I called Aari after finding out that Eina was with Mike. “Check around for fingerprints Aari,” I told him, “then send them to Annelie so she can check them out.” “Do you think that this Eina is not the real one?” he asked. So I told him what the girls had seen. “Something is wrong,” I said, “it is hard to believe that the real Eina would work for Mike and endanger her own children.”

“But Albano would know if she was his real wife or not,” he remarked. “Perhaps that is why Albano is now in the hospital,” I said, “maybe he did notice.” “Oskar found out today that Albano is basically dead,” Aari said, “if they take him off life support, he would die right away.” That was definitely not good news. Some things are starting to add up though. Eina knew that when she asked Oskar to come and help, that The Investigators would come to help also.

That would put us in a good position for Mike to attack and eliminate us. That shows that Eina is working for Mike, though it might not be the real Eina. It did not take long and Annelie got back to me saying it was the real Eina. She also discovered that Eina had her own bank account and two weeks ago one hundred thousand euros had been deposited into her account.

Hard to believe that she would betray her own family like that, but we have the proof now. This will certainly be hard on Oskar. I had to let Aari explain things to Oskar since I cannot be seen with them right now. It did hit Oskar hard, and also angry, that his own sister would do such a thing for a little money. He then went back to the hospital to check on Albano, but Eina had been there already and told the doctor to remove him from life support, and he died. He then went back to Aari and told him.

I called Oskar and told him he should go to his parents and take them somewhere for their protection and for the children. So, he went to see them and they all went to visit some friends that lived further north in Sweden. Mike sent Eina to get her kids back, and 3 of her men went along to kill her parents, though Eina thought they were just along for protection. But, Oskar got there first and everyone was gone. Even their neighbors and local friends did not know where they had gone, though one neighbor was told they were going to be away for 2 months.

Eina came back to Spain and Mike was angry that we had managed to outthink her this time. “Steve,” said Melanie, “I just remembered a seaside hotel that Mike liked when we were here last year on a short scouting trip. She thought it would be nice to stay there, even though it was not exactly a 5 star hotel that she usually likes to stay at. It was nice looking, at least from the outside.” “Okay, we will check that out right away,” I said.

Then I just stood, staring and Jennifer was right there to hold onto me. Melanie helped her get me onto the bed. The effect lasted longer this time so Jennifer asked Kat to take some of the girls, and Melanie, to check out that hotel. Melanie suggested getting Melissa to look at me. “Sure looks like the effects of some kind of drug to me,” said Melanie. Amber brought Melissa over to our room after the others left. After 10 minutes I was still out, affected by this mysterious ‘whatever it was’.

Melissa, like Melanie, was certain that I was being affected by a drug, but she needed to do some blood tests to find out for sure, and she had no way of doing that right now. After a few more minutes I was feeling better again. Whatever this is, it comes on fast and leaves fast, once it starts to go. “I do not like the fact it lasted so long this time,” said Jennifer, “you really should stay at the hotel from now on where it is easy to protect you.”

“Jennifer is right,” added Melissa, “if it happened while you were out, it could put others lives at risk. Um, but I guess that is none of my business, so I will keep quiet.” I stared at Melissa and she was getting quite nervous looking. “I appreciate your assessment Melissa,” I said, smiling, “no need to worry.” Her worried look changed to a big smile. Then there was a knock at the door. It was the hotel owner. I asked him to come in, he looked very worried.

He told me about his one granddaughter before that had been killed at 16, he still had another granddaughter that lived with him and his wife. They raised the girls because their parents had died in an accident years ago when the girls were very young. He said his wife suddenly collapsed this morning so she was taken to the hospital, but was dead before they got there. Apparently she had been shot. I asked if anyone was in the lobby at the time.

He said that an American, wearing a cowboy hat had been waiting for one of the guests. But he said there was no gunshot sound. His granddaughter found a note on the counter a short time after he left with the ambulance. He gave it to me. “Do not help those Wildcats anymore, remember you still have your granddaughter and yourself to think about.” I handed to note to Jennifer and Melissa tried to peek at it, so Jennifer shared it with her.

“That is Mike’s handwriting,” she whispered. Jennifer handed the note back to me and just said “Mike”. “Are you sure Melissa?” I asked. “Yep, Mike often wrote out orders for us,” she said, “Mike said it was the safest way to do things, depending on the situation.” “We will leave your hotel,” I told the owner, “I am very sorry we have caused you such trouble.” He shook his head. “No,” he said, “I do not wish for you to leave, I wish for you to help me by helping my granddaughter.

Please, take her with you to live and maybe she can work for you, maybe. She is very intelligent, knows many things, she could maybe help you somehow in your work. Her name is Pacca, would you like to meet her? I would be so honored if you would help.” “I would like to meet her,” I said, “please send her up to our room.” He left, all smiles, and very excited. “He has helped us a great deal,” said Jennifer, “it would not hurt to give her a chance.”

“Um, will you give Melanie and I a chance too?” asked Melissa. “I would like to help you both,” I said, “but no lying and you will have to pass our tests.” “Sounds like a good deal,” she said, smiling. Then I got a call from Kat. “You will not believe where we found Mike, and two women with her, plus Jacques,” she said, “enjoying themselves by the pool at that hotel.”

“Get them Kat,” I said. Kat went by herself to the pool and yelled “Mike!” The two bodyguards and Jacques stood up right away and Kat quickly shot all 3. But a little boy ran past Mike, so she grabbed him to use as her shield. “Just a reminder from Raymundo,” said Kat, “you are not wanted here, go back home…”

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.