The Investigators, Inc. The Case of Baldwin’s Murder. Chapter 4. Mandar is Back.

At the chateau, Steve and Sky were happy as could be that the plan was working so perfectly. “Now we just need to collect on my inheritance,” said Steve, “and I will be wealthy beyond my expectations!” “You mean Toledo will be,” Sky reminded him, “after all, this was all his plan and money invested in us to make us look like the real Steve and Sky.

All those operations, all that time, I was beginning to wonder if it was all worth it. But I guess we are going to do okay after all.” “You bet we will,” said Steve, “and it will be just you and me with all this money. Once I have it, then I hire someone to kill Toledo and we are on our own.” “Do you think it will be that easy?” she asked, “Steve has tried for a long time to find Toledo, and without success. How do you know a hit man can do better?”

“Because that is their job,” he told her, “you have to hire the best, not just anyone, and we will hire the best.” “But Toledo might have the same idea,” she added, “and, he might have someone lined up now so that once you get things finalized, that hit man moves in and we are dead. Then Toledo gets it all.”

“Hmm, I see what you mean,” said Steve, “maybe we need to hire someone now and deal with Toledo first so we do not have to worry about him.” “And how do you find this ‘best’ hit man?” she asked. “Advertise in the right place,” he said. And so the fake Steve makes his first mistake. Advertising for a hit man means that Toledo can easily find out what he is doing.

Meanwhile, back to us. The Major called back after talking with Victor. “Okay Steve, I have permission to help out with this one,” he said, “and I will be going right in there myself to make sure things are done right.” “Thanks Major,” I said, “I want to join you, after hearing about Marlene, I just cannot stay here and hide.” “No Steve,” said Major, “you cannot come out of hiding.

If he really has changed the DNA sample on file then you are the imposter, and there is no way you can change that even if you manage to get at that fake Steve. You would be arrested right away and spend the rest of your life in prison. Let us handle things for now.” I thought it over for a couple of minutes. “Okay, for now I will stay back,” I said quietly, “but if he kills anyone else, then I come after him.

Now, Mandar knows you, and we need his help right now too. Go and try to get him to listen, I will have Benson there waiting for you. Take John and Frank too. Oh, Crystal and Aasta will be with Benson as well, sorry, Aasta insisted on going too.” “Okay Steve,” he said, “how long will it take them to get there?”

“They will be there by the time you get there,” I said, “I am going to try something else too, if Mac is willing to do this. I will let you know later. We need a jet or two from Mandar to get around, Rock and some of the girls will be looking for Toledo, we still have a list of his homes, so they will just keep checking until they find him.”

So, Major, John and Clarence were soon on their way and picked up Frank, then flew to London. Benson and the others met them at the airport and off they went right away to Mandar Corporation headquarters. Fortunately Roger was talking with one of the secretaries when they arrived, so he did not see them right away, or he might have had time to lock them out.

“Hi Roger,” said Crystal. Roger turned around and was about to press the button for security, but Benson stopped him in time. “We know that Mandar is here Roger,” said Major, “we need to talk with him, and I am sure you know why.” “Yes Roger,” added Crystal, “this has gone too far already, we want to know why Mandar is hiding from us, we need his help right now.”

He then took them into Mandar’s office without saying a word. “Mandar, some guests for you,” said Roger. Mandar looked up and turned pale. John went over to his desk and told him to put his hands on top of the desk where he could see them. “We are not here to hurt you Mandar,” said Major, “we are here to find out why you are not willing to help Steve and the team.

You know some things, and so do we. And, we need your help to get things straightened out. I am sure you must know that the Steve and Sky at the chateau are not the real ones, they have just moved in to take over and inherit the fortune of Baldwin…”

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.