Steve`s Country
For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
The Investigators, Inc. The Search. Chapter 12.
“Come here kitty,” said the officer. “That’s Muffin,” said Kat, “and this is M.C.” “Oh, hi Muffin,” he said as he picked her up. Meow, said Muffin. “We think that’s her way of saying ‘hi’,” I said to the officer. “Oh, I’m sure it is, after all she hasn’t met me before,” he said, “can you show me how you use a slingshot?” Muffin just looked at him quizzically and said meow again. “These are nice backpacks you cats carry,” said the officer, “may we look in them?” Muffin meowed again. “Good, good,” growled John, “now you can find out what I mean by those deadly muffins they shoot.”
The officer searched Muffin’s backpack and found some kitty treats, a fuzzy ball and Muffin’s favorite mouse toy. Plus a little blanket and pillow for Muffin’s nap time. “Is this the deadly toy she shoots?”, the officer asked John. “Of course not!”, yelled John, “I’m going to report you for all this, you’re just playing around, arrest this man and his wife!” “But you said this wasn’t his wife,” said the officer. “Right, that’s right, you’re deliberately getting me confused,” growled John again, “now I demand you arrest these people!”
“I’m getting to that,” said the officer, “they are not going anywhere. I just wanted your side of the story first so I know how to charge them. Now we have what we need and the ambulance is here. We have great doctors here that will be able to help you.” “It’s about time,” said John angrily, “now you’ll get a chance to taste prison life Steve, and I have a lot of friends there too.” Then the ambulance attendants came in and carried John back to the ambulance. As they left the officer said to John, “don’t worry Mr. Chandler, we have everything under control here, thank you for your cooperation.”
John mumbled something as they went out the door. “I’m a bit concerned by the way he was acting,” I said to the officer. “Yes,” he answered, “he might be trying to work up an insanity plea. He will still be in prison a long time, unless he could persuade the doctors that he was cured and no longer a risk to the public.” “And John is very good at manipulating things to his advantage,” I said, “which is why he is never in prison for very long.” “Well, this is certainly an elaborate plan you had to get Mr. Chandler to confess,” said the officer. “I guess it was, but I didn’t know how else to do it with no evidence to prove he wasn’t Baldwin,” I said.
“I am sorry that you lost your wife and best friend in all of this,” the officer said. “Sometimes in life even a win can be a loss,” boomed a voice behind us. We all turned and there was Baldwin standing behind us by the stairs again. “Don’t worry everyone,” he said, “I’m not a ghost, I’m the real me!” Muffin and M.C. went over to see him, so he picked them up. Meow,meow!=It real human Baldwin! Meow!=Yep, really, it him! But only Baldwin was standing there. Kat was holding my hand, and she squeezed it. She knew what I was thinking.
Kat and I knew that Baldwin would show up, it’s all part of the plan. He and Kat had been given a certain drug that would make it look like they were dead, even breathing or heartbeat would be difficult to detect. “It was close,” said Baldwin, “they waited so long before digging up the graves that we almost didn’t make it.” He put his head down a bit. “But we still have work to do,” he said, “we need to find out about Annelie, who is she working for anyway?”
“And how did John and his men get in here without having the combination,” I added. “Hmm, I never even thought about that,” said Baldwin, “but that is a good question. Oh, I do have information here that will prove that I’m me. It’s medical information from my time in the navy, plus a few other things, so we’ll get that straightened out quickly, that way no problems will arise.” Baldwin was deliberately not saying anything about Kat, so I knew what that meant.
“I’m sorry it turned out bad with Calanthe,” I said, “I never thought she would turn against you.” “Yes, her and I have always been close,” he said, “that was harder on me than losing Brandi. But I could tell the last couple of months that she was acting different. So I guess it’s good to find out now rather than later. Greed always does strange things to people.” We talked things over with the police and then they left. After a while Rock showed up and it was time to get back to work again, this isn’t over yet. Next…Annelie!
To Be Continued.
©2021 Steve McLeod.
Wednesday’s Wanderings. #25
Good morning to everyone on this frosty Wednesday! It is a nice clear morning, though the sun is not up yet, and it is frosty with the temperature at 28F (-2C) and with the windchill factored in, it feels like 23F (-5C). But it will be warming up to 45F (7C), though it won’t likely feel that warm with the wind blowing from the north. So we are back to more normal temps for this time of the year. The latest winter forecast is for colder than normal temps for our area, from mid November to the end of February. Still, they could be wrong. Though not likely. But they could be. I can hope anyway. Sigh.
The sun is now shining on the tops of the trees. There are 3 tall poplar trees in the neighbors yard that still have some golden leaves on them, and they are really glowing with that sun hitting them. Looks just beautiful. All the birds are busy this morning, eager to get their breakfast on this cool morning. They are all looking a bit fluffy this morning too, keeping themselves warm while they eat. There are 2 purple finches here now, a male and female. Usually they hang around the evening grosbeaks, but they do come by themselves too.
I have only seen one junco this morning, so perhaps the main flock of them decided to leave overnight, before it gets any colder. Those birds can survive the winter though, when they are at a feeder, but they seldom stay the winter. When Jasmine and Jasper came on Sunday, I sat outside and talked with Jasper for a while. “I see you and Jasmine are still together.” Chip. “She’s the only female around? I’m sure that’s not the only reason, she is very nice, and pretty.” Loud chip. “Oh, she wants you to chase her through the trees again this fall, like last year? Why do that?”
Loud chip. “Oh, she says it’s traditional, males always chase females, and you have to try and catch them. So how are you doing with that?” Loud chip. “Oh, not so good. She’s too fast and she keeps it up all day long. Maybe you could suggest doing something else for a change, like having a picnic.” Chip. “A picnic is when you go somewhere nice and bring food, sit around and relax, talk and enjoy yourselves. A very calm and relaxing time.” Chip. “You like that idea? Then suggest it to Jasmine, she just might like the change.”
Chip. “Oh, she doesn’t like change, except when it comes to rearranging your house? Still worth suggesting it to her, tell her I suggested it.” Loud chip. “Oh, then she definitely won’t do it?” Chip. “You have to leave now? Okay, good bye, come again. Here’s a big peanut.” Chip. “You’re welcome.” Off he scampers, trying to catch up to Jasmine who just left. Those 2 make a good pair. Hmm, I think the grosbeaks are out of seeds now, time to fill up the feeder. Have a wonderful day everyone and God bless!
Steve and Muffin.
©2021 Steve McLeod.
