The Investigators, Inc. The French Chateau Case. Chapter 9. Sky Dies.

Cynthia is a quick learner and has truly caught on to being my wife, playing Sky remarkably well. But she has studied all the girls on our team, and to a lesser extent the guys as well. She could see the resemblance between her and Sky before she joined us and often pretended to be Sky, mostly because Sky was a hero for her.

Cynthia, though just 16, looks like she could be 20, and Sky, at 23, could easily pass for 18. So the two are a great fit, making it easier for Cynthia to play Sky. They even have the same way of talking and doing things. Normally, though, I would pick Crystal for this position since she is Sky’s twin and Crystal has taken Sky’s place many times.

However, she is in no position to do that this time, and that is something I need from Cramer Winhouse, an antidote to whatever he had done to my team members and cats. We need a way to get them back to normal again, soon, if possible. But will Cramer help us in this regard? First, we need to find him, and that will not be easy. Then, how do I get him to cooperate?

Sky just called in again with something interesting. Apparently Cramer believes in ghosts, and other things, and is actually quite afraid of them. Hmm, now, how can I use this bit of information? One thing at a time Steve, I tell myself, first, find Cramer. “Too bad I don’t have a better way of figuring this out,” said Cynthia. “Such as what?” asked Jennifer. “Such as a TV screen where I can see both sides of it,” she replied smiling.

Jennifer pushed a button and a clear screen came down from the ceiling with the information we were given marked on a map. “Hey, that is perfect!” exclaimed Cynthia, “That will really help.” “But he has no pattern for doing things,” I reminded her. “Even a haphazard pattern is still a pattern,” she said smiling, “and it tells a lot about a person and how they think.”

“Hmm, perhaps we could get a brain scan done for you Steve,” said Kat, “maybe Cynthia could tell us how you think. No, wait, she would likely just get a serious headache.” For some reason, instead of her usual cute giggle, Cynthia burst out laughing! “Look what you did now Kat,” I said, “Cynthia will not be able to concentrate on her job.” “Kat is right though,” she said, “it is nearly impossible to figure out how men think.”

“Wow,” said Dawn, “it is just like having the real Sky here.” Sigh. “Beryan, I think it must be time for my massage,” I said. She followed me into the bedroom, still laughing. Sigh. “Got it Steve!” yelled Cynthia after about half a hour. I went back out. “All I see are lines going all over the place,” I said, totally confused. “Every 4 months the police lose track of Winhouse,” she said, “here, here and here, for a period of two weeks.

This one is in the winter and remember that guy said the chateau was his winter house. That suggests that each of those 2 week periods are his vacation times. Take them out of the way. Twice a year they are sure he is on one of his yachts and since they move around, we will just remove them, they just don’t fit.” She kept talking, I kept getting more confused. When she was done the map was divided into thirds by some of the dots. In one third was, oddly, a happy face.

“He is laughing at the police,” she said, quite seriously, “here is a star, which shows what he thinks of himself. Then here, this is where we are at now.” “Doesn’t look like anything, but, maybe a wheel that is missing a dot or two,” I said. “Exactly!” she said excitedly, “the wheel signifies where everything is run from, his head office, meaning his big 20 story office building, which is where he is now.” She turned and looked at me, smiling.

“I did have to fill in some dots,” she said, “since the police did not know where he was all the time. But it all makes sense when put together.” She seemed so confidant and happy, and there was no way I could refute what she was saying, especially since I did not understand it. “Okay my dear wife,” I said, “now you must die.” She just stared at me. “That was a short marriage,” she said giggling.

Meanwhile… “Hey Mr. Winhouse,” said Albert, “found something odd. A hundred K showed up in Alexander’s bank account two days ago, and 25 each for the men with him.” “That is a payoff,” said Cramer, “perhaps that PI?”

“They don’t have that much money,” said Albert, “and no account activity for them except for money to come over here.” “I want Alexander and his men here, as soon as they get back,” said Cramer. “Done boss,” said Miller. “Mr. Winhouse,” said Betty, “someone downstairs to see you.” He checks his security screen. “I do not believe it,” he said…

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.