Later that day we landed a new case, but one that sounded quite simple and easy. However, we have had those kind before and they turned out quite differently. However, Sky wanted to take this case, which was to look for an elderly woman’s lost ruby brooch. I said it was okay, but if they encountered anything unusual, they were to call for help right away.

So, Sky, Carine, Penny and Aasta left that afternoon. They had to travel to Paris where the lady lived. Sky told Kat and Dawn they would be my bodyguards while she was away. “That means you do not leave him alone,” she told them, “not even for a minute.” After she left with her team, I was in the library with Dawn, Kat, Annelie and Nelson. “Are the donuts ready yet?” asked Nelson.

“The girls have not said anything yet,” she reminded him, “but it will not be much longer.” Nelson is just the same as Baldwin was, he loves his donuts, oh, and coffee. I then saw Karen walk past the library doorway. “Come in here Karen,” I said, “join in our little conversation.” “Okay,” she said, and she sat down in the chair beside my wheelchair.

“I think it is time for a little talk,” I said to her. She knew that did not sound good. “Um, with everyone here?” she asked nervously. “Everyone will leave, except for Dawn, Kat and Galyna,” I said, “Kat and Dawn are my bodyguards and Galyna is our counselor. Now, please remove your contact lenses.” She looked at me, though not too surprised, and she removed them.

“Someone once said to me, your eyes sparkle like…” And I finished it for her, “like shining emeralds.” “Someone does remember after all,” she said, “I will apologize for the way I did things, but I have always been kind of a fun type of person.” She was blushing a lot right now. “Yes, I do remember that,” I said.

Meow,meow!=Yep, me remember too, have lots of fun with Engle!” “Yes, I always did like Engle better than Karen,” I said, “too bad they changed your name.” “I know,” she agreed, “so much happened that I still do not understand. I know you will now throw me off your team Steve, but before you do, please help me, I desperately need help, please. Then you can tell me to leave and I will go, honestly I will.”

“I never said anything about throwing you off the team,” I said, “but we do require honesty here, so, please be honest with me.” “I will Steve,” she said. “Now, what is the problem?” I asked. “I wish I knew,” she said, “two men have been following me for some time now, then one day they shot at me. I ran home and told my parents, the ones that adopted me, and they just laughed and said I was just making up a story to get attention.

But that is not true. After a month they shot at me again, so I ran to the police station but they did not believe me either. They just said I had an active imagination. But I have no idea why anyone would be after me, it makes no sense. I have no money or anything else valuable. One day I managed to get close to them without them seeing me and I heard them say they are not allowed to kill me yet until I take them to the little shack.

Do you remember that little old cabin we found one day?” “Yes, I do remember that,” I replied, “we were only out there once.” Meow,meow.=Me remember that too, it fun looking around old tiny house. “Yes, we were hoping to find some buried treasure, or something,” I said chuckling, “but why would those men want to know how to get there?”

“No idea,” she said, “but I tried a couple of times to find it, but without success. There must be something important out there though.” “Yes, if they are willing to kill you, it must be very important,” said Galyna. “It was on my original parents land,” said Karen, “but there is nothing out there, except rocks and trees.” “We found it by following an old, barely visible trail off the kids biking trail,” I said.

Meow,meow.=Yep, then we go by big rock and you put me on top where I could see real far. “Could you find that place again Muffin?” I asked. Meow,meow.=Maybe, if could find big rock again. “I know what you are thinking Steve,” said Kat, “and the answer is NO!” I chuckled again. “I will not be able to go,” I said, “but Muffin could lead a team in there.”

I then called everyone in to the library and explained things to them, and that Karen is really Engle. “This is not a real case,” I said, “it is a private matter, so I will not tell anyone you have to help out, it is volunteers only. I will ask Rock if he is willing to lead the team that goes, and I want 10 volunteers to go with him.” “I will gladly lead the team,” said Rock.

“Muffin, Storm and Rusty will go along too,” I said. Mac, John, Miles, Hawk, Astrid, Tracy, Kristina, Catalina, Sigurbjorn and Sapphire volunteered to go. Actually they all volunteered, but those are the ones Rock picked. I gave special orders to look after Muffin. The next morning they left early on their way to Sweden…

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.