This case is getting somewhat complicated, things we thought we knew may not be correct now. That would mean starting over in a new direction. Annelie just told me that the DNA from the woman’s body that we found does not match the DNA of Sheila. So, now we have another body to try and identify. The police are checking on that right now. This woman died about a year ago, but Cliff got out of prison nearly two years ago.

Sheila was killed around the time that Cliff was released from prison, so she still may have been killed by Cliff or Ann. But what happened to her body then? Meanwhile, back with Hoffman. “Weller, did you see a USB stick on my desk anywhere?” asked Hoffman. “Nope, oh, wait, I saw one on my desk 2 or 3 days ago and you weren’t here,” he replied, “so I put it in my desk drawer so it wouldn’t get lost.” He got it out and gave it to Hoffman.

“Yeah, that’s the one,” he said, “but why was it on your desk?” “No idea,” he said, “I thought it was kind of strange too and meant to give it back to you when you got in, but I completely forgot about it. That was the morning you were late getting in and you wanted to talk with Liza. Since I was the only one here and you told me to watch those workers we had in, I just sat her on that chair and told her not to move. I figured she had been in so much trouble lately that she would be too scared to get off the chair.”

“I don’t trust her at all!” Hoffman said rather loud, “Check your computer and see if she copied this thing.” “Oh, bad news boss,” said Weller, “she copied it alright, it’s in my deleted folder, and I had some blank sticks on my desk which she probably used.” “Great, do you know what was on that?” asked Hoffman, “Every contact we have here in Europe, over 100 of them, along with addresses for them, and their call names.” “Whoa, then they are in big trouble,” said Weller, “that guy could have picked up some of them already.”

“I want that woman back here, and alive!” shouted Hoffman, “Jakob, Henrik, Dietrich, get in here now!” They came running when they heard Hoffman speak like that. “I want Liza back here, alive and in good condition,” he told them, “she will regret running away this time and I will enjoy killing her, slowly, by myself! Weller, find out where that guy lives!” He sent a text to Emberlyn right away. “I don’t know how I get these scams all the time,” said Emberlyn, “I’ll be right back, need to use the washroom.”

Off she went in a hurry. “Look, I can’t talk with all these girls around me all the time,” she told Weller, “so don’t call me, I call you, remember?” “This is important girl,” he said, “where does their boss live?” “Steve? In France, here is the address,” she said, “but he’s not the main boss, someone else is and he is very wealthy with a large organization, Steve and his gang are just part of it. If you’re thinking of doing something, be careful, he has a lot of men on his side. Now, I gotta go.” She hung up and came back out.

Cinnamon called to her to reach a pot for her. Emberlyn is quite tall and keeps her pots on top of the kitchen cupboards. She put her phone on the counter and got the pot down for Cinnamon. “Here, I’m helping with dinner today,” said Emberlyn and she went to pick up her phone. But while she wasn’t looking, her phone mysteriously disappeared. Kat checked to see who she called. “Now where did I put my phone?” asked Emberlyn. “Probably left it in the living room,” suggested Cinnamon. She went to look and Kat put the phone on the kitchen table.

“It’s here on the table,” said Cinnamon. “So it is,” said Emberlyn, “my brain is just not working these days. Good thing you girls are here with me.” “That’s what friends are for,” said Cinnamon cheerily, though inside she was hurting terribly knowing her good friend was a traitor, just using her and the others. Kat sent a quick text to Annelie warning us about Hoffman sending men to get Liza. I then called everyone together and told them.

“From now there will be four of you girls with Liza at all times, plus one cat,” I said, “and Jennifer will take turns with you as well, then only one other girl and one cat.” “Steve, you need Jennifer right now too,” said Dawn, “those guys might try to get you as a trade for Liza.” “Yes, I agree,” said Sky, “Jennifer stays with us at all times, and the kids will have to remain indoors for a while.” “And don’t forget Steve,” said Vlora, “my girls and I are here to protect you as well, and that includes Liza.”

“I am afraid that I am causing you much trouble,” she said, “and it is all because of something I forgot about totally.” She ran to her room and returned with the USB stick. “It shows Hoffman’s contacts all over Europe, call names and addresses for them, more than 100,” she said as she gave it to me. I then gave it to Annelie who copied it to her computer right away. I then told her to send it to Richard, Mandar will likely be interested in this too. Richard called me right away.

“Steve, Hoffman is big,” he said, “and with most of your people away right now, it is just too dangerous to try and fight him. Get your kids out of there and bring them to me, along with Sky and you, and no arguments this time. If Hoffman gets you or your family, he won’t be nice to you.” “Okay Sky, get the kids and whatever they need,” I said. “We are always packed Steve, remember?” she said.

I wanted to leave Jennifer behind, but Sky said no to that idea. Our helicopter was soon here and we were soon on our way. Meanwhile, “They are out over the Channel now Mr. Hoffman,” said Dietrich. “Now they will know we mean business,” said Hoffman, “take it down.” Another helicopter had shown up coming at us from the side. “Incoming missile!” yelled the co-pilot. Suddenly the helicopter exploded in a large ball of fire…

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.