The Investigators, Inc. The Crazy Case. Chapter 3. Photos and Problems.

We had all gone in the house and found Dawn, Roxette and the 3 cats. All were confused but otherwise not hurt in any way. Beryan and Engla were nowhere in sight, however, and that part worried me. Obviously whoever did this has kidnapped the two of them. They had a little over an hour to do all of this and get away from the house. The house is only 10 years old, Cristy discovered that for us, and there is no space anywhere for hidden passageways or rooms, except maybe in the attic. However, I really don’t think there is anything like that in this house.

Mary has lived in this spot for all of her adult life, though the original house burned down 13 years ago, a month after her husband died. She was married at 17 to a man that was 35. Mary told us he was a wonderful husband and father. He worked with an insurance company in the city and died of a heart attack. He would have been 65 at the time, not that old really, but a heart attack would not be that unusual for a man his age. Anyway, I had gone into the kitchen and saw the envelope on the table and was curious that it had my name on it.

I opened it and there were two 8×10 photos, one of Beryan and one of Engla. Both were naked, no doubt to show me the bruises on their bodies. They had been beaten quite badly, but obviously not here, the photos were taken elsewhere. There was also a note, very short, which read, “Don’t you think it’s time to go back home?” There was no name attached to the note. Do they really think we will leave without Beryan and Engla? Sky came into the kitchen at that moment so I handed her the photos and note, then I went and leaned on the counter.

Sky came over to me, she could tell I was taking it hard. “It’s not your fault Steve,” she said, “we’ll find whoever did this and make them pay.” “It is my fault Sky,” I said, “it is totally my fault! I could have prevented this, I really could have!” “You can’t see the future Steve,” she said reassuringly, “so how can it be your fault?” “Because I should have sent at least one of the ghosts along,” I said, “then this would not have happened.” “But none of us thought of that Steve,” she said, “you sent 8 of the girls along with Mary, and 3 cats. That’s more than enough.”

“No, it wasn’t enough,” I said. Then Sky noticed something and called for Angel right away. “Give Steve some strength Angel,” she said. Angel put her hands on me and gave me some strength right away and I felt better immediately. “Okay,” I said, “next stop for us is that nightclub. Aari, are you in the city yet?” “Yep, we’re here at the rendezvous location,” he said. “Okay, stay there for now until I call you,” I said, “you might have to put up a show of strength to some people tonight at that nightclub. Do you have your new clothes?”

“Yep, we are now Jensen’s Jaguars,” he said, “Carine is with me as my wife and Kitty as my sister. We are looking for my niece Engla which you just told me was kidnapped and beaten.” “Good, we are headed to that club right now,” I told him, “I will let you know how things go.” Milena and Nakedra are going to be just fine, but I told Kristina to keep them at the hotel with Mary for tonight. Dawn and her team will all go to the hotel for now as well. The ghosts and the Wildcats will come along to visit the managers of this nightclub and see if we can get our girls back.

We will try to get the message across that keeping them from us will be detrimental to their health. The health of the managers, that is. I communicated with Jennifer what has been going on and what we are now doing. Sky, however, communicated something a little different. The sneak. We soon were pulling into the nightclub parking lot and without me knowing, Sky disappeared briefly, but was back again before I noticed. And she brought someone with her, Jennifer. The sneaky sneak.

Jennifer was wearing the same clothes as Kat, so I didn’t notice at first that it was Jennifer. The sneakier sneak. I then turned and began talking to Kat, then I stopped walking and looked around quickly. For a moment I was sure this was Jennifer, must be this mixed up night. As we neared the door, Kat took my hand. “I think it would be best to hold your hand,” she said, “um, just in case.” “I was right!” I exclaimed, “You sneakiest of sneaks!” Jennifer giggled.

“I’m over here,” said Kat as she tapped my opposite shoulder. I looked around. “Where is that other sneak?” I asked. I saw a hand raised at the back of our group. Sigh. Sky, Angel, Jennifer and myself went in first, along with Ivy, Amber, Kera and Marlena. We walked past the doormen and were met by another, rather big, man who told me we need to wait at the door for a table. “An interesting thought,” I said, “where is the manager?” I kept walking and this guy stood in front of me this time.

“Do you have an appointment?” he asked, “What is your name?” “My name is Go Home,” I said, “where is Francois?” The man just stood there, so I pushed him out of the way, knocking him to the floor and we headed to the back of the club. We were met there by 4 big men with guns this time. However, Ivy, Amber, Kera and Marlena stepped forward and took care of them nice and quick. These girls are getting better all the time.

Next we found the office but the door was locked. Undoubtedly the manager was expecting us by now. Jennifer then came and kicked the door open for me and in we went. There were three men with guns out, plus Francois, the manager. The men with guns quickly dropped them yelling something about the guns being too hot. I always enjoy that part. I dropped photos of Beryan and Engla, not the ones left for me though, on the desk of Francois. “I want them back, now,” I told him. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said. “Wrong answer,” I told him…

To Be Continued. ©2025 Steve McLeod.