Steve`s Country
For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
The Investigators, Inc. The Mysterious Past Returns. Chapter 10. Graves.
It seemed like we were in that safe room for days, yet it was really not quite a full day. It was early evening and suddenly our alarm went off in the room. It is a silent alarm, but the flashing lights certainly got our attention right away. Kiara and Erika were asleep, and Cynthia had fallen asleep beside me. Our guards were ready for a fight, if necessary. But, it was Jennifer that entered the room, smiling.
She said it was safe to come up now, Kristina and her team were back, as was Vlora and her team. The others were still in the city. Matt called and let me know that Adamson had been picked up by Hoffman and three other men who were likely cheated by Adamson, just as Hoffman. That should keep Adamson busy for awhile, but he just might be able to talk his way out of this problem. He is good at talking and getting people to believe him.
But if he doesn’t come up with some of that money he owes, then he just might not live much longer. That is how those people operate. They don’t mind hurting, or killing, one another, even if they are business associates or friends. The Knight Riders and the Wildcats are staying in the city to keep an eye on things for a while. Mr. B. and his 10 men came back to the chateau. “I would like you and your men to stay around for a few days,” I said, “I mean, Jennifer wanted that and I’m just letting you know.”
“Thank you for remembering who is in charge right now Steve,” she said, smiling. Everyone had a good laugh about that. “But I do agree with Steve,” she said, “it would be nice to have you stay for a while. We have a guest house that should fit all of you, though you will have to share bedrooms.” “That is not a problem Jennifer,” said Mr. B., “as long as we don’t have to do our own cooking, we would likely poison ourselves.”
The girls laughed and promised to help out with the cooking. “Steve, once I’m out of prison, if you still want me to join your organization, then I sure would like to do so,” he said, “I am finished with my organization and the way we do business. These 10 fellas would like to join now, wish I could do that as well, but I promised to surrender myself once this is over, and I plan to do that.” “Hmm, might need to get rid of some of this belly fat,” said Kristina, poking at his stomach, “more exercise and less junk food.”
“Hey, that’s muscle down there, sort of,” he said, turning rather red. “You would all need to pass our tests,” said Jennifer, “but I’m sure you won’t have any trouble with that.” I then whispered something to Jennifer. “Oh, that’s right, we can’t have another Mr. B.,” she said, “that would be too confusing and Mr. B. wouldn’t like it anyway. Annelie, he needs a whole new identity, and so do his friends. And that beard has to go.”
“My beard? Hey now, Steve, that’s going too far,” he said, “it took me a long time to grow this beard and make it look nice.” “The beard goes,” said Kristina, “even if I have to shave it off myself.” “But after I’m out of prison, okay?” he said, “I can’t go back to prison without my beard.” “Seems like he wants to go back to that prison,” I said to Jennifer, “very strange.” “Yes, I was thinking the same thing,” she said. “Would you join us now if you could?” I asked.
“Yeah, I already said that,” he said, “at least I think I said that.” “Well, you can’t go back to prison if you’re dead,” said Jennifer, “we have some already that were killed, given a new identity and they now are members of our team. All we have to do is kill you.” He stood there staring at Jennifer. “Uh, we’re talking a fake type killing, right?” he asked. “Yes, it will be a fake killing,” I said, “but we will have to make it realistic so it is believable.”
The very next day Mr. B. and his 10 friends were killed in a shootout with men from a man named Winslow. He was the man that put Mr. B. in prison by his false witness about Mr. B. murdering an elderly couple and stealing a stash of $50,000 that the couple had hidden at home. Actually, I am quite sure that Winslow’s men are the one’s that did that deed, but it couldn’t be proven.
Anyway, it doesn’t mean anything now, too late to help Mr. B., which is sad after all the help he has given us in 3 cases. Cal got word back to Mr. B.’s men, the Western Raiders. Banker, who will be taking over the organization, said he would take care of things. And he did. Apparently just 3 days later, Winslow was found dead in his house, police said it was a definite professional hit job. That will likely start a war between those two organizations.
The Western Raiders are definitely the stronger of the two organizations, so they should come out okay. They are not involved in sex trafficking, but Winslow’s organization is, that is totally how they make their money. It is a nice, sunny day, and here I kneel before a new grave. Actually, there are 14 new graves, Mr. B. and his 10 men, 2 of Vlora’s girls and Sky. That makes 3 of my wives buried here now, plus one almost wife (that would be Jennifer).
Most of the others have gone back home, but there is Jennifer, Honey, Erika, Kat, Cynthia and all the cats. The Wildcats are here guarding us. Then a hand touched my shoulder. “You have been here a long time Steve,” said Aari, “time to come home.” Aari has become a very good friend, and he was right, it was time to leave. We discovered that Adamson must have come up with enough money to secure his freedom, but as long as he is free, Cynthia is not. We still need to stop him…
To Be Continued.
©2024 Steve McLeod.
Saturday Stories. #31
Good morning everyone! It is a beautiful day here, the sun is shining, the temperature is very nice, a rather perfect fall day. Muffin is waiting, rather impatiently, for her patch of sunshine to appear. One time, quite a few years ago, I was driving to a place, just to get away for a few days. It was around 9pm and I stopped at a motel along the highway, just outside of a small town.
I went inside, the man at the desk was sitting reading a newspaper. “What can I do for you?” he asked. “Is there a restaurant close by?” I asked. “Yep, in town, but the food is terrible,” he said, “actually it’s a bar, but they serve meals. Noisy place. Terrible food.” “Is there a better restaurant?” I asked. “Yep,” he said. Silence. “Where is it?” I asked.
Plane landing on the lake.
“About 10 miles up the road,” he replied. I was about to leave and he added, “It’s closed though, closes at 8, opens at 8.” “Is there another one that would be open?” I asked. “Yep,” he said. Silence. A sane person would have left by now, but I enjoy these kinds of things. I know, I’m strange. But it does provide things to write about. Anyway, “Where is it located?” I asked. “Oh, about 30 miles up the road,” he said.
“Thanks,” and I was about to leave when he added, “Then turn right and go for a bit ’til you see it.” “How far is a bit?” I asked. “About 20 miles,” he said. “Is there a motel in that area?” I asked. “Nope, have to go another 40 miles,” he said. “I think I will stay here for tonight,” I said, “do you have a room available?” “Yep,” he said, “single or double?” “Single,” I said. “Don’t have any singles available, only doubles,” he replied.
Same plane with a boat in the foreground.
I wasn’t sure if I should scream or laugh. He was still reading his newspaper. “I will take the double,” I said. “With or without air conditioning?” he asked, “$2 more for air conditioning.” “I don’t need air conditioning,” I said. “They all have air conditioning,” he said. “Fine,” I answered. “One or two pillows?” he asked, “they are 50 cents each extra.” “One is fine,” I said. “Doubles have 2 pillows,” he said. “Fine,” I replied.
“Would you like the complimentary coffee?” he asked, “Dollar extra for that.” “I don’t want the coffee,” I said. “All rooms have coffee,” he said. “Fine,” I replied. “Would you like a blanket?” he asked. Silence. I was waiting for a price for the blanket. “How much for the blanket?” $5 each,” he said, “gets cold with that air conditioning.” I assumed that meant the air conditioning was on all the time, I sure wasn’t going to ask.
Another boat coming in after the plane has docked.
“Forget it,” I said, “I will just keep driving.” “Oh, stingy type,” he said. I left and he kept reading his newspaper. There was a nice hotel just 30 miles away. He forgot to mention that. Oh well, it was quite interesting though. Once I was settled in my room I laughed loud and long. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and God bless!
Steve and Muffin.
©2024 Steve McLeod.
Steve`s Country 