For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Rock and Benson dug a deep hole, about 5 feet and hit something hard and rectangular. It was a large strong box, heavy metal. They lifted it out slowly, it was obviously very heavy. Finally it was on the ground and everyone was standing around waiting for it to be opened. But the key I have certainly will not fit that lock, so Rock took his axe and smashed the lock off. By now he did not want to wait.
It was filled with rocks! Rock and Benson were about ready to hit their heads on the tree! I started tossing the rocks into the hole and at the bottom of the box was a leather pouch. Inside were diamonds, rubies and emeralds, very good quality too. And a note. With a map leading to what the note said was a mine. We followed the map to a steeper part of the mountainside about 1,000 feet from the cabin.
The spot was thickly grown over with trees and bushes, but behind them, after Rock and Benson cleared the way, was the entrance to a mine. We walked inside and already the gold was showing in the walls of the mine tunnel. We knew that Hermit Pete kept bringing gold into the town below, just small amounts, which we had figured came from the gold in the cellar, but instead it came from this gold mine.
We later confirmed this by an analysis of the gold, which matched the analysis of the gold Hermit Pete had brought in. Fortunately they still had those records on file. The note was a type of will leaving the mine to whoever found it by following his clues. He said in the note that he had no living relatives, which we found to be true. Except for relatives of his wife, but that part is for later. “You just inherited a gold mine Steve!”, said Jenny excitedly.
In fact, everyone was very excited by now. Although there were still some puzzle pieces that did not quite fit. “Well,” I answered, “if this is legal then the mine belongs to all of us, not just me and Kat. We are a team and we share the bad and the good, remember?” The girls and cats were jumping around with excitement, Rock and Benson had big smiles, then the girls hugged the 3 of us guys one by one. Poor Rock and Benson, I am not sure which of them was more embarrassed.
We continued to look around the cabin and nearby area for any other clues. I still had that key which must fit something, Hermit Pete would have no reason to hide it so well if it was not important. “Steve, come look here,” said Sigurbjorn. I went over to the fireplace where she was sitting getting herself covered with soot. She pointed to a spot inside the fireplace. It looked like a small door, which was locked. I gave her the key and it fit.
The door squeaked open and inside was a small metal box and another note. At least this box was not locked. I opened it. It was full of jewelry. Another puzzle piece that just did not fit. Until I read the note that was with the box. I smiled. “Now it all fits together,” I said and let the others read the note for themselves. It was getting late but we made our way back to the resort anyway and managed to make it before dark.
They had some food ready for us which was very welcome, especially by Rock and Benson. Those two sure can eat. Later, back in our cabin, I contacted Annelie. Jake was there too and he added some interesting information for us. Now we have the whole story. In the morning we got everyone together into the lodge for a meeting. “It seems that almost everyone here is involved in chasing the treasure from Hermit Pete,” I began,
“there were 4 sisters, you two ladies (referring to the older ladies), the mother of our cook and the wife of Hermit Pete. It was she who informed the other sisters of the treasure. Then you 3 sisters killed her hoping that Hermit Pete would be charged with murder, but that did not work, just was not enough evidence to convict him. So you waited, coming here each anniversary hoping he had died. Then another sister died mysteriously, I think you killed her too, but so far I have no evidence.” They smiled smugly at that news.
To Be Continued.
Β©2022 Steve McLeod.
Oooooo….. sister can be very vicious to one another!!π¬π¬( I know, I had 7 when I was growing up) Anyway… how can any of that be proved so they can be prosecuted? You don’t have any physical evidence…only circumstantial π€π€
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Yes, that is a problem for sure, they will all likely get off quite easily…or will they? We are not finished with them yet! But proof will be tough to get on this case.π€π¬π©πΎπΎπΎπ΅οΈ
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Can’t wait to see what evidence you find! And BTW I was right about the strong box!!π€ΈββοΈπ€ΈββοΈπ€ΈββοΈπππ€π€
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Yep, and I had that part of the story before you said anything! The evidence might be surprising!π€π΅οΈ
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Oooo… can’t waitπ¬π¬
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Me too, I like surprises. But I think most of them will walk away free unfortunately. Unless something happens and that’s what I’m hoping for.π€π΅οΈ
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Trying to get them to make a mistake?ππ€
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Yep, that’s it! I think it will be our only hope. But will my plan work?π€π΅οΈ
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You’re pretty good at getting criminals to catch themselves!ππ
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With so many people involved, someone is bound to make a mistake and then things will get lively! I’m hoping anyway.π€π΅οΈ
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I’m sure one of them will lose their composure!π
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Yes, and then the arguing begins and then we find out some things!ππ΅οΈ
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But will we find them out before Friday gets here??π³π²π€π
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Oh I think it will all come to an end before the end. I want it finished up by Friday for sure…maybe.ππ€π΅οΈ
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Does that mean a new case on Saturday or Monday??πππ€
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Yes indeed!ππ΅οΈ
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Sweet πππ
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Yep, the new story is already in the works! I was working on it this afternoon. Or was it yesterday afternoon? It was in the afternoon anyway.ππ
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Ohhhh…. I’m so glad to know that!π That means it’s gonna be another good one!πππ
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I think so anyway. Maybe not so complicated this time, something easy and simple.ππ΅οΈ
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That’s the way this vacation started also!ππ But they always have a way of getting complicated. ππ
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Next vacation we are going to stay home and relax instead of going somewhere. Our vacations never work out like a vacation should!π€ππ΅οΈ
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It will only come to visit you then!! Best to go out and meet it head on!!ππ
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At least at home we know our way around, we’re staying home next time.π€π΅οΈ
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Okay!π I’ll read all about it!ππ
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Might be awhile before we get another vacation.
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With all that gold none of will need to work again!πππ
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That’s what you think!π¬π
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Why?? The will said it woukd go to who ever discovered it!
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Yep, we got it, but there was no gold left, except what we could see!πππΉ
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Some is better than none!πππ
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Yep, we might get a few thousand just chipping away at the walls of the tunnel. If we have time.ππ€
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What about the gold you found in the cellar?π€
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Aha! You didn’t read the whole chapter! I said what happened to it, or rather, what didn’t happen to it.
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Yes I did to!!π€¨ They are just dragging their feet hoping you’ll forget about it and then the state can claim it! The statute of limitations has expired on the Robert so finders keepers!π
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Yes, I would agree with you, we should get to keep it and Baldwin has his lawyers working on that now. That was a lot of gold, with no where to go.
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Yep! π
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Of course, if we get the gold we will likely have to build an addition to the chateau.π€π
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What and or who would you fill it up with?π
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The cats are already looking at brand new castle play structures.πΊπΊπΊ And they take up a lot of space!π¬
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Why not just build in some small crawl spaces for them to travel through?πππ»π»
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They want this new castle outfit. It’s the only castle that Muffin likes and MC and Storm like it too since its a castle!π€ππΌπΌπΌ
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Well then since Muffin found the secret hiding place she should get what she wants!ππ»
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Plus she’s the only girl of the group.ππΉ
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That’s a better reason!! Good thinking!ππππΉπΉ
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Muffin thinks so anyway.πΉ
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I’m not gonna question her!!π€π€π€
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A very wise move.
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I’m learning!!ππππ
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This continues to be a puzzler ! π΅οΈββοΈπΌπΌπΌπ©βοΈβοΈ
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And soon the puzzle pieces will fall into place!π€π©πΎπΎπΎπ΅οΈ
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