The Investigators, Inc. Case of Strange Murder. Chapter 13. Mariia.

After I left several other people left as well, rather quickly too. Wickers went to his office, followed by the police chief and the mayor. “And just what were you thinking of with that stunt Wickers?” asked the chief, “Do you not realize that most of the people in this town don’t know what is going on? This could cause some serious trouble if someone decides to notify the state police or any other agency.”

“Yes, I want to know what this is all about too,” said the mayor, “that girl implicated me too!” “Well, I have no idea what was going on,” said Wickers, “it was not me that put on that little theatrical performance, it was done by that PI that seems determined to ruin us. And that little brat knows way too much which she has been telling that PI.”

“And what about their little disappearing act,” asked the chief, “or are they really dead? I can’t believe that living people can disappear and move so fast like they did. Did you really kill his wife and that kid?” “I hired a guy who was supposed to give that PI a firm warning to stay away,” said Wickers, “I did not know he would kill the guy’s wife and Mandy. I do not think he did anyway, I do not believe in ghosts, do you?”

“All I know is, real people cannot disappear like they did,” said the mayor, “they must be ghosts!” “I have to side with the mayor on that one,” said the chief, “makes no sense otherwise. And who did you bury in that casket with our gold and jewels, which I assume are now gone? You never told us about that one.”

“Yeah, it is all gone,” said Wickers growling, “that PI had it dug up and removed much too fast, he must have had help from someone in town with a backhoe to dig up that grave. The girl inside was just one of the kids we have been using, it was time to get rid of her anyway.” Unseen by anyone was a woman listening at the door of Wicker’s office that was not closed tight.

She suddenly ran off out the back and drove away in her car. A few minutes later she pulled up in the driveway of the house where we were staying. “Someone just drove up Steve,” said Kera, “it is a woman, coming to the front door.” She got to the door which opened right away. Amber met her and asked her to come in. She was checked for weapons before I came in to meet with her.

“What can I do for you?” I asked, “Sorry that it is so dark in here, but we want to keep the lights low for safety reasons.” “I understand,” she said, “my name is Mariia, I work for Wickers in his nightclub, I was there tonight when you came. Can you protect me from him? If he finds out I came here, he will kill me… like… he killed… my sister.”

She was talking fast but really slowed down at that point. “Are you sure he killed your sister?” I asked. “Yes,” she replied, “she is the girl in the coffin you dug up, I am sure of it. He told me she ran away, but I do not believe him. She disappeared the day they dug that grave.” Mariia was now crying and Dawn sat beside her to comfort her.

“That would be Amanda Bannerman,” said Mandy, “she was my age, we were best friends.” “Matt, how many men with you?” I asked. “With Mandar’s men there are 24 of us,” he replied. “That is enough to start applying heavier pressure on Wickers,” I said, “he needs to be stopped, but we have to be careful about the police.

I doubt the whole force is working for Wickers, some are real cops, so we cannot kill them. Visit the mayor, acting on Wickers orders of course.” “Shall do Steve,” he said, “time for us to have some fun.” Meanwhile, “Did Mariia talk with you boss?” asked Ray. “Never saw her, why?” asked Wickers. “She told me she had something to tell you and went down to your office,” said Ray.

“Find her!” Wickers said to his men. They came back in a few minutes. “Not in the building and her car is gone,” they said. “She went to that PI,” said Wickers, “go check and see if her car is at the house. If not, check her house and bring her back here.” Off they went and drove slowly past the house. “Stop that car girls,” I said.

Suddenly a van backed out of a driveway right in front of the car and another van came out of another driveway and stopped right behind the car. Several girls got out with guns and the two men got out with their hands raised. Catalina put something in the back seat. “Want to get back in?” she asked.

“You just put a bomb in there,” said one man, “we are not getting back in.” The girls shot them with darts and when the men fell unconscious they dragged their bodies to the side of the street, then moved the vans. The car exploded in a huge fireball and soon a fire truck was there.

When Catalina saw that the responders were far enough from the truck she attached another bomb to the back and within seconds the truck blew up in a mass of flames. Several police cars arrived and officers came to the house which they found unlocked and empty…

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.