The Investigators, Inc. The Case of Jacie’s Murder. Chapter 11. Meeting Mr. B.

I had been waiting for the mysterious Mr. B to show up for our appointment, one that was arranged by him. That was a surprise in itself, but when I saw someone drive into the parking lot, and then get out of the car, I was really surprised. I was quite certain by this time that it must by Andrew Li. I had thought it was either him or my first choice which was Kenwood. But I wasn’t so sure that Kenwood had enough influence around here to get us out of jail so quickly, or that he would even have the desire to do so.

That’s when I had decided it must be Andrew Li. That way he could keep himself as a genuine businessman, while as the mysterious Mr. B he could be a notorious gangster, and no one would know. So, naturally I was very surprised when I saw the real Mr. B getting out of the car. I waited until there was a knock at my door.

“Come in Mr. B, and make yourself comfortable,” I said, “would you like some coffee?” “Now that is a silly question Steve,” said Mr. B, “of course I would. You know, I walked right past 4 of your girls down in the lobby and they didn’t pay much attention to me, that’s bad you know.” “Well, they were expecting someone else,” I said, “but I’m sure they noticed you and likely checked which floor you got off.”

“That would be hard,” said Mr. B, “since I pressed 3 different floors. And since they were not expecting me to be the one visiting you, they likely wouldn’t think I got off at this floor.” “Misty,” I said. “Yes Steve,” she answered. “Have you seen Mr. B come in yet?” I asked her. “Nope,” she said, “no one fitting that description has come along yet. For someone so important he certainly isn’t very punctual. I would give him 5 demerits for that.”

“Hmm, you do know there are 3 entrances to this hotel,” I reminded her. “Yes, but for someone so important he would naturally use the main entrance,” she said, “unless he was a real, sly, sneakster type.” “Guess he’s a real, sly, sneakster type,” I said, “because Mr. B is here already. You get 5 demerits Misty.” “But, but, but,” she started to say. “Good bye Misty,” I said. She sighed.

“What happened Misty?” asked Kitty. “Mr. B sneaked in through one of the other doors,” she said, “and I got 5 demerits.” “Hmm, if he gives me 5 demerits then I will revoke his Sneaker privileges for 5 weeks,” Misty thought to herself, then she sighed again, “no I won’t, I’m not tough enough to do that.” Losing Sneaker privileges would mean no sneaked donuts and no use of the twin’s den for 5 weeks.

“He can’t give you 5 demerits for that,” said Kitty, “or he would have to give us all 5 demerits, and if he does that then we will take it to the highest court to get it overturned!” “Yes!” said Misty, “um, what is the highest court? I didn’t know we had one.” “Misty, the highest court is Jennifer,” said Kitty, “she would never allow 5 demerits for something like this.” “Cool, I will have to remember that,” Misty said.

Meanwhile, back to me and Mr. B. “So, tell me, why did you pick the name of Mr. B?” I asked. “Why not?” said Mr. B, “You had a friend one time by the name of Mr. B, so I thought, why not use that as my name, that way I could hide right out in the open and no one would ever know it was me. Even Kenwood doesn’t know that Mr. B and I are the same person.” “Isn’t it hard to keep it from your boyfriend?” I asked.

“Please Steve, don’t insult me like that,” she said, shuddering, “Kenwood is not my boyfriend. He is a business associate in a legitimate business venture. And I also don’t do any of my own unlawful activities. That is all handled by people who work for me. Yes, I know, that doesn’t mean I’m not guilty, but any killing that my people do is only other criminals. I guess that still doesn’t make it right though.” She then put her head down.

“I got trapped in this business through my dad,” she said, “he would tell me all these glamorous stories of his criminal activities as I was growing up. My mother died when I was 6, so I just naturally followed dad and his way of doing things. But ever since I took over 2 years ago when my dad was shot and killed, I realized this is not what I wanted to do with my life.

But I was stuck, with no way out except maybe with life in prison, or being killed like my dad. So, I invented Mr. B after studying you and The Investigators. I learned a lot about you, like the fact Kitty is not your wife, Jennifer is. But Jennifer was supposed to have been killed, and yet she is still alive. Has anyone ever asked you this question, is it possible for someone to change?”

“Yes, I have been asked that question quite a few times,” I said, “several of the people on my team have changed from a life of crime to a life of fighting crime. And their lives have been truly changed. My wife Jennifer is one such example, and there are several others.

With most we have given them a whole new identity, new name, new life history, usually after the old person dies, either in an accident or by being killed. Of course they don’t really die, but we make their death look remarkably real.” “I truly want to change Steve,” said Ivy, “I want out of this life, will you please help me?”

To Be Continued. ©2025 Steve McLeod