The Investigators, Inc. The Case of Baldwin’s Murder. Chapter 13. A Button.

Well, we left off with us still flying to New Zealand, still 3 hours to go and we were talking about the Major having been killed by Victor’s men, and why. “Daddy had already talked with Victor,” continued Aasta, “and told him he wanted out. Victor tried to talk him into staying and told him he could have a big role in the new organization, giving him a 40% stake in Baldwin Corporation.

But daddy refused and said it was time for him to retire. So Victor said okay and just wanted him to come back and set his office in order before leaving. Daddy said he would do that, which is why he left.” She began crying again at that point. “I am surprised that Major did not smell the trap,” said Mac to me quietly, “he never would do that normally.”

“Hmm, that is an interesting point,” I replied, “but maybe he figured this would mean he could leave without being killed, if he did want Victor wanted right now.” “Perhaps,” said Mac, “still don’t seem right to me.” We then went over our plans again and I told everyone to try and get some sleep. There are two bedrooms on these jets, plus the seating in the main room folds out into beds and two folding walls can be pulled across to give some privacy.

Sky, Crystal and myself went in one bedroom, Galyna, Tiffany and Aasta were in the other. “I need more massaging,” I said. “Okay, the Kat is ready,” said Crystal giggling. “Hey, stop that,” said Sky, “you are going to start confusing me soon with that.” “Sorry Sky,” said Crystal, “it is getting to be a habit, besides…” “She is right Kat,” I said, “you need to stick with one name, or everyone will get confused.”

That got her laughing. “How am I supposed to massage when you make me laugh,” she said, “you should learn to massage Sky.” “No thanks,” she said, “I like getting them, not giving them. Besides, my hands get tired too quickly. It is your own fault for starting to do that way back.” “Yes, so long ago,” she answered, “a whole other life ago.”

That last 3 hours seemed to go by very fast and we were landing at the airport. We met up with Team 5 from Mandar and they told us that there had been 20 men waiting for us at the airport. They warned the police and airport security and there ended up being quite the gunfight. I airport security man, 3 police officers and 4 from Team 5 had been wounded, but none too seriously.

Though it meant there were just 11 left from Team 5 to help us. It was early morning and we drove out to the safe house. It was actually a fairly small building outside of the city built into a hillside, though somehow that hill did not quite look natural. There is only one entrance into that building, the door in front.

There is an abandoned building across the road from it and that is where Kyan will be since she is our sniper. She will take care of anyone that might try coming out that front door when we go in the back way. Aasta and Cynthia will be with Kyan as well. The rest of us will go in the back way, providing we can find out how to get in.

We had to drive further down that road until we came to another road which we then followed a short distance until we came to what looked like an old driveway, except there was no house or any other building in sight. We stopped and walked around a bit. Then Rock called out that he found something. We all went over to see what it was.

There was a slight depression in the ground so the guys dug down and sure enough, there was a metal door. It was not even locked. But when Rock opened it we could see why, that door was thick steel and must have weighed at least 500 pounds or more. Rock had no problem lifting it open however and down we went for our very long walk back to that building.

There were some hidden traps along the way, so it was good that we had the diagrams for that tunnel which showed all of them. Just to be safe though, the cats went first. Finally we were at the building itself, and a locked steel door. We knew there were at least 7 men on the other side, and maybe quite a few more, we just had no idea how many to expect.

The building was quite large underground, with hallways and numerous rooms. With the supplies it contains, 50 people can live in there for 2 months without any problem. Catalina was setting the explosives in place to blow that door so we can get in quickly. John, Mac and Rock held shields to protect the us all from the blast. With the press of a button it all began…

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.