Well, most of our team members that were injured are back at work again, except for Sky (who had been drugged), Crystal (who had the beam fall on her), Charly (who had been shot) and Ginger (one of our cats that had been stabbed), and Snow (another cat that had been attacked by one of Lauren’s killer dogs). Dr. Kerstina said it will just take a little longer for them to recover due to their injuries. 

She is worried about Sky, however, since the only drug found in her system should not be affecting her for so long. Sky is extremely tired all the time and Kerstina cannot find any reason for that. For now Sky and the others, except Ginger and Snow, are remaining in the clinic. At home Ginger and Snow are being spoiled by the other cats, and the girls. 

We have special wagons that are easy to pull around by the other cats. Rusty and Tiger are looking after Ginger, while Storm and Tiia look after Snow. Muffin is in charge making sure everything gets done correctly and on time. I am not making any progress either but my latest MRI scan did not turn up any extra problems, though there are some badly pulled muscles, plus one torn muscle, in my back. 

But it should all heal okay with time, providing I follow the doctor’s orders and rest like I should. My bodyguards have also become my nurses, plus 2 of the other girls as well. Sky was home today to make sure everything was done right and that everyone knew their duties. I sent Muffin back with her so she could check Sky’s food, just in case a drug was being put in her food. 

The next day Kat and Dawn had just brought me down to the library, even though Dr. Kerstina had told me to stay in my room, a point I did not mention to my nurses. But I was getting tired of being in my bedroom all the time. Anyway, I just got down there and Baldwin was on the phone, finishing his call, then he turned to me. ”I have a case for you Steve,” he said, “or I should say, for your team.” 

“What is it?” I asked, excited that something had come in finally to occupy my time a little bit, even though I could not go on the case. ”My brother-in-law just died and in his will he left everything to my nephew,” he began, “but my nephew has just 10 days to claim the fortune, not that much really, about $20 million. But for some reason my nephew disappeared the day before the reading of the will, something that is very strange. 

He is married with 4 children and never goes anywhere without telling his wife. He does not answer his phone, he is not with any of his friends, no one knows anything about his disappearance. If he does not claim the money in 10 days, then it all goes to a dog shelter called Radiant Dogs.” Annelie was on it right away. 

“I guarantee there is a connection between that dog shelter and your nephew’s disappearance,” I said, “just too much of a coincidence.” ”I agree,” said Aari, “smells of an underworld scheme to get some money, but not likely a big organization, probably a smaller gang.” I just recently made Aari and Matt team leaders, so I asked Aari to get a team together and look into this. He will take all the men except Matt. 

Matt will head up a second team if Aari needs help. So, Aari will take Mac, John, Clarence, Miles and Alfred. Plus he will take Sapphire, Tracy, Catalina, Astrid and Aoife. ”You are right Aari,” said Annelie, “Radiant Dogs is owned by a woman whose boyfriend is a member of a gang called the Dark Dogs, just the opposite of the dog shelter.” ”Would your nephew be a member of this gang Mr. B?” I asked. 

“Not a chance,” he bellowed in his usual way, “our family never gets involved in such things!” ”I disagree Mr. B,” said Aari, “he must have some connection to this gang or they would not know about his good fortune, or that he had 10 days to pick it up. Your brother-in-law must have a connection to them as well, or why leave his fortune to the dog shelter.” 

“Sigh, guess you are right Aari,” said Baldwin, “I can definitely see my idiot brother-in-law getting mixed up in something like that.” ”Good, we are already getting somewhere,” I said, “now Aari, it is up to you to find the nephew before the 10 days are up. He might be just stepping out of the way so the gang gets the money and then he will come back, or, he may have been killed. 

But we want to find out, I am sure his family could use the money.” Off they went to speak first to the nephew’s wife. We now have two new members, Cheryl, whom we found at the cabin, she is 5ft 3 inches tall with shoulder length brown hair and is 17 years old. 

Then there is the woman from Mandar. Her name is Ginnifer, 5 ft 4 inches tall, very long honey colored hair and is 22 years old. Sky made Ginnifer one of my bodyguards. At least this case looks to be something fairly simple for a change…

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.