We had arrived back at the house just in time to see the police and 2 ambulances in the driveway. Apparently Aoife and her mother, Aileen, had been shot. Aileen was dead, but Aoife was just wounded in the shoulder area. The two brothers were there and had told the police that I shot the ladies.

However, Sky told the police that was impossible since I was with her and her friends all night. Fortunately we had dropped off the money, gems and our phones with “someone” safe, and we picked up different phones which we now had with us. Sky went over to look at Aileen’s body since it was covered up and we wanted to make a positive ID of her.

“Hey, this isn’t Aileen at all,” said Sky angrily, “how can you arrest someone for killing another person when you don’t even have the right body?” “Well, these two men said it was their mother,” said the officer in charge, “and the other woman was their sister.” “That is their sister,” I said, “and she is also my wife.

We are all private investigators looking into the murder of Aileen’s husband, something your police department failed to do.” “He died of a heart attack,” said another officer. “He died of 3 gunshot wounds,” I said, “the autopsy was never done. We had our own doctor do the autopsy and he pulled 3 bullets out of that body, one was in his heart.

How come no one in the police department recognized the bullet wounds? Our lawyer is checking into this case, oh, and falsely arresting me won’t look good on your report.” “Take the cuffs off him,” said the main officer. “They already fell off,” I said. “They melted,” said the other officer. “Not very well made,” said Sky giggling.

“Look, I could arrest you for this,” he said to me. “For what?” I asked, “Did you see me do anything to those handcuffs? How could I melt them anyway?” “You two men,” said the officer to the brothers, “you said this man shot the ladies.” “Well, we didn’t really see him very well,” they said, “but he is about the right size.” Sky went with the ambulance that had Aoife, to make sure she stayed safe.

I also called Dawn and told her to meet Sky at the hospital. “With a shooter on the loose,” I said, “you should have sent one of your officers along to guard that ambulance.” “Pete, follow that ambulance and make sure nothing happens to it,” said the main officer. Pete jumped in his car and drove quickly to catch up with the ambulance.

“Okay boys,” I said, “who is this woman?” “Yes,” said the officer, “I would like to know why you called her your mother.” “She’s not even old enough to be their mother,” I said, “she looks about the same age as Aoife.” “Well, what have you got to say about that?” asked the officer. The boys quickly pulled out guns and one pointed his at me while the other pointed his at the officer.

“If any of you others pull out a gun, then these two will die,” said Finn. “Go ahead,” I told him, “shoot me.” I then started to walk toward him. The officers tried to tell me to stop, but I kept going. “Stop Steve, or I will shoot,” said Finn. “Go ahead, shoot me,” I said again and kept walking.

He tried to shoot, but his gun wouldn’t work. Then Garrett tried to shoot me, but his gun wouldn’t work either. Then they got too hot for them to hold, they yelled and dropped their guns and surrendered. Too bad, I was hoping they would run. They won’t stay in jail long, I’m sure, although they should and I doubt they will give us any useful information.

They wouldn’t even tell us who the young woman is. How did she get out here so early in the morning? Perhaps the shooter brought her along. But where is Aileen? Was she kidnapped? This case is getting a bit strange. Anyway, the officer apologized for arresting me and I told him I would let him know if we find Aileen. Then off they went with the brothers.

I wonder if these police officers are involved in this affair too. How could they think that a woman who is obviously in her early 20s could be the mother of those two brothers and Aoife? That doesn’t make any sense at all. Meowr?= Where is Muffin and Tracker? “Right, where are they?” I exclaimed, and we all ran inside the house.

The cats were nowhere, so we ran out back. I spotted the old well and ran over there quickly. Misty had her flashlight out and sure enough, both cats were down there, barely holding their heads above water. I lowered the bucket, but the cats couldn’t get inside. I pulled it up and lowered Misty down. She picked up the cold, thoroughly wet cats and up they came.

Sherry and Carine had to pull her up, I was suddenly feeling kind of strange again. It still keeps happening, though not much anymore. Kat said it would go away eventually, I just need to be patient. Feeling strange and thinking of Kat brought me back to that day when she could have killed me, but instead she saved my life.

She had hated me so much for…wait, that’s it! Major and Heilbronn! They had the cats out now, Aasta had brought out some towels and the girls were drying the cats. Any longer and those 2 cats would have drowned, they were almost out of strength. I went over and rubbed their heads, both of them began to purr weakly.

After about an hour of sleeping the cats woke up and shocked us with some information. Meow,meow.= It human Aileen woman that throw us in well. Meow.= Yep, she shoot girls, one is friend of human Aoife. Meow,meow.= Yep, first shoot human Aoife from behind, then hit on head. Meow.= Yep, then human brothers hold human Aoife friend.

Meow,meow.= Yep, then human Aileen put gun on heart of human friend and shoot her. Meow.= Yep, then she throw us in well. “You two did a great job!” said Misty and she kissed them both. “So, the mother and brothers are in this gang too,” I said, “that makes me think the father was not, so Aileen shot him too.”

“Wow, what a family!” exclaimed Misty, “Poor Aoife, finding out about this and then losing her friend too.” I was slightly behind Misty and put my hand on her shoulder. In hindsight that was probably not a good thing to do, even in daylight.

She grabbed my arm and threw me over her shoulder and I landed flat on my back on the floor. “Oh Steve! I’m so sorry,” Misty exclaimed, “you shouldn’t sneak up on me like that.” “Yes, I’m finding that out,” I said. Everyone laughed. I just kind of groaned a bit.

“Come now Steve,” said Carine, “you can’t fool us with that fake groaning, we know Misty can’t really hurt you.” “Then it must be my twin brother that keeps getting hurt,” I said. Everyone laughed again. Sigh. “Oh, right, I need to contact Kat,” I said, “I know who Major is now…”

To Be Continued.

©2025 Steve McLeod.