The Investigators, Inc. Mountain Cabin Murder Mystery. Chapter 5. Parents.

Steffie solved a problem for us once again, amazingly fast! But, how did she know what to do just by looking at the photos? So, I decided to ask her, best way to find out I figured. “Steffie honey,” I began, “how did you know what to do just by looking at the photos?” “That easy Daddy,” she said, murder woman in that bed, so bad person must come in very quick and that mean door must be real close by. Little table between beds so door must be behind table, and look there, back two legs not touch floor, only front leg touch floor.

That mean back of table on wall, so must slide up, not able to slide sideways. Little picture on wall off to side above table, so must slide to left and pictures always turn upside down, mostly. Little piece of wood on floor different color, so must move.” She looks at me and smiles. “This one easy, not like in here,” she said. “You might be the best of the best sneakers Steffie,” I said, “but you are the super duper best puzzle solver! I am going to make you a permanent member of the home team!”

“YES!!” she said excitedly, “Um, what is name of home team?” “Uh, well, home team, I guess,” I told her. “That boring Daddy,” she said, shaking her head, “need better name. Hey, have contest, all home teamers give names and you pick winner!” “Well, maybe we should let the home team leader pick the winner,” I said, “it would make her feel better.” “Maybe you right,” she said, “we do it like that.” Off she went with the good news for the home team which seemed to get them all excited.

Meanwhile, I arranged for a conference video call with all the parents of the adventure girls. Telling the parents about their dead daughters will not be easy, but it must be done. The time came and each of the parents, except for Marlene, Mandar’s secretary, seemed to be rather annoyed that I was taking up their time with trivial matters. I then explained who I was and that Rhianna and Julie had been murdered up at that mountain mansion. I also told them that Mandar had hired us to find the murderer. The parents of the murdered women were relieved that they didn’t have to pay us and that we were keeping this quiet and not getting the police involved.

I told them that we must tell the police now or we could get in trouble, but all of the parents told us to keep the police out of it and just handle it ourselves. They were all satisfied that we would do a better job than the police anyway. I said that we would send the bodies of the murdered girls back home. The parents of both asked who would be paying for that since it was not their fault that their daughters had been killed and they didn’t want to pay. I was more than a bit annoyed at this but I said we would ship them back to their city airport, but they would have to pick up the bodies at that point.

They said that would be acceptable. I also asked each of them to show the most recent photos of their daughters, as I had asked, just to make sure we have the right women. They did so, again, most being rather annoyed by my request. The photos matched these adventure girls. They told us not to force the other girls to leave, that would be shameful since their daughters are not cowards, and these vacations are meant to teach them to be brave and tough so they could one day take over the family business. After all, as owners of the business they need to be brave and tough or others would walk all over them.

This teaches them that it’s better to walk over others instead. I wanted to say something but Jennifer held me back. Then they all signed off saying that time was money and they had more important things to do than talk with me about trivial matters. However, Marlene stayed with us and talked for a while. She filled us in about the other families and the way they did things with their children. She was not like that, but Kerry, her daughter, was best friends with these girls and loved going with them on these vacations, just to spend time with them.

Plus she did love challenges and learned a lot of good things from them. She told us that Darlene and Krissy were like Kerry, not like the other girls. Rhianna, Megan, Julie and Emma were following in their parents footsteps, though they were still very nice girls, so far. And all seven of the girls get along so well and always have, even though Kerry is the youngest of the group, then Krissy and Darlene is the same age as the rest of the girls who are all 22. I asked how old Kerry and Krissy are since on their social media they all claim to be the same age of 22.

“That was Megan’s idea,” said Marlene, “I didn’t like it and told Kerry, but she reminded me that there were certain things that were best kept a secret on such places, and she’s right about that. Kerry is 18 and Krissy is 19. I’m 34, and yes, I was a young mother and single to the present day.” She gave us more information about the families and told me to check into their financial records more fully. She thinks that some of them, and maybe all, are involved in some activities that might not be legal. However, she is not sure, but we would probably know better.

She also gave us some other names of people the other parents all seem to know, but she knows nothing about them. She told that she is not wealthy like the others and Mandar pays for Kerry’s vacation trips. She also told us that Kerry and Krissy dream of one day joining the Investigators, but she asked us not to tell the girls she said anything. Jennifer assured her we would say nothing and she asked again if she would like us to bring Kerry back here for safety. She would like that, but she also knows that Kerry would rather stay out there, so we told her we would be watching the remaining girls very closely from now on.

“How come we don’t sense danger or even trouble lately,” I asked Jennifer, “even when it involved our own people?” “I’m not quite sure,” she said, “but perhaps because the trouble, or danger, is from within and not from without. I asked Kat before she left and she helped me focus better. Maybe I can help you too. Kat is going to be extra diligent too, now that she’s back there again. That’s why I asked her to come back here with Sky.” “I was wondering what that was all about,” I said, “I just figured you two sisters needed some refocus time about this case.” “Sorry, I should have told you before now,” she said, hugging me. “Well, that kiss made up for it,” I said smiling…

To Be Continued. ©2026 Steve McLeod.