Bear sat there thinking for a moment about what Mr. M had just said to him. He did not wish to die right now, but he also realized that lying to this Mr. M would be futile since he had the resources to eliminate him and the Creepers. “Okay, you get 40%,” said Bear finally, “if we manage to find that gold and silver. We have checked everywhere in that mine and throughout the house but have not found any trace of it so far.”

“A good indication that perhaps it does not exist,” said Mr. M, “but keep looking for a few days. Then we will begin looking for ourselves. But if we must look, then your share will be considerable less as we will take 70%.” Bear and Buck just stared with wide eyes. But they agreed and were allowed to leave, with Vulture and Grizzly, but the other 4 Creepers were kept in the local jail for now.

They would be released at a later time. I had called Rock to let him know that Les would be coming into town shortly, but he never arrived. Rock talked quietly with Clarence, then went in the restaurant after the others had left. “Your dad was headed toward town, but never showed,” said Clarence to Hope, “any other roads around here?”

“Yeah, he probably went to his hideout,” she said, “a place he called his man cave. It is a small, old mine. There is a road about half way between town and my old house, heading west, and the mine is at the end of that road. Um, how did you know he was coming back to town already?”

“Well, since we are both looking for Patty’s killer,” said Clarence, “we have a deal with your PI friend to share certain info. Plus, this has to do with you and your friend is concerned about you right now. So Rock here let him know you are safe with us at the moment.” Clarence called Rock over and talked with him. Rock then went inside the restaurant to report the new information.

“Steve, got some news for you,” said Uncle Matt, “Les has a hideout in an old mine at the end of a certain road.” “Thanks Matt, maybe we should pay him a visit,” I said, “but carefully, since he may have the rest of those ex cons with him.” “Yeah, dad used to head off to his man cave a lot,” said Hope, “he took me there once too…” She then started to cry again.

“I, I’m sorry,” she said, “I do not like to remember that time. He…used to meet a woman there, named Mike. She laughed at me, but she told dad to leave me alone, and he did. He was afraid of her for some reason.” Clarence then ran into the restaurant, but came back out with some coffee for all of them. “Steve,” said Uncle Matt, “do not go near that old mine.

Les meets Mike at that place and he is afraid of her, so she must be very dangerous.” “Thanks Matt,” I said, “where are you getting this information from anyway?” “That is our little secret for now Steve,” said Matt. “You know,” said Hope, “I just remembered something that I had forgotten about a long time ago. Pinky was adopted by Alice and her husband, but Pinky said her real mom’s name was Mike. I wonder if it is the same Mike?”

“Well, Mike is an unusual name for a woman,” said Alfred, “good chance it is the same woman.” Clarence was off again, back into the restaurant, then back to the van once more. “Well, I am certainly getting exercise,” he said. Alfred just laughed, but Hope did not understand what was going on.

“Annelie, my dear woman,” said Mr. M, “there is a bad connection between one young lady named Pinky and a lady named Mike being her mother.” “I will get that information dealt with right away,” said Annelie. Sky was in the library at the time and Annelie told her right away about Pinky. “That little rat!” exclaimed Sky, “Acting so sweet and scared. She will soon not have to act scared, that is for sure!”

Sky took Astrid, Cinnamon and Sapphire with her and went outside to round up Pinky. She was out back with Kari, Amandine and Charly. Sky and the other girls came over to them and stood looking at Pinky. “You dirty little traitor!” shouted Sky, “Your days of freedom around here are over girl!”

Unknown to the other girls Pinky had managed to steal a gun and was sitting on it. She got up slowly from sitting on the grass, then she suddenly turned to shoot Sky, but Sky was too quick for her and had her gun out and shot Pinky. She fell to the ground, this time she was dead for real and not just pretending.

Alice and her kids knew nothing of what Pinky had been doing, but somehow she was not surprised. Annelie then called me to let me know what was going on and Pinky was no longer trouble for us.

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.