The team was having a meeting back at the hotel, trying to figure out their next move. “We should have Carine with us,” said Jennifer, “she has all of her abilities now and Kristina is strong, she can look after things by herself. Plus, they can always call us if there is a problem and Sky can take one of us back to help out. And all of the first floor is sealed off now, so if anyone were to try and attack or break in, there would be a lot of warning for the home team to call us.”

“Hmm, you might be right,” said Kat, “her amazing intelligence could be a big help right now, along with her other abilities. Sky, go back and pick up Carine for us and have a talk with the home team so they know what to do in an emergency, especially, call right away, don’t wait.” Sky was off in a flash and returned with Carine about half an hour later. Right after they returned, Kitty looked out the window and spotted something. “There are two men in a car down there,” she said, “and the one man keeps looking up this way and pointing something at us.”

“Hmm, a long range listening device,” said Carine, “but our scramblers should stop that too.” “Kitty, take Rock with you and go pay a visit to those two men,” said Jennifer, “and speak loud and clear.” “Yes indeed,” said Rock, “it will be very loud and clear.” He was smiling when he said that. Those men won’t like that visit. Down at the street Kitty held Rock’s hand and they ran across the street and over to the car. The man on the passenger side had his window closed but suddenly a large paw showed up on his window, with claws out and the window burst into tiny pieces.

When the man looked again Rock was standing there smiling at him. Then Rock reached into the car and pulled the man out through the window and slammed him against the car. While he was doing that, the driver had closed his window too, but that big paw showed up again, with claws outstretched and his window burst as well. Then that big paw reached in and soon the man was dead, with large scratches on his face. Rock showed the man what his friend looked like, then slammed him against the car again. “Now talk!” demanded Rock, “Where does Phoenix live?”

The man, shaking, told him her address. “Wrong answer!” bellowed Rock, “That is just an empty house! Now, tell me where she lives and tell me where Steve is located, and tell the truth or I will crush that little hand of yours so badly you will never be able to use it again!” “I, I really don’t know anything,” he said, barely able to talk, “they don’t tell me important stuff like that.” Rock then began to squeeze his left hand and there were a couple of cracking noises and the man groaned in pain.

“Honest Mister, I really don’t know nothing!” he exclaimed, “but I’ll try to find out for you, really, I will, just please don’t smash my hand.” “Okay, I’ll let you go,” said Rock gruffly, “but make sure you come back with that information. There’s $10,000 in it for you if you do.” “Really?” he asked, “Okay, I’ll be back!” Then off he ran down the street, and when he turned around and saw that Rock was gone, he called Colin and told him what happened and that Al was dead, killed by a big jaguar.

“Figures that big guy would have a big cat for a pet!” screamed Phoenix, “They will pay for killing Al. I want some of those Investigators killed, and I mean now. And I want that miserable leader’s cat dead also, today! Get it done!” Meanwhile, the whole team was back at the house now, that is, those that were already here on this case. Hope, Fridr, Candace, Ginnifer and Katresa were outside searching one side of the house, along with Muffin, Rusty, Sunny and Azura.

The guys were looking around on the other side of the house with Bandit, Tracker and Sir Night. Meow, meow!= “Me find something here, maybe door under grass.” She began digging quickly along with Rusty and they soon revealed some steel, likely a door. Suddenly Jennifer sent the danger alarm to the outside teams to head back inside immediately! But, it was too late and a group of 5 men came out from behind the garage out back where the girls and cats were looking at this possible door and the men began shooting.

The girls had just received the warning and had their guns out and began to shoot also, but the girls fell one by one. Then Sky arrived and began throwing lightning balls at the men. Our guys also arrived and began shooting as well. All the attackers were quickly killed, but four of the five girls lay on the ground too. Then Sky looked and saw Muffin laying on the ground, bleeding badly, and she quickly took her in to Kat. “Take the girls back to the clinic Sky, quickly!” said Kat. Sky did so, taking two at a time.

Candace was the only one that had not been shot and Muffin was the only cat that had been shot. “They were after Muffin,” said Jennifer, “they want to hurt us, and Steve, as much as they can. That woman will regret this!” “Phoenix will feel the wrath of the Kat!” said Kat emphatically, “She will not get away with this, NOT EVER!” Meanwhile, back with me. “Guess what Steve,” said Phoenix with a gloating tone, “that miserable little fur ball of yours, namely Muffin, is now dead! My men made sure of that! She is beyond hope by anyone! Ha, ha, ha!!”

NO, NO! I thought to myself, it can’t be, not my Muffin kitten, she can’t be dead. I must call Sky, but I can’t speak. Sky, Sky, please listen to me, please come, rescue me from Phoenix. She is related to Toledo. I must talk, I can’t, my mouth won’t move. Trying with all my strength. Meanwhile Sky had been receiving my communication and she answered me to keep fighting and say her name. She also told Kat what I was saying. Kat then called Cristy and told her about Phoenix.

I also communicated to Sky not to fight Phoenix when she comes, Phoenix is strong, like our ghosts. Sky told that to Kat and Jennifer. “Could it be possible?” asked Jennifer. “No,” said Kat, “Dr. W. would never do anyone he thought might be on the wrong side. But Sky, do what Steve says, just bring him back, don’t fight unless Phoenix tries to stop you, and take Angel with you.” However, there was no time for her to take Angel’s hand, I finally broke free of that drug a bit and managed to say “Sky” quietly while Phoenix was looking into my eyes.

Sky appeared and kicked Phoenix, knocking her to the floor. But Phoenix was up fast and jumped at Sky. The fight was on with each of them tossing the other around the room, slamming against walls, flipping onto the floor! It was an amazing fight, but it seemed that Sky had met her match with Phoenix. But how was that even possible? Finally Sky shot some electricity at Phoenix, just a stream of lightning rather than a lightning ball.

But it didn’t hurt Phoenix, instead, it rebounded back to Sky, knocking her back against my bed and to the floor groaning. I tried communicating to Kat that Sky was in trouble, but I knew Kat couldn’t help. Just as Phoenix was about to kick Sky again, Sky disappeared and was back with the others, lying on the floor, motionless…

To Be Continued. ©2026 Steve McLeod.