Steve`s Country
For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
The Investigators, Inc. The Case of Baldwin’s Murder. Chapter 13. A Button.
Well, we left off with us still flying to New Zealand, still 3 hours to go and we were talking about the Major having been killed by Victor’s men, and why. “Daddy had already talked with Victor,” continued Aasta, “and told him he wanted out. Victor tried to talk him into staying and told him he could have a big role in the new organization, giving him a 40% stake in Baldwin Corporation.
But daddy refused and said it was time for him to retire. So Victor said okay and just wanted him to come back and set his office in order before leaving. Daddy said he would do that, which is why he left.” She began crying again at that point. “I am surprised that Major did not smell the trap,” said Mac to me quietly, “he never would do that normally.”
“Hmm, that is an interesting point,” I replied, “but maybe he figured this would mean he could leave without being killed, if he did want Victor wanted right now.” “Perhaps,” said Mac, “still don’t seem right to me.” We then went over our plans again and I told everyone to try and get some sleep. There are two bedrooms on these jets, plus the seating in the main room folds out into beds and two folding walls can be pulled across to give some privacy.
Sky, Crystal and myself went in one bedroom, Galyna, Tiffany and Aasta were in the other. “I need more massaging,” I said. “Okay, the Kat is ready,” said Crystal giggling. “Hey, stop that,” said Sky, “you are going to start confusing me soon with that.” “Sorry Sky,” said Crystal, “it is getting to be a habit, besides…” “She is right Kat,” I said, “you need to stick with one name, or everyone will get confused.”
That got her laughing. “How am I supposed to massage when you make me laugh,” she said, “you should learn to massage Sky.” “No thanks,” she said, “I like getting them, not giving them. Besides, my hands get tired too quickly. It is your own fault for starting to do that way back.” “Yes, so long ago,” she answered, “a whole other life ago.”
That last 3 hours seemed to go by very fast and we were landing at the airport. We met up with Team 5 from Mandar and they told us that there had been 20 men waiting for us at the airport. They warned the police and airport security and there ended up being quite the gunfight. I airport security man, 3 police officers and 4 from Team 5 had been wounded, but none too seriously.
Though it meant there were just 11 left from Team 5 to help us. It was early morning and we drove out to the safe house. It was actually a fairly small building outside of the city built into a hillside, though somehow that hill did not quite look natural. There is only one entrance into that building, the door in front.
There is an abandoned building across the road from it and that is where Kyan will be since she is our sniper. She will take care of anyone that might try coming out that front door when we go in the back way. Aasta and Cynthia will be with Kyan as well. The rest of us will go in the back way, providing we can find out how to get in.
We had to drive further down that road until we came to another road which we then followed a short distance until we came to what looked like an old driveway, except there was no house or any other building in sight. We stopped and walked around a bit. Then Rock called out that he found something. We all went over to see what it was.
There was a slight depression in the ground so the guys dug down and sure enough, there was a metal door. It was not even locked. But when Rock opened it we could see why, that door was thick steel and must have weighed at least 500 pounds or more. Rock had no problem lifting it open however and down we went for our very long walk back to that building.
There were some hidden traps along the way, so it was good that we had the diagrams for that tunnel which showed all of them. Just to be safe though, the cats went first. Finally we were at the building itself, and a locked steel door. We knew there were at least 7 men on the other side, and maybe quite a few more, we just had no idea how many to expect.
The building was quite large underground, with hallways and numerous rooms. With the supplies it contains, 50 people can live in there for 2 months without any problem. Catalina was setting the explosives in place to blow that door so we can get in quickly. John, Mac and Rock held shields to protect the us all from the blast. With the press of a button it all began…
To Be Continued.
©2023 Steve McLeod.
Wednesday Words, With Coffee! #22
Good morning to everyone! Time for a cup of coffee, sit on the deck and enjoy the beautiful morning. The sky is such a wonderful blue, the sun is shining brightly and it is wet, very wet. We had a thunderstorm last evening and it thoroughly drenched us in heavy rain.
That was good though, it had gotten very dry and forest fires were burning across this northwestern part of our province. I hope those fires received some of that rain too. The summer forecast was released this morning and for our area it is supposed to be cool and dry. So, this “hot” weather we have been getting is likely going to be our main summer weather and the rest of the summer will be more normal to cooler.
Black-capped Chickadee. The top photo is a female Purple Finch.
We shall see. There is still very little bird activity out here, although the trees are alive with the songs of so many different species of birds. I was up at 4:11 this morning. It was daylight and the birds were singing so loud and clear. Loons were calling in the distance. There was a Great Horned Owl hooting somewhere across the street among all those pines, likely further away than it sounded.
I would love to get a photo of an owl, but so far they have eluded me. But then, they are around mostly at night which makes it hard for getting a good picture. It would be great to walk down to the river at night, just to see what is going on during that time. So much happens at night that we just do not get a chance to see normally. I will not be trying it however.
Male American Goldfinch.
There was a time when I would have done it, but not now. Sad, really. That red-eyed vireo is singing out there, and so is a white-throated sparrow. A chipping sparrow is on the feeder picking through the seeds, getting his breakfast and likely taking some back to the nest for his mate who would be sitting on eggs now.
There is a black-throated green warbler singing out back too, and a chestnut-sided warbler. They both have unique and easily recognized songs. The black-throated green is very loud in his singing considering he is such a tiny bird. The cedar waxwings are back now, they were around earlier this morning, first of the year.
Chipping Sparrow.
Nice to have them back again. I am still waiting for the nighthawks to arrive, they are usually the last of our birds to return, and the first to leave. The singing has slowed down now as the birds get out looking for food. Thanks for visiting with us, have a wonderful day and God bless!
Steve and Muffin.
©2023 Steve McLeod.
Steve`s Country 