The Investigators, Inc. The Inheritance Case. Chapter 1. Chloe’s Owner.

Time continues to move along and I am feeling better once again. Annelie still has a long way to go, however, but she can sit and walk around a bit now. She will be having her other hip replaced tomorrow. She thought that since she is in the clinic anyway, why not get it done and out of the way. Dr. Jorgenson agreed, and since she is well enough now to handle the surgery, he figured now is a good time. Jennifer, Angel and the Bad Girls are in the city shopping today, it was a girl’s day out so I had to stay home. Sigh.

Kat and the Wildcats are also in the city shopping and all of them will be meeting for lunch soon. At least, that was the original plan. But sometimes plans get changed, even when we don’t want them to change. This was one of those times. I was getting my massage from Beryan and Sky was with us and we were busy talking about different things, including some possible renovations to part of the chateau we haven’t done yet.

We might even add on a new section to the chateau, but make it follow the same interior design, so it doesn’t look out of place. Then something happened. “I sense trouble, but not close by,” I said, “that means the girls out shopping.” Sky communicated with Jennifer right away. “You are right Steve,” said Sky, “Chloe has been kidnapped by a woman named Elodie Arsenault.”

“Brook, I want to know everything about a woman from Quebec City, Canada, name of Elodie Arsenault,” I said, “and I want it in ten minutes please.” “Hey, I am not Annelie,” she reminded me, “I can do a short list in that time.” “That will work for now,” I said, “sorry about that Brook. Penny, help Brook please, I want the full life history of a woman, she has the name.” “I will be with her in a minute, maybe less,” she said. “Don’t trip on the stairs please,” I said.

“I made it, and no tripping at all,” she said laughing. “We are pursuing a small, white SUV,” said Jennifer, “they appear to be heading toward the airport.” “That would make sense,” I said, “they’re heading back to Canada and you have to stop them. I will send help.” “Thanks Steve, but everyone is too far away,” she said. “Maybe not,” I told her, “but keep following and stop them if you can.”

Then I called Kat, since she and her Wildcats were also in the city. “We’re trying to catch them now Steve,” she said. “They are heading for the airport,” I told her, “if that helps.” “It does, we are closer to the airport and can stop them there,” she said. “Good,” I said, “stop them whatever way you can.” Then I called Jennifer again. “Apparently this woman “owned” Chloe for a couple of years,” said Jennifer, “then she ran away and joined Sebastien’s gang.

That gave Chloe protection from Elodie. Now that Sebastien is gone, Elodie has decided to pick up her property again.” “But how did she find her over here?” I asked, “I mean, we don’t advertise the fact these girls came here.” “It can be as simple as someone seeing her shopping one day and selling that information to Elodie,” said Sky, “that is how I was found before, remember?” “Yes, I do,” I said, “it is something we have to deal with, I guess, we certainly can’t hide everyone that joins our team.

We wouldn’t have much of a team if we did. How come we didn’t know about this woman? Penny, I want the B file for Chloe please.” “Um, that file can only be accessed through Annelie,” said Penny, “or with the vote of at least 3 leaders physically present, or with…” “Yes, yes, I know all that Penny,” I said, “but we don’t have any of that right now and this is important.” “I still can’t access the file without Annelie’s fingerprint or her special password. I only have the regular password.” Sigh.

So, I called Annelie at the clinic and she informed me that it is against the rules to give the special password over the phone. It must be done in person. I wanted to scream. “Be daring Annelie, break the rules and give me the password,” I said. Then I told her what was going on. “Why didn’t you say so in the first place?” she asked. I guess being the leader doesn’t qualify as important anymore, I thought to myself. Sigh.

“Don’t write this down Steve,” she said, “just commit it to memory, then discard it.” “Okay, I won’t write it down,” I said, “so let’s get going.” She gave me the password and Sky wrote it down. “That’s kind of sneaky,” said Beryan. “Sometimes things need to be done,” I said, “but only by leaders, so please remember that.” “You can discard your memory now Steve,” said Sky, “that is what Annelie said to do.” Both Sky and Beryan ended up lying on the bed, they were laughing so hard about that. I didn’t find it very funny. Sigh.

I called Penny to give her the password. “The rules state that the password should only…”, she began. “I don’t want to hear anymore about the rules today, please and thank you,” I told her. “What is all the laughter about?” she asked. “Annelie told me to discard my brain after she gave me the password,” I said calmly. There must have been several of the girls in the library, considering all of the laughter down there. Sigh. Meanwhile, back to the chase in the city.

Kat and her Wildcats got to the airport first and blocked the entrance once the saw the SUV turning into the parking lot. One van was put in front of the SUV and the other right behind it. Kat put her hand on the driver’s window and shattered it. She then ordered everyone to get out. “Get out of the way or I will kill Chloe,” said Elodie. “Do that and we will kill all of you,” said Kat, “now, get out, I don’t think you wish to die just yet Elodie Arsenault.”

“How did you know my name?” she asked. “I got the name from Chloe just now,” said Kat, “I am a ghost, all Chloe had to do was think of your name and I was able to retrieve it from her.” Kat was standing beside the driver’s door and the lady driving suddenly opened it fast, hoping to hit Kat with it. But Kat disappeared. The driver jumped out with her gun ready, but Kat was nowhere to be found.

The Wildcats laughed and the driver suddenly yelled about her gun being hot, and she dropped it. Elodie did the same, screaming that her hand was burned by her gun. Kat, who was now sitting in the driver’s seat, grabbed Elodie’s arm and pulled hard, slamming the woman’s head against the steering wheel. Then she pulled Chloe across her lap and out the door to the waiting arms of Tracy and Kera.

Then Kat told the other 3 women to get out, but leave their guns inside or they would be shot. Kat then dragged a very groggy Elodie out the driver’s door and stood her against the SUV. Then the other girls showed up. They were late arriving due to being caught in heavy traffic because of an accident.

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.