For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
“In that case I would have to sell the chateau to him,” I said, “it might be one way to catch him though.” “It might at that,” continued Baldwin, “He has always kept his merchandise far away from him, so it can’t be tied to him in any way, but now he’s getting involved in something else which means he needs a place close at hand for keeping his merchandise.” “Hmm, those tunnels would be perfect for him then,” I said, “and a perfect trap. But one problem, his money is bad and I would end up losing it.” Baldwin laughed, “you would at that, so sell the place to me now and let me deal with him.” “No, sorry, your little sister needs you here, not in prison,” I said. “That’s a good point,” agreed Baldwin, “but my ‘resources’ are at your disposal Steve, whatever you need, just let me know.”
“Well, come to think of it, there is something I could use,” I said, “if you can get it fast enough.” “I can get it yesterday,” he said, “what do you need?” At that point someone tosses an envelope through the window. “It’s got your name on it Steve,” as Baldwin hands it to me. I read the note inside. “Not good news, I can see that,” said Baldwin concerned. “Yes,” I said, “it appears that Antoine has the upper hand now. He has Calanthe and Lena. He’ll give them back in exchange for the chateau.” “Now I’m in this too,” growled Baldwin, “Antoine will regret this, I promise.” “Baldwin, I need you to promise to stay out of this, totally,” I said, “I need you to trust me on this one. Antoine will be phoning shortly so I will let you listen in on that so you know what’s going on, but the case is mine, Calanthe needs you, but not right now.”
Baldwin just looked at me in silence, face red with anger. Then after a very large sigh he said, “okay Steve, it’s your way for now, but if you fail, then I go in.” “That’s fair,” I said, “but I still need your help getting me this and I need it today.” I showed him what I wanted and he was on the phone to one of his associates immediately. The man on the other end agreed to have it here by 5pm, it’s now 11am. The phone rings. “Listen carefully Steve, Antoine wants the chateau, he’s still willing to pay the 2 million and let us go free, but it must be done this afternoon. Some days things are up and other days they are way down,” said Calanthe.
“Did you get that?”,asked Antoine. “Yes, I did, but I need a bit more time to get all the paperwork together with the lawyer,” I said, “how about 9 tomorrow morning, surely you can wait until then.” “Okay, that works for me,” he said, “but no tricks, no police around.” “No police,” I said, “but I will bring the lawyer to make sure it’s all legally done, where do you want to meet?” “At the chateau, at 9, don’t be late,” said Antoine and hung up. “Well, we have more time, just enough,” I said, “now I need something else from you.” “Name it and you have it,” said Baldwin, “but do you really trust him?” “Not at all, he doesn’t plan on letting us go,” I said.
“Now I need two men, armed, ready to fight our way out if that’s what we have to do,” I said, “but they must do things my way, that’s important.” “You got them,” said Baldwin, “they will do things your way, I promise that. But you don’t even know where to go.” “They’re at the chateau, Calanthe gave me the clue when she said up and down,” I said, “so we go in through the passage from the tall tower, then we come out in the pool house. That’s where I want your men to be waiting for us, and a car on that new road coming in, so we can get out of there fast. We go in at 11 tonight, so have your men ready.” “Okay,” said Baldwin staring, “I still can’t believe I’m trusting a PI with 2 cats for helpers.”
To Be Continued.
©2021 Steve McLeod.
I’m guessing you’re planning a pretty good surprise for Antoine!🤭🤭🤫🤫 I can’t wait to find out what it is..😂
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Yes, me too!😳🙀🙀
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😆LOL 😂 I like where you’re going with it. You should set a trap like a snare… then when steps in it whoosh!! Upside down in the air!!😁😁😂😂
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Knowing me, I would be the one to step in it!🙄 And the cats would have to rescue me!😳🙀🙀
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I don’t think so… although it would be funny to see you upside down!😂😂😂
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I think I’m upside down most of the time.🤔😳
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Hmmm… that would explain being a bit batty🤭🤭
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As they say in the old country, “it’s better to be batty than to be stuck in the mud up to your ankles.”
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Now how can I argue with you about that??🤔🤔
Did you do anything fun today?
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Yep, laundry, vacuum, cleaning, blogged, cleaned litter box, talked turkey with Theodore, chipped with Coffee…😁
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Sounds like mine.. minus the Turkey talk and chips! Really tired today. Didn’t sleep well last night😴
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Hmm, I slept good and I’m still tired. But I didn’t sleep good the night before so I blame it on that.
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Most likely the reason yep! It was a long week at work and I was mentally exhausted I think. But I did get my chores done today. How is Muffin today?
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She’s a bit tired today, slow moving, except this morning, she was flying. Those kind of weeks can do it, you should relax a bit. How’s the garage cleaning going?
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Not well! It’s been cold and rainy.. kinda takes the enthusiasm out of it. I’m going call my garbage collector and see how much a larger container would cost.
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Hey, I have a good idea!🤔🙄 Just move it all down to your warmer home and sort it out there where it’s warm!😃 I come up with em don’t I?😁
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That’s a good idea! I might just do that!😉😊
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Thank you for calling me intelligent!😃
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You are!!😁 Welcome
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I am😁 thanking you!
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Your Welcome…😁
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I think you said that, but thanks anyway. I’m off, but I’ll be around most of tomorrow if you would like to chatter. What else to do in this cold weather? Good night!😁🌙😴
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Yes , I would like chatter!!
I should be more awake ⏰ tomorrow.
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This mystery is one for the books , so the saying goes…I know you need to “ trust “ some law breakers, but be alert ! And the cats are there for you ! Take advantage of their talents ! ☕️☕️🕵️♂️😾😾😮
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hehe. But Baldwin isn’t a law breaker, he’s clean as me. Strange and tough sounding maybe, but clean. The cats part will come along too, but they are best at certain things, like being super quiet. And now I am too, thanks to Baldwin. Still a bit more to come!😳🙀🙀🕵️♂️
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I’m not saying anything but I can’t wait to see what you and the cats have planed for Antione
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Laugh, The alternative is sad
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It might be a surprise.
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I love surprises
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Me too!
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🤩
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I agree Steve, this is reading like a very good mystery book. 🤔😳👏👏. I am looking forward to the next chapter! 😁
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Glad that you continue to enjoy this Beverly! And soon the ending…🤔😳🙀🙀
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Yes, I definitely do Steve! Yay, the ending! 👏 Soon…🤔😳😁
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Coming up, um, this week!😁🥳
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😂 No pressure…great! 😁🥳
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I need to know, were you really were a PI or the books you used to read are such kind.. you are making this workout so beautifully, without giving up on the suspense part… and all the secret messages and envelopes.. I feel Baldwin is also his secret hand.. Antoine or Baldwin can’t trust anyone here.. Hope Calanthe Lena is safe.. time for rescue…😎
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I did read mystery stories when I was a kid,😁 but I can’t remember any of them,🙄 too bad. I did watch, and still do sometimes, mystery movies,😁 but I don’t use any of their ideas. I want my ideas to be mine.😀💡 Was I a PI?🤔 Now that’s a question, 😂hmm…🤔🙄
Can Baldwin be trusted? Well, I’m trusting him now, I need some extra help this time. I don’t believe Antoine will let us go after he gets the chateau,🤔 he can’t, he could be charged with kidnapping and extortion.😬 So he will kill us, unless I can rescue Calanthe and Lena. I will try tonight!😒😾😾🕵️♂️
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Hey Steve, that’s nice, see the inspiration comes from the ancestors… the BOOKS😉 Keep trying, hoping for a nice action ahead..😎 You will rock Steve 😄
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Well, I don’t think any inspiration is coming from the books,🙄 like I said, I can’t even remember them!😳😂 But I prefer using my own ideas anyway, not someone else’s.😁😺
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That is definitely visible, I haven’t read much PI stories… but yours is definitely awesome 😍 maybe I’ll start reading Sherlock Holmes book soon 😎
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Sherlock Holmes, now there’s a good book!😁 I haven’t read it though,🤔🙄 but I’ve been told it’s a good book.😂😂😹😹
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Hahaha…Bladwin don’t underestimate the cats 😻😾
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Yes, that’s for sure! They are the best for certain jobs!😀😸😸🕵️♂️
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