The Investigators, Inc. The Case of the Twin’s Friend. Chapter 3. A Bad Start.

We were relaxing in our hotel room while Jazzy and I talked about our case. We had our scramblers out so we could talk freely and I kind of thought that might bring us some visitors. And it did. It wasn’t long and there was a knock at our door so Dawn answered, opening the door just a bit. But when she saw who it was, she opened it all the way. It was the police, a captain and two other officers.

“What brings you to visit with us?” I asked. “Well, sir,” he began, “we always check out larger groups of people who enter our country. Especially when they come with their own private jet. And you have a very large, private jet sir.” “I thought you welcomed large groups to visit your beautiful country,” I replied nicely.

“Well, yes, we do,” he said, stumbling a bit over his words, “um, but we still have regulations to follow. I’m sure you understand that sir. We just need permission to board your jet and look around to make sure nothing illegal has been brought into our fair country.” “And if I refuse to give permission?” I asked. “Well, in the event of such unfavorable action,” he began, “we would have to arrest you and force our way onto the jet, and, well, take it apart piece by piece.”

He smiled so nicely at the end, but just as he finished, another officer came rushing into the room and whispered something to the captain. Amazingly, the captain changed completely, apologizing for taking up our time and wished us a good time as we visit his country. Then they all left in a hurry. “I wonder what made the sudden change?” I asked, not really expecting an answer.

“The last officer to come in did mention the name Fernandez to the captain,” said Angel, “which is what seemed to change things.” Jazzy laughed. “Fernandez is one of the people I know here,” she said, “he is in the local government and also the leader of a large cartel here in the city. He promised me that the police would leave us alone.” “Nice to know he has such great influence with the police,” I said, “now, where were we?”

“Um, trying to figure out how to get Visty out of prison, my dear husband,” said Dawn, smiling, “ooo, it’s been a long time since I could say that one.” Sometimes I wonder about some of our girls, they get excited about the strangest things. I mean, why would she get so excited talking about Visty? We don’t even know her. Then Angel came to me and told me what I was missing. I looked at her. “How did you know what I was thinking?” I asked her.

“Would you like me to tell you?” she asked in return. I looked at her again. “No, let’s forget that one for now,” I said. “She knows what you’re thinking,” said Sky, “all the time.” I looked at her. “Time for dinner everyone,” I said, “off to the restaurant downstairs.” “Just when the conversation was getting interesting,” said Misty. “Yep, always happens,” said Cristy. The night was quiet and uneventful, which was just perfect.

Meanwhile, in another place that night. “Well, did you find out anything about that other jet?” said a woman. “Not much,” said the man, “except it’s a smaller jet. All women got off the jet and the crew are staying on board.” “Did they try to get in touch with the first group of people?” she asked. “No, and they are staying in a hotel on the other side of the city,” he responded, “this jet is owned by some organization in Berlin, the first jet is from France.”

“But why two groups of women showing up on the same day?” she asked again. “I’ll make sure to have men watching both groups all the time,” he said, “we’ll find out what they are up to.” “I know what the first group wants,” she said, “that woman named Vista. But why do they want her? Why is she so important that a whole group of people come here from France to visit her? It just doesn’t make sense. We know her family has no money, so why do these people want to visit with her? Do they expect to appeal her sentence?”

“I did think about that possibility too,” said another man, “there is still time for her to appeal.” “It won’t do any good though,” said the woman, laughing, “Ramon wants her, and what he want, he gets.” “That is very true,” he said, “but for now we let her friends visit. They will be gone in a couple of days and Ramon will be back, so it will all work out good. And, we will get paid very well.”

“By the way Ernesto,” said the other man, “did you see the two friends of Vista, they are just as beautiful, maybe we get one each for ourselves.” “Are they beautiful?” he asked the woman. “Yes, just as beautiful, maybe more so,” she said. “Then perhaps Ramon would pay nicely for them too,” said Ernesto. The next day we went to the prison to visit with Visty. Hopefully there will be no problems with the visit, but I already sense trouble, and it applies to the twins.

On the way to the prison I told the twins that I sensed trouble for them, so if they wanted to change their minds, we would turn back now. They were not afraid, they said, so we kept on going. There were no problems at the prison, Dawn and I stayed in the visitor waiting room while the twins went in to visit their friend in another room. They were given 15 minutes for their visit. I sensed trouble again after the twins went into that room, but it was stronger this time.

However, only two visitors were allowed at one time. The twins came out at the stated time, then Dawn and I went in to talk with Visty. When we came back out, Misty and Cristy were gone. The lady at the desk told us one of the twins was not feeling well, so they went back out to our car. So, why do I keep sensing trouble? We rushed out quickly to the car, but Sherry said the twins had not come out.

And it isn’t likely we will be let back inside right now either, but we tried. We were told the twins had indeed gone out of the building. They even showed us their security video which clearly showed Misty and Cristy going out the main door. We went back to our car and Sherry said she was watching that main door the whole time, there was no way the twins came out that door.

Meanwhile, I sensed more trouble for us and Jazzy called to let me know our jet had just exploded and was in flames. Guess that means no quick getaway if we need it. Things are off to a rather bad start on this case…

To Be Continued. ©2025 Steve McLeod.