The Investigators, Inc. The Missing Jewels Case. Chapter 9. Searching.

Friskie was waiting for the others to show up, something that was taking longer than expected. She was presently on the second floor deck and could see through the glass doors and windows that no one was on that floor. But it was used for their sex work, at least part of it anyway. She figured that all the doors on the far wall meant that the women they used were likely locked in those small rooms. Judging by how close the doors were to each other, it was obvious the rooms were small. She was unable to get in to check the rooms though, since the sliding doors were locked.

So, she jumped onto the roof and climbed up to the windows on that third floor. She checked each window, and on her third try she found one that wasn’t locked so she slid it open and went inside. This was obviously where Bradley lived. It was a very beautiful and lavishly furnished apartment. Everything he had was expensive. Friskie knew the value of most everything he had, from clothes, to dishes, to furniture, to paintings and other small art objects sitting around the rooms.

That is part of Friskie’s job now and she has a great memory for these kind of things, which can be a big help to us when checking on people, especially those who might be trying to fool us. She looked all through his apartment and then went down the stairs to the second floor. She tried opening the doors, but all of them were locked which likely means that all of them were occupied. Why else would they lock the doors? Then she noticed that each of the doors were about half an inch off the carpet. She smiled and was soon inside the first room.

There were two women sleeping on two narrow beds. There was also a small bathroom shared with the next room where only one woman was sleeping. There were a total of 10 rooms, 5 of them had women in them, 2 had men and 2 had kids. There were 4 girls, 3 boys, 3 men and 8 women. One room was empty, but it was still locked. When our 13 girls were kidnapped, they were kept at the Intimate Jewels building, not here, that’s where they kept the intimate escorts.

The people here were mostly used for other purposes. Friskie communicated all of this to Sky and Kat so they would know, that way they could make sure to protect these people and get them out of here safely. She then asked why it was taking them so long to arrive. Kat told her what happened to me, so they had stopped for a while to get more news about me before continuing. Friskie also told Sky what kind of security cameras were around the house and where they were located. Kat then told Friskie they would be arriving in a few minutes.

Friskie then went downstairs to the main floor to check on all the men. She counted 12 security guards, plus 8 other men and then Bradley. “Where is the key for the rooms upstairs?” asked Bradley. One of the men held up his hand with the key and Bradley took it. “The key is supposed to be in that locked key safe,” he said. “It was easier to carry it with me,” said Herb without taking his eyes off the TV. “Yeah, and easier to lose as well,” said Bradley, but Herb never answered, he just kept watching TV.

Bradley shook his head and went upstairs with Friskie right behind him. Once upstairs he was about to unlock one of the doors, then he decided to go up to his apartment. That was perfect for Friskie and she followed along. Once he got up there she became visible again. “Hi Bradley,” she said and he turned around quickly. She then kicked him in the stomach before he could say a word, then another kick to his head and he was knocked out. She then took the key from him.

“Thanks Mr. Kingston for kindly giving me this key,” she said with a smile. She then went and took out some handcuffs she had seen in his bedroom, and one of his many ties to use for a gag so he couldn’t call for help too easily. She then put the handcuffs on his hands and feet and off she went back downstairs. But, two of the security guards and 2 other men had arrived. “I wonder where Bradley went?” asked Carlton. “Probably up to his apartment,” said another man, “and knowing him, he will forget to come back down before Mr. Flynn gets here.”

Now that’s important news, so she communicated that with Sky and Kat right away. The girls then decided to wait until this Mr. Flynn arrived, after all, it sounded like he was the top man of this organization, so catching him is important. Friskie went back up to Bradley’s apartment and found him awake now. She went and got a nice, sharp knife out of the kitchen and came back to Bradley.

She then became visible and told him to be quiet while she took off his gag, reminding him that the knife will slit his throat if he tries to call for help. “Now, when is Mr. Flynn arriving?” she asked. “I didn’t know he was coming tonight,” he replied, “how did you get in here?” “I go anywhere I please Mr. Kingston,” she said, “now, your friends downstairs said you knew about Mr. Flynn arriving tonight, so I would suggest talking to me, or you will die.”

“If I talk to you, then Mr. Flynn will kill me,” he said, “I will take my chances with you.” “Stubborn male,” she said and gagged him again. She then went and locked the door to his apartment, that should get him in trouble with Mr. Flynn. But when is he coming? She communicated with Kat and she told Friskie to just wait and not do anything until they arrive. And keep Bradley tied up for now. She also told Friskie what to do if anyone comes looking for Bradley.

To Be Continued. ©2026 Steve McLeod.