Kat told Carolyn that she would be leaving Storm and Rascal behind to guard her. “They are wildcats from S. America,” said Kat, “there lives in the wild focus on killing to survive. They are very good at killing. Storm might look small, but he can certainly hurt you seriously, and with his backpack on, he can kill you very easily. Rascal is 35 pounds of muscle and could easily kill you just with his claws and teeth. Believe me, it would not be pleasant, so I would suggest that you just concentrate on sleeping.

Also, I would suggest that you reconsider your position on helping us. You may not know how to undo what you did, but you know how you got to the point of what you did. If you tell us that procedure, we might be able to figure out how to undo your evil work. With or without you, we will figure it out, but it would be faster if you would help us.” “What is in it for me?” asked Carolyn. “You get to live,” said Kat. Then she walked back to the chateau, leaving the cats to guard her for the night.

The next morning. “Well Kat?” asked Baldwin, “Will she cooperate?” “Hard to tell,” said Kat, “she is hard like her mother.” “Sometimes a little reward can go a long ways to get some help,” said Matt, “I used to do that in my old job. A little money can bring in some amazing results sometimes.” “You want us to pay her to help us?” asked Baldwin, rather surprised, “I just can’t imagine doing that, she is as evil as her mother.

Give her money and she will be a problem for us again.” “Steve, Sky, Dawn, Beryan, Kitty, Melanie, Melissa, Angel, on one hand,” said Matt, “Carolyn on the other hand. We stand to lose 8 excellent members of our team, because of one. Seems like it would be a worthwhile exchange even if we have to meet up with Carolyn again at some time. Otherwise we have 8 people that are as good as dead.” “Well, just seven,” said Baldwin, “Angel cannot really be counted with them since she has not been part of our team for a long time, and might not even be the real Angel.

We need to check on her. But, I see your point. She would likely want a lot of money to help us, what do you suggest?” Just then Mandar came driving up to the chateau and came in, nearly running. No one had ever seen him move so fast before. He came right into the library, huffing and wheezing, asking to be filled in. They told him all that has happened. “Why was I not notified of this sooner?” he asked. “You were away on a business trip,” said Annelie, “we did not want to bother you.”

“Bother me? Bother me??” he said twice, “My dear girl, this is an emergency, not a bother. What about this Carolyn woman, will she cooperate or not?” “She said no,” said Kat, “I asked her again this morning. Matt suggested paying her, perhaps then she would consider helping us. Without her help it looks useless, they will stay as they are and we will need to keep them locked up for life, or end up fighting them.” “Cal, my good man,” said Mandar, “would your old boss have anyone in his organization that is good with drugs that he might loan to us, at the going rate of course.”

“Hmm, he just might have,” said Cal, “I could get in touch with Mr. B. if you would like.” “Well then, get at it my good man,” he said, “time is wasting.” A short time later Cal came back into the library with news. “Mr. B. said he has 3 men that might be helpful,” said Cal, “but he would send us the best of the three. We would need to pick him up and look after his needs, otherwise, no charge for his services. He will also get in touch with a couple other, um, associates, who might also be able to help.”

“Wonderful!” said Mandar. “I will have a jet ready to go in an hour,” said Baldwin, “Aari, take John and Clarence with you, go with Cal to pick up this other man and bring him back right away.” Miles, Harvey and Burk drove them to the airport right away. “Now, my dear Kat, please take me to see this person calling herself a woman,” said Mandar, “perhaps we can make some kind of deal with her.” Kat, Marlena and Kera took Mandar to the jail to see Carolyn. Tiia, Tiger, Bandit and Midnight were inside guarding her.

“Why don’t you give me real guards?” demanded Carolyn, “These cats make me nervous, always sitting there staring at me.” “You are in no position to make demands,” said Mandar, “we make the demands, you may choose to obey or not. But remember, our patience is not unlimited. When the end is reached, you simply die.

We will not waste time and money looking after you. We have more pressing matters to deal with.” “I have already told the Kat lady here that there is no cure for your friends,” she said, “so you may as well give up, let them go their own way, or kill them quickly so they don’t suffer or cause anyone else to suffer.”

Meanwhile, in another place not far away. “I do not care how you do it, just get it done,” said the man. “Good as done,” said another man. “Get it done in the next 48 hours,” said the first man, “and you will get double your regular pay.” The man smiled and walked out of the room. “I wonder if he ever misses?” said a third man. “He is still alive,” said the first man, “that tells me he never misses. If anyone can do this, he can. And it must get done soon. Now, this is what I want you and your men to do…”

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.