We were driving along the road very fast, the last car in the line with Mandar and the others ahead of us. Suddenly there were several large explosions right ahead of us. I do not know how Jennifer did it, but she managed to swerve off the road just in time, driving through a fence and into a field, then swerving back through the fence again and onto the road and she kept right on driving like nothing happened.

“Now that is amazing driving,” said Cal. “I agree,” said Burk, wiping sweat from his forehead, “I just remembered something, Carmen has a secret room down on the third level, behind a painting she said. She never allowed me to go down there, said it was just storage anyway. But she said from that secret room she would always be safe since she could escape without anyone knowing she was gone.

She would come out an exit between three large boulders northwest of the complex.” I quickly called Rock and told him. “We are on that third level now,” he said, “we have freed all the people and kids, just trying to find clothes for everyone.” “There are blankets on the second level, room 2C,” said Burk. “Got it!” said Rock. “I do not understand,” said Burk, “why were all the people and kids down there?”

I then explained it to him. Did he get angry when he heard. “Steve, if I had know what she was doing with those kids,” he said, “I would have killed Carmen long ago. I just had no idea.” He then put his head down and began to cry. Burk is a big, rough looking man, so it seemed a bit out of place. But he told us he loves kids and he lost his own kids when they were just 2 and 4 years old, shot dead along with his wife and her two sisters.

The police never did find out who did it or why. Rock called back and said Carmen did get away through that exit, but there was only one road for her to take from there. I called Rossana and told her and she said there would be a chopper in the air right away to find her and they would set up a road block further along that road. Cal laughed.

“You even have the police working on this raid,” he said, “along with crime syndicate people.” “The police will not bother Mr. B,” I said, “you are working for me, so you are all safe and will be able to freely go after this is all done.” Cal called Mr. B and told him how things were progressing, and that Carmen got away again, plus the direction she was going, but the police are after her.

“Hey, Mr. B,” I said, “if you ever want to send Cal my way, I could sure use another good man on my team.” “Well, you won’t find a better man than Cal,” he said, “how about it Cal, would you like to go with Steve?” “I hope you won’t be disappointed Mr. B,” he said, “but I would like to go with Steve. And I have 2 men trained to take my place.” “I know,” said Mr. B, “and I also know you have trained them well. I will miss having you around, but you will be in good hands with Steve.”

“Thank you Mr. B,” I said, “but I think it’s the other way around, I’m the one in good hands.” “I am so sorry about your wife Steve,” he said, “Carmen is a cruel, vile woman that needs to be stopped. And I will stop her this time.” “Only if you get to her first Mr. B,” I said, “I am going to…” “Go straight home with me,” said Kat softly, but firmly, “and you will be staying in bed for a few days to relax. And that is an order my dear husband.

Remember, you have 2 daughters at home who will be needing you when they find out about their mom.” Kat was right about that, I had not even been thinking about Honey and Agata. This will be hard on them. I hated to go home when all this is going on, but Rock can handle things and Mandar said he will stay behind just in case Rock needs advice. I just hope they can stop Carmen before she gets away.

Meanwhile, “You do not think I will get away with this, do you?” asked Carmen. “No, I do not.” “It took 3 years and a lot of money to get that woman to look and act just like me,” said Carmen, “they will catch her and by the time it is discovered she is not me, I will be long gone into hiding, yet in plain sight.” She began laughing once again. “And I have you as my new slave!” added Carmen, laughing even more.

Now, back to us. We were in our jet, heading home. This was our hospital jet and Dr. Kerstina was there. But Sky was dead, even Kat was not able to revive her. Rossana soon called and said they had apprehended Carmen and have her safely in custody, she had been by herself…

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.