The Investigators, Inc. The Mystery of Balding House. Chapter 5. Packing Up.

After breakfast Kat, Rock, Misty and her team went over to Henderson Collectors Company to see about getting all of Jenna’s furniture and other belongings back. They arrived bright and early asking the man at the desk to see the owner, Chuck Henderson. The man didn’t even look up from his computer, he just said, “He’s busy, come back tomorrow.” Rock picked up his monitor and slammed it face down on the man’s desk. “What do you think…” the man began to yell, until he saw the size of Rock standing in front of him. “Um, what was it you wanted?” he asked.

“We want to see your boss,” repeated Kat, “and we want to see him now. Where is his office?” “I’ll call to see if he can see you now,” said the man. Rock reached across the desk, grabbing the man and bringing him around to their side. “Show us the way,” said Rock firmly in his deep voice. “Um, yeah, sure, right away sir,” he said, “it’s right up these stairs, first door on the left.” “Lead the way mister,” said Rock. “Oh, yeah, okay,” he said nervously and off they went. “Oh, his door is locked,” said the man, “that means he doesn’t want to be disturbed.” Rock picked up the man and kicked the door open and in they all went.

“What is going on here!” shouted Chuck, “Get out now or I will call the police!” “You sit down over there,” Rock told the man he was holding, then he pushed him onto a chair. “We have some business to talk about,” said Kat, “and you will listen. My name is Kat and I’m Jenna Cooper’s cousin from Canada. I heard she was having some trouble, so I’m here to help her out and I brought a few friends with me. Now, you took all of her furniture and other belongings and I want them back, right now, and you better still have every last item you took or you will pay the full price for anything that is missing. Do you understand that?”

“Um, yes, but, it was taken to pay off a debt that Mrs. Cooper had with a man named Philip Dancer,” he said nervously, “so you will have to talk with him before I can release anything to you.” “Do you still have everything?” asked Kat. “Uh, yes, we do, right Merv?” he asked the other man. “Yep, it’s all in building number 4,” he replied. “Did you get that Misty?” asked Kat. “Yep, backing up right now,” she answered. “Now, get your men over to building 4 and start loading our trucks,” said Kat.

“Now see here lady,” said Chuck angrily, “I told you what to do, you will get nothing until then!” Rock reached over and dragged Chuck across his desk and held him up so they could see face to face. “I don’t like the way you talked to my wife,” he said frowning at Chuck, “now, get your men over to that building, we are taking everything that belongs to Jenna, and we’re taking it now!” Rock and Kat took the 2 men out to that building and they called several other men to come over and help. Jenna had a lot of furniture in that old house, plus other things. Good thing the girls had brought 3 big trucks with them.

“I think we should have brought those big, huge moving trucks,” said Misty, “might not get everything in these trucks.” “Well, Mr. Henderson has a big truck over there he will lend us if we need it,” said Kat. “Mr. Dancer isn’t going to like this,” said a very tired Chuck. Rock had pitched in to help so things would move along a little faster since not many men were at work today. Apparently when they picked up the stuff Dancer had sent some men along to help. Fortunately they managed to get everything on the three trucks and off they went. That’s when Henderson called Dancer to tell him the news.

“Great, that’s just great!” he exclaimed, “Jenna has some rich cousin to come and help her with a bunch of her friends. It must have been some of those friends that took Jenna away from here yesterday.” “They actually got away with Jenna?” asked Henderson, “I never thought that would be possible.” “Neither did I, but they did it,” he replied, “and the main woman was an amazing fighter too, she took down big Ben with one kick!” Chuck then told Dancer about Rock. “He could easily take big Ben,” said Chuck, “his strength is amazing. Even his wife was carrying things that it took 2 men to carry out of that house!”

“Maybe it’s the same woman that was here,” said Dancer, “I don’t like this at all.” “Maybe you should call the big man,” suggested Chuck. “Oh sure, and tell him we lost Jenna and all the stuff we took out of that house?” asked Dancer, “I’m not that crazy! We’ll handle this ourselves. I will make Jenna’s cousin regret coming here to help!” While the others were outside loading the trucks, Kitty had come inside the office and planted a few listening devices around, including in Henderson’s desk phone.

Fortunately that is the one he used to call Dancer, so we could hear both sides of the conversation very clearly. That meant our team was warned that Dancer was going to try something, and likely soon, so the girls and Rock would be ready. Misty and her team parked the trucks and went back to their hotel for the night, planning to return in the morning…

To Be Continued. ©2026 Steve McLeod.