I was worried, not sure what about exactly, so far things were going according to plan, and that is always a good thing. Aari is supposed to meet with Francis, the leader of the Dark Dogs gang, which is supposed to be a larger gang than we think. At least, that is what Blueberry told us, though she might have been lying to try and scare the girls away. I hope things go well with that meeting. 

Aari knows his business well and I am sure he will be cautious. Now, to that meeting. Aari was sitting at one of the tables on the sidewalk drinking his coffee when a very beautiful woman, and her very large dog, came along and joined him. ”This dog is a killer,” she said to Aari, “one word from me and you are a dead man.” ”If you look down the street behind me at that reddish building, third floor,” replied Aari, “you will see a rifle sticking out a window. 

It is aimed at your dog for now. He would not get near me. The second bullet would be yours.” Aari took a sip of his coffee quite casually. Francis chuckled. ”I see we don’t trust each other,” she said, “but perhaps we can talk frankly.” ”That is why I wanted to see you,” said Aari, “and perhaps warn you that this is a dangerous game.” 

“I already know that,” said Francis, “but I have the resources to play the game. Do you?” ”The Black Knights have abundant resources at our disposal,” said Aari calmly. ”Why do you think we have Christopher?” she asked, “And why do you want him?” ”Someone must have him,” said Aari, “you are the most likely since I know of no others in the game right now.” 

“I wish I did have him,” said Francis, “he is worth some money.” ”He owes us a substantial amount,” said Aari, “and we have been very patient. Then we discovered he is coming into some money which would at least pay part of his debt to us. But he disappeared suddenly which made no sense. However, I understand you do not need him anyway, since without him you would get all the money.” 

“Unfortunately there is a little clause in that will that states we only get the money if Christopher is confirmed dead, otherwise his wife gets everything. So, I want Christopher, dead.” ”And I need him alive in order to get the money he owes us,” said Aari, “an interesting predicament.” ”If we work together,” she began, “you can have the money, I want the business. It would be perfect for my business.” 

“That might be a workable plan,” said Aari, “now we just need to find out who has him.” ”Yes, I thought maybe Bertha and her daughters,” said Francis, “but they do not seem intelligent enough.” ”People often act as fools if it gets them what they want,” said Aari, “perhaps I will check on that myself. I will stay in touch.” ”How did you know that building where you dropped the bike was our headquarters?” she asked as she got up to leave. ”The owner of the bike,” replied Aari. Francis then walked away. 

Meanwhile, back home Dawn came running upstairs to my bedroom to see why the girls had not been in touch yet this morning. She came into the room and found Kera and Beryan asleep on the extra bed and she wasn’t able to wake them up. And I was gone! She pressed the alarm, Red Alert Code A1!! That got everyone moving quickly, but I was nowhere to be found. 

However, a note was found under Beryan which said to call off our investigators or I would be killed. Dawn called Aari right away and told him. He figured it was because of the girls meeting with Blueberry, which made him think she was involved in the disappearance of her husband. I woke up in a dimly lit room, empty except for a small table and 2 chairs. 

As my eyes woke up better I then noticed someone right beside me. We were both on the floor. I was sitting against the wall. I looked at the woman’s face. She smiled at me, “Yes, it’s me Steve, you should not be here.” ”How can it be you?” I asked, “You are dead.” 

“My owner saved me or I would be dead,” she said. ”Owner?” I asked, “No one owns you.” ”Yes, a man named Christopher owns me,” she said, “but I will help you escape.” ”You must come with me,” I said. ”Christopher owns me,” she said again, “I cannot go.” 

“Then I will stay, and die if I must,” I said. ”You always were stubborn,” she said, “right from the first day I met you.” ”I will get on my knees and beg,” I told her, “but please, come with me. Or have you…” ”NO, I have not,” she said emphatically… 

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.