The Investigators, Inc. The Black House Mystery. Chapter 1. Theresa.

Well, we have finally moved into our new chateau and everyone loves it. We have so much more space than our last chateau, but this one is twice the size of our last one. We have had a lot of nice, free time to work on our new place too. No new cases have come along, which is great, we needed some time to ourselves. Working on this new chateau didn’t seem like work at all, it was more of a vacation for us.

And today is a big day here, Cricket will officially have her new identity legalized and she then officially becomes my younger sister. Cricket has been so excited about that and has been anxiously waiting for everything to get done. For some reason she is very excited about becoming my sister. But for her, she is starting over in a new family and with a brother who truly loves her, something she has always wanted. And today she also gets her new name, though I have told her we can change it if she doesn’t like it.

“Okay,” said Cricket, “today is the day, what is my name?” Her blue eyes sparkled and her large smile made her whole face radiant and glowing with joy. Jennifer handed me an envelope and I took out Cricket’s new birth certificate and handed it to her. She took it carefully and looked at the name. “Katresa”, she said. “It has more than one meaning,” I said, “but something like this, Pure, Beautiful, Strong, bringing joy to others”.

“I LOVE IT!” she said and threw herself on me, nearly knocking me off my feet. “Except, I’m not pure,” she began. I put my fingers on her mouth. “Today you begin your new identity,” I said, “Linda (her old name) no longer exists. Beginning today you are Katresa, so, yes, you are. Also, starting today, we no longer use the name Cricket, even though I like it, but others know you by that name and to keep you safe we must stop using it.”

“That’s okay with me big brother,” she said, smiling through tears, “and now that I’m your sister I can kiss you as much as I want, because that’s how I do things.” And she did. “I hope my sister-in-law doesn’t mind that,” she added. Jennifer giggled. “Hey, he’s your brother, have fun,” she replied. I can see where I won’t get much help from Jennifer. Sigh. We had a huge birthday cake, with one candle on it and Jennifer cut it into equal pieces for everyone. “What’s this little thing?” asked Rock.

“That, dear Rock, is your piece of birthday cake,” said Jennifer. “That’s barely more than one bite,” he whined. But he certainly ate it quickly before anyone had a chance to take it from him. We all had a great time and our big guys were showing off with feat’s of strength that wowed everyone. Finally we were all tired enough so we went off to bed. The next day a phone call came through and Annelie answered it. “Rock, it’s your sister Theresa,” she said, so he took the call.

Most of us were just sitting down to breakfast when he got this call and suddenly he yelled so loud it was scary. I went running into the library, along with everyone else and Rock was on his knees on the floor, crying. Annelie was now talking with Theresa. I could get nothing from Rock so we just had to wait. All I could do was stand there with my arm around Rock’s shoulders trying to comfort him. All he kept saying was, “He’s dead, he’s dead!”

Finally Annelie finished the call and told us what was happening. Apparently Theresa bid on a house that was being auctioned, a large, old house painted completely black. The house was out of town a short distance, which is what she wanted since she liked being more in the country, yet close to town where she worked. But, someone else bid on the house too, however, their bid was too low so Theresa got the house.

The other group that bid on the house was a gang called the Black Jackets and they wanted that black house. So, they kept up some pressure on her but she kept refusing. Then yesterday Rock and Theresa’s parents were visiting when this gang showed up again. Now, Rock’s dad is about the size of Rock and when this gang showed up he just bluntly told them to leave right then and not to come back. He tried to block the doorway but one of the gang members pulled a gun and shot him in the head, killing him instantly.

Then they went inside and began smashing everything in sight while Theresa and her mom hid upstairs and called the police. The gang left when they heard the sirens. Theresa called to ask for help. I called Matt and told him what happened and said to get ready to leave right away. He would go as the Knight Riders, adding Paul and his men to his team. I would also send Team S2 but they would stay away unless needed. “Kat, I want you and your Wildcats to go along as well,” I told her, “but you will stay away unless I tell you to get involved.

I also want Angel to go with you since that house is supposed to be haunted. We will fight ghosts with ghosts if necessary.” “Will we have our motorcycles or vans on this one?” she asked. “Matt and his Knight Riders will be using their motorcycles, so we will have vans ready for you to use. Hopefully our tank vans if Mr. B. can arrange to have them ready in time for you.” “They will be ready Steve,” said Baldwin, “make sure to crush that little gang quickly.”

“That will be done Mr. B.” I said, “but they may be associated with a larger organization. I will get Annelie to check on that right away.” Team S2 and the Wildcats will be staying in a city less than an hour away from the town where Theresa lives. Theresa is renting the house she lives in right now, but after what happened, the landlord wants her out right away. He’s afraid the gang might damage his house, or even burn it down.

Fortunately the house she bought is in excellent condition, so she can move in immediately. So, her mom will be staying to help with the packing and moving. That part is not a good thing. But the guys will arrive there today so they can take care of the moving part, and also protection. The Black Jackets are a small local gang with 18 members, but they are associated with a larger state gang. Annelie shared the information with everyone involved in going.

Meanwhile, somewhere else, “Find Cricket for us,” he said, “and we want her in good condition, she is worth a lot of money to us.” “That will cost you,” said another man. “Half now and the rest when you bring her to us,” said the first man. “Fair enough,” said the man, “you will have her within the week.” Now, back to us. “Something is not right Jennifer,” I said, “I can sense it, and it has to do with Katresa.”

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.