The Investigators, Inc. The Bomb’s Secret. Chapter 1.

Well, I go in to visit the girls each day, and they are recovering well. Kat had a dislocated shoulder and hip, plus a broken arm and burns to her back and legs. Calanthe had burns to her back, legs and one arm. She also had a broken arm, dislocated hip and broken leg. Both of them were full of bruises and cuts. Thinking about this bomb day after day just kept giving me more questions than answers. Since there was no proof of a connection between the previous case and the bomb, then I am allowed to investigate the bomb myself. Having a police connection helped with that also. So all information about that bomb was handed over to me.

This was a professional job, that was obvious, everything was too perfectly done. It was designed to go off in 5 seconds after a complete stop. That’s when I heard a strange noise, but we just didn’t have the time to get out completely. If we had all been sitting inside, that would have killed us all. Is that what someone wanted? If so, why? Kat did say that Gisela had a brother, he might want to come after me and the cats and he probably wouldn’t care if someone else was killed too. That would seem like a quick retaliation for Gisela’s death. And how would he find me so quickly?

Then again, all my former enemies have been able to find me easily. So now I don’t use a travel agency to book planes or hotels. But what if they were not after me specifically? Kat has changed sides, so her old “friends” might not like that and might want to kill her. Then there is Calanthe. I don’t think she would really have that kind of enemy, but Baldwin might. Even though his business dealings have always been okay and legal, it’s still possible to make some enemies. And Calanthe would be a good way for someone to get at Baldwin. But these are just thoughts, not proof of anything.

I need to find out who is responsible, and soon, they just might try again. I talk things over with Baldwin and he doubled his guards on the girls room, just in case. Meow,meow?=We go on new case soon, find bomb people? Meow.=Yes, we need to find before they blow us up again, not like that thought. “I don’t like that thought either,” I said, “next time they might succeed. How are you two doing with your bomb detection course?” Meow,meow!=Oh, just 2 more days, then we pass exam and we can find and dis, um, disleg the bomb too! “That’s ‘disarm’ the bomb,” I said smiling. Meow.=Arm, leg, what difference, it not work anymore, that main thing.

“Good point,” I said, “apparently some of the key bomb pieces were from Italy so that’s where we will be starting.” Meow,meow.=Oh good, not be to Italy in long, long time. I real good with Italian speak now. “That’s good,” I said, “because I’m sure not good with Italian.” Next I told Baldwin what our plans were. “And how’s your back doing Steve?”, he asked. “Um, it’s not so bad,” I said, “that old wound has been bothering me a lot since our bomb experience, but I can still get around okay.” He just looked at me. Somehow I don’t think he believed me, how odd.

While the cats were doing their exam I went to check on the girls and let them know we would be gone for a while. “Hey, if you wait a few more days I can go along too,” said Kat. “Might be a bit longer for me,” said Calanthe rather sadly. “You’re both staying home this time,” I said, “I want you both healed up completely before you start any more PI cases.” “And what about your back, Mr. PI?”, asked Kat. Why does everyone mention that? “That’s different,” I said, “it’s an old wound that will always be with me. It’s a little worse right now, but I’ll be okay.” “You expect us to believe that?”, asked Kat. Sigh.

“Come here Steve,” said Kat, “be careful, I want you to come back.” “Thanks Kat, I will be careful,” I said, “I’m not expecting to find the people I’m after in Italy, but I might be able to find out who bought those parts, they’re not easy to get.” Soon we are landing at our destination, a very busy airport. We make our way through the crowd and a very nice young lady meets us at the door. “Hello once again Mr. Leff,” she said, “the car is waiting outside to take you to your hotel.” This is interesting, so I decide to go along with it…

To Be Continued.

Pictures of Mr. Cat are kindly supplied by his human, Nina.

Previous chapters of this story, and other stories, can be found on my home page under “The Investigators, Inc”.

©2021 Steve McLeod.