There was no sleeping for me that night, though I tried. Kat said I did sleep a little but I was tossing and turning during each time I slept. In the morning everyone tried to persuade me to eat breakfast, but I just could not. “Eat Steve,” said Kat, “do it for Sky…do it for me. I still love you, and you know that. Please eat.” I gave in and ate some donuts and had my morning coffee.

“Remember Steve,” said Kat again, “when they bring Finkle back, stay calm. We can have him in prison for life, that is better than killing him.” “Yes, I know that,” I replied, “but I do not want him to know that. I want info from him so we can stop this organization “That reminds me Steve,” said Rock, “Hawk said he knew about this organization, so he might have info that will help us find them.”

“That is good to know,” I said, “but Finkle might have something more to add to his info, something more up to date.” It was about 10am when the guys arrived with Finkle. They brought him into the library. “Sit down Mr. Finkle,” I said, “we need to have a nice, calm conversation.” “He said sit!” Mac told him firmly and pushed him onto a chair in the corner of the room, close to the doors.

“What do you want to talk about?” Mr. Finkle asked nervously. “I could have you in prison for a very long time,” I said calmly, “and I have been told that inmates do not really like cops that have gone bad.” He was sweating now. “See Rock over here?” I asked him, “He can crush your arm with his bare hands and it sounds horrible, plus it is very painful. You would end up losing your arm.”

Rock just looked at him with a smile. “Now look here,” said Mr. Finkle, as he stood up, “I am a police officer and you are holding me unlawfully and threatening me too.” “No threats,” I said, “just merely stating some facts. But those facts could become reality if you do not cooperate.” Rock then punched him in the stomach and he fell back into the chair and was out cold.

“I held back Steve, honest,” said Rock, “he must have a weak stomach.” Mac revived him and Finkle was now very worried. “I think it should be my turn next,” said Kat, “have you ever met a ghost Mr. Finkle?” She was walking toward him as she said that and suddenly his eyes were amazingly wide open since Kat had disappeared right before his eyes. “Wha, wha,” he said stammering, “where did she g, go?”

“I am right here behind you,” said Kat and she touched his shoulder. He jumped to his feet again, staring at Kat. “Sit!” said Mac, and pushed him back onto the chair. Kat came back to me. “She is a ghost Mr. Finkle,” I said, “she can do things like that.” “I, I, do not believe in ghosts,” he said, sweating terribly now, “Look, what is you want? I will pay ransom, or whatever it is you want, just say it!”

“You could not pay me enough money, Finkle,” I said, “you are a murderer and that means life in prison.” “What?” he gasped, “I have never killed anyone in my life!” “You killed my wife through your men,” I said firmly, “that makes you a murderer. You told them to give her a slow acting poison so she would die after she got home.”

“No, no, I never did that!” he exclaimed, “it must have been Wayne and his men, they do not work for me, they work for, um, for someone else.” “Who?” I asked, “Who do they work for and where can I find him?” Rock then moved closer, smiling at Finkle and cracking his knuckles. “No, please, do not let him touch me, please!” he pleaded. “Who, Finkle, tell me who!” I demanded.

“I, I cannot, she would have me killed!” he exclaimed. I nodded and Rock went over to him and picked him up, starting to squeeze him. “Stop!” he yelled, “Her name is Ronja Erickson, but I have no idea where to find her, I have never met her, honest. She always sends a man to give me my orders, or to pay me.”

Meow,meow.=Me think he tell truth now, not sure if he tell truth about poison. Meowr.=Me agree, he telling truth. Meow.=Yes, he tells truth about this part. “Mr. Finkle, you may go now,” I said, “but if we meet again, you will not like it. Take him to the village, he should be in time to catch the bus.” Rock, Miles and John took him away.

“I am already trying to find out info about that woman Steve,” said Annelie. “Well Hawk,” I said, “what info can you share about this organization?” “They are quite big, in Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Ireland and trying to get a foothold here too. They are tough players, never back down for anyone and will step on anyone that gets in their way.

I knew the leader was a woman, but did not know her name. She is ruthless. Whatever they are looking for must be very important to keep after it for so long. Might not be money, or jewels though, but perhaps information. “I do not know why I did not think of that before,” said Engla…

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.