Mandar and the girls just stood there looking at Carolyn, which made her quite uncomfortable. “Stop looking at me like that!” she yelled, “I told you that I cannot help you. We had no interest in making a way to cure people of this drug, only to make the drug work for our benefit. I really don’t think there is any way to cure your friends.” “I am very surprised that you do not wish to live, young woman,” said Mandar, “you know what you did to make this drug work in the first place so it would be easiest for you to find a cure for it.

We will provide everything you need. Play fair with us and we will play fair with you. Cheat us and it will be the last thing you ever do. We shall give you one hour to think about it.” Then they all returned to the chateau to wait and see what happens next. “We will have to pay her quite a large amount if we want her help,” said Mandar, “she is very stubborn, just like her mother.” “That whole family seems to be that way,” said Aari, “but having her help would be very beneficial.”

“Yes, that is unfortunate,” said Baldwin, “and she knows we need her. I bet she also knows of a cure for what she did, but she doesn’t want us to know it, yet.” “I got that impression too,” said Kat, “but how do we get that information out of her?” “Perhaps a ghostly visit will help to convince her,” said Jennifer, “though we will have to disguise ourselves a bit so she doesn’t know it is us.” Just before lunch they brought Sky over and locked her up in the room next to Carolyn.

“Why are you bringing her in here?” asked Carolyn, “I told you, I can’t help you!” “That is not why we brought her back here,” said Kat. She then left, but Marlena, Candace and Tracy remained to guard Sky. “You get real guards,” Carolyn said to Sky, “they give me cats for guards.” “Oh, shut your mouth,” said Sky, “I could care less what happens to you, I only care about me!” “Don’t you even think about Steve anymore?” asked Carolyn. “Yeah, I think about ways I would like to kill him,” said Sky laughing, “he is such a pathetic excuse for a man.”

“But you were married to him for a long time,” said Carolyn, “and you loved each other too.” “Oh, please, don’t remind me about that!”, said Sky, “Just the thought of that makes me sick!” “I wish Rock would let me have you for a while, Carolyn,” said Tracy, unable to control her anger anymore, “because you make me sick!” “You talk big with a gun,” said Carolyn, trying to sound tough. “I would not need a gun with you,” said Tracy, “I could outfight you easily.” They brought a very nice lunch for Sky and a bowl of soup for Carolyn.

“How come she gets such a feast?” asked Carolyn, “All I get is a bowl of soup, not even hot.” “Oh, quit whining, you brat,” said Sky, “speaking of whining, I want more wine with my lunch!” Tracy gave her another glass. About an hour after lunch Amber came out and the four girls took Sky back to the chateau. At least, that was the idea, but they never made it that far. The girls were surrounding Sky as they walked. “If you think I will help you somehow you can forget it!” she exclaimed.

Just then Tracy fell to the ground and everyone turned toward her as she was on Sky’s side. Then Sky fell too. The girls had already sounded the alarm and several of the others came running out. Aoife was in the tower with their new machine gun at the time and she thought she saw something shine up the hill by a large rock so she began shooting up that way. “Where is he?” asked Mac. “Up the hill by that big rock,” said Aoife. “Keep shooting for a bit to cover me,” he said.

She did so, just short bursts of gunfire in the general direction of that rock. She stopped when Mac was heading up the hill. Baldwin had a helicopter in the air within minutes and it began flying over that area looking for anyone that might be up there. “I got Sky, plus another gal named Tracy,” said the man. “Very good,” said the voice. “You did not tell me they had a machine gun that could reach up here,” he told the other man. “I did not know they had one,” he replied.

“They also have a helicopter out here looking for me,” he said, “but they won’t find me. By the way, Mandar is here too.” “Well, well,” said the man, “I always wondered whose side he was on, now I know. Get him and I will pay triple, plus a bonus.” “Start stacking that money, Fat Man,” said Spike, “because Mandar will be dead today. But they are keeping Carolyn locked up so I can’t get at her. But I have an idea that should work.” “Good,” said Fat Man, “I want her dead, even if she is my granddaughter.

Not telling me about this new drug that changes people, that was a bad move on their part. Wait, I have a better idea, leave her alone, just get Mandar, Steve, Rock and Kristina. Without them The Investigators are finished, no one else can keep that Team together. Then I will have nothing to worry about for my plans.” There had been no shooting for a bit so Spike turned around to take a look, and he suddenly stopped. “Remember me Spike?” asked Mac, “I did not have the beard before.”

Spike looked and frowned a bit. Then a look of horror came upon him. “Carver!” he exclaimed. “Glad you recognized me,” said Mac, as Spike fell to the ground, dead. “Got him Al,” said Mac to the chopper pilot. Although Mac is quite a big man, he can move silently, like a cat, through anything. Mandar, Kat and 3 other girls went back out to talk with Carolyn. “Ever hear of someone called The Fatman?” asked Mandar, “He is the one who sent a man named Spike to kill Sky.

It seems your name, and mine, are also on his list. Help us and we will help you, otherwise we can just put you in the open and let Spike collect his money easily.” Her eyes were wide open now. “Hey now, you can’t just put me outside like that,” she said nervously, “I know that Spike, he never misses, that is why the Fatman always uses him for special jobs. He will probably kill more of you too.” “Yes, he wants a few others also,” said Mandar, “but we can keep everyone safe now that we know who we are up against.

Now, what is your choice young woman, life, with enough money to give you a new start somewhere, or stand outside and see how long you survive?” “Okay, but you gotta keep me alive,” she said anxiously, “no tricks!” “We will do our part Carolyn,” said Mandar, “now I will say the same to you, no tricks! Or we give you to Spike.” He then left 3 of the girls as guards and walked back to the chateau, behind one of our vans. The cats came back to the chateau as well…

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.