The Investigators, Inc. The Stone House Mystery. Chapter 2. Cliff Compton.

Kat told Emberlyn not to make any hasty decisions that she might regret later. “There is no rush now that we are here,” said Kat, “we can easily protect ourselves, and you, from George. That is why we came, to help you deal with this matter. So, try to relax, you will not have to deal with George again by yourself.” “But, you can’t stay here forever,” she said, “even though that would be nice, and George will just wait until you leave and he will come back.”

“If we don’t have this taken care of before we leave,” continued Kat, “then we will let you know what to do.” That made Emberlyn feel better and the rest of the day they had a good time talking and laughing together. During dinner Kat called me to fill me in on everything that happened so far. “I think you should talk with that coroner quickly Steve,” she said, “just in case something happens to him.” “Yes, I will try to see him tomorrow if Mr. B can get me an appointment,” I said.

Baldwin had no problem setting up an appointment for me and I took Mac with me since he has a lot of knowledge about weapons and markings and such. I also had Sky and Jennifer along as well. We were talking with the coroner and he showed us photos that he took of the body and various markings he found on the body. One marking, though, did puzzle him and that was one on Thomas’s back. Thomas was a smaller man like myself, whereas George was a bigger man, 6 feet tall and 220 pounds, and he was strong.

Anyway, back to the photo. Mac looked at the photo of Thomas’s back and what looked like the outline of something. He then looked up something on his phone and showed it to the coroner. “Amazing,” he said, “you could very well be right, I just never thought of something like that. These markings on his back were made that same day and possibly at the same time he fell into that stream.” Mac showed me what he was talking about, just a simple garden tool, a shovel. The outline wasn’t complete on the body, nor was it very pronounced, but it was very real.

“This changes things completely,” I said, “someone could have hit Thomas on his back with a shovel, causing him to fall into the stream and hit his head on a rock, ending up face down in the water. That would then be murder, not an accident.” The coroner would now have to contact the police with this new information and they will want to reopen the case. Next stop for us would be Emberlyn’s house. We drove up in our limousine and got out and went around to the back of the house since we heard talking back there.

George and his wife, Alice, were there with Emberlyn and our girls. “Emberlyn,” said Cinnamon, “this is our boss, Steve, his wife Sky and her friend Jennifer, and this is Mac, Steve’s driver.” “I have the paperwork for you to sign,” I said to Emberlyn. I showed her the various places to sign and she began right away. George tried to get in close to see the papers while she was signing. “This does not concern you,” I said, “except one part, and I will explain that to you in a moment.”

“Look mister,” he said, “we are Emberlyn’s best friends and I want to make sure she doesn’t get scammed by some foreign dude.” He then proceeded to push me away so he could get in closer. Jennifer then kicked him, knocking him onto his back groaning. His wife just sat there staring at Jennifer and it was obvious she was angry. Emberlyn finished signing all the paperwork by the time George got back on his feet. “Now,” I said to George, “I want you to get off this property right now, and never come back here again without my express permission.”

“I don’t need to listen to you or any of your girlfriends either!” he bellowed. “Wrong,” I said, “I now own this property having just purchased it from Emberlyn. The paperwork has been signed and the money is in her bank account. Now, if you do not stay off this property, I will contact the police and I will also get a court order preventing you from coming here again.” “I want to see those papers!” he said loudly, “You are taking advantage of Emberlyn just because her husband just died. She isn’t thinking clearly! I’m the one who will contact the police!”

“That would certainly be interesting,” I said, “imagine, Cliff Compton running to the police for help.” He and Alice looked very surprised when I used his real name. “I’m a PI, Mr. Compton,” I said, “a good one, I do my homework.” “Look, I did my time,” he said, “now I’m a free man.” “Well, if you wish to stay that way,” I said, “then I would suggest you stay home from now on.” He walked past me but suddenly turned and was about to punch me, but his arm became paralyzed again. “My arm! What is happening to me?” he asked.

“Old age maybe,” said Mac, and he punched Cliff twice in the stomach causing Cliff to drop to his knees. When he got up, he and Alice began to walk away. “I’ll be back PI, you can count on it!” he said. “That would be a very bad decision for you,” I told him. Tracy, Cassie and Aoife followed them to the road and then watched to make sure they did indeed go home. But in about 10 minutes he went speeding past in his car heading toward town.

“That man has just gotten totally scary!” said Emberlyn, “I am sure glad all of you are here with me. Steve, you and your wife, plus your friends, can stay here too if the girls don’t mind sharing rooms.” So that is what we did. Although the nearest town is not very big, there is a larger one not too far away. That is where Matt and the Knight Riders are staying, in case they are needed here. Plus, the rest of the Wildcats are staying there as well until the four of us leave tomorrow, then they will come out here…

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.