The Investigators, Inc. Case of the Kidnapped Family. Chapter 5. Strange Things.

Posted on March 9, 2025 by

115 Comments

Sometimes we have learned that strange things happen, and at the oddest of times. While we were down in the lounge talking to Warren Clarke, something happened upstairs in the room next to ours. That is where Angel, and some of the other girls and cats, were guarding Emerald. There was a quiet knock on the door, so Angel asked Suzette to answer it.

When she opened the door it suddenly flew open and the young woman who worked at the front desk was literally thrown to the floor and 3 men entered, closing the door after them. They said nothing, just began shooting at Angel who was standing in front of Emerald. But the men stopped shooting and tossed their guns onto the floor, yelling that they were burning hot!

“Attack!”, yelled Angel. The other girls jumped into action and so did the cats. The girls were doing just fine in the fight, but the cats decided to end it and four times that familiar sound was heard, “Thwock!” All three men lay on the floor, dead. Then the girls went to the young woman to check on her. She was alive, but beaten badly. We were just arriving at our room when Angel communicated with us and we were soon in their room checking on things.

As I turned one man over I heard Emerald gasping behind me. She was pointing at the man I had turned over. “That tattoo!” she exclaimed, “Those are Mr. Clarke’s men!” She didn’t know we had just been talking with him in the lounge. Each of the men had the same tattoo on their right arm. Poor Emerald was terrified seeing this and couldn’t even speak for a few minutes.

Melanie and Jennifer were trying to calm her down and reassure her that she was safe with us, and no one was going to harm her while she stayed with us. Lily, our new nurse and good friend of Sienna, was with us on this case and she quickly came to the room when I called her. “She should probably go to an ER and see a doctor,” said Lily, “but she is going to need protection too.”

“Yes, a lot of protection,” I admitted, “and we can’t afford to spread ourselves too thin, not knowing what we are up against. Let Kat take a look, then we will decide what to do.” “What do we tell the manager?” asked Sky. “Nothing,” I answered, “he will want to call the police and we don’t want them involved just yet. Some just might be on Clarke’s payroll.

Clarke lied to us and deliberately tried to kill Emerald by luring us away from her. Emerald, you must be a very important woman, are you willing to help us destroy these people so they will stop hurting other people?” “I’ll do whatever you want,” she said, “but I really don’t know how I can help. I was just a secretary for Mr. Cairns.”

“Well, that means you know a lot of information about him and his business,” I said, “and that information can be a huge help to us. I imagine you also know something about this Warren Clarke too. Just tell us what you know and I promise we will keep you safe.” “I admit,” she began, “you people kind of make me scared too, I mean, those men shot at Angel and she wasn’t hurt. But…I still trust you as well. There is just something about all of you.

Please don’t be mad at me when I say I’m scared of you…but there are some strange things.” I smiled at her. “We would never be mad at you for that,” I said, “we understand, and I will try to explain some things to you. I can’t tell you everything right now, but if you stay with us later, then I will explain everything fully. Fair enough?” “Yes, fair enough,” she said, smiling in return.

“What shall we do with these men?” asked Sky. “We will return them to their owner after breakfast,” I said, “along with a note, since I doubt he will be awake that early. He made a big mistake and we are going to let him know that. We are also going to set a trap for whoever likes to follow us.” Kat did wonders for that young woman from the front desk and we offered to protect her right now too and she gladly said yes to our offer.

She didn’t want to go to the hospital either, she was afraid those men, or their friends, would find her and kill her. She is single and lives alone, so that helps for protecting her. She does have family, but not here, they live in N. Carolina. She just moved here about 6 months ago and hasn’t made any friends yet, which is also good.

The remainder of the night was quiet and we all slept well, even if not for very long. We had a nice breakfast, then loaded the three men’s bodies into one of our vans and off we went. Handy being able to haul them out invisibly, and we had our own big guys carry those bodies out. Aari and his team are here, made a little larger with Mandar’s Team 2, which are all men.

I’m glad Mandar allowed us to use his Team 2, since our guys team is rather small now. They have a new name now as well, it was kind of necessary to change it. Now it is simply called Jensen’s Jaguars, since Aari’s last name is Jensen. Emerald told us where Clarke lived and we went there first. Rock and Bear carried the bodies up to the front door, invisibly, then they came back to the van and drove away.

Kat remained and rang the doorbell and one of the servants, a man, came to answer. He opened the door and Kat gave him a backhanded slap, then dropped an envelope in front of him and left. He looked at the bodies, picked up the envelope and closed the door. Kat returned and we drove away. Next we go to visit Martin again and he better be more talkative this time…

To Be Continued.

©2025 Steve McLeod.

Category: Adventure, Danger, Fiction, Mystery, Story, Strange Happenings, Suspense, UncategorizedTags: , , , , , , , , , ,

115 Comments on “The Investigators, Inc. Case of the Kidnapped Family. Chapter 5. Strange Things.”

  1. It is expected that you would not be attacked on only one front. Another attack is coming soon. Warren Clarke is related closely to Carins. Emerald knows him. You are fighting an octopus with many tentacles. Where will the next attack happen? This organization wants to destroy you by any means. The cats and Angel saved Emerald but who will they also try to kill? The bodies returned to Clarke with the letter is outright war. Will you stay in the same hotel or move?

    You are going to have to outsmart all of them. Will Martin cooperate with you? It is doubtful unless he sees something to his advantage. Your best advantage is Emerald and you need all the information she can give you. The hotel clerk may have a subtle clue. Time is of the essence, with no time for games.

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    • Yes, it seems that being attacked by more than one adversary is becoming the norm for us and we now expect it. Which is why I left Angel to protect Emerald. Cairns is a puppet and not terribly dangerous. He could be, but I doubt he has the ability for strategy. However, Clarke is a different story, he will be our biggest danger on this case. That is why we needed to be tough with him right away and let him know he can’t just walk over us. Perhaps an act of war, but Clarke started the war by attacking us. We responded in a way that he can understand, though admittedly, he will not like it and it could bring a stronger attack from him next time.

      We will move to a different hotel, though I’m sure Clarke will find us again anyway. Yes, we will need to plan our moves carefully to outsmart our new enemies. Hopefully Martin will cooperate, but yes, we might have to make it worthwhile for him. Emerald is very important right now and I’m sure she can help us more than she realizes. The hotel clerk may not be able to help much. Yes, we need to move quickly, Amanda, if she is alive, and her kids are in more danger now that everyone knows we are looking for them. 🤔👩😼👻🦁🕵️‍♂️

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      • Cairns does not get respect because he is not trusted. Clarke puts terror in his opponents. He thinks he is invincible but this will be his downfall.
        Martin needs to cooperate for his own good but he is oblivious to the danger he is in. He is narcissistic and only thinks of himself.

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      • Yes, no one trusts Cairns, not even those who work for him. Hard to have a good organization of any kind like that. But we still don’t know what the relationship is between him and Clarke, the two are certainly different and it’s hard to imagine why Clarke would want Cairns in his organization. Yes, Martin definitely doesn’t know or understand the danger he is in and he certainly doesn’t care about his family, only himself. I don’t think Cairns or Clarke will let him live much longer, so we need to get information from him quickly.🤔🕵️‍♂️

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      • Yes, Martin has an expiration rapidly approaching on his life. Cairns and Clarke are both have hard hearts and get rif those who are not an asset to them. What is Caitns and Clarke’s connection besides the letter C in their names? Perhaps it is the desire to rule and area and to be feared? They may feed off of each other,

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      • Yes, Martin’s life expectancy is short, unless there is a particular reason they want to keep him alive. It is amazing they haven’t killed him yet.

        Yes, there is a connection between Cairns and Clarke, we need to find out what it is. They are much the same, but they go about things differently. Clarke is more levelheaded, he plans things out first. Cairns does things hastily, without thinking. Both are definitely hard men and don’t care who they hurt. Emerald is important to both of them, we need to know why.🤔🕵️‍♂️

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      • Emerald has important information. You can get more useful information from her than from Martin. Spend your time with her so you get better results.

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      • Yes, you are probably right. Emerald knows something and Clarke is afraid she will talk. She likely doesn’t know she even has this information, so we need to get it from her with the right questions.🤔🕵️‍♂️

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  2. I knew Clarke was involved somehow! He just might be the guy that’s making the movies of kids and distributing them! Either way he and his organization needs cleaning up. Don’t ya think?🤔

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    • Yes, I think he has those kids and his organization makes those movies. Yes, he needs to be stopped and he will be. He attacked us while pretending to be peacefully talking with us. By returning his dead men to him we accepted his challenge to fight. He made a big mistake. I just hope he doesn’t take it out on those kids or Amanda if he has her too. He won’t like it if he does that.🤔👩😼👻🦁🕵️‍♂️😠

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    • Yes, and I’m sure that Martin knows that information, he just won’t tell us. We need to get a bit tougher with him, before Cairns or Clarke kill him.🤔🕵️‍♂️

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    • Yes, we accepted his challenge and let him know we are not afraid to fight back. You’re right, it won’t likely affect him, he is a hard man and doesn’t care who he hurts. There is a couple of interesting things though. He wants Emerald dead and has tried to kill her, but he could easily kill Martin and doesn’t.🤔👩😼👻🕵️‍♂️

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    • Hmm, I don’t think Martin is intelligent enough, though perhaps one of the others wants us for that purpose. We still need to find out who Clarke is. Is he really who he says he is or is he someone else?🤔🕵️‍♂️

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    • True enough and that is rather strange. But we might see him back again in tonight’s chapter which is now out. I still think he is the one that has had someone following us.🤔🕵️‍♂️ This comment just showed up, very odd.😕

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  10. Yes, they did wear me out!🥵 We rented a room in the town where the museum was and walked to everything we visited. Then we drove 5 hours back home that evening so they could catch their plane on Thursday morning. I wish they would have had a day or two more spend here, but they had to work on Friday, Sat. And Sunday. It was still a great time. I think they appreciated the museum and all the information.

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    • Yeah, I bet that museum would have been a great place! It seems vacations are never really long enough to do everything. Everything rushed instead of taking it at a more leisurely pace. How’s things today? Out flying?

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    • Not doing much, Church this morning. Just finished watering all my plants. I got 7 hours sleep last night and I’m still tired. The lady moving in next door has been at it for a week now, and people thought I had lots of stuff!

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  12. Well, maybe she doesn’t want an open concept apartment.😂 I am one and a half chapters behind on the story. Im planning on catching up this evening though.

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    • It will be like my last apartment, with just a path through the middle of the place!😂😹 Well, chapter 9 is out and I might even get chapter 10 out this evening, though it will be a short one if I do it, focusing on just one thing.🤔🕵️‍♂️

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    • I still have 4 plants to repot, but I had to wait for Walmart to get some more pots in, they were sold out. Still too much ice for outdoor walking yet. And it’s going to be colder for a few days again. All the way to April 1 the temps are going to stay just below or just above freezing. So it’s going to be a slow melt this year. We only have about 8 inches of snow on the ground, but it’s frozen solid like ice.

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  18. That’s kind of disappointing news about the weather and walking. But, you mentioned April!! 😁 That’s a month that comes in the spring! So that’s encouraging. What are you doing this afternoon?

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    • Hopefully April will bring spring with it. It has been 10 years since the last time the snow was gone by the first of April. I have started my spring cleaning, which includes cleaning out my closets. I have done one closet, 2 more to go. I’m getting rid of stuff at the same time, things I just don’t use anymore. And I talk in between cleaning!😃

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  19. You are a multi talented individual!😉😁 I can walk and chew gum! (sometimes)😒 Sorry I was gone for a bit there, working on my programming for one of my planes.

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    • Wish I could agree with you! That’s okay, I was gone for a bit myself, only I fell asleep. Didn’t sleep well last night again. Then I had to make supper. But I’m mostly back now.😂

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  26. Good morning 😁 The weather is great for flying but, unfortunately, I did go this morning 😒 I went for a walk instead. I will probably go tomorrow morning, though. How are you? Did you sleep well? Did Muffin waske you up early to eat?😺

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    • A walk is good too. I slept fairly well, until 4:18, that’s when I got up. When I wake up at that time there is no sense going back to bed, I’m just too awake. Muffin was still sleeping when I got up!😂😾

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    • I’m even worse with my reply to your reply to my reply to… Anyway, I’m back. Had a friend stop in unexpectedly, then I repotted two plants, then I washed dishes piled up to the ceiling, then I made supper and now I’m eating supper. And I’m back!😃

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    • You actually watch the news??😕 Kinda scary, ain’t it?😟 Tomorrow I tackle that hall closet! No more delays!😠 Unless of course I decide to do something else.🤔

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    • That’s my way of thinking too. I don’t like not to know if something bad should happen. Ya might want to keep some cash on hand in case WW3 should start.😟

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  30. Yeah, I know… 🫣 I worry about that with grandsons. They are turning 20 in August and just the right age for the gvm’t to want to draft them if something should start up.

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    • I have a nephew with the US Navy, on an aircraft carrier. Another nephew was permanently injured and will be getting a medical discharge. I think that’s what it’s called.

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  32. Yeah, but aircraft carriers are well protected, but any war ship is a target, and any job on them is dangerous. Is the government taking care of him since he was hurt?

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    • Yeah, I guess those carriers always have several other ships around them.
      Yes, they are doing a lot for him. He had 2 surgeries and now physiotherapy. He will be getting some kind of a pension from them.
      The newest chapter is out now! I need to sign off and get to bed again.🥱 Talk again tomorrow! Happy reading!😃

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    • Good morning Dusty! Nice day here, sunny,🌞😎 south wind at 30mph, right now it’s 32 and going up to 38. Then the wind switches to the north tonight and tomorrow’s high will be 16!😕 Sigh.

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    • During the day anyway, at night down to -5! But, it’s the first day of spring. At least according to the calendar. I think that April 1 is a better day for the first day of spring. But I’m happy that it’s getting close! Soon to shed all those winter clothes! Walking always seems to be so easy in spring once we get rid of that extra 30lbs of clothes!😃😂

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  35. Well said!
    I’m looking forward to seeing more flowers 💐 😃 I do need to admit that it gets rather brown around here during the winter months. I am kind of amazed at that. I always thought it would be greener during those months. But, at least it is mostly warm during the winter months.

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    • I figured grass and even some trees/shrubs would remain green all winter down there. Yeah, I’m looking forward to seeing flowers again too. Dandelions could be out in about 3 weeks though! Wheeeeeeeee!😃

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  41. Very windy 😐 😬 Sorry I’m late today. I’ve been on the phone with my tax preparer and financial advisor, trying to figure out how to pay for my tax debt for the last year.🤕🥴

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  42. I’m happy for you you are able to recover your rent costs. I’m certain that’s a huge help financially. My problem is that I need to take more from my retirement account, and that will add to next year’s tax amount.😖😡 Talk about an endless circle!! I guess I should be happy I can pay it but at this rate it won’t be for very many more years! 25K in addition to my withholding on my normal paycheck! It’s ridiculous!

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    • Yeah, it’s hard to get ahead when they do things like that. It’s the same here, but fortunately, one good thing about living in this area, we’re listed as a northern underdeveloped region, so we get certain tax breaks, which helps a lot.

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    • Wow, that’s a big chunk for health insurance!
      Did you read last night’s chapter? I’m working on the final chapter now, but I probably won’t get it finished for tonight, I’m too tired to think properly. I was up at 3am this morning. My new neighbor was coughing so bad it woke me up and I couldn’t get back to sleep, so I got up.

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    • Good morning Dusty! 😃 Awake yet? 🌞 I slept in this morning, almost 6am before I woke up! A nice sunny day, but a cold one, -4F this morning and it’s still only 11 right now.

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  45. Brrrr…..🥶 Hey, we got up at the same time ⏲️ 😂 I went to the flying field this morning. I just got back, actually. It was a short night, though. I just couldn’t get to sleep and stay there.🫤 The club had a BBQ at the field 😋 that was yummy. So, what are you up to today?🤔

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    • Not much today aside from doing the church bulletin. Supposed to get about 5 inches of snow tonight, the clouds have already moved in. I might rearrange some things today, part of my spring cleaning and get a new look in the place.

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    • Well, I haven’t done anything different since moving here, so it’s time to change. Maybe. I will measure first to make sure things are going to fit first. Then look at it for a few days before starting. Then think about it for a few days. Then tell myself it won’t work and I will leave it this way. Don’t you just love rearranging?😃😂

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    • Yeah, that’s true, it never seems to happen anymore. But I keep hoping anyway. We have to go on a cat hunt too, apparently I promised Nakedra a cat, though I don’t remember the conversation at all. Oh, Rock wanted one too. Now Sherry and Amber and Carine. Sigh.

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