Jinni was about to tell us her ‘new’ story, but Mac interrupted. “You should all go in the tower now that it is dark,” he said, “I will sleep out here and guard this entrance. We fixed the shutters and I can barricade the door.” “No,” I said, “we all stay in the tower tonight. After hearing about that fight just now, it would not be safe out here.”

“The cats did a good job too,” said Mac, “brave little guys.” “Yes, Tiia shot flares so we could see our enemy,” said Kristina. Tiia sat up straight and proud. Meowi.=It Muffin tell me what to do, I follow what she say. Now Muffin sat up straight and proud too. Meow,meow.=We make good team. “You sure do,” said Mac, “and Storm was in here helping me at the time, we make a good team too.”

Now it was Storm’s turn to sit up proudly. “Except for my blunder in not protecting you,” said Mac, “I can resign if you want.” “Not a chance, you are too important for this team Mac,” I said, “now, inside the tower everyone.” The door was still barricaded first, then we went inside for the night. I told Jinni we would talk in the morning, I was too tired right then.

Actually, my back was incredibly sore from the punch that ape gave me. Sigurbjorn gave me a short massage before we went to bed. Mac and I stayed on the main floor with the cats, the girls spread out in the other 5 levels. “There is something wrong with all of this,” I said to Mac, “it just does not add up.

Penny was waiting for Toledo, but he has been dead for some time now, which means she has been here for a long time too. But why? There does not seem to be anything up here, and how do they get electricity here? They need it for the lights they had and for the barrier in place around here that stops our communication.”

“Takes a lot for that barrier if I remember correctly,” said Mac. “Yep, sure does,” I agreed, “and those people that attack us, they almost seem primitive and if Penny is right, they attack her and her men too.” “This is one of their crossbows,” said Mac, “not primitive, it is new.” “So, why not choose guns instead?” I asked.

“These are nice and quiet,” said Mac. “Hmm, good point,” I said, “I am worried about that sickness back home too, it does not sound good.” “Not coincidence,” said Mac, “someone else is in on this game, maybe not working with Penny though.” “Hmm, that is possible,” I said. I was soon asleep after that.

But around 2 am Mac had to call Sigurbjorn to come and help me. She stayed quite a while massaging my back after giving me my usual painkillers. They were not working, however. Being right against that wall when he punched me made that fist feel like it went right through to my spine. Bridgette came to check on me too, but she was satisfied that nothing was damaged seriously and should get better in time.

But how much time? By morning I could barely walk around and the pain was terrible. Penny had obviously put up that barrier again because I could not contact Annelie. However, to our surprise, Penny, her bodyguard and another rather large man, showed up after we were finished our breakfast. “I thought it would be good to talk it out with all of us,” said Penny, “then you will get the truth.”

Jinni frowned at Penny when she said that. “Not a bad idea,” I said. Then I told the girls to go outside and guard the place. Sky, Kate and Mac stayed, plus the cats, and of course, Jinni. “I have proof that I own this property,” said Jinni and she brought out some papers. Penny looked at them, then handed them to me. “Looks legitimate to me,” I said, “but if you remove that barrier, I can check them out properly.”

“I did that already,” said Penny. So I called Annelie and sent her a photo of the papers to check for me. It did not take long and she said they were legitimate and matched what was on file at the land registry office here. “Well Penny?” I asked, “what do you say now?” “I still say I have a right to be here,” she complained, “I was here before she bought this worthless piece of ground.”

“If the place is worthless, why do you want to be here?” asked Jinni. “That is my business,” she said, “I just need a quiet place for my work.” “And what work is that?” I asked her. “None of your business,” she growled. “Look, you came here to get things worked out with us,” I said, “but we cannot work anything out if you do not cooperate.

Right now Jinni has every right to kick you off this property. And we are here to help her with that, if necessary.” “I think Jinni wants a part of whatever you are doing here,” said Mac casually, “and whatever that is, is not legal…”

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.