The Investigators, Inc. The Castle Mystery. Chapter 13. Strange Things.

I didn’t even really know what was going on as the men nearly dragged me down those stone stairs to the maze of passages below. Finally they came to a room where Gabby, Wellington and two other men were sitting. “Look at this,” said Max, “the head PI himself, but there seems to be something wrong with him, like maybe he is sick or something.” “Oh, great!” exclaimed Gabby, “I sure hope it is nothing contagious.” The men just dropped me on the floor. “Put him on the chair over there,” said Wellington. So a larger man named Frederick picked me up and sat me on the chair.

I looked around the room but still did not know where I was or what was happening. “Do I know you?” I asked, rather dazed. “No,” said Gabby, “but I know you Mr. PI.” “That is an odd name I have,” I said, talking like I was drugged, “what is my first name?” “You tell me,” grumbled Gabby. I frowned for a bit. “I, really don’t know what my name is,” I said, “do I live here?” “Don’t fool with me Steve,” she said, “or you will end up regretting it.” “He’s not fooling,” said Wellington, “he’s acting like he’s drugged. Maybe something that Bjorn did.”

“That would be like Bjorn to be so stupid,” she said, “drug the enemy so he doesn’t know anything and can’t give you information. That man never was smart.” “Someone getting close to us Gabby,” said Porter, “and moving this way fast.” “He probably has a tracker on him,” said Gabby, “we have to get out of here before we get trapped.” “What about him?” asked Max. “He will just slow us down,” said Gabby, “shoot him.” “That is too noisy Gabby,” said Wellington, “Frederick, take care of him and then follow us to the hideout.” “Will do,” he said. Two other men stayed with him.

“Don’t worry Mr. PI,” he said, “I’m very good at this, you will hardly feel a thing.” Soon the 3 men were running out of the tunnel maze. “Kat, I need you!” yelled Angel, and Kat was right there. “That is a bad wound Steve,” said Kat, “he used a big knife.” She then contacted Jennifer and she was in place as the three men came out of their tunnel. “You just made a very big mistake,” said Jennifer through tears, “and you will pay for it with your lives!” She then went into action, fighting the three men, using only her legs and feet. She was amazingly quick and she was careful just to hurt them, but not kill them.

She let them all get to their feet again, then she pointed to Frederick who was the largest man. “Now you will die!” she yelled. Frederick immediately fell to the ground, dead. The other two men were in shock. Jennifer then disappeared and reappeared behind the men. “Hey, wh, where did she go?” said one man. “Right behind you,” she replied, “we ghosts can do lots of things, like telling your friend to die, and you can’t kill me because I’m already dead!” Then her legs were moving so fast it was hard for the men to see them.

A second man now lay on the ground dead and the other was lying on the ground moaning, but still alive. “Where did Gabby go?” she asked, “Tell me and you are free to leave.” “She would kill me,” he whined. “Only if you go to where she is,” said Jennifer, “I would suggest going in the opposite direction.” He then told her where to find Gabby and the others. “Okay, leave,” she said, “but run! And don’t let me find you again!” He ran as fast as he could and he never did get in touch with Gabby. She then called Matt and told him what had happened and where to find Gabby.

“We will get her Jennifer,” he said, “now you get back with the other girls right away.” “I, can’t right now Matt,” she said, “I failed. Steve is dead because I failed to protect him, everyone knows that.” “Wrong Jennifer,” he said, “everyone knows you did the best you could and that is all that Steve ever expected of anyone. Now, you need to be with others, that is important, or this will eat at you too much. Remember, I’m a team leader, I’m giving you an order, with please attached.” “Okay, I’m on my way,” she said. However, she only made it half way and stopped. She then fell to her knees crying uncontrollably. Jewel, who was with her, cuddled close and purred loudly.

She also called for more cats to help. “I love you Steve!” Jennifer said loudly, “I love you!” Storm, Rascal and Midnight were soon around her as well, then Angel and Dawn arrived. They picked her up and walked with her to our bedroom. “We need you Jenny,” said Kat, “Steve needs you. You’re his only hope right now, he needs blood, your blood.” “But, that won’t work Kat,” she said, “you know it won’t work.” She looked at me lying on the bed and without thinking she said again, “I love you Steve, I really do love you. I know I shouldn’t, but I can’t help it. And I failed you, the man I love.”

Kat led her over to the bed and told her to lie down, which she did. Samantha had everything needed and hooked up Jennifer and I together. “This is what you do to complete things,” said Samantha to Kat, “I wish you would let me do it though, please.” Kat told everyone else to leave, except the cats, and Samantha. “Thank you Kat,” she said, “I won’t tell anything to anyone.”

Meanwhile, off in the countryside in some remote location. “She likes out of the way places,” said Matt, “we know she had 12 men with her when she left the castle, so be careful everyone.” “There may have been others waiting for her here too,” said Aari. “Thanks for being so cheerful Aari,” said Matt. “My pleasure,” said Aari. “Hey Matt,” said Rock, “how do we know if this stuff works? I can still see us.” “We can see ourselves,” said Matt, “but they can’t see us. I hope.” “Oh, that’s good to know,” said Rock. The place was an old, unused stone house, all on one level.

If Gabby was in there, she was not getting out, not alive anyway. “Thought I heard something out there,” said Max. “Maybe Frederick and his two friends finally caught up with us,” said Wellington. “You guys are just too jumpy,” said Gabby, shaking her head, “no one even knows we are here.” Suddenly there was a loud crash as Rock smashed his way through the large wood door! Matt and his team did not mess around with this crowd, they just shot Gabby’s men one after another until there was just Gabby and Wellington left.

“You made a very big mistake Gabby,” said Matt, “killing Steve was definitely not a smart move on your part. You should have known that would bring the whole team after you.” “But you’re a criminal gang,” she exclaimed, “why would you help those Investigators?” “Because Steve saved my daughter and I once,” he said, “so I owed him.” “You can’t just shoot us,” said Wellington, “that would be murder.” Matt and his team laughed.

“Do you really think that would bother me?” asked Matt, “Now, take your guns and leave, but you will be walking.” So they picked up their guns from the table and went out the front door and began to walk away. Harvey and Burk saw them and couldn’t believe their eyes. “They won’t get away with this,” said Burk. He and Harvey then shot, killing both Gabby and Wellington. Matt and the others then came out. “Guess I should have warned them about Harvey and Burk,” said Matt…

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.