“And just who are you going to visit?” asked a tall, thin, well dressed man. “Mr. M!” exclaimed the boss, “I did not hear you come in.” “I like to come in quietly and see what my employees are up to,” he said with an odd smile, “now, tell me what happened here tonight, it looks like a tornado came through here.” So the boss explained what happened and who they were going to visit.

“Good idea, pay them a visit,” said Mr. M, “find out who they are and what they want, plus what they know about this other guy. They got away with way too much. I chose this place because it would be a good spot to hide our proceeds. These small town cops are not too bright.

I also want to know how Penny came to have so much money suddenly, that part really makes no sense, unless she is working for one of these 2 new guys. So get moving Brink!” Brink is the name of the “boss”, but he is not the top man, that title would go to Mr. M. Soon the front desk called our room and said there were 3 men from the casino who wanted to visit us.

I said to send them up. “Everyone get ready,” I said, “I imagine they want a friendly talk this time, but just in case, we want to keep the upper hand. Rusty and Storm, you get ready also.” Kat and Sigurbjorn put the backpacks on them. Soon they were knocking at our door and Kat let them in. “Put your weapons on that table please,” I said. They did so.

“I see you have something in common with the man who hit us tonight,” said Brink. “That would be?” I asked. “You surround yourself with women,” he said smiling. “Women can be very handy,” I said, “and very lethal. But he had men with him, and so do I.” “One of my men said you knew the guy that hit us,” said Brink, “care to share his name?”

“Sure, he goes by the name ‘The Fox’,” I said, “no one knows his real name. He lives in France and has been in business for a couple years now. He is also expanding fast and I hear he wants to start up here in Canada now.” Chuck had been checking his phone while I was talking. “That is him,” he said to Brink, “cops are watching him, but have not been able to charge him with anything yet.”

“He is very careful,” I said, “he knows his business well.” “And what might your business be here in this little town?” asked Brink. “I used to live here years ago,” I began, “Sky and I are on our honeymoon and I wanted to show her around the area. That is the only reason we came here.” “Okay, what is your business in general?” he asked again.

I smiled. “I am in the protection business,” I said, “and I do not like people getting in my way.” “Seems to me that a guy like you would not come cheap,” said Chuck. “Exactly right,” I said, “and people pay up front or I go away. By the way, mister itchy fingers, anyone of these cats could kill you faster than you can blink. So maybe you should put that knife on the table like you were told at the beginning.”

Kat stood up right then. “I do not part with my baby for nothing or nobody,” he said with a snarl.” “Take it from him Kat,” I said. She started toward the man and he dropped the knife out of his sleeve onto his hand. Right at that moment Kat kicked his arm, then in his stomach, then his chest, knocking him against the wall and he slid to the floor.

Kat picked up the knife and sat down on the bed again. “I never saw legs move so fast in my life!” exclaimed Chuck. “All of my girls can fight well,” I said, “including the ones protecting Penny. So stay away from her.” “How can she afford you?” asked Brink, “until a few days ago, she had no money at all and was heavy in debt. Now she has loads of money, it makes no sense.”

“I do not care where she gets her money,” I said, “but she has paid me and that is all that matters.” “What do you charge for 3 bodyguards?” asked Brink. “$1,000 per girl, per day,” I said, “Sky, honey, would you get me something for this headache please?” She looked at me and frowned, but she went to get me something.

“This little visit has been nice,” I said, “but I am tired, so you will have to leave. Give my regards to Mr. M.” The shocked look on Brink and Chuck was priceless! They picked up their guns, and their friend, then left. “Do you really have a headache Steve?” asked Sky when she came back. “Yeah, I sure do,” I said, “it started about half an hour ago and has been getting steadily worse…”

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.