Comment from rspoet

Exceptional

Hello Tony,
Ah the web gets stickier all the time. Hard to know who's on who's side,
but there doesn't seem to be much choice for Charles.
Recovering his papers eliminates one problem, now it's Helen who
appears to need rescuing from the jaws of The Lion she went to kill.
Two million US dollars? I guess British pounds aren't in favor since Brexit. :)
Ash, the remains of a fire, hopefully, this doesn't all go up in smoke.
Well done
Robert

 Comment Written 21-Dec-2019

---

reply by the author on 21-Dec-2019

Thanks for your review and the extra star, Robert. Appreciated, as always. Wishing you and Pam a very happy Christmas. All the best, Tony

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Excellent

Jeanne Durand's schemes - This Jeanne isn't at all a good person and I am sure Kayla is duped by her. Once again I enjoyed reading and am worried about Charles and now Helen. None of this can be good.

 Comment Written 21-Dec-2019

---

reply by the author on 21-Dec-2019

Thanks for your review, Barbara. Appreciated, as always. Wishing you a very happy Christmas. All the best, Tony

Comment from estory

Excellent

The real action started here at the end of the chapter. I think you could skip all that trying to fit into the trunk of the car. Helen's captors have thrown a big monkey wrench into everybody's plan, and now they have to try a risky rescue of her or she will be killed by lethal injection, slowly and torturously. I think you set a good chapter to come. I look forward to it. The pace has slowed down here the last few chapters. estory

 Comment Written 20-Dec-2019

---

reply by the author on 21-Dec-2019

Yes, another reviewer has also suggested that I cut that section. I'll be starting a structural edit in the New Year and anticipate cutting the whole story by around 25%.

Comment from Sankey

Excellent

Looks like my last SIX got used on Ulla sorry. Good chapter and I see there is another one all getting ready for Christmas I guess. Another exciting dramatic chapter. No spags.

 Comment Written 20-Dec-2019

---

reply by the author on 21-Dec-2019

Thanks for your review, Geoffrey Glad you're still enjoying the story. All the best, Tony.

Comment from LeannaP

Excellent

I offered my hand to help her out. "Your turn now," she said.
I liked how you used satire to help illustrate your point of view.
Thank you for posting as I enjoyed it.
You write well and it
shows.
Happy holidays!
Leanna

 Comment Written 20-Dec-2019

---

reply by the author on 21-Dec-2019

Thanks for your review, Leanna. Appreciated. All good wishes for Christmas, Tony.

Comment from sunnilicious

Excellent

Walking with something to eat is always sensible. I opt for peanuts, but bananas are a great idea too. This was a great installment. It's turning into a Game of Clue now. Excellent work.

 Comment Written 20-Dec-2019

---

reply by the author on 21-Dec-2019

Thanks for the review, Alicia. Yes, snacks are always handy. I think she might also have been having a dig at their ape-like behaviour! All the best, Tony

Comment from Cindy Warren

Excellent

Things keep getting more complicated. Is anyone to be trusted? Is it a coincidence that he had Kayla's phone? Of course they'll pay the ransom. Hope it works.

 Comment Written 19-Dec-2019

---

reply by the author on 21-Dec-2019

Thanks for the review, Cindy. Glad you're still enjoying the story. All the best, Tony

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Poor Charles - it didn't bode well for him to be alone in a crowded shopping area - who knows who might see him there. But then I don't know that we can trust Ash either so things look pretty bad right now. At least, Charles won't have to be cramped in the trunk of the car now.

 Comment Written 19-Dec-2019

---

reply by the author on 21-Dec-2019

Things don't seem to be going well for Charles at the moment. Still, they could be worse - and possibly will be before the end. All the best, Tony

Comment from w.j.debi

Excellent

Ah, the plot thicken as they say. Good news is that Charles' documents have been recovered and will be returned to him. Bad news that Helen has been found, but in dire circumstances.
Great twist in the story.

 Comment Written 19-Dec-2019

---

reply by the author on 19-Dec-2019

Thanks for your review and comments, Debi. Appreciated. All good wishes, Tony

Comment from Pearl Edwards

Excellent

A dramatic turn of events with Helen's kidnapping and the ransom demands after a few light-hearted quips. I like that in your writing Tony, giving us a chuckle than a slam. Charles still has some questions though, and I don't blame him.Great chapter,
cheers,
valda

 Comment Written 19-Dec-2019

---

reply by the author on 19-Dec-2019

Good to hear from you, Valda. I hope you're surviving the heat OK. We're battening down the hatches for a forecast of 46C today, but expecting a cool change mid to late afternoon. Keep safe.

reply by Pearl Edwards on 19-Dec-2019

It was a bit humid (no very humid) in the early part of the week but we've not had it as bad as you guys. Stay cool.