The Investigators, Inc. The Dangerous Prisoner Case. Chapter 11. Too Many Enemies.

Well, after our local police chief warned me to stay away from that stolen loot, I decided to heed his warning. I know at least that he is on our side and he could be right, someone might be looking to pin this theft on us. It would certainly be the proof this David Bergstrom wants to shut us down completely. We need a way to do this without any involvement on our part, or at least, very little. But why does this Bergstrom cop want to put us out of business? We have helped the police a lot, right from when Muffin and I were still on our own.

Hmm, I need to think things through carefully and I need some expert advice to help with that. I called Matt and Aari so the 3 of us could talk things over together. Aari had an idea and asked if I had a photo of this David Bergstrom. I said yes and sent it over to him. He showed the photo of Aaran, our new man from Mandar who has an amazing knowledge of all major crime organizations around the world. When Aaran saw the photo he just smiled and said he was a major crime boss, the head of a criminal organization that started in Norway, where this man was born and raised.

They now have chapters in Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Switzerland and Italy. “Their main base is now in Italy,” he said, “and they are trying to set up in Spain and Greece as well. He is a very dangerous man, not one to be taken lightly. Word has it that he is also a police officer somewhere, but I don’t know where.” Then Aari told him where that was and that he is after us, to shut us down and put me, and possibly others on our team, in prison. “He is in a position to cause a lot of trouble Aari,” said Aaran, “he has likely heard that The Investigators have helped to shut down other criminal organizations and he doesn’t want that to happen to his. The only way to stop that man would be to stop him.”

Aari called me back and told me what Aaran said. “He has the right idea Steve,” said Aari, “after all, you would be taking down a crime boss, not a cop. He could do a lot of harm where he is now.” “That is true,” I said, “but still, sending someone out to kill him seems a bit against what we do as investigators. I have been trying to think of ways to cause him problems without breaking the law, but that seems difficult too.” “Unless we can get another criminal organization to go after him,” said Matt, “perhaps even this Timothy or his former girlfriend Montana.”

“Hmm, you might have an idea with that one Matt. Let me check around a bit.” Matt then talked it over with his team so everyone would know what is happening. “Let me go after him Matt,” said Mac, “after all, that used to be my profession in another life.” “But if anyone saw you, it would be traced back to Steve,” said Aari, “what we need is a way to expose him for who he really is, then the police could deal with him.” “Won’t a picture be enough to show he is the leader of the Nordic Wolves?” asked Oskar. “Anyone could put a picture out and say he is the leader,” said Matt, “what we need is some solid proof that they can’t dispute.”

“Or take him out,” said Mac again. Meow.=Let cat kill bad man, not can’t put cat in prison. What they going to say in court, cat shoot man? Lawyer people and police look very silly to say that. All the guys just looked at Tiger. “Just might work,” said Aari, “although it would take some extra careful planning.” “That won’t stop the Nordic Wolves though,” said Aaran. “We don’t need to stop them,” said Matt, “we just need to stop their leader who is impersonating a cop. He is the one that can cause a lot of problems for us.

We need to find out where he lives and enlist the help of one other Kat. We certainly can’t let this guy destroy The Investigators, or put Steve in prison. We should also try to convince Steve that now would be a good time for his own vacation.” “That might be the hardest part of all,” said Aari, “but perhaps we can get his bodyguards, plus Samantha, to convince him it is in the best interest of The Investigators. Getting Muffin on our side would also be a big help.”

Meanwhile, I decided to get in touch with Mandar, but since someone may be watching me, it will be necessary to disappear from view. I first had Muffin call Tandi. Meowy meow!=Important message from Muffin, big trouble! “What is it my dear Tandi?” asked Mandar. Meowy meow!=Need call human Steve secret like, must have big talking time. Soon one of Mandar’s private helicopters had landed at our airport, the door opened and no one got off or on, but soon the helicopter was in the air again and flew around for about half an hour, then landed once more.

The door opened, though once again no one got on or off. The helicopter refueled and left. The door of a taxi opened, but took on no passengers, then it drove away. Soon it stopped at our chateau and Dawn came out to the taxi. She handed the driver his money, plus a generous tip. “Thanks so much Francois,” she said smiling. Then off he went. He was a trusted friend of ours and this was the best way to go so no one would follow us.

Meanwhile, “Good day, my good friend,” said Mandar, “sorry I had to leave in such a hurry the other day, but business calls, you know how it is.” “I am surprised you would call me again old man,” said Trapper, “I am busy too, what do you want?” “Well, I believe you are looking for a certain, uh, shall we say, treasure,” said Mandar, “for a mere $100,000 I can literally take you to the spot. Or at least, one of my Wildcats can do so. She happened to stumble upon this treasure, quite accidentally of course, and said she would take you there for that amount of money.”

A little more smooth Mandar talking and he had Trapper convinced. He met Kat at the designated spot and she took him to an old farm. “Hey, Kat girl, my men checked this spot already,” he said, “there is nothing here.” “Do you want this treasure or not?” asked Kat. “Okay Kat girl, lead the way,” he said. She took him down into an old, what we would call a root cellar. “Under those boxes,” she said. Trapper had his men move the boxes. “Now remove some dirt and you will find a door,” she said. They did so.

“Hey Trapper, there is a door down here,” said Tom. It just had a padlock on it which they quickly smashed off the door. They opened the door and went down more stairs. One of the men called up the stairs. “Trapper, it’s here, it really is here!” “Well, start hauling it up then,” he called back down, “okay Kat girl, this is your money.” One of his men handed her two briefcases and she thanked him as she went up the stairs, disappearing before she got to the top. As she walked away through the trees she pushed a button…

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.