For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
The police had moved everyone back across the street from Jazzy’s house just in case there was a second explosion, but it didn’t seem like anything was going to happen. However, there could be a delayed explosion meant to kill more people. The waiting was too much for Jazzy and our girls though, so they decided to go back and look more closely. The police tried to stop them but Jazzy told them it was her house, her property and no one was keeping her off of her property!
She was very adamant about that and she just pushed her way past the police who tried to hold her back. The two officers holding her however, suddenly felt their arms go numb and they couldn’t hold Jazzy any longer, so she and Kristina kept on walking. Then all the girls went walking back across the street with Carine who had been dropped off earlier by the Wolves before they headed out to intercept Koffman’s shipment. Everyone was looking into the hole in the ground which was half filled with broken rocks.
“What are we looking for?” asked one of them. “Not sure,” said Crystal, “some movement, I guess.” “Maybe we should help Steve,” she said again, “he hit his head.” “Oh, that’s a good…” began Crystal, but she stopped and turned to see who she was talking to, “SKY!!” Everyone turned to see Crystal and Sky hugging and they crowded around them. “Hey, hey!” yelled Sky, “Forget me, help Steve, he hit his head.” She then pointed over to…somewhere, but no one could see anything.
“Stop that you two!” yelled Sky, as she walked over to them, and they became visible. Some ambulance attendants came over to look at me. They cleaned up my forehead and bandaged a large cut. Carine communicated with Kat and Jennifer that I was okay, just slightly wounded, and the ghosts were okay. “I’m so glad the four of you survived that huge explosion,” said Jazzy. She could barely speak because she was crying so much.
“Yeah, it sure got windy suddenly,” said Angel, “it really messed up my hair, and I bet it’s as gray as Sky’s hair.” “What? My hair is gray?” asked Sky. Then she turned her head to look. “AAAAA! Look at my hair!” she exclaimed, “It will need to be washed 10 times to get it blond again!” “I know what to do,” said Kitty, “we’ll get a hotel room with a jacuzzi and just stay in it until we’re clean.” She stood there smiling at Sky and Angel who in turn looked at Kitty with a blank expression.
Then Sky and Angel suddenly yelled, “Yay Kitty, a perfect solution and a legitimate expense too!” I opened my eyes, after hearing the yells, to see Jazzy kneeling on the ground beside me crying. When she saw me open my eyes, she threw her arms around me hugging me tight. “I’m so glad you’re still alive Steve,” she said quietly. “Why don’t you come back to the chateau and stay with us for a while Jazzy?” I asked her. “I accept,” she said, “but be prepared, I might not want to leave.”
“That’s okay with us Jazzy,” I said, “you’re welcome to stay as long as you like. Sky, time to head home, I think we’re done here.” “What? No jacuzzi?” she asked. “You don’t want to go home?” I asked. “I want to get clean,” she said, “it will take 3 days in our showers.” “Good point, we need to make some changes,” I said, “you girls are dirty.” “So are you, my brave, though somewhat stupid at times, husband,” she said giggling. “Ha, ha,” I said, “shall we go?”
She sighed but took my hand, then Jazzy’s hand and we were gone. “I wish I knew how you do that,” said a somewhat shaking Jazzy. “Strong tailwind,” said Sky smiling. Jennifer was hugging me as soon as we arrived. “I’m kind of dirty,” I said to Jennifer once she stopped hugging me. “That’s okay,” she said, “I’ll stick you in the shower and leave you there for a couple of days.” “Make that 3 days,” said Sky giggling. “Are you still here?” I asked, “I thought you three would be in a jacuzzi by now.”
Sky looked at me blinking, then disappeared. Soon…”Amazing that the Honeymoon Suite is the only one with a jacuzzi,” said Angel. “Who cares, at least we will get clean faster,” said Sky. “I think we need to change the water again,” said Kitty, “it’s getting hard to see.” The three of them were sitting under the water trying to get their hair cleaned quickly. The rest of the team were on their way home, but since they are driving, it will take them a little longer. The Black Wolves were closer so they will be home soon.
Dawn’s Night Owls and the Wildcats are also on their way home, along with 14 women from Koffman’s place. The Black Wolves are bringing another 6 women with them. Most of these women we will turn over to the police and they can get them back home, unless they have no family, then they will come here as a transition place until they figure out what they want to do. This was Sienna’s idea and she had another addition put on our chateau, or actually, on the addition she built for her house and offices.
She wanted to help these women who had no place to go. She is going to offer a training program for those who want to take it, and then give them a job in one of her many companies. Well, we had two girls wounded on this case, though not seriously. They won’t be in the clinic very long but they will be on recovery for a while before going back to work again. Then there’s me. Angel was standing next to me and took hold of my hand just before the blast, otherwise there likely wouldn’t be anything left of me.
Kat healed my forehead quickly, then Jennifer put me in our shower. We really do need to get more water pressure in this place. Jazzy will be staying with us for a while, apparently she wants to talk about some things. Well, that’s it for this case although there is still the matter of Koffman. He also wants to talk, so I will let him come and see what he has to say. I wonder when our next case will arrive?
This case is ended, but a new one will soon be coming! ©2026 Steve McLeod.
Love the determination of Jazzy to get across the police line to look at the hole of destruction. Somehow, it seems unlikely that the group would have been safe from a secondary explosion, just being nearby. It was a good thing the girls and Jazzy went for a second look. Angel grabbing your hand before the explosion was a wise and expected move. But it did not protect you from the injury to your head. Good thing that Kat was able to heal it.
All of you must have been covered in dust, gray hair and everything is gray until everyone is cleansed from the debris of this case. Hope that Koffman is brought to justice and does not get away with the explosion. He has had too many chances and his attorneys should not be able to get him off this time.
Your chateau is really expanding and it may be that you have to go on more cases to get some rest! You probably will not rest long until the next case. It sounds like Jazzy just might become an Investigator.
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