The Investigators, Inc. The Case of Cassie’s Friend. Chapter 2. Tucker.

The girls were looking around this old house that Sunrise owned and they could not understand why the appraiser said the house needed a lot of work and would have to be sold as a fixer upper. It just made no sense. Although they were not experts, they still could not see anything that needed fixing. The electrical had been upgraded 30 years ago, which is not exactly new, but that is still okay. The plumbing had been upgraded just 5 years ago, prior to when Sunrise owned the house.

Apparently both of her parents died in the house in what the police said was a murder/suicide. Sunrise did not believe that, however, she said her dad just could never kill her mom. And what was the reason? But there was no other foul play that the police could find, no evidence that anyone else had been in the house that night at all. Sunrise was living with her parents, but was away in another state visiting a friend for a few days. The police did check her story and were satisfied that it was true.

Annelie had checked on everything while the girls were flying over there. Sunrise had no job and had been unable to find anything at all in town or in any of the surrounding towns for the past 5 years since her parents died, or perhaps were murdered. Her parents had no money either, they just lived on her dad’s pension which was barely enough to live on. They had some savings, but used that to upgrade the plumbing and put new shingles on the roof, plus replace the front door.

That last detail was a bit interesting. It was actually Sunrise that had the door replaced with the last of the money from her parents. Kat was going to talk with her more about that when they get back from shopping. Kat and the girls looked around everywhere and were quite amazed at how few clothes Sunrise had. Sunrise also had mentioned that her parents had some debt she had to pay off right away, which is why she began borrowing money herself.

And her brother’s friend was very nice and loaned her whatever she needed. Like when her car caught fire and she needed a new one since her insurance would not cover it, though she never understood why. Then that car was stolen so she had to buy another one because again the insurance company would not pay due to the fact she left the car unlocked, though it was in the garage and it was locked. So now she has an older car which keeps needing repairs so often she barely gets a chance to drive it, and that has cost her thousands of dollars.

Her brother won’t help her either, he feels she has gotten into this mess herself, so she can get out of it herself too. He feels she should sell the house cheap to get rid of it and then work for his friend to pay off her debt. She says it would take 20 years to pay off that debt, maybe longer since he is charging her 35% interest. Kat sent all of this information back home. Annelie then sent it to Matt and his team. Aari believed that it was likely the work of a smaller gang and they wanted Sunrise to work for them.

But they must want the house too, though it is hard to understand why. The next day Aari came driving up in a nice, large limousine and parked in front of the house. Aari, Miles and Harvey got out and went up to the house. Sunrise let them in. “This man says he knows you Kat,” said Sunrise. “Yes, he does indeed,” said Kat smiling, “I wanted these men to check the house and see if there are any problems with it.” “By all means,” said Sunrise, “it would be nice to know what the problems are.”

So, Miles went about checking the electrical while Harvey checked the foundation and all other structural details of the house. They both said there was nothing wrong with the house at all. Aari already knew about the debt Sunrise had, which was $400,000, so he offered her $500,000 for the house and he would allow her to live in the house rent free so she could be the caretaker of it for him. He would not be using the house at all, he said, he just liked to invest in properties. Kat and Cassie told Sunrise to accept the offer, explaining to her what it was all about. “But what if you lose your money?” asked Sunrise anxiously.

“Let us worry about that Sunrise,” said Aari, “but I do not plan on losing any money.” Meanwhile, a phone call has been made. “Mr. Tucker,” said a woman, “I thought you might like to know that $100,000 has been deposited into Sunrise’s account.” “Thank you for that information Molly,” he said. A short time later Sunrise arrived at a popular bar in town and walked to the back so she could go downstairs to the office of Rick Tucker. Kat and 10 of the Wildcats, in uniform, followed along with her. Two men tried to stop Sunrise but Kat and Amber knocked them out rather easily.

Then down they went to Tucker’s office. Sunrise knocked and Tucker, knowing what had happened upstairs, told her to come in. Kat opened the door and went in first, followed by Aoife and Marlena. They took care of the two guards that Tucker had in his office. “Now, keep your hands on top of your desk,” said Kat, and he did so. Sunrise then came in carrying a briefcase, with Cassie carrying another briefcase. They put them on Tucker’s desk and opened them.

“There is $400,000 here Tucker,” said Sunrise, “enough to pay my debt.” “Well, it is close,” he said, “but then there is more interest that you are forgetting about, plus service charges, debt charges, insurance on your debt, and a few other miscellaneous items. “There is enough money here to pay her debt Mr. Tucker,” said Kat, “take the money and we will call it even, otherwise we will have to charge you insurance to help protect your businesses for you.” “I look after that myself lady,” he said, obviously annoyed.

“Take the money, or you will need extra insurance,” said Kat, “and we want a receipt for this final payment as well.” “I will need to get my accountant to count this and make sure it is all here,” he grumbled. “Then get him,” said Kat, “we will wait. Until then, your place is closed.” “Try it and I will call the cops,” he said, “I do not scare easily.” “Then you are a fool Mr. Tucker,” said Kat, “this is your last chance to get paid.”

Tucker’s accountant, who was just in the next office, came and counted the money and said it was all there. Tucker again mentioned the extra money and Kat again mentioned he should forget the extra charges, or she would add her own extra charges. Sunrise then got her receipt, marked paid in full. “Now Mr. Tucker,” said Kat, “stay away from Sunrise and everything she owns.” “Is that a threat?” he asked. “It is wise advice,” said Kat, and they all left.

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.