Meg was a bit hard to convince that we only came for a hike. As she sensed something was off just by seeing the others and especially Markus. But she didn't make it a big issue at the time.
On the other hand, Sarah didn't make any comments. She only cared about others well being and refreshments. Markus has bought some baskets with the necessary food and drinks to go around.
"Sir,"
"Yes,"
"We'll part in two teams, so I will go with you and the other team will come around from the other side," said Markus.
"Ok, so where are we meeting up?"
"At the top of the hill,"
With that, we started the hike. The hike was pretty easy and the views were breathtaking.
"Hi, Ben, remember this spot?" asked Alex showing me a little patch clearing with a pond that bought a smile to my face.
"OH!!!!... come on with the story?" said Meg.
"Well, you know this Knight of shining armors had a pretty fancy idea, to have a camp night out," I said looking at Alex who was whispering to me not to tell the story.
"Then?" pitched in Sarah.
"With the nightfall and the hoots of the owls scared someone and cried all night asking for his dad,"
"BENNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!"
"Oh, My you were a crybaby!!!!" teased Meg.
"Whatever... let's go or we'll be late," said Alex looking away and trying to escape the fun making of Meg.
With that, we re-started our hike and find out for any clues or anything that might be helpful for us. After about an hour's walk, someone shouted that they had spotted a small house among the bushes. Well hidden in the wilderness.
"What could this place be?" Asked Meg.
"Sir, you and mama's please be over there while we go and check it out.
"Ok, be careful you all,"
"Ben it seems like this place is used by someone,"
"Yes, even the pathway is clear,"
"So we are really playing Sherlock Holmes is it?" asked Meg.
Alex whispered the situation to her while I watched the search going inside the house.
Markus came back after a while.
"Sir,"
"What did you find out?"
"Well, it seems like this place was used as a safe home or hideout. We found traces that someone had been there a few days before."
"Do you think this could be a meeting place or something ?"
"Could be. We also found some details about Senior Alexander,"
I looked at Alex.
"I think we need to inform Paul," said Alex while I called Paul, Markus went on to look out for more clues with his team.
While all this was going on the other team called in and said they had seen a cleared area that looked like a place used for shooting practice.
"So that means the gangsters are still coming here," said Alex, after looking at the photos sent by the team.
"Yes, but they can be another group, who found this place abandoned," I pitched in.
"It could be. But according to them, they had some practice session a few hours ago,"
"No one knew about us coming here,"
"So did they know about us visiting?"
At the same time, Liam called.
"Hello,"
"Hmm, Ben where are you?"
"We are going on a hike for a change on Alex's request,"
"Oh ok. I will meet you as soon as you come back and be safe,"
I looked at Alex with a shocked expression.
"WHAT?"
"Something is off with what Liam said, He might know something and told us to be extra careful,"
"Huh?"
"Yes, I think it's best we finish off this hike and get back soon," I said looking at the girls who were chatting away about something - my guess was Meg was talking about the medical equipment she saw at the cardiology center.