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.”

No wonder he had been eager to help them. If his fiancée

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

them. “I do not know how

break in?” Stella asked. “If the others tried the same

may have left this house or at

“Like us?” Tara said.

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

good idea?” Stella asked him. “Tara and I

could call for additional resources but it would be a while before they

by the thoughts of what might

with only a three-inch barrel.