John returned to the team at the hotel, but Carver and Ralph continued to follow Toledo to find out where he was going. He just might be working for, or with, someone and just gave false information to John to set the team off chasing in the wrong direction. But he just went to a hotel, and not a very good one at that. They called the Major and he said to wait for a while in case he came out again tonight.

“You will never guess who I met with,” said John. “I would guess it was Toledo,” said Rock, and everyone laughed. “How did you know that?” he asked. “Carver and Ralph saw you leave and tailed you,” said Major. “He is one guy that could do it too,” said John shaking his head, “but I do have some news, and our first real lead hopefully, if he was telling the truth, and I think he was.

Apparently Carnival talked him into investing in his organization, and now he is out of the money. Carnival just told him to forget all about it or his boys would finish him for good. Anyway, he told me about one of Carnival’s boys that delivers drugs to some of the schools in the city, and tomorrow is his day for doing it. Takes place at noon and this is the order he does it tomorrow.” “Good, we will pay him a visit,” said Rock.

“Toledo also informed me that Carnival is back home in Brazil right now,” said John, “in Brasilia in fact. And apparently he just knocked off two of Victor’s men down there.” “Victor did send a couple of men to Brasilia,” said the Major. He then called Victor to let him know. “Victor has put a price on Alberto now,” he continued after the call, “and hired a pro to go after him.”

“Hey, that school is just a junior high school,” said Aasta, “those are just young kids. I want in on this one Rock, please!” “Okay with me,” said Rock, “perhaps you and Tracy can go together on this, to look after any “kids” that might get in the way. Your daughter seems upset over this one.” “That is fine with me,” said the Major, “I like what I see in her.” She smiled, “thanks daddy.” Is the Major getting a change of heart? Always possible.

The team was at the school early, Tracy and Aasta were flirting with a young guy waiting at the street. They look young enough to be one of the school kids. Then a big, black truck pulled up and a guy got out and came over to this young guy the girls were with. “You forgot your lunch again, son,” he said smiling. “Yeah,” he said, “oh, could you mail this letter for me?” “Sure thing son,” he said and tucked it into his pocket.

The boy turned to leave but the girls were right there and Aasta grabbed his lunch which was in a paper bag. “Hey, give that back!” he yelled and went for Aasta. Tracy kicked him in the stomach. “If it is your lunch, I will apologize,” she said. Aasta opened it and found drugs inside. “Some lunch,” she said angrily. “Hey little girls!” said the man, “give that to me!”

But Carver and Ralph suddenly appeared and stopped the man from doing anything. Ralph took the envelope, which was full of money. Tracy took another envelope from the boy which was also full of money. “Business is good today,” she said to him, “how many kids are you planning to kill?” Meanwhile Rock looked in the truck and found the other lunches, also just drugs. “Someone wants to talk to you,” said Carver, and they took the man to the Major in his car.

Two other bigger boys showed up at that moment. “Hey little girls, you want trouble?” said one and they rushed toward the girls. But the girls moved quick and had those boys on their backs groaning with just 3 kicks. They took money from them too, big rolls of it. “You should never try to hurt little girls,” they said to the boys, “you can get hurt that way.” They laughed as they walked away. Meanwhile, back to us… I took Kristina outside to walk around a bit and find out what was bothering her.

It certainly was not what I was expecting. “Ooo, they are hugging,” said Sky, “this must be good!” Sigurbjorn just laughed. “You are some gal,” she said. “I do my best,” she said, laughing also. Later I took Sky outside for a walk and talk. “Do you know what is bothering Kristina?” I asked. “Of course,” she said, “we have talked about it.” “Uh, you could have told me,” I said. “More fun this way,” she said, “I guess being out here has just made it harder for her.”

“Yes, that is it,” I said, “oh, I must tell you, I am having symptoms already, though not too bad yet. So far I have been able to hide it.” “I could tell,” she said, “it is starting early, but perhaps it is all the stress of being here too.” “Yes, I think that may be it,” I said, then stopped and looked into her eyes, “the hardest part is if I forget you.” “Yes, that would be hard for me too,” she said, then started to cry.

“Yes, it would be much harder for you, since I will not remember,” I said, “it is only hard for me now.” The symptoms kept getting worse, quickly and 3 days later the headaches were so bad I thought I was going to die. The next morning I woke up to Sky kissing me. “You slept late Steve, how do you feel?” she asked.

I frowned a bit and looked around. “Are you okay Steve?” she asked again. “Is that my name?” I asked quietly. “Yes it is, do you know who I am?” she asked. “Well, I must know you, but I do not know who you are,” I said. “My name is Sky, I am your wife,” she said smiling. She has such a beautiful, soft voice…

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.