The Investigators, Inc. Case of Rossana’s Family. Chapter 9. The Rescue, Minus 2.

The van with its escort of three cars arrived on time at the park and they stopped not far from the van that was waiting at the park for them. But Eddy did something that Sky was not expecting, he ran over to the lead car yelling at them to leave or they would be attacked! “And we were going to be so nice to that man,” said Sky to Angel, “he’s just a big coward and he betrayed us.”

She then tossed a small lightning ball hitting Eddy on his back right at his heart. He yelled and fell to the ground, dead. Then Sky tossed a larger lightning ball high into the night air and it exploded, lighting up the whole area like a large flare, making it easy to see the cars and van.

Suddenly three vans came driving across the grass and smashed into the sides of each car, pushing them off the roadway and onto the grass on the other side. Kristina and Kitty suddenly appeared inside the van quickly killing the three men inside that were driving and guarding the family. There was just one problem. The whole family was not there.

Rossana’s brother and his wife were missing. Their 3 young daughters were present and the sister of Rossana’s sister-in-law was there with her daughter. Kitty was perplexed by that because she checked to make sure the family was getting on the van and they all did. So, what happened to Rossana’s brother and his wife?

Meanwhile, the crashing into the cars by our vans killed most of the occupants, others were injured and four with just minor injuries surrendered. I called Rossana with the news and asked what to do with the men who were still alive, some needing medical assistance quickly.

Misty and I were still at the boat with Lombardi and Spence, but Sky arrived to let me know what had happened. Rossana told me to wait until our team heard sirens coming, then leave the area quickly before the police arrived. That is what I told Aari to do, but Kat and her team left right away after the sister told them that Rossana’s brother and his wife had gotten out of the van quickly at a certain street corner and jumped into a waiting car which drove away quickly.

That doesn’t sound good, it means that they are likely working for Lombardi. The sad part about that is, they obviously don’t care about their own children. Apparently the oldest daughter had tried to follow her parents, but her dad yelled at her to sit back down or she would be punished worse than the last time.

The girls sat down right away with a terrified look on her face. I communicated with Angel to check the girls completely. Sky was going to head back to help too, but I told her to stay with Misty and I. I then reminded her what Samantha had said and what could happen to both of us if she found out. We both looked at Misty.

“What?” she asked, “Did I do something wrong?” “No, you didn’t,” I said to her. “Tell Sky to stop looking at me,” she said, “she’s making me nervous.” “Stop looking at Misty,” I said, “you’re making her nervous.” “You didn’t need to repeat it,” said Sky, “I heard what she said.” “Sky said she heard what you said,” I told Misty, “so I didn’t need to repeat your message to her.”

“I heard what she said Steve,” said Misty, “it’s not necessary to tell me again, my hearing is quite good.” “Misty said I don’t need to repeat what you told me to tell her because what you told me to tell her she already heard you say it before I told her what you told me to tell her so it isn’t necessary to repeat what you say anymore since she has good hearing and can hear what you say before I tell her what you tell me to tell her about what…um…about what…whatever you say about her,” I said and smiled.

They both looked at me and blinked repeatedly. I’m not even sure what I said and it probably didn’t make sense. However, something is about to happen, something rather surprising. While we were talking, in a way that no one could hear us, the door to the room opened and Rossana’s brother, David, and his wife, Vinnie, came walking in.

“Did they stop the van?” asked David. “Yeah, they got it,” said Lombardi, “and I lost some good men too. I don’t know what we are supposed to gain by this stupidity though.” “You want to find out who the infiltrators are, don’t you?” asked David. “And how will this help find them?” asked Spence. David pulled a piece of paper from his shirt pocket and tossed it on the table.

“There’s the list,” he said. “Get that list Sky, destroy it,” I told her. She was suddenly by the table and touched the paper causing it to burn. “Hey, what kind of trick was that David?” shouted Lombardi, “I hope you remember that list or you will not like what happens next!”

“I didn’t do that!” David shouted back, “What would I do that for? It took me a long time to acquire that list for you and it came from the top man himself.” Then Misty appeared leaning on Spence’s shoulder. “Actually, it was me,” said Misty, “I told you I was a ghost and I like having fun with you mortals.” “Get that woman!” yelled Lombardi.

But before anyone could, she disappeared again. “Where’d she go?” asked David. “Hey, I recognize her,” said Vinnie, “she works for…” But she became paralyzed before she finished talking. “What is going on in this place?” asked Lombardi, “Let’s get out of here and go back to my office!” “What about Vinnie?” asked David.

“Leave her behind,” said Lombardi, “my men will take care of her.” It was now beginning to get light outside as Lombardi and his friends drove away. “By the way Lombardi,” said David, “I do have another copy of that list with me.” He was about to take it out of his pocket, but Lombardi told him to keep it until they got back to the office…

To Be Continued.

©2025 Steve McLeod.