The Investigators, Inc. The French Chateau Case. Chapter 3. Arched Back.

Baldwin is still away on his business trip so Rock is over at his house looking after business from there while he is away. Part of our new security measures are two flyovers of helicopters from Baldwin Corp each day, morning and late afternoon/evening. The times vary each day so no one can keep track of that. Later that morning the helicopter flew overhead, Kenneth being the pilot.

He is a good man, very trustworthy, as is his copilot Bill. “Whoa, big trouble down there Kenneth,” said Bill and he called Rock immediately. “Code A CX”, he said to Rock, and Rock nearly fainted. He told them to keep flying in the area but not too close and try to contact the chateau. He then called for Teams 1, 2 and 3 to get moving over to the chateau and send two more helicopters.

He also told Kenneth to call the clinic. Rock then called Baldwin who just happened to be in an important meeting and was not too pleased to be interrupted. “This better be important Rock,” he said, “or you will be fired!” “Code A CX,” he said, and now Baldwin nearly fainted. “Why didn’t you say so?” he screamed, “I am on my way back!”

Code A CX means there has been a large attack at the chateau, with no likely survivors. Once Baldwin was on his plane he called John and told him. John, Mac and Clarence were on the next plane home! Then Baldwin called Miles and Brook. “Hi Mr. B,” said Miles cheerfully. That cheerfulness disappeared quickly when Baldwin told him the news.

Miles and Brook were packing very quickly after that and managed to get seats on a flight home just two hours later. The clinic was fine and went into lockdown right away. Team 7 from Baldwin Corp was already there guarding the clinic. They take turns with Team 8 guarding the clinic each week. Rock called Astrid and told her so she and the girls were quickly trying to get seats on the next flight home.

Rock called Aiofe next and they likewise were trying to get seats on the next available flight. Aletia, our new nurse, had brought Rascal, Tiia, Rusty and Jewel to the clinic with her that morning for their quarterly checkup. Bridgette asked Tiia to try and get in touch with Storm, Tiger, or Tracker, the cats that went with Aari and his team.

Meowi.=Me not able to connect, that bad, very bad. She was very sad. Bridgette put her head down, she knew what that meant too. If Tiia can’t connect, it means the other cats are dead. Mandar, like Baldwin, had been away for an extended business trip and he came unexpectedly that morning to see us all. He was especially wanting to meet Mandy and Madison.

But, he was stopped at the road and not allowed to enter. Part of Team 1 was there to ensure that no one came in unannounced. They told Mandar that the “all clear” had not yet been given, but they told him what had happened. He immediately called his Teams 4, 5 and 6 to come and help right away. Soon Mandar was allowed in and Rock was now there directing things and he met Mandar.

“I don’t know how it happened,” said Rock shaking his head, “I’m not sure who it was, if it was connected to our latest case or not? This was well planned, they obviously turned off the electricity ahead of time because Steve enabled manual override. Then they turned the power back on and wiped our computer system clean, so now nothing works and we cannot access anything that was on our files.

Steve and his family must have made it to their safe room since the bedroom door is still locked. There might be others in there with them, there are some team members unaccounted for right now, though they may have been kidnapped. There are none dead, but some are seriously wounded and likely will not survive.

Without our computer system in place Steve and any with him will not survive more than 2 days as their oxygen will be gone.” Then he really choked up. “Annelie is one of the seriously wounded,” he said, “it’s not good at all.” “We will find out who did this Rock,” said Mandar, “but first, tending to the wounded. Then we need to wait for everyone to return.” Matt was not hurt much, he had tripped on the steps as a bullet grazed his shoulder.

Perhaps he can help tell Rock and Mandar who did this, once his head clears. “I tried calling Steve,” said Rock, “but it says there is no connection.” Mandar then tried but he got the same notice. Then he took Tandi around back and asked her to try calling Muffin or Snow. After a few minutes Tandi meowed. Meowsy.=Muffin say all okay, but nothing work, air gone in 24 hours.

All family okay, there is Muffin, Snow, Ginger and Bandit. Dawn, Marlena, Catalina, Galyna, Tracy, Jennifer and Kat with them too. They not can get out, need our help. Meanwhile, “Well Muffin, what does Tandi say?” I asked. Meow,meow.=Computer cleaned out, not can use to open our door or give us elector city. “Tell this to Tandi,” I said.

Outside, Meowsy.=More from Muffin. Tower. Arched back. G14 F9 5641 B3 W15 N4 8943. That all she say. “Some kind of code,” said Rock, “but it means nothing to me.” Mandar looked at it again, then he called someone from his Team 4. “Cynthia, my dear,” he said, “I am in need of your amazing brain power.” Cynthia just giggled a bit and Mandar handed her the note he had written with the code on it.

She looked at Tandi and smiled. “Arch, Tandi,” she said. Tandi arched her back. “Looking for a computer backup perhaps?” she asked Mandar. “Splendid, my dear, splendid!” he replied, “That is it exactly! Now, if you would be so kind to tell us the rest.” “Just lead the way to the tower,” she said, “the answer is up there…”

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.