My team was in shock right now, not quite sure what to do. “Did you get all that Annelie?” asked Rock. “Yes, and I am working on it as we speak,” she said. The team waited anxiously. Toledo we know is dead, but he lived in Toledo, Ohio. At least that is where he was from originally, but he lived in many places around the world. Could he possibly have a brother? It did not take Annelie long to find out.

“I have it,” she said to Rock, “Ohio is Toledo’s cousin and apparently he vowed revenge on Steve for killing Toledo. Silence reigned in the room when she said that. “But it was me that killed Toledo,” said Kat quietly, “not Steve. Maybe we could get a message to him and let him know and trade me for Steve and the others.” She broke down crying at that point.

“I doubt that would work Kat,” said Crystal, “he would just take you and keep Steve too. And, and…” She could not finish, but everyone knew what she was going to say. We likely were dead already anyway. Meanwhile, back home again. Nelson had called Mandar and told him what has been going on. When Mandar heard he was on his plane headed out to help Samson and his team.

Now Nelson called him to let him know the latest news. So, Mandar changed course and went to Toledo instead. He would try to secure our release, if we were still alive. Mandar is a natural at playing the bad guy and he always seems to know what will work well, and what will not. But even Mandar might be in for a bit of a shock this time.

Still back home, Snow is on my desk looking at a piece of paper and a notebook. She looks at the paper, then, scritch, scritch. This keeps going on until Tiia jumps up with her. Meowi?=What you doing Snow? Meowy.=Me dead syphoning letter human Steve get from human Chloe person. Meowi?=How you do that?

Meowy.=Mommy Muffin always tell me if funny pics show up, look in her notebook. She have pics dead syphoned so I can read message. Meowi?=You have permission to do that? She looked sternly at Snow. Meowy.=Um, no, but this important, I think. Suddenly she jumps up and down excitedly! Meowy!=It important, lots important!!

Off they went downstairs to the library to see “the boss”, that is what they call Nelson. Both jump onto his desk and Snow sits on his laptop. “Snow, I am working on something important!” he exclaimed. Annelie came in just then too. Meowy!=This more important! And she dropped the letter on his desk in front of him. Tiia dropped the notebook.

Meowy!=I dead syphoned it and human Steve not tell everything. It say if he bring anyone else with him but Muffin, then someone would kill human Sky! Nelson nearly choked on his donut. He called everyone in to the library. Sky and Tracy had gone to the bakery in the village. He sent 4 of the girls to get her quickly and told why. They moved fast when they heard that.

What is Chloe up to anyway? She has changed a lot! Back to Mandar who was now landing in Toledo. Annelie told him the 3 most likely places to find Ohio. He thought it over and picked a certain nightclub and in he went, looking around the room. He told the man at the door that he wanted to speak with Ohio, and that Ohio would want to see him.

It took about 10 minutes and Ohio sat down at the table with Mandar, with two rather large men standing beside him. “Why do I want to see you?” he asked. “Money, my good man, money,” said Mandar confidently, “you have something I want, and I am willing to pay a decent price for them.” “Them?” asked Ohio, “then you want some people, like who exactly?”

“A PI named Steve, one of his team members, two cats and a friend,” said Mandar, “and, as I said, I am willing to pay well for them. You see, I have a quarrel with this man and his team.” “I am not in the need of pocket change right now old man,” he replied, “so I will be nice and let you leave unhurt, but leave now.” Mandar smiled. “We will conduct our business first,” he said, “then I will leave.”

“You are either a brave man, or a very stupid man,” said Ohio. “Let us not get involved in name calling,” said Mandar, “let us talk like mature adults, shall we? I am willing to pay $10 million for them, in cash, right now.” “Maybe I will just take your money and have you thrown out,” said Ohio smiling. “You would be dead before anyone could do that my good man,” said Mandar, “my cane is a gun and pointed at you right now, and this cat on my shoulder is trained to watch my back.”

“Maybe I will just call your bluff old man,” said Ohio chuckling. Then Tandi pushed her alarm button and two of Mandar’s teams came rushing in with weapons ready. Ohio was definitely surprised. “I always come prepared Ohio,” said Mandar, “now, do we have a deal?” There was silence so Tandi put her tail straight up and the teams began shooting at the ceiling and people dropped to the floor. “Must we do things the hard way Ohio?” asked Mandar…

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.