After all this I decided to call Rock. “Hey Steve,” he said excitedly, “we found that old shack, but we just got here so have not had time to look around yet.” “That is good news Rock,” I said, “but be careful, you are likely being watched so make sure that Team 6 is standing guard while you look around.” I then told him what had happened and our guess was right that Engle’s father, and perhaps her mother too, were involved with a criminal organization.

Annelie had checked it out already and it is quite a large organization located in Sweden, Norway and Finland. Plus they are trying to get into the UK as well. We are likely looking for stolen goods that was then stolen from the organization, that is why Engle’s family was killed. Then she was adopted by another family from that organization to hopefully find out where that old shack is located.

I guess they found out that much, but no more, before killing the family. “Hey, do you think that Engle might be working for that organization?” asked Rock, “Maybe that is why she came to you, hoping you would remember where to look for this place.”

“I thought about that,” I said, “but the cats are convinced she is okay, and I have not seen anything from her to make me distrust her. I think she is okay as well. Why else would they be looking for her?” “Hmm, that is a good thought,” he admitted. I then told him where to find the hiding spot we had found years ago. He looked in that spot and found the tin, but it was empty.

So, they continued looking around. Everything was quiet until Mandar showed up with Sky and her team. Sky was definitely not quiet! She came into the library and sat down beside me. “I know, I failed,” she said angrily, “getting captured twice in one day, I am no good and we failed because of it!” “Do not be so hard on yourself,” I said to her, “all of us can make mistakes, and we learn from them.”

“Yes,” said Aasta, “and we did learn something anyway, we found out that a criminal organization is behind all of this.” “Who asked you?! shouted Sky, “Just shut up!” It suddenly went very quiet in the library. “I would like everyone to leave please,” I said calmly, “except for Nelson.” Sky put her head down while everyone left.

“That was uncalled for,” said Nelson, “Aasta was right in what she said. We now have information we did not know before.” “I know,” she replied quietly, “I do not know what came over me. I need to be put on inactive for a while.” “Yes, we will do that,” said Nelson. “I also want you and your team to have a complete checkup,” I said, “Crystal, Aoife and Aubrey will take you to the clinic.”

They went and Li Jing did find a mysterious substance in Sky, but not the other girls, so Sky remained in the clinic for further study. Obviously Sky was given something, likely in her food, but why we do not know. Perhaps just to cause strain among our team. We will have to watch our food from now on. Unfortunately, Tiia and Snow are not good at smelling out poisons or other things in food like the other cats.

But Mandar had brought Tandi and she was well trained to find anything in food that should not be there. Li Jing called again later and told me the bad news. This is some kind of new substance that works in stages, the final stage just before death is uncontrollable anger. I just sat there, stunned by the news. Kat came over and hugged me.

“It will be okay Steve,” she said, “Sky is tough, she will pull through.” “Thanks Kat,” I said quietly, “but we both know that will not happen. And here I am in this wheelchair and I cannot do anything to stop that organization.” “Wrong Steve,” said Mandar, “we will stop them and they will not come back again.” “Annelie,” I said, “call Rock and tell him to get back here right away. This is more important.”

She did so and Rock could hardly believe what she told him. He never said a word to his team except to say they were heading home. I sent another jet to pick them up since they were not able to leave anyone to guard their jet, we could pick it up at a later time. On the jet Rock told them what was happening. “We will destroy them,” said Mac firmly, “the top guy is mine.”

“I want that Finkle character,” said John. “Not if I get to him first,” said Rock. “I will go with Mac,” said Miles, “and take out the number 2 man.” “Hey, us girls want in on this too,” said Kristina. “There will be plenty of action for all of us,” said Hawk, “I know this group, they are big, and they like to let people know it.”

They got home late, but I was waiting for them. “Mac, John, Miles, Hawk,” I said, Finkle is in London somewhere, find him and bring him back, alive and able to talk.” Nelson gave them some money and off they went…

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.