The Investigators, Inc. The Castle Mystery. Chapter 12. Kidnapped.

When Meinhard came inside he was certainly fuming! He was constantly yelling at Bjorn because of what happened and told him if he wants more kids then it will cost him 3 times as much, plus he will have to pay Matt Knight the insurance money. “I don’t need insurance!” Bjorn yelled back, “If you want insurance then you pay him yourself. I can always go elsewhere to get some kids, and at cheaper prices.” “You tell that to that Knight guy,” said Meinhard, “he has a different way of doing things, which is his way or he just takes over and kicks you out. He will be here this afternoon, so have fun talking with him.”

Then there was a lot of noise outside and one of Meinhard’s men came in and told them the Knight Riders had arrived. “Great, they came early,” said Meinhard, “well, this should be interesting to watch you talk your way out of paying him.” Matt, Rock, Oskar, John and Mac came walking in. “In this castle, you knock before entering,” growled Bjorn, “now, what do you want with me?” “My name is Matt Knight,” he began, “I have now taken over this territory. If you wish to stay and continue your work here, that is fine with me, but you will need protector insurance.”

“I need no insurance of any kind,” said Bjorn, “I have my own, now get out, this is my territory and I’m not giving it up to you or anyone else.” “I like your firmness,” said Matt as he walked over to Bjorn. Once he was close enough he suddenly gave Bjorn a hard punch to his stomach, then a couple more punches which knocked Bjorn back onto his chair. Then Rock, Oskar, John and Mac went around the room smashing everything in sight, including paintings on the wall. Meinhard’s men were going to get involved, but he shook his head, no, so they stepped aside and watched.

Bjorn was watching, then quickly jumped up when Matt wasn’t looking, but John was right there and punched Bjorn in the back, then turned him around and punched him a couple more times. Then he pushed him back onto his chair. Bjorn was definitely not feeling well now. After the fun was over I came downstairs with some of the girls. I had called Angel back to help out with her team. Not that we needed help, but I wanted it to look good. “Well, what do we have here?” I asked.

“How is it that I keep meeting you wherever I go?” grumbled Matt, “Why don’t you just stay home where you belong and stay out of my way?” “I would gladly do that Matt,” I said, “but your criminal ways are what keeps bringing us together. Now I don’t like this Meinhard character, so I really don’t care what you do with him, but I have been hired by Bjorn to find his wife, and I don’t like interference.” “Too bad PI,” said Matt loudly, “if you take their side then you will find yourself in a lot of trouble this time.” “I am not taking sides,” I said, “I just don’t want you stopping my work or getting in my way.”

Then Clarence came in and said they got what they came for. “Okay, let’s go,” said Matt, then he turned to me, “just remember, I gave you fair warning!” Then they roared away on their motorcycles. “Hey boss,” said Felix, “they took the 2 kids.” “Why didn’t you stop them?!” yelled Meinhard. “Well, we were a bit outnumbered,” said Felix, “and they had some big guns.” “Matt always travels well equipped Meinhard,” I said, “you’re crazy to try and fight him, you will just lose. That goes for you too Bjorn.

You just saw a sampling of the men he has at his disposal. Either do things his way, or go elsewhere, that’s my advice.” “How come you’re not afraid of him?” asked Meinhard. “I have a large organization too,” I said smiling. We then went back upstairs and I just got back into our bedroom and started sweating and groaning. Jennifer ran into the bathroom to get some medication that Samantha had given me. Cathy and Kari were with me, but 4 men arrived through that secret door, shot the girls and took me off into that maze of passages.

Jennifer was back out quickly, but I was already gone and she did not know how to open that secret door. Using their secret way of talking she called Kat and told her what happened. She pressed the alarm for Samantha at the same time. She arrived quickly with four other girls. Soon all of the girls had arrived except for the ones with Kat. “Angel, time to have a serious talk with Bjorn,” said Jennifer. Angel took 6 girls with her and downstairs they went. Bjorn was in the kitchen drinking some coffee. “What do you ladies want now?” he asked, rather annoyed.

“Answers,” said Angel, “specific answers, not vague ones, since we do not have a lot of time. Your life expectancy will depend on your answers, remember that. Gabby’s men just managed to kidnap Steve and escaped because we did not know how to open that secret door in the bedroom. Now, tell us how to open it and saying you don’t know how will not be helpful.” She pointed her gun directly at his head. “There is a small painting beside that door, behind it a small rock, just give it a push,” he said, “but it’s dangerous going after Gabby down there, she has the advantage by knowing those passages, you don’t. Come with me to my office and I will show you something.”

They went and he handed them an old paper map which listed the passages. “I don’t know if it’s complete, or if it shows all of the traps,” he said, “but it’s all I have. In case you’re wondering, I don’t want Gabby to win.” They left him and went back up to our bedroom and showed Jennifer. She then contacted Kat and she thought it would be best for them to stay below and keep looking. Jennifer and the others opened the secret door and went down that way with the remaining cats.

Samantha and 4 other girls remained behind with Rascal and Jasmine and waited for the helicopter to pick up the 2 wounded girls. Sherry and Engla arrived in the helicopter to replace Cathy and Kari. Kristina and her team were now on alert to come if needed. Matt was also contacted so he would know what was happening. The fact I was having an attack right at the time of being kidnapped was definitely not a good thing…

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.