Steve`s Country
For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
The Investigators, Inc. The Killer Mystery. Chapter 6. London Trouble.
Jennifer, Sky and the Bad Girls are now on their way to London for a talk with Harley’s parents, though the parents don’t know it yet. We decided not to warn them ahead of time, just in case they decided to run off and hide somewhere. We certainly can’t have that happen right now, it would mean spending time looking for them. I would prefer not spending extra time doing extra things that we don’t need to do. Since I had nothing to do right now, it seemed like a good idea to go for a walk, after all, it’s a beautiful morning. Angel went down the hall to have a quick talk with the cats and I didn’t want to wait, so, off I went.
Well, off I went to the door anyway. Dawn was standing in front of the door and wouldn’t let me out. She also called Friskie who was in the kitchen at the time. “Why are you in the kitchen?” Dawn asked Friskie, “You are supposed to be with Steve at all times. And where is Angel?” “She went to talk with the cats for a while,” I said calmly. Dawn wasn’t too calm at the moment for some reason. She then called Angel to come immediately to the front door. Angel arrived incredibly fast. “What is your excuse for not being with Steve?” she asked loudly.
“You didn’t hear Friskie’s excuse yet,” I reminded her. “You hush!” she said, still loudly. Perhaps she didn’t sleep well last night. “Um, I just went to check on the donuts,” said Friskie quietly. “Nice, someone speaks quiet and calm,” I said, though in retrospect I probably shouldn’t have said that. “I told you to hush Steve!” she said, still loudly, “I’m upset right now. No, wait, make that angry! Friskie and Angel are supposed to stick to you like glue and that means they should never let you get out of their sight, and I mean NEVER!”
I explained to Friskie and Angel that I wanted to go for a walk since it was a beautiful morning and I should have waited for them before going out. “Oh, good idea, let’s go for a walk,” said Angel, trying to sound cheerful. Dawn just stood in front of the door blinking. “Um, may we go out now?” I asked nicely. She continued to stand there with her arms folded. “I will not yell this time,” she said… “Good,” I said, “then we will go for our walk now.” I smiled when I said that, hoping that would keep her calm. Guess I have to work on my smile.
“NO! Go look at the beautiful morning from your tower office!” she said very loudly. She had her hands on her hips now and she looked rather determined. That’s when Trixie came by and asked Dawn if she should be talking to me like that. Dawn then quickly showed her a piece of paper which Trixie read. “Right, doing a good job Dawn,” she said and left quickly. I already figured who the note was from so I didn’t bother asking to read it. “I will go with Friskie and Angel to my tower office and enjoy the beautiful scenery from there,” I said smiling. Then we left rather quickly. Dawn is in charge of protecting the front door and she is very good at her job too.
Meanwhile, in London, Jennifer and the others were at Harley’s parent’s flat, but no one appeared to be home. So, Jennifer went inside to check around and let the others in right away. Harley’s mother was lying on the floor covered in blood. She had been shot several times. “Amazing that no one heard the shots,” said Nalle. “Remember that guns have also silencers on them at times,” said Amerie. “Oh yes, I did forget that,” she admitted. The girls went all through the flat but Harley’s father was nowhere to be found. “I wonder if he killed her?” asked Sky.
“It does seem like the killing was not professional,” said Jennifer, “but perhaps someone wants us to think that way.” “Well, that really helped,” said Sky, frowning. “It would appear that Monsieur has gone on holiday,” said Colette, “very little of his clothes are at home.” “Well, that still doesn’t mean he killed his wife,” said Jennifer, “though it doesn’t look good for him to leave right now, unless he had no choice.” “How much evidence do you need Mrs. Detective?” asked Sky.
“Ha, ha,” she replied, “I’m just trying to keep an open mind.” “How about remembering what he did to his own daughter?” asked Sky. “Hmm, do I detect some dissatisfaction?” she replied. “Yeah, okay, you’re right,” she said, “I will try to keep an open mind until we find that no good child beating, wife murdering rat.” Jennifer sighed. Then Cynthia said the police had arrived, so Jennifer told everyone to get in the hallway while she locked the door. The police arrived and knocked on the door but there was no answer, so they broke in. While the police were inside, the team left the hallway while still invisible, got into their vans quickly and drove off.
“Likely someone in the building saw us and called the police,” said Sky. “There was no one at home,” said Katresa. “How do you know that Ms. Detective?” she asked. “No cars in the parking area,” she said, “and I buzzed each flat when we came in and no one answered.” Jennifer giggled and so did Katresa. Sky reached over and gently touched Katresa’s arm. “OW!” she yelled, “Hey, that hurt!” “Oops, sorry,” said Sky giggling. They listened to the news and apparently someone had seen a group of women going into the flat as they passed them in the hall. “No one passed us in the hall,” said Jennifer, “someone was watching outside.”
“Two men in a white car,” said Suzette, “I got their license number.” “That’s my girl!” said Sky proudly. Suzette sent the number back to Cristy who quickly found out who owned the car and by chance they passed the car at a petrol station so they turned in, parking in front and behind the car. The men soon returned and were soon surrounded by the girls. “Come with us please,” said Jennifer and the men were put into the van and handcuffed and they were soon asleep. They awoke in some old building with Amerie and Colette staring at them. “What do you want with us?” asked one man.
The girls answered in French. Then the girls said it again more firmly this time and motioned to stand up, so the men did. Then quick as could be the girls punched each of the men twice in the stomach causing them to fall down again. That’s when Jennifer showed up. “Stand up you two!” she demanded. They did so again. “Nice to see that someone speaks English,” said one man. “Why are you spying on us?” asked Jennifer, “And who are you working for?” “Forget it lady,” said one man, “we don’t answer questions. And if you don’t let us go then you and your pretty little friends will die.”
“Yeah, Warren Hampton don’t fool around lady,” said the other man. “Mess their hair a little, girls,” said Jennifer. Meanwhile, Cristy was already checking this Warren Hampton and soon sent the information to Jennifer. “Mr. Hampton, we found their car at a petrol station,” said a man. Then another man came in and said they found the two men after getting an anonymous call telling them where to look. “Those women will regret that action,” said Mr. Hampton, “you know what to do, get it done.”
To Be Continued. ©2026 Steve McLeod.
The Investigators, Inc. The Killer Mystery. Chapter 5. Who Killed Harley?
While Aari kept talking, a secret door opened behind him and a man stepped out with a gun and pulled the trigger. But Carine was holding her husband’s arm, so no harm could come to him. “My gun, it won’t fire!” the man yelled. So he took out a knife amazingly fast to stab Aari, but before he could do so, he suddenly fell to the floor. Sky was there, still invisible, and watching carefully all around. She touched the man on his chest, stopping his heart, so it will look like a heart attack. Deborah ran over to him to see what was wrong.
“He’s dead,” she said quietly, “but how?” “Well, don’t look at any of us,” said Aari, “none of us even touched him. Quite likely the excitement caused a heart attack.” “He’s too young for a heart attack,” she replied, “somehow you killed him, that is what I believe.” “You may believe what you want,” said Aari, “but none of us here killed him.” “He is quite right,” said Petruccio, who was a medical doctor, “it could very well have been a heart attack due to excitement.” “I agree with the doctor too,” said Norman. Deborah then said something to him in Italian.
“Quit speaking Italian!” he screamed, “You know I can’t speak a word of that language!” Aari laughed. “She just called you a repulsive, cowardly idiot,” said Aari. “How do you know what I said?” she asked, “You must be Uncle Major.” “I am not the man you seem to be infatuated with,” said Aari, “but I can speak 8 languages fluently, including Italian, Ms. Mariani.” “How do you know my name?” she asked politely, “No one here knows my real name, until now.” “Because I believe in doing my homework before I confront people,” he responded, “I know the name and occupation of everyone at this table.”
That produced a variety of reactions, including shock, horror and disbelief. So Aari went around the table naming everyone. Then he turned his attention to Norman once more and told him to stand up, however, he continued to sit with his arms folded. So Aari picked him up and punched him in the stomach 3 times, then hit his cheek knocking him down over his chair and onto the floor groaning. “You beat Harley to death!” said Aari firmly, “Just a young woman, unable to protect herself and you enjoyed beating her.” “Not just me,” said Norman weakly, “her father beat her too, we took turns, we couldn’t let her tell what she found out.”
“Everyone will find out now if I decide to tell what I know,” responded Aari, “unless you wish to pay for my silence.” “How much?” asked the banker. Aari just laughed. “Ten million euros,” he said, “in cash, you know where to find me. Now, I will say good bye for the time being, but I will not be leaving.” They then left and the group stayed behind to talk about the evening’s happenings. Their meeting room was the only room not destroyed, everything else was beyond repair as they looked around later. “We will have to start all over,” said the Mayor.
“What for?” asked the banker, “they will just destroy it again just like he said.” “Well, we could call the police to deal with them,” said Norman. “That would be perfect,” said Deborah sarcastically, “then those Investigators will let the police know all about us and we will end up in prison. And you will be up for murder dear Norman and that will put you in prison for a long time.” “What do you suggest Deborah?” asked Alodie. “I’m not sure yet,” she replied, “paying the Black Wolves for their silence is only half the problem. The other half are those Investigators.
What the Black Wolves know, they also know. Unfortunately they are law abiding citizens and that makes it hard to buy their silence. But their organization is too large to kill them all. I will need to think about this for a while. We can relax for a while anyway, I don’t think Steve will do anything just yet.” Sky was still with these people, watching and listening. She only left when they did, coming directly back to the chateau with everything she heard. “Well, this Deborah could end up being troublesome,” I said, “she knows Aari and she will keep at him until he is exposed.” “Yes, that is certainly not good news,” said Jennifer.
Suddenly Misty was standing in front of me, with her hands behind her back this time. “Misty and her Sneakers reporting for duty, my all time favorite Leader,” she said, “who is so brave, wonderful, insightful, wise…” “Misty,” said Jennifer. “Yes Leader Jennifer,” she replied, “the Leader that I look up to for courage, resourcefulness…” “Stop!” exclaimed Jennifer, “There is no need for the long list of praise for Steve and I. Though we appreciate it, others might not understand.” “Oh, right, I get it,” said Misty, “people might get jealous.” Jennifer sighed.
“Something like that,” she said. I then grabbed Misty’s arm and pulled her onto my lap and hugged her. “Thank you for all those words of encouragement,” I said. “Aww, you’re welcome Steve,” she said. Jennifer sighed loud and long. “Go get your team ready to leave right after breakfast,” I said, “make sure your backpacks are full.” “On it right away Steve,” she said. “Misty, wait until morning, they’re probably sleeping,” I said, “and they will need a good night’s sleep for this job, and that means you too, get to bed.” “On it Steve,” she said and started down the stairs.
Jennifer pushed that little stone and we heard Misty scream all the way to the bottom. “Steffie is a wonderful little girl,” said a satisfied Jennifer. I then grabbed her arm, but she was quick and threw me onto the bed and the tickle fight began. I lost again. She said if I won then she would let me go on the case. Sigh. In the morning before breakfast I told Jennifer that Sky and her Bad Girls should go visit with Harley’s parents. “That’s a good idea,” said Jennifer, “those Bad Girls would love to get involved in this one.” “Right, so we’ll leave right after breakfast,” I said.
“Hold it!” said Jennifer, “You are not going anywhere! Remember, you lost that tickle fight and that means you stay home. I’ll go along instead.” “Wait, you can’t leave me alone with no ghost protection,” I said. “Friskie is here and I’ll leave Angel behind too,” she said, “so that way you’ll be well protected. And if anything happens to you, then I will tear them into little pieces so it will take them months to put themselves back together again.” She then smiled and down we went for breakfast. Sigh. But will Friskie and Angel be enough to keep me safe?
To Be Continued. ©2026 Steve McLeod.
