The Investigators, Inc. The Friendly Buyer Case. Chapter 3. Getting Personal.

Although we had Aasta with us at first, we had left her behind at one of the warehouses for guard duty. That is why only Sherry was with us as we went home with Tammy. But before we were about to lose the car following us, one of the rear tires had blown apart. Obviously something to do with the car following us. Anyway, we had to pull over so I could change the tire.

But I first alerted Kat and Aari about our trouble and Aari had someone close to us. I told everyone to stay inside the car where it was safe, I explained to Tammy that it was bulletproof. I got out and Misty got out with me. “You should probably stay inside,” I told her. “I have a gun and know how to use it, my dear husband,” she said smiling, “and if I hold your hand I should be safe, right?”

“Yes,” I said, “but I need to change this tire, but keep your hand on me and you’ll be safe. Can you see that other car?” “No, they must have pulled over and parked behind those other cars back there,” said Misty, “didn’t take them long to attack us.” “No, it sure didn’t,” I said, “that was a bit surprising, I must admit.”

I had opened the trunk, but was unable to lift that tire out of there, my back immediately began to pain when I tried. But, just then that other car came speeding up and stopped! I pushed Misty behind the car and the rear window of the other car opened and a man began to shoot, though nothing happened. This car is completely bulletproof. “Sky,” I said.

She appeared and right away the man who had been shooting was screaming about his hot gun. Then the car sped away! “How long will that gun stay hot?” I asked. “Indefinitely now that they drove away,” said Sky giggling. Then she gave me a rather scolding look. “Did you forget already?” she asked, “Even after all that time Kat spent with you?”

“Um, guess I was just, well, taken by surprise by these guys,” I replied sheepishly, “all this new stuff will take some time getting used to.” “Hmm, okay, I will accept that excuse this time,” she said smiling,” at least you remembered to call for help, even though a bit late. Now, let’s get that tire changed.”

“I will lift it out for you Steve,” said Misty. “Please remember what Kat told you,” she said, “but, call me anyway if there is any kind of trouble, okay?” “I will always remember to call you Sky,” I said, “and thank you for being patient with me.”

She smiled and disappeared again, going back to the warehouse. She was at one, Jennifer at the other warehouse for the first 12 hour shift, while Angel and Kristina went back to the hotel with the other girls. We climbed back into the car and off we drove. “Um, I thought there was another woman out there with you,” said Tammy, “one of your girls.”

“There was only me,” said Misty calmly. “Oh,” was all Tammy said in reply. I could see she was thinking though. Guess I need to be more careful, I don’t want to let Ezra and Tammy know about our ghosts just yet, perhaps later if it is necessary. We were soon enjoying a wonderful dinner, though I was surprised that Ezra wasn’t home yet.

I communicated this to Kat, Angel and Kristina. Angel took 4 girls and went to check on him at the office. I had asked Tammy if Ezra worked this late normally. She said it was unusual for him to be so late and especially since we were here for dinner. She was obviously worried. I told her I would send someone to check on him, then pretended to send a text.

The girls arrived at the office and while there were lights on, they could not see anyone. Katresa stayed in the car, she was the driver, while Angel, Amerie, Suzette and Chloe went inside. The exterior door was open, a dangerous thing since it was now getting dark. Angel called to Ezra, but there was no answer. Then she went into his office, followed by Chloe, and they found Ezra tied up with duct tape over his mouth.

There was also a bomb on his desk. Angel grabbed the bomb and took it outside into the parking lot out back, then she called the police. A bomb squad was there quickly but the bomb was a fake. Apparently he had been told by the people to fire us or next time the bomb would be real. Ezra didn’t tell the police about the man wanting to buy his company.

He also told the police he couldn’t understand why anyone would be interested about who he hires for his guards. But he wouldn’t be listening to threats anyway, he will do what he wants. The police also told him he should have notified the police sooner about his problems. He explained that he did, twice, and the second time two officers came to question him about it.

He told them it was all recorded on his security disk. The officer asked to see the disk and that he would take it to the station and return it the following day after they look at it. I told Ezra that wasn’t a good idea, unless he had a copy of that disk, but he said that was the only copy. Tammy was very shaken up by this incident.

This was the first time they had been threatened directly like that and she was scared, which was understandable. I decided we would put our team in their office from now on too, and we would follow them back and forth to work as well. Ezra liked to work long hours, but I told him that for now he needed to cut back his hours to his normal company hours of operation.

Tammy liked that idea too, although Ezra didn’t like to show fear that way. I explained that wasn’t showing fear, it was showing good sense, after all, he had a family to think of too, not just his company. That seemed to get through to him. But, the next morning he was off to his office very early.

Apparently he had some customers coming to pick up their order at 6am, something that was not unusual we discovered. Once he left, Tammy phoned me and fortunately I was awake early, but none of the girls were, except for Misty, Amerie and Dawn.

The guards were changing at 6 anyway, so I asked Jennifer to meet us at the office. She, and her team, were there not long after Ezra arrived. His customers were already waiting and went with him into his office. Jennifer and her girls went inside too and could hear the conversation in the office…

To Be Continued.

©2025 Steve McLeod.