We were soon landing at an airport about 2 hours away from this town. It is the closest airport to us that can handle this jet. Baldwin had cars waiting for us, cars that are built like tanks, much like the vans the Wildcats are using. We did not want to be seen using the same kind of vehicles as the Wildcats though or people might start putting things together too quickly. Our first stop is picking up Jennifer, which was quite easy.

We went by Sunrise’s house and stopped to look at it briefly and Jennifer, being invisible, joined us without being noticed. It was just starting to get daylight now so we had time to find a place to have breakfast. “I wonder who those people were,” said Jim. “Never seen those cars in town before,” said Clyde, “I know every type of car in this town. Those are not cheap either. I don’t think Mr. Tucker is gonna like this.” “No, you have that right,” said Jim, “I will call Weller and let him know.” Weller did not like this news at all, it could mean more Wildcats, or perhaps more Knight Riders.

He figured on being more Riders since their leader was just shot, and seriously too. If he dies, so will all of them, no doubt about that. He decided to call Tucker even though it was so early. It was now 8am, and that is midnight for Tucker, but this is important and Tucker will want to know. Tucker got the call and was down at his bar in just a few minutes, and very nervous. “It must be more of those Knight Riders,” he said, “gangs like that do not like when their leaders are hit. They will keep bringing in men until they can tear this whole town apart, and us with it.”

“Maybe it’s a good time for a vacation,” said Joseph, “just until all this blows over.” “We try that and the General will have us dead before we get out of town,” said Tucker, shaking his head. We were at a pancake restaurant just down the street from Tucker’s, it was open 24hours a day making it the only restaurant open so early. Since no one else was there they allowed us to bring the cats inside too. Rusty left us when Jennifer got in the car and he quickly ran to the back door where Kat let him in.

While we were eating, the waitress came with more coffee and told me her boss was talking with his boss, a woman called the General, telling her about us. She wants him to find out who we are and what we are doing here. She asked if we were cops. “Do we look like cops?” I asked her. “I don’t know,” she pouted, “but I’m scared, there are strange things happening in this town and I want to get away, but I can’t. I’m watched all the time. My two girlfriends, both were very beautiful, not drab like me, well, they disappeared after we came to town 3 months ago.

They worked at the bar down the street and one was found dead and I’m sure the other one is too. Whoever you are, can you take me with you, please?” “I believe she is being truthful,” said Galyna. Both Ginger and Jewel agreed with her. “Well Jenny, what do you say?” I asked. “I also agree with them,” she said, “but I noticed her boss watching her while she talked with us, and he followed her into the kitchen.” The boss then brought more coffee out. “What happened to your waitress?” I asked. “Oh, uh, Sherry was sick and had to go home,” he said, “happens with her a lot.”

“Jennifer, Dawn, Kitty, check on her,” I said. They got up and left immediately. “Hey, wait, what are you doing!” he demanded of me. Kristina stood up beside him and put her gun against his head. “Put the coffee pot on the table,” she said, and he did so. Sapphire picked it up and Kristina put the man’s hand on the table. “That coffee pot is hot,” I said, “if my friends come back without your waitress, then you will tell us, quickly, what happened to her. Or your hand will get very hot.” “She, she’s in the basement,” he said nervously.

“Jenny, in the basement, but be careful,” I said, “my wife will be very upset if that young woman is hurt. Now, who do you work for? Is it General Bess Henderson, or perhaps Anne Drake? I would like an answer.” He was genuinely shocked when I mentioned those names but it didn’t tell me which one was his boss. “I, I don’t know what you mean,” he finally said. Sapphire set the coffee pot down on his hand. He yelled. “Oh, I am sorry,” she said, “I forgot your hand was still there.” The cook came out, a very large woman with a very large skillet.

Astrid and Roxette stood in her way. Just then Jenny and the others returned with Sherry. “She was tied up, had been punched at least twice and was being guarded by a large, ugly sort of guy,” said Jenny, “he also had a unique way of guarding, which he is now regretting.” “Okay everyone, time to go,” I said, and we all got up to leave. “Oh, your bill,” said the owner. “Yes, thank you for giving us such a nice breakfast,” I said, and out we went. We got in our cars and headed over to the police station. “I am very sorry this happened,” I said to Sherry, “I should have seen it coming.”

At the police station some of us went inside and found an officer half asleep at the main counter. “Where is the Sheriff?” I asked. “Who are you?” he grumbled. I handed him my ID and he scanned it. “Oh! Uh, yes sir, how can I help you?” he asked, stumbling over his words, “Oh, right, the Sheriff, um he is in an important meeting.” “Lead the way,” I said. He did so rather quickly and stopped at a door and opened it. “What do you want?” grunted the Sheriff. I dropped my ID on his desk. “I checked Sheriff,” said the officer, “it is real.”

The Sheriff looked at it and his eyes got big, but he tried not to show any emotion. “Now Sheriff,” I said, “you have a lot of people missing in your town, a young woman named Sunrise, whom I personally know, an old couple named Mr. and Mrs. Taber, who live next door to Sunrise, and 8 women from a group calling themselves the Wildcats and the leader of a notorious motorcycle gang was shot here as well. What are you doing about all of this Sheriff?”

“Well, I only have 10 officers here, what do you expect me to do?” he asked, rather annoyed. “Well, you have 4 officers, plus yourself, in here drinking coffee and laughing when you should be out looking for those responsible for these crimes. Maybe it is General Bess Henderson, a notorious criminal herself, or perhaps Anne Drake, another notorious criminal. So it seems to me you should be out rounding them up for questioning.” “How can I do that when I don’t even know who this General is or where she is?” he asked sarcastically.

“Phone her and ask where she lives,” I said, “after all, you talked with her just yesterday. (I then turned) And you, Mr. Tucker, you talked with the General yesterday as well.” His mouth fell open and he turned so pale, the look was priceless. “I should put you both in jail, but I won’t right now,” I said, “now Sheriff, get out and find General Bess Henderson and arrest her, then call me so I can talk with her. Mr. Tucker, come with me, we need to talk.” He stood up and came along, though quite reluctantly…

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.