The Investigators, Inc. The Stray Cat Mystery. Chapter 3. Keys and Codes.

While going through boxes in the basement, looking specifically for clothes from Callison that the cats might be able to use to get her scent, she found something else that she thought might be helpful. That was a set of 6 journals that Callison had been keeping. Some people keep diaries, others keep journals, basically they are about the same thing and these could be helpful to us. More helpful than we realized at the beginning. Then there is the photo that Kitty found under the mattress in what looked like it would have been Callison’s bedroom.

It was the same photo that Jennifer had found in one of the boxes in the basement, with one slight difference. There was a short note written on the back of her photo. But the note didn’t really make any sense to us. We didn’t tell the Director about the photo with the note on it. I suppose we should have said something but he might have wanted to keep that photo and I wanted the original for our girls to study. I’m thinking there is a code in that note that will help us on this case, but we are going to have to break that code quickly if there is one.

I’m starting to think there is more to this case than a kidnapping for sex trafficking purposes. Wemyss could have handled this much differently for that. He wanted to make a statement, especially to Callison, that cooperation is the best way to go. That could be true, but hopefully she can stall for a while to give us time to find her. We finally wrapped up our searching of the house and went back home again to check on this note. I let Cynthia, Melanie, Alizea, Audrey, Jackie and Carmeline look at it first since they are the best code experts we have.

Marlene asked if she could look at the note too and I said yes. She is not yet a member of our team, but she wants to be and is now working through our tests and training, as is Lara. Kerry and Krissy are going through the junior tests and training since they are too young to join as full members. Ronja and Sanna have also asked to join and are in the testing period as well. Anyway, back to our case. Two of the girls are checking the note for now while the others are going through the journals to see if they can find any information about codes and how to use her code.

She must have some information available, otherwise the code is useless to anyone else. Kitty and four other girls have gone to the store where Callison worked to see what they could find out there. The owner and 2 other employees were saddened when they heard what had happened. The owner had been quite angry that Callison had left without any explanation and now she felt terrible about that. One of the employees had gone to the back room and returned with an envelope which she handed to Kitty.

“Callison told me that if anything ever happened to her then I was to give this envelope to The Investigators,” she said, “and you would know what to do with it. She knew a lot about you from things she read, about all the cases you solved over the years. She always wanted to join your organization but knew she would never qualify.” “Thank you for delivering this to me,” said Kitty smiling, “it just might help us to find Callison much more quickly.”

“I sure hope so,” said the woman, “that man, Wemyss, just seemed like trouble the time I met him when I was visiting Callison one evening.” “Can you describe him to me?” asked Kitty. “I can do better than that,” she said, “I took a picture of him while he was talking to Mr. Featherstonehaugh.” She then took out her phone to show Kitty. It was amazingly good so Kitty asked if she could have a copy and the woman, Sylvie, gladly gave it to Kitty. The girls then left the store, however, as they went out the door Kitty went invisible, going back inside before the door closed.

The other girls went into the van and drove away, but not too far. They turned right down the first street and parked, waiting to hear from Kitty. They had an idea that perhaps someone was watching them and the ladies in that store would then be in danger. Sure enough it was just about 5 minutes when a car drove up and parked in front of the store. Three men got out and came inside to talk with the women. “What did you tell those Investigators?” asked one man rather roughly, “If you don’t tell us then we will have to take you along for a little ride, and you won’t enjoy that at all.”

“Why don’t you just ask me, Mr. Nosey?” asked Kitty coming up behind them, “After all, I’m the one they talked with.” The men turned around quickly. “Grab her!” yelled the first man. One of them grabbed Kitty by the arm, but she slipped out of his grip easily. “How did you do that?” he asked. Just then the other girls arrived and Kitty kicked the man who had grabbed her, knocking him to the floor. The other girls yelled and joined in the fight easily overcoming the three men. Kitty then called me and I called the Director who sent three patrol cars to the store and they arrested the 3 men.

Unfortunately those three men will likely be back on the street again very quickly and that means the ladies at the store are in danger. I talked with the women through Kitty’s communicator that we all carry and told them we would be very happy to offer them protection at our chateau until the case is over. “It should only take 2 weeks at the most,” I said, “and likely much less. I know you probably don’t want to close your store, but your lives are more important right now.”

They talked it over briefly, then accepted our offer. Kitty and the girls then took them home to pick up some clothes and brought them back here. I’m very glad they made the right decision, it’s much easier for us to look after them here. But before they returned here Kitty wanted to make one other stop, at the train station. She went to one of the lockers and used the key to unlock it. Inside was another envelope which she brought home to me…

To Be Continued. ©2026 Steve McLeod.