I had just told my story to Kat and Sky which made Sky rather furious, not because I had not told her before, but because of what was happening to me. ”Sky, sit down so I can explain things better,” I said. ”I am still wet from swimming,” she said. ”I do not mind,” I told her, so she sat on my lap. I explained that after the night at the clinic when Kat said someone was watching us, then I had 2 phone calls which did not really make sense, so I just figured they were prank calls. 

Until today, this time the phone call let me know what was going on, specifically. It was blackmail, of a different kind. The woman did not want money, she wanted me to surrender myself to be her servant, or she would tell her story to everyone on our team and even get it on the news. 

The Investigators would be finished since no one would trust our team anymore, and she figured that Sky would leave me and no one on the team would trust me anymore either. Her story was not true, but I could not prove it. It likely would finish our reputation as PI’s and maybe it would cause some of the girls to leave as well. 

“Look at me Steve,” said Sky, “I want to ask you a question and your answer does not matter to me because I will not leave you no matter what. Is her story true?” ”No, it is all a lie,” I said, “but I cannot prove that which is what makes it so bad. And I would not lie to you about something like that Sky, ever. That goes for you too Kat.” 

“Came kind of close today Steve,” she said. ”True, but I stopped myself,” I admitted. ”Now, are you going to let us help you?” asked Sky. ”I will think about it,” I said, “but I just do not want anyone getting hurt over this, somehow I do not believe she is working alone, I think someone else is behind this and that could make things more dangerous.” 

“When do you have to give your answer?” asked Kat. ”Tomorrow morning,” I replied. ”Then we need to start digging,” said Sky, “what is her name?” ”Lorenda Winters,” I said. Annelie was on it right away trying to find out whatever she could about this woman. By noon she had a complete profile on her, except for the last year when she seemed to just disappear. 

That was odd, but maybe that is when she teamed up with someone else. A meeting was called to inform everyone what was going on. Sky and Kat offered to tell everyone, but I said it was up to me to do that. Amber came up to me afterward, “remember I told you to let us help you sometimes too, well, now we can help, somehow, I am sure we can find this woman and make her tell the truth.” 

“How do we make her do that?” I asked. ”Just leave her alone with me for a while,” said Amber, “she will confess.” Several of the other girls said the same thing. ”Best to leave her with me Steve,” said Kat, “we ghosts can do some amazing things to get people to talk. And it is harder to hold a ghost accountable for anything since they have to find me first.” 

Everyone laughed. She might just have something. Annelie kept digging for more information, even Mac, Miles and Alfred tried asking people they knew as well, but no new information could be found. That night I could not sleep, it just seemed like giving up to this woman was the best way to go, though that would look like I was guilty. But, perhaps I could approach this a little differently and only involve myself. 

She was going to pick me up at 6am, she said, and in person, but I wonder if she would really come or just send others to pick me up. I was up and outside before 6 to wait for her, but unfortunately a member of Team 7 spotted me and came over to see what I was doing. ”Drop you gun Candace,” I said, pointing my gun at her. She put her gun down. 

“What are you doing Steve?” she said walking toward me. ”Stop Candace, or I will shoot,” I told her. ”I have a vest on, as you should be able to see,” she said, continuing to walk, “so you will have to shoot me in the head.” I raised my gun. ”I will do it if you do not stop,” I said firmly. 

She stopped, then took one more step and suddenly kicked the gun from my hand. Then she turned and kicked me hard in the stomach, knocking me to the ground. Then she heard a vehicle coming and she pressed her alarm. Code Red Attack! blared inside and out. 

Everyone was running fast, all of Team 7 ran to the front of the house just as the van arrived. Candace grabbed her gun, threw herself on top of me and began shooting! Some of the girls were out and shooting now too, as were Team 7 people. The van swerved and hit a large rock in the yard, all 4 men inside were dead… 

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.