The afternoon passed, we had dinner and then went to bed early to get some good rest. I have a feeling we will need it. I woke to the cats jumping on the bed wanting to have some breakfast. “Okay,” I said, “let me get up first.” I got myself cleaned up and ready for the new day, then ordered some food sent up to the room. After eating we just sat back for a bit and talked about things. Then our phone rang, the person at the front desk said there was a car waiting for us. So, down we went and sure enough, there was that huge limousine sitting out front. A man was standing there and opened the door for us so we got in. We sat down and soon we were driving, somewhere.

There was an older man sitting there, a mask on his face, wearing dark glasses and dark hat. It was already dark in there so I assume he doesn’t want people to identify him. Also sitting next to him was that nice young lady again. “I suppose you are wondering what is going on,” said the man, “well, we need your help.” “That’s fine,” I replied, “but this is a rather odd way to get my attention. Now, does this have anything to do with our last case where our car exploded?” “Yes, in a way,” said the man, “but we did not do that, it was done by a different organization that was hoping to stop you from helping us. Somehow they found out we were going to hire you, but so far we don’t know how that happened.”

“Well, someone in your organization must have told them,” I said. “True,” he said, “and that is a problem that has been going on for a while, but still we don’t know who it is. However, that’s not why we want you.” “Okay,” I said, “but I also don’t work under blackmail or threats of any kind. Why did you kidnap my friends?” “I assure you Mr. Leff,” he said, “we did not do any such thing.” Then he talked to the man in front with the driver. He was speaking Italian so I didn’t know what he was saying. Meow,meow.=Man tell other man to find out if kidnap is true. A few minutes pass, then he talks again. Meow,meow=Man tell him it true, girls are kidnap, must be other organization who try to stop you again.

The young woman was watching intently as Muffin talked with me. “You’re information is correct,” said the man, “but again, it was not our organization but our “competitors”. “May I ask what your organization is called?”, I ask the man. “It is better for us all to remain as secret as possible Mr. Leff,” he said, “but this is what I need. The other organization has kidnapped my grandson, he is 10 years old, because they want me to sell out to them and I refuse. Their practices are, shall we say, unorthodox. I want you to get him back for me. I have checked you out thoroughly and believe you could do it better than anyone else. And I would like him back alive.”

“Just a minute please”, I said and turned to the cats, “what do you think?” Meow,meow=I say we take case, child involved. Meow.=Yep, that what I say too. I smiled at both of them. “Okay,” I said, “we will take the case, but I will need you to pick up some things for me.” The young woman gave me a notepad and I wrote out a list. “Yes, we can get everything on your list,” she said. “I have heard that you and your cats can communicate,” said the man, “one more thing, you will need a guide, someone who knows the organization you will be dealing with, and someone who knows the language, actually, several languages.

Meet your wife, Mrs. Leff.” And he put his hand on the young woman’s shoulder. “Here is all your new identification,” she said. Hmm, not bad, everything is very well done, looks completely authentic. “Okay, next, I need to know your name,” I said to the young woman, I don’t work with people I don’t know.” “Of course, my name is Candace Leff,” she said with a smile. “That’s fine,” I said, “but, I want to know your real name, that’s important to me.” She looks at her boss, he nods his approval. “My name is Honey Fiorelli,” she said, “but you have now forgotten it.” “Fair enough,” I said, “but since we are married I could call you Honey.” She laughed. Even her boss chuckled. We were now back at the hotel garden waiting for Candace to come.

To Be Continued.

Pictures of Mr. Cat are kindly supplied by his human, Nina.

Previous chapters of this story and other stories are available on my home page under “The Investigators, Inc.”

©2021 Steve McLeod.