The Investigators, Inc. The Case of Steve’s Disappearance. Chapter 11. Whitaker and Aari.

Aari, Cal and Burk had arrived at Whitaker’s nightclub and sat down at the only empty table in the place. “I’m sorry gentlemen,” said the waitress, “you can’t sit there, it is reserved for Mr. Whitaker and his guests.” “I am his guest,” said Aari, “so tell him that I am here to talk with him, my name is Aari. He will want to talk with me.” So she went and told Whitaker and he came out with 4 men and sat down at the table. “I don’t know you Mr. Aari,” he said, “so why should I talk with you?”

“My name is Aari, no Mr. attached to it,” said Aari, “and you should tell your boys behind the bar to stay cool. If they touch those guns they have, you will die immediately. You see, I have a gun aimed at you right now.” He and his men laughed about that. “Sorry Aari,” he said, “but no one can carry a gun in here without getting stopped at the door. We have detectors there.” “I know you do,” said Aari, “but I still brought a gun inside, as did my two friends, as you can see.”

Then Aari showed his gun that he had been hiding under the table. “Now, tell your boys to stay cool,” said Aari. “Tell them Phil,” said Whitaker, and one of the two men who were standing, went and told the others, so they put their guns away. “Now we can talk Whitaker,” said Aari, “I know you had a club in New York, plus the two here.” “Not had, I do have,” said Whitaker.

“True, forgive me,” said Aari, “but the one in New York needs a major renovation after my boys finished with it. You see, it’s like this, I’m the leader of an organization called the Black Wolves. We’re from Canada, but we move around when necessary, like when someone decides to try and hurt my organization, or one of my family members. You did the latter, again and again. You even had Mr. Fats over there beat my little cousin, something I really do not like.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about,” said Whitaker firmly, “Mr. Fats doesn’t beat women.” “I never mentioned that my cousin was a woman Whitaker,” said Aari, “but thanks for the confirmation. Her name is Celestine, and you were present when Mr. Fats hit her on your orders. I don’t like giving second chances Whitaker, because it never works with guys like you.” Cal then stood up. “Ladies and gentlemen, please leave this establishment right now,” he said, “or risk being hurt. This is your only warning.”

“What’s he talking about Whitaker?” yelled one man. “It’s just a joke, pay no attention folks,” said Whitaker, then turning back to Aari, “your move.” “Now boys,” said Aari calmly. Then men began coming in the door with clubs, knocking aside the doormen. “Your men move, you die Whitaker,” said Aari, “now it’s your move.” “Stand down boys,” said Whitaker. Then one of Aari’s boys went around with a cloth bag picking up money from the guests.

After he was done, then the rest began knocking dishes off the tables, some landing on the guests, and when they were finished with that they smashed all the liquor and glasses, mirrors and anything else that was breakable. Then Mr. Fats tried to intervene with Bear and the fight was on! People ran and screamed but no one was allowed to leave. The rest of the Black Wolves continued breaking things, now on the dance side of the room.

“Let me teach Whitaker a lesson,” said Carine. She had been there all along, but invisible, as is Kristina. “Go right ahead my dear,” said Aari. So, she went over to Whitaker and began to bounce him around a bit, while Kristina fought with two of Whitakers men. Cal and Burk took on the other two men. The rest of the male employees were knocked out during the smashing spree. When all was finally done, Mac came out of the office with a large amount of cash from the office safe, then Aari began to leave with his boys.

“I will have all of you arrested for this!” yelled that same man from earlier. “And who are you?” asked Aari. “I’m the Mayor and the police will arrest you very soon,” he said, smiling. “I wouldn’t be so sure Mayor,” said Aari, “I happen to know you have a half interest in Whitaker’s nightclubs and that makes you half involved in whatever Whitaker does. He has murdered people, like Celestine’s parents, her brother and her grandmother, just for starters.

He has also murdered at least 8 other innocent people and he is involved in sex trafficking. That means you are a partner in all of that Mayor, and you made 2 million dollars in US funds last year, from your half interest in this place, and I can prove all I say. Do you still want to have me arrested?” “Uh, no, no I guess not,” he said sheepishly, “we’ll just forget the whole thing, okay?” “Sounds good to me Mayor,” said Aari, “now, have yourself a good night.”

Then Aari and the Black Wolves left. Only Mr. Fats was killed in all of this, though several other “employees” were seriously hurt. No guests were physically hurt, and their money was left behind for them. Whitaker lost his money however. Amazingly, the police did not receive an emergency call from Whitaker’s place. Their emergency line to the police wasn’t working for some reason and no cell phones were working either. Oh well, these things do happen.

Back to us. Celestine asked if Sky and Angel would like to stay with us tonight, and they said yes. “Would you like one of us to sleep with you instead of Steve?” asked Angel. “Oh no!” exclaimed Celestine, “I mean, no, that is not necessary, um, we have things worked out between us and um, I feel nice and safe with Steve, it that’s okay.” “That’s fine,” said Sky, “I was beginning to think I was going to get stuck with him. I prefer my cousin Angel.”

“It is so amazing how you look like twins and yet you’re cousins,” said Celestine, “or triplets I guess. I can’t wait to meet the third one. Plus the blinking twins.” The girls laughed at that one. “Hey, we have a new name for those two, the blinking twins,” said Sky. I then went to Celestine’s bedroom and put a lock on the secret door that leads into her closet from a passageway that leads down to a window where Whitaker and his men would enter the house.

I had already put a lock on the window, but wanted an extra lock, just in case. Rock and John took the gems to Alfred and he will look at them. Then I came up with an idea for those gems and had Jennifer call Rossana. She thought the idea was great and she contacted the authorities over here and let them know what was going to happen.

Meanwhile, back home. Misty, Dawn and all the cats came out to tell everyone they had discovered where I was. They were all so excited! But no one else seemed to be excited. “How come no one seems to be excited by this?” asked Misty, “We know where Steve is hiding!” “Sorry girls,” said Jennifer, “you were so busy with the cats I didn’t want to disturb you, but I already told everyone where Steve is hiding.” Misty and Dawn stood there blinking.

“Hey, Dawn can blink now too!” exclaimed Tracy. “All that time,” said Misty, “for nothing.” “No, not for nothing,” said Jennifer, “you two, and the cats, have passed the test with a score of 100%, while everyone else failed miserably. So, they need to take a refresher course, but you don’t. And, you each get a dozen fresh donuts. They should be just about ready too.”

The girls were so dismayed looking, until they heard…”Donuts?!” they said together, “Did you say donuts?!” “Yes, in the k…” and that’s as far as Jennifer got when Misty and Dawn ran past her like two whirlwinds! They grabbed their donuts and off they ran yelling “oooooo, hot, hot, hot!” They ended up in the twin’s den with Cristy and Wisty joining them.

To Be Continued. ©2025 Steve McLeod.