The Investigators, Inc. The Case of the Widow’s Mansion. Chapter 8. Lies.

Well, things are moving along, we now know that there is a younger sister that is the true heir of this treasure we are looking for. We just need to get her away from that private ‘hospital’, where she is locked away and undoubtedly drugged so she does not know what is going on. Sky will get that done for us, and her helpers.

“Now, more news,” said Annelie, “your ghost John and Jackie are cousins. Plus, there is another cousin, Lily, and they have an uncle, named Kenaston.” “Well, well, a nice family affair,” I said. “And here is another pic, I have several, of a man you know, visiting Kenaston at his office. It is from their security camera.”

“Toledo,” I said, “that makes perfect sense, now we know for sure he is involved in all of this. I am sure now that the real husband John was likely murdered, but who did it might be hard to prove.” “Maybe not,” she said, “I was able to get hold of some classified files from the coroner’s office and in there was the real report on John’s autopsy.

He had been poisoned with a type of poison usually administered slowly over time until the subjects heart fails. That would seem to suggest it was Jackie.” “Yes, it sure would suggest that,” I said, “time to do some more talking with Jackie. Anything else?” “Not right now,” she said, “but at least you have something new to think about.” Then she hung up.

“Mac, tell John and Frank to get ready for a trip,” I said. “Sure thing,” he said and off he went. “Give me a few minutes with Jackie,” said Kat, “and she will talk.” “I do not want her scratched up just yet,” I said smiling. “Sigh, I never get any fun,” she said. Meow,meow!=Oh, let me help with scratching, I do good job! “Not now Muffin,” I said, “but maybe you will get to scratch someone else, like the fake ghost John.

We just need to get him in the open again. And if Jackie does not cooperate, then you can have her Kat,” I said. Meow,meow.=Oooo, more hugging. Meowy.=Yep and more kissing. “Hey we have to make things look good for Jackie,” said Kat, “and for cousin John looking out the upstairs window.” Kat hugged me again so I could look safely. He was there alright.

“Hmm, I think we need to spend more time upstairs,” I said, “there is an attic to check out as well. But for now we need to keep going through those clues.” “It will take a long time to find that treasure with 50 clues to check,” said Kat. “Well, we will just be going through the motions,” I said, “I already know where the treasure is located.” The cats ears went straight up.

“Hey, you are withholding information from us,” said Kat, “that is not nice.” I laughed a bit. “Okay, I will let you know,” I said, “but it stays with us for the time being, I do not want any slips right now.” So I told Kat and the cats where I believed it was. “Hmm, it does kind of make sense,” said Kat, “but why not just go get it now?”

“We need some time for Sky and the others to get Tanya free,” I said, “so for now, we play the game.” “Hmm, I should have thought about that too,” sighed Kat, “I guess being a ghost has its setbacks too.” “You are an amazing ghost though,” I said. At that point we were called for dinner. After dinner Rock and Mac drove John and Frank to the airport so they could fly off and meet Sky and her team the next morning.

Then Rock and Mac came back once the plane had taken off. Meanwhile with us, I told Jackie it was time for a talk. So, the girls, cats and I gathered in the living room with Jackie. Kat went over to Jackie to show her a picture we had from Annelie. “Do you recognize your husband?” I asked her. “Um, yeah, that was our wedding day,” she said, “but why?”

“He does not look anything like this so called ghost John that you have claimed to be your husband,” I said, “and we know this fake ghost is not your husband. So what is going on?” “Okay, I will come clean on that,” she said, “this ghost is Josh, the brother of my husband. When John died, we had tried to find that book which was part of John’s inheritance, but something John did not care about, though he said it was real.

He only cared about this big old mansion.” She had a well rehearsed story, some of it might even be true. Apparently they worked together until she wanted to hire us and Josh wanted to hire a man named Toledo. So, now they hate each other and are working against each other. Somehow I doubt that part.

She also said her dad and Kenaston were good friends, when in fact they were brothers. Perhaps she forgot? I doubt that too. She made no mention of Tanya and I really did not think she would. For now I accepted her story and when Rock and Mac returned we all went to bed early. But sleep did not come easy…

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.