The Investigators, Inc. The Case of Cassie’s Friend. Chapter 6. More Cats.

When the new girls arrived they all sat down to talk and make plans. “This house must have some secret rooms, or passages in it,” said Maryna, “that would be the only way they could have disappeared.” “Yes,” said Kat, “but we have looked everywhere in here and found nothing. The cats heard a noise and went to hide like they are supposed to do, but they all fell asleep, which means some kind of sleeping gas was used on everyone and the attackers didn’t know about the cats, or didn’t care, thinking they were just ordinary cats.”

“I wish we could have more of our cats here,” said Catalina, “but we have a shortage right now.” “Well, maybe not so bad,” said Cathy, “that is why we brought our cats along with us. They are special cats, just like yours.” She then called their 5 cats over to her. “This is Red, Krystal, Jasmine, Squirrel and Chester,” she said, each cat standing up when she said its name, “each is trained just like your cats, Tandi taught us how to do things. Kristy and I did the main training, but the cats can work with anyone.” “That’s fantastic,” said Kat, “with 8 cats maybe we can find those hidden passages. But first, we need to talk with Mitch and Anne once more.”

A couple of the girls brought them in from the kitchen where they had been tied up. “Now Mitch,” said Kat, “we know you are behind the kidnapping of our friends, so why not make it easy on yourself and tell us where they are hidden. We get our friends back and you get to stay alive. Seems like a good deal to me.” He was about to say something but Anne touched his leg with her foot and he closed his mouth again. That is when Kat decided being nice was not working, so, she punched Anne in the stomach, then slapped her face twice, very hard, knocking her to the floor.

Mitch was going to get involved but Catalina kicked him which knocked him to the floor as well. “I have no more patience with you two,” said Kat angrily, “you will answer questions or I will chain the two of you to posts in the basement until you are ready to talk! Now, where are my friends? How do you get in here? Why do you want this house?” “Look, I already told you, I have no idea where your friends are,” said Mitch, “I have not been at the house for days.” “What about you girl?” asked Kat, “When was the last time you were here?”

“Figure it out yourself lady,” said Anne. Then Kat’s body disappeared and her head bent down over Anne scaring her so badly she screamed and fainted. Mitch pulled himself away as best he could, but the wall was right behind him. Then Kat reappeared. “Do not play games with me mister,” said Kat, “I am a ghost, and I do not like playing games!” “Kat, can I talk with you for a moment?” asked Stefanie. Kat then went out to the dining room. “Do you know who lives in the houses on each side of this one?” she asked.

“A young family on that side,” said Kat, “they have 3 cute little kids. On this side is an older couple, very sweet and both are hard of hearing.” Then it hit Kat. “Do you think someone is coming in here from one of those 2 houses?” she asked. “Quite likely,” she said, “and that older couple’s house would be the perfect place to use since they cannot hear very well.” “But how do they get in?” asked Kat, “and who is getting in? I tend to think Mitch is telling the truth, but I don’t trust Anne at all.” “Why not do this for those two?” asked Stefanie.

“Not a bad thought,” said Kat smiling, “it might be good for those guys watching us all the time.” “Yes, we noticed them too,” said Stefanie, “they are not very professional.” The girls laughed and went back into the living room. “Okay, you two,” said Kat, “I guess you can go now.” So they let them go out the front door after calling a taxi for them. As the two left Kat stood at the door waving nicely to them and Mitch waved back. “Mr. Tucker,” said Martin, “you won’t believe this. Those gals let Mitch and Anne go and they waved and smiled to each other as they left. A taxi came and picked them up.”

“That can only mean that Mitch told them something,” said Tucker, “now I will get Weller to talk with those two, and he won’t be so gentle with them. Keep watching that house closely, something is going on over there and I don’t like it. There must be a reason for more of those Wildcats coming to town.” “Did Joseph find those Knight Riders?” asked Martin. “Yeah, they are over in Whitestone,” answered Tucker, “he only counted 13 bikes, but like these Wildcats, there are probably more of them not far away.” A little while later Weller came walking in.

“Weller, go check on Mitch and Anne,” said Tucker, “they should be back home by now. Seems they left the Wildcats on good terms and I don’t like that, it means he told them something and I want to know what it was. If they won’t talk, bring them to me.” Weller then left right away with two men. Later, at about 4pm, while Tucker was having his lunch, the front door began to rattle, but it was locked. “Who is it Craig?” asked Tucker. “Those crazy Wildcats again,” he said. “Well, well, let them in,” said Tucker, “I don’t want my door damaged by their claws.”

He and Craig laughed while Craig unlocked the door. “Come in kitty cat,” said Craig, still laughing. Kat slapped him hard, then kicked him against the wall. “I have no patience with people like him Tucker,” said Kat, “or people like you either. Now, I have questions, you have answers, let’s see if we can match them up shall we?” “I certainly do not mind answering your questions dear lady,” he said, “that is, if I am able to do so.” “Oh, I am sure you can Tucker,” she said, “and your good friend Mitch assures me you can.”

“So that is why you let them go on such good terms,” said Tucker, “but I am afraid Mitch probably told you some lies about me.” “You better be afraid Tucker,” said Kat, “because right now I am angry, and when that happens I do some strange things.” Then her head disappeared but her body kept walking around. That caused Tucker to drop his drink and stand up. Then her body disappeared and her head appeared. “Now Tucker, it is time to talk,” she said, “and as I said, you better be afraid, because I am a ghost, and right now you are in big trouble.

Last night someone got into the house and hung one of my girls and beat up another while we were sleeping. Now today, 8 of my girls disappeared. Now, we will start with an easy question, where are my girls?” Tucker just stood there staring at her head so Kat reappeared totally. “Answer the question Tucker!” she yelled.

“Hey, uh, Kat, I have no idea what happened to them,” he said, “but I know that no one entered or left that house last night or today except you and your girls. The girls you left behind never came out of that house, and that is the truth.” Kat could tell he was genuinely scared and was likely telling the truth. “I know you have people watching the house,” said Kat, “what happened at the houses on each side today, or last night?”

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.