I sent Aari, Mac and John over to get the mechanic into hiding. He is single and lives alone, so this will make things easier in case he does not believe our warning. We can more easily persuade him now. I was right, the mechanic did not believe that anyone would try to kill him. He said that only happens in movies, so he would take his chances at home.

Just then a couple of bullets came into the building, breaking the back window of a car inside, the one they were standing in front of. The boys grabbed the mechanic and pulled him to the side and quickly put a bullet proof vest on him. “Okay, I believe you guys now,” he said, “but how did you know?” “Those guys that stopped in here this morning were our friends,” said Aari, “they were looking for clues.

Apparently the police report stated you said there was nothing wrong with the car.” “What?” he exclaimed, “that is a lie!” Then more shots and Mac saw where they came from. “Is there a back way out of here?” asked Mac. “Yeah, through the office, over there,” he pointed. Mac went out quickly and when he was in position, he sent a quiet alarm to them.

That is when John came out in the open and the man was about to shoot, but… “I would not do that,” said Mac. Then the man fell to the ground behind the garbage bin. Mac came back over and they took the mechanic with them to the hotel for protection. The man did not mind doing what he was told now, he seemed quite shaken by the experience.

The guys will take turns watching him around the clock, since we cannot trust handing him over to the police just yet. And I do not know if we can trust the mechanic either, perhaps he did take that bribe he was offered. Either way we need him alive, it makes things simpler. We had a late dinner, then went over to the house to look around.

Frank stayed behind with the mechanic, and Snow stayed with him. Meow,meow.=You stay with human Frank, make sure he stay awake, help him if enemy come and give alarm to us quick like. Meowy=Yes mommy, me do good job, you be proud. Then she raised her front paw to her forehead. “If I did not know better,” I said, “I would think she just saluted.”

“She did salute,” said Crystal smiling, “I taught the cats to do that, and a few other things.” Aasta giggled. Sigh. Off we went to the house and soon we were pulling into the driveway. “Do we have a key?” asked Crystal. “Yep, go to it Mac,” I said. Now Crystal giggled. “By the way,” said Mac, “there is someone in that house across the street watching us.”

“That house is supposed to be empty,” I said, “that is what our lawyer said anyway.” “Maybe someone is looking to buy it,” said Kate. “Perhaps, but we will keep our eyes open anyway,” I said. It was already starting to get dark. I had left Rock and Clarence behind this time too, I do not want Joshua knowing they work for me just yet.

He also does not know Frank, which is why I left Frank with the first shift of looking after the mechanic. Mac had the door open amazingly fast, almost like he had a key. In we went and began looking around the house. It was not very big, 1,200 sq ft, so aside from the profit that Joshua would make on the house, I just do not see why he is interested in this place.

Soon it was dark, and since the lights still worked in the house, we decided to turn them on. “Someone with a gun behind the shrub at the house across the street,” said Kate. She was standing in front of the window. “Thanks gal,” said Paul to himself, “a nice easy shot.” But his rifle did not fire. He tried again, and again, but still it would not work. It had a silencer on it, so he shot at the house behind him. It worked fine.

He aimed it back at Kate, but again it would not fire. “What is wrong with his thing?” he said to himself. He shot at the house again and it worked fine. But when he aimed at Kate, it would not work. “I could go put him out of his misery,” said Mac. “No, stay here,” I said. Meowr.=Me could go, he not see me. “Okay, take Muffin along too,” I said, “I want Tiia to stay and sniff around.”

So Crystal let them out the back door and they quickly ran down behind a couple of houses, then across the street and over to the house where the man was behind the shrub. “I just do not understand it Joshua,” he said, “every time I try to shoot that gal the gun will not work, yet the gun works just fine when I shoot it somewhere else.” “I knew it this morning,” said Joshua, “she is not real, she is a ghost or something, that is why you cannot kill her.”

“I do not believe in that junk,” Paul growled. “Do not talk like that,” said Joshua, “you will get yourself killed, they know.” There was silence. “Paul? Are you there?” asked Joshua, “Paul, answer me, now!” Meow,meow.=That good shot, right on forehead. Meowr.=We go back, tell all clear now. They ran across the street and up the front steps. Kate let them in. “Good work guys,” she said and gave them each a hug.

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.