After Jennifer yelled, “Steve, Danger!”, she grabbed my arm while Kat grabbed Hope’s arm and we ran just a short distance from the bus stop. Jennifer and Kat pushed Hope and I to the ground and fell on top of us for protection. Just as they did this, the whole bus stop area exploded from underground. We could hear the sound of sirens approaching quickly so we decided to leave the area.

Being invisible sure does help in times like this. I still do not know how they do this invisible thing, but somehow they can make us invisible too by putting their arms around us. “You know Steve,” said Kat, “perhaps it is time for you to become a ghost too.” “Well, if you do not mind,” I said, “I would prefer to stay on this side of the grass for just a little longer.”

Jennifer giggled. “I still have that envelope,” said Hope, “and hopefully it will be what Sky needs. “Yes, I sure hope so too,” I said, “one thing is certain, this man did not plan on getting killed, so I think he could be trusted.” “Too bad we lost all that money though,” added Hope. “We did not lose anything,” I said, “it was all fake money, and the money for his account has already been retrieved.”

“Cool,” said Hope smiling. “I wonder if Mr. B is having any success with Carmen.” I said. “We should soon find out,” said Kat. Meanwhile, in a different part of town, while all this was happening to us, Mr. B was looking for Carmen. He had his men all around where he had seen her earlier today. It was another nightclub owned by Carmen, but this one focused more on gambling.

Mr. B sent in a couple men that Carmen would not know, but they knew very well what to look for and that would bring Mr. B inside, or at least some of his more trusted men, who would bring Carmen back out to Mr. B. Sure enough, they found Carmen and Mr. B sent more men in to get her. They brought her out to Mr. B, who was waiting in his car.

Two men pushed her inside the back of the car with Mr. B, then they got in too and off they went. Soon her nightclub was in flames with people running and screaming in every direction. Once in the car, Mr. B took his knife, which was extremely sharp, and cut off Carmen’s long, dark hair. It was down to her waist, always had been, since we were kids.

“Just want to make sure it is you this time Carmen,” he said, “there seems to be a lot of you walking around these days.” “Yes, and they have been doing their job just fine,” she said smiling, “you know, we should get back together again, we would make an unstoppable team now.” “Sorry Carmen, but you are now stopped, for good!” he said, “Take her to that old sawmill and make sure she stays there.”

“Right Mr. B,” said Lewis. He and some other men took Carmen and left. Mr. B then called me to let me know Carmen would no longer be a problem to us. I wanted to believe him, but I know Carmen, if there is a way to escape, she will find it. But I sincerely hope he is right this time. We do need a break for a while. We were already on our way back home when Mr. B called me.

Everyone in the car heard the conversation. “I sense danger Steve,” said Jennifer, “but it is far away.” But he also told me not to use the antidote given, all it will do is cause extreme pain to Sky. I kind of thought this was all too simple. But perhaps Carmen was lying just so we would not use the antidote. I was going to have it checked anyway, just to make sure.

I will give some to Mr. B so his man can check it out too. We will be very cautious with this. It felt good to be back home again, now we can work towards getting back to normal. If there is such a thing for us. We were hit hard on this case, but I think we can close it now. Still a few things to do, like getting Sky and the others out of the clinic. And perhaps getting me back on the team.

Hope proved herself and now wants to join the team. Her and Harvey are now engaged too, as are Miles and Brook. But, before any weddings comes a funeral for Agata. Aoife is getting counseling for emotional trauma from when she was part of the original group of girls that were kidnapped. It was her part in Carmen’s photo studio that lead to the emotional trauma though, she is having a hard time dealing with what she had to do. We need a good rest before the next case, I wonder if we will get it?

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

©2024 Steve McLeod.