Steve`s Country
For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Winter Insulators? Who Does That? #3.
The sun has disappeared, clouds have moved in, but it feels a bit warmer. A few snowflakes are dropping lazily around us as we head to the next pole. This pole moved easily which made it easy to turn and get the insulators off the cross arms. Dad looked around. We were actually standing in water. Dad got a bit nervous. Better head for drier ground, he said. But there is a light purple insulator here, I said. It wouldn’t come off. So dad tried. It was stuck on that pin tightly. I decided to sit down while dad was doing his best to remove that insulator.
Guess I shouldn’t have done that. My end of the cross arm sank down. Dad’s end went up and whacked his chin kind of hard. Not your day, I said, you always hurt yourself. I should have left you at home, he said. Why don’t you use the hammer and pull the nail out, I said. The pins were always nailed in place, and the nail was left sticking out a bit probably to make it easy to remove if necessary. Dad looked at me. Why didn’t you say you brought the hammer?, dad asked. I thought I just did. You could have mentioned it sooner, he said. Didn’t think of it. Naturally, he said. I handed dad the hammer, the nail came out easily and, got it, he said. Must admit, that was a beautiful color.
After that we headed back to shore over to a nice little bunch of spruce trees so we could have some coffee. Dad decided to get the coffee out himself this time for some reason. He handed me my thermos. Where is the food? You specifically said you would bring the sandwiches, I said. But I didn’t see any sandwiches so I thought you brought them. You made them, how could you not see them, I said. I didn’t make them, I thought you did. You said you were going to bring them, that means making them too, I said. Dad just looked and shook his head. At least we have coffee this time, I added. We both sat down on a log, dad made sure we were on opposite ends.
Dad was just pouring his coffee when I got up to take another look at that last insulator. Seems that log must have been on a rock or something so my end went up and dad’s end went down. Rather fast. Dad jumped and yelled doing a bit of a happy dance. Can’t be bees this time of year. When dad’s end dropped, his cup fell and dad kind of lost his balance, pouring the entire contents of his thermos on his legs! Wow, you really ought to be more careful, I said. I wonder what mom will say, probably laugh all day about that one. Not if we don’t tell her, said dad. But she will see your wet pants and, that was it, I started laughing and I just couldn’t stop.
It was snowing heavily by this time. Better head back, said dad. I didn’t mind, I was nearly frozen anyway and was ready to get back and have more coffee to warm me up. We’ll come back another time, he said. Naturally. Just what we need, another trip like this one. Off we go with that long trek back. And carrying 40 insulators each this time, which adds another 60 lbs. I must have laughed the entire way back to the car. I don’t know how you can laugh so much, said dad. Lots of practice, I replied. There we are, back at our favorite coffee shop, drinking hot coffee and eating french toast and bacon. Best part of the day. Dad just talked about the “nice” insulators we found. I can’t believe we did this. Really.
Steve and Muffin.
© 2020 Steve McLeod.
20/20 Investigations, Inc…The Palace, Chapter 12.
What’s this? Wow, now this is interesting Muffin, good girl. Okay, now, can you put this back without getting caught? Meow.=No problem. And off she goes once more. Hmm, she’s taking a long time, that’s not good. But she finally gets back. Was there any problems? Meow, meow.=I almost got caught, so had to wait for another opportunity, but I did it. Good, now it’s time for us to go in there. Meow.=Okay. I make sure that Muffin is ready, just in case. Hi girls, I say as we enter the kitchen. Hmm, they both seem surprised to see us. Where have you been?, asks Rossana. Just out walking around the island, there is a nice path that follows the whole island. There was a lot of interesting sights to see out there.
Did you find the jewels out there?, asks Olivia very excitedly. I said, interesting, not fabulous. She seemed quite deflated at the news. I go over and look out the window which was close to Olivia. She picks up her bag and moves away. What’s wrong?, asks Rossana. Just being careful after last night, there are others out here watching us. We met Giuseppe last night too. We already knew he was out here, says Olivia. Yes, but when we met him, he was dead. Olivia moves a little further away and reaches into her bag. Looking for this, as I hold up a small handgun. Oh, and don’t try to move, Muffin is aimed at you and she won’t miss.
What’s going on?, asks Rossana. I start to explain, Olivia is a private investigator, just like her dad, but…this is not Olivia! I thought Rossana was going to faint. A switch was made at the airport, that’s why it took so long for this Olivia to appear. The resemblance is quite remarkable, except for one thing. What’s that? Your voice, I said. It is so very close to Olivia’s voice, but, Muffin had you picked out right away when we got in the car. Animals can pick up very small differences in people’s voices. Meow!=That’s right, can’t fool a cat! Why didn’t you say something sooner?, asks Rossana. We were playing along to find out what she was up to. Her real name is Sophia Bianchi, according to her passport.
She looks in her bag. Don’t worry, you’re passport is still there. But, I kept back an even more interesting document. Hey, how did you get that? We have ways, right Muffin? Meow!=Right! I show the document to Rossana. Apparently she is the only living relative of this princess who supposedly committed suicide. But, she was actually murdered. Sophia and Rossana both looked shocked. Muffin and I found her remains in a pit that we fell into last night. Along with the remains of 3 others. There was good proof it was the princess. Let me see it, demands Sophia. In time, but not now. Anyway, she says, you’re right. When I heard the present owners had hired you to find the jewels, I needed to so something so decided to follow along. Olivia is fine, enjoying a holiday in Spain right now.
I had Olivia’s phone number so called to confirm the story. Everything was fine with her so that was good. Maybe we should continue to look for the jewels together, Sophia said, much more nicely now. Rossana thinks we should leave, it’s too dangerous here. And trying to find those jewels in just a few days is almost impossible, she added. Meow, meow.=I agree, we tried, so let’s go home now. Muffin, we’re not cowards or quitters, are we? Meow, meow.=Not a bad time to start. We’ll leave when we’re done, and stop sighing so much, it’s depressing. Meow. What do you mean, good, I like company?
I tell them which of the bedrooms belonged to the princess, so we decide to start searching there and see if we can find some clue. I figured there might be a secret passageway in there. Muffin is on top of the fireplace mantel searching around. Meow!=Over here! What did you find Muffin? She points to a fancy knob on top of the mantel. I try turning it and sure enough, a small door opens beside the fireplace. Way to go Muffin! Everyone ready for some exploring? Yes. Yes. Meow.=No. Okay Muffin, on my shoulder. After a big sigh she jumps on. It doesn’t look like this narrow passageway has been used in a very long time. Once we are all in the door closes behind us. It’s locked, says Rossana. Now what?
To be continued.
Steve and Muffin.
© 2020 Steve McLeod.
