The Investigators, Inc. The Killer Mystery. Chapter 2. The Meeting.

Right now Aari and the Black Wolves are having a little “meeting” with Norman Wellhouse. He will soon see that fighting the Black Wolves would be a futile effort. What we also want to know, if possible, is why he beat Harley so terribly that she might end up dying. If she does die then Norman will also, and his escort business will be stopped permanently as well. Whether he is correct or not about Harley signing that contract, beating her like that crosses a line for me that I will not tolerate.

Meanwhile, back to that meeting in the restaurant. “Now, Mr. Wellhouse,” began Aari, “perhaps you can tell me why you beat that poor young woman.” “I beat no one, Mr. Jensen,” he said calmly, “and I really don’t see what business this is of yours anyway. You don’t strike me as police officers, so tell me, why are you interested in her?” “You don’t seem to understand things,” said Aari, “I’m asking the questions, you just need to answer them to my satisfaction. Otherwise you will not like the results of our little meeting. However, I understand your curiosity.

My sister is married to Steve, the head man of the Investigators and I was here visiting them. Even though we are on opposite sides of the law, we are still family and they told me about Harley. I don’t like that sort of thing Mr. Wellhouse, now, you will just answer my questions from now on, or pay the price. The Black Wolves are a large organization of over 500 well trained men and women, don’t push your luck, we enjoy pushing back. Now, tell me why you are so interested in Harley.”

“She signed a contract to work for me,” he said, “for the period of 5 years, both in my escort business and in my studio business. If at any time she wanted out of that contract, then she had to pay me a certain amount of money, but instead she ran away without paying.” “And so you thought it was justifiable to then beat her for not paying,” said Aari, “instead of giving her time to pay this amount? There is something wrong with that, I would say. Just how much money does she owe you anyway?” “The sum of 300,000 pounds, which she had agreed upon when she signed the contract,” answered Norman, quite smugly.

“That’s a substantial amount of money,” said Aari, “which I’m sure you knew she could never pay, especially since you were not paying her.” The somewhat shocked look on Norman’s face told Aari that he was right about him not paying Harley. “She was paid, but in ways that did not include money,” he then went on to say, “such us food, clothes, a great place to live with a pool and friends. She had it made really.” “Except that she was a prisoner and not allowed to leave,” said Aari, “a detail you forgot to mention. Now tell me, which of these men beat Harley, or was it a team effort?”

One of the men smiled and Kristina was standing behind him. “That was me totally,” he said proudly, “a cool bit of work wasn’t it?” “How would you like to come outside with me?” asked Kristina, “And you can try beating me, though I would guess a real man like you would be too afraid to fight a woman who can fight back.” The man was actually quite big and muscular, though nothing like Bear and Joseph. He turned to look at Kristina, who is not very big. “Lady, you wouldn’t last 5 minutes with me,” he said, “I would pull that long hair off you and tie you up with it, then fill you with so many bruises that your boss wouldn’t recognize you for months.”

“Oh my,” she said sarcastically, “sounds scary!” “Let me go teach her a lesson Mr. Wellhouse,” he said. “I don’t think it will be that easy, but go ahead,” he replied. They went out the back way so they wouldn’t attract attention and Kristina returned in a few minutes. “I left the trash in that big garbage bin out back,” she said grinning. Norman told a couple of his men to check on him and they came back in a little while saying they took him to his room and that he had obviously lost the fight. “I told you that my people are well trained,” said Aari, “now, what is the real reason for beating Harley?

You spent quite an effort to find her, she must be rather special to you. Perhaps she knows more about you than you want people to know? Perhaps her parents are involved with you? Perhaps she stole something from you, aside from your pride, that is? Tell me, which is it?” “I will tell you this just once Mr. Jensen,” he replied, “I am not afraid of you or your puppies. Stay away from me and you will stay in good health.” “You are a foolish man Mr. Wellhouse,” said Aari, “as for your plans to open your escort business in this city, cancel them, you are not wanted here. Don’t pick a fight you can’t win.” Bear then went behind Norman and began to squeeze his head with his hands. Bear then pushed his face into his piece of pie.

Kristina did the same with two other men and Joseph did another. “I only give one warning Mr. Wellhouse,” said Aari, then he and the others left. Mr. Wellhouse pointed at the last two men sitting by themselves, telling them to shoot Aari. They got up and began to leave, but Sky was still there, invisible, and she put her hand on their hearts and they dropped to the floor, dead. She then left as well. “They’re both dead boss,” said one of the men. “Dead?” he asked, “How can they be dead?” Aari then reported back to me.

“Hmm, sounds like he is a stubborn sort,” I said, “maybe he will change a bit when he checks out the Black Wolves. Unless he is just completely foolish, or maybe just plain stupid.” “Maybe he has more backing than we think,” said Aari, “he seemed much too confident. I also didn’t expect him to try and kill me right then.” “Yes, make sure Carine and Kristina stay close to you,” I said, “Kat and her Wildcats are there too, and Sky will be watching things closely as well. I have an idea which we will put into action in the morning. I want to see his reaction to this news.” “Okay Steve,” he said, “maybe that plan will make him overconfident.”

To Be Continued. ©2026 Steve McLeod.