We were in the Spider House and just began to look around in the living room when we heard some footsteps in the dining room. They appeared to be coming our way so we positioned ourselves and waited. Sure enough, Irene came into the living room. “Hmm, trespassers in my house,” she said, “would you like some tea while we talk?”

We all went into the dining room where she had cups out on the table already, enough for each of us. “Looks like you saw us coming,” I said. “Yes, I did, and a good thing too,” she said, “or you likely would not be alive now. However, I told my guard not to harm you. You certainly opened my new lock quickly.” “Well, that wasn’t me, that was Misty over there,” I said, “she is our lock picker now.”

Irene laughed. “Well, you did that very quickly Misty, congratulations,” she said. Poor Misty turned quite red. “Thank you,” she said. “Do you live out here?” I asked. “Yes, I have been living here for some time,” she said, “I lived with Tina’s grandmother for the last 2 years of her life. And I have been living here ever since she was killed.

But, it looks like I will have to move out since Tina has her grandmother’s will which states the house was left to Tina. Geraldine, Tina’s grandmother, had said she was leaving the house to me since she didn’t like the way Tina was going, mixed up in a gang, then marrying Greg. But no Will was found after Geraldine was killed, but since the house was on my land, the court ruled that I could keep the house.

But now that the Will has surfaced my lawyer said we could never win a challenge in court, so I must turn the house over to Tina, which will be done today I guess.” “You live here with all these spiders?” I asked, “There are poisonous spiders in here too.” “I live on the third floor and keep it spider free,” she said chuckling, “however, there is only one poisonous spider in here that can harm me.

For some reason most poisonous spider venom has no effect on me, except for the Black Widow spider, which never existed here until a couple months ago. I think that Miss Hanson had something to do with that.” “Will you be staying on the island?” I asked again. “I must,” she said, “if I leave and go to the mainland I will be arrested for the murder of Geraldine.

She was stabbed with a knife that had my fingerprints on it. I didn’t do it of course, Geraldine and I were wonderful friends and I didn’t find out until after she was killed that she was the leader of Adamson’s gang. Jeremy wanted full control, however, so I’m sure he killed her.

You probably know I have been in prison once before, for 8 years, on another murder charge which was false. Somehow Geraldine produced evidence that got my sentence reduced to time served and I was free again. I had apparently killed another aunt and uncle of Summer and I didn’t even know they existed, not any of that family.

I have since found out they are all related making Summer and Tina cousins. Summer doesn’t know it though. Summer is a good girl Steve, she’s not mixed up in all of this gang business. Take her with you when you leave, please.” Strangely enough, Irene had tears falling down her cheeks now. Irene is not that old, just 30 actually and she was 18 when she was convicted of murder.

“I already planned to take Summer with us,” I said, “we could tell she wasn’t mixed up in anything bad, she just got mixed up with the wrong people. I guess you changed your name when you came here so you could hide better?” “You have been checking on me, I see,” she said, “yes, I did that to better hide myself. Otherwise the police would be here quickly to arrest me.”

“I’m surprised that Adamson didn’t tip off the police about you,” I said. “Well, Adamson is quite well known to the police too,” she said, “so it’s doubtful he would do that, although he could do in anonymously. But perhaps he didn’t want Miss Hanson getting her hands on this house, they do not trust each other at all. I really don’t know what kind of illegal business they are involved with though.”

I looked at Irene for a few moments and those same tears showed up on her cheeks. “How would you like to come back with us as well,” I said, “we could certainly use someone like you on our team.” “Me? As a private investigator?” she asked, “But I have been in prison, and, and, what could I do that would help you?”

“Do you see Melanie and Melissa over there?” I asked, pointing to them, “They have been in prison and are now valuable members of our team. We have others that have also been in prison too. And don’t worry about being arrested on the mainland, we can make sure that doesn’t happen, we have done that before too. Please give it some serious thought.”

“Yes,” said Jennifer, “please think about it, very seriously please, we would love to take you away from here and give you a place to live with us. We have lots of space and I’m sure you have a lot of knowledge you could share with us and be a great help to us. We in turn would help you, that’s how our team works.” She then smiled, as did all the girls.

Jennifer went over and gave Irene a big hug, then all the girls did. “Danger Steve, at the hotel,” said Jennifer. “Sky, what is going on over there?” I asked. “There is a Mr. Adumson here to pick up his merchandise,” she said. “That is Adamson, young woman,” he growled. “Anyway, I told him we don’t deliver merchandise to anyone,” she told me, “we are not a shipping company.”

“Good for you Sky,” I said, “tell this Adamson to leave and if he won’t, then throw him out, and any friends he might have with him. Do it with lightning speed if necessary.” “Ooo, I like that thought,” said Sky, “did you hear my boss Mr. Angerson?” “That’s Adamson, you wretched woman!” he shouted. “What did you call me?” asked Sky angrily.

I then shut off the communicator and told Angel she better go and give some Courage to Sky. She left right away, turning into Courage once outside so she could run faster. “She won’t get there in time to help,” said Irene, “besides, she didn’t even have a gun.”

“Angel can easily get back there in about 2, maybe 3 minutes,” said Jennifer, “I could probably run there that fast myself.” “We have some incredibly fast runners on our team,” I said smiling. “I would like to see that sometime,” said Irene. “Good!” said Jennifer, “That means you’re coming with us!”

To Be Continued.

©2025 Steve McLeod.