Baldwin called Mandar in the morning to let him know what was going on, and Mandar told him about the letter. “This man is too proud for his own good,” said Mandar, “threatening me when I was not involved, well, that is just plain stupidity on his part. He will regret that threat I assure you.” Mandar showed up a little while later, just in time for fresh donuts. He always knows the correct time to show up.

Tandi ran off to play with the other cats, but they all came back quickly when she told them that fresh donuts were ready. Then off they went again outside to play. But, they were not out there long and an alarm sounded. “Code Red, Cats, Code Red, Cats”. Just a few seconds later Beryan came running past holding Tandi. All she said was, “she is still alive!”

Sky was already at the door, along with Galyna, and the 3 of them took Tandi to the clinic in a hurry. Which is really the only way Sky knows how to drive. Mac came in shortly after, yawning, he had slept late since he was up half the night. Snow then came sliding across the floor stopping with a thud against Mac’s leg, and she dropped a shell casing at his feet and looked up at him.

Meowy?=What is? He picked it up and said, “small hand gun.” Snow went off again running as fast as her short legs would move. “That means the shooter was close by,” said Baldwin. “Who was shot?” asked Mac. “My little Tandi!” exclaimed Mandar, “And that Reggie person will pay dearly for that!” Mac then ran out after Snow.

“Kat, Kera, Matt, go with him!” I shouted. Off they went to look around, though the man was likely long gone by now. Outside a man was watching everyone, from a safe distance. Or so he thought. Suddenly Tiger jumped straight up toward the man’s face, but the man moved just in time. Then Ginger wrapped herself around one leg, biting and clawing.

He bent down to hit her but instead received a good kick to his face, knocking him backward to the ground. He took out his gun, but, it would not work. “Guns do not work against ghosts,” said Kat as she smiled down at him. Then she kicked the gun from his hand just as Mac arrived. He pulled the man up and slammed him against a tree.

Then Matt was there and gave him a good hard punch to the stomach and the man fell to the ground. Then Kera arrived with Muffin and Snow on her shoulders. Meow,meow.=Rats, we too late, fun over. Meowy.=Yep, my legs just too short. Everyone laughed, except the prisoner. It was not Reggie however, nor was it someone from the Swedish organization, but he was a gun for hire.

“Who hired you?” I asked. He said nothing so Mandar came over and gave him a good hard back handed slap, nearly knocking him out of his chair. “You would be wise to answer his questions,” said Mandar, “or perhaps you would prefer if these gentlemen and myself took you to another room and you could answer our questions.” He looked at Mandar, then at Mac, Matt and Sten. No one was smiling.

“I do not know who hired me,” he said, “and that is the truth. I prefer not knowing who hires me, just first names, nothing more. As long as I get paid, I do not care.” “First name then,” I said. “Angelica,” he said, “she said to shoot a cat, but not the gray one, that one would come later.” “How do you get paid?” I asked. “I show up at a cafe, a lady hands me an envelope with my money and instructions for my next hit. Always a different gal shows up.”

“When do you get paid next, and where?” asked Baldwin. “At 1, the cafe in the town south of here,” he said. “Good, then you will keep your appointment,” said Mandar, “but do not tip off the woman, or you will not enjoy your fate.” Just then Rock showed up, cracking his knuckles and smiling down at the man. He was quite willing to do what we said after that.

But how does this fit with Reggie? Or does this woman make 3 enemies? The man went to the cafe and sat at a table inside. Sky, Beryan and Kera had followed along after returning from the clinic. They sat at another table and watched. There were two women at a table and they soon got up, one went outside while the other went to the man and dropped an envelope on his table.

She turned to leave, but the girls stopped her. Outside another woman waited in a car, watching the cafe, when suddenly her window smashed causing her to scream. She turned to see a gun pointed at her by Kera, and Kat caught the other woman just as she came out of the cafe. All 3 were brought back to us…

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.