The Investigators, Inc. The Stone House Mystery. Chapter 13. Catherine.

It was a huge explosion, there were only pieces of burning wreckage that landed in the water below. “No one survived that explosion boss,” said Dietrich. “Good, now go back to that chateau and talk some sense into those people,” said Hoffman, “they will give up Liza quick enough now. I am quite sure Steve will still be there, he was just sending his family away to safety. No way they would all be on the same chopper.”

Meanwhile, we need to back up a bit to find out what is going on with Matt and the Knight Riders. They pulled up to the Red Raven, but the pub was dark. “It should be open by now,” said Matt, “that means they know we are coming.” He then called Aari. “Ann was tipped about us, and that means Cliff,” said Matt. “Right, we will deal with things here,” Aari replied. Aari walked over to the three men who were still sitting at the table.

“So, Cliff, you just had to tip Ann,” he said. “What are you talking about?” he asked, rather annoyed, “I’m just playing a game. “Yes, you are playing a game, a very dangerous game Cliff,” said Aari, “now, let me see the phone.” Cliff stood up, he was taller than Aari and quite muscular. “I have had it with you guys,” he said and he went for his gun. But Aari was much faster and shot three times. Cliff dropped back onto his chair and fell over onto the floor, dead. “You want to join him?” asked Aari.

They both gave him their phones and just sat still, saying nothing. Back at the Red Raven an odd item was shot, landing next to the security camera by the door and stuck to the wall. Another was shot next to the camera at the back door. “Our camera’s have quit working,” said a man, “guess they are getting ready to come in.” A small box was put on each door and with the press of a button both doors blasted open. Then some surprise packages were tossed inside causing more explosions and killing 2 men at both doors who had been put there to shoot anyone entering.

Ann’s idea didn’t work so good. Matt and his Riders came in the front door while Kristina and her team came in the back. There were 3 more men in the pub that the Riders eliminated rather quickly. Kristina and her team went upstairs and came down with two men who had surrendered. They had also killed two other men. Ann’s gang was getting smaller all the time. Matt then tried to ask these two men some questions, but they were not cooperating, so he called Bear over to help.

“They need some help remembering things Bear,” he said, “have some fun.” The one man’s eyes got big as Bear came over to him smiling. He picked the man up off his chair and off the floor too, holding him tight by his two arms, and then squeezing him. The man turned quite red and Bear dropped him. “Now maybe I break some bones,” he said, “I love to hear the sound of breaking bones. But it looks like you have a sore stomach.” He punched the man in the stomach causing him to fall to his knees groaning.

The other man was bigger than the first, but still not close to the size of Bear. Bear was 6 foot 5 inches tall and 300 pounds, and all muscle. “What about you?” Bear said to the other man. “I ain’t afraid of nobody!” he growled. “Oh, a tough guy,” said Bear, “okay, hit me hard as you like.” The man took a quick swing at Bear, hitting his right cheek. Bear’s head never moved, he just stood there and laughed. He then grabbed the man’s left arm and there was a loud crack! The man screamed in pain.

“Now maybe you tell us some things, okay?” he asked. He looked at the first man again. “You like the sound of breaking bones too?” he asked. “No, wait, I’ll talk!” he exclaimed. He told them where Ann went so Matt called Kat. Apparently she owned a nice cottage down the road past where Cliff lived. Angel was with Kat’s team now, so her and Kat went to visit Ann. As they drove up to the nice, well kept cottage, they spotted someone looking out the window. “A man,” said Angel.

He watched as the two front doors opened and closed, but no one got out. “Guess they changed their minds,” he said to Ann. “I don’t trust them,” she said, “something isn’t right.” Suddenly the front door blasted open and both Ann and 2 men shot, but no one was there. Then Kat and Angel appeared right in front of the two men and they began kicking. The two men were very soon lying on the floor dead. Ann tried to shoot, but her gun just would not work.

“You cannot shoot a ghost,” said Kat smiling, “we are already dead and you can’t kill someone who is dead.” Kat just gave one good kick to Ann’s head and she fell to the floor, dead. They then looked around the cottage briefly, but found nothing worthwhile. Back at Emberlyn’s, Annelie had called Cinnamon. “You were right,” she said, “it’s a match.” Now Cinnamon didn’t feel quite so bad about Emberlyn being a traitor. Cinnamon was in the kitchen and she peeked into the living room where Emberlyn was sitting, talking with a couple of the girls.

“Catherine, could you help me please?” asked Cinnamon. “Sure thing,” said Emberlyn and stood up. Then she suddenly realized what had just happened. Cinnamon came into the room. “The other night when I asked about your twin sister Catherine,” she began, “you mentioned she had disappeared about a year ago without a trace. She was visiting you about a year ago, only it was you visiting Emberlyn. You then killed her and took her place when you found out about all the money hidden in this old house.

You talked Thomas into helping you get rid of her body and you would help him get the money, then you would both disappear to live happily ever after. But you got greedy and killed Thomas, however, Cliff saw you do it, but he gave you an alibi and you promised to share the money with him and the two of you would go on a world cruise together. Then you would push him overboard along the way and be a wealthy widow.

That is something else I remembered about Catherine, she loved to keep a diary and Emberlyn never could see the point in diaries. But there are some things you should never write down in your diary Catherine. Oh, the DNA of that dead woman matches your DNA. You will be in prison a long time Catherine. I feel sorry for your real husband and two little kids over in Canada though.”

The police were called and she was taken into custody. The girls had never told Catherine, but the day before they had found the money and they handed that over to the police as well, along with the remainder of the case. The job of our team was done, it was time to pack up and head home. There was, however, still one little matter to clear up…

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.