“Perhaps we should start working on Granger from this side,” said Sky, “just so he understands that he is not in total control of the situation.” “Sounds like a great idea,” I agreed, “but there isn’t much I can do locked up in this antique hotel room. There isn’t even a bathroom in this place.” “There is your bathroom,” said Sky, pointing to a bucket in the corner of the cell. “Granger has a sense of humor at least,” I said, sighing.

As Sky suggested, I got up and walked around for a bit. “Hey, that PI is walking around,” said Conrad, “I thought you chained him to the wall Tom.” “I did, there is no way he can be walking around,” said Tom. “Well, take a look at this,” said Conrad. Even Granger got up to take a look at this. He looked over at Tom and Glen. “Get over there and find out what happened!” he growled. They ran down the corridor, realizing that Granger was not a good mood right now.

They unlocked the door to my cell and came in. “Hey, some visitors, how nice,” I said cheerfully. Glen gave me a quick, solid punch to my stomach knocking me against the wall. Then he suddenly screamed and fell to the floor. “What happened to him?” asked Granger. Tom knelt down to check on Glen. “He’s dead Granger,” said Tom, “but that makes no sense.” He then looked over at me leaning against the wall still.

“Don’t look at me,” I said, “I sure didn’t do it. But there are legends of ghosts in this castle, maybe he saw one and died from fright.” Tom was about to hit me but Granger told him to leave me alone. Two other men arrived and they chained me to the wall again, making sure iron bands were tight around my wrists. Then they left, locking the door after them. “Look at your feet,” said Sky, “and keep looking at them.” I did as she said, not knowing why, until I felt my arms free again.

“I still don’t understand how you can do that and not get me out of here,” I said. She giggled. “You’re not skinny enough,” she remarked. Sigh. “As long as you lie on the straw, it will look like you are still chained to the wall,” she said. “Hmm, you can do some interesting things,” I said, “things that the other “ghosts” can’t do.” “Well, each of us can do something different,” said Sky smiling. “But how do you manage to walk through walls?” I asked.

“Who said I walk through walls?” she asked. “You got out of here to visit Jennifer,” I said, “so you must be able to walk through walls.” “Wrong guess,” she said, “a normal guess, but still wrong.” She giggled again. “For now it must remain a secret Steve,” she said, “less knowledge is greater safety.” Well, she is right about that, I guess. Still, it would be nice to know some of these secrets. “Conrad, get me Armand,” said Granger, “with most of the Investigators away from home, now would be a good time to kill one of their most vital members.”

“Who would that be?” asked Conrad. “A woman named Annelie. She is the one they rely on to get them information, and she can seem to get anything they want. Without her they would be seriously handicapped.” “Got him for you boss,” said Conrad. “Armand, are you working right now?” asked Granger. “Nothing that can’t wait,” he said, “what’s up?” “A woman named Annelie, she works for the Investigators,” said Granger, “most of their team is away right now which should make things easier.

She goes shopping every other Thursday, that would be this week. Kill her by Thursday and I will give you triple.” “Consider it done Granger,” said Armand. About that time two men came to the hotel looking for a room. “I have no rooms available,” said the owner coldly. “Perhaps you didn’t hear me,” said Mac, “we want a room, right now, so make one available.” “You will have to go elsewhere,” said the owner, “I’m a busy man, I have no time to talk.”

“You have many empty rooms,” said Suzette as she walked past. Then she stopped and looked back. “Perhaps you are Steve’s cousin, yes?” she asked. “Yes I am,” said Mac, “my name is Mac.” “My name is Suzette,” she said smiling, “I am a friend of Steve’s younger sisters. And there are many empty rooms here, even with the ones that Jennifer reserved for more of her team and her sister’s gang to use.” “You mind your own business!” the owner yelled.

Mac grabbed the man’s arm and pulled him down onto the front desk, putting his knife against the man’s cheek. “Now, about that room,” said Mac. The owner suddenly remembered there was one vacant room available. Jennifer came by next with the rest of the girls. “Hi Mac,” she said, “would you and your friend like to join us for lunch?” “Great idea,” they both said. The owner called Granger and told him the men were with a gang called “The Knight Riders”.

Conrad was looking them up right away and he didn’t like what he found. Neither did Granger. “That PI knows some strange people,” said Granger, “or at least, his family does.” “Hey boss, that PI is walking around again,” said Conrad. Granger looked and sure enough, I was walking around. Three men showed up to check on me. “Hey Granger,” I said, knowing he was listening, “how do you expect me to use this fancy bathroom if I’m chained to the wall?”

“Don’t try to be funny too often Steve,” he said, “or I might forget that I want you alive.” “Maybe you could fill me in on why you want me,” I said, “then I could tell you if we can or can’t.” “Oh, I’m sure you can do it for me,” said Granger, “the question is this, will you do it for me?” “We can’t do anything if you don’t tell us what you want done,” I said again. “There is still time Steve,” he said, “but first I must show your team that I don’t like being pushed around, and there is no place safe for your team.”

That was rather curious, though I wasn’t sure what he meant. Sky didn’t like what she heard, and since one of the men was being rather rough with me, she decided to get Granger’s attention again. She singled out the man that tossed me back onto the straw and he suddenly screamed and fell to the floor, dead. “He’s dead Granger,” said Tom, “just like what happened to Glen.”

Meanwhile, back at the chateau. “Hey Rock,” said Annelie, “our parcel has arrived.” “Good, it came a day early this time,” he said as they answered the door. Rock carried it inside while Annelie signed for it. But just as she finished signing there was a muffled shot, and she fell to the floor. The man ran back to the delivery van and drove off quickly…

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.