Cynthia asked Tandi and Tiia to come with her and her own kitty, named Midnight. Jewel spotted Midnight and it was love at first sight. She came running over meowing. “Would you like to come along too Jewel?” asked Cynthia. Jewel bounced around excitedly, so did Midnight! Off they went to the tower and hopefully they can figure things out quickly.

Cynthia loves puzzles and is amazingly good at solving anything according to Mandar. “Well, my good man,” said Mandar to Baldwin, “we are just in the way here, why don’t we go to town and enjoy some of that delicious pastry in the coffee shop.” “Nothing is going right here!” exclaimed Baldwin, “Why hasn’t that girl of yours figured out that code yet?”

“Oh my good man,” said Mandar shaking his head, “she just began, these things take time. Now about that pastry that is waiting for us?” “Time, time…” began Baldwin, “did you say pastry? My oh my, it is time for lunch, I guess they can get along without us for a short while.” Off they went, with escort, to the coffee shop. Meanwhile, back to Cynthia.

“These are like map coordinates,” she said, just thinking out loud, “but there is no map up here. Hmm, these numbers do not fit that idea anyway. 5641, hmm, I wonder, if I rearrange these numbers a bit we get 1546. Look for a rock with a number on it guys.” The cats scattered around the room. Meow mew!=Me find one! “Good girl Jewel,” said Cynthia, “that is a date when this tower was built, this is where we start. All the rocks are the same size so they are the map.”

She started with the coordinates but there was still a problem, that last number. It was obviously not a date, so what was it and how does it fit? 8943, and there were no other rocks with a number engraved on it either. “Hmm, it’s a square tower with 4 windows,” she said, “that was easy and from floor to ceiling there are 9 layers of stones. That seems too easy though.”

She thought more but the first and last numbers just did not fit anything at all. She laid down on the big bed in the room and stared at the ceiling. Then she giggled. After a while Rock came inside to go and check on Cynthia and noticed her at Annelie’s laptop in the library. “I thought you were working on that code?” asked Rock. “You wanted your computer system working again, didn’t you?” she asked in return, then giggled again.

Rock came over to see what she was doing. “I really should ask Steve about that last number though. (she giggled again) There, that should do it for now,” she said, “the safe room should be fine and…” As she was talking we came walking into the library. “Good going Rock!” I said excitedly. “Was not me,” he said, “it was Cynthia that did it all.” Now she was blushing. “Thank you Cynthia,” I said and Sky went over to give her a hug.

Then Sky looked over at me, “and where is your hug?” I then gave Cynthia a big hug too, now she was really blushing. “Um, guess I should see what Mandar wants me to do next,” she said and started to leave. “He is not here,” said Rock, “he took Mr. B to the coffee shop to get him out of our way. Oh, now you can ask Steve that question you had.” “What question was that?” I asked. “Oh, uh, nothing important,” she said, blushing again, “oh, uh, would you like me to do anything, anything at all, make some coffee maybe?”

“Now that is a great idea,” I said, “finally someone that thinks about coffee instead of tea.” Everyone laughed and Cynthia was suddenly gone into the kitchen. “Well, Rock, what is happening and where is everyone?” I asked. “14 in the clinic,” he said, “some very serious, might not make it, but so far none dead. Aari and team, no word at all, so that is another 8 gone. Annelie, um (he put his head down) she is not in good shape.” Poor Rock was crying now.

“Then you should be at the clinic,” I said, “but take guards with you, who is here?” “Mandar has a couple teams here,” said Cynthia as she cuddled her cat. “Take two men with you Rock, and go now,” I said. “Where did that girl go now?” I asked. “She is making coffee, remember?” said Sky. In the kitchen Cynthia was talking with the cats. “Please guys,” she said, “do not tell Steve how old I am.

I really want to join your team and Mandar was going to talk with Steve about it. He knows how to say things, and, well, if Steve finds out beforehand then he might say no. But I can be a big help, I solve puzzles and other problems, I can fight good and I’m a great shot..” Right then Jewel pointed with her long tail. “Oh, please tell me it’s not Steve,” she said quietly, then she turned around and stood up right away.

Jennifer was standing behind her. Poor Cynthia, she has such a worried look on her face. “Um, I was just talking with the cats,” she said quietly, “Jewel is your cat, right?” “Yes, she is,” said Jennifer, “and just how old are you may I ask?” Jennifer is always so kind when talking with someone, such as right now. Cynthia told Jennifer her age. “Hmm, I thought you were young,” she said…

To Be Continued.

©2024 Steve McLeod.