Steve`s Country
For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
The Investigators, Inc. The Warning Mystery. Chapter 8. Tracy.
Well, it has been several days now and Chung has allowed me to return home. Sigurbjorn is giving me my daily massage, and I am supposed to be out walking each day to strengthen my heart. It does feel good being home, that I will admit. Mandar returned to England the day after my surgery, so I never had a chance to thank him, which I am sure is the way he wanted it.
Between his organization and ours, we are trying to get a lead on Toledo and where he is hiding. But, so far, nothing. He certainly knows how to hide himself. That is the kind of knowledge I need at times. I must admit, the only thing I really want right now is a nice, quiet, vacation. But is that even possible? I highly doubt it. I still think the best way would be for Muffin and I to sneak away on our own. But is that even possible? I highly doubt it. Sigh.
But it is just too hard for us all to go together, keeping our whole team disguised is impossible. People ask too many questions. And if they find out, then sure enough, someone wants our help with something. I do not mind helping people, that is our job, but sometimes we need a break from that. So, Muffin and I are secretly planning our getaway. We will not do it, but it is fun to plan anyway. I just asked Sigurbjorn if she could keep up with the massage just a little longer. She happily agreed.
We have a new emergency plan in place to help secure our chateau. It requires each team member to put their hands on a screen outside the door in order to gain admission to the chateau. While Sigurbjorn was massaging me, someone came to the front door and hands were placed on the screen. The door unlocked and opened.
But once inside, the alarm went off and Sigurbjorn immediately locked the doors to the library where we were. She then readied herself with a gun beside me. The alarm brought everyone running to the front door, with guns ready. Kristina buzzed. “There is someone here to see you Steve,” she said, “you probably will not believe who it is though.”
I got myself ready and then said she could come in with our guest. The cats came running in first and positioned themselves. Then Kristina came in with Tracy. Yes, it was Tracy, Jake’s younger sister who had been killed. Yet, here she was, very much alive. I smiled. “You do not look very surprised Steve,” said Kristina.
“Why should I be?” I asked, “I have been expecting Tracy. Others can keep secrets, and so can we. We deliberately faked her death in order to keep her alive, but also, so she could help us with information gathering.” “Hi Steve,” said Tracy with a smile. Then she came over and gave me a hug. “I was so worried about you,” she said, “but I am so happy you are okay now. And now it is time for me to come back and help out. I do have some info for you too. Do you remember Lavina?”
“Yes, that is the young woman we broke out of prison, Avina’s young sister,” I said, “she went back to prison screaming she would kill me one day.” “And she almost succeeded,” said Tracy, “it was Lavina that hired that doctor to put the device on your heart.” I just looked at her. “It was not Toledo?” I asked. “Well, he was involved too,” said Tracy, “but Lavina planned it all.
The two of them are working together now. Lavina was out of prison just two months after she was put back there.” “That figures,” I said, “and I thought it would be years before I would have to worry about her. Do you know where they are hiding?” “Sorry, but that is something I could not find out, even with all of my contacts,” she said sadly.
Toledo and Lavina working together is bad news for us, we must find them soon or we will have to worry about them for a long time. Everyone was very glad to have Tracy back with us again. “How did she open the door?” asked Kristina who is in charge of security this week. “That was my doing,” I said, “just a little test of our security measures.”
“But what if we had shot her?” asked Angel. “Then someone would be in serious trouble,” I said, “our security rules are very clear, no shooting is to be done unless there is a real security threat, and I believe Tracy came in with hands raised.” “Well, yes, she did,” said Angel, “you are right, we never shoot at someone surrendering.” The day passed quickly, as did the night. The next day Mandar called…
To Be Continued.
©2022 Steve McLeod.
Coffee For Thursday. #20
Good morning everyone! It is definitely a good morning for some coffee! Right now the sun is shining, but there is lots of cloud cover out there as well. Earlier this morning it actually snowed just for a little while. Fortunately the ground is still warm so the snow melted upon landing. Except on the deck. Snowflakes covered the deck, though not quite enough to make the deck perfectly white.
Then the sun came out briefly and the snow melted right away. Right now the temperature is about 34F (1C), not exactly warm, and there is a very strong north wind blowing leaves off the trees at a remarkable rate. Some trees are completely bare of leaves now, though others are still just beginning to turn yellow. The aspens are generally the last to change color.
I was hoping to get out next week for some autumn photography, but that might be too late. And there is not much sun in the forecast over the next 7 days either. Sunshine really makes the colors glow beautifully. Sunshine is needed for excellent autumn photos. Cloudy days mute the colors too much.
The birds are busy again this morning, fighting over the peanuts and sunflower seeds. One greedy blue jay was already so full of sunflower seeds in his throat pouch that every time he bent over to pick up another seed, he would drop two or three. It was comical to watch. He was losing more than he was getting.
Another blue jay grabbed a large peanut and half swallowed it into his throat pouch, but it did not go in far enough which left his beak wide open. He did not realize that his beak was open so wide and he kept trying to pick up another peanut, which was impossible to do, but he kept at it for the longest time. Finally I guess he learned it was not working, so off he flew with what he had.
Skitter was the only chipmunk around yesterday, and he only came for a short while in the afternoon. I do not expect any will show up today, it is not supposed to warm up much from the temperature that we have. A little taste of what is coming in our weather. But it will warm up a bit for a few days before cooling off again.
Flocks of geese flew overhead during the night. I was awake quite a bit so I was able to hear them honking as they flew. They are still flying this morning, heading south, aided by this strong north wind. I am sure there will not be many summer birds left after today. It is time for more coffee. Thank you for visiting us today, have a wonderful day and God bless!
Steve and Muffin. The top featured image is from my last trip to the river.
©2022 Steve McLeod.
