-
Follow
Following
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Denise had told us the realtor said her chateau was rather run down, therefore not worth much. But so far, what we have seen is a well-cared for chateau that is just beautiful. I am beginning to think this realtor wants to buy the chateau and resell it for a much higher price. Rather unscrupulous way to do things. But he probably figured this older lady would be an easy target. And unfortunately, she is believing this guy.
We will need to have a talk with her about that before she does something terrible, like selling cheaply to this guy. Well, after 3 hours we are finally on the second floor of this beautiful chateau. “I really do not like the idea of this woman living here alone Steve,” said Sky, “especially with that character trying to take advantage of her.” “I agree,” I said, “perhaps we need to come up with some excuse to stay here while we are on the case.”
“That is a great idea,” said Sky, “what did you have in mind?” “And here I thought you had something in mind,” I said with a sigh. Sky just giggled. Benson and Carine came along to give us their report. “Someone did try to get in that one window,” said Benson, “but he obviously did not succeed. That window has not been opened in a long time.” “Then someone just made it look like they came in and stole that stuffed dog,” I said, “which means it is likely still in here somewhere, and we need to find it before that realtor does.”
“There must be something important about that stuffed puppy,” said Carine. “Yes,” I replied, “I think that perhaps it contains a map or directions to find some kind of treasure in this chateau. And that could be why that realtor wants to buy this place cheap.” Crystal phoned and said that Denise would like us to stay for dinner. She also said that a messenger had come and left an envelope for me. “Now that is odd,” I said, “no one knows we are here except our team, and they would phone.”
We all came back downstairs and told Denise that we would be happy to stay for dinner. She was overjoyed about that and went off to the kitchen. Galyna and Carine went along to help her. I opened the envelope and inside was a short note which read, “Staying here at the chateau can be very unhealthy.” It was just signed with an M. “Hmm, I think that must be our Max Barbeau,” I said, “this would be the excuse we need to stay the night,” I said to Sky.
Denise came out at that moment and mentioned something that had her a bit worried. “I was going to phone my friend and discovered the phone was dead,” she said, “that has never happened before that I can remember. I wonder if you would consider staying the night with me?” “We would be happy to do that,” I said, “do you mind if I call a couple others from our team to join us? They could also bring some things we would need as well.”
“Oh my, yes, that would be wonderful!” she exclaimed, “there is certainly more than enough room here for everyone.” Then she went back to the kitchen. I called Annelie and told her to send Tracy and Sephira over to stay with us and to bring things we will need for spending a few nights here. “I checked on that real estate company, no problems there, they are well respected,” she began, “but, there is no Max Barbeau working for them.
However, I checked around a bit and Denise’s husband had a friend year’s ago that was sent to prison for a jewel theft and murder 30 years ago. The jewels were never recovered, except a couple and the police figure he had an accomplice, but never found anyone. The name of that friend was Mack Carver and he has been out of prison for 4 months now, just a couple of days before Denise’s husband was killed in that accident. By the way, he was shot.” “How is that an accident?” I asked.
“Big Ben was having coffee with Mack at an outdoor cafe and witnesses said they were arguing about something,” she said, “Ben got up to leave and a car drove by, and someone shot out the window, killing Ben. The police figured someone was trying to kill Mack Carver and Ben just got in the way.” “Hmm, now that is interesting,” I said, “I got a note today informing me to stay away from the chateau and it was signed ‘M’, quite possibly this Mack Carver.”
“That is not good Steve,” she said, “all of you need to be careful. It is possible those stolen gems are in that chateau somewhere. I think Rock should join you too.” “No, that would spoil your vacation plans Annelie,” I said, “there are enough of us to handle any danger that comes along.” “Sleep with your eyes open,” she said, and hung up. Tracy and Sephira arrived shortly and we all enjoyed a wonderful dinner.
To Be Continued.
©2022 Steve McLeod.
Steve`s Country 
Ah hah!! So now the picture is beginning to clear up a bit!! I’ll bet that realtor is this Mack character!! And he wants the diamonds after he spent all those years on prison!!🤔
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, that is quite possible. And I am sure he will be quite desperate to get his hands on those jewels. And that makes it dangerous for Denise to be left alone. We also need to find that puppy if possible, unless that realtor took it already. Things are moving along quickly. I also think Mack deliberately had Ben shot because he refused to cooperate with him. 🤔👩😼😼🕵️♂️
LikeLike
Absolutely! I agree! Perhaps you could short circuit his plans by having her will the property to another person that way the Chateau won’t be available for him to try and obtain by unscrupulous methods?🤔🤔 Does she have any family??
LikeLiked by 1 person
Unfortunately she does not know of any living relatives. She had two older sisters, neither married and had no kids, both have died. Her husband was an only child. He had two cousins, but both died young. We do have a plan though. We know she wants to move into a flat where her friend lives and one will be available soon. She does want to sell her chateau before moving however. 🤔👩😼😼🕵️♂️
LikeLike
Ah… good idea 💡👏👌👍
But it must be done in a way in which he cannot find out until it’s completed or he might strike before its done!🤔
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, that is very true. But how to do it is the trick. This place would be worth quite a large sum of cash! 🤔👩🕵️♂️
LikeLike
Well now who do we know that has large sums if cash??🙄🙄🤔🤔🤭
LikeLiked by 1 person
True, but why would Baldwin want to buy another chateau? He already has a house that is bigger than this chateau. However, Rock and Annelie, or Benson and Carine might want to buy a chateau, with a little help. 🤔👩🕵️♂️
LikeLike
That’s true, and I’m sure Baldwin would be more than happy to finance it for them!😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
After a little convincing about how it would make a great investment. That always gets his attention. 🤔👩🕵️♂️
LikeLike
There you go! And it can be done anonymously through a corporation so Mack wouldn’t be able to find out about it!😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, that is very true! It definitely would need to be anonymous. Baldwin would know exactly what to do. Providing he thinks it is a good idea. That’s the biggest hurdle. 🤔👩🕵️♂️
LikeLike
Maybe he just needs a little encouragement…. I think the investment angle is the way to go! 😉 Now… how do we use this, to get Mack to tip his hand and tell us what he knows??🤔🤔
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, and of course he hasn’t given Benson and Carine a wedding present yet. Or they could live here free as caretakers, something like that. My guess is that he wasn’t able to find the puppy, so he will be back again, perhaps with a potential buyer, so they can both take a look for that puppy. But we will persuade her not to let anyone in while we are here looking for it. That might make him try something more drastic, but that could help us trap him and put him back in prison. 🤔👩🕵️♂️
LikeLike
That’s a great idea 💡 (again)😉 I think the care takers scenario is the best! It keeps them protected as well as Baldwin!😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, that’s very true. We could even split our team to live in both places which would be a safety factor for the team if we are ever attacked again. Lots of ideas for Baldwin to consider. That really helps when trying to convince him to spend his money. 🤔👩🕵️♂️🙄
LikeLike
Now that sounds like a plan!!😁😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought so too. Muffin thought of that one. Maybe I should let her talk to Baldwin, she can be quite convincing, especially when she uses her sad kitten eyes. Still, we have to convince Denise it would be a good idea to sell right away. We also have to be careful not to mention her husband was mixed up with a jewel thief. Maybe he even helped steal them in the first place! 🤔👩🕵️♂️
LikeLike
You could frame the sale as an avenue to retire and be near her friend and that she would be getting a fair market price!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, that is very true. She really would like to be near her friend. She doesn’t like the long drive in for shopping either, so it would be perfect for her. But we must convince her that this Max Barbeau is not who he claims to be. 🤔🕵️♂️
LikeLike
Well, you do have the results that Annalie gave you from her research. That can’t be disputed! You don’t however need to include the theft of the diamonds or his real name. Just that there is no one by that name working for the realty company!😉😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, that is very true, I am sure she will believe us. After all, she hired us in the first place. And she does like having all the girls around. They have really helped in getting her to trust us. 🤔👩🕵️♂️
LikeLike
Yes sir!!😁😉 So… how to draw Mack into the trap? Perhaps!! You could create a stuffed dog and allow him to find that with a map to guide him into it?🤔🤔🙄🙄😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now there’s a thought. 🤔🕵️♂️
LikeLike
I wasn’t just flying g and watching a TV screen today!😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
😃🕵️♂️
LikeLike
The plot is thickening fast. The jewel heist, murder of Denise’s husband, threatening letters, a phone that does not work and so many other things.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes indeed, things are moving along quickly! But I imagine there will be some setbacks along the way to slow us down. I don’t think that Denise knows about her husbands involvement with this Mack character. He might even have been part of that jewel heist and tried to cut Mack out of his share of the jewels. More details to figure out yet. But we need to keep Denise from selling her chateau to this Max Barbeau, whoever he is. 🤔👩😼😼🕵️♂️
LikeLiked by 1 person
You could tell her that the chateau is worth more. This Max could be Mack!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I am thinking that Max and Mack are the same person. We will prove to her that the chateau is worth more by getting it appraised for her if necessary. 🤔🕵️♂️
LikeLiked by 1 person
😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another puzzler ! 🤔…There could be more trouble in the mix…waiting for more info…Best to be alert at all times 🕵️♂️👩👩😼🤔😳❗️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I am quite sure that there will be some sort of trouble come along for us. But we are taking lots of precautions on this one. So hopefully the problems will be few. 🤔👩😼😼🕵️♂️
LikeLike