The Investigators, Inc. The Mysterious Past Returns. Chapter 7. Hoffman.

Jennifer liked my idea to send Angel with Mr. B. (not ours, the other one), that way we can keep him safe. Plus we have men that Adamson hasn’t yet seen, so we can let Mr. B. have those. He also brought some of his own trusted men along after asking if that would be okay. I, meaning Jennifer, said that would be fine. Sometimes it’s better working with people you know. Mr. B., playing Matt’s brother and therefore another uncle for Cynthia, will be talking with Adamson at breakfast in the morning.

Mandar is going on a short trip to Germany to try and enlist the help of someone who doesn’t really like us very much. However, Mandar thought it would be a good idea after Cynthia and Jacquelyn gave us more information about Adamson. Seems his big organization is really a conglomerate of many organizations. Annelie, with help from Cynthia, was able to hack into Adamson’s records and print out copies for us.

It would appear that Adamson has been cheating his “friends”, and I am sure they would like to find out about that. Perhaps it will be easier to take down Adamson from within, rather than from without. We will see if these other organizations will believe these records or not. Jennifer will go along with Mandar on this trip since it is close by and they will not be gone long. We have enough girls here, and cats, to guard the girls and I, although Jennifer was still a bit reluctant to leave me.

Meanwhile, “Mr. Adamson, a bunch of them Investigators just left the chateau,” said Willard, “would you like us to move in now?” “No, not yet,” he said, “it could be a trap. Drive around and see if you can find them hiding out somewhere close by, but leave someone behind to watch the chateau. We will wait until after breakfast to attack them.”

Meanwhile, Mandar, Jennifer and two other bodyguards arrived at their destination and went inside. Mandar immediately went over to the table of a familiar foe, but was stopped before he sat down. “Check him,” said Hoffman. One of his men did so. “Nothing on him boss,” said the man, “want me to check the dames too?” Hoffman looked at the girls.

“No, it is quite obvious they couldn’t hide any weapons in those clothes,” he said, “now, you are a brave man to come back here again. What makes you think I will let you leave here this time?” “Well, I doubt you could stop us from leaving Hoffman,” said Mandar, “and I do have something important that might interest you. I am sure you know a Mr. Peter Adamson, you are basically working for him now.” “We are partners,” said Hoffman indignantly, “I work for no one.”

“Well, according to Adamson’s records you are listed as an employee. Now where did I put those papers?” “Right over here Daddy,” said Jennifer, and she pulled out a folder full of papers. “Ah yes, thank you my dear,” he said, and he slid the folder down the table to Hoffman. “Where did that come from?” asked Willard, “You didn’t have it when I checked you.” “Well of course I did,” said Mandar, “things like that don’t just appear out of thin air.”

Hoffman handed the papers to the man sitting beside him. “Yep, those are Adamson’s records,” he said, “and that is Adamson’s signature next to his treasurers signature. But things are not the way they should be. This is the money we have been getting, but it’s not what we should be getting.” “You should be getting more I presume,” said Mandar. “Yes, the deal was we get 60%, he gets 40%,” said Hoffman. “Well,” said Hoffman’s man, “according to this, Adamson is getting 65% and we are getting 35%.

He owes us a lot of money for the last 6 months.” “How did you get this Mandar?” asked Hoffman. “Well, sometimes things like that just kind of fall into my hands,” said Mandar, “and usually I will sell such information. However, this Adamson is trying to move into my territory, which I do not care for, so I am getting in touch with several other organizations, such as yours, to see if we can perhaps work together and kick out this Peter Adamson before he gets big enough to destroy each of us.

He is already doing this by starving money from those who have come under his “umbrella”, so to speak. Personally I think it is time we take back what we have worked hard to build. I have contacted the Knight Riders, the Western Raiders from America and a couple of others from America as well. They have all joined in on this idea when they discovered, as you just did, that Adamson was stealing from them.

Anyway, I will leave that with you and you may contact me at this number.” He then tossed a business card on the table. Hoffman ordered some dessert for Mandar and the girls which they thoroughly enjoyed. While Mandar was still eating, Jennifer whispered something to him. He then looked up just as their waitress was about to enter the gambling room. “One moment, my dear,” said Mandar, “Hoffman, how much do you want for that delightful young woman?”

Hoffman looked at the woman, then over to Jennifer, then back to Mandar. He then thought for a few moments. “I suppose I can let you have her for 10,000 euros, but no less,” he said. Mandar whispered to his two regular bodyguards and they went out to the car, returning in just a few minutes with the money. One of the girls handed the money to Hoffman. The woman being bought by Mandar was standing by Hoffman now, obviously very scared, not knowing what was happening.

“Go with him Kiara,” said Hoffman. She slowly walked over to Mandar. “Do you have anything you want to pick up my dear?” Mandar asked. She shook her head no. So, Mandar and girls got up and walked out, not looking back. They quickly got into the car and drove off, meeting the rest of their group not far away. The others were close by, just in case there was trouble with Hoffman. But, things went very nicely.

Mandar tried talking with the girl he had bought, but she just sat there, scared, not knowing what was going to happen. Jennifer spoke nicely to her and explained she had nothing to worry about, Mandar had just bought her freedom from Hoffman, nothing else. They would gladly take her wherever she wanted to go, or she can stay with them and she can then live with her and a bunch of other girls that work as private investigators, trying to help other people just like her.

The girl then pointed to herself, then to Jennifer and produced a weak smile. “Are you not able to talk?” Jennifer asked. Kiara shook her head, no. “Is it because of Hoffman?” asked Mandar. Kiara shook her head, yes. Apparently Hoffman has a new ‘ape’ that ‘teaches’ unruly girls how to behave. They arrived safely back at the chateau, but the rest of the team remained away, laying our trap for Adamson’s men. Morning arrived, Adamson had just sat down to enjoy his breakfast when Mr. B. came walking in…

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.