The Investigators, Inc. The Hometown Mystery. Chapter 8. Mangy Rat.

Back to our team now. A call came to Sky. “They got Steve and Kat,” said the voice. Sky began to cry, then she got angry at the same time, but after a few minutes she settled down and called Rock. “They got Steve and Kat,” she said. “How are you doing Sky?” he said, “can you handle things okay?” “I think so, but,” she began, “perhaps it would be better for Crystal to take over our end.”

“Okay, Crystal, are you on too?” he asked. “Yes Rock, I am here,” she said, “and I can handle things, though I think Sky could do it too. But I will take over for now if you want.” “Good, do that,” he said, “and you have Team 4 with you, so do not worry about anything. And if you need help, just call me, anytime.” “Okay, it is Operation Information,” she said.

Meanwhile, back at the casino. “All ready to open again tonight Mike”, said Brink, “I doubt that Fox guy will come back here right away, he already took everything we had.” “Drake brought a lot more with him last night,” said Mike, “we need to make sure we keep it this time. Good thing we had that extra safe in the basement.”

“Yeah, that was a good idea,” said Brink, “now they figure they busted our safe and we will not keep anything here for a while.” “Exactly, that was the idea,” said Mike. He then looked up and saw some people standing at the doors. “Those doors should be locked,” said Mike.

“They were locked,” said Crystal, “but we unlocked them. We want to have a little visit with our ‘friends’. And this is a nice private place to talk.” “And what do you wish to talk about, little girl?” asked Mike. “Perhaps we should start with your life expectancy Mike,” she said. Just then several others came walking in, and included with the group was Mandar.

He was not part of this case, but ‘just happened’ to be in the area, and decided to stop by and see how Sky and I were enjoying our honeymoon. He also brought some extra ‘help’ with him too, since he does not travel alone. “I think you better listen to this young woman,” said Mandar, “your life is not worth much at the moment. I detest a man who will hire some mangy rat to kill his wife.”

“Come over here and say that old man,” yelled Blade. “I hear you are a very courageous man Blade,” he answered, “you carry 4 knives at all times, one up each sleeve, one down your back, oh, and one in your boot. And you prefer killing women, young girls and even babies, anyone who cannot take care of themselves in a fight.

That makes you a mangy rat, not a human being. I would not waste my time with you. But why do we not see how courageous you are fighting a woman that can take care of herself, or are you afraid?” “I am not afraid of nothing and nobody,” he growled, “send her over here.” One knife fell into his hand as he said that.

Sky started to walk over to him and the others with Blade moved away. “So, the pretty wife thinks she can take the Blade,” he laughed, “I will cut you to pieces little girl.” Sky said nothing and remained remarkably calm. She just kept walking until she was close enough, then she stopped, staring at him. Then she attacked!

Her hands and feet were flying fast, only missing a couple of times. Blade cut her left arm once, but then she moved in, kicking him hard 3 times, then one final kick to his head and he was down, and dead. “Now gentlemen, tell those other men over there to put their weapons on that table,” said Mandar, “or all of you will be killed. And do not try my patience, I have very little.”

Mike told them to put their guns down, he, Brink and Chuck did so too. Sky went back to the doors and Crystal came forward. “Now, which of you will tell us where Drake took Steve and Kat?” she asked calmly. Not a word from any of them. Then without warning she kicked Mike twice and he was on the floor groaning. Then Tracy came up next and went to Chuck.

“Remember me, the little girl?” she asked him, then she kicked him twice and he likewise was on the floor groaning. While this was going on, one of the other men had inched his way to the table where the guns had been set down. Suddenly he grabbed one and there was just one shot. The man fell down dead, shot by Mandar with his cane gun.

“Very stupid men in this casino,” he said, “and what about you Brink?” By this time Sigurbjorn had walked up. “No, wait,” he said nervously, “I do not know where Drake took your man, but Drake is still here, in the basement. Talk to him, and he brought a lot more money and drugs with him, they are in the safe in the basement too. We have a second safe there!” “Well, well, a wealth of information from this man,” said Mandar…

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.