The Bendersons: Dalv and The Sousaardians

By Leanne Schroder

Nic is found and what new information is uncovered concerning the Child Trafficking culprits. The most unlikely person helps the mission and Connor's reputation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Leanne Schroder
• Release date: Aug 29, 2014
• ISBN: 9781502200914

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

NOT HAPPY NIC!

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There was a knock on the door and it was Ez and Katrina to say we could all have a hot meal. It is about time, muttered Nicola. Glen was not happy with the current situation, and Nicola was uneasy as we went to the dining room. What I really need is a beer Uncle Conner.

That is not on, Nic, said Glen as he walked out to the dining room.

Well I owe her one, said Connor, looking at Glen.

Well she is my daughter, not yours and you need to respect that by not giving her a beer, snapped Glen.

Hey just calm down, Dad, or you’ll land another twenty years in the slammer. Is that what you want, pouted Nic.

Glen frowned and walked off to the dining room.

How about we all sit down and have a good feed and a rest, said Margariet.

Yes, was the resounding reply.

We all enjoyed a hot meal and soon all of us were looking forward to going home. Nigel was there and congratulated all of us on a job well done. Soon all of us boarded the buses to the airport and were soon flying home to Iceland.

CHAPTER 2

TARANTELLA

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Some time later, that it was announced over the intercom that we would be landing in Iceland. Are we home already, hun, I yawned.

Yep, we sure are, said Troy.

I looked at the back and the kids were sound asleep. Where are Genghis and Mula?

They are on the other plane as after the media conference in Iceland they will be flying back to Mongolia.

Oh my goodness, Troy.

Soon everyone got off the plane and we were all escorted to the conference room. Connor led the group in the back entrance and said, Now you are not to mention anything about Tarantella or Dalv as it is still under investigation. Is that clear?

Yes, was the resounding reply.

Now all of you, here are your scripts and that is all you are allowed to say.

I thought the matter was solved, hun, I said to Troy quietly.

That is what I thought, said Troy. Soon all of us attended a media conference, including Genghis and Mula.

We were asked a barrage of questions by journalists, but were forbidden to answer them.Then, one of the journalist said, Surely you must know something more people?

Connor did not answer, but then the journalists fought to get to the door when another plane came down. This is where Dalv is on, said another journalist pointing to the plane. Yeeeeeees," said the journalist, running like a pack of sheep outside.

There were some light refreshments given, but soon it was time to bid Genghis and Mula goodbye. After bidding them goodbye, they both left on the plane that had their car inside to Mongolia. Nicola was standing with Jenny and her brothers and sisters. Gunter was not happy with Connor and I could sense the tension amongst Glen’s children.

Now all of you can now go home and Nigel will be soon in touch with you, said Connor as we all left the refreshment area. Tam, Troy, Es, Philippe Margariet, Wolfie, Anna, Hal, Khandi and Simon you are to wait here as we have to unload the buses.

Now do you want a meal at my place, I asked Steph and Spike.

Sure Tam, I’ll round up the others, said Steph.

We all were taken to the part of the airport where we could collect our buses. Everyone was yawning when the buses were finally loaded out of the planes.

Are you joining us for a bite to eat Margariet, I asked.

Sure Tam, but then it is to the long house, said Margariet.

We’re exhausted, Tam, yawned Wolfie.

A little while later we all arrived at my place and I ordered pizza for everyone.

CHAPTER 3

WELCOME HOME MARIANA

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It was unusual to be in our house after being away for so long. We’re home Mum, said Sophia smiling.

I know, Soph, I said as all of the kids hopped out of the transport, apart from Mariana, that is.

I think Mariana is a little nervous, said Alex.

How about you take the coffee and the milk inside and I will be along later, I said. The kids left and I called Mariana.

Mariana came down slowly and said, Is this your house?

Yes it is, and do you want to come out?

No, not really. How about later, said Mariana.

Sure, I said. Then Khandi and Hal’s bus arrived followed by Es and Phillipe's bus. We went upstairs to the house. Troy was already upstairs making some coffee. There was a knock on the door and the others arrived.

Mother of Pearl, Tam, my blasted legs are going to fall off, sighed Steph.

You’re not wrong, said Spike supportively.

Thor, Michelle, Stacey and Michelle arrived and sat down. I wonder where Santana and Miranda are, I said.

I think they are sorting out things with, Connor, said Steph.

Then there was a knock on the door and I opened it. The delivery boy handed over a stack of pizza. Now who fancies some pizza,? I said.

Me, was the resounding reply as everyone ate pizza and drank coffee.

Wilhelmina started to cry and fidget while she sat on the floor. I think it is time to get missy home to bed. You’re not the only one that is exhausted, Wil, sighed Es. Soon they left followed by Stacey and Michelle, Anna and Simon. Steph and Spike were sitting down with Carmella and Khandi excused herself with Hal.

I could not believe it when I heard that Connor staged the kidnapping of Nic, sighed Steph.

Me either, I said.

Well it was a bit sus, the whole thing, said Troy.

I know and Glen is not happy about things, said Spike.

If looks could kill, Connor would be dead and buried by Glen, grinned Troy.

Mmmm, I know what you mean, said Spike.

Where is Nic now, I asked.

At the office with Santana, Miranda, Rica and Glen finalizing paperwork, sighed Steph.

Is Santana going to live here, I asked.

Not sure, but I think she wants to join Interpol, said Steph.

Holy cow, said Troy.

I know, but Santana has gone above and beyond throughout the trip, studying and training, said Spike. Steph nodded in approval.

I know. She has made some dramatic improvements. I smiled and yawned. I’m pooped.

So is Carmella, Tam. Look at her, said Steph, yawning.

All the kids are asleep, I said, looking at the sleeping forms on the couch.

Then they left. Now how do we go about Mariana, I asked.

How about we contact Ola, said Troy.

That is what I was thinking, I said.

After putting the kids to bed, it was time to call Ola. Hi Tam and Troy, yawned Ola.

Hi Ola, I said.

What is up?

It is Mariana, I said.

Oh that...don’t worry., Connor already knows, said Ola.

How, I wailed.

I told him.

Will I loose her now, I wailed.

No Tam, it looks like her parents are missing as no one has claimed her as yet, said Ola.

Phew! How will I introduce her to the others?

I have taken care of that, Tam...so stop worrying, said Ola suddenly sounding more serious.

What is going on, Ola, asked Troy.

I was hoping you would not ask, Troy, said Ola, biting her lip. It is to do with Amala’s kids.

What is wrong with her kids?

Well Amala and Raj have been arrested, as Amala is Tarantella, said Ola.

Holy Jesus, how the hell are we going to tell Khandi, said Troy.

Well Sanjiv arrives tomorrow, but the kids will remain in state care until suitable homes can be found for them, said Ola.

Oh my god, Ola, said Troy.

I know what you mean, said Ola.

So where is Santana going to live, I asked.

At Interpol, upstairs, till formalities take place.

Thank goodness, Ola, I said.

Well be prepared for a lot of heartache for Khandi tomorrow as it is going to knock her for a sixer.

Just as well we have a few hours to digest it, Ola,said Troy.

I could not believe it when Sanjiv uncovered it, said Ola.

Was he the one that found out Ola, asked Troy.

Yes, but the Migalinkans drew the matter to my attention, initially, and I just could not get my head around it, said Ola.

We better get some rest, Ola, I said.

That is what I was thinking. Rumonga will be switching places tomorrow night with young Mariana, said Ola as the screen went blank.

How about we get Mariana and make her feel welcome.

Sure, I said.

Troy and I went to the bus and Mariana was just about to go to sleep. Do you want to come with us to our home, I asked gently.

Yeeeees, said Mariana softly.

We took her into our home and put her in the small room at the end of the hallway. Now here is a little light for you, Mariana, I said, switching on the soft night light. In no time Mariana was sound asleep.

CHAPTER 4

SANJIV AND JAYA

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The next day we woke up to somebody knocking on the door. Troy was still sound asleep, so I went downstairs and saw that it was nearly midday. I opened the door and it was Sanjiv and Jaya with the kids looking solemn. Is Khandi up, asked Sanjiv.

No, no one is up, I said.

I have breakfast here for all of you, said Sanjiv.

Jaya spoke and said, It is really important, Tam, that we speak to Khandi and Hal.

Okay, I will get her, I said, going to the back and knocking on the door. There was no answer so I knocked again.

Then Connor arrived and said, It is crucial that we talk to Khandi, Tam.

Yes, they are asleep, Connor, I faltered.

Is that you, Auntie Tam, asked Khandi.

Yes, I said.

One moment, said Hal, yawning. Then Khandi and Hal came out with their dressing gowns on and yawned. Khandi stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Sanjiv and Jaya. I am not even dressed, sir, said Hal.

That is alright, said Sanjiv.

I’ll make coffee, Sanjiv, I faltered, and prepared a pot of coffee to have with the breakfast.

Soon Khandi, Hal, Troy, Sanjiv, Jaya and the two kids ate breakfast. Khandi wondered what was going on as Connor sat down and joined us. Now I think we had better start, said Sanjiv.

If the kids want to, there are some DVD’s in the room there, I said. The kids went there and amused themselves.

What is up, asked Khandi, looking bewildered.

Your sister is in jail, Khandi, said Sanjiv.

You mean Santana, said Khandi.

No Amala, said Connor .

What? For what?

Child trafficking...she is Tarantella, or the leader of that crime gang, said Sanjiv gently.

What in god’s name is going on? If this is a joke, Connor, then it stops now, said Hal angrily.

No it is no joke, Hal. Amala is Tarantella. said Sanjiv.

Jeeeees, said Khandi, sitting down hard.

How did she get there and work at her tea house Connor, asked Hal.

That is what we are working on, as we believe there are two Tarantellas, said Connor.

Holy cow, said Troy.

Amala is one and someone else is the other, said Connor.

You mean her husband, Raj, is Amala number two, blurted out Khandi.

Connor shook his head in disbelief and said, Well they are similar in build. I believe you have just solved the last part of the puzzle Khandi.

It was just a wild guess, Connor, said Khandi, looking confused.

What about the kids, asked Hal.

That is what I wanted to talk to you about, said Sanjiv.

You mean you want us to take them on, asked Khandi.

You have that option if you want, said Sanjiv.

Yes, only one problem...no house, said Khandi.

Well, it looks like they will be going to jail for a very long time and their house will be yours, said Sanjiv.

I think we’ll look into it, but I need to get my head around this, said Khandi.

Sure said Sanjiv.

Then there was a knock on the door and it was Nicola looking serious. What is up, Nic, asked Connor.

We have just arrested Raj as he is Tarantella number two, said Nicola .

How did you work that out, Nic?

Well, I have been stuck with them for the last year or so and you get to know these things, said Nic. Hi Khandi and Hal. Sorry about your wedding, winced Nic.