The Case of the Mad Scientist

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.”

he had been eager to help them.

As they viewed the house from a crouched position

be guards,” Hiroshi told them.

others tried the

is possible he may have left this house or at least gotten them out of here in case others

“Like us?” Tara said.

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

what maybe a trap a good idea?” Stella

resources but it would be a while before they arrived. Anything could happen in

by the thoughts of what might

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