The next morning, after breakfast, I was in my office finalizing my plans with Jennifer when Samantha contacted me. This was not the information I was wanting to hear. I just put my head in my hands and couldn’t say a word. “Steve, are you still there?” she asked. “He took that news very hard Samantha,” said Jennifer, “maybe you should come and give him something.” “I’ll be right up,” she replied. “Cristy,” said Jennifer, “all work and activities are cancelled for today, just take time to relax. Post that please.” “Shall do Jennifer,” she said, “but, um…” “I will give details later,” she said.

“Right, good as done,” said Cristy. She then posted it for all to hear. Only guards stayed on duty that day, plus the girls looking for information on our present case. Samantha arrived with a mild sedative for me. “I know this is a bad time to talk about such things Steve,” said Samantha, “but perhaps this death can help us take down Wellhouse and whoever is backing him. It will certainly give the Black Wolves and the Wildcats some wild anger for dealing with that man anyway.

Oh, I also gave Rock permission to leave the clinic, though I did ask him to take it easy for a few more days. I doubt he will, though, when he gets this news. And, as your doctor, I want you to stay out of this Steve, you have daughters to think about and your wife.” “And he is going to obey his doctor too,” said Jennifer, looking at me rather sternly, “and I can lock you in here if I have to.” I smiled. “Forget it, Steffie showed me that escape route too,” Jennifer smiled in return. “Oh, that sneak!” I said. “She is a junior sneaker,” said Samantha.

“Junior sneaker first class!” said Jennifer, “Misty promoted her.” We all laughed. Well, my original plan wasn’t going to work so good anyway, so maybe this new plan from Samantha will work better. The news was put out that Harley had died, news that made it onto TV and every other news feed in the area. “Hey boss!” said Eric, “Did you hear the news?” “What news? I don’t listen to the news,” he grumbled. “That girl Harley that you beat up,” he said, “she died this morning.”

“Perfect!” he exclaimed, “Now that is good news for sure! Call up the folks, we can celebrate tonight! Tell them to meet us at the new ManWell Escorts location at 20:00.” “Right away boss,” said Eric. Meanwhile, “That new listening device works good,” said Aari, “nice and clear.” “Yep, Carolyn is getting better all the time with her inventions,” said Kristina, “almost as good as Kat.” Aari then contacted Kat to let her know what was happening and where. Kat told him she found the location of the new ManWell Escorts and said it was a large and fancy place.

Sky had brought Jennifer in for a short time so they could get into the building without breaking into it to look around ahead of time. Then Sky brought Jennifer back home with all the layout of the place and complete with photos of everything. “Let Sky take me back with her Steve,” said Rock, “I need some exercise after lying around for so long.” I sighed, but I said okay. Rock ran back down the stairs and Sky appeared beside me. “That’s not nice,” she said, “do you know how much that man weighs?” “You can do it Sky,” I said, “after all, there’s no one better than you.”

I then hugged her. “That’s not fair,” she said, pouting a bit, “but thanks!” Off she went. Aari then had a meeting of his team in their rather crowded room. No such thing as big rooms in that hotel except the Honeymoon Suite and it was already booked. Anyway, Wellhouse and his friends arrived later that evening for their planned meeting at the new location of ManWell Escorts. He showed his friends all around the new building and everyone seemed to be genuinely pleased with everything.

Then they went into the meeting room and the first thing Wellhouse told everyone was the joyful news that Harley had died, so their secret identities were secure. “Yeah, we heard the news Norman,” said the city Mayor, “but will that get those Investigators off our backs? Or will they try even harder to find out who killed her?” “Don’t worry about them,” said Norman, “my boys can handle them okay.” “And what about those Black puppy dogs, my dear Norman,” said a woman, “that’s what you called them, is it not?” Norman turned around and had a shocked look on his face.

“Deborah, when did you get into the city?” he asked, somewhat nervously. “This afternoon,” she replied and came over to sit down with the others, “have you even checked on these Black Wolves dear Norman?” “Who is she talking about Norman?” asked the Mayor, “I don’t like the sound of that name.” “They are a large organization from Canada,” said Deborah, “numbering over 500 men, a criminal gang actually, that have taken a special interest in this young woman Harley. They are not so easily dismissed as a minor disturbance.”

“I was going to check on them tomorrow,” he said, “but they only have a handful of men in the city here.” “I checked that out too,” said Deborah, “there are more than 30 of them in the city, with others in Paris and London. That’s a rather large handful dear Norman.” “They’re more talk than tough,” grumbled Norman. “Oh, did that woman talk Marcel into that garbage bin and cover him in all those bruises?” she asked sarcastically, “And I hear she wasn’t even a big woman.” Suddenly there was a large booming sound coming from the lobby area…

To Be Continued. ©2026 Steve McLeod.