Well, here we are, finally enjoying our honeymoon without any distractions. We have gone back to my hometown and area so I can show Sky the beauty of this place. Muffin and Storm are along too, enjoying their honeymoon as well. It has been nice, just the 4 of us, actually relaxing and just enjoying ourselves for a change.

No problems to worry us, we can just be regular tourists visiting all the attractions of this little town. Okay, I admit, it really does not take long to see all the attractions, but we are enjoying the beauty of the solitude here. We have rented a nice houseboat to travel around the lake a bit, going around all the islands, well, as many as we can anyway. Then pulling into a nice sheltered bay to anchor for the night.

Now it was time to return the houseboat and we pulled up to the docks, then drove to a restaurant we have not checked out yet for our breakfast. The owner recognized me and allowed the cats to come inside after asking two men sitting at a table if they would mind. They did not so in we went. Then the waitress came to take our order.

“Hi Steve,” she said cheerily, “do you remember me?” Sky gave me a certain look. She thought this may be an old girlfriend again, but not this time. “Hi Penny,” I said, “of course I remember you and those amazing eyes of yours.” Then I turned to Sky, “I used to babysit Penny when I lived here before, she was 13 when we left here.”

“Yep, he was the best babysitter around too,” said Penny, “I am married now to a wonderful man named Mike, he is from out west originally and moved here 6 years ago. And that is my favorite kitty Muffin! And who is this with you?” Meow,meow.=That my hubbycat, his name is Storm. “Wow, and he is such a handsome cat too,” said Penny. Storm sat up nice and straight.

About that time those two men got up and left. “I do not like those 2 men,” said Sky, “there is something sinister about them, I can tell.” “I agree with you Sky,” said Penny, “they own the new casino in town. I never like when they come here to eat, they make me nervous and they always watch me. But I think they were watching you today Sky.” “Yes, they did seem to look at me a lot,” she agreed.

Then Penny sat down and tears started running down her cheeks. “Mike is an amazing man Steve,” she began, “he has a great job, we have a nice house, a good savings, some investments. He is always fun and wanting to do things together…until a few months ago. That is when things changed. His mood changed. He did not want to go anywhere, we argued a lot, he was away most evenings by himself or with his friends Dan and Brent.

All 3 of them became miserable about the same time. I just do not understand. Well, until yesterday, the bank called and said we were 6 months behind in our mortgage. I told them that is not possible, we have automatic payment from our account. They said our account has been empty for 6 months. So I checked that, our RRSP’s, our investments, there is nothing left. Even our credit card is maxxed out.”

Sky and I look at each other. We knew what that meant. Just then the police chief came in and sat down with us too. “Hi Steve,” he said, “hope you do not mind if I join you.” Then he turned to Penny. “Do you know where Mike is Penny?” he asked. “He went to work this morning,” she replied. “No, he never showed at work,” said Chief Darryl, “and this morning Dan committed suicide.”

Penny was visibly shaken at that news. Apparently Dan had the same money troubles as Mike, and Brent. Now both Mike and Brent have disappeared. “Possibly the people they owe money to want payment now,” I said, “so Mike and Brent have disappeared to protect themselves.” “That is what I figure too,” said Chief Darryl, “and I am sure it is the owners of that new casino behind it all, but I cannot prove it.”

“Steve,” said Penny weakly, “I have no money, but I will pay you somehow if you will help me find Mike and figure out what is going on.” “I cannot Penny,” I said, “this is an active police investigation, we cannot get involved.” “You can if I ask you,” said Chief Darryl. “Are you asking?” I asked. “Officially, no,” he said, “but unofficially, yes. And just between us, you are able to do things that I cannot do and that might be helpful to bring things out in the open.”

“Is that a green light?” I asked again. He smiled, “Unofficially.” I look at Sky. “Hey, we have had 9 amazing days this time,” she said, “that is the best yet. I say we take the case.” Then an officer came in and Chief Darryl went aside to talk with him. He then looked at me and I knew it was bad news…

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.