While we were at the old lodge, Pete the store owner, went into town and straight to the police to complain about us again. “They broke those telephone poles and electrical poles too this time,” said Pete, “that’s a crime, ain’t it?” “Did you see them do this?” asked the Sheriff. “Course not, they’s too smart for that,” he said. “Well, if they did knock those poles down,” said William, “that is a crime against the phone and electrical companies.” “If they did it,” said the Sheriff, “were the poles sawed down?” “Nope, snapped off like a toothpick,” he replied.

“Then it’s hardly likely these PI’s did it,” said the Sheriff, “but we will go out and take a look anyway.” William got his gun right away, then proceeded to get a shotgun too. “Put that thing away,” said the Sheriff, “you’re too trigger happy to carry that thing. We don’t want to kill anyone, just talk to them, and I will do the talking. Don’t you dare take out your gun either, that’s a good way to cause trouble unnecessarily.” They got in their car and went out to Old Lake Lodge. Pete stopped at the lodge to have some lunch and talk with the owner.

Rusty came and stood close to the doorway into the dining room and listened. “I don’t like having those PI’s around,” said Pete, “they could ruin everything.” “Hopefully they won’t stay long,” said Bert, the owner, “Jameson won’t like any delays.” “I think we should kill a couple of them like we did to…,” said Pete. “Quiet,” said Bert, “one of those PI’s might hear you.” Rusty then ran upstairs and told Kat. “Downstairs for lunch girls,” she said after telling everyone what Rusty said. They all walked casually into the dining room and Kat stopped to say hi to Pete.

“Hi Mister store owner,” she said, “you don’t look well today.” She then put her hand on his forehead. “Wow, you’re hot Mister,” she said, “you should see a doctor.” “Get your hand off me lady!” he grumbled, “I feel just fine.” “Have it your way,” she said and left. “You do look flushed,” said Bert. “I feel like I’m burning up too,” he said, “but I wasn’t going to let her know that.” Then he started to gasp and Bert told his wife he was taking Pete to the hospital. “How long will he stay like that?” asked Sienna. “A few hours,” said Kat, “they will likely want to keep him at the hospital overnight.”

The owner’s wife, Sandy, and a new woman were the only ones working today, so they were quite busy getting lunch for everyone. Finally all were eating and the new waitress came with more coffee. “You’re new here,” said Kat, “is it your first day?” “No,” she said, “I only work part time usually. I hear you are all private investigators looking for those girls that came through here last week.” “Yes, that’s right,” said Kat, “did you see those four girls?”

“Yep, they arrived in the evening,” she said, “and stayed here that night, then went out to Old Lake Lodge the next morning. No one heard from them since. I’m surprised that Bert or Sandy didn’t mention that to you.” “Bert told us he never saw the girls,” said Kat, “Sandy didn’t say anything, she just looked kind of scared when we asked.” “Well, everyone knows that place is haunted,” she said, “everyone that goes up there either disappears or dies, like those hunters last year.” “The ones killed by the bear?” asked Kat.

“That’s just a made up story for the news,” she said, “they were found sitting on the porch of that old lodge, not a mark on them. A reporter from the city was out here to cover the story and that’s what he was told, though he didn’t believe it. He told me that the wives of those men were given $20,000 to not get an autopsy done, and to remember they had children.” “Hmm, so they were threatened by someone,” said Kat, “I wonder who did that?” “No one knows for sure,” she said, “but I bet it was one of the people from that weird village. They are a scary bunch, I never like when they come to town.”

“Please don’t tell anyone you told us all of this,” said Kat, “I wouldn’t want you to get into trouble. By the way, my name is Kat, this is Sienna. If you ever need help, just come to any one of us and we will help you.” “Thanks,” she said, “my name is Carmeline.” Just then Bert returned and saw Carmeline talking with Kat and Sienna. “Carmeline, you’re fired!” he roared, “I don’t want to see you here again!” He then stormed off to the kitchen. “I needed this job,” she said, “now I’ll never pay my rent each month.” “How would you like to work with us?” asked Kat. “That’s a great idea,” said Sienna, “I will gladly pay you what I pay the others. Are you tied to this town for any reason?”

“Do you really mean that?” she asked, “No, since my parents were killed this past summer, I have no reason to stay here anymore.” “Your parents were killed?” asked Kat. “Well, officially they drowned in Old Lake, but I don’t believe it,” she said, “my parents were excellent swimmers. It’s that haunted lodge, or people from that village.” “I would say it’s the second guess,” said Kat, “can you start working with us right away?” “Well, since I just lost my job here,” she said smiling, “guess I can start working for you right now.” “Good,” said Sienna, “do you mind staying here with us? It would be safer for you.”

“I would love that,” she said, “but I need to go get some clothes.” “I will send some of the girls with you,” said Kat, “I just don’t trust people around here.” “Neither do I,” said Carmeline, “except for Sandy, she really is nice, but she’s afraid of her husband.” Meanwhile, back with us. Kat communicated with me what she had learned. This is getting interesting, though it’s not really helping us find our girls. “Cristy, the most beautiful, hard working computer girl,” I began, “how are you today?” “Just fine,” she said, “and what nasty bit of work should I be doing instead of going to bed early for a change?”

“Always with the jokes,” I said, “I would like to know the name of the reporter and everything about him, the one who did the story about the hunters last year. Also, a couple named Anne and Jack Banner and their daughter Carmeline, thank you.” “Oh, that’s an interesting name,” she said, “okay, I’m on it Steve.” After lunch, the girls proceeded to look around the lodge again while Amerie, Celestine, Carine and I went outside to look around again. After a short time I sensed trouble so I asked Amerie and Celestine to hold my hands.

“There’s a car coming Steve,” said Carine. We waited and after about 5 minutes the rest of us could hear it too. Soon the police car came into view and that was the source of the trouble I sensed. Are the police involved too? The Sheriff was friendly enough and we talked about things, but the deputy had his hand on his gun the whole time and periodically said he didn’t believe me. I then took the Sheriff out to the shed to show him the body we found.

“That’s Stan, from the village,” he said, “perhaps someone is trying to tell you something.” “I agree,” I said, “but we are not leaving without finding those 4 women.” I then told him I believed the hunters and Carmeline’s parents were murdered. Apparently the Sheriff was off sick when the hunters were killed, so he never saw them, only the deputy did. He then called William to come help and they carried the body back to their car and drove back to town. There was one other thing we found that was interesting today, but like the shed, it made no sense.

To Be Continued. ©2025 Steve McLeod.