"I'll bet Peter's found some side show act to talk to." Davy told Mike.
"Yeah, that might be it." Mike agreed, "But what about Micky? He's usually on time."
Davy could only shrug at that. They kept on waiting and waiting, watching the people start to leave and the crowds to thin out.
Still no sign of their friends. Mike looked at his watch again. It was now seven fifteen.
"We better go look for them." Mike told Davy. "The place closes in forty-five minutes."
"I'll go left and you go right." Davy replied. "Let's meet here again at eight."
Mike agreed and the two separated. The tall Texan slowly walked along the concession stands (he knew Micky liked to eat, but never seemed to gain weight), and through the big top, but couldn't see his curly-haired friend anywhere. Mike decided to head towards the back where the performers had their tents. As it turned out, Tanya was just leaving the tent where she had lured Micky just as Mike began to walk down the path towards her. She saw and recognized him a few seconds before Mike did with Tanya. They began to walk towards each other. When they came together, Mike glared at Tanya a few seconds before speaking. He began to wonder if she had anything to do with Peter and Micky's disappearance.
"Well, if it isn't Tanya, the gypsy." He said slowly.
"Hello, Mike. I see you haven't forgotten about the past."
"No, I don't forget things like being threatened with torture." Mike replied with no little sarcasm. "What are you doing here? Up to your old tricks?"
"After my aunt and cousins were arrested, I joined this circus to seek out a living, dancing and telling fortunes." Tanya replied.
"You're with the `Gypsy Kings'?" Mike asked.
"Yes, I am. Why don't you come back to our tent and meet them? I'm sure they'd like to meet a talented musician like yourself."
"No, thanks." Mike said shortly, getting suspicious. "I'm looking for Micky and Peter. Have you seen them?"
"They are here too?" Tanya asked, a little too quickly for Mike's liking. "What about the little one, Davy?"
"He didn't come with us, Tanya. Didn't feel good." Mike lied. If Tanya did have something to do with Micky and Peter's disappearances, he wanted to keep Davy safe to call the police.
"Oh, that's too bad." Tanya lied. "Let me help you look for him."
"Why?" Mike asked.
Tanya shrugged. "Despite what you think of me Mike, I'm sorry for what I did. I know my Aunt and cousins are sorry too. Besides, I can take you into areas where the audience isn`t allowed."
Mike sighed and began to walk in the direction Tanya had come from. Tanya smiled and followed him. After going a short way, Tanya tugged on his sleeve.
"Wait, Mike. Let me ask in here." Tanya ducked into her tent.
Mike put his hands in his pockets and kept looking for either Peter or Micky.
Suddenly, Mike heard a little scream come from inside the tent then a frightened Tanya came rushing out to him. She gripped his arm.
"Mike, come quickly!" She said breathlessly. There was a flashlight in her hands. "Your friends...they are in here!"
Without a word, Mike charged into the tent, Tanya close behind. Mike looked around, but could only see a table, two chairs, a crystal ball and a candle. He knew something was up.
Quick as a flash, he grabbed Tanya's arm and pulled her to him.
"Ok, where are they?" Mike demanded angrily.
"I told you they are here!" Tanya cried and pointed her flashlight at a corner of the tent. The light showed a bound and gagged Peter and Micky lying on the ground looking up at him. "Right there!"
She finished with a smug smile on her face.
Mike shoved Tanya away and began to walk over to his captive friends. He had only gone a few steps when he was tackled to the ground. Mike was strong, but Maria's four sons were stronger and Mike soon found himself bound and gagged like Peter and Micky.
Still he struggled until he saw Maria and Marco come into view. His eyes grew wide in shock. Maria gave Mike a nasty smile.
"So, you remember us, do you, Monkee Pigeon?" She chuckled. "You'll soon wish you had never gone to that audition at Madam Rantha's." She nodded to Marco and stepped aside.
Marco grinned and gave Mike a punch in the face. Mike's eyes rolled up in his head and he was out like a light. Tanya walked over to her aunt.
"He and the little one know Peter and Micky are missing, Aunt Maria." She said, getting worried. "Davy might be going for the police."
"Still you must try, darling." Maria told her. "We are so close! Do what you have to, but get him here!"
Tanya picked up Mike's green wool hat that had fallen off during his struggle and put it in the pocket of her mini-skirt.
"I won't let you down, Aunt Maria." She smiled, and then quickly exited the tent.