Well, things have really changed around here. Our old chateau has been sold, also the clinic, and we now have a new place with our clinic being built right next door. It has been a busy, but still relaxing, 2 months since our last case. All the change has been good for us too. Everyone is very happy and excited about our new location.

It did need some renovations, but everyone was happy to chip in and do most of the work themselves. Not that we needed to save money, but it has been better than a vacation for us even though at first it seemed like quite a task to undertake, but, now it is all done except for some minor things. One thing that surprised me was that John, Mac, Aari and Miles were so interested in getting the grounds looking like new again.

Benson and Clarence helped out too, but Rock preferred helping out inside, which was fine, there was a lot he could do with that strength of his. I was not allowed to get involved with anything strenuous, so I was stuck with planning and ordering everything we needed. Rusty, our newest cat, has been in training with the cats and is going to be a valuable new member of our team.

Aubrey and Karin have both joined as well, though Karin still has to pass a couple of the tests. Trisha is back home with us too, she wants to be a nurse so she can help us. That will be some time yet however, but nice to see she wants to join us in that way. Tiffany and Felina are back with us again too. Nelson and Mandar have been here for the past month, helping out with advice, eating donuts and talking.

Annelie and Tracy are walking fine again, but Sky is still walking slowly and must sit a lot. But she is cheerful as ever and enjoying the renovation work too. “So, you did not really enjoy being the owner of Baldwin Corporation I hear,” said Nelson. “No, too much of a headache for me,” I said, “you can have it.” Mandar and Nelson laughed heartily.

“I guess being thrown into it suddenly like that would be difficult,” said Nelson. “Very true,” added Mandar, “it was 35 years in the making for me, starting off small with my father.” “Yes, the same with me,” said Nelson, “33 years from the time I began with just a small company.” “Mail has arrived,” said Sky as she came into the library, “I get to open this one though.

Looks like it might be a case, and I want to see it first. Plus, I get to decide whether we take the case or not.” “Hmm, I see you have a new leader Steve,” said Mandar laughing. “Well, that would be okay too,” I said, “then I can retire.” “Forget that thought,” said Sky, “I will find lots to keep you busy right here if you want to retire.” Sigh.

“Hmm, this might be one to consider,” she said after reading the letter, “a grandmother is worried about the disappearance of her granddaughter. Seems she vanished without a trace on the way to work one morning last week. The police have not found anything and when her friend said she was talking about going away secretly on a long vacation, they stopped investigating.

The grandmother does not believe that story however. The granddaughter has lived with her grandmother for 5 years, since her parents died and she is 20.” The grandmother’s name is Margaret and the granddaughter is Karalyn. I decided to stay out of the first visit with Margaret and instead sent Sky, Kate, Astrid and Catalina, with Tiia, plus John and Mac to drive them…and watch.

It was a 2 hour drive so they left early the next morning. They finally returned late afternoon. “Oh my,” said Sky, “that was a lot of sitting, I need to walk around a bit.” “Good, time to go for a walk before dinner,” I said. “Hey, I just got home!” complained Sky. “You said you wanted to walk around,” I reminded her. “Hmm, okay, you win, we will go for a walk,” she said smiling.

“Hey cats, time for a walk,” I said. Suddenly a flurry of furry cats came sliding past us giggling all the way and thumping into the wall. “Did we get another cat?” asked Sky. “Tandi is staying with us for a while since Mandar is going on a prolonged business trip,” I explained. Kat joined us too as a bodyguard, although that is what the other cats were for as well.

“I think we should take this case,” said Sky, “I agree with Margaret, it seems out of character for Karalyn to just go off without telling her.” “Yes,” agreed Kat, “they seemed to be very close and she enjoyed her job where she had been working for the past 6 months.

And she never mentioned any desire to go on a vacation by herself. The two of them had been planning a vacation for next year, though just for a week.” “I think we better look into this before anymore time passes,” I said, “she could be in trouble.”

To Be Continued.

©2023 Steve McLeod.