The Investigators, Inc. The Case That Is Not. Chapter 8. Confused.

After arriving back in Australia, we switched to one of Baldwin’s big jets to fly home. After we were on our way, I called Baldwin again. “Are you alone Mr. B?” I asked. “I will be in a minute,” he said and told everyone to leave the room, “okay, I am alone now, and the scramblers are on, can you tell me what is going on?” “I am not really sure myself,” I began, “but right now I am not sure who I can trust and who I cannot.

I am in the bedroom right now so the others cannot hear. I do have another request though. I want a DNA check done on Kat’s body and match it with Jennifer. To make sure that she does not get suspicious, tell everyone you want a fresh DNA sample to keep on file. You only need to tell Mriya what you want done.” “But Steve,” he answered, “Kat and Jennifer had a DNA test done and it matched. Do you think a switch has been made?”

“I am not really sure,” I said slowly, “this is hard to say, but, there is a traitor on our team. I think that person killed Kat, maybe others too. It is even possible there are 2 traitors among us. I know that is hard to believe. Lavina wants me killed, and she wants to destroy our team completely. Somehow she got someone into our team, or bought them afterwards, one or the other. It is going to take some careful strategy to find them.”

“Wow, that is bad news Steve,” said Baldwin rubbing his head, “how will we ever find them?” “This DNA test and autopsy will help, I hope,” I replied, “and we need to use the cats to check everyone again. I figure there must be 2 of them so they can help cover each other’s tracks. One would be caught too easily.” “How did you come to this conclusion?” he asked, “was this something that Jenny has told you? Remember, she was your enemy before.”

“Yes, she was,” I admitted, “but prior to that she was a good friend. It is in my profile. She seemed to be genuinely sorry for what she did. She had gotten mixed up with the wrong group and now she wants to help me. Maybe this is not true, but it is serious enough we need to check it out. That is why we need to do it carefully, so no one suspects it.” “I agree,” he said, “we do need to check it out. Now, get some sleep, if you can.” I did manage to fall asleep quite quickly. Oddly, I dreamt about Sky, but I guess that makes sense under the circumstances.

I was taken to the clinic right away as requested and Chung checked me thoroughly but found no problems, except extensive bruising on my lower back and my stomach area. Thanks Sky, for the bruised stomach. But no signs of poison, or chips in me. He even removed my own alarm chip and gave me a new one, just in case mine had been tampered with.

He also gave me my ‘nowhere’ medicine and agreed to do it from now on. He did ask why, but I told him that I could not say anything right now. He was satisfied with that. I do like Chung. He and Baldwin I can trust completely. I trust Rock and Annelie too, but I have to treat everyone the same at the moment, so I do not raise suspicion. About a week later someone came to the door.

“Hi, I am an old girlfriend of Steve’s,” said the young woman, “I was in the area and decided to drop in and say hello.” I know that voice! We have a new x-ray machine at the entrance, and everyone is checked before being allowed to enter. “You do not look old enough to be an old girlfriend,” said Tracy coldly. I heard that familiar giggle. She was cleared and brought into the library.

“Hi Steve!” she blurted out, “remember little old me?” She then came running over, hugged me and whispered, “Avery”. “Well of course Avery,” I said, “how could I forget an old friend like you?” “She is not old enough to be an ‘old’ friend,” said Tracy to Annelie. “You are just in time for tea Avery,” said Carine, “are you able to stay?”

“Yes, I would love to have some tea,” she said cheerfully. I introduced her to all the other girls and to Baldwin. She talked constantly, something I was not used to about her. Fortunately, she had changed herself a little, since I had given a rather good description of her to the others. About her being the woman that beat me up.

Now her hair was pink, and shorter, and she has brown eyes instead of those beautiful blue eyes. After tea I asked her if she would like to walk around the property for a while. She thought that would be great. “Uh, you need to have guards with you Steve,” said Tracy, “I will volunteer as one.” “I will take Kristina and Angel, plus the cats,” I said. Tracy rolled her eyes…

To Be Continued.

©2022 Steve McLeod.