Elenore was so saddened to hear of Muffin’s death. Muffin, Cupcake, Elenore’s cat and Elenore got along so well. She asked if Storm could sit with her once she found out he was Muffin’s mate. Storm was very happy to sit with her and get his head rubbed, but he still paid attention to what was being said. Elenore gave us permission to check her house for listening devices, cameras and anything else that might have been put in her house. I called more of the team to come and help us with this. I separated the team into two groups to hopefully try to hide how many of us came today.

But, in a small town like this it can be very hard to keep things quiet for very long. Jazzy had come with us on this case too, I thought perhaps her expertise in criminal affairs might prove helpful to us. She is here now too as we search the house. We had been using our scramblers while talking before, just in case someone is listening. All 7 cats are here checking the house too, although I asked Storm to stay with Elenore while the others were searching.

Sky and I were outside looking around the house, although we were not really sure what to look for at this time. While outside I called Cristy and asked her to check on Blake Swann, the man who wants Elenore’s house. I want to see if he owns other property around this town, or elsewhere in Canada, and maybe any companies that he might own. “This is a terrible place to build an apartment complex,” said Misty loudly right behind me. I didn’t know she was there, so it caused me to jump.

“Kinda jumpy today, I see,” she added. “I am not jumpy,” I said, “but when people sneak up behind me and yell in my ear, that makes me jump.” “I did not sneak up on you,” said Misty, “I walked normally, you should have been able to hear me, you need to pay more attention to what goes on around you. And…I did not yell, I was talking in my normal voice.” She was standing there with her hands on her hips frowning at me. “Now wait…” I began but was interrupted by Sky.

“I agree with Misty,” she said. “YES!” said Misty emphatically. I looked at Sky. “I meant concerning the property,” she said. “Oh,” said Misty quietly. “However, I also agree that you didn’t yell,” she added, “but you did sneak up on us.” Suddenly we heard someone yelling. “Get off my property, you and your oversized furry rats!” yelled a man as he and a police officer came walking, rather quickly, over to us. “Get off my property right now or I will have you arrested for trespassing!” he yelled.

“I am not deaf,” I said, “there is no reason to yell. And we are not on your property, we are on Elenore’s property.” “Liar!” he yelled, “This property line has not been properly surveyed and should be over there next to her house!” “Sky, shine the beam please,” I called to her and she did. “Looks to me like you are on Elenore’s property,” I said, “if you don’t remove yourselves I will have you arrested for trespassing.” “What?!” he exclaimed, “You can’t arrest a police officer!”

“If he is trespassing, he can be arrested,” I said, “now move over to your side of that line please.” The officer said they should do so until things are sorted out legally. “Well, I have a surveyor coming here in about an hour and he will have it sorted out for us,” said the man. This was Blake Swann, the man who wants Elenore’s property. “Well, he better know his job,” I said, “or we will bring in a professional surveyor to do the job correctly.” “And who are you?” he asked smugly.

“Steve McCann,” I said, “I am a private investigator. Elenore hired me to check on some strange things that have been happening around here lately. The police have been unable to find out who is behind all this property destruction, so we are going to find out.” “You think that you’re better than the police?” asked Blake. “The police have lots of things to look after,” I said, “this is our full time job, so yes, we can often do better. And I find it rather strange that all these things began to happen right after you tried to buy Elenore’s house.”

“And what are you trying to suggest?” he said angrily, “That I’m responsible?” “You said it, not me,” I told him, “but whoever is responsible will find himself in jail. Break and enter is a serious crime. Putting listening devices and cameras in someone’s house without their permission is even more serious. Tossing a projectile through the window which landed on her bed while she was in it and causing glass to fall all over her and the bed, is even more serious. And then there is the shooting of her cat.”

“Are you accusing me of all that?!” he yelled. “Not yet, but I will accuse whoever did it, once we find that person,” I said. “And we will find that person,” added Misty confidently as she stood there smiling at the two men. “I’ll wipe that smug smile off your face young lady!” he retorted. She walked right up to him. “Go ahead, start wiping,” she said calmly. “Do something!” he yelled at the officer. “What am I supposed to do?” he asked Blake, “She hasn’t done anything wrong.”

“Well, you better not interfere with my surveyor this morning!” Blake growled at me. “And he better not come on Elenore’s property,” I said, “or I will throw him off.” “He has a right to be on her property,” he said, “how else is he supposed to do his job?” “He doesn’t need to set one foot on Elenore’s property,” I said, “and if he wants to do so, then he can ask, plus show his credentials so I know he really is a surveyor. I won’t just take his word for it, so you better tell him to bring some proof. And just why do you want Elenore’s property anyway?”

“I don’t have to tell you anything!” he said emphatically, “I already told the old lady, ask her!” “She didn’t quite understand what you were talking about,” I said, “perhaps you would like to tell her again, but in language that she can understand.” Just then Celestine came outside to join us and she whispered something to me. I then asked Jazzy to go inside and talk with Elenore and take the cats with her.

As she went in, Friskie came out to join us as well. When she did I noticed that she was looking around, but not at ground level, she was looking at all the trees, high up in those trees. I thought that was kind of odd, but I wasn’t going to say anything. Meanwhile, back home. “STEVE, DANGER!!” yelled Jennifer…

To Be Continued. ©2026 Steve McLeod.