Here I am, sitting in this big chair, thinking, while the others get some much needed sleep. There is a lot to think about, things that don’t make sense, is there a treasure? What is this Baldwin guy up to, is he telling the truth? Honestly, I think he is and right now he is about the only one that I can trust, even though that might seem odd. But people like him often don’t mind talking straight, even though I’m sure he must have some illegal dealings as part of his business. Hmm, I need to check something. Okay, now we’ll see…what’s this? An email from my lawyer, seems there is another PI company with a similar name and they want me to change mine or they’ll take me to court. Hmm, their name seems to be quite different, they must be having trouble buying food too. I don’t feel like spending a lot of money fighting this so I’ll change. I told my lawyer to ask for 30 days to change my name since I’m in the middle of a case. Amazing how something like this would come up right now. Oh well.

Now, what or who did we see? Was it Linnea? Was it just a 3D image of her? But her voice, it was definitely her voice, but how? I know she’s dead, I checked her myself. She has no other relative. But all that would be needed is someone who looks close enough, then with the right makeup it could be done, we only saw her for a few seconds really. But her voice. It’s odd. If Baldwin and his group are not the one’s killing, then who is? Does that mean that Gisela is still around? Perhaps she is. This is the way she operates, but I just don’t think it’s her. I don’t have any proof, but I still don’t think it’s her. I’m glad my chateau isn’t close to this one. At least we can relax there. Back to the treasure, why hasn’t anyone found it yet? Or has it been found, perhaps long ago, and no one mentioned it. That actually makes sense.

Suddenly I sit up. I couldn’t believe my eyes! Linnea was standing there in the doorway. “Steve, be careful,” she said, “sell the chateau and leave, do it for me.” Then she turned and ran down the hall to the door. I ran after her, but she was gone, just disappeared! How? Where? I searched around but was unable to find a hidden door. I must have the cats check that, there has to be a doorway here. Her voice, so clear. Something is wrong. Right then the cats showed up, it was their turn to watch. Meow,meow?=Something is wrong? What happen? I get them to check the hall for a hidden door. It didn’t take long and they found it. Now to get it open, but I decide to wait until morning, I don’t want to leave Calanthe behind, too dangerous. The remainder of the night passed quietly.

I told the cats not to mention Linnea to Calanthe, I don’t want her more scared than she is already. I know it can’t be Linnea, but they did a good job of finding someone to play the part. Mr. Cat found the spot on the floor that opened the door and in we went. Muffin stayed on my shoulder looking backward, Mr. Cat stayed just ahead of me looking for traps. We went down some narrow stairs, then followed down a narrow passage. There is quite a maze down here so I mark the passage as we walk along. Then we come to a dead end and…I woke up to Calanthe kissing me. What happened? Where are we? “We’re back in the cottage,” said Calanthe, “though I have no idea how we got here. And the cats are missing.” That woke me up quickly. I called them inside and outside, but no answer from them. We go to the chateau, perhaps they went there to look around.

This is getting too weird, what happened to us anyway? I asked Calanthe to make some pancakes for lunch, that’s the cats favorite, if they are around they will smell it. As the first pancakes were ready the cats came running and jumped onto the table. Apparently they woke up in the top bedroom of the tall tower. After we finished lunch we all went into the library. We stopped. “Good day Steve, I trust you enjoyed your lunch…”

To Be Continued.

©2021 Steve McLeod.