As the ‘negotiation’ was going on between Mandar and Ohio, one of Ohio’s men standing behind the bar suddenly produced a gun of his own. There were two shots fired and the man fell to the floor, dead. Two of Mandar’s team members were now standing beside him, and as the other man had jumped out with his gun, the two bodyguards also went for their guns.

But Mandar’s bodyguards shot them dead very quickly. “My good man, you are the stupid player in this game, not I,” said Mandar, “to think you could overcome myself and my people shows total ignorance. Now, to let you know, this building is completely and tightly surrounded by my people, no one comes in and no one goes out. Not alive anyway.

Now, please bring these people to me or I will be forced to tear this building apart, and you in the process.” “Clive,” said Ohio to another man, “bring down our guests.” Off he went upstairs to the room where we were held prisoner. Chloe was there too. “You are pathetic Dawn,” said Chloe, “you are looking after that guy like he was your boyfriend. You do realize he is married?”

“Yes, I am aware of that,” said Dawn, “but his wife is not here and Steve needs a friend to help him right now. That should not be hard to understand.” Chloe laughed sarcastically. “You are more pathetic than I thought,” she laughed, “you could not be a friend to anyone, you are just a loser trying to pretend you are important! Do you hear me, you are a pathetic loser! You are not even worth anything, totally worthless!”

Then she laughed again. Storm growled at Chloe. “It is okay Storm,” said Dawn, then she turned to Chloe, “at least I can sleep at night with a clean conscience, even if I am a pathetic loser.” “Oh my, you really are comical Dawn,” laughed Chloe, “you are as clean as a pig!” Just then Clive entered the room and said he was to bring the ‘guests’ down to Ohio, a man had come to buy them.

“Buy them?” she asked, “For how much?” “Ten million,” said Clive. “Wow, now that is nice,” said Chloe, “but who would pay that much?” “Some tough guy that hates this PI,” said Clive, “his name is Mandar.” Muffin was on Dawn’s shoulder and whispered to her that Mandar was actually a friend, but to pretend she does not know that.

It was a good thing I had Dawn to lean on or I would never have made it down to the nightclub. Ohio’s men had beaten me a couple of times since getting here, and they were not exactly gentle about it. They would have beaten me a third time but Dawn stood up to them and actually knocked both of them to the floor. Ohio just laughed and said he could wait a bit longer before the next beating, to give me a chance to heal a bit.

He even gave Dawn what she asked for to help with my wounds. She certainly surprised me with her bravery. We finally arrived downstairs and came off the elevator and walked over to the table where Ohio and Mandar were sitting. When Kera saw me (one of Mandar’s bodyguards), she was angry enough to kill Ohio on the spot.

Mandar noticed and put his hand on her arm which told her to stay calm. “Well, well, Steve,” said Mandar, “we finally meet when things stand in my favor. Take him out to the car.” Mandar got up to leave right behind us. “Hey old man,” said Ohio, “where is my money?” “You refused my generous offer and decided to do things the hard way,” said Mandar, “when I have to get tough, you get no money.

Let that be a lesson to you. And if you were smart, you would not trust those folks at that town, they sold you out, to me and to Samson and his Riders. Perhaps also to the team members of this PI. If you are smart, you will hide before they get here.” Then out we went to the car. “You do not need to look so frightened young lady,” said Mandar, “Steve and I are very good friends, I will certainly not hurt you.”

“He is right Dawn,” I said, “we are good friends, and Mandar is on our side, he is not a gangster.” “Oh my, I do hope you do not think I am a gangster,” said Mandar, “I am truly an upstanding citizen. I only portray myself as someone on the opposite side when it is necessary.” “I am sorry sir,” said Dawn, “but lately I just do not know who I can trust.”

“Sir? No, no, my dear,” he said, “please call me Mandar like everyone else, that is my name.” “Thank you,” she said, “I, I know you just wanted to free Steve and the cats, so, you can just drop me off somewhere.” “And where will you go my dear?” asked Mandar. “Anywhere I can,” she said quietly. “First, would you be willing to come back to that town with us?” I asked. “I will do that,” she said without hesitation…

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.