We waited until it was getting quite late and still no sign of Harvey. I guess we may as well leave, I said. Everyone agreed and the cats were first to the car. They really were nervous about something and yet there didn’t seem to be any sign of danger around. It was getting dark by the time we got back to the little town. Hey, the coffee shop is still open, maybe we can get something to eat, said Karin. Not a bad idea, I’m hungry too. We went inside and I asked if the cats could come in. Sure, said the young woman. They were quite relieved that they didn’t have to stay in the car alone. We got the special of the day, which was very good. Earl came in while we were eating. Hi there folks, did you find Harvey? No, I said, guess we missed the place, but we had a nice drive anyway. Karin looked at me very puzzled.

Yeah, it’s kind of hard to see from the road with all those trees in front, said Earl as he sat at the table next to us. Interesting, he said that he had never been out there. I guess Harvey must have been a bit lonely way out there after his wife died, I said. That was about 6 months ago, wasn’t it? Closer to 8 months, said Earl. Yes, it was 8 months, said the young woman as she brought us more coffee. Still don’t understand why he bought such a big grave stone, it must have cost a fortune. And those two were always fighting about something, she added. It was just a small funeral though, said Earl, just a few folks from town. Buried her in the garden out back, nice spot anyway, he continued, and it was a huge grave stone.

This is all very odd, we only saw a small wood cross and the grave was behind the garden shed. We should probably get going Steve, said Karin, it’s getting late. Too bad you don’t have a hotel in town, I said to Earl. Betty rents out rooms upstairs, don’t you Betty? Yes, but I only have one room left, the other room is rented out. That’s perfect, I said, it will save us a lot of driving since we want to try and find Harvey tomorrow. Is it good fishing in that river?, I asked Earl. Naw, Harvey and I have been up and down that river and never caught much of anything. He sure has himself a nice boat though. Hmm, we never saw a boat, so maybe that’s why he wasn’t home. We said good night to Earl and headed to our room. It was quite spacious and really very nice. I motioned to Karin not to say anything. I looked around and plugged in a small electronic item I had recently bought. Okay, I said, safe to talk now.

What’s that gadget?, asked Karin. If there are any listening devices in here that will cause so much static no one will be able to hear what we say. Saves looking around for any bugs. Any other new gadgets?, she asked. Possibly, I said with a smile. Okay cats, I need you to watch out this window tonight and see if anyone goes near our car, just like you have done before. Meow!=Yep, I remember, we do good job. Meow, meow.=Not want to sleep anyway, still feel nervous, something not right. Meow.=I agree, feel real strange. Thanks Muffin and Mr. Cat, now I won’t be able to sleep tonight, said Karin. Meow!=Welcome!, they both said together. Elsewhere…why can’t we hear anything? There’s nothing but static. I don’t know what’s wrong, it was working fine before. We need to find out what they really want. I don’t like this, not one bit! Meanwhile…someone knocks quietly at the door. I answer, Betty is standing there.

May I come in and talk? Certainly, said Karin, come and sit down. She did, looking very nervous, almost scared. I really don’t know what to say, but I’m scared, she said. Something is going on but I don’t know what. My parents suddenly disappeared 8 months ago, just 2 weeks before Alice died. I think it’s connected somehow. I mentioned this to others and was told to keep quiet and mind my own business. Who said that?, I asked. It was Dave, he owns the service station. Did he know Harvey and Alice? He sure did, Harvey often had his truck in there getting fixed. Dave told me he had never seen Harvey before, I said. Betty looked puzzled, why would he say that? That’s a good question, but obviously he’s trying to keep something covered up. I better leave, she said, I don’t know who you are, but please be careful, and off she went in a hurry. What do you think?, asked Karin. She could be genuine, or she might have been trying to find out why we’re here. We need to be very careful now. Meow, meow.=I not trust her.

To be continued.

©2020 Steve McLeod.