnapped Gabriella,” said Jennifer. “Yes, that is what I thought too, except for one thing,” I said, “why no ransom? Or is Bjorn keeping something from us? Unfortunately we can’t really ask him too much or he will know that Shimeka told us things and that will endanger her life.” “We need to get her out of here, and quickly,” said Jennifer. “Good thought,” I said, “we will do that tonight. Sky, Dawn, Angel, Stefanie, come here please.”
They arrived quickly and I told them our plan. The Knight Riders were already in place, but I am not sure we will use them yet. We do, however, need a helicopter and it is close by as well. After it was dark and everyone was in their rooms, the girls took Shimeka outside. Suddenly the helicopter appeared and landed just briefly, picked up Shimeka and off it went again. The girls returned inside, then pretended to run downstairs and outside, but the helicopter was disappearing into the distance. “What is happening here?” asked Bjorn…
To Be Continued.
©2024 Steve McLeod.