Sky was at home now and recovering quite quickly. Dr. Kerstina was amazed at how fast she was healing from the gunshot wounds. However, Sky is obeying the doctors orders and staying in bed for now. ”I know that Kat and Jennifer had something to do with my healing so fast,” said Sky, “I wonder why they don’t try to heal your back completely.” 

“Maybe they cannot do such things,” I said, “we might just think they do and that helps us get better faster.” ”Do you really believe that Steve?” she asked. ”I am not sure what to think actually,” I said, “but they are not ghosts and they do not have super powers.” ”Can you stop guns from working?” she asked. ”There are many ways to explain such things,” I said to her. 

“Name one,” she said looking at me like she does in cases like this. ”Well, I have no idea, but there must be a way to explain it,” I said. Meow,meow.=It because they ghosts. ”There are no such thing as ghosts,” I said. I then went down to the library. Mandar was back home, he had some business to deal with, but he will be back again soon. Baldwin is still away on his business trip and will likely be gone another 2 weeks. 

Meanwhile, back to Aari and his team. They all wear black clothes and dark glasses, the girls have dyed their hair black as well. Aari showed up the next morning to pick up his money from Bertha. This time Clarence, Alfred, Tracy and Ginnifer came inside with Aari. Tracy and Ginnifer watched the girls while Aari talked with Bertha. 

“There is your money,” said Bertha, “now take it and leave and do not come back.” ”Oh, now that is not very friendly of you,” said Aari, “just when we were getting to know each other. You must keep a lot of money at home, which is not a good thing to do these days, someone could rob you.” ”You think I’m a fool?” she asked, “I never keep money at home, I got this from the bank.” 

“You are lying Bertha,” said Aari, “no one has left this house, or come to this house, that means you had this money sitting here somewhere. Now, how much more do you have in your safe?” ”How did you know about mom’s safe?” asked Betty. ”Shut up you little fool!” she bellowed, “He is just looking for answers.” ”I figured you must have a safe if you are keeping this kind of money at home,” said Aari, “now, we just need to find it. Perhaps you would like to help me find it?” 

“Find it yourself, since you are so smart.” ”Too bad you are not,” said Aari, “cooperation helps to keep a person alive longer.” ”It is in momsy’s bedroom,” said Brook, “it is behind a false wall on the right inside her closet.” ”I will kill you, you little fool!” yelled Bertha and she began to get up, but Aari pulled her back down beside him. 

“Leave Brook alone,” said Aari firmly, “thank you Brook, perhaps I will take you with me.” Brook was suddenly all smiles. ”Dirty traitor!” yelled Betty. Just then Clarence and Alfred returned with the contents of Bertha’s safe. ”Another $300,000 plus some diamonds,” said Alfred. ”Cheap safe,” said Clarence, “very easy to open.” Out they went to the van with that and the original money. 

“You can’t take everything from me,” said Bertha, “I need money to live too.” ”Soon you will learn that I can do whatever I want,” said Aari, “I will be back tomorrow and I want another $300,000, or the police will discover the whereabouts of your neighbors husband, or his body at least, that you buried under her compost bin.” Bertha’s eyes got real big when she heard that, same with the girls. 

“Are, are you taking me with you?” asked Brook. ”Be ready to come with me tomorrow,” said Aari, then he turned to Bertha, “do not even think of hurting Brook.” He then left. ”Now what momsy?” asked Betty, “He seems to know lots.” ”Shut up and let me think!” yelled Bertha, “We have to get out of here tonight!” 

Meanwhile, in another part of the world some plans are being made. ”This is where he lives,” said man one, “easy to find, but not easy to penetrate. There are a large team of them, so we will have to hit at just the right time.” ”Kill their lifeline first,” said man two, “makes things easier.” ”That will be your job,” said man three. Too bad we could not listen in to that conversation, I am sure it would be interesting…

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.