The Investigators, Inc. The Case of Steve’s Disappearance. Chapter 7. Whitaker.

Posted on September 18, 2025 by

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We sat thinking about this new clue, but we were clueless about what it meant. Then Celestine went into the kitchen to get something to drink and I followed close behind. However, I stopped as I went through the doorway and looked. “Hmm, I think we have a clue for our clue,” I said enthusiastically, “but first, do you have any boards lying around this place, something that is solid?” “Yep, in that shed out back,” she said, “let’s go look.”

Sure enough there was a nice solid looking board just a little longer than 6 feet, so I brought it back inside. Then I pushed the sideboard “aside” like it said to do. “Nothing but a wall,” she said, “great detective work Steve.” Then she laughed. “Very funny,” I said, “there is a door here somewhere.” But, after searching for half an hour I had to admit defeat. “This is beautiful parquet flooring,” I said. “Yes, I really love this room because of that,” said Celestine, “but look at that, there’s a piece that doesn’t match. It must have been replaced.”

“You are right little sis,” I said, “and it’s in the shape of an X. Let’s stand on it and see what happens.” When I stood there, nothing happened, but when Celestine joined me, that piece of flooring sunk down just a bit and a wall panel slid open. “We found it!” exclaimed Celestine. “Yep, let’s go inside before it closes again,” I said. I went in first with the board, then Celestine followed, then Sir Night came too and the door closed.

“Good thing I remembered to bring my flashlight,” said Celestine, “I don’t like walking in the dark in a strange place.” “Neither do I,” I admitted, “especially since there might be a hole in the floor up ahead, which is why we need the board.” Sure enough, it was only a few feet from the entrance and our floor disappeared. At the bottom were pointy wood stakes. “That would be deadly enough,” I said, “these clues are getting dangerous.”

I slid the board across the opening and we walked across without any problem. We then came to the end and our passageway went two directions, though going left only went about 2 feet and stopped. Going right was the only choice, but the floor slanted downward which didn’t feel so good. Celestine was quite scared by it and I didn’t really like it either, but, nothing we could do about it. Then we came to the end of that passageway too. “Well, my Queen, what shall we do?” I asked.

“Well, my King, you must know the answer,” she said, “that’s what the riddle says, without you I can’t find a thing.” “Hmm, I can see why,” I said, “you’re too short to find it by yourself, so, up on my shoulders with you.” I got down and she climbed onto my shoulders. Then I stood up and she could see a small latched door which she opened cautiously. Inside was another envelope which she took and I let her down off my shoulders. “Looks to be another clue, my dear Queen,” I said. “I do believe you are right, my dear King,” she said, giggling.

We then went back to the beginning and standing on a spot marked with an X, the door opened again for us. However, we got a bit of a surprise when we came into the dining room. There stood our bearded “friend” and his chubby bodyguard, plus 2 other men, the ones that had been with them in the restaurant. “What are you doing in Celestine’s house?” I demanded. “I just wanted to talk with Celestine about selling her house,” said the bearded man, “I knocked, but no one answered and the door was unlocked so we came in to see if perhaps there was a problem.”

“It’s possible I might have forgotten to lock the door,” said Celestine, “but that’s no reason for you to come into my house uninvited! Now, go, or I will call the police!” “You did forget to lock the door,” I said, “so I locked it. Now, how did you get in here Whitaker?” “I already told you,” he said indignantly, “now, let’s talk about selling the house.” “Give me your keys,” I said, walking over to him. Chubby stood in my way, so I told him to move. “Move me,” he said, grinning. “If you insist,” I said, and with two good kicks he was lying on the floor groaning.

But, while I was busy, one of the other two men ran over quickly and grabbed Celestine and put a gun to her head. “Now, let’s talk about selling your house,” said Whitaker, smiling. “Put your guns down now,” I told those men. Suddenly they were yelling and tossed their guns onto the floor. I called Celestine over to me. “Now, those keys,” I said. He reluctantly took out his keys, about 2 dozen in all, but I recognized the key for Celestine’s house quickly, and tried it. Sure enough, it worked nicely, so I removed it.

“We could call the police and have you arrested for this,” I said, “but I won’t this time. However, stay away from my sister and I or next time I won’t be so nice.” “What about our guns?” the men asked. “Those are my guns now,” I said, “and I do know how to use them Whitaker.” They quickly left after that. Celestine sat on the couch and started to cry, so I sat beside her, put my arm around her and she put her head on my shoulder.

“I don’t think I have ever been so scared in my whole life Steve,” she said, “they could have killed us, they could have killed you!” I would like to have told her that they couldn’t kill me, but I can’t do that just yet. I did ask Jennifer, but she said no to that idea. She didn’t like what happened this afternoon though, Celestine could have been killed. I certainly couldn’t argue that point. She suggested it might be time for some help, but I said not quite yet, I don’t really think that Whitaker will try anything again for a while.

Although he might send more of those young guys after me, but they are not much of a problem. However, Jennifer was adamant, so while Celestine was in the bathroom I called Sky and she showed up with Angel. “Wow, beautiful house,” said Sky. “Unfortunately you two will have to stay at the hotel down by the beach,” I said. “Yes, we know,” said Sky, “just dropped in to let you know we’re here, now we’ll go until you need us. And don’t forget to call please, Jennifer wants Celestine safe.”

They then walked away and out the door, without opening it. Sir Night was watching this and his ears went straight up. Meower?= “What happen to other human people?” “What other people?” I asked him. He looked at me, then at the closed door. Meower.= “Right, me go eat now, empty tummy play tricks on mind.” “Who were you talking to?” asked Celestine as she came out of the bathroom. “Oh, Sir Night,” I said, “he wanted to go eat because his tummy was empty, so I said that would be okay.”

“Is that a hint?” she asked, “We haven’t even looked at the latest clue yet and you want to eat.” “Almost forgot about that clue,” I said, “yes indeed, let’s take a look at it.” Meanwhile, back at the chateau. “Here’s your donuts Jennifer,” said the twins together. “Um, I only asked for Cristy to come,” replied Jennifer. “Well, I came along to guard the donuts,” said Misty, “there are lots of sneaks around here that might try to take one.”

“Like you, for instance,” said Jennifer. “Right!” said Misty, “No, wait, I mean, not me, um, or, uh, rats.” “You may take one and leave now Misty,” she said. “Thank you!” said Misty and she quickly grabbed one and quickly left saying, “oooo, hot, hot!” “This is Code S Cristy,” said Jennifer, “hopefully you remember that one?” “Yep, sure do,” she replied, “it’s top secret, I don’t tell anyone, not even Misty.”

“Right,” said Jennifer, “and if you do, that’s an automatic 3 months inactive duty, with extra chores. Now, get me Jazzy please, so that no one knows about it. And take a donut.” “That one is easy,” said Cristy, then she grabbed a donut and went over to the laptop saying, “ooooo, hot, hot!”

To Be Continued. ©2025 Steve McLeod.

Category: Adventure, Danger, Fiction, Mystery, Story, Strange Happenings, Suspense, UncategorizedTags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

89 Comments on “The Investigators, Inc. The Case of Steve’s Disappearance. Chapter 7. Whitaker.”

  1. Steve and Celestine are very good at solving the riddles, while working together. The riddles do not seem to be the main emphasis because they are not even read immediately.

    Whitaker and his goons are concerning. Having the keys to the house and coming inside to commit a crime is burglary in the first degree. They seem too comfortable coming into the house, like they have done it many times previously. Their intent is to kill, maim, and intimidate. Good thing that Sky and Angel are nearby.

    Cristy and Misty both had hot donuts that remind me of the hot guns. Top secret plans are being made and Cristy can’t tell her twin. Somehow, things are going to become more dangerous in Steve’s location and Rock will soon be needed.

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    • Yes, the riddles are secondary, Celestine seems more intent on helping me than anything else, and she is succeeding in that area.

      I didn’t like the fact that Whitaker had a key to Celestine’s house. It wouldn’t be hard to get a copy though, just have someone take the key from her purse at work and get one made, and I’m sure that Whitaker has more copies, so I will take care of that. Yes, I’m sure they have been in here many times, they are the ones with the cameras, listening devices and ghosts. I’m beginning to think Rosie, from the restaurant, is involved in this too. She is Celestine’s only real friend here and the one who could get information about her.

      Yes, Cristy and Misty certainly had fresh hot donuts this time! It might be hard on Cristy not being able to tell Misty what is happening, but I think she will succeed. Perhaps Rock is already not far away.🤔👩😼🕵️‍♂️

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      • Hmm, Rock may be. nearby.

        Yes, Rosie may be involved. Whitaker seems like one who is lawless. He probably has copies for the keys and thinks nothing of entering without permission.

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      • Yes, I’m sure he has more copies of keys for this place, but it soon won’t help him. I’m quite sure that Rosie is not a true friend for Celestine, she is trouble instead. Yes, Whitaker makes his own laws, but he might just find himself outlawed soon.🤔👩😼🕵️‍♂️

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  2. Uuuu boy 🙄 that’s a strange code!🤪 Did you think that one up?
    Anyway, those men must know something about some treasure or valuable hidden in her home. But, what could it be?🤔 It must be something worth quite a bit.🤔

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    • Did you really like that one? You were right about the secret passage anyway.

      Yes, they must know something more than Celestine about what is hidden, unless she is just not telling me what it is. These men must be the ones behind the cameras, listening devices and fake ghosts, that’s why they needed a key. They could have gotten Celestine’s key while she was at work, her coworker could have taken it and given it to one of these guys so he could get a copy made. Things are getting more dangerous all the time. 🤔👩😼🕵️‍♂️

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  3. Yes, they must know more than her, but how? Where did they find out about it? How did they find out? If she does know more… why isn’t she telling you?🤔🤔 Something is still missing here! Perhaps Jennifer is correct? Maybe you need more help than just the two she sent? I am sensing the danger now!🫣

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    • Well, there is always Celestine’s grandmother, she may have told this Whitaker guy something, or maybe he forced her to tell and then killed her. We don’t know how she died. Well, can’t do much better than Sky and Angel, but don’t forget, Jennifer did enlist Cristy’s help under a Code S which is top secret. Maybe there are more around here than I think and they are ready to help. Yes, I’m sure that danger is very close now.🤔👩😼🕵️‍♂️

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  4. Interesting….🤔 I hadn’t considered her grandma telling someone. But then Whitaker would have to have had prior knowledge to torture her into telling about it. Hmmmm🤔🤔🤔🤔

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    • Yes, but that could be where the parents or her brother could have told Whitaker something. They were working for a criminal group of some kind, so perhaps it was Whitaker they worked for. The grandmother may have even worked for him, it seems the whole family was involved in crime. Maybe Celestine is as well.🤔👩😼🕵️‍♂️

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    • Yes, so do I. I think things might start getting a bit hot in this hot country, wherever I am. But I’m supposed to be relaxing. Having Celestine around has helped to relax me though. 🤔👩😼🕵️‍♂️

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    • Hey Dusty! How’s the weather down there? Getting any flying time? Lazing in the sun on the beach? Playing with the squirrels? Watching the ground squirrels?😃🍂🍁

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  7. No. None of the above. I’ve been incredibly busy since Friday. I had to help my grandson find a different car that is reliable enough to get him to work everyday, and since he and his twin are moving into an apartment it is leaving their mother unable to afford the house she had been in since 2014. So, I’ve also been helping search to find an apartment that’s affordable. Since she is unable to work full time, she may need help financially. Sigh 😒 So I’ve been trying to come up with some kind of plan to help her until she qualifies for government assistance. Plus, I had to get the dock taken out last Friday, the today I had to clean the hull and motor of the pontoon. Other than those few things, I’m just sitting around looking for things to do.🥵

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    • You have affordable apartments down there?😮 Well, it’s a good thing you’re not too busy, that way you can enjoy all this nice weather we’ve been having.😂😎Up here an affordable apartment means one you can rely on to have problems popping up on a regular basis. Like suddenly having no water on Monday, finally getting water, but no hot water. Sigh. But my week has been quite casual, which has been nice. I did twist my knee on the weekend, so it got swollen and I could barely walk, fine today though, but it did almost collapse on me two times.

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  8. Affordable is a relative word. I should have said “easier”for her to afford and maintain.
    I’m sorry to hear about your knee. Although I’m not sure why you would twist it, you must have had a good reason.

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    • Well, it was either the knee or the ankle and I figured it was the knee’s turn.
      Hmm, I’m not sure I have any affordable relatives either.
      I hear my neighbor has returned home now, she was away all day and left her cats on the balcony because they like it so much out there. I guess that’s why they meow for hours on end.

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    • No idea what she does with her cats, but hopefully she does leave them food and water and a litter box too. It can get hot out there on the balcony now with the sun lower because it shines on the balcony completely now.

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  13. Yeah, I did a very small project this morning. Tomorrow will be more busier! The pontoon goes into storage, and then it’s time to mow the yard one last time. Then, start to gather the items that are going south with me. Dry pack them so I know what will fit.

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  14. I will likely do it that way. I just like to get a head start on things in case something comes up like broken cars or people needing apartments etc, etc……………🤪

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    • Hmm, this one sneaked in on me, I was even watching for it too. It was another nice day, great for walking. I’m trying to get out every nice day now for a walk. Winter is not far away.

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  17. Ha! I don’t have a fireplace!
    But i do like hot chocolate.
    I’m looking forward to going to the ocean and beach again. It’s so nice to just walk the beach for a few miles.

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    • We have beaches too, sometimes they stretch for a couple hundred feet. One is about 500 feet, too narrow to lie on though. But nice.
      Well, early morning laundry detail so I’m off to bed. I’ll check in tomorrow in case you’re around. Have a good night!😃

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  19. It’s very pleasant here also.
    Thank you for understanding.
    It’s been a long week for I r me. I’m getting really worn down physically and emotionally this past month. I feel like im carrying an anchor ⚓️ around my waist, I just can’t escape the weight of having to be the person to make sure people are taken care of. I had a dream recently where I was driving a car with the whole family in it and wasn’t paying attention and missed a curve on a cliff road and ended up going over the cliff and didn’t wake up until I hit the ground. Ugh… 😒 It was like I had forever to think about how I would hurt before I died.

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    • That sounds more like a nightmare than a dream!
      Don’t forget that you need to take care of yourself too, that’s important. I know that’s easy to say and not so easy to do, but we still need to do it, or we collapse and then we can’t help others.

      Speaking of sleeping, I slept more than 8 hours last night! That sure felt good.

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  20. I am very glad to hear that. I know you’ve been really struggling with that recently. Yes, I know. But it seems that no one else is able to make any kind of decisions. I don’t want to, but I may need to just walk away and let them fail so they can learn. I’m worn out! Maybe spending all year in the south from now on will take some of that burden away.

    Anyway, so the birds are just about all gone up there, huh? I read your post on them earlier. I’ve noticed more and more geese and coots showing up on the lake lately.

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    • Yep, not many birds around here now. Even with the gulls, it’s all young birds now, the adults have gone already. But the flocks of sparrows haven’t come through yet, that will happen soon. Those are the northern species, our summer sparrows have gone. It gets so quiet when the birds leave, kind of an empty feeling. That’s why I enjoyed feeding birds, it kept things more lively through the winter.

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    • Yep, same here, until next weekend, then it really cools off a lot. Well, it will be more normal really. Very strong wind today from the west. I decided not to go for a walk today, my back is complaining too much and I don’t want to miss church tomorrow.

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    • Ooooo, did they win?? Do you still watch them down south or do you watch another team down there? There’s one guy around this neighborhood that mow’s his grass after dark. Kind of strange. But this is a strange neighborhood.

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    • Yep, I agree, mowing the lawn can be good therapy, gets you outside and doing something physical which actually does help.
      Hey, do they have a mascot all dressed up? And cheerleaders too?

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    • Hey, we live in the northern wilds of the country. People don’t even know we exist up here. Even our own provincial maps don’t show us! So if too many people are using the internet at the same time here, it goes down. Sigh. I agree, it could be them Russians!

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    • I’m just working on Part B of chapter 2, so you’re only 2 chapters behind on this new case.🤔🕵️‍♂️ There was 13 chapters on the last case, can’t remember where you left off on that one.🤔

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  29. Hi there! Sorry I’m late. Nope! No flying today, I haven’t been flying for several weeks. I’ve just not had much desire, and it’s hard for me to focus on flying when I’ve got other things I’m dealing with. Now I’ve got to start to plan for going south, so I’m not seeing many opportunities to go flying. Besides, there’s been a few club politics going on that’s kind of put me off of going with other guys. I’ll get back to it down south. That club has much friendlier members who don’t seem to play games or talk behind ones back.

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    • Terrible when people do things like that, just stick with flying is what it should be. Glad that the southern club is a much better one.
      The sun has gone down and it will soon be dark, the days are sure short now.

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  30. I know, it was disappointing. But, I will be staying down south at least for the next 2 years, so it won’t matter alot anyway.
    Yep, they sure are shortening faster! ( if that’s possible?)🤔 But hey! After December 22nd they get longer again!😂

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  33. I’ve been goofin off!🤪 No, actually, I went to the airfield this afternoon. I just got back. Pretty boring, I didn’t crash or nothing. But it was nice to get back to it a little.

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  35. Ha! I’m not taking the Mustang yet. Just my truck and some of the items, planes and planes and a few other important things like tools to build things like planes and stuff.🙄🤭

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    • And here I thought you would want to take your planes in the first load. Maybe you should take at least one with you. This comment just came through even though it says an hour ago. Sigh.

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    • There you go, it’s all set then, just don’t drive too close to trees or clouds.
      Well, time for bed, for some reason I’m extra tired tonight. Well, my neighbor and friends were up late last night and were a bit on the noisy side, so that meant I was up late too. Sigh. Back on the morrow! 😃zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

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    • Good morning Dusty! I’m a bit late today, one of those days unfortunately. So, how’s it going down your way? Get out flying again? It has gotten cloudy here and we might get some thunderstorms tonight, but it’s going to get very warm tomorrow and Thursday, should break some more records, we already have for a couple of days. Our overnight low temps are actually warmer than our daytime highs should be this time of year!😃😎

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    • Hi Dusty! You awake? Or have you gone to bed? We are getting thunderstorms here right now, power went off once already. Not for long though. How’s things? Packing? Flying maybe?🤔✈️

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