The Investigators, Inc. Spider House Mystery. Chapter 6. Conversations.

After noticing the yacht arriving with Sky’s Bad Girls on it, another large yacht arrived. I wonder if this is the one that brings the well dressed man to Miss Hanson? Right then I got a call from Cristy so I went over to sit on one of the chairs so I could put a bubble around me. That way we can talk privately so the girls can’t hear us.

Sky had gone out to meet her girls and Jennifer continued talking with Tina (Harley) and Summer. “I found out some interesting information Steve,” she said, “guess who is related to someone you used to know quite well?” “Oh no, don’t tell me,” I said and that’s as far as I got. “Oh, okay, bye Steve,” she said cheerfully and hung up on me.

I couldn’t believe she did that. “Cristy?” I asked. “Yes Steve,” she said, “did you have something to tell me? Sorry I cut you off so quickly, but when you didn’t want to hear my news I completely forgot that maybe you had something more for me to look up or something so I apologize for that and I hope that doesn’t mean demerit points for me, does it? I mean, I didn’t deliberately hang up.”

“Cristy?” I asked again. “Yes Steve,” she said. “I wanted that information you had for me,” I told her. “No, you said ‘don’t tell me’, so I didn’t, just like you said,” she replied, “I just did what you told me.” “No Cristy,” I said, “I wanted you to tell me.” “Then why did you say ‘don’t tell me’?” she asked.

“It’s just a phrase of disbelief, but knowing that the information is important,” I explained. There was silence. “Cristy, you still there?” I asked. “Yep,” she said, “um, does that mean you want me to give you the information I found out?” “Yes, I really want to hear it,” I said, “you spend so much time finding out fantastic and important information for me and I always want to hear it.” Silence again.

“Right,” she said, “anyway, guess who is related to Toledo?” “Irene,” I said. “Nope, don’t think so anyway,” she said, “it’s Miss Hanson, she’s a cousin of his. But someone else too. I better tell you this one, you’re not a good guesser. It’s Tina. Her mom was also a cousin. Tina’s parents and Summer’s parents worked for Miss Hanson and so did Summer’s aunt and uncle and those two were seen recently on the mainland, staying at a big hotel.

Greg, Buddy, Bulldog and Butch all work for Miss Hanson. By the way, Greg and Buddy are both 32 and apparently one of their jobs is finding girls, teens, for Miss Hanson.” “Hmm, this is getting more interesting all the time,” I said, “and a bit more complicated. It would seem that Miss Hanson knows she’s related to Tina, but Tina doesn’t know about this.

I don’t think that Summer knows anything about what is going on, she is just too afraid of Miss Hanson, or Greg, or Bulldog. I don’t think she has told us everything yet either, she is too afraid.” “Well, you have Cynthia and Sigrid over there,” said Cristy, “they are nearly the same age and have been through similar things in their lives.

Maybe Summer would speak to them more freely, but Tina would have to be away at the time, she might be scared of Tina too.” “Yes, you might have a point there,” I said, “but separating the two of them won’t be easy. It will take some cunning ability to do that.” “You’re right,” she said, “better get Jennifer to do it.” I’m not quite sure what she meant by that.

Jennifer asked if Tina was feeling well enough to go outside and she said yes, so she got dressed and out they went. Summer wanted to go as well, but I said no, she had been beaten worse and I wanted her to stay inside today. “Okay Summer,” I said, “I would like to talk with you while Tina is gone, but first, do you trust me yet?”

I was talking very nicely to her to try and keep her calm. I also had Sigrid, Cynthia and Angel with me, plus some cats, including Muffin, Storm and Jewel who were on the bed with Summer purring nicely for her. “Yes, I think so,” she said, “but you do some strange things which are a bit scary, like disappearing. But you and your wife seem to be very nice and these women are too and they seem to be so happy working for you.

(she then sighed and a few tears trickled down her cheeks) I’m scared. I was forced to come here by Greg and Buddy because I was friends with Tina.” She then looked at me with even more tears. “I heard them talk once and they said that Tina is related to Miss Hanson and she has something that Miss Hanson wants,” she continued, “I don’t know what it is though, honest I don’t.

Then my aunt and uncle showed up 2 weeks ago and they were working with Miss Hanson too and they were glad to get rid of me. They actually told me that! They said I was a brat and they hated looking after me. I thought they loved me, but now no one loves me. I’m all alone I guess. You women are so lucky, you have each other and an older brother that loves you too. I can tell he does.”

“Why do you keep calling us women?” asked Cynthia, “I’m the same age as you.” “Yes,” said Sigrid, “and I’m just slightly older than Cynthia.” They both smiled at Summer. “And both have been through similar things as you,” I said, “they don’t have any family either and both have been mixed up in porn.” “But you’re right,” said Cynthia, “we are lucky to have each other and Steve.”

“And we want to help you Summer,” I said, “but we need you to trust us and help us put these people in prison where they belong. Are you brave enough for that?” She produced a big smile. “Yep, I’m brave enough for that,” she said. “And if you want,” I said, “we will take you home with us too.”

“For real?” she asked. “Yes, for real,” I said, “but no talking about this to Tina, she is mixed up in this somehow.” “Oh, that house doesn’t really belong to Tina,” said Summer, “Miss Hanson hired that lawyer to make up a fake will so Irene couldn’t keep her out of the house since she owns the land the house is on.”

“Why is everyone so afraid of Irene?” I asked, “It doesn’t seem like she has anyone working for her, so why be afraid of her?” “She has a small, but very professional gang Steve,” said Summer, “if anyone tried to hurt her, they would be dead real quick, like before they could touch her.

Someone is always watching her, day and night.” Hmm, now that is interesting news and something to remember. Jennifer and Tina came walking in at that point, so our conversation ended for now…

To Be Continued.

©2025 Steve McLeod.