The night desk clerk and myself had gone to the owner’s office when we heard Chantelle, the waitress, scream loudly. The owner was sitting with his head on his desk, he had been shot in the forehead, just like the two people we found in those graves. Poor Chantelle, she was shaking and crying, it was not a pretty sight that she found. When she saw me she came over to me and hugged me tight whispering quietly, “help me, please help me, I am so scared.

Ever since my parents died in that horrible accident a couple weeks back I have been scared. I don’t know what to do or where to go and Scott Wagner is after me all the time. I’m terribly afraid of him, I know what he wants me for and I don’t want that. Please, please help me.” “Don’t worry,” I said, “we’ll help you and take you away from here.” Sky was here now so I asked her to take Chantelle back to our table. “What should we do now?” asked Brad, the night desk clerk. “Who is now in charge of things?” I asked in return.

“I guess that would be me,” he said, “I’m also the assistant manager.” “Well, then call the police and an ambulance,” I told him, “then look after running the hotel for now.” I knew why this happened, it is part of the plan to get us out of this hotel and out of this town. But I won’t let that happen. When the police chief arrived, that is exactly what he wanted to do, close the hotel and kick us out. However, I told him that no one would close an entire hotel and restaurant because one man was murdered in his office.

I also told him we would not be leaving and if he tried to force us out then I would go to the state police and have them come to restore order in this town, then he and his friends would be in big trouble. Then I told him that 3 of my cats were missing because of two men that had searched our room, looking for something, whatever that was. “Those cats are well trained cats, very expensive,” I said, “and very precious to my girlfriend and I.

Now, you or one of your friends or perhaps all of you combined, sent those two men to search our room and take our cats. Therefore, you should have no trouble finding and returning them to us by the time we have finished eating.” “There’s a dead man here,” he said, “and you want me to look for cats instead of looking for his killer?” “Find one and you will find the other chief Winters,” I said, “it’s very simple really.” I then went back to the restaurant.

Some of the girls volunteered to be waitresses so Chantelle wouldn’t have to work right now. After dinner the leaders and I, plus Ivy went back to our room to discuss things. It wasn’t going too well at the moment. Even though we came with large numbers and tough talk we have made no real progress so far. “We need to back up that tough talk with tough action,” said Ivy, “or they won’t believe us. That is why this group can control a whole town with a relatively small number of people.

They put action behind their words and that puts fear into people. They have that street gang working for them which has 20 guys, maybe more. It’s always best to overestimate numbers rather than underestimate.” I then called Aari and asked if they were still watching the house and he said yes and that a truck had arrived a few minutes ago. He thought they were likely going to remove things from the house before tomorrow. I told him that if they did, then to intercept the truck, take it to the city and hide it for now.

“And don’t worry about being nice,” I told him, “get rough if you have to, but get that truck.” I then told him our plans for tonight. “If you get the truck early enough,” I said, “then bring the rest of your men over to the Shining Moon Nightclub, in case we need some muscle to mess up the place a bit.” “I’m sure we’ll be there in plenty of time Steve,” he said, “they have already begun loading boxes onto that truck.” “Sounds good,” I said, “we’ll be heading over there soon.”

We have all the ghosts here now, except for Jennifer who stayed at home. It’s always good to have one ghost at home for emergencies and Jennifer can call Sky just like I can, so that adds to protection. Carine, as usual, is with Aari, so that gives me Kat, Sky, Angel, Kristina and Kitty, which is more than enough. I left Kristina behind to protect Ivy and Chantelle in our room and Kat went with her team.

Dawn and her team surrounded the Shining Moon so no one could leave the place and half of Misty’s team would help with that. Sky and her Bad Girls would come in with me, along with Misty and the remainder of her team. As we walked in to the club, the two doormen tried to stop us, but I pushed one out of the way and Sky pushed the other one.

Adding a bit of electrical current to a push really helps. Interestingly, the mayor, Scott (the owner), Mrs. Winslow and Don (the counselor), plus a new man, were sitting at a round table in a corner of the room, so we went over to join them. Oddly, they didn’t even notice us come in, but maybe that is a good thing…

To Be Continued. ©2025 Steve McLeod.