The Investigators, Inc. Case of Rossana’s Family. Chapter 10. Misty.

We seem to have spooked Lombardi enough that he decided to leave and head back to his office where he figures it will be safer for him. I wonder if it will be safer though? Somehow I doubt it. David and Vinnie have turned out to be traitors and have been for some time obviously. “David said he got the list from the top man himself,” I said to Sky and Misty, “I wonder who he was talking about? Is there someone else higher up in this organization?”

“Seems to me he was talking about Rossana’s boss,” said Misty casually, “who else would know the list of infiltrators? Just makes sense. Give him enough money and there you have it, the complete list.” She smiled. Now it was my turn to stand there and blink. Misty was right, of course, it does make sense. I gave her a big hug and kiss.

“Hey, you two,” said Sky, “are you trying for some kind of kissing record?” Poor Misty, she was red as could be after Sky said that. “Oops, sorry Misty,” I said, “I was just so happy.” “That’s okay,” she said, “I didn’t complain did I?” “Um, shouldn’t we have gone with Lombardi in his car?” asked Sky. “Might have been a bit crowded,” I said, “besides, we know where he’s going, to his office.”

“What if he has more than one office?” asked Misty. “He probably does,” I said, “but the way he said it tells me he was referring to his main office, the place where he feels the most safe. We know where that is and can get there first. Besides, we can’t leave Vinnie behind, she can identify us and that would be trouble.” “Um, but we have the family now,” said Sky, “so what’s the problem?”

“Well, even though David and Vinnie have turned out to be traitors,” I said, “they are still Rossana’s family, so I don’t want to just leave Vinnie for these guys to toss overboard for the fish. We will take her with us to Lombardi’s office, that should shake him up a bit more.” The girls giggled at the thought. Sky then went over and touched Vinnie and I held Misty’s hand and we were all gone to the restaurant.

Lombardi’s office is on the second floor, but we will start here. We put Vinnie on a chair that had arms on it so she wouldn’t fall off. “Okay, Misty, you stay here with Vinnie,” I told her, “Sky, you take the back entrance and I will take the side entrance. That way they can’t sneak in without us knowing about it.” “Hey, smart thinking Steve,” said Misty.

“Thank you Misty,” I said, “now remember, if there is trouble, just say my name and I will come right away. After all, this is the way they will most likely use to come in.” “Right,” she said emphatically, then she thought, “um, wouldn’t it be better for you to stay here Steeeee…you’re gone already.” She sighed.

“I’m the only one that can’t go invisible and I’m at the most likely entrance they will use,” she thought to herself, “I need some invisible powder, or something, otherwise I am going to get killed one of these times, and if I do, I, I, I will come back and haunt Steve! Hmm, guess I can’t do that without being a ghost, and I can’t be a ghost.

I don’t want to be killed anyway. I’ll just sit and wait. How is a woman supposed to sit with these tight clothes anyway? It’s almost like they’re part of my skin. Steve says this is what these criminal types like to see. This skirt is so short my whole leg shows…both of them. At least this tight skirt won’t get in the way of kicking, providing I get a chance to kick, maybe they’ll just shoot me.

Nah, Steve said Lombardi would likely torture me first. Thanks Steve, now I have something more to worry about. Steve doesn’t want a pretend wife, he wants a decoy. ooooh, I’m sorry Steve, I didn’t mean that, honest, I’m just nervous, a little. Well, maybe more than a little. Okay, a lot. I’m nervous a lot. Sigh.

I can barely breathe in these clothes they’re so tight, I don’t even have anywhere to put my gun since I wasn’t allowed to wear a holster. Steve had to carry it for me, now I have to hold onto it. I’m going to join Kat’s team, they don’t wear tight clothes like this. Wait, I have my own team now. I hereby declare that no tight clothes will be worn on my team!

Sigh, I doubt if that would work, I’m not on my team right now. Hey, did I just hear something? It sounds like voices.” Just then Lombardi and his friends entered the restaurant. “Hey, how did Vinnie get here ahead of us?” asked David, “And she’s tied up and gagged too!” Lombardi’s men looked around. “Hey, it’s that same woman on the yacht!” yelled one of the men, “How did she get here so fast?”

Misty stepped into the open better with her gun pointed at Lombardi. “I told you before,” said Misty, “I’m a ghost, I don’t need to use a car, I just think about where I want to go, and I’m there. I was nice enough to bring Vinnie with me since your men were going to take her out for swimming lessons and she wouldn’t be able to swim when she is paralyzed. Steve.”

But I didn’t appear. “Sky.” said Misty. Still nothing, no Steve, no Sky. “Uh, uh,” said Misty when she saw one of the men going for his gun, “take out a gun and Lombardi dies first, then the rest of you. Remember, you can’t kill a ghost because I’m already dead, but I can certainly kill all of you. Steve!” She said my name louder that time but still nothing.

The others looked all around. “STEVE!” she yelled, “You miserable male ghost, you come here right now!!” She yelled so loud that time that I heard her quite clearly, so did Sky. But when Misty yelled that time she had her eyes closed, which she always does when she yells that loud. That gave one of the men time to pull his gun and shoot Misty. She fell to her knees groaning.

“You got me,” she said, “everything is going black and, hey, I just found 5 euros under this chair!” She stood up and waved it. “See, I told you that it’s not possible to kill a ghost,” she said, “you just won’t believe me.” She shook her head. All the men took out their guns now but they dropped them quickly because they were too hot to hold. Misty laughed at them.

“What’s wrong guys?” she asked, “Are your guns a bit warm?” Then she laughed some more. “Don’t just stand there,” yelled Lombardi, “go get her!” The four men ran for Misty, but now she could take care of herself quite nicely, I had been helping her before this so she wouldn’t get shot. Sky and I sat on a table and watched the fun as Misty kicked these guys around and threw 2 of them over her shoulder, 3 times no less.

Finally the show was over. “And why did you two just sit and watch?” asked Misty. “I thought if we joined in then it wouldn’t be a fair fight,” I said, “and I do like to watch you fight, you’re so amazing.” She blushed red again. “Uh, Steve,” said Sky, “Lombardi, David and Vinnie are gone.”

To Be Continued.

©2025 Steve McLeod.