Even though Spike was dead, it was decided that they should keep pretending that he is still alive. That way they might be able to secure Carolyn’s help. Shortly after Mandar left, Cal and the others returned with the man from Mr. B. His name is Patrick, a man Cal has known for quite a few years. Cal also said that Patrick was completely trustworthy. Hearing Cal say that was enough for Rock. Cal had talked things over with Patrick on the way back, not that they had much information to go on.

Patrick figured since a machine was involved in drugging everyone, that the drug was likely in a powder form that would then be breathed in. Next, they called the girls to bring Carolyn inside. They also walked behind the van for protection. Besides, there could be another sniper out there by now and they did not wish to take chances. Carolyn confirmed that the drug, something very specialized that she had worked on for 5 years, was indeed a fine powder, though it starts out as a liquid, then dehydrated.

While people are breathing it, they are given specific instructions, telling them who they are and what they are. Each session lasts a certain length of time. The first session is the longest at 90 minutes. The last session is just 15 minutes. After that one there is no turning back. Even after the 4th session she did not think there would be any chance to recover them.

Angel had 4 sessions, as did the other girls, only Steve and Sky had 5 sessions. Carolyn broke down crying right then. “Talking with Sky in your jail,” she said, “that…that…did something to me. Right there I hated what I did.” “Oh please!” said Sky rolling her eyes, “I am happy you opened my eyes so I could see how pathetic he is. Now I can go find myself a real man.” “You should be thankful that we had a vest on you, or you would be dead now,” said Cynthia angrily.

“Oh yes, I forgot, thank you everyone!” she said laughing. Carolyn looked around the room, everyone was looking at her now. “I know you don’t believe me!” she shouted, “But it is true! It…really…is…true!” She could barely speak now she was crying so much. Jennifer went over to her and put her arm around her. “Maybe you will find this hard to believe,” she said, “but I do believe you.” Honey sat on the other side of her and also put her arm around her.

“I also believe you,” she said softly. “I, I, do not know you,” said Carolyn. “Steve and Sky are my adopted parents.” Mandy and Madison came over too. “They are our adopted parents as well,” said Mandy, “please help us get them back again.” “I am certainly going to try,” she said, “but I honestly don’t know how at the moment.” “Well, that is why I came out here,” said Patrick, “maybe if we work together we can find a cure.” Carolyn smiled.

“Okay,” she said, “I can first of all tell you how I made this drug, which is a combination of drugs, with one being very rare. As far as I know, it can only be found in Peru.” Carolyn spent the rest of the afternoon talking about how she made this drug and how she managed to figure it out in the first place. “Something I never understood,” said Carolyn at dinner, “why it did not work on you Jennifer. It made no sense.” Jennifer smiled. “Maybe it is because I am a ghost,” she said.

“Then you are the one that Christopher said he had captured,” she said, “and he was going to use you to kill Steve and the other leaders.” “That was his plan,” said Jennifer, “he thought that he had a way to kill me, but it did not work. I was just waiting for the right time to stop him and rescue Steve safely. At first I thought he did have a way to kill me, or perhaps I should say, kill me again. But then I realized that was not possible. Well, Steve helped me to realize it.”

“Must we keep talking about that pathetic, whining rat?!” exclaimed Sky, “How am I supposed to enjoy eating?” “No one said you had to enjoy eating,” said Crystal. Sky was angry, but she kept quiet. After dinner several of the girls took her back to the clinic to be locked up there for the night. They had been hoping that if she was in familiar surroundings with everyone, it might get her thinking and help bring her back to normal. But it certainly was not working.

Meanwhile, “I discovered some interesting things about those Investigators, Fatman,” said Crane. “Is this going to be another of your guessing games,” asked Fatman, “or can you tell me outright?” “Well, it seems the Investigators have split into three groups now,” continued Crane. “Three groups?” asked Fatman. “Yep, one group was called Steve’s Wildcats,” he replied, “now they are just called The Wildcats and the leader is a woman named Kat.

Then there is another group called the Knight Riders, led by a man named Matt Knight. However, his real last name is Borisyuk. He used to be a colonel in the Russian secret service. His group is now a rough motorcycle gang in Europe.” “Well, that one is interesting,” said Fatman, “though it does not fit with the Investigators.” “Well, those Wildcats are just a female version of the Knight Riders,” said Crane, “and there are still a few left under the old name of the Investigators, led by Steve and Sky, though right now Kristina is the leader.

So it would seem that all of them have gone bad, considering they all stay together.” Fatman laughed. “This way they can handle any job that comes along, legal or not,” he said, “quite a remarkable idea. Though they would still be a problem for me and my plans, so they must be stopped!” “That will be a lot harder now,” said Crane. “Yes, it will indeed,” he admitted, “perhaps we need to change our plans just a bit and do things sooner while they are sidetracked with this new development. Maybe my granddaughter did me a favor after all.”

“Hey, something just came in from Picket,” said Crane, “that shipment is coming in two days, so we will have to move extra fast.” “We have everything in place,” said Fatman, “so that is not such a great inconvenience.” “Wait till you hear this next part,” he said, “the shipment is not coming here, but is being sent to Denmark and from there to Switzerland.” “What??” yelled Fatman, “How can we change plans in just two days?? They must have been tipped off!”

“Quite possibly,” said Crane, “we might still be able to get it done, but it will not be easy. At least with the Investigators out of the way, it will certainly help.” “I agree,” said Fatman, “and the best place to intercept that shipment is just inside Switzerland, so call everyone and get things organized. Ballard knows the area best so put him in charge. We must get that shipment! I will be ruined if we do not get it!”

“Ballard has never let you down yet,” said Crane, “he will get the job done.” “Yes, then I will go after Carolyn,” said Fatman, “she still must pay for betraying me!”

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.