The Investigators, Inc. The Secret Vacation Case. Chapter 11. Ghosts and More Ghosts.

Further investigation into the life of Montana by Annelie has told us that she is very superstitious and she does believe that ghosts exist. That is perfect for us since we have 3 ghosts on our team and all are now with us. This time we even have a fourth “ghost”, which is my wife Sky, played by Angel and Crystal. Now Crystal is not one of the ghosts, but with the help of Kat, Jennifer and Angel, she will appear as a ghost just like them.

It should be noted that we are still not sure if our three “ghosts” are real ghosts, but they keep saying that they are anyway. Whatever the case, their antics should convince Montana that they are real ghosts, and that is what we want. I am even going to be nice to Trapper and give him the opportunity to get away alive. I hope he takes it. I don’t think he will change sides, but maybe he will change his ways if we let him escape.

After the others all left I decided to explain some things to Sigrid, especially since she heard both Kat and Jennifer referring to me as “husband”, though Jennifer doesn’t do it much, she usually calls me “my dearest Steve”. That confused Sigrid since she knew that Sky was my wife. “I was married to Kat,” I began, “until one day one of my enemies managed to penetrate onto the grounds of our chateau while we were all outside having a big picnic. He then shot and killed Kat.

She was confirmed dead and we buried her in our cemetery. It was a man named Toledo that killed her, a relative of Montana. But she came back to us 9 months later claiming to be Kat, but she was now a ghost. Before that happened, I had decided to marry Jennifer but she was also killed by Toledo and we buried her beside Kat. She likewise came back, somewhat after Kat, but also 9 months after she was killed. She also claims to be a ghost.

Then we found Angel about a year later, she had also been killed by Toledo. All three can disappear at will and none of them can be killed, or even hurt. They also have other abilities that differ from each other, so they compliment each other very well.” “Wow, I have never believed in ghosts,” she said, “maybe I will have to change that thought. What about Sky? Is she dead or will she survive?” “She is alive and back home, but she is under her doctor’s orders not to do anything strenuous for a while,” I said smiling, “Kat has an amazing ability to help with healing wounds, even serious wounds.

She brought me back to life once also.” “Um, I have wanted to ask,” began Sigrid, “would it be possible, I mean eventually, sometime, to maybe join your organization?” “I would like that very much Sigrid,” I said, “but you would have to pass our tests first, which includes weapons and fighting. Also, we don’t have loners on our team, we always work as a team, it’s safer for everyone that way.” “I can do that,” said Sigrid, “I guess it looked like I was a loner, but only because I didn’t have anyone on my side. I would love to be part of a team.”

Then she added, “I would probably make a good Wildcat!” “I was thinking that very same thing,” I said. “Guess I need to be older though,” she said, “since I’m only 18.” “Cynthia here just turned 17, Aasta is 18, Cheryl is 17, Acadia is 18, so you see,” I said, “we do have some younger members on our team as well.” “I never would have thought that Cynthia was 17, I figured she was in her mid 20s.” Cynthia giggled. “I had a bit of a tough life,” she said, “so guess I aged quicker than most.”

“Oh, I didn’t mean it like that!” said Sigrid, “I’m so sorry!” Cynthia hugged her. Now, back in town, I was right, Montana, Harder, Trapper and some men from Montana’s group had met at the restaurant that Harder seems to like so much. Suddenly Kat came bouncing inside doing flips, landing on Harder’s table and then flipping onto the floor beside Trapper. But when she landed, she was on each side of Trapper and the two Kat’s talked at the same time.

“Hi Mr. Trapper, nice to see you are still shaving,” they said, “you really do look handsome this way.” Then they each kissed a cheek. Trapper looked both ways and couldn’t believe what he was seeing. “Trapper, tell your girlfriends to leave, now,” said Montana. “You have some grumpy friends Mr. Trapper,” they said, “I don’t think I like her very much either.” “I don’t care what you two think!” exclaimed Montana. Then Jennifer disappeared. “There is only one of me,” said Kat, “I don’t think Mr. Trapper could handle two of me.”

She smiled at him and gave him a kiss. “I don’t think Montana wants you around right now Kat,” said Trapper, “maybe we can get together tomorrow.” “Oh Mr. Trapper,” said Kat, “I would love that.” Then she jumped over the table and landed beside Montana, or rather, on both sides of Montana. “I don’t like you Montana,” they said, “you are a very cruel woman and I’m telling you right now to get out of town. I am a ghost Montana so you don’t scare me one bit. All those men you have outside didn’t even see me walk right past them to come in here.”

“Mark!” Montana called, “check with the men outside and see if they saw these women come in here.” He went outside and came back in. “They didn’t see anyone come in here,” he reported. “You can’t see ghosts unless we want to be seen,” they said, “but there is only one of me.” Jennifer then disappeared right before Montana’s eyes which made her scream. “Ben,” said Harder, “toss this woman out and don’t be gentle about it.” “With pleasure Mr. Harder and he got up off his chair smiling at Kat. She went over to him.

“I think you are the ape that likes to punch little girls in the stomach to make them do bad things,” she said, “why not show your courage and punch me in the stomach. I dare you, unless you are too scared of little me.” “Okay girl,” he said, “have one.” He tried to punch her but his arm became paralyzed just before touching Kat’s stomach. “My arm,” he said, “what happened?” “You’re just too scared, you ape,” she said, “now let’s see how you like it.” She then kicked him in the stomach 3 times which made him sit down on the floor with a thud.

“Your days are over, you ape,” said Kat and she kicked him once more on the head. He groaned and fell over, dead. Then Trapper’s friend stood up and tried to shoot Kat, but Jennifer showed up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and she kicked him three times and he also fell to the floor, dead. “Mr. Trapper,” they said, “I like you, but you are mixed up with the wrong friends. I will give you a choice though, you and your men leave town tonight and we won’t hurt you. But if you stay, you will have to die with the others.”

Just then Sky appeared standing on the table, looking down at Harder. That made Montana scream again, but this time Harder screamed too. “Remember me Harder?” asked Sky, “You had your man kill me, right in front of my husband. This is where he shot me, right in my heart.” She turned around to show the hole in her shirt and all the blood. Then another Sky appeared beside Montana and she screamed again. “You scream a lot,” said Sky. Then all the Wildcats came bouncing in. “There you are Kat!” they said, “There was a bunch of men outside that didn’t want us to come in.

Some are now dead and the rest are taking a nap. Imagine grown men taking a nap this time of day.” They laughed and giggled and began jumping and flipping their way around the restaurant. Then Sky fell sideways off the table but lay suspended in the air. She then stood upright and there was one on each side of Montana and they stood there laughing and making faces at her.

“Don’t lose your head Montana,” said one and her head disappeared. The other started to rise off the floor then disappeared. The other one’s head returned and she said, “I will be back Harder to haunt you the rest of your life, which likely won’t be long!” She then laughed and disappeared. “Please take my advice Mr. Trapper,” said Kat. Then she and the Wildcats left…

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.