The Investigators, Inc. The French Chateau Case. Chapter 8. Steve’s New Wife.

Cynthia was a bit puzzled when Sky said she would have a new responsibility on our trip. “You mean I will not be Steve’s bodyguard this trip?” she asked, “Did I do something wrong?” Sky smiled. “No, you did nothing wrong, you silly,” said Sky, “you are actually getting promoted, um, kind of anyway. You will be Steve’s wife on this trip, providing you are brave enough for this.”

“Of course I am brave enough,” she replied, “I am not careless, but I am not afraid either. I can handle Steve.” Everyone started laughing. “Thank you Cynthia,” I said, “so glad you are not scared of me.” “Oh, wait, I did not mean it that way,” she said, blushing, “I meant going after Winhouse, um, not you. Um, but why does Steve need a wife on this trip?”

“If Steve’s wife is with him,” said Sky, “then our enemy will not come here looking for me, so it helps to keep me safe. And you look so much like me, then you are perfect for the job. However, since you are new to the team, you are allowed to say no if you want.” Then Sky told her what she would need to do and how to act and talk to me. Soon we were on our jet heading back to the USA.

I had contacted Rossana to tell her what we had learned and what we were doing. She did not really like us getting involved since it really was part of the same case, plus, when she looked up Winhouse and saw the size of his organization, she was very worried we were getting in too deep this time. But, I convinced her we could not sit back and do nothing after his vicious attack on us, otherwise all of our enemies would be emboldened to attack us as well.

That would make things much too dangerous for us. And we would keep her informed about what we find out and if he really is Jenkins’ (Wickers) boss. She thought about it, then gave her okay for us to push ahead with my idea, but she told me again to be very careful. She did not really need to say that. Matt was able to come with us too which was good, so he and the Knight Riders will once again ride.

He will have all the guys on his team, plus Penny who will be Matt’s wife. She has been trying hard to get his attention anyway, so this might help. Mandar insisted we needed a nurse with us, so he gave us one of his nurses but stressed that she was only on loan, he wanted her back. I said I would keep that in mind. Her name is Samantha.

About an hour out on our flight I told Cynthia she still had one more hour to change her mind and if she decided to stay as my wife, then we would need to practice a bit to make sure that people would believe we were actually married. Cynthia said she already had made her decision and would not be changing it. Jennifer and Kat would be our bodyguards at all times, as would Marlena, Amber and Aasta. I have 15 girls with me, plus 9 from Mandar, giving us 25.

Matt has 12, counting himself, and 9 from Mandar, giving him 21, so we have a total of 46. Cramer Winhouse has more than that, but how many we do not know. He is well guarded in a large 20 story building, with his luxury penthouse on the top floor. The floor under his is where the elevator stops and where his many guards live. Then there is another elevator from that floor to the penthouse.

An interesting situation for sure. No emergency stairs to the penthouse either, but there is a helicopter pad on the roof, that is more interesting. However, we need to make sure that Winhouse is in his penthouse at the time or our plan will be finished since we would never get a second chance at that one, plus he would know we are after him and he would go into hiding.

He is an extra careful man, one who definitely does not take chances and often pretends to be in his office, which he has 6 of them in the city, but he is often not in any of them. He also owns at least 3 homes in the city, perhaps more, making it even harder to find him. He also has 2 large yachts, one in the Miami area and one that travels between Mexico and Texas. Both yachts are frequently on the move to make it look like he is using them even though he is nowhere near them.

It will not be easy trying to pinpoint his location, that is for sure. Hmm, maybe a few minor attacks first on some of his local businesses will be just the thing to get his attention. “Is there any way to get info about where he has been over the past year?” asked Cynthia. I called Sky to see if she could find that information. It did not take her long to get back to us with that, it seems the police like to keep tabs on this guy…

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.