The Investigators, Inc. The Mystery of Helene’s Murder. Chapter 1. Helene’s Murder.

Well, Helene decided to leave us after securing a new identity for herself. She is now renting a flat in the city. But, somewhere in that city was a man named Bobby Frank, leader of a fairly large criminal gang and someone who hated Helene for something she did to him 2 years ago. He has never been able to find her due to her secrecy and the many guards she always has with her. And the homes where she lived were like fortresses that no one could enter alive.

One day two of his men were having lunch in one of the restaurants not far from where Helene was living. Then another man showed up and sat down with them. He told them he knew where Helene was living and he would tell them, for a price of $20,000 euros. The one man called Frank and he accepted the deal and soon two more men arrived, one with a briefcase full of money. They were taken to the building where Helene was living and she came out the main door just then, looked in her purse and went back inside.

“Must have forgotten something,” said one of the men. Right then Frank drove up and his men confirmed they saw Helene. The other man left with his money and was quickly picked up by a van. Frank and his men went up to Helene’s flat on the second floor and knocked on her door. She opened and backed up quickly trying to get her gun from her purse, but the men had their guns out already. “I never would have thought that the great Helene would stoop so low to live in this old place,” said Frank, “but it is a great way to hide, right in the open. But you should have known I would not give up until I found you.”

He then raised his gun and shot her in the heart! She crumpled to the floor immediately. “Check her,” said Frank, and one of his men went over to make sure she was dead. “Yep, dead as a rock,” he said. Frank went over to Helene’s body and kicked her in the stomach. Then he and his men laughed and walked out, going back to their cars and drove away. A woman heard the shot and called the police who then called us. They kept her body in the flat until we got there to have a look around.

“I will get Frank for this Helene,” I said, “you can count on it.” “How do you know it was the man you mentioned?” asked the police officer in charge. “Because Bobby Frank was in the city,” I said, “and I knew he wanted to kill Helene, so I had warned her and offered her protection, which she refused.” “How did you know Mr. Frank was in the city?” asked the police officer. “I always like to know when big name criminals come to the city,” I said, “just in case they want to give us some trouble. Undoubtedly he left the city already, but we will find him and bring him back to you, if possible.”

Then our friend the chief of police came along and gave me permission to take Helene’s body which will be buried in our cemetery. Back at home while I was sitting in my office thinking, Sky came up to visit. Well, maybe ‘visit’ isn’t quite the right word, um, she was a bit angry. Very angry even, so that she split in two. That is, there was two of Sky. “Um, this is interesting,” I said, “I didn’t know you could split yourself like that?” “I only do it when I’m angry,” she stated, “and, I am angry right now! We could have had that man already, but no, you said not to chase after him!! What is with that??” The last 4 words the two Sky’s said at the same time.

“Hey, you can talk at the same time too,” I said, “that’s great.” They both come over to me. “How would you like it if we both slap you at the same time too?” they both asked together. “Um, I don’t think that would be nice,” I said quietly. Just then Jennifer arrived. “What is going on in here?” she asked Sky, “We can here you downstairs.” “Oops, sorry Leader Jennifer,” they both said. “That’s better, now go apologize to Steve as well,” said Jennifer. They both turn, slouch over a bit and shuffle over to me. “Sorry Steve,” they both said. “Aha! You are not two, that one is Angel,” I said and I grabbed Sky, plopping her on my lap.

“Hey, me too!” said Angel and she jumped on both of us. “There, that’s the way it should be,” said Jennifer, “now stay that way, we have work to do.” “Yes Leader Jennifer!” they both said, standing up and saluting. “And stop that saluting please,” said Jennifer as she walked down the stairs. Sky went over and kicked that rock. “YAAAAAAAAAAAA!!” screamed Jennifer, then “AAAAAAAAA!!” yelled Misty as Jennifer crashed into her. “You are terrible Sky,” I said chuckling, then laughing.

We were all laughing until I saw Jennifer standing at the door. “You can sleep up here tonight,” she said to me. “But I, but they…” I said pointing to Sky and Angel. “And don’t blame them, you are the Leader,” she said. Then she noticed Sky and Angel snickering. “And you two can stay here with him,” she said, “and that is an order.” She then went back downstairs after saying our dinner would be sent up to us. Misty brought our meals and said we have to stay in my office until 8am. Sky and Angel sighed loudly together. “It’s your fault for doing that to Jennifer,” said Misty, “you two should know better.” They both frowned at her.

“Okay you three,” I said, “we have work to do.” “How are we supposed to do anything stuck in this little room?” asked Sky. “Easy, Cristy and the other girls will send us information,” I said, “and we will formulate a plan of action.” “What action?” asked Angel, “That guy is long gone and we will never find him.” “Now that is negative thinking,” I said, “we are going to find him, no matter how long it takes, and I doubt it will take long. He killed Helene and he will be boasting about it, and we will pay for information leading us to him.”

“We could have had him for free,” said Sky, “but you wouldn’t let us go after him.” For some reason she was frowning when she said that. “You shouldn’t talk to our Leader like that!” exclaimed Misty, “He’s the smartest, most intelligent, brave, considerate, thoughtful Leader we have, and, the best thinker too! Even if he doesn’t do anything anymore. Well, I am going to slide down to freedom.”

She kicked the rock turning the stairs into a slide and, “YAAAAAAAAAAA!!!” “Oooooo!” said Sky and Angel together. But Misty giggled, then the other two giggled, then I chuckled and soon we were laughing out loud. That is, until I noticed Jennifer standing at the door again. Now Misty is staying with us too. This should be interesting. “When do we start looking for Frank?” asked Jennifer. “Well, we need to bury Helene first,” I said, “then we go after Bobby Frank.”

To Be Continued. ©2026 Steve McLeod.