The Investigators, Inc. The Castle Mystery. Chapter 11. Knight Riders Come.

The next morning as we were eating breakfast, Bjorn came in with 2 of his new men. “Meinhard will be coming back this morning with my 2 nephews,” he said, “so please stay out of our way.” “We will gladly do that Bjorn,” I said, “I am after Gabby right now for killing one of my girls. However, you tell your friend Meinhard that if he or any of his men kill or hurt any of my girls, then I will destroy him and his business. So make sure he stays out of our way and we will stay out of his. That should be fair enough.”

“I’m fine with that,” said Bjorn, “but you better be careful about running around in those tunnels and rooms down below. It is a good way to get lost, hurt or killed. There are a lot of old traps down there, I lost 3 men in one day walking around those tunnels just shortly after buying this place 2 years ago. So I decided to stay away from them after that.” “Why go checking around down there in the first place?” asked Kat. “Curiosity I guess,” he answered, “sometimes people find treasure under these old castles. But it’s hardly worthwhile if you get killed looking for it.”

Meanwhile, back in the town where the Knight Riders were staying. “Okay boys,” said Matt, “time to ride for a bit, we want to meet our guests outside of town where it won’t cause too many problems with the local police.” So, off they rode to a place Aari and Harvey had picked out the evening before. Aari, Miles, John, Clarence, Mac, Harvey had stayed behind in town to wait for Meinhard and his friends to show up. They would then notify Matt and follow discreetly behind Meinhard so they would be effectively surrounded.

The SUV soon showed up driving through town and Miles pulled in behind them. “Motorcycle behind us boss,” said Carl. “It’s only one so don’t worry,” said Meinhard. “Second one boss,” said Carl. By the time they were leaving town Aari and his 5 Riders were behind the SUV. “They are making me nervous boss,” said Carl. Meinhard pushed a button and smoke poured out from the back of the SUV so that Aari and team had to pull back since they could see nothing.

“That should do it,” said Meinhard, “now, get this thing moving!” Carl did so right away but as they came around a curve in the highway Matt and the other Riders suddenly pulled out in front of them causing Carl to come to a screeching stop. “Don’t worry, we have bullet proof windows on this thing,” said Meinhard. “I think it might be better to talk with these guys and see what they want,” said Felix, “these guys don’t fool around.” “Okay, fine, we talk,” said Meinhard, “turn on the speakers. What do you guys want with us?”

“First, pull into that spot so you don’t block traffic Meinhard,” said Matt, “and don’t try to pull tough guy with me.” So they parked off the highway just as the rest of the Knight Riders showed up. “Who are the kids for?” asked Matt, “and don’t try to act innocent like, I know what kind of business you’re in.” “On their way to a customer that lives in an old castle not far from here,” said Meinhard, “why do you want to know?” “This is my territory now Meinhard,” he replied, “if you want to do business around here, then you tell me first what you want to do.

My share is 15%, or 30% if you want protector insurance which I suggest you might want to consider if you want to do business with Bjorn or Gabby. Actually, if you want to do business with Gabby it will be 40%, I don’t trust her and I rather think that things will start to happen to her soon. Very risky doing business with her, I strongly suggest cancelling any thoughts of working with her.” “I will keep that in mind,” said Meinhard, “but I think you will find that Bjorn owns this territory and I doubt he will just let you have it.” “You can tell Bjorn that I will be around to talk with him about that this afternoon,” said Matt, “I think he will see things my way. Now, about my 30% for those 2 boys.”

“I don’t know what Bjorn will pay yet,” he said. “You know exactly what Bjorn will pay,” said Matt, “you agreed on a rather cheap price of $1,000, which leaves $300 for me.” “Only if I want your protector insurance, which I don’t,” said Meinhard, “I have my own insurance.” “Never know when you might need extra insurance,” said Matt, “you could get a flat tire far from town.” John then shot the front left tire and it went flat immediately. “See what I mean?” asked Matt, “now, about my $350.” “Hey, you said $300!” exclaimed Meinhard.

“The $50 is interest for late payment,” said Matt, now looking very stern and cold. “I don’t carry much money with me,” said Meinhard. “I’m sure you have $400 that you owe me,” said Matt. Meinhard realized this was not going well and decided to pay so he told Felix to get out there with the money. Felix stepped out of the SUV and took out his wallet and handed $400 to Matt. “Where is the rest?” asked Matt, “there are two kids, that makes $800.” Rock then came over and stood beside Felix.

Now Felix was not a big man and that made Rock look even bigger, so he took out another 400 and handed it to Matt. “Remember Meinhard,” said Matt, “if you want to do business with Bjorn or Gabby, you make sure to tell me first. Or you just might not live long enough to worry about the cost.” Matt and his Riders then got on their bikes and went back to town. Meinhard was furious that Matt knew it was $1,000 per boy, costing him $800. “Bjorn will pay that back to me!” he yelled, “and prices will be higher from now on. And nothing for Gabby!”

“She won’t like that boss,” said Felix, “she can get awful angry.” “So can I,” said Meinhard, “and I have a larger organization than she does now, so I am not afraid of her! Now, get out there and change that tire!” Meanwhile, at the castle, a helicopter landed on the lawn, but stayed longer this time. Cinnamon, Alizea, Kari and Kitty got off and they tried, unsuccessfully, to persuade me to go home where I could relax. “When I need to, then I will,” I said, “Samantha has not told me I have to go home, if she does, then I will.”

Samantha looked at me. “Uh huh, I would like to see that,” she said, with a tiny smile, “but so far he is okay. I would like Aasta to go back and rest a while, even though her wound has healed remarkably.” Kat had previously found and brought the two girls from their locked bedroom and they were with Jennifer and I. Jennifer then took them aboard the helicopter, invisible, then she came off and Aasta went on. The helicopter was just leaving as Meinhard drove up. We went back inside and up to our room. Kat and Angel were each leading teams through the passages beneath the castle, trying to find Gabby and her crew. This is where things start to get interesting…

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.