Steve`s Country
For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
The Investigators, Inc. The Jigsaw Puzzle Mystery. Chapter 11. Ghosts.
When Jennifer, Kat and Sky reached the front door of Patrick’s house, which was built to look like a small castle, they stopped and Jennifer reached out to hold the hands of the other two so they could all walk through the door. “Wait,” said Sky, “shouldn’t we ring the doorbell first?” “Sky, we’re ghosts,” said Jennifer, “why would we ring the doorbell?” Jennifer then started to move. “Wait,” said Sky, “what if he has company?” Jennifer and Kat looked at her. “Who cares?” said Kat, “We will just scare all of them.”
Jennifer then started to move. “Wait,” said Sky. “Now what?” asked Jennifer sighing. “Shouldn’t we be invisible when we go in?” asked Sky. “Right, good point,” she replied. All three went invisible and Jennifer started to move. “Wait,” said Sky. However, Jennifer just kept going and pulled Sky with her and in they went. Patrick was sitting in the living room on the sofa with a young woman. “Oooo, watch this,” said Sky. She then touched the light switch and all the lights in the house began going off and on. “Uh, what’s going on Patrick?” said Louise.
“I have no idea,” he replied. Then our three ghosts began to laugh in a way that sounded like it was coming from every direction. “Patrick, what are you doing?” asked Louise, “You’re scaring me with this!” “I’m not doing anything,” he said, “someone else is playing a trick on us and when I find out who, they will certainly regret it!” Suddenly everything was quiet and the lights went back to normal. Right then Patrick’s guards showed up and asked him what was going on.
That annoyed Patrick and he told them to find out who was playing tricks on them. While they were talking Louise was looking at the fireplace. There was no fire, but there was some wood in place so Sky decided to light a fire. “Patrick!” exclaimed Louise, “That fire…it just suddenly started on it’s own! This place is haunted, I’m getting out of here!” However, she wasn’t able to stand up and that really scared her. “Patrick, do something!” she screamed, “I can’t stand up!” However, Patrick was also unable to stand up, even with help from one of his guards. That’s when Kat revealed herself in a ghostly manner.
“Hello Patrick, I see you have a new girlfriend tonight,” said Kat, “being with Patrick makes you an accessory to murder.” Louise was to afraid to speak at this point. “You’re not real,” scoffed Patrick, “you’re just an image meant to scare us.” “Hmm, that’s an interesting thought,” said Kat and she walked over to the table beside the sofa and picked up the lamp, “if I am just an image, then how can I pick up this lamp?” She then put it down again. “That’s just a trick,” he said, “so you’re some kind of magician, who cares?” “Then why can’t you stand up Patrick?” she asked.
That’s when the guard pulled out his gun quickly and shot twice. “Ooooh, he shot me!” she exclaimed. Then she took her fingers and pulled the bullets out. “Nice bullets,” she said, “now it’s my turn.” She then pointed at the guard. “Now, you die,” she said. The man fell to the floor and one of the other guards rushed over to check on him. “He’s dead Patrick,” said the guard. “Call the police!” he yelled and one of the other guards took out his phone but it melted in his hand and he dropped it screaming that it burned his hand. Then Patrick took out his phone, but the same thing happened.
The third guard just stood still as he watched his phone come out of his shirt pocket all by itself, then melt and fall to the floor. Both the remaining guards took out their guns next but they were too hot to hold so they dropped those too. “You mortals are so predictable,” said Kat, “you can stand up now Patrick, if you wish, but don’t try to do anything foolish.” He stood up slowly, then he suddenly ran upstairs and locked himself in his bedroom. When he turned around he saw the same ghost standing by his bed, or at least he thought it was the same ghost, but it was really Jennifer.
Sky was the one melting phones and starting the fire. “I told you not to do anything foolish Patrick,” said Jennifer, “did you really think a locked door would stop a ghost?” She then made herself look like a real person and walked over to Patrick holding out her hand. “Touch my hand Patrick,” she said, “I’m very real.” He did so, then he quickly whipped her arm behind her back, holding it tight. “Now lady, who are you?” he asked. But Jennifer disappeared and reappeared behind him tapping his shoulder. He turned and she picked him up with one hand and tossed him onto his bed which was ten feet away.
“You let your sister rot in a prison while you live in luxury,” said Jennifer, “well, that is going to change, because you’re going to prison while she lives free.” “Who are you anyway?” asked a terrified Patrick. “I’m a ghost who helps people in trouble,” said Jennifer, “and you are definitely trouble and you will soon get to enjoy the inside of a prison.” “You can’t put me in prison,” he said laughing, “how can a ghost put me in prison?” “Just watch Patrick,” she said smiling, “and soon Alex will be spending all that money you have.” “Never!” he yelled and he pushed a button beside his bed, “Now she will never have my money.”
He then reached into the drawer of his bedside table and took out a needle and quickly stuck it into his arm. “And this ensures I don’t ever go to prison,” he said, then he dropped to the floor. Meanwhile, back home. “Why are you not in bed Steffie?” asked Friskie. “Everyone busy doing and talking so I not able to sleep,” she said. “I wonder what that button was for?” I asked, “And what did he mean that Alex wouldn’t have his money? Did you find his money yet Cristy?” “No, he sure hid it well,” she replied, “we can’t find it anywhere.” “Maybe money at home,” said Steffie, “he push button, money go poof, no more money.”
We all looked at Steffie sitting there munching on a cookie. I communicated this possibility with Jennifer. One of the guards said he kept all his money in a vault in the basement, about 5 million pounds. Apparently he only got 20 million, the rest would have come from an insurance payout over time from their parents, but there was a clause that prevented paying if the parents were murdered, which they were, so he got nothing. He spent 10 million on his house, 4 million in bribes for the trial plus another million for other spending. Pressing a button started a fire which burned the remaining money.
The police are holding the house for now, Alex might be able to claim it at some point, but she wants nothing to do with it. She just wants to start her life over again, so for now she will stay with us until she figures out what she wants to do. Helene is staying with us and has asked to join the Investigators. We will give her a new identity so her enemies can’t find her easily and we will do the same for Alex if she decides to stay with us. Katresa and Crystal, two of the wounded are not serious but will have to stay in the clinic for a day or two.
Cosette was more serious, but Samantha said she will recover fully, though it will take longer. Well, this was an interesting case, not quite what I had expected at the beginning, but I’m sure glad that Helene has changed and that we were able to help Alex get out of prison. In the news it was reported that Alex was shot dead trying to escape, that will help in giving her a new identity. Helene and some men were also shot dead helping Alex. Hmm, strange things happen these days. I hope we can relax for a few days now before another case comes along.
The End. A new case will come soon. ©2026 Steve McLeod.
The Investigators, Inc. The Jigsaw Puzzle Mystery. Chapter 10. Finding Patrick.
The prison rescue went quite smoothly and well within our time limit we had set for ourselves, which was 15 minutes, as it only took 12 minutes to execute. Unfortunately, 3 of our Bad Girls had been shot, one was serious and had to be carried out. The other two, though bad, could walk out with help. All three are now in our clinic, keeping Samantha and the nurses busy. Alex is also back and sleeping in one of the rooms at the clinic. “I certainly hope that Alex is okay,” said Helene, “when will we know for sure?” “Come with me,” said Jennifer and she took her to the clinic.
“But, but, how?” asked Helene, “Your jet could not be here yet.” “You were not listening when we told you about Sky and her ability to travel,” said Jennifer, “she brought Alex back, plus the three girls that were wounded so that Samantha could start operating on them right away. She will check Alex as well to make sure she is in good health. Right now she is just sleeping due to the drug we use which is quite harmless. But it makes it easier for carrying people who are not used to this type of flying.” She then giggled.
“Then Sky really is a ghost,” said Helene, “when I knew a man before, named Christopher, he claimed to have a ghost who was his slave and would do anything he wanted her to do. He could control her with his ring, he said. Perhaps he was right after all, I just figured he lying to try and impress me.” “He wasn’t lying,” said Jennifer quietly, “I was his slave, but he controlled me mainly by saying he would hurt, or kill, Steve. Then he kidnapped Steve and I found out and went to the room where he was kept chained and loosed him and said I would help him to escape.
But Steve, being the stubborn man that he is, said he wouldn’t go unless I went with him. We argued a bit about that since he was already married to Sky and I thought she wouldn’t want me around. But, Steve won and Sky welcomed me with open arms.” Helene hugged Jennifer. “I’m glad you listened to Steve and got away from Christopher,” she said, “he would have ruined you and Steve obviously needed you later.” “Thank you Helene,” she said, “did you want to stay here with Alex, she will be waking up soon, and if there’s any problems just push that button.”
Helene thanked her and stayed until Alex woke up. Bridgette came to check on her right away since she wasn’t needed by Samantha. Meanwhile, Cristy was still working to find where Patrick lived, or where else he might be presently. I was lying down waiting for the evening supply of donuts to get ready. Since Misty and Sky are both away right now it gives the rest of us a chance to get some donuts without having to fight for them, or sneak them. Suddenly I smelled fresh donuts and that meant I was too late.
“Hi Daddy, donuts are ready,” said Steffie as she munched on one. “Where’s mine?” I asked. “Mommy and Auntie Jennifer said I not suppose to bring you donuts,” she replied. Sigh. “They meant when I was in the clinic not to bring me any,” I said. “Nope,” she said again. Then, when she was finished, she jumped on me and the tickle fight began. However, having a tickle fight right after eating 5 donuts was not such a good idea. Steffie had the 5 donuts I discovered, and they all landed on top of me, which wasn’t nice. Sigh. Just then Erika came in. “Ewww, what’s all that?” she asked. “My donuts,” said Steffie sadly.
Apparently Erika had given Steffie 3 donuts for me, but she didn’t say that plainly enough so Steffie thought they were for her and that she was just supposed to come and see me. Sigh. Erika left in a hurry and soon Beryan and Milena came running in the room. They stopped and began laughing. Erika only told them that there was an emergency and I needed them right away. Oh well, time to hit the shower. Later Cristy called and said she found where Patrick lived and she’s trying to find out if he is actually there right now or somewhere else.
In a few minutes she called back and said Patrick was at home using his computer. I asked if she was sure it was him and she said yes, he was playing an online game with some of his friends in other places. I went to my office and Cristy put the game up for me to see. “Okay Cristy, time to interfere with their game,” I said. “Yay!” she screamed and soon a ghost appeared, laughing at them. Then Jennifer spoke to Patrick. “Paaatriiick!” she said in a nice ghostly voice, “I’m waaaatccching youuuu! Sooooon yoouuu wiiill beeee in youuuuur graaaave!”
Then the ghost laughed some more and their game froze. “We need to get Patrick before he goes into hiding,” I told Jennifer, “get Sky to take you and Kitty to visit him right away.” “Wait a minute,” she said, “you need three ghosts here, remember?” “Okay, once that jet lands, then Sky can pick up Kat and Angel and bring them here, then take you and Kat to visit Patrick. Having twin ghosts will be twice the fun.” “That’s still only two ghosts here,” she said sternly. “Only temporarily,” I said, “and I can always call Sky if I need to.”
“Hmm, okay, that should work,” she said reluctantly. Soon the jet landed and our three ghosts were on their way. They would have to go to the town first and find out where the castle house is located where Patrick lives and drive out there, if they can find a vehicle to rent, or just take a taxi. Interestingly they ended up in front of a hotel, a nice looking one at that, so they went in and got themselves a room on the top floor. They were hoping to see Patrick’s house from up there, but they were facing the wrong direction.
They couldn’t see such a house anyway. So Kat went downstairs to ask if there were any castles in the area, but the man behind the desk was watching TV and paid no attention to her. That annoyed Kat a bit so she jumped over the desk and sat on the man’s lap, smiling. She soon returned to their room. “It’s just 2 blocks that way, then one block left,” she said, then she added, “he doesn’t know how to kiss very well.” The other two laughed uncontrollably.
“Next time one of you can get the information,” said Kat. Anyway, off they went since it was now dark and since it wasn’t far, they decided to walk. “I think we walked too slow,” said Jennifer, “it took us 10 seconds.” There was a high fence and an iron gate, but since Jennifer was there, they other two held her hands and they all walked through the iron gate and up to the front door…
To Be Continued. ©2026 Steve McLeod.
