Steve`s Country
For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
The Investigators, Inc. The Jigsaw Puzzle Mystery. Chapter 10. Finding Patrick.
The prison rescue went quite smoothly and well within our time limit we had set for ourselves, which was 15 minutes, as it only took 12 minutes to execute. Unfortunately, 3 of our Bad Girls had been shot, one was serious and had to be carried out. The other two, though bad, could walk out with help. All three are now in our clinic, keeping Samantha and the nurses busy. Alex is also back and sleeping in one of the rooms at the clinic. “I certainly hope that Alex is okay,” said Helene, “when will we know for sure?” “Come with me,” said Jennifer and she took her to the clinic.
“But, but, how?” asked Helene, “Your jet could not be here yet.” “You were not listening when we told you about Sky and her ability to travel,” said Jennifer, “she brought Alex back, plus the three girls that were wounded so that Samantha could start operating on them right away. She will check Alex as well to make sure she is in good health. Right now she is just sleeping due to the drug we use which is quite harmless. But it makes it easier for carrying people who are not used to this type of flying.” She then giggled.
“Then Sky really is a ghost,” said Helene, “when I knew a man before, named Christopher, he claimed to have a ghost who was his slave and would do anything he wanted her to do. He could control her with his ring, he said. Perhaps he was right after all, I just figured he lying to try and impress me.” “He wasn’t lying,” said Jennifer quietly, “I was his slave, but he controlled me mainly by saying he would hurt, or kill, Steve. Then he kidnapped Steve and I found out and went to the room where he was kept chained and loosed him and said I would help him to escape.
But Steve, being the stubborn man that he is, said he wouldn’t go unless I went with him. We argued a bit about that since he was already married to Sky and I thought she wouldn’t want me around. But, Steve won and Sky welcomed me with open arms.” Helene hugged Jennifer. “I’m glad you listened to Steve and got away from Christopher,” she said, “he would have ruined you and Steve obviously needed you later.” “Thank you Helene,” she said, “did you want to stay here with Alex, she will be waking up soon, and if there’s any problems just push that button.”
Helene thanked her and stayed until Alex woke up. Bridgette came to check on her right away since she wasn’t needed by Samantha. Meanwhile, Cristy was still working to find where Patrick lived, or where else he might be presently. I was lying down waiting for the evening supply of donuts to get ready. Since Misty and Sky are both away right now it gives the rest of us a chance to get some donuts without having to fight for them, or sneak them. Suddenly I smelled fresh donuts and that meant I was too late.
“Hi Daddy, donuts are ready,” said Steffie as she munched on one. “Where’s mine?” I asked. “Mommy and Auntie Jennifer said I not suppose to bring you donuts,” she replied. Sigh. “They meant when I was in the clinic not to bring me any,” I said. “Nope,” she said again. Then, when she was finished, she jumped on me and the tickle fight began. However, having a tickle fight right after eating 5 donuts was not such a good idea. Steffie had the 5 donuts I discovered, and they all landed on top of me, which wasn’t nice. Sigh. Just then Erika came in. “Ewww, what’s all that?” she asked. “My donuts,” said Steffie sadly.
Apparently Erika had given Steffie 3 donuts for me, but she didn’t say that plainly enough so Steffie thought they were for her and that she was just supposed to come and see me. Sigh. Erika left in a hurry and soon Beryan and Milena came running in the room. They stopped and began laughing. Erika only told them that there was an emergency and I needed them right away. Oh well, time to hit the shower. Later Cristy called and said she found where Patrick lived and she’s trying to find out if he is actually there right now or somewhere else.
In a few minutes she called back and said Patrick was at home using his computer. I asked if she was sure it was him and she said yes, he was playing an online game with some of his friends in other places. I went to my office and Cristy put the game up for me to see. “Okay Cristy, time to interfere with their game,” I said. “Yay!” she screamed and soon a ghost appeared, laughing at them. Then Jennifer spoke to Patrick. “Paaatriiick!” she said in a nice ghostly voice, “I’m waaaatccching youuuu! Sooooon yoouuu wiiill beeee in youuuuur graaaave!”
Then the ghost laughed some more and their game froze. “We need to get Patrick before he goes into hiding,” I told Jennifer, “get Sky to take you and Kitty to visit him right away.” “Wait a minute,” she said, “you need three ghosts here, remember?” “Okay, once that jet lands, then Sky can pick up Kat and Angel and bring them here, then take you and Kat to visit Patrick. Having twin ghosts will be twice the fun.” “That’s still only two ghosts here,” she said sternly. “Only temporarily,” I said, “and I can always call Sky if I need to.”
“Hmm, okay, that should work,” she said reluctantly. Soon the jet landed and our three ghosts were on their way. They would have to go to the town first and find out where the castle house is located where Patrick lives and drive out there, if they can find a vehicle to rent, or just take a taxi. Interestingly they ended up in front of a hotel, a nice looking one at that, so they went in and got themselves a room on the top floor. They were hoping to see Patrick’s house from up there, but they were facing the wrong direction.
They couldn’t see such a house anyway. So Kat went downstairs to ask if there were any castles in the area, but the man behind the desk was watching TV and paid no attention to her. That annoyed Kat a bit so she jumped over the desk and sat on the man’s lap, smiling. She soon returned to their room. “It’s just 2 blocks that way, then one block left,” she said, then she added, “he doesn’t know how to kiss very well.” The other two laughed uncontrollably.
“Next time one of you can get the information,” said Kat. Anyway, off they went since it was now dark and since it wasn’t far, they decided to walk. “I think we walked too slow,” said Jennifer, “it took us 10 seconds.” There was a high fence and an iron gate, but since Jennifer was there, they other two held her hands and they all walked through the iron gate and up to the front door…
To Be Continued. ©2026 Steve McLeod.
Steve`s Country 
Helene definitely got around the criminal world, when she met Christopher. She does have an issue in discernment and whether someone is telling the truth or not. Great that she and Jennifer really connected over this. There is much for Helene to learn about the Investigators.
Twelve minutes for a prison break is extraordinary. But even though three Bad Girls were wounded, it sounds like they are going to recover.
Hope that Patrick or his men do not attack the chateau when there are only two ghosts there. Somehow, there are going to be serious problems when the ghosts confront Patrick.
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