The Investigators, Inc. The Missing Relative Case. Chapter 14. Strangers.

Well, the police arrested both Bertha and Betty for killing the neighbors husband. Bertha however was screaming that Brook had helped too. But, Brook decided to testify against her mother for that killing, even though the police had enough evidence to convict her anyway, but she also was going to testify about the other murders, the killing of both Bertha’s husbands and Uncle Bernie. 

Apparently there was also a woman she killed that had seen her kill Uncle Bernie and had demanded money from Bertha. Bertha had agreed and when the woman came to get the money, Bertha stabbed her and dumped her body in a river. The body was found but there were no clues that lead them to Bertha. 

Brook also told the police that Betty only helped because she was beaten by her mother and was scared of being killed, since Bertha told both of them she would kill them if they talked or refused to help her. Betty also decided to help, but only because she wanted to stay out of jail and go live with Christopher, then tell him what Brook had done. Christopher liked his mother since she was always willing to help him. 

He never did like Brook, instead, Betty was his favorite. That would make him a danger to Brook too. I told Aari and his team to come back now, but he, Miles, Tracy and Sapphire asked to stay there for a while and be a help to Brook. I said that would be okay, though I was a bit surprised that Miles wanted to stay. Apparently when they went to visit Brook in the hospital the next day, Miles had brought a dozen roses for her. 

He even blushed when he gave them to her. Hmm, I wonder, could something be happening there? Miles has never had a girlfriend, being in that gang consumed his time. Could be interesting. Anyway, it was good to have Rock and the other guys back again. I told the guys to take some time off until Baldwin got back, or until we needed them again, whichever came first. 

As it turned out, their time off was short lived. Meanwhile, in our local town some strangers appeared one day and got a couple of rooms at the hotel. ”Not much of a hotel in this place,” said Greg. ”What do you expect in a small town like this?” asked Clyde. ”Yeah, only one hotel, only one restaurant,” said Spike, “hope it has good food at least.” 

“All you think about is food,” said Fisher, “we have more important things to think about right now.” ”Gotta keep up my strength,” said Spike, “might have to fight that little feller they got over there.” ”Forget it, just shoot him and get it over with fast,” said Clyde. ”Where is the fun in that?” asked Spike. ”We are not here for fun,” said Greg, “just get the job done and get back home quick as we can. This place is probably crawling with bugs.” 

“You are always worried about bugs,” said Clyde, “how can a guy your size be scared of tiny bugs?” ”Look, I do not like bugs!” he said loudly. ”Okay, okay, sorry man,” said Clyde. Then they looked over the map they had and what they needed to do and the exact timing of everything. ”Timing is key here,” said Greg, “and the main thing is killing that Steve guy, then anyone else we can, then we get out quick and head back to the city to our hotel. 

From there we fly home the next day. They won’t even know who hit them.” ”Sounds good to me,” said Clyde, “people around here don’t even speak proper English.” ”This is France, what do you expect?” asked Fisher, “I say we get a good night’s sleep so we can get this done tomorrow night.” They all agreed with that, but they went out to eat first. 

John, Clarence, Alfred and Mac were also there eating. ”Those guys at that table,” said Mac, “they are trouble.” Alfred looked over that way briefly and agreed with Mac. ”Likely just passing through the area,” said John. They thought nothing more about it and did not bother looking at them anymore. They also left before the four strangers and went back to Baldwin’s house, which is where the guys lived. 

For some reason they never thought of telling me about those strangers, perhaps because I gave them time off right now. It was regrettable, however, and a lesson learned, though a bit late. The next morning Sky called Beryan and asked her to massage my back 3 times that day instead of the usual once. My old wounds have been bothering me a lot the last couple of days for some reason. 

Although that other pain from my fall on the mountainside healed up nicely, and I still think Jennifer had something to do with that, but my old wounds still bother me. That night Sky decided to sleep in the tower, with some bodyguards with her. I would have bodyguards with me too, especially since at dinner Jennifer was frowning so I had asked her what was wrong. 

“I sense danger Steve,” she said, “we should be careful tonight.” Once we had all gone to our rooms, Jennifer, Beryan, Aasta and Marlena were my bodyguards for the night. ”There is great danger near Steve,” said Jennifer, “we must alert the others, but quietly.” 

She called Kat while the others called more of the girls. I called Rock, then called Jackie, leader of Team 6 guarding the clinic and told her to get inside and seal the clinic, it was Code Red, but no alarms. She got everything done quickly. Suddenly, the lights went out…

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.