The man who had his foot on the biker’s forehead stepped away after giving him the message for his boss. ”Now, I would suggest that you walk away from here, fast,” said the man. ”Hey, that’s my bike!” he exclaimed, “I need my bike!” ”The boss said to walk fast away from here,” said one of the other men. ”We will drop your bike off somewhere,” said the first man, laughing again. 

The biker decided to leave since he was outnumbered. Two of the men put his bike in the van and drove away. The first man got in his car and also left. The biker finally made it back to the gang’s hideout, he had been unable to call them since his phone had been taken away from him. ”Well, look here, you finally decided to come back,” said Francis, “your bike arrived an hour ago, or, what is left of it anyway. Now, what happened to you?” 

“When I came out from Blueberry’s house there was a guy by my bike,” he said, “while I was talking with him, another guy came behind me and punched me, right here. Then the first guy kicked me flat onto my back. Then a third guy came out of the van they had and gave me a message for you. Seems they are looking for Christopher too and think we have him.” 

“Hmm, that is quite interesting,” said Francis, “and there are a couple of private investigators looking for Christopher too. They visited Blueberry plus Bertha and her daughters. So, three of us are looking for him and someone has him, that makes four. I do not like that at all. Too many people playing the same game. Now, what is the message?” 

“The boss guy wants to talk with you, just the two of you, at a sidewalk cafe the other side of town,” he began, “he also said this is a dangerous game and no place for little people who might get stepped on.” That got Francis angry and she wanted to meet the man who would dare to give her such a warning. 

Meanwhile, after everyone was gone from Blueberry’s house the girls came to a screeching stop outside her house. They ran up to the door, which was still open, and went inside. Blueberry was crawling slowly to a bedroom where her baby was crying. Catalina stopped to help Berry and Sapphire went and brought the baby out. ”Bad dog man punched mommy,” said the oldest child who is 4. 

“Hush,” said Berry, “never talk about those men.” ”She is talking about the Dark Dogs, correct?” asked Catalina. ”I do not know them,” said Berry, “I am okay now, so please leave us alone and do not come back. I do not need more trouble!” ”We are here to help you,” said Catalina. ”Dog man told mommy not to talk with you anymore,” said the girl. ”I said to hush!” yelled Berry, “Now, go to your room!” 

The girl left. ”We want to help you find Christopher,” said Sapphire, “and we can give you protection from the Dark Dogs, they are just a smaller gang.” ”If that is what you think, then you are idiots!” exclaimed Berry, “Now get out and never come back or I will call the police!” The girls decided it would be best to leave for now. Once gone they called Aari and told him. 

“I think the other 3 girls better join you,” he said, “safer for you and if the Dogs see girls with us they might put things together, which would not be good. I will call Steve and let him know what is happening.” Now, back to us at home. Aari had called and I agreed with his decision to put the girls together. I did not like the idea of meeting Francis alone, it is unlikely she will be alone. 

But he said it was the best way so I let him try it. I then called Matt and gave him 8 girls and two cats, Tiger and Tiia, to take with him. I told him to just sit still in a hotel for now until I call. The remainder of the girls and cats will stay at home. I do not like the idea that someone else might be involved in this case too. 

So much for a simple case. I also do not like the idea of our numbers being stretched so thin, and we still have 4 girls and two cats recovering. But Mandar brought his Team 4 to help us out at home which made me feel better. 

I sent Kat and Amber with Matt even though they are two of my bodyguards, but they also have the most experience for Matt’s group. I still have 5 of my bodyguards at home, and Mandar assigned two of his own personal bodyguards to be mine while the others are away. Still, I have a strange feeling…

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.