The Investigators, Inc. The Stone House Mystery. Chapter 6. Melissa.

Melissa was a wealth of information about that little gang, which she found out was bigger than their main gang in Canada knew about. One of the reasons she was sent over here, her boss figured something was going on over here that she was not being told about. And that this gang was keeping back more money than they should have since they were making more than reported. There was about to be a big explosion over this but that is when the police moved in and put an end to this gang. Or so they thought.

I think Ann likely kept things going, but low key, so she would not be caught. She was just waiting for the others to get out of prison and then they would take control again. Melissa told us they had two men that were excellent snipers. That is how we lost Kari. It is important to know the enemy in order to defeat the enemy and not be defeated. We have lost too many already. I have sent Jennifer and Galyna by helicopter to pick up Hope, losing Harvey is going to be hard on her.

They will bring her back right away and leave Ginnifer to replace her. Ginnifer, Kitty, Marlena, Cathy and Roxette have been practicing to be replacement Wildcats, in case any of them are killed. I called Kat, Kristina and Matt to give them the information that Melissa gave me. I also sent old and new photos of the hit men that gang had used before, and likely still use if they are still alive. Mac knew both of them, I thought he would, and that will help us deal with those two immediately.

I wanted them to try and find out if any of the old contacts are still in touch with this gang, and also try to find the remaining gang and disperse, or eliminate, them. The next day Cliff arrived in the larger town so Kristina and her girls began to tail him, quite openly, so he would know that we are watching. He stopped in front of a pub and Kristina parked right behind him. He went to the door and knocked, all the while looking back at the van Kristina was driving.

She had 3 other girls with her for added safety, though our vans are strongly armored vehicles, with bullet proof glass. A man let him inside and briefly looked at the van, just long enough for Astrid to get a nice photo, which she sent back to Annelie. “Interesting man, Steve,” she said, “involved in selling drugs and guns of all kinds. Arrested twice but not convicted of anything due to lack of evidence. Also thought to be involved in luring young girls into the sex trade, but no evidence once again.

He is also involved in illegal gambling for which he spent 18 months in jail. People generally go to him if they need any “specialty” help.” “Hmm, that could be why Cliff is there,” I said, “send the information to everyone. Matt, are you available?” “I’m here Steve,” he said, “just got the information from Annelie.” “Good, I want you to visit this man tonight,” I said, “and try to convince him that being friends with Ann is dangerous business. We need to go on the offensive before we lose any more of our team.

Also, I want Mac to visit the two hit men today if you can find them.” “We’ll find them if they are in town Steve,” said Matt, “and we will impress upon them that now would be a good time to take a vacation.” “Thanks Matt,” I said. It was another hot day, so that meant another day off for those of us at home right now. The girls were at the pool again, I was in the library with Sky and Annelie, plus my four bodyguards.

However, about an hour later Melissa went walking past into the kitchen, so I called out to her to bring me some cold water. It was only a few minutes and she came in with my water and a cup of tea. “Oh, can you get me some tea as well?” I asked. “Okay, since you asked nicely, I will,” she said, and off she went. She came right back with a cup of tea for me too.

“There’s lots made already,” she said, “that’s why I’m back so fast, and I brought you a donut so I wouldn’t have to make another trip because I know you would ask me after seeing me come back with a donut for myself and (she looked around the empty room) why are you alone in here again Steve when you should have learned from yesterday that you shouldn’t be alone and even Sky said that or don’t you remember what she said after I said the same thing and there NEEDS to be 4 bodyguards right now

because Jennifer won’t be back for another hour and remember I told you that if you don’t obey the rules then we girls will start not obeying the rules too and I will show you what will happen when we start to disobey the rules only this time I won’t stop no matter who shows up in this room since I am going to be a real rebel today just so I can prove a point even if it gets me demerit points!”

Then she sat on my lap again and began to kiss me. “Oh dear,” said Sky, “I always seem to interrupt you two, um, do you mind if I sit here and enjoy my tea?” “Um, I was just trying to prove a point to Steve, since he was being a rebel again today and so I told him what would happen if he was a rebel that it would make us girls want to be rebels too and, and,” she said, and stopped. She looked around the room. “Where did they come from?” she asked about my four bodyguards.

“They came in with Sky,” I said, “but they were only out of the room for about 5 minutes while Sky talked with them. While they were gone Storm, Jewel, Ginger and Midnight were in here guarding me, plus our new electronic door, which won’t let any unauthorized persons into the library, was on and working perfectly.” I smiled at her. “Good thing I’m not allowed to slap you,” she said, smiling back. “You have my permission to slap him as hard as you can,” said Sky, “or I will do it.”

“I pick Melissa,” I said, knowing how hard Sky can slap. I’m sure that slap could be heard by the girls out at the pool. Everyone in the library was laughing, even the cats were rolling on the floor laughing. Oh well, it is kind of nice when we can have these lighter moments around here, it doesn’t happen very often. And right now, we really need it.

Meanwhile, back in England a man returned to his hotel room, tossed his keys on the bed and felt a knife in his back. Then a hand reached around and took his gun, tossing it on the bed too. “Sit down in that chair, Lester,” said a deep voice, and the man went to do so. “Wait,” said the voice, and he removed a knife down the man’s neck, “something new for you Lester, now, the leg.” The man sat and removed another knife from under his pants leg. Lester kept looking at the man with the deep voice, then his eyes got big. “Carver!” he exclaimed, “I heard you were dead.”

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.