Mandar came indoors with his usual huge smile and came into the library where we were all gathered. He said hello to everyone, then sat down in his favorite chair and Charly brought him a donut and cup of tea. “Ah, just what I need after my long trip,” he said, “but might I have two more of these delicious donuts?”

Charly giggled and went back to the kitchen and brought him two more, just as he finished his first one. “I hope that I am not interrupting anything important,” he said, “everyone seems to be so quiet and sad looking right now.” He looked around but no one said anything. “There are also people missing from the room,” he said, “what is happening my good man?”

He directed that question to me. “Um, Kat, would you mind explaining a bit?” I asked. “Chicken, my dear husband?” she asked, “Steve is no longer a member of The Investigators, he was kicked off the team.” “What?” he asked astounded, “Is this some kind of joke?” “No joke,” said Jennifer, “it is very real. The team leaders felt his mental state was so bad that he could no longer be trusted to make right decisions and that endangered the whole team.”

“My recommendation was to put Steve on recovery for a while,” said Galyna, “so he could focus on his trauma and family. But my advice was not heeded and this is the result.” “That is utter nonsense!” exclaimed Mandar, “Who here would not be willing to work with Steve in his present state?” No hands went up.

“There, that is settled my good man,” he said, “now on to other business, where are those people who are missing?” Mr. B had a massive heart attack,” said Kerstina, “so he is in the clinic. He and Rock were both given that same drug that was used on Sky, which likely affected their decision making ability.” “And where is Annelie?” he asked, “Must I ask about each one separately?”

“Annelie is in the clinic too,” I said, “she was seriously hurt by Rock. Crystal, Penny and Engla are in the clinic as well. Crystal posed as Sky when a woman who looked like Carmen came in with 2 others and she was seriously wounded. Penny and Engla was also wounded, but not too seriously. We have Sky back, but because of this drug and a chip in her brain, she was controlled to hate me terribly. The trigger is my face, so I must wear a mask when I visit her.”

I then looked at Kat, and she understood, however, Mac stepped forward before she could speak. “There was a man, sniper, over on that far hill,” he began, “he had a clear view of the pool. He shot Honey and Agata. Honey is in serious condition at the clinic, Agata died immediately.” That news brought tears to Mandar’s eyes.

“That horrible, evil woman,” he said, “she must be stopped, NOW! Steve, all of my resources are at your disposal, just tell me what you need and you will have it.” I told him our plans and that we could use transportation that could not be recognized as being from us. “This could very well be a trap, my good man,” said Mandar, “you need someone with you that has good experience. Please understand dear Hope.”

“But how do I gain experience if I get no chance to help out?” she asked very nicely, “I believe that I am qualified for this part and I am certainly not afraid of Carmen. I know not to trust her in any way, but I am not afraid, not after what she has done.” Mandar smiled. “You will do just fine, my dear Hope,” he said, “just fine indeed.

Now, Steve, you will assume your rightful leadership position, is everyone behind that decision?” Everyone said a resounding “YES”! The clinic was to be sealed completely after my visit with Sky. Rock was in a special sealed, steel room, for safety, and Kerstina would keep him well sedated anyway for now. Mandar’s Team 4 would provide extra security for the clinic.

Also, his Teams 5 and 6 would provide security at the chateau while we were gone. Mr. B, the other one, not ours, reported in and told me this Carmen is the real one this time. She has a tattoo on the back of her neck, of a snake, which she got when she was 18.

She always referred to herself as a deadly snake. I remember that from when we were kids, she always said that and she wanted to get a snake tattoo when she was older. The Carmen doubles did not have that tattoo. But this could still be a trap, so we need to be careful…

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.