The Investigators, Inc. The Hometown Mystery. Chapter 9. Mandar and Drake.

Mandar knew he had a good man for getting information from in Brink. Mandar can talk well and can be very persuasive when he wants to be. “Well, well, Mr. Brink,” said Mandar, “you are a wealth of information. Now, perhaps you would be kind enough to call Mr. Drake and ask him to join us here for a little talk.”

“You think he is stupid?” asked Brink, “he is safe down there, that is a reinforced steel door, you will never get at him, and he will never come up here.” “Well, maybe you just do not know how to talk to him,” said Mandar, “now, you have problems with a man called The Fox, and he will never let you open this casino again, and you just might lose your lives in the process.

Would it not be better to talk things over with me? I can take care of The Fox for you.” Brink looked at Mandar for a moment, then he called Drake. Soon Drake and two bodyguards, well armed, came up to where everyone was standing around. “Good day to you Mr. Drake,” said Mandar cheerfully, “there is no need of guns, this is a friendly visit, unless you would prefer to fight. But I must say, in a fight we would win quite easily.”

Drake told his men to put their guns on a nearby table. “What is this about you taking care of The Fox for me?” he asked, “Maybe I do not need your help.” “Oh, you do need our help,” said Mandar, “you do not have the resources, or training, to go up against The Fox. But we do, and our price is very reasonable too.” “Yeah? What do you call reasonable?” he asked.

“You have kidnapped our man and a lady as well,” said Mandar, “give them back, unharmed, and we will take care of The Fox for you. That seems like a price that is more than fair, do you not agree?” He thought for a moment. “How do I know that I can trust you?” he asked. Just then Tandi, Mandar’s cat, jumped up into his arms.

“I hate cats,” said Drake. Tandi growled at him. Then Muffin, Storm and Rusty jumped up onto different tables close by, all of them growling. “Hey, what is this?” he asked. “It would seem these cats do not like you much either Mr. Drake,” said Mandar, “they are a good judge of character. I do not trust you Mr. Drake, and I am sure you do not trust me. But for the moment, let us pretend that we do trust each other and conclude our business.”

Drake then called one of his men. “What do you mean?” he yelled, “you dropped them off, you must know where they are!” Then there was silence. “Well, get out there and find them, and fast!” Drake yelled again, “or you better go hide yourself somewhere!” Then he turned to Mandar, “not to worry, he will find them, he just did not pay attention to the exact spot, but he knows the area. I will have them for you tomorrow.”

“I sincerely hope so, for your sake,” said Mandar, then he and the team left. Meanwhile, off to Kat and I. “Kat, wake up!” I said. “What is the matter Steve?” she asked. “Well, this might seem like a crazy question, but, where are we?” “I have no idea,” she said, “they just dropped us off here and left. They were nice enough to give us each a knife though.”

“Um, who are they?” I asked again. Kat looked at me and frowned a bit. “Do you not remember what happened?” she asked. “No,” I said, “all I remember is is that we were on our honeymoon and then I woke up on the ground here.” Kat got up quickly when I said that and felt my forehead. “Hmm, you seem to be fine,” she said, “what do you remember?”

“Just what I said, we were going on our honeymoon, our second attempt and then we end up here, wherever here is,” I replied. Kat was concerned now, it seemed like the ‘nowhere’ disease was working again. “Do you remember getting the ‘nowhere’ disease?” she asked. “Yeah, I do, that was the work of John,” I said, “and I will get him for that.”

“Steve, I helped him with that too,” she began, “but changed, do you remember?” “Um, yes, I do remember that,” I said frowning a bit. “Well, John changed too and is now working with us and he is one of your best friends now.” I really frowned this time, that was something I could not remember.

We talked some more, but Kat did not tell me she had been killed and I was now married to Sky. She figured that might be too much for me to handle right now. She was probably right. She did explain that the ‘nowhere’ disease must be working again, even though I am up to date with my shots for that. It all seemed reasonable, but…

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.