We sat thinking about this new clue, but we were clueless about what it meant. Then Celestine went into the kitchen to get something to drink and I followed close behind. However, I stopped as I went through the doorway and looked. “Hmm, I think we have a clue for our clue,” I said enthusiastically, “but first, do you have any boards lying around this place, something that is solid?” “Yep, in that shed out back,” she said, “let’s go look.”

Sure enough there was a nice solid looking board just a little longer than 6 feet, so I brought it back inside. Then I pushed the sideboard “aside” like it said to do. “Nothing but a wall,” she said, “great detective work Steve.” Then she laughed. “Very funny,” I said, “there is a door here somewhere.” But, after searching for half an hour I had to admit defeat. “This is beautiful parquet flooring,” I said. “Yes, I really love this room because of that,” said Celestine, “but look at that, there’s a piece that doesn’t match. It must have been replaced.”

“You are right little sis,” I said, “and it’s in the shape of an X. Let’s stand on it and see what happens.” When I stood there, nothing happened, but when Celestine joined me, that piece of flooring sunk down just a bit and a wall panel slid open. “We found it!” exclaimed Celestine. “Yep, let’s go inside before it closes again,” I said. I went in first with the board, then Celestine followed, then Sir Night came too and the door closed.

“Good thing I remembered to bring my flashlight,” said Celestine, “I don’t like walking in the dark in a strange place.” “Neither do I,” I admitted, “especially since there might be a hole in the floor up ahead, which is why we need the board.” Sure enough, it was only a few feet from the entrance and our floor disappeared. At the bottom were pointy wood stakes. “That would be deadly enough,” I said, “these clues are getting dangerous.”

I slid the board across the opening and we walked across without any problem. We then came to the end and our passageway went two directions, though going left only went about 2 feet and stopped. Going right was the only choice, but the floor slanted downward which didn’t feel so good. Celestine was quite scared by it and I didn’t really like it either, but, nothing we could do about it. Then we came to the end of that passageway too. “Well, my Queen, what shall we do?” I asked.

“Well, my King, you must know the answer,” she said, “that’s what the riddle says, without you I can’t find a thing.” “Hmm, I can see why,” I said, “you’re too short to find it by yourself, so, up on my shoulders with you.” I got down and she climbed onto my shoulders. Then I stood up and she could see a small latched door which she opened cautiously. Inside was another envelope which she took and I let her down off my shoulders. “Looks to be another clue, my dear Queen,” I said. “I do believe you are right, my dear King,” she said, giggling.

We then went back to the beginning and standing on a spot marked with an X, the door opened again for us. However, we got a bit of a surprise when we came into the dining room. There stood our bearded “friend” and his chubby bodyguard, plus 2 other men, the ones that had been with them in the restaurant. “What are you doing in Celestine’s house?” I demanded. “I just wanted to talk with Celestine about selling her house,” said the bearded man, “I knocked, but no one answered and the door was unlocked so we came in to see if perhaps there was a problem.”

“It’s possible I might have forgotten to lock the door,” said Celestine, “but that’s no reason for you to come into my house uninvited! Now, go, or I will call the police!” “You did forget to lock the door,” I said, “so I locked it. Now, how did you get in here Whitaker?” “I already told you,” he said indignantly, “now, let’s talk about selling the house.” “Give me your keys,” I said, walking over to him. Chubby stood in my way, so I told him to move. “Move me,” he said, grinning. “If you insist,” I said, and with two good kicks he was lying on the floor groaning.

But, while I was busy, one of the other two men ran over quickly and grabbed Celestine and put a gun to her head. “Now, let’s talk about selling your house,” said Whitaker, smiling. “Put your guns down now,” I told those men. Suddenly they were yelling and tossed their guns onto the floor. I called Celestine over to me. “Now, those keys,” I said. He reluctantly took out his keys, about 2 dozen in all, but I recognized the key for Celestine’s house quickly, and tried it. Sure enough, it worked nicely, so I removed it.

“We could call the police and have you arrested for this,” I said, “but I won’t this time. However, stay away from my sister and I or next time I won’t be so nice.” “What about our guns?” the men asked. “Those are my guns now,” I said, “and I do know how to use them Whitaker.” They quickly left after that. Celestine sat on the couch and started to cry, so I sat beside her, put my arm around her and she put her head on my shoulder.

“I don’t think I have ever been so scared in my whole life Steve,” she said, “they could have killed us, they could have killed you!” I would like to have told her that they couldn’t kill me, but I can’t do that just yet. I did ask Jennifer, but she said no to that idea. She didn’t like what happened this afternoon though, Celestine could have been killed. I certainly couldn’t argue that point. She suggested it might be time for some help, but I said not quite yet, I don’t really think that Whitaker will try anything again for a while.

Although he might send more of those young guys after me, but they are not much of a problem. However, Jennifer was adamant, so while Celestine was in the bathroom I called Sky and she showed up with Angel. “Wow, beautiful house,” said Sky. “Unfortunately you two will have to stay at the hotel down by the beach,” I said. “Yes, we know,” said Sky, “just dropped in to let you know we’re here, now we’ll go until you need us. And don’t forget to call please, Jennifer wants Celestine safe.”

They then walked away and out the door, without opening it. Sir Night was watching this and his ears went straight up. Meower?= “What happen to other human people?” “What other people?” I asked him. He looked at me, then at the closed door. Meower.= “Right, me go eat now, empty tummy play tricks on mind.” “Who were you talking to?” asked Celestine as she came out of the bathroom. “Oh, Sir Night,” I said, “he wanted to go eat because his tummy was empty, so I said that would be okay.”

“Is that a hint?” she asked, “We haven’t even looked at the latest clue yet and you want to eat.” “Almost forgot about that clue,” I said, “yes indeed, let’s take a look at it.” Meanwhile, back at the chateau. “Here’s your donuts Jennifer,” said the twins together. “Um, I only asked for Cristy to come,” replied Jennifer. “Well, I came along to guard the donuts,” said Misty, “there are lots of sneaks around here that might try to take one.”

“Like you, for instance,” said Jennifer. “Right!” said Misty, “No, wait, I mean, not me, um, or, uh, rats.” “You may take one and leave now Misty,” she said. “Thank you!” said Misty and she quickly grabbed one and quickly left saying, “oooo, hot, hot!” “This is Code S Cristy,” said Jennifer, “hopefully you remember that one?” “Yep, sure do,” she replied, “it’s top secret, I don’t tell anyone, not even Misty.”

“Right,” said Jennifer, “and if you do, that’s an automatic 3 months inactive duty, with extra chores. Now, get me Jazzy please, so that no one knows about it. And take a donut.” “That one is easy,” said Cristy, then she grabbed a donut and went over to the laptop saying, “ooooo, hot, hot!”

To Be Continued. ©2025 Steve McLeod.