The Investigators, Inc. The Haunted House Case. Chapter 8. Planning.

As Dawn, Misty and their teams were getting close to landing in the city, they received the news about the four girls being wounded and Muffin being killed. Poor Storm was overcome with grief at the news of losing his beloved partner and he just lay on the floor of the plane and would not move or say a word. Now and then he would Meowr.= “My poor Muffin. Cruel people kill my poor Muffin.” Misty, the other girls and the other cats with them all tried to comfort little Storm.

He felt so low because he wasn’t with Muffin to help protect her. The others tried to let him know that he wouldn’t have been able to help this time since it was bullets that took her life. But he still thought he might have helped by standing in the way to protect her. Misty and the others vowed they would make these people regret what they have done! Then news came to all the team that Fridr had died from her wounds and Ginnifer was not doing well either. About an hour later news came that Ginnifer had also died.

Meanwhile, Jennifer and Kat now had the information they needed to hopefully defeat Phoenix, but there is a problem. That is, they first need to find Phoenix, and that may not be easy. They do know where she lives, or rather, lived, in the city, but now that I have been rescued, she will likely move somewhere else. She may have other houses in the city that she owns under different names. Her real name is Rose Colman, but Jazzy told Hannah that she also uses Rickie Felman, Roxie Forman, Rosette Freeman and Carrie Stillman.

She might even use other names as well or she might use houses owned by some of her men as a brief hideout for herself. So, tracking her down will not be so easy, unless… “Hey, I have an idea,” said Carine, “they know we have Steve now and they will soon attempt to get him back. They will likely think we have him here at the hotel where we can watch him.” “Right, so we lay a trap for them here!” exclaimed Jennifer. Carine just stared at her and sighed.

“We don’t lay a trap for them here?” asked Jennifer. “No, they will likely come and look for Steve here, and we let them,” she continued, “but when they don’t find Steve, then they will figure we have hidden him somewhere else, naturally, so that is when we lay the trap. We pretend to have Steve in some secret location and allow them to find out. But, we have to do that in a way that they will believe. Then, when they go to that place they will find it guarded by only a few of our girls.

They will think we did that because we had such a secret place there would be no need for a lot of guards. They will move in and that’s when we spring the trap! You ghost triplets will go after Phoenix while another ghost goes after her boot. Have you picked your ghost triplet yet?” Sky suddenly appears in front of Kat and Jennifer, saluting. “Reporting for duty, leaders Kat and Jennifer,” said Sky. Both Kat and Jennifer sighed at the same time.

“Sky,” said Jennifer. “Yes Jennifer?” asked Sky. “You’re saluting just like Misty,” she said quietly. “Oh, I saw Misty doing it so I thought that’s what we are supposed to do when you two are the leaders,” said Sky, and she put her hand down. Kat and Jennifer sighed again. “No saluting,” said Jennifer, “and we already picked our triplet, sorry.” Sky slouched over and shuffled away just like Misty does. Kat and Jennifer sighed again.

“We decided on Kitty to be our triplet since she already looks so much like us anyway,” said Kat, “with dying her hair and a few minor cosmetic changes, she will easily pass for being our triplet.” “Now, we need another helper for this,” said Jennifer. Sky came back so fast that she ran right into Jennifer and they both ended up on the floor. “Oops, sorry leader Jennifer,” said Sky, “I just want a chance to help after losing that fight with Phoenix.”

“You shouldn’t be worried about that fight Sky,” said Jennifer, “none of us would have done any better fighting Phoenix, including me.” “Thanks leader Jennifer,” said Sky with a small smile, “but we all know that you and Kat are the strongest of us ghosts, you would have done better.” “Not necessarily Sky,” said Kat, “now, maybe you two should get up.” “Oops, sorry leader Jennifer,” said Sky and they both got up off the floor. “Sky,” said Jennifer. “Yes leader Jennifer,” said Sky. “Don’t call me leader Jennifer please,” she said, “just Jennifer will do.” “Okay leader Jennifer,” said Sky, “I will remember that.” Jennifer and Kat sighed at the same time again.

Meanwhile, the Black Wolves began their part and came roaring along the street to Phoenix’s house. They figured she would likely be gone by now, but they would destroy the house anyway. Half of the Black Wolves came roaring up the lane and stopped at the back of the house. “Hey, looks like a motorcycle gang has stopped out front,” said Brian. “They’re out back too!” yelled Brent. “It says, The Black Wolves on their jackets,” said Henry. “I wonder what they want?” asked Colin, “might be looking for Phoenix, good thing she left already. Yell at them to leave!”

“We’re in place,” said Doc. “Okay everyone, hit them!” exclaimed Aari. The guys took out their launchers which shot Catalina’s surprise fire bombs through the windows downstairs and upstairs too. Men began to run out of the house, both front and back to get away from the flames which quickly engulfed the house! But they came out shooting, however, the Black Wolves were also shooting as the men came out. Most of the men from the house died, but Colin and a couple other men surrendered to the Black Wolves…

To Be Continued. ©2026 Steve McLeod.