We all managed to get outside without being detected and Jennifer, Kat and I looked all around for Mike, but could not see her anywhere. I guess that would not be unusual, with all the attempts on her life since arriving here, she is likely being extra cautious now. But, knowing how Mike is, she will be here somewhere. Suddenly Jennifer looked at me. “Are you okay?” she whispered.

“Yes, I am fine,” I told her, though I was lying at that point. I felt like the whole world was spinning around and pain gripped my whole body. “You are lying to me Steve,” she said, “I can tell. We need to leave, now.” Dawn, Aasta, Beryan and Kitty were also close by, so they came with us and we headed back to the hotel. I left Kristina in charge of the Wildcats and told her not to take chances. Right after saying that, I fainted.

Meanwhile, back at the hotel. I had left Melanie, Melissa, Alizea, Cynthia and all the cats in our room at the hotel. I figured if Mike saw them, she would not care about anyone else, she would just seek to kill those three right away. The girls had just finished some pizza made by Ferdinando, the owner of the hotel. Apparently he is a great cook and is the cook in the hotel restaurant, among other things. His granddaughter, Pacca, is also a wonderful cook.

He had told the girls he would bring up a special dessert for them in a little while, so they were anxiously waiting for him and Pacca to return. Melanie, Melissa and Alizea were sitting together and Cynthia was sitting by herself in a corner of the room. Then there was a knock at the door and Ferdinando calling out that he was back. Alizea went to open the door, but as soon as she had it open just a bit the door was pushed hard, slamming her against the wall with the door pressing hard against her.

Ferdinando was tossed onto the floor, obviously he had been beaten, and Pacca was likewise tossed into the room falling onto the floor. In walked Mike, with 4 big men. “Well, well, look what we have here,” she said, “it looks like 3 runaways. And you know what I do with runaways, correct? Yes, I kill them, but slowly, and this man here is very good at that as you know. He will begin with feet, legs, arms, stomach, then perhaps your head. Running away from me was a very stupid idea.”

“You are the stupid one Mike,” said Cynthia casually. Meow,meow.=Attack Mike woman Rascal. He obeyed Muffin right away, jumping from the bed and landing on Mike causing her to scream. That got Melanie, Melissa and Pacca attacking the men. Poor Alizea was not doing too well after being sandwiched against the wall by the door. Then, “Thwock!” and one man fell. “Thwock!” and another man fell. Muffin and Midnight did that.

Then Storm jumped out and “Thwock!”, another man fell. Then Pacca kicked the fourth man three times knocking him against the wall and “Thwock!”, and he fell to the floor. That one was from Bandit. “Okay Rascal, stop now,” said Cynthia, and he hopped off Mike back onto the bed. “Now you will not hurt anyone ever again Mike,” said Cynthia. But Mike pulled her gun quickly, though not as quickly as Cynthia who shot 3 times and Mike fell to the floor.

We were in the lobby when the shots were fired and I told the girls to get to our room fast, which they did. The girls were amazed at what they saw. Jennifer said there was no more danger so up we went. “So, this is why we could not see Mike with her people at Raymundo’s,” I said, “she sure was able to get around, but no more.” “I am very sorry Steve,” said Ferdinando, “they beat me, but I told her nothing. Then they were going to beat my Pacca, I, I, could not endure seeing that, so I brought them up here.

I am ashamed of myself. But they would have beaten my Pacca, you understand, yes?” “Yes, I understand,” I said, “you did the right thing, Cynthia and the cats were ready.” “Actually Steve,” said Cynthia, “the girls, including Pacca, got into the fight right away. Then the cats helped them. I just shot Mike, that’s all.” “You should be very proud of that young woman Steve,” said Ferdinando, “she remained so calm, not a bit afraid of that woman.” Cynthia was over beside us now so I put my arm around her.

“Yes, I am very proud to have her on our team,” I said, “you know Ferdinando, she has been through things in her life that you and I could never think possible. Yet she has turned into a very beautiful, caring and loving woman.” “Yes, I can see that,” he replied. “Oh, stop that Steve,” she said, blushing, “I am the one who is proud to be on your team and be a help to you.” He then called the police and he moved us into a different room for the night.

I also called Rossana and she called the police here to let them know who we were, so that we would not be arrested too. Sandra and Bess, two of Mike’s top people were arrested, but Arielle and Fabien, two other top people, got away with about half of Mike’s gang. Undoubtedly they went back to Canada and to Quebec where those two lived. But Mike has been stopped totally now. Eina was also arrested and will be spending a long time in prison.

Oskar has another sister, she and her husband will be raising the two children. They have one son of their own about the same age. Pacca was too worried about her grandfather so she did not wish to come with us, so, we brought Ferdinando along too. He can help with the cooking for now and I am sure there are other things he can do as well. Melanie, Melissa, Alizea and Pacca passed their tests perfectly and are now full members.

We had the sad task of burying two of our members, Amandine and Charly, once we were back home. We are also in our new chateau now and it is very nice, with 28 bedrooms, plus numerous other rooms to use for various things. There are also two other very old stone houses on the property, both have 6 bedrooms.

There is also another stone building with 10 rooms, all the same size. We are not sure what it was used for, or how we might use the building. Hopefully we can get some rest before the next case comes our way. Melissa would like to check me thoroughly for any traces of drugs in my body. I hope she does not find anything. We shall see.

The End. But a new case will be coming soon.

©2024 Steve McLeod.