The Investigators, Inc. The Case of the Deserted Tower. Chapter 1. Kate and Jinni.

Well, we have managed to relax for nearly a month now, quite refreshing really. Nelson, the man I wish to hire to manage Baldwin Corporation spent 16 days with us so that everyone could get to know him and ask him questions. He answered all the questions quite happily and even had numerous questions for us as well. He has gone back home now, but that is being kept a secret, even from our team, for now.

Now we will vote on him and hopefully then he will accept. Then he will move to Dallas, the headquarters for Baldwin Corporation. Everyone really enjoyed having Nelson with us and everyone liked him a lot and have voted 100% in favor of hiring him for the job. Even all four cats approved wholeheartedly.

There was one thing that Nelson had in common with Baldwin, he loved Annelie’s donuts! But then, who does not? As mentioned before, Cynthia, Tiffany and Felina have moved to Canada to begin their own PI business there. And, Rock and Annelie will also be leaving us. I asked them to take over part of Baldwin Corporation, looking after operations in Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

Rock is very familiar with that part, having worked there before coming to join The Investigators. It might only be temporary, until the operations have been reorganized. Trisha will be going to live with them so she can finish her education in peace, being here is much too distracting for her. She liked the idea since she really does want to finish so she can be a better help to us.

Snow will be staying with us and Catalina will look after her. Before all this happened, however, there was something to clear up for everyone, and that was Kat. Her name is Kate Saunders, a first cousin once removed of Kat and she looks just like Kat. She came to join us so she could avenge the death of Kat and now she has decided to stay with us.

I am very happy about that, especially since we have lost 5 of our members now. Annelie will still help us when needed, but she has trained Tracy and Aasta very well to take her place. Then, one afternoon someone shows up at the door, a young woman named Jinni. She had a problem and hoped we could help.

Apparently she had inherited some forested land in Finland from her grandfather and last week she flew over the property, which is quite large, just to have a look at it. There was not supposed to be any buildings on the property, but there was one right near the middle. “It looked like a very old tower of some kind,” she explained, “made of stone and it looked like perhaps a house was attached to it as well.

It did not look inhabited, but there was no place to land the plane and look around. The pilot did not seem interested in looking around anyway, he just said we should leave quickly. He claimed he was low on fuel, but he was not. He seemed to be quite scared when he saw that tower, but I do not know why. He did not want to talk about the tower at all.

I tried to hire someone to hike back to it so I could look around, but no one in the town close to the property would go with me. One person told me it was best to stay away. That has made me more curious and I want to know what is happening on my property. It would take about a full day to hike into that location.” “Sounds quite interesting,” I said, “we will take the case and go with you.”

She was very happy to hear that and she stayed with us while we made arrangements for our trip. Meow,meow?=How come not ask our open onions before taking case? “Um, you mean opinion, Muffin,” I said. Meow,meow?=Me just say that, your hearing getting bad? “Ha, ha, very funny,” I said, “perhaps it is the remains of a thousand year old castle or something.”

“Oh, now that sounds interesting,” said Sky, “I am looking forward to this trip.” Meow,meow?=Why everyone so excited about ghosts? We going to be ghosts too one of these days. Too many old castles, not like old castles, not like old ghosts either. “You like Kat,” I said, “and she is not an old ghost.” Meow,meow?=You say her name Kate, now it Kat again. You confused maybe? And she must be ghost Kat or how she stop guns?

“Yes, that is a good question Steve,” said Sky. “Um, well, yes, anyway this trip will be fun,” I said, “nice hiking, fresh air, beautiful forest.” “And avoiding the question,” added Sky with a smile. “Well, I cannot answer all questions,” I said, “I am satisfied with her explanation.”

“Hmm, satisfied with it and believing it are two different things,” said Sky. “True, I am glad you agree with me,” I said. “You and I both know she is Kat, not Kate,” said Sky, “but I do not mind, I like her and we are getting along fine. Even the fact she is a ghost does not bother me.”

Muffin’s ears go straight up. Meow,meow.=Me knew it, soon we all be ghosts. “Well, you can stay home if you want Muffin,” I said, “not everyone is coming along.” Meow,meow.=No, me come, someone need to look after you, maybe we find Skinny friends, rattle bones together. Skinny is the name Muffin gives to skeletons…

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.