Steve`s Country
For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
The Investigators, Inc. The Stone House Mystery. Chapter 14. Loose Ends.
It was a busy evening at Hoffman’s establishment when a well dressed, middle aged man came in with 2 young women. They went through the metal detector and x-ray safely and walked over to a table where Hoffman was sitting with 3 of his men. “Mr. Hoffman,” said the man, “I think we need to have a little talk, right here would be fine.” “Who are you?” asked one of Hoffman’s men.
“I did not address you sir,” said the man, “may I join you Mr. Hoffman, we do have some things to discuss and you will want to do so, starting with this little thing.” He tossed the USB stick over to Hoffman. He looked at it and recognized it was his right away. He then told the man at the opposite end of his table to leave and finish eating at the bar, but to bring two more chairs over first. He did so right away. A very pleasant waitress came over to see if the new guests would like something.
“Do you have any desserts?” asked the man. “We have some very delicious cake,” she said pleasantly. “Very good, two pieces for me and one each for these delightful ladies with me,” he said. She smiled and left. “A very interesting little device Mr. Hoffman,” said the man, “with no less than 108 of your contacts listed on it, which my people are picking up as we speak. Some may escape me, but not many, I assure you.
This was given to me by one of my employees, shall we say, and he got it from one of your former employees.” “You’re a brave man,” said Weller, “how do you know we’ll let you leave here?” “It has nothing to do with bravery,” my dear man, “and I do not take chances. I make sure that I can win something before I begin anything.” He gave a short whistle and nearly half the people in the room stood up briefly, then sat down again.
“My people,” said the man, “and they have their guns with them, just as we have.” He showed his gun and the girls showed theirs. “A company of mine developed a special fabric that hides weapons, no matter how sophisticated the machinery is for detecting them,” he said, “it comes in very handy.” “Now, Mr. Hoffman, my name is Mandar,” he said, “no last name, just Mandar. You have made a very foolish move by backing a woman, named Ann, in England.
She ordered the killing of a Wildcat, a group of special young ladies that work for me. I do not like when someone kills one of my Wildcats. She also had a man killed who was part of another group, of men, called the Knight Riders, who also work for me. Since you back this woman, who is now dead, that makes you partly responsible. Then there was the deliberate order you gave to shoot down a certain helicopter which had another employee of man, plus his wife and children.
Your man Dietrich told me that. He and his 3 friends, plus the remaining 3 from Ann’s gang will be spending a long time in prison.” Just then Kat and her Wildcats came in the door, bouncing and flipping over and over until Kat landed on the table where the men were talking. “Hey Daddy!” said Kat happily, as she jumped down beside him, giving him a kiss on the cheek, “Did you miss me Daddy?” “I always miss you my dear Kat,” he said, “so nice to see you again.”
When Kat and her Wildcats come in like this, they always talk like younger girls that are just fooling around, giggling, and having some fun. It kind of takes people off guard, making them think these kids are no trouble to deal with. “Who are your friends Daddy?” asked Kat. “This is Mr. Hoffman and a couple of his bodyguards,” said Mandar. “Oh, Mr. Hoffman, I don’t think I like you very much,” she said as she walked over to him, “you are a very bad man. Hey everyone, look at Mr. Hoffman here, he likes to kill young girls!”
The whole room went quiet. At this point the bartenders were getting ready to pull out some weapons, but 3 of the Wildcats leaped over the bar attacking the 3 men and subduing them quickly. “Wow, look at this cannon,” said Tracy, “wonder if it works?” She shot at one of the chandeliers shattering it over the tables below. “Hmm, works good,” she said giggling. The people were terrified now! Mandar then told them they should leave and they all did so rather fast.
Then a sturdy wood door began to slowly open and Tracy shot the door causing it to swing open a little faster. Then the Wildcats went bouncing into the gambling room with guns out. “Very delicious cake indeed,” said Mandar to the waitress when she came back with his bill, “is it made here?” “No sir, we get our desserts from a wonderful bakery down the street,” said the waitress, still so pleasant. She handed the bill to Mandar. All that was on it was a plea for help.
“There will be no charge for this gentleman, Milena,” said Hoffman. “Yes sir,” and she took the bill back from Mandar. “Please come back quickly my dear,” said Mandar. One of his bodyguards got up to follow Milena and motioned for Tracy to come as well. They soon returned with Milena who now had her jacket on. “I am quitting Mr. Hoffman,” she said, “I am so sore that I can barely stand.” At that moment Kat and her Wildcats came out of the gambling room. “Look at all the money those people kindly donated to the Wildcat fund,” said Kat smiling.
The girls held up several large bags full of cash. “Thank you for your donation too, Mr. Hoffman,” she added, “it will help for burying one of my Wildcats. But I still don’t like you very much.” Then Mandar’s men went in the gambling room and demolished it and they did the same when they came out to the dining room. Then they went to the kitchen for more fun. Meanwhile the Wildcats smashed the liquor bottles, glasses, mirrors, anything that would break, including the remaining three chandeliers.
“I shall consider the matter closed now Mr. Hoffman,” said Mandar, “do not try to open the matter again. Remember, I have given you your life.” Back home at the chateau. “You lost my brand new pilotless helicopter?” asked Baldwin, “Do you know how much that thing cost me Steve?” “Well, it was for a good cause,” I said, “and at least no one was hurt.” Poor Baldwin just sighed and began eating his second piece of cake.
“Where did you get such delicious cake Mandar?” asked Sky. “Well there was this wonderful little bakery back in Germany that has now relocated to London with a much larger bakery,” he said, “and you should taste their amazing strawberry pie!” “Please bring some the next time you come to visit please!” exclaimed Sky. Well, our case is solved and closed once again.
We have two new girls added to our growing family, Liza and Milena, though Liza is not her real name, it is just what she told Hoffman. Her real name is Valentina, which is what we shall use from now on. Now we need some relaxing time before our next case comes along, but I wonder if we will get it? I guess we will find out.
The End. But a new case will be coming shortly.
©2024 Steve McLeod.
Steve`s Country 
Mandar does things with elegance and charm, while annihilating the competition. Hoffman did not jknow what was coming. The Wildats and Kat put on a show that would not be forgotten, while eating cake. A second girl got freed from sexual trafficking and Hoffman wasn’t able to stop it. Glad for the explanation of the pilotless self driving helicopter that was shot down.
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