The Investigators, Inc. The Stray Cat Mystery. Chapter 9. Ghosts With Courage.

Kat and Jennifer are having some ghostly fun with Wemyss, though it has turned deadly with one of his guards now dead. But Lola and more guards have come into the room now to see what is going on. However, only Wemyss can see and hear Kat which is making the others think there is something wrong with him. “He’s dead,” said Archie, speaking of the first guard, “his skull has been crushed by something.” “That woman kicked him in the head!” exclaimed Wemyss, “She’s the one who killed him!” “But there is no one here besides us William,” said Lola, “or did she run off to hide somewhere?”

“She’s still at the end of my bed!” he yelled, “Why are you all acting like you can’t see her? I’m not crazy!” “We know you’re not crazy William,” replied Lola, “you just had a bad dream which is making you see things.” “Then what happened to him?” asked Wemyss of the guard, “And why do I still see that woman?” “I don’t know William,” she said, “perhaps it’s because you’re still upset.” “Or perhaps it’s because I’m a ghost,” said Kat, “and I don’t want others to see me.” Now Lola could see Kat also and she just stared at her. “Oh, here are you bullets back,” said Kat and she dropped them on the bed.

Another guard had been looking for the bullet holes in the wall or painting that should be there, but none were visible. “Who are you and what do you want?” asked Lola. “I’m a ghost and this is my house,” said Kat, “I have put up with you long enough Wemyss and I want you out of my house. Otherwise things will get very unpleasant for you.” “Kill that woman!” yelled Wemyss. “What woman?” they asked. Lola then got up and tried to touch Kat but her hands went right through her. “You’re not a real person,” said Lola, “just a hologram.”

“Then how did I drop the bullets on the bed?” asked Kat, “Touch me again.” Kat held out her hand and Lola put her hand on it and it felt like a normal human hand. Lola then felt her arm and shoulder. “She’s right here, grab her!” exclaimed Lola. One of the men tried to grab Kat even though he could not see her, but his arms went right through her even though Lola was still touching Kat’s shoulder. Kat laughed and then a twin of herself stepped out of her which made Lola step backward. “Now’s there is two of them!” said Wemyss.

“I’m just one of me,” said the two ghosts together, “but when I get upset I copy myself. Now, get out of my house or people will start to die like the first man, though in different ways. Like this, perhaps.” She let the men see her now and pointed to one of them. “Now, you die!” she said, and the man fell to the floor dead. “You’re a murderer!” yelled Wemyss. “You’re a murderer Wemyss!” exclaimed Kat, “You have killed many people over the years and I was just protecting myself. However, call the police and have me arrested. I will just disappear and they will think you are crazy.” She then laughed again.

“What do you want to leave us alone?” asked Lola. “I already told you,” said Kat, “get out of my house and give me those pretty stones that you have.” “Never!” he shouted, “Those gems are mine, no one can have them!” “Then why do you want to sell them?” she asked, “Besides, I heard you say that you didn’t have them anymore.” “Well, yes, that’s right,” he said slowly, “but I will have them soon once that stupid woman tells me where they are hidden.” Kat laughed again. “You call her stupid,” said Kat, “but she beat you by not telling where they are.”

“She will regret that!” shouted Wemyss, “She will die and so will the leader of those Investigators!” “You better be careful Wemyss,” said Kat, “or those Investigator people are likely going to crush you and your puny empire.” Then she whistled and Courage came walking in the room from the hall. The men saw this huge lion and backed away. “Kill it, kill it!” yelled Wemyss. The men began shooting at the lion but he jumped at the men and they began screaming and trying to run for the door, but Jennifer closed the door and leaned against it so the men couldn’t open the door.

“Well, it doesn’t seem like you have any men left Wemyss,” said Kat. Then the lion disappeared. “I have warned you Wemyss,” said Kat, “and I would suggest you leave Callison alone, I like her, she is a brave woman, standing up to you the way she did.” Then Jennifer walked into Kat and both disappeared. Then Wemyss and Lola went to her bedroom and he told her to call Iain. “Iain, I have a special job for you and Ewan,” said Wemyss and he then told him what to do.

“No one tells me what to do,” he said to Lola. “But perhaps it would be good for us to go on vacation for a while,” she said, “until things cool down a bit. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you William.” “Hmm, a vacation would be nice,” he said, “okay, pick out a place and make reservations for us tomorrow.” “That’s what you think,” said Jennifer to herself, “we will have to change your plans a little, and I don’t think you will like your new visitors, and what they will find.”

Jennifer communicated with me her plan and I sent Sky on a little trip, after she brought Jennifer back to protect me. “How do you expect me to carry all of this?” asked Sky. “You have super strength Sky,” said Aari, “you can do anything.” She looked at him and sighed. I called Fergus and told him to check around Wemyss house early tomorrow morning, he just might find something interesting…

To Be Continued. ©2026 Steve McLeod.