The Investigators, Inc. Something Strange Case. Chapter 1. Death Comes.

Well, we are getting a good rest from our last case and there is certainly nothing wrong with that. Sienna is back to normal, though she still has not found out who punched her, Misty or Cristy. I can’t tell her since I have too much trouble telling those two apart. Sienna doesn’t seem to believe me. She says I can tell Kat and Jennifer apart and they are identical twins.

I told her I have a secret way to tell them apart, simply by kissing them, and I can’t do that with Misty and Cristy. She doesn’t seem to believe me. One morning while I was having my coffee and donuts, she came and sat on my lap. “And what are you doing?” I asked. “The other girls sit on your lap,” she said, “so why can’t I? You are an older brother and even a boyfriend to the girls at times, so why can’t I?”

“She has a point,” added Jennifer, while continuing her crossword puzzle. I looked at her. “You take the other girls on dates,” Sienna continued, “but you never take me on a date.” “Well, I need permission from Jennifer for dates,” I said, and…” “Granted,” said Jennifer, still continuing with her crossword puzzle. I looked at her.

“Perfect!” exclaimed Sienna, “How about tonight?” “Well, I…” “Granted,” said Jennifer. I looked at her. “Trouble!” I said. Just then the alarm sounded, Code Red C, Code Red C! “The cats!” I shouted, “Where are they?” “Out back!” yelled Cristy. We began to run out the back door, but the first two girls out the door fell to the ground immediately.

They had been shot! I held everyone back while Jennifer and I went outside. “Sky,” I said, and she was by my side. The cats had all scattered in different directions to their safety spots. All but one. King, one of Hannah’s caracals, he lay on the ground bleeding. I checked him. “He’s dead,” I told the girls, “the shooter likely picked him because he was the biggest target.”

We continued on to the back fence while Kat and Angel brought the two girls inside who had been shot. They were taken through the underground tunnel to the clinic by other girls so Kat and Angel could join us outside. “Steve,” said Cristy, “there is a call for you.” I answered my phone, but said nothing. I then called to the cats to go inside, which they did very quickly.

I told the girls to come back inside too, the shooter was gone. Hope and Abigail were the two girls that were shot, but their wounds were not serious. “What was that call Steve?” asked Jennifer. “Oh, nothing serious, just a prank call,” I said. Then I went upstairs to our bedroom where Jennifer and Sky were already waiting for me. “A prank call?” asked Jennifer.

“I didn’t want the others to know about it,” I said, “not yet anyway.” Then I called Dawn. “Make sure all exterior doors are sealed shut and no one goes outside for any reason,” I told her. “Right Steve, good as done,” she replied. “Aari,” I said, “are you guys up yet?” “Well, um, getting there Steve,” he said, “we’re having kind of lazy days lately.”

“It’s a Code Orange,” I said, “no one goes outside for any reason. But get those guys ready to fight.” I then told him what happened. He got the guys up fast and filled them in. “What was the phone call?” asked Trapper. “Steve didn’t say,” replied Aari, “but he will tell us later.” “Okay, enough stalling Steve,” said Jennifer, “what was the call about?”

“I really don’t know,” I said, “it was just a mixed up garbled message, but I couldn’t understand one word. It must have meant something though or why do it?” Cristy then brought up the recording of the message which we all listened to, but none of it made sense. “Let all of the ghosts listen to it Steve,” said Kat, “maybe one of us can figure it out.”

So I called all of them and as soon as I began playing the message, Kitty began talking. “Hello Steve, remember me? I hear you have ghosts living in your chateau, well, I’m here to haunt you and to warn you. This morning was just a test, though I almost hated to kill that weird looking dog. I could have killed those 2 girls as well but I wanted to give you a fair warning.

I plan to kill 2 of your precious girls each day until there are none left. Unless you plan to keep them locked up inside all the time, but really, how long can you do that? But perhaps we can make a deal Steve, what do you think? I will be in touch again. Your friend, Major.” “It was a woman’s voice Steve,” said Kitty, “but the last word wasn’t quite clear, but it sounded like Major.”

“Do you know any other majors Steve?” asked Kat. “No, none at all,” I said, “so that part is a real puzzler.” “Steve,” said Galyna, “we need you down here please.” We all went downstairs to the library. Aoife was sitting on a chair crying so I told her to join me on the couch. “She just got word that her father died,” said Galyna, “it was a heart attack.”

Later we began to make plans to send Aoife home for the funeral, along with some friends to guard her. That is just standard practice for us now. Aoife’s father was only 50 with no prior heart problems, however, heart attacks can hit anyone. I have had a couple myself and I’m even younger. I was lying down thinking about our present problem when Jennifer came and lay down beside me.

“Aoife needs a husband to go with her,” said Jennifer, “her family thinks she is married.” “Why do they think that?” I asked. “That is what Aoife told them,” replied Jennifer, “so they would stop pestering her to get married.” Naturally. “Where do we get her a husband?” I asked, “None of our guys really fit for Aoife.” “There is one that fits perfectly,” she said.

I looked at her. “And who might that be?” I asked. She looked at me and smiled. I was afraid of that. “But I can’t go right now,” I said, “I’m needed here.” “Why?” she asked. I hate those hard questions. I insisted on more people coming with us now and that was okay, there was a nice hotel not far from where Aoife’s mom lived.

Her 2 younger brothers lived close by as well, both were single. We drove up to Aoife’s mom’s house in our limousine, that got the neighbors looking out their windows and some even came out to sit on their porches to watch us. Aoife, Sky, Angel, Misty and I got out of the back, while Sherry and Beryan got out of the front. Aoife’s mother, Aileen, met us at the front door and she hugged Aoife for a long time.

Aoife introduced me, Aileen gave me a quick hug and we all went inside. Aoife introduced me to her two brothers, Finn and Garrett. “Kinda short,” said Finn. “Doesn’t look too strong,” said Garrett. Aoife’s family is sort of tall and kind of strong. After dinner we went back to our hotel and had a nice quiet night. The next morning we went to the funeral home to view the body, however, they were rather reluctant to show us.

Finally they did, and it was her father’s body. But I was curious and began to unbutton the shirt. The director was quite upset and tried to stop me but Aoife pushed him away. “But it’s not legal for you to touch the body,” he exclaimed. When I opened the shirt I discovered why he didn’t want me to look…

To Be Continued.

©2025 Steve McLeod.