I looked, but, I didn’t see what they were looking at. Okay you two, what did you…see? I looked around but both cats were gone. Hmm, they likely followed their “ghost” into the kitchen. The woman came with my breakfast so I asked her if my cats had gone into the kitchen. What cats?, she asked. When I ordered our breakfast the cats were here, so I know she saw them. That’s not the right answer, I said. So I got up to go into the kitchen. Oh, you can’t go in there, she said as she stood in front of the door. Wrong thing to say again, I told her and pulled her away from the door. I went inside as she called for someone named John. A great big guy came in through the back door. I also noticed they had a large walk in freezer, which was locked. I looked around the kitchen and John stood in front of the freezer. I was getting a bit annoyed by now.

Open the freezer, I said. No one can go in there, yelled the woman. Actually I was talking to your friend who is trying to block the freezer, I said, but if you would prefer to unlock the freezer, that’s fine with me. No, she said, no one can go in there, only the owner can. Where is the owner?, I asked rather impatiently. I, I, don’t know, she’s away…for a few days, she said nervously. Then I know you can open it, you would have to get in there, so unlock that door now, I said firmly. John just stood there with a smile on his face and said, Make me. Fine. I took out my gun and pointed it at him and told him to move out of the way. He looked surprised at this, don’t think he was expecting me to pull out a gun. He hesitated. I told him I would not hesitate to shoot him. He looked over at the woman, she nodded, and he moved. The door just had a large padlock on it, I asked for the key. Neither one said anything so I shot the lock off the door and opened it.

Muffin and Mr. Cat came running out! Meow, meow!=There is woman inside! I went over and grabbed the woman and brought her over to the freezer. Go in and bring the woman out, I said, quite angry now. She motioned to John to go get her which he did. Why, it, it’s Ms. Kathy!, exclaimed the woman. She actually seemed surprised, or perhaps just a good actor. John took Kathy to her room while the woman went to make some tea. After John laid her on the bed I told him to leave. How did you two cats get in the freezer? Meow!=I follow Muffin into kitchen and big man pick us up real quick and toss us in freezer! Meow, meow!=Yep, happen fast, no time to yell! Hmm, now why would he do that? Meow?=Remember him from hotel case? Meow, meow!=Yes, it ghost! That man died, this man must just look like him, I said. I wrapped a blanket around Kathy. Good thing it’s a nice warm day. Who, who are, are, you?, she asked shivering. A guest at your hotel, I said.

Meow, meow!=And she understand us too! Hmm, that’s interesting, she does look very familiar, but could it be? She doesn’t seem to recognize me however. The woman, I must find out her name, brought in the tea and asked if she could do anything else, and when I said no, she left. How long were you in that freezer?, I asked. Several hours, she said, not shivering so much now. It’s a good thing I put this jacket on every time I go in there. I had just gone in when someone closed the door and locked it. I told her about the woman and John trying to stop me from going in the freezer. I’m surprised that Clara wouldn’t let you in, but I really don’t trust John anymore. He seemed like such a good worker at the start. How long has he been working here? He started just after…she looked down.

I knew what she wanted to say. But there was something odd, it’s the way she is talking. About 2 months ago he started acting strange, not listening to me, not talking much, at first he talked a lot. I told Kathy that I was a PI on vacation. I also mentioned about the things that happened last night. I have heard people talking too, she said, and footsteps, even in the attic. How long has that been going on?, I asked. Just a couple months, she said, shortly after those 3 young men came. She said they were from California and claimed to be geologists looking around the area. I know a bit about geology, maybe I will take a look at the rock around here myself. Then Kathy looked at me and said, please don’t tell anyone you know me Steve. The cats looked at each other. Meow, meow!=That why she understand us!

To Be Continued.

©2020 Steve McLeod.