Aari called Baldwin to tell him his plan and asked for permission to do it. Baldwin said okay, but cautioned him about revealing his true identity. “I will be okay,” he said, “I just need Annelie to get a message to the Fat Man for me. He knows me quite well and I trust him to play fair with me if I play fair with him. It might be our best way to deal with Angelica.”

So, Annelie got the message out through one of her sources so it would look like it was coming in the right way. Meanwhile, back home. Baldwin, Mandar and Annelie were in the library when Amber came in and stood in front of Baldwin’s desk and handed him a letter. “What is this?” he asked and looked at it. “My resignation Sir,” she replied.

“Not accepted,” said Baldwin as he tore it up, “you still have 2 years left on your contract and you will fulfill that.” “But I spoke against my leader,” she insisted, “I was out of line.” Baldwin noticed she closed her eyes briefly. She also looked flushed. “Are you okay Amber?” asked Annelie. Just then Matt brought in Brad and he stood beside Amber.

“Well, well,” he said, “the little snitch is at work again. How do you feel today?” Then he slapped her on the back, she screamed and fell to the floor. That brought Dawn, Kera and Catalina into the library and they helped Amber to a chair. “What is wrong?” asked Baldwin. “I, I am okay, my back is just a little sore,” she said quietly. “Why is your back so sore?” asked Dawn. “I…fell last night,” she said, “nothing serious.”

“She is just a wimp,” said Brad, “and she is too small for this kind of work, she is useless, cries a lot, nothing can be done with her, or with Chantelle, another wimp.” “Maybe you should tell what you and Tank did to her!” Amber yelled, then she caught herself, “Oh, um, sorry sir, I should not have yelled.” “Who is Tank?” asked Baldwin.

“His name is Hank,” said Matt, “but because of his build and strength, everyone calls him Tank.” “Get him in here,” said Baldwin firmly. Matt took Malcolm and Alfred with him. The cats had now arrived in the library too after hearing all the noise. “Chantelle would not listen to them,” said Amber, “so they tied her up to a branch by her wrists and used her for a punching bag. She spent 6 weeks in the hospital and just returned to duty 3 days ago. Yesterday Brad punched her in the face.”

“See that?” said Brad, “Always making up stories against me because they are just 2 little crying wimps.” “Brad slammed Amber into the corner of the building twice, hard, then punched her,” said Dawn. “I barely pushed her a little,” said Brad rolling his eyes, “just a wimp.” Dawn stood up, but Baldwin intervened quickly and told her, Kera and Catalina to take Amber and Chantelle to the clinic and then relieve Kat and the other girls as my bodyguards.

Brad and Tank were still in the library when Kat, Crystal and Beryan got back. Kat just walked into the library, “Brad, look at me!” He did so and she kicked him hard in the stomach and he fell to the floor groaning. Tank also turned and Kat kicked him twice and he fell against Baldwin’s desk and down to the floor, groaning loudly. “Um, Kat,” said Baldwin, “we were having a meeting.”

“Sorry Mr. B.,” she said, “but wimps who call themselves men, make me angry. And HE lost my prisoner!” It was true, Reggie escaped before they could get that window closed again, due to the disruptions outside that kept everyone’s attention away from the detention building. He had a friend come along and with a strong cutting torch, had 2 of those bars cut through quickly.

And since Reggie was a slim man, he was able to get out easily, and gone. Obviously Brad was in on this too, so I had given the girls permission to “talk” with Brad and anyone working with him. Crystal mentioned this to Baldwin. Interestingly, my cheek was very red this morning, and a bit sore.

Bridgette said Crystal had slapped me to calm me down yesterday. She said I was sleeping peacefully afterward. Must have been quite a slap. Galyna elaborated on that a bit more for me, taking all responsibility. Since it worked, I forgave her.

Meanwhile, back in Sweden. “Could be a trap Fat Man,” said another man, “the Major was killed.” “Yes, so we heard, but things are not always what they seem,” said Fat Man, “this way he can hide right in the open.” He laughed at the thought. “I will see him, he always plays fair,” he continued, “and if not, he will certainly regret it. He will be treated with respect and will leave unharmed.

He can have one man with him, but no weapons.” Soon Major and Clarence were being brought into a large beautiful room where the Fat Man was waiting for them. “Well, well, it is you Major, and Clarence too, welcome!” he said, “I hear you have information for me that I might enjoy.”

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.