Jennifer is back at the chateau now as well, but the other ghosts stayed behind to continue looking for Elizabeth’s children. They must be in that building somewhere, unless they have already been killed, or perhaps sold to someone else. Either way, Nikolas and his sister Andressa are going to pay for what they have done to those children, and our girls. Sky was in the room with Nikolas and Andressa when they were talking and mentioned that our girls would be dead within 24 hours.

That means they have been given some kind of poison, so after getting this information I told Samantha right away and she is doing some tests on the girls. That’s probably why they appeared to be drugged, they were. Mandar arranged for Elizabeth to fly here today and he had his security people guarding her. Jennifer has taken the Wildcats to the city airport to pick her up and they should be home soon. I need some answers from Elizabeth because this case doesn’t make sense, in some ways at least. Meanwhile, back with Nikolas and Andressa.

“Hey Nikolas,” said Johann, “I found this on the one bed in the room where we kept those Investigator women. It wasn’t there before, but it was when I checked it a second time.” It was an envelope addressed to Nikolas, so he opened it and there was a note for him and Andressa.

“Dear Bauer, You made a serious mistake kidnapping my young niece and her friends and it is something you will regret. That is a promise. My name is Aari Jensen, President of The Black Wolves, a large criminal organization in Canada. Although my niece and I are on opposite sides of the law, she is still my family, and no one touches my family. No one. I decided to rescue my niece and her friends but I hear they have just 24 hours to live, so that means you and your sister have 24 hours to live, or perhaps less if my niece dies sooner than the time you gave. If you don’t believe me, just step outside of your building and see how long you live. You better hope that my niece lives, that way maybe you can live as well. Aari Jensen”

He then left his phone number. After reading the note, he handed it to Andressa who had gone to another room to get coffee and had just returned. “Oh, this is just great!” she exclaimed, “Now we have someone else to worry about.” “He can’t just kill us anyway,” said Nikolas, “that would be murder.” “I don’t think that would worry a man like him, you idiot,” she responded. “I looked up those Black Wolves,” said Ruben, “there is about 500 of them. They are definitely a tough bunch, not an organization that we can fight.” “Naturally one of those women had to be his niece,” said Andressa.

“I wonder which one it is?” asked Nikolas. “Does it really matter now?” she asked in return. “Well, no, I guess not,” he replied, “but how are we going to get out of this?” “Why not tell him the antidote for that drug you gave those women?” asked Ruben. “That would keep them alive,” said Andressa, “and keep us alive too.” So, Nikolas called Aari and said he would sell him the antidote for just 5 million euros. Aari laughed and said he would give them their lives in exchange for the antidote. Andressa said it was a deal and she would meet him outside their main door with the antidote.

Aari agreed but warned her not to try any tricks. She was standing outside when a black van pulled up and Aari, with Oskar, got out. Sky was on the inside by the door and a man was there with an assault rifle, but he suddenly screamed and dropped it, then he dropped dead, falling partly out the door. “Looks like a double-cross,” said Aari angrily. “No, wait!” she exclaimed, “I had nothing to do with that!” But Oskar grabbed her, pushing her into the van and Aari got back inside. They then drove off. “Is he dead?” asked Nikolas.

“Yep, and not a mark on him,” said Johann, “guess this wasn’t such a good idea.” “Yes, I can see that,” grumbled Nikolas, “hopefully they will let her go when they see the antidote works.” Meanwhile, back at the chateau. We have the antidote and we have Andressa locked safely in one of our detention rooms. However, she will not see us, only Aari and other Black Wolves. We prepared her detention room with all the same comforts they gave our girls. She had been put to sleep for the trip and she woke up on her mat on the floor with her hands and feet in our rubber handcuffs.

Once she was awake Aari and Burk went in to see her. “Nice place you have here,” said Andressa, “how long do you plan to keep me here?” “I just want to make sure the antidote works,” said Aari, “I don’t wish to keep you around any longer than is necessary. But, rest assured, if it doesn’t work, the only place you will go is to an unmarked grave somewhere. But I don’t understand why you and your brother would ask such an outrageous ransom for those 3 children, when it is obvious their mother can’t pay.”

“We don’t want the money,” said Andressa, “we know she can’t pay, but she has something far more valuable that we want. If she is willing to cooperate, then she can have her brats back. I hate children so much!” “I have checked on this woman,” said Aari, “but she doesn’t seem to have anything of value whatever.” “Perhaps not to you,” said Andressa, “but for us, it is something very important.”

Aari smiled at her. “Now I understand,” he said, “but I think you are getting into something a little too big for your organization. It is a risky and deadly business, Miss Bauer. You would be wise to stay out of it.” He and Burk then left the room, locking it securely. Elizabeth was now at the chateau and Aari was talking to me.

To Be Continued. ©2026 Steve McLeod.