I pull out my gun, something I carry with me all the time now and Jessica, Muffin and I go inside, with me in the lead. This is a big house to check, I said. We may not have to said Jessica as Mr. Cat joined us in the living room. Jessica asked him if he saw or heard anything. Meow.=No, not see anyone. I was outside chasing grasshoppers when I saw truck burning, but did not see anyone. I decide to come inside for nap, so come in back door. That’s right, said Jessica, I leave the back door unlocked because he can open that one, but he’s also supposed to close it. She looks sternly at Mr. Cat. Meow.=Sorry, guess I not push hard enough. Okay, said Jessica, why don’t you two cats go look around the house. Meow!=Okay! And they are off down the hall.

Hmm, maybe you should have explained to Muffin about Mr. Cat’s name, she doesn’t understand yet, I said. I wonder what will happen? The cats go into the library. Meow, meow.=My name Muffin, what your name? Mr. Cat, he replied excitedly. I know you male cat, want to know your name. Mr. Cat, he said again, a bit puzzled. Hey, I try to be nice, you make fun. How about I bite your tail? AAAAA! Help! Sounds like Mr. Cat, said Jessica. Guess things didn’t go too well with his name, I added. Mr. Cat comes running in and jumps up with Jessica with Muffin right behind. Muffin, said Jessica, what are you doing? Meow, meow.=He not being nice, won’t tell me his name. Come up here Muffin, okay you two, you need to be friends. Muffin, his name is Mr. Cat, well, actually it’s Tyrone, but everyone calls him Mr. Cat so that’s what he’s used to. Meow, meow.=Oh, oh, Muffin embarrassed now, I sorry Mr. Cat. He comes over and licks Muffin’s cheek. Meow.=That okay, I like you.

Okay you two, now sit still so you can get all the details of the case. Meow!=Okay! They both say together. Now, back to the history of this place. Yes, said Jessica, I picked up a book from the local library on the history of the area, but haven’t learned anything so far. But there’s a library here too, full of old books, maybe there’s something in there. Sounds like a good place to start. Did Anna and Dave read at all? Anna loved reading and was always in that library looking over the books whenever she could. I’m not sure what she read though. I just don’t think they could be behind this, doesn’t make sense. Meow, meow.=You two read, said Muffin, Mr. Cat and I do our own investigating, with two cats case get done faster. And off they go again.

I certainly feel a lot better with you around Steve, thanks for coming. I would have come even without getting paid, I said. Then off she went to start dinner. The evening passed uneventful and since we were all tired it was off to bed early for us. I had a nice big bedroom next to Jessica’s room, I told the cats to stay with Jessica tonight to help her out. They were very happy to do that. I’m glad that Muffin likes Jessica so much. I stayed up for a while thinking about the case, there really isn’t much to go on, except for the strange things that have been happening. But nothing that really helps too much. Finally I went to bed, the night passed quickly and I slept good. Then I was awakened by the cats howling in Jessica’s room!

I grabbed my gun and ran over, the door was locked, from the outside. I opened the door and both cats tried talking at once. Jessica had disappeared! But how? Her door hinges squeaked badly, that should have awakened the cats easily and the windows are locked on the inside. First thing to do is check the entire house, the cats looked around downstairs while I checked upstairs. But we found no sign of her, all the doors and windows were locked on the inside, she couldn’t have gone out. We all meet in the living room. This is crazy. Mr. Cat goes back into Jessica’s bedroom and immediately calls for us.

Jessica was in bed sleeping! Or is she? I tried to wake her up without success. No pulse! Time for CPR, where’s her phone? Mr. Cat says, on the table beside bed. It wasn’t there so I told Muffin to get mine, it’s on the dresser I say to her. Mr. Cat goes along too. They come back, no phone. I run to look, they were right, it’s gone. Now the cats meow again. I run into the living room, Jessica’s car is on fire, completely. And there is no other phone out here, we’re trapped with no way to communicate with anyone. Back to Jessica and continue with the CPR. She can’t die now…

To be continued.

Steve and Muffin. (previous chapters and stories can be found on my home page under 20/20 Investigations, Inc.)

©2020 Steve McLeod.