“I know where that gold is hidden too,” I said, “those clues were really no help since too much has changed since they were written.” “Hey, you are holding out!” yelled Jackie. “It does not matter for you,” I said, “you will be heading to prison for the murder of your husband, and we can prove you did that so do not try to deny it.” She just sat there glaring at me again, then said, “I do not believe you!”

“You will when those prison doors slam shut,” I said, “the gold surprisingly survived the War and no one ever figured out where it was, until now.” “And where is that Steve?” asked Catalina. “In time Catalina,” I said, “but I think we will be getting a visit from someone, so it is better that you do not know just yet.” “Ha! I do not think you really know!” shouted Jackie, “who is this mysterious visitor?”

“You are certainly a loud one,” said Kyan, “maybe a good slap will knock you down a few decibels.” “This is my place and I will talk anyway I want to!” she yelled. Kyan then slapped her good and hard. Hmm, it seemed to work too. The time is now 7am, we have been sitting, waiting, all this time, mostly in silence though Herman offered more details on the plans.

John was planning to kill Jackie since he did not think she could keep her mouth shut. He also wanted to kill Lily for the same reason. Herman knew that Kenaston was planning to kill John since he wanted the gold for himself. But Herman was really working for Toledo now and if he played along, then Toledo would pay him well for his part and they would part company.

I told Herman that Toledo would kill him, not pay him, that is how Toledo works and I have know him for a long time. “Yes, Toledo cannot be trusted,” said Kat, “he is the one that killed me.” “Uh, yeah, I know,” said Herman nervously. “Now,” I said, “Rock, take everyone, including Herman, and leave now. Toledo is coming and he will not come in here until you leave.

He wants to talk with me so I know he will bring Sky with him since he knows I will not even look at him if she is not around.” “Hey, wait a minute Steve,” said Rock, “that is not how we do things on this team, you made that rule yourself, we all stay together.” “I know, but this time is different,” I said, “if you stay he will just kill Sky and leave her outside for us. The only way to get him in here is for all of you to leave.”

“But he will just kill you and Sky once he has the gold,” said Kyan, “what do we gain from that?” “Because afterwards you get the whole team together, what is left of them,” I explained, “and as many security personnel from Baldwin Corporation as you can spare, and maybe some more from Mandar if possible. Then you hunt down Toledo and stop him for good.”

“I can stay with you Steve,” said Kat, “after all, he has already killed me, he cannot do that a second time. But I can get him right now and we will not have to look for him.” Meow,meow!=Me not care for rules! You my human first thing, leader second thing. Me stay with you! Meowy!=Muffin my adopted mommy, me not leave her behind, me stay too! I sighed.

“Okay, you 3 can stay,” I said, “but really, for this to work, the rest of you need to leave. And take the loud mouth with you too, I do not want her around.” So the other left in the two vans, right out the gate and down the road. “Follow them Cliff, make sure they do not return,” said Toledo. “Right boss,” said Cliff, and he followed behind and another man with him.

Toledo waited 20 minutes, then Cliff called and said the vans turned onto the highway and kept going. “Stay there and warn me if they come back,” said Toledo. Those two men never knew what hit them. Catalina has pinpoint accuracy with that throwing arm of hers. Toledo and his men then came driving up to the mansion. Toledo came out with Sky, and two men came along.

I let them in when they arrived at the door. It was quite obvious that Sky had been beaten. “Are you okay Sky?” I asked. “Poor girl, she was very stubborn and encountered some bad things,” said Toledo, “so now she cannot talk.” I tried to stay cool, but it was not easy after hearing that. “These are explosives tied to her,” continued Toledo, “and this is the switch in my hand.

If I let go she has 5 minutes to live and there is no way for you to remove them. Now, your weapons please.” I handed his man my two guns and knife. “I have no weapons, as you can see,” said Kat as she turned around. “Now, the gold please,” said Toledo. Kat started walking toward Toledo…

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.