The Investigators, Inc. The Stray Cat Mystery. Chapter 4. Four Hearts.

Well, this case is getting to be a little different than most other cases we have had. Why has Callison been kidnapped? Is it for sex trafficking purposes? Somehow I don’t think so, things just don’t fit for something like that. It would be easy enough to kidnap Callison without going to her home and killing her parents first, then taking her. This happened in the morning when there is traffic on the street, plus neighbors would be awake and could see what was going on and call the police.

Although no one did call the police, so maybe no one saw anything. Our girls went around to the neighbors but none of them wanted to talk, they just told our girls to leave them alone. Rather odd behavior for neighbors. Unless they had been warned ahead of time not to say anything to anyone. That is what I’m thinking anyway. The girls are busy making our guests feel at home right now and, of course, some are working on decoding that note. The envelope that Callison left in the train station locker was very enlightening.

But was it true information or was it another coded message? The note mentioned some gems called the Hearts of India, and apparently there are four of them. Each gem is in it’s own case made of solid 24K gold. I had never heard of these gems so I had Sky bring Alfred over here so I could talk with him. “If what she says is true,” he said, “then that is why Callison was kidnapped since she is now the only person who knows where these gems are hidden. Likely her parents were shot because they would not disclose the location of the gems, but they couldn’t kill Callison or those gems would be lost forever.

So, Wemyss wanted her so he could try different methods to get the information from her, then he would likely kill her after retrieving the gems.” “Do you have an idea of their value Alfred?” I asked, “Wemyss just might use Callison in sex trafficking after finding the gems.” “I checked with my contacts,” he replied, “sex trafficking is not something Wemyss is involved with, though he might sell her to someone else for that purpose. Those gems are priceless, basically, or something like ‘name your own price’ kind of item.

I know a couple of men who would give Wemyss $10 billion for them, perhaps even more. Others would gladly give him their entire collection of gems, plus cash, in order to get their hands on them. These are large gems, four of them, a ruby, a diamond, a sapphire and an emerald. They are large, beautiful, flawless gems which I was able to see displayed in a museum years ago. How they got into the hands of Callison’s parents would be interesting to know.” “Yes, it would seem that her parents, and maybe Callison too, were involved in the theft of these gems, and maybe others as well,” I admitted.

“That is quite possible,” said Alfred, “but it’s interesting that she mentioned the gems without saying where they were hidden, or where she might be. However, on that note, there are two places where we should be able to find Wemyss, according to my contacts. Wemyss is already a wealthy man, by the way, worth around 50 billion euros.” “Hmm, he doesn’t really need the money,” I said, “but it means he will not be easy to fight. He likely has a small army working for him, and they are likely watching us at all times. That means it will be hard for us to look for those gems.

If they see us find those gems then Wemyss won’t need to keep Callison any longer.” “Yes, and he knows all of those you had with you at Callison’s home,” said Alfred. “Yes, I thought of that ahead of time,” I said, “and we don’t keep photos of anyone available anymore, just so we don’t have such problems. And we will keep away from the Black Wolves for now so that you can operate independently.” Aari was here too, though he was just listening for now. “Do you want us to search for those gems Steve?” asked Aari.

“I might do that, once we have an idea of where to look for them,” I said, “then we can concentrate on looking for Callison. That way Wemyss won’t think we know about the gems yet and that we’re just treating this as a missing person’s case, or kidnapping case. That way he won’t be too worried about us.” The girls were still busy working on the coded message that Callison wrote on the back of that photo. Tracy has found a lot of information about Wemyss and his estate near Aberdeen, Scotland, the most likely place for us to find him.

However, that may not be where he is keeping Callison, just in case the police decide to check on him concerning this case, though I doubt they will. Wemyss is a respectable businessman in Aberdeen and won’t likely be a suspect any time soon, even though the Director here knows of Wemyss’ possible involvement in this case. But Wemyss owns several large businesses in Scotland, England, Spain, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark. He also has new business interests in Canada. He definitely gets around.

His estate is quite large with a huge, old stone house where he lives. He has 40 men that work and live at the estate, part of his small army I figured he had. He has another 20 men that travel with him when he goes further afield, like to another country. When he goes to Aberdeen he has 6 well trained bodyguards with him at all times. This is good information to know when we go to talk with him. “Okay ghost girls,” I began, “you will be very important on this case. Carine will stay with Aari as usual and Kitty will join her this time.”

“Uh, Steve,” said Kitty, “Wemyss knows about me and if I show up with the Black Wolves, then he will know we work together.” “Oh, that’s right,” I said, “okay, Kristina will go with Aari this time for extra protection. Kitty, you will stay at home this time since we only need one ghost at home.” “Hold it you,” said Jennifer, “there has to be 2 ghosts at home with you at all times, remember?” “Did you forget that I am going along on this case?” I asked her. “I think we better change that,” she said, frowning at me, “it’s going to be too dangerous for you out there.”

“But there will be 5 ghosts with me,” I said, “plus other girls around to guard me as well. If that isn’t enough to keep me safe, then I won’t be safe anywhere.” “Steve has a point,” said Misty, “after all, you ghosties are his best protection.” Then she started munching on her donut, then she took a sip of coffee. That’s when Sky came behind her and tickled her. And that caused Misty to spit her coffee soaked piece of donut from her mouth right into Jennifer’s face. “I warned you about calling us “ghosties”,” said Sky, then looking at Jennifer, “what happened to you?”

Jennifer then said something and Sky shuffled her way to the kitchen. “I can never have fun, everyone yells at me,” she said to herself. Jennifer sighed and I had to leave for the kitchen too since I was having a hard time not laughing. Cassie had just put a fresh plate of donuts on the table so I whispered to Sky and the donuts disappeared, along with Sky. I then went to my office where Sky was waiting, and smiling.

“I brought the coffee,” I said, “rats, no cups.” Sky disappeared and returned with 2 cups. “I smell donuts,” said Steffie. “Amazing,” said Sky and I together. Dawn’s team will look for the gems, or perhaps the Black Wolves, once we have that note decoded. Misty’s team will stay at home for added protection here. The Bad Girls and the Wildcats will come along to visit with Mr. Wemyss, but this trip will have to be secret…

To Be Continued. ©2026 Steve McLeod.