The Case of the Mad Scientist

Chapter 31: Let’s Go See What’s Happening at the Lake

Chapter 31: Let’s Go See What’s Happening at the Lake

“That’s the house,” Hiroshi Meisei told Stella and Tara.

Stella had used the phone number that Aiko had given them. She told the man who answered what the situation was and that she would like help in finding out what had happened to her other “team members”. The man seemed to be familiar with their mission and told them to wait at the hotel for him. When he showed up, he introduced himself and told them he would drive them up to Watanabe’s house so they could all investigate.

Tara was attracted to the handsome young Japanese man who, strangely enough, spoke English with a slight Texas drawl. It was the middle of the morning when they reached Lake Hibara. First, he showed them the house from the other side of the lake, allowing all of them to study it through binoculars. They could see no signs of activity. Then he drove them around the lake to approach the house from the front.

When they drove off onto a side road to hide the car, Hiroshi suddenly hit the brakes and tensed. In front of them was another car. Hurriedly, Hiroshi got out and looked into the other vehicle. When he returned, he informed them that the car belonged to Aiko.

“Are you sure it’s hers?” asked Tara.

“Yes. I am very familiar with it. Aiko is my fiancée. I know that car very well.”

“Oh,” was all Stella could say. No wonder he had been eager to help them. If his fiancée was in danger…

They approached the house through the forest, just as Blaze, Aiko and Sled had the evening before. As they viewed the house from a crouched position in the bushes, they could see no signs of activity.

“There will be guards,” Hiroshi told them. “I do not know how many.”

“Do we just break in?” Stella asked. “If the others tried the same thing, then this Watanabe guy will be on the alert.”

“This is true. It is possible he may have left this house or at least gotten them out of here in case others came looking.”

“Like us?” Tara said.

“Indeed. We can assume that they did try to enter and have not left. Had that happened, Aiko’s car would not still be here. Therefore we must assume that something has gone wrong. If not, they would have contacted up by now.”

“Is our walking into what maybe a trap a good idea?” Stella asked him. “Tara and I are not trained agents.”

“True. I could call for additional resources but it would be a while before they arrived. Anything could happen in the meantime. Anything.”

His face was grim, undoubtedly troubled by the thoughts of what might be happening to his fiancé.

Reaching into a pocket, he pulled out a 9mm automatic. It was a small one, with only a three-inch barrel. But at close range it would be accurate enough. “Do you know how to use this?” he asked.

“I’ve fired handguns before,” Stella told him as she took the weapon from him. She dropped out the magazine, checked the number of rounds in it, and slammed it back into place. “I assume this is not your main weapon?” she asked.

He pulled a .45 Glock, checked the magazine, and then chambered the first round. He returned it to his belt holster.

“I don’t suppose you have one for me?” Tara asked.

“No. Sorry,” he told her. “Perhaps it would be best if you wait in the car.”

“No way. I’ll go along. If you get in trouble, I’ll scream. That will divert them while you blow their heads off.”

For a second it appeared he might argue with her, but then he shook his head and turned back towards the house, apparently his concern for Aiko overriding other considerations in his mind.

The three of them snuck through the bushes towards the house.