The Investigators, Inc. Case of the Missing Granddaughter. Chapter 4. Advice.

Annelie quickly called Rock and told him to stop and not join the others. He and his team pulled over and Rock told the other van they were heading back to their hotel. They turned around and returned, not knowing what had happened.

Meanwhile, “There is a note here,” said Miles, “not good.” He brought the note inside and showed it to Annelie. She immediately called Rock. “Steve has been kidnapped by that Butch the Butcher,” she said, “and he has Crystal too. He wants us off the case right now or they both die. If we drop the case they will release one of the two, our choice, right away.

The other one will be kept for one week to make sure we have stayed off the case, then that person will be released.” “Can he be trusted to do that?” Rock asked. “He can be trusted to do anything bad that he says,” replied Miles, “other than that I am not sure if I would trust him for anything.” “What do we do Rock?” asked Annelie.

“How is Sky?” he asked. “She will be okay, but very sore for a few days,” said Annelie. “Then she is technically in charge,” he said, “unless she says for me to take over. Ask her what she wants done and we will do it.” Galyna went to ask Sky. “Rock is in charge,” she said, “but we follow the rules, ask for Crystal to be released first, then Steve. Warn him not to do anything to hurt either of them.”

“Got that Sky,” said Rock, “Best that we do not let Butcher know we are part of the team just now, so we will stay away from John and his team. They can go home, we will stay here, unless Butcher knows about us, then we will come back too.” The note had said to let Brenda know if they are dropping the case, so that is what they did in the morning when she came to work.

“We are quitting the case as we were told,” said Kate, “we have already told Margaret we are leaving. I cannot promise what she will do though.” “Yeah, I know you told her,” said Brenda, “your friend will be at your hotel when you get back. Head back to where you came from right away, or the guy gets killed.”

“We will leave,” said Kate sternly, “but do not be stupid enough to hurt Steve. We want him returned in one piece and alive.” “Is that a threat girl?” asked Brenda. “Just some advice,” said Kat and she walked away. By the time they got back to the hotel, Crystal was in their room, unhurt but not too happy. Kate filled her in on what had been happening, then they all packed and left for home.

“It does not feel right to leave Steve behind like that,” said Crystal, “he is our leader, he should have been released.” “You know what the rules are,” said Kate, “we will get him back. We know where they are keeping him, his tracker is working well.” Meanwhile… “Bring that gal in here,” said Butcher. “Uh, which one?” asked Reggie.

“The one we just captured,” he said impatiently, “bring her in.” “But we let her go,” said another man. “Yes,” said Reggie, “that is what you said in that note, and those PI’s left.” Butcher then exploded, yelling at everyone in the room. Then a woman came in. “What is wrong now Butch?” she asked. “This idiot boyfriend of yours let that new woman go free!” he yelled, “I do not know what you see in this guy.”

But she soon had him calmed down. “Good thing you are my sister,” he said finally while she massaged his shoulders and neck. “We do not need her anyway,” said Freda, “we have their boss, that is better.” “He is nothing,” said Butch, “he will not tell us what we want to know. Hey Banker, go talk with that guy for a bit, but not too much just yet.” One of the men left the room.

Meanwhile… When the others returned home, Crystal went straight to her room and Galyna followed her. Galyna went into the room and found Crystal crying so she went over and sat beside her, putting her arm around her. Kat called Rock and told him that Brenda already knew they had quit the case before Kat told her.

“We only told Margaret we had quit the case,” said Kat, “so either she told Brenda, or her place is bugged. The cats believe she is okay, so do I, so they must have it bugged.” “Hmm, sounds very likely,” said Rock, “that way they can keep up on how the investigation is doing. Then they can make their plans accordingly.”

“That likely means that Reggie has been there visiting since Karalyn’s disappearance,” said Kat. “Yeah, maybe we should watch her house for a while,” said Rock. “There is a house for sale across the street from her house,” said Kat. “Perfect,” said Rock, “I will look into that…”

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.