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As the Highland Games approach Jim Quillan and the citizens of pickax prepare to celebrate their Scottish Heritage with such events as bagpipe skirling and tossing the cber but the traditional revry is marred by Troublesome rumors when a visiting jewelry dealer renowned for his romantic streak and his mysterious cash only
Policy is found dead in his hotel room his assistant is missing and soon the winner of the C tossing contest disappears as well quill has a lot of mysteries to sort out not the least of which is Coco’s sudden interest in photographs pennies and paper towels the residents of pickax are
Delighted that the old bond out pickaxe hotel is reopening with a whole new look with new Furnishings a new chef and even a new name what could be more thrilling everyone is thrown into a Top Spin when one of the hotel’s first guests a jeweler who has come to town to
Buy heirloom jewelry from some of pickaxes oldest families wins up a victim of murder who could have committed such a horrible crime could it be the hotel Clark a recent winner of a gold medal for the C toss at the Highland Games quillin and his snooping cames are
Willing to go to any lengths to find the Killer and set the town at ease but first they’ll have to contend with a hijacked bookmobile an attempt bank robbery and a few of the cats preoccupations Coco has a newfound fondness for pennies and Coco and yum yum both are obsessed
With chewing on gum wrappers but for entirely different reasons of course sit back relax and unwind with another fabulous feline Mystery by lilan Jackson Brawn the cat who robbed a bank by Lillian Jackson Brawn narrated by George guidel this work is copyrighted 1999 by in Jackson Brawn the residents of pickax are
Delighted that the old bombed out pickaxe hotel has reopened with a whole new look complete with new Furnishings a new chef and even a new Name and All Too Soon its first crime murder and now the cat who robbed a bank chapter 1 it was a September to remember in
Moose County 400 mil north of everywhere plans were Rife and hopes were high first the Historic Hotel in pickax City the county seat was finally restored after the bombing of the previous year and it would reopen with a new name a new chef and a Gaya reception then a
Famous American who may or may not have slept there in 1895 was about to be honored with the city’s first annual Mark Twain Festival next a distinguished personage from Chicago had reserved the presidential suite and would arrive on Labor Day setting female Hearts A flutter to top it off the Tri County
Scottish Gathering and Highland Games would be held at the fairgrounds bag pipes skirling strong men in kilts tossing the cabber and pretty young women dancing the Highland cling on the balls of their feet the one unexpected happening was the homicide on the pickaxe police blot but that was a long
Story starting 20 odd years before as September approached the good folk of pickax population 3000 were quoting Mark Twain about the weather suggesting rbbl names for the hotel and gossiping endlessly about a man named Dela Camp few would ever meet him but all had something to say about him Jim
Quillin columnist for the Moose County something felt an air of anticipation when he made his rounds of downtown pickaxe when he went to the bank to cash a check the young woman who counted out his 50s said isn’t it exciting Mr damp is coming again and he always comes into
The bank I hope he comes to my window but the manager usually handles his transactions anyway it’s all so thrilling if you say so quillin said after a long career as a newspaper man he was seldom excited and certainly never thrilled at the florist shop where he
Went to order a flowering plant for a sick friend the wide-eyed assistant said breathlessly did you hear Mr damp is coming he always has to have fresh flowers in his hotel room and he sends roses to his customers good said quillin anything that helps the local economy has my
Approval while picking up a New York Times at the drugstore he heard a woman customer saying she had received an engraved invitation to Mr de Camp’s afternoon tea and she wondered what kind of perfume to wear the pharmacist’s wife said they say he likes French perfumes we don’t carry anything like that try
The department store they can special order quillin crossed the street to the department store his news hound instincts senting a good story with human interest and a touch of humor Lance speaks was a large fourth generation store with new fashioned merchandise but old-fashioned ideas about customer service he found the two
Owners in their cramped office on the main floor I quill come on in said Larry LPE have a cup of coffee said his wife Carol quillin took a chair no coffee thanks but please tell me something explain the Del Camp Mystique he knew the couple were official hosts for the man’s visit why
All the excitement Larry looked at his wife and she made a helpless gesture what can I say he’s an older man but he’s handsome elegant Galant he sends women roses and kisses their hands said Larry with raised eyebrows he pays lavish compliments and kisses hands Larry repeated derisively everything is very formal
Women have to wear hats to his Tuesday afternoon tea and we’ve sold out of milliner we saw the basic felt that women wear to church but our daughter said we should Gussy them up with feathers and flowers and huge ribbon bows so we did Dian is a sober dedicated
MD but she had a mad streak takes after her mother Larry said the results are really wild sorry you can’t write it up quill but everything is private Invitational and exclusive no publicity okay I’ll forget it no story quillin acquiesced but he sounds like a an interesting character you two go back to
Work Larry accompanied him out of the office and toward the front door down the main aisle between cases of men’s shirts and ties and women’s scarves and earrings old Campa is harmless although a trifle phony he said still his visits every four or five years are good for a
Certain element in our community and good public relations for the store it’s Carl’s project actually I stay out of it the the facts were that damp was a dealer who bought and sold estate jewelry making periodic visits to remote areas with a history of affluence in such communities the descendants of old
Moneyed families might be willing to part with an heirloom necklace of rubies and emeralds or a diamond tiara in order to finance a new car or a college education or an extravagant Cruise artisans in Del Camp’s Chicago firm could break up such outdated items and Mount them in rings pendants earrings
And so forth for sale to a new generation as an investment or status symbol moose County fitted the picture and Del Camp apparently had found his visits worthwhile it had been the richest county in the state in the 19th century when natural resources were being exploited and there was no income
Tax to pay the old mining tycoons and lumber Barons had built themselves mansions with large vaults in the basement they had sent their offspring to E Eastern colleges and had taken their wives to Paris where they bought them jewels that would appreciate in value when the mines closed in the early
20th century the economy collapsed and most families fled to the big cities others elected to stay and live quietly on their private means going into business or the professions or even bootlegging during prohibition all of this convinced quillin that old Campo had a good thing going and he enjoyed listening to gossip
In the coffee shops blue collar and white collar opinions were freely expressed he’ll be putting on the dog and getting the old GS all head up they say he drinks nothing but tea but 10 to one he puts a little something in it yeah I was night Porter at the hotel a
Few years ago and he used to send out for rum he was a big Tipper I’ll say that for him I know a guy his wife Drew 10,000 from their joint account and bought a diamond pin I’m glad my wife’s not on his list women go to that tea
Party of his and they’re pushovers he always brings a female a and she always happens to be young and sexy she’s supposed to be his cousin or niece or something but you never notice any family resemblance if you know what I mean gossip was the main stay of moose
County culture although it was called caring and sharing men had their coffee shops women had their afternoon circles querin listened to it and nodded and chuckled he himself had been the subject of Gossip he was a bachelor who lived simply and yet he was the richest man in the Northeast Central United States
Through a twist of fate he had fallen air to the vast kingen Shin Fortune based in Moose County previously he had managed on a reporter’s salary without any particular interest in wealth in financial matters moreover he felt like a simpleton he handled the situation by establishing the clingen chine
Foundation with a mandate to give the money away judiciously to benefit the community needless to say Mr Q had become an icon in the North Country not only because of his generosity he wrote a twice weekly column straight from the quill pen that was the most popular
Feature in the newspaper he had a genial disposition and a sense of humor even though his brooding eyes gave him a look of melancholy and he was his own man Pioneer blood had made the natives into a race of determined individualists as a glance at the map would confirm there
Were were places like squonk Corners little hope sawdust City chipmunk and ugly Gardens quillin belonged in this environment he spelled his name with a qw lived in a barn with two cats sported an enormous pepper and salt mustache and rode a recumbent bicycle which required him to Pedal with feet elevated there
Were other characteristics in his favor being tall and wellb built he had a distinct Aura of authority being a journalist he had trained himself to listen strangers felt they could confide in him air their dreams relate their woes he always listened sympathetically one of quillin’s quirks was his desire for privacy he needed
Solitude for thinking writing and reading and his converted Barn was effectively secluded though within the city limits and not far from Main Street it had acreage it had once been a strip Farm extending from Main Street to travelan Road which was a half mile to the east Paving was unknown in those
Days now Main Street divided into Northbound and southbound traffic Lanes called Park circle around the rim were two churches the courthouse a majestic old public library and the original Kling and shine Mansion now functioning as a small theater for stage Productions to the rear of the Manion was a Four
Stall Carriage House with servants quarters upstairs from there a rustic Wagon Trail wound its way through Evergreen Woods ending in a barnyard the 100-year-old Apple Barn Rose like an ancient castle octagonal in design four stories high with a Fieldstone foundation and siding of weathered shingles odd-shaped Windows had been cut
In the walls reflecting the angled Timbers that framed the interior the property to the east had been a thriving Orchard until a mysterious blight struck the trees now it was forested and wild Gardens attracted birds and butterflies on the last day of August quillin walked down the Old Orchard Lane
To pick up his mail and newspaper on chilian road on the site where the old farmhouse had burned down there was now a rustic contemporary building housing the pickaxe Art Center County residents attended classes there viewed exhibitions and in some cases rented Studios as quillin passed it he counted
The the cars in the parking lot it looked as if they were having a good day the highway marked the city limits Beyond it was Farmland he waved to a farmer chugging down the road on a tractor and the driver of a farm truck traveling in the opposite direction his
Rural mailbox and a newspaper sleeve were mounted on posts alongside the pavement there were a few letters in the Box his fan mail went to the newspaper office and official business and junk mail went to the law firm that represented the kinging chain found Foundation a boy carrying a grocery sack
Was running toward him from the direction of the MCB Farm Mr Q Mr Q he shouted it was the 10-year-old culbert MCB I brought you something quillin hoped it was not turnips or parsnips from the MCB kitchen Garden that’s very good of you Culvert the chubby boy was
Breathing hard after running I made something for you I took a summer class over there he jerked his head toward the art center and then handed over the sa what is it look inside querin was dubious about knickknacks made for him by fond readers and he peered into the
Sack with no Great Expectations what he saw was a pad of paper stapled on a small board the top sheet was computer printed with the well-known saying 30 days hath September it’s a calendar culbert explained every day you tear off a page and read what it says the second page
Had the date September 1st and the day Tuesday and a brief saying let sleeping dogs lie well this is really something quillin said with a good show of enthusiasm he flipped through the pages and read what’s good for the goose is good for the gander you can lead a horse
To water but you can’t make him drink a cat can look at a king where did you get these sayings covert at the library they’re from all over the world they’re all about animals yep well I certainly appreciate your thoughtfulness there’s a hole in the
Board you can hang it on a nail I’ll do that I made one for my mom too how are you parents I haven’t seen them lately dad’s okay mom has a sore hand from using the computer how about the dogs Culvert had a shelter for old unwanted
Dogs Dolly died of old age and I buried her behind the shed I painted her name on on a stone you can come and look at it if you want to my aunt came and brought flowers that was nice of her are you ready to go back to school
Yep then quillin praised the calendar once more and Culvert walked back to his farm on basine road at the Art Center there was a familiar car parked on the lot and quillin went in to talk with his friend Thornton haggus he was a retiree with a
Shock of white hair now serving as a manager until they could find a replacement for Beverly forfar still holding the fort I see quillin said has anyone heard from Bev no after the turmoil she experienced here I believe she was glad to wash her hands of Our Fair
City the former manager had written to quillin however thanking him profusely for his Farewell gift little knowing it was something he had been trying to unload she had written it was so wonderful of you to arrange for me to have the whiteness of white it hangs in
My apartment where it is admired by everyone you may be interested to know I have found a small job in an Arbor Michigan that could develop into something big quillin nodded from what he knew of that City it had the right climate for an esoteric
Andalo he had won it in a raffle at the Art Center simply because he was the only one who bought a chance he bought several using the Alias of Ronald Fritz as the winner he was trying to dispose of it discreetly without offending the artist who had donated it luckily
Beverly forar was leaving pickaxe forever and she was happy to acquire an artwork valued at $11,000 in a postcript to her letter she had written if you are in touch with professor fobit in Japan please thank him for his generosity I’m sorry I didn’t meet him while he was in pickaxe
On the telephone he sounded positively Charming quillin asked Thornton and good Pro prospects for Beverly’s successor they’ve interviewed a few applicants but can’t seem to make a decision you’re doing too good a job Thorne why hire a manager when good old Thorne will do the work free don’t think that hasn’t
Crossed my mind after September 30th I quit Meanwhile we’re setting up the craft fair are you coming to the opening I’ll have a few of my own things on exhibit are you doing something creative and tombstones quillin asked lightly Thornton was a retired stone cutter who
Had studied art his at one time you can kid all you like he retorted but I felt the need for a manual hobby I bought a lathe and now I’m doing wood turning in my basement that I’ve got to see quillin said then come to the craft fair his friend said bring
Money when quillin walked up the lane to The Apple Barn he was approaching from the east in its Heyday it had been a driveth through barn with huge doors East and West large enough to admit a horsedrawn wagon loaded with app now the huge openings had been filled in
And equipped with humaniz doors on the east side there were handsome double doors flanked by glass panels these were the front doors opening into the foyer although they were on the back of the building the back door was of course on the front opening into the kitchen this
Kind of anomaly was common in Moose County where pickaxe was referred to as Paradox twice the pickaxe voters had vetoed a proposal to change the names of of streets old East Street was west of New West Street and there was confusion about North Street East and South Street West only strangers were befuddled
However and befuddling strangers was a local Pastime as quillin approached the double doors Two Siamese cats watched from the sidelights standing on their hind legs with their for Paws on the low window sill entering the foyer he had to Wade through weaving B bodies and waving Tails circling him doubling back rubbing
His ankles and getting under his feet all the while yowling in the operatic voices of Siamese the tumultuous welcome would have been flattering if quillin had not consulted his watch it was feeding time at the zoo what have you guys been doing this afternoon he asked as he prepared their
Dinner and anything worthwhile solve any world problems who won the 50 yard dash the more you talk talk to cats the smarter they become he believed the long lean live muscular one was cow familiarly known as Coco his female companion was yum yum small dainty shy although she could shriek
Like an ambulance siren when she wanted something and wanted it immediately both had pale fawn colored fur and seal Brown masks ears and Tails her eyes were blue tinged with Violet and their appealing kittenish gaze could break Hearts Koko’s deeper blue eyes had a depth that suggested secret intelligence and Untold
Mysteries they were indoor cats but the barn interior was as big as all Outdoors to a small creature weighing 10 lb or less the space 100 ft in diameter was open to the roof a ramp spiraled up the walls and connected the balconies on three levels in the center stood a huge
White fireplace cube with white Stacks soaring to the cupula and it divided the main floor into functional areas dining lounging foyer and Library the kitchen was under a balcony half hidden by an L-shaped snack bar in the daytime a flood of light came through triangles and rhomboids of glass pale colors
Prevailed in the bleached Timbers upholstered furniture and Moroccan Rogues after dark when a single switch activated indirect lights and artfully placed spotlights the effect was nothing less than enchanting quillin’s favorite haunt was the library area one wall of the fireplace Cube was covered with bookshelves and the shelves were filled
With secondhand Classics purchased from a local book seller a library table held the telephone answering machine and writing materials in a capacious lounge chair with an auto quillin liked to read aloud to the Siamese or draft his column on a legal pad with a soft Le pencil on
The last day of August before going out to dinner he read to the cats from a book selected by Koko he was the official bibloc cat he prowled the bookshelves and liked to curl up between the biographies and the 19th century English fiction at reading time it was his privilege to select the
Title although quillin had the power of veto they had been reading Greek drama Koko could sense which book was which and he repeatedly sniffed the frogs by Aristophanes okay we’ll do it once more quillin said but this is the last time both cats liked the froggy chorus that he dramatized so colorfully bre
Coak coak Yum Yum’s eyes grew wide and a rumble came from kok’s chest those cats are just like little kids quillin said at dinner that night when I was 3 years old I wanted to hear Jack and the bean talk over and over again it was in desperation that my mother taught
Me to read so young he was dining with the chief woman in his life a Charming companion of his own age whose gentle voice soft smile and agreeable disposition camouflaged a will as strong as yum yums she was Polly Duncan director of the public library she always wore something special for
Their dates and this time it was a green silk dress with a necklace of long slivers of silver alternating with beads of green jade you look lovely he said he had learned not to say you look lovely tonight that would imply that she usually looked unlovely Polly was
Sensitive about the niceties of speech pleased she said thank you dear and you’re looking very handsome he always wore a coat and tie well coordinated when having dinner with Polly it was a compliment they paid each other they had a reservation at onas in downtown pickax a cafe with the Exotic
Murals lamps brasses and Aromas of the Mediterranean Rim ethnic foods were finally being accepted 400 miles north of everywhere although it had been a slow process seated at the brass topped tables were foodists with adventurous pallets vacationers from out of town and students from moose County Community
College who were eligible for a discount for starters Polly had a dry sherry and quillin ordered squonk water on the rocks with a Twist a local mineral water what’s the latest gossip at the library he asked it was a center of information in more ways than one has
The pickax grape vine blown a gasket over Mr delab no no she corrected him with excitement the latest news is about Amanda haven’t you heard I heard the rumor in July while you were in Canada but she denied it she changed her mind several times after that but I think she was building
Up suspense there’s nothing naive about Amanda so what’s the latest he asked impatiently as a journalist he always felt uncomfortable if he didn’t know the latest well today was the deadline and she picked up her petition at City Hall at 9:00 a.m. 8 hours later she returned it with the required number of
Signatures 5% of registered voters she stood in front of toodles market and land speaks and created quite a stir as you can well imagine that’s our Amanda quillin gloated there was only one illustrious Amanda in pickax as owner of the design studio on Main Street she had decorated
The homes of well-known families for 40 years she had served on the city council for 20 years always outspoken and sometimes can tankers the locals loved her for her fearless individualism and that included her eccentric dress and grooming now she was daring to challenge the incumbent mayor in the November election a
Politician who had held office for five terms simply because his mother was a good winter that was the big name in pickax the four good winter Brothers had founded the city in 1850 but the mayor’s name was Gregory BL his chall ER was Amanda good winter
Quillin said I predict she’ll win by a landslide a bright young woman in an embroidered vest served them Baba Gano and spanakopitas and he said I wish my mother could see me now eating spinach and eggplant and liking it then he asked what’s the latest on Old Campo how can
You be so derisive Polly rebuked him the jealousy among our male population is ludicrous a few members of my library board are on his guest list and they say he’s a grand gentleman with polished manners and great Charisma I hear he always has a girl Friday who travels with him and happens
To be young sexy and related by blood he said this with an ounce of sarcasm ply replied in all seriousness he’s training family members to take over the business when he retires or so I’m told she added but the big news is that Carol has asked me to pour at his
Celebrated Tuesday tea those Opals you gave me were ordered by Carol from a Chicago Jeweler that was de Camp’s firm and so I’m suddenly in the Inner Circle just what does he do when he’s in town well first he gives an exclusive tea for potential customers then families with heirloom jewelry to sell
Invite him to their homes and those who wish to buy vintage jewelry from his private collection make appointments to to meet him in his hotel suite quillin considered the situation briefly and then asked if he’s so discriminating how did he react to the old hotel with its broken down elevators
And wretched food he had the good taste not to criticize or make fun of it I don’t mind telling you quill I’m having stage right about pouring tea for him nonsense Polly you’re always in control and now that you’ve had your surgery you’re healthier and livelier more admirable than
Ever the young waitress serving the Entre grinned to see an older couple holding hands across the table don’t Snicker quillin told her it’s an old Mediterranean custom for a few moments they contemplated the presentation of food on the plate stuffed grape leaves for her curried lamb for him and the subtlety of the
Flavors then he asked what are you wearing to the re Saturday night my white Dinner dress and the Opals are you wearing your kilt with your dinner jacket I think it would be appropriate the grand opening of the refurbished Hotel would be a black tie event at $300 a ticket proceeds going to
Moose County’s Literacy Council there would be champagne music and a preview of the renovated facility quillin said I’m getting a preview of the preview Fran Brody is sneaking me in it was a stroke of Genius to rename the hotel considering its Grim reputation in the past the new sign is going up
Thursday conversation lapsed into trivia the theater Club was opening its season with night Must Fall the art center had been unable to replace Beverly forar Celia Robinson had married Pat Odell and had moved into his big house on Pleasant Street leaving the Carriage House apartment vacant when finally they left
The restaurant qu and asked would you like to stop at the barn and see my new calendar for just a minute I have to go home and feed the cats it was Twilight when they drove into the Barnyard a faint Dusky blue light seemed to bathe the world it was
The breathless moment after Sunset and before the Stars appeared when all is silent waiting magical Polly said the French have a word for it l blue there’s a French perfume by that name I imagine it’s lovely eventually they went indoors to look at the calendar and eventually
Polly went home to feed Brutus and Kata quillin took the siese out to the screen gazebo and the three of them sat in the dark the cats liked the nighttime they heard inaudible sounds and saw invisible movement in the shadows suddenly coko was alert he ran to the rear of the the
Gazebo and stared at the barn in two or 3 minutes the phone rang indoors querin hurried back to the main building and grabbed the receiver after the sixth or seventh ring the caller was Celia Robinson Odell who had been his neighbor in the Carriage House apartment hi Chief
She said cheerfully her voice sounding young for a woman of her advancing age how’s everything at the barn how are the kitties Celia I’ve been trying to call you and extend felicitations on your marriage but you’re hard to reach we took a little honeymoon trip we went to
See Pat’s married daughter in Green Bay he has three grandchildren how do you like living on Pleasant Street oh it’s a wonderful big house with a big kitchen which I need now that I’m going into the catering business seriously but I enjoyed living in the carriage house and
Running over with goodies for you and the kitties I can still cook a few things for your freezer you know and Pat can deliver them when he does your yard work that’ll be much appreciated by all three of us and if there are any little secret missions that I can handle for
You well we’ll see how that works out give Pat my congratulations he’s a lucky guy as quillin hung up the phone he stroked his mustache dubiously fearing that his Espionage strategy was collapsing he liked to Snoop in matters that were none of his business propelled by curiosity or suspicion and he had
Relied on Celia to preserve his anonymity she was an ideal undercover agent being a respectable trustworthy grandmotherly type and as an Avid Reader of spy fiction she enjoyed being assigned to covert missions there had been briefings cryptic phone calls hidden tape recorders and secret meetings in the produce department at
Toodles market now as a married woman how long could she retain her cover as for querin there was nothing official about his investigations he simply had an interest in crime stemming from his years as a crime reporter for newspapers down below as locals called the metropolitan areas to the south in
Recent years he had uncovered plenty of intrigue in this small community and in doing so he had won the trust and friendship of the pickax police chief it was an association that would continue with or without his secret agent chapter 2 Tuesday September 1st let sleeping dogs lie
Quillin had written a thousand words in Praise of September for the quill pen column and he invited readers to compose poems about the ninth month he wrote the best will be printed in the quill pen and will win a quill pencil stamped in Gold everyone knew that his favorite
Writing tool was a fat yellow pencil with thick soft lead always figuring out ways to get the subscribers to do your work for you the managing director bantered reader participation is the name of the game they love it who’s paying for all the pencils you’re giving away you can take
It out of my meager salary Wednesday September 2nd don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched the weekly Luncheon of the pickax Boosters club was held at the Community Hall with committees reporting on the progress of the Mark Twain Festival scheduled for October there would be a parade a square dance contest
Lectures and more the so-called presidential suite in the hotel third floor front would be renamed the Mark Twain Suite efforts to name a street after him had received a chilly reaction from residents who complained that a change in street names resulted only in confusion and expense to Property Owners
Quillin attended and ate his soup and sandwich but refrained from volunteering for anything Thursday September third every dog has his day for the Siamese the big event was the arrival of a truck delivering new stools for the snack bar the old ones were as comfortable as a milking stool
Yet casual visitors chose to sit there instead of sinking into the deep cushioned lounge chairs the new stools were more hospitable they had backs they swiveled their seats were thickly upholstered the four old stools without backs would go to the thrift shop to be sold for charity
As soon as the delivery man had left Coco and yum yum came out from nowhere to inspect the new furniture two noses covered every inch of the wooden legs and backs then they curled up on two upholstered seats and went to sleep FR friend Roy had ordered them she
Was second in command at Amanda’s interior design studio she was also the daughter of the police chief and one of the most glamorous young women in town and on Friday she would be giving quillin a personally conducted tour of the refurbished Hotel Friday September 4th a short horse is soon
Curried quiller and fed the cats changed the water in their drinking Bowl policed their commode brushed their coats and gave them instructions for the day don’t forget to wash behind your ears drink plenty of water it’s good for you be nice to each other they looked at him
Blankly and waited for him to leave so they could enjoy a nap on the new bar stools for his own breakfast he thawed a roll and took it to his Studio on the first balcony along with a mug of extra strength coffee brewed in his automated coffee maker there he finished his
Friday column a tongue and cheek dissertation on the advantages and disadvantages of indoor plumbing only quillin could write a thousand words on a subject of such delicacy and make it entertaining as well as educational without being scatological he hand pred in his copy to a skeptical managing editor bantered
With the crew in the city room grabbed a burger at Lois’s lunchonette and browsed among the pre-owned books in the dusty secondhand bookstore still he arrived early at the hotel for his appointment with the designer after the bombing of the historic building the Kling andern Foundation had purchased it from the
Limberger estate and quillin had insisted that a local designer be commissioned to do the interior now while waiting for Fran Brody he stood on the sidewalk across the street and contemplated the scene the three blocks of downtown Main Street reflected an era when the County’s quaries were going
Full blast buildings and pavement Were Made of Stone a bleak Prospect until the city’s recent beautification effort now the chipped flagstone Pavements were replaced with brick young trees were planted close to the curb brick planter boxes were filled with patunas tended by volunteers in the middle of the block
Stood the three-story cube of granite that had long been the city’s only hotel and most disgraceful isore it had a long history built in the 1870s gutted by fire in the 1920s and cheaply rebuilt known as an overnight lodging that was gloomy but clean it was so clean said
The natives that the porcelain was scrubbed off the bathtubs after being bombed by a psychopath from down below it required a year to rebuild refurnish and rename already two national magazines were interested in photographing the interior windows that had previously stared bafully on Main Street were Now flanked by wooden shutters painted in
The theme color of rust the entrance was more inviting than before a broad flight of stone steps led up to double doors of beveled wood and etched glass and across the facade were stainless steel letters mounted directly on the stone they spelled the Macintosh in as everyone in Moose County knew
Quillin’s mother had been a Macintosh if she had not been a wartime volunteer and if she had not met Francesca klingen in a canteen and if they had not become lifelong friends there would be no Macintosh in as a boy he had written letters to Aunt Fanny after his mother’s death and
Numerous crises in his own life he resumed the correspondence and event found himself named as her sole Heir quillin’s revery was interrupted by a pinch on the elbow and the sound of a woman’s well modulated voice well what do you think of the old dump he gulped involuntarily Fran I wish my mother
Could see this wait till you see the interior they dashed across the street during a lull in the traffic and as they stood at the foot of the broad front steps she explained this is the ceremonial entrance in the rear we have a carriage entrance at ground level
Close to the parking lot and with immediate access to the elevators elevators plural he asked in pleasure and surprise two of them they operate like a dream no clanking no jerking no stopping between floors isn’t it wonderful now before we go inside I want to brief you on a couple of details
The interior is done in the Arts and Crafts period do you know about that vaguely tell me it came after Victorian and before Art Deco in England the leader was William Mars in Scotland Charles reny McIntosh in the US gusta Stickley their designs are in museums and private collections we’ve furnished
The Inn with new versions of historic Originals got it got it let’s go as they walked slowly up the steps he gazed at the entrance doors in admiration old no custom made for us in North Carolina the wood is fumed Oak the etching was in inspired by a William Mars
Tapestry in the lobby quillin who was not prone to gasp actually gasped the mood was hospitable the colors warm rust mellow Browns and other Earth Tones there was much fumed Oak ceiling beams where none had been before large leather cushioned chairs with wide wood arms tables with ceramic tile tops lamps with
Wood bases pyramidal shades of mic and pull chains the Micah gave a Golden Glow the new reception desk had a welcoming air the old one quillin observed resembled the booking desk at the police station then he saw the large oil painting on the far wall a life-size
Portrait of a woman seated at a piano that’s her that’s exactly how she looked it was a portrait of Anne McIntosh quillin in a peach colored dress Paul scumble the portraitist from lockmaster who refused to copy photographs had painted her likeness from quillin’s memories people said she looked like
Greer Garson but with larger eyes her hair was brown and medium length she called it a page boy her hands looked slender and fragile at the keyboard she had a baby grand I remember a peach colored dress with pearl buttons down the front and a bracelet with foreign coins dangling from it
From this sketchy description the artist had created an astounding likeness complete with bracelet and he had gone to the trouble of finding a video of an old Greer Garson movie quillin said to Fran actually she never wore the bracelet while playing the piano it jangled but we won’t tell
Anyone she has a gracious aristocratic look true but I didn’t think of it in those terms when I was a kid I just thought it was motherliness a kind of calm fond assurance that mother knows best I have to phone Paul and congratulate him wait till tomorrow she
Suggested he’s coming to the reception in his usual ragged jeans and paint spattered t-shirt please I personally dragged him to Bruce’s Tuxedo Rental and talked him into trimming his beard just a trifle not enough to crush his personality are you ready to see the rest of the
Building the dining room was now the Macintosh room with white table cloths and black lacquered stickly chairs they had Square spindled backs and upholstered seats covered in the Macintosh Tartan that was red with a dark green stripe and the carpet was dark green the focal point on the back
Wall was a large Macintosh Crest in rot iron set to come from a Scottish castle gate it had a cat rampant and the clan motto touch not the cat but a glove the coffee shop was called renny’s and was done in the style of a glasgo te- room designed by Charles renie
McIntosh there was a ballroom on the lower level that would be the scene of the opening reception Mr delic Camp’s Tuesday tea and all future luncheon meetings of the Boosters club the guest rooms furnished in stickly were Fran’s Chief Pride she said I’ve traveled extensively and stayed in luxury hotels
With lavish Furnishings but no place to put anything anything down that’s my pet peeve and I designed these rooms to be functional as well as attractive quillin asked where will Mr damp Camp while he’s here in the presidential suite no president ever stayed here but there’s still an
Adjoining room for the Secret Service and it’ll be used for his assistant I hope he likes cats quillin pointed to a building across the street an upstairs apartment had five windows with a cat in each sitting on the sill and watching the flow of traffic below aren’t they adorable Fran said they’re
Watching pigeons on the roof of the Inn or making a traffic survey who lives there Mrs sprinkle the sprinkle family owns the whole block when her husband died she sold their country house and moved downtown she likes the action he liked peace and quiet why does a man who
Can’t stand noise marry a woman who can’t stand silence it’s the Jack Sprat law she has unusual curtains is she a client of yours no Amanda has done her work for 40 years it’s all Victorian you’d hate it quill and now would you like to meet the manager before you leave he’s from
Chicago the door to the manager’s office on the second floor was standing open and a cleancut young man in suit and Tai was working at the desk Fran said Barry would you like to meet Mr Q before she could make the introductions he jumped up with hand extended I’m Barry Morgan
Spelled with a GH I’m Jim quiller and spelled with a qw welcome to excuse me you guys I have to run along France said see you both at the reception have a chair Mr quillin said the manager call me quill it’s shorter more forceful and saves energy I hear you’re
From Chicago so am I a Cubs fan from bir what brings you to the Backwoods well you see I’d been assistant manager in a big hotel and decided this was a good career move I’d always liked the hospitality field my dad was a traveling man and sometimes
Took me along I liked staying in different hotels and my first ambition was to be a bellhop and wear one of those neat uniforms I was pretty young then now I like the idea of being an inkeeper I trained Cornell would you say the in is getting off to a good start
Absolutely Barry consulted a calendar champ reception tomorrow night big family reunion on Labor Day formal afternoon tea Tuesday Boosters club lunch in Wednesday all runes booked for the Labor Day weekend and the Scottish weekend and dinner reservations are going fast for the Macintosh room we have this great chef from Chicago you
Know your paper has interviewed him for Thursday’s food page the whole staff is excited all the hiring was done before I got here by Mr barter’s office it was his idea to hire MCCC students part-time he’s a great guy g Allen barter was Junior partner in the peax law firm of
Hassel Rich Bennett and barter and he was quillin’s representative in all matters pertaining to the Kling and chain Foundation since the K fund owned the Inn he was CEO quillin said I know Bart very well he says you need a place to live and there’s a Carriage House apartment on my
Property that’s available four rooms furnished it’s only a few blocks from downtown great I’ll take it the manager said I’ve been sleeping here but I’ve got a van full of personal belongings that I’d like to offload you’d better look at it first querin said I’ll show it to you anytime how about right
Now within minutes he was following quillin’s vehicle South on Main Street around the Park Circle and into the parking lot of the K theater they stopped at a Fieldstone Carriage House with Carriage lanterns on all four corners great he exclaimed as he jumped out of his van I warn you the stairs are
Narrow and steep it was built in the 19th century when people had small feet and narrow shoulders you’ll be interested to know it’s said to be haunted by young woman whose name was Daisy great after you unpack you can drive through the woods to my place and
I’ll offer you a drink great by the way querin said how do you feel about cats anything that walks on four legs and doesn’t bite is a friend of mine by the time Barry Morgan arrived at the barn the SES had been fed and were curled up like shrimp on their
Respective bar stools sound asleep querin went to the Barnyard to greet him he enjoyed newcomers expressions of disbelief and awe when the hundred-year-old Barn loomed before their eyes and he was not disappointed by his tenants reaction great he said with fervor the interior with its ramps and
Balconies and giant white Cube sent him into further exclamations of astonishment what do you like to drink I have a well stocked bar quillin said I’m not much of a drinker what are you going to have ginger ale great I’ll have the same Barry had changed into casual wear
And walked around with his hands in his pants Pockets making comments are those your cats or are they fur cushions on the bar stools have you all those books I see you have one of those bent bikes do you ride it there was a recumbent bicycle leaning
Against the stone wall near the foyer it was a gift kerin explained now that I’m used to pedaling with my feet elevated I like it they lounged in the library area with their ginger ale and his guest said mind if I chew gum I’m trying to stop smoking
Go right ahead is this a waste basket he dropped the wrapper in a polished wooden receptacle with a carved top handle it’s a waste basket Moonlighting as an antique Chinese water bucket or vice versa do you know I haven’t chewed gum since I gave up baseball it was part of
The game for me Chomp gum jerk cap punch glove hitch belt why did you give up baseball I came out of the military with a bum knee it plagued me till I moved to Moose County and then disappeared the natives credited the drinking water I think the biking cured
It then the talk turned to the Inn how it had been dreary but clean how everyone hated the food how Fran Brody had worked wonders with the interior she’s one of our Civic Treasures quillin said yeah she’s a Dynamo is she married no but they’re standing in line take a
Number what’s a good way to meet girls around here Barry asked interesting ones I mean it depends on your definition of interesting there are numerous clubs you can join theater Bridge Golf bird watching biking hiking and so forth you can take a class at the Art Center go to
Church attend Boosters club luncheons and meet spirited young business women how about volunteering to teach adults how to read and write it would look good on your resume quillin concluded or in your obituary yeah ow came an aggressive comment from a bar stool where Koko was stretching and yawning that’s cowo Kung
The brains of the family quillin said he reads Minds knows when the phone is going to ring and tells time without looking at a clock all skills denied to you and me yum yum is our glamour cat she walks like a model on a Runway strikes photogenic poses and melts
Hearts with her innocent gaze but don’t be fooled she’ll steal anything small and shiny the newcomer dubious about quillin’s seriousness changed the subject this is my first experience in a small town do you have any advice for me I mean it I want to get off on the right
Foot the main thing kerin began is to remember that everyone knows everyone never speak ill of someone you may be talking to his cousin or son-in-law or fellow Club member play it safe by keeping your eyes and ears open and your mouth closed Ed great and one more question my older
Brother likes winter sports and wouldn’t mind moving up here he’s a doctor he’d open the clinic what kind of doctor well that’s a family joke my mother was an RN In Obstetrics and she wanted my brother to be an OB but he chose to go into Dermatology because his patients don’t
Call him up in the middle of the night quillin chuckled all kidding aside we need your brother the nearest dermatologist is in the next County great he considers a small town a good place to raise a family away from the muggings car thefts and shootings that make city life hairy
Yeah came a loud comment in a minor key chapter 3 Saturday September 5th birds of a feather flock together for the first time the daily adage on culbert’s calendar was accidentally apt in the evening all the prominent birds of moose County would wear their finest feathers to a charity
Reception benefiting the cause of literacy they would be the first to inspect the new Macintosh in and would see their names in the Moose County something on Monday perhaps even their photos for this special occasion quiller and dressed in Highland evening attire a kilt in the Macintosh Tartan a silver
Mounted fur sporin and a dagger in the cuff of his Kilt hose this with the usual dinner jacket and black tie Polly wore her white Dinner dress with opal jewelry and a shoulder sash in the Robertson tarton if asked she would be pleased to explain that a she was a
Duncan by marriage and B the chief of the Robertson Clan had been Duncan of aolia a descendant of Celtic Earls and Kinsmen of Robert the Bruce it amused her to tell them more than they really wanted to know they drove to the reception in her sedan which seemed more compatible able
With a white dress and Opals more suitable than a big brown van she said the mayor will be there how do you think he’ll react to Amanda’s challenge he’s a cool cucumber he won’t let on he knows his goose is cooked at the carriage entrance of the
Inn they were met by a valet crew of MCCC students who parked their car leaving them to walk across a red carpet between a battery of media cameras just like a Hollywood quillin remarked not exactly she said glancing at the Vintage finery worn by the older guests these last remaining descendants
Of the old moneyed families might be aged and infirm but they always turned out an evening attire to support a good cause the Old Guard they were affectionately called local Wags called them the mothball Brigade a faint Aroma of PCB hovered Around The Paisley Shaws Sable Stone STS and outdated dinner
Jackets that came out of deep storage for the occasion The Carriage entrance opened into a ground level lobby with a grand staircase half a flight up to the main lobby half a flight down to the ballroom where the champagne was flowing like everyone else quillin and Polly took the
Descending flight stopping partway to survey the Subterranean Hall it was a scene of glowing chandeliers huge bouquets of flowers and urv tables lighted by candles guests stood in clusters holding champagne glasses a string Trio was playing vion Walters servers circulated with trays of champagne and white grape juice there
Were hot and cold or derve tables and Arch and Mildred rker were standing at the former critiquing the bite-sized morsels she was food editor of the something her husband was publisher of the paper both had the appearance of being happily well fed quillin said to
Arch I knew I’d find you feeding at the trough they were lifelong friends with a license to Banter don’t worry I’ve left a few scraps for you Mildred said try these delightful little crab meat nothings I must ask the chef his secret he won’t tell you her husband said oh
Yes he will I interviewed him yesterday and we turned out to be soulmates Read All About It on Thursday’s food page dear quillin said how would you two like to be our guests and in the Macintosh room next Saturday night I’ll reserve a table they’re booked solid art said
You’re too late what a bet the manager and I are soulmates he spoke confidently having made the reservation the day before he and art had been bickering Chums since Boyhood and sparring was an ongoing way of expressing their friendship listen Mildred said they’re playing the skaters Walts it always
Makes me feel young and thin nothing ever makes makes me feel young and thin Arch complained eventually the forsome drifted away from the crab meat sus kich tartlets smoked trout canip and goat cheese puffs they mingled with the other guests mayor blly being overly Charming Amanda good winter looking dowy in her
30-year-old Dinner dress she scowled at the admirers who clustered about her wanel mccannel the tax consultant a big Scott wearing a kilt Don xbridge the developer wearing a plaid cbond that was all wrong Big Mac and quillin agreed Fran bro glamorous in a silvery sheath slit to mid thigh Dr prelate
President of MCCC being overly attentive to Fran Carol and Larry LPE modestly inconspicuous as usual although they were leading lights in the community Polly introduced to members of her Library board and he introduced the inkeeper to Polly the young man said lucky I brought my tux I didn’t think
I’d need it 400 miles north of everywhere but my mother said I might want to get married ply whispered to quillin he won’t have long to wait he has good looks and personality and a good job quillin mumbled suddenly the music stopped the lights blinked for attention and a
Bagpiper swaggered into the Hall playing Scotland the brave he was was Andrew Brody the police chief doing what he liked best then the mayor stepped to the microphone and thanked the Kling and Shane foundation for revitalizing downtown’s foremost Landmark g Allen barter thanked Fran Brody for her
Creative input she thanked the K fund for supplying the wherewithal so generously and Barry Morgan thanked his lucky stars for bringing him to pickax as inkeeper you’re invited to tour the facility from bottom to top he told the guests and continue to enjoy our Hospitality here and in Ren’s coffee
Shop there was a stampede up the stairs to the main lobby when Polly saw the portrait she cried quill she’s lovely so Serene so distinguished I’m going to call her lady Anne after the heroine of the Scottish Rebellion I must congratulate Paul scumble the artist looking like a gnome
In his bifurcated beard was talking to p respective patrons he had painted Pie’s portrait earlier in the year and when he saw her he opened his arms wide and said baby you look like an angel she responded with light laughter while quillin said to the artist and you look
Like the devil I feel like a penguin these Duds you don’t look like one they have shorter legs Polly interrupted the banter Paul you’re a genius you painted lady Anne’s Soul that’s my specialty painting Souls the police chief was wandering around the lobby looking dumbfounded at the decor pretty fancy he said to
Quillin your daughter deserves credit for doing a great job the old hotel was Grim but it was clean Brody said will your department be busy next week guarding the jewels nah he doesn’t need anything from us he’s been here lots of times without incident it’s all private
Valuables kept in the hotel safe no problem someone clutched quillin’s arm and said that portrait Spooks me it was Arch rker it’s exactly how she looked when we were growing up I’d go over to your house and she’d play Flight of the Bumblebee for me I always listened with
My mouth hanging open how could fingers move so fast yes she was good at Vivace wasn’t she all you could play was Humoresque double slow I was faster at stealing second base quillin said ruul I sometimes wish I’d practiced more but the piano was not my forte at that moment the publicity man
Interrupted he wanted a shot of quillin with the painting only if the artist is included he replied I’m here as an accident of birth scumble deserved the credit for doing the impossible in a Lobby Al Cove outfitted as a reading room Fran Brody was giving a tour guide Spiel on Gustav stickly a
Portrait of the turn of the century cabinet maker hung on the wall he wore a bow tie PN glasses on a cord and a cryptic smile what did that smile mean Fran asked her small audience all of whom seemed enraptured by her melodious voice and stunning gown he was a writer
Philosopher and cabinet maker and yet he came from humble beginnings on a Wisconsin farm the eldest of 11 children cruel fate made him head of the family at the age of 12 and he had to drop out of school and work in a stoneyard still he educated himself by reading he hated
Stone and developed a passion for wood his furniture designs with plain honest structural lines and a reverence for wood were made from 1901 to 1915 and had many imitators the framed pictures grouped Over The Trestle tables are enlargements of the Cozy Cottage drawings in stickley’s magazine the Craftsman another center of attention in
The lobby was the new reception desk with its front panel of iridescent ceramic tiles typical of the period behind it stood four young persons in Black Blazers with the Macintosh Crest one of them was Lenny inchot who had been on the desk when the bomb went off
And a chandelier fell in a Lobby he still had a slight scar on his forehead now he was captain of the desk clerks who worked in four six hour shifts he himself worked evenings all were MCCC students Vella a vibrant Young woman who worked afternoon said I love meeting
People this is an exciting place to work Marietta on mornings was intensely serious she hoped to learn a lot on the job Bose on duty midnight to 6 was a big fellow with Bland smile hi he mumbled Larry said Boose will be tossing the cabber at the Highland Games we all
Rooting for him I’ll be there quillin promised Polly Drew him aside I want you to meet the liveliest most sensible woman on my library board Magdalene sprinkle she’s wearing the famous sprinkle torad tonight should I know what that is a necklace of Twisted strands hers is Diamonds and Pearls
She’s hoping to sell it to Mr damp this year when her husband was alive he wouldn’t let her part with something that had been in the family for Generations The Woman in Black Velvet in a dazzling choker had a majestic bu and Hearty Manner and there were cat hairs
On the front of her dress call me Maggie she said because I’m going to call you quill do you happen to have five cats I do and I’d have more if I had more windows facing the afternoon sun they’re all Strays adopted from the animal shelter and they’re all
Ladies do I detect gender bias you do sir the ladies are sweeter and cuddlier and yet they stand up for their rights he nodded as if in agreement actually he was thinking about yum yum with her sweet ingratiating ways and her shrieks of indignation if she didn’t get what
She wanted when she wanted it what are their names he asked knowing that cat fanciers liked to be asked they’re all named after famous women in history Sarah Charlotte Carrie flora and Louisa May hm he murmured recognizing a challenge name them again slowly Sarah burnhard Charlotte Bronte of course
Carrie it’s got to be Nation Flora I hope it’s McDonald and Louisa May that’s the easiest all Cott you clever man I’m going to give you a big hug she did and several cat hairs were transferred from her black velvet to his dinner jacket you must come and meet my ladies in
Waiting but no publicity please ply said but how about telling him your great grandmother’s story Maggie he’s collecting Legends of moose County for a book it’s title will be short and tall tales when Maggie asked with her usual decisiveness Friday he was never want to waste words the date was
Made now I have to go and say hello to the mayor and give him a big hug she said I’m a political hypocrite quillin and Polly watched her cross the lobby and deposit some cat hairs on his honors dinner jacket although the Macintosh room would not be serving until Tuesday evening it was
Brightly lighted to show off the clan tarton on the chair seats and the Macintosh Crest on the wall Derek cutle Brink the 6’4 bus boy who had become a 6’8 m d was standing at the host’s Lecter taking future reservations hi Mr Q I see you’ve booked a table for next
Saturday he said I hope the lights are on aat oh sure we’ll turn them way down when we serve have you seen the coffee shop it’s kind of far out for pickaxe Fran Brody was now standing at the entrance to Ren’s the converted coffee shop answering questions this was
Inspired by a Charles reny Macintosh Tea Room in Glasgow designed in the early 20th century yes it will be on network TV but I don’t know exactly when two magazines have already photographed it well I see reny’s as a stimulating place for an overnight guest to have breakfast
And exciting place for Out of Towners to have lunch or dinner and a friendly place to have a snack after a tap dance class yes you can go in and take a table they’re serving Refreshments a framed photograph of the Scottish architect with flowing mustache and an artist’s flowing silk tie was
Hanging in the entrance Fran said to quillin ancestor of yours you have his mustache in his eyes the distinguishing feature of renny’s was the high-backed Macintosh chair about 4T tall and tapered upward lacquered black these chairs surrounded tables lacquered in bright blue or bright green the white walls were
Decorated with black line drawings of oversized flowers napkins were a bold black and white stripe Carol and Larry LP seated at a blue table waved an invitation to quillin and poly to join them everyone liked the LPS the affluent but down to earth owners of the department
Store both had given up acting careers in New York to carry on the family retailing tradition their talents were still put to good use in the theater club and all other community projects received their generous support tonight they were in a festive mood and Larry raised his champagne
Glass in a toast to the Macintosh Inn here’s to the K fund said Carol here’s to Aunt Fanny King andon quiller and said here’s the lady Anne Polly murmured Carol asked her about her vacation my sister and I went to Toronto Montreal in Quebec City and met the most
Charming French Canadian Professor he wants to come here to study Canadian influence in our Pioneer Days quillin said I spent my vacation in mooseville and fishport ah fishport Larry declaimed in his stage voice the home of the covered dish where the holes speak only to Scot OT and the scotton speak only to
Fish I didn’t see any covered dishes in fishport should I know what a covered dish is quillin asked innocently why it’s a dish to pass at a potluck supper Carol informed him don’t you go to potluck suppers not if I can help it once a city boy always a city boy Polly
Explained how does Del Camp feel about potluck suppers Larry said he’s a consumit snob let me describe his program Carol offered he and his assistant arrive on Labor Day by chartered plane Larry and I greet him at the airport and turn over the Mercedes rental car that he has requested that
Evening he’s guest of honor at a dinner at the Country Club Tuesday afternoon he gives a tea for prospective customers guests view his private collection of jewelry and make appointments to go to his suite and buy those who have heirloom jewelry to sell make appointments for him to visit their
Homes paully said I hear Don xbridge is furious because his second wife isn’t even invited to the tea while his first wife is invited to poor quitan said I’d like to see what goes on at this affair would my press card get me in I wouldn’t
Write about it just look no no no Carol said it’s for women only even Larry isn’t admitted and he sponsors the whole thing her husband said old Campo thinks women are more impressionable when their husbands aren’t around they’re more likely to to spend money quillin listened in amazement he
Was not about to give up perhaps you could sneak me in as part of the weight staff the servers are all young women dressed as French maids quill if it weren’t for my mustache I could go and drag laughter erupted around the Blue Table why are you so determined to crash
The party Carol asked I’m congenitally nosy and I have a professional curiosity pully said Hell hath no fury like a journalist denied access you say the jewels are on display at the tea what do they do about security nothing no one has any fears about a robbery if that’s what you’re
Thinking and no one had any fears about bombing last year times are changing no doubt de Camp has the stuff insured but in the case of a theft would the Inn be liable would Del Camp’s insurance company sue the inss insurance company I think I should go as a security guard so
That the Inn is covered there was a ripple of laughter around the table I’m serious then Larry said with a grin why not he himself had played practical jokes masquerading as a stony-faced butler to en liven a stuffy dinner party playing the role of a drunken citizen to
Stir up a dreary city council meeting yes why not Carol echoed they looked at each other with conspiratorial mert we could find him a uniform in the costume Department the cap should be a couple of sizes too large dark glasses his mustache and hair should be darkened
He’d need a sidearm and a holster there’s a wooden gun in The Prop Room how about a German Shepherd suddenly the image of the County’s richest citizen in a guard’s uniform with dark glasses and a wooden gun struck them all as hilariously comic then Polly with her
Usual Common Sense asked how will you explain this caper to Mr damp kerin was skilled at fabricating fiction on the spur of the moment well it’s a new Inn with new owners and new insurance policy the terms require the Inn to have a security guard on the premises when valuables are an exhibit
Sounds good to me Larry said I’ll explain it to barter quillin said he’ll go along he has a sense of humor chapter 4 Sunday September 6th without a Shepherd sheep are not a flock it was the second day of the craft fair in the afternoon quillin and ply
Walked down the lane to the art center she had a long list and expected to do most of her Christmas shopping it was quillin’s custom to give Edibles and pobles for the holidays but he hoped to find a good-looking pencil holder for the library table they saw hand thrown pots
Handwoven place mats hand painted tiles hand rot iron trivets hand screened scarves handcarved wood salad servers hand printed note cards and hand stitched wall hangings then quillin saw Thornton’s wood turnings bowls plates candlesticks vases and such lathed to a satin smoothness and decorated with Nature’s Own markings there were captivating
Streaks swirls wisps splotches squiggles and tints of brown on the pale waxed wood I use spalted wood Thornton explained irregularities caused by Fungus worms faulty growth or woodpeckers produce these abstract patterns when turned on a lathe quillin pointed to a foot tall container of classical shape with a
Marbleized veining I like that do you call it a vase n jar or what a vessel the shape was used in ancient Egyptian times for transporting water or olive oil it’s turned from a chunk of spalted elm the small round bowl with a lid is spalted maple I’ll take both of them the
Small ones sold there was a red sticker on the bottom of it with the initials Mr quillin huffed into his mustache in frustration then said how do you produce one of these vessels first find a good Burl should I know what that is it’s an unnatural growth on a tree you rough out
Your design wax it dry it for a few months Chuck it into place on your lathe turn it shape it with gouging tools sand it finish it with wax or oil it obviously takes skill and patience and some intelligence if you’ll pardon my lack of modesty you learn a lot about
Trees where did you learn how to do this craft quillin asked I took lessons from a master wood turner in lockmaster oneon-one believe me I regret I’m getting such a late start wood turning could be a lifetime study to transport Pie’s numerous purchases and his own spalted Elm vessel
Back to the barn quillin ran back up the lane and fetched his van where are you going to put the vessel she asked in the center of the coffee table it was a low contemporary table large and square surrounded by upholstered seating I think it’s an absolutely stunning piece she said when
She saw it you should have seen The One That Got Away quillin said it was smaller but spe spectacular about the size of a grapefruit a bowl with a domed cover and a small knob on top turned in one with the cover amazing but it was already
Sold he had forgotten to look for a pencil holder his fat yellow pencils were stuck in a brown coffee mug inscribed as he bruise so shall he drink he offered anyone a dollar who could identify the author so far only Polly had collected Labor Day September 7th when
The cats away the mice will play quillin and Polly celebrated by driving out of town for a backyard barbecue g Allen barter and his wife were hosting the party they had invited the new inkeeper from Chicago and some young men and women of his own age mostly paralegals from the office of
Hassel Bennett and barter the route from pickax passed several abandoned mines from moose County’s distant past the big Be Mine The Buckshot scen of a recent caveen and the Old Glory the SES were fenced with chain link and posted as dangerous and each had a weathered wood shaft house
Towering above the baron scene these ghostly monuments had a haunting Fascination for locals and visitors alike the barter house was surrounded by working farms and Cocktails were served on a Terrace with a view of a neighbor’s grazing sheep while chickens turned on a spit and corn roasted in the
Coals someone asked the new inkeeper the inevitable question how do you like it up here will someone please explain something he inquired what are those old wooden Towers out in the middle of nowhere the other young people looked at their boss and barter replied they’re the shaft houses of Mines that were
Highly productive in the 19th century but failed in the early 20th there are 10 of them in in the county they should tear them down and fill in the Min shafts said the Brash newcomer from down below then they could graze more sheep smile when you say that
Chum quillin advised those shaft houses are near and dear to the hearts of local folks and tourists too in the souvenir shops the bestselling postcards have views of shaft houses and there’s a fine artist here who paints watercolors of shaft houses and can’t turn them out fast enough to fill the demand
Somebody should write a book about all this said Barry somebody has several of the guests said in unison it’s in the library if you’re interested Polly told him then she amused Everyone by describing the computer war in which Library subscribers picketed the building and burned their library cards
On the front steps all in protest against automation quillin said the people here you have to understand Barry are descended from Pioneers who were rugged individualists everyone seemed to have a good time not a boisterous good time but a civilized good time when it was over quillin told barter about the security
Guard stunt the attorney laughed and called it a harmless joke then they confided in Barry who said great Tuesday September 8th better a living dog than a dead lion in the early afternoon quillin left the barn for guard Duty saying goodbye to the sleeping cats on the bar stools and
Adding wish me well and I’ll bring you a cucumber sandwich two pairs of ears twitched Carol LP and the Wardrobe mistress were waiting for him at the K theater the building was a giant cube of Fieldstone Once Upon a Time the most magnificent residence in town there the
Kling and chain family had lived in private Splendor spurned by The Mining and lumbering magnets ironically it was the Kay fortune that had recently doubled and trebled the quality of life in Moose County as for the venerable building itself it had barely survived disaster and now served as a Theater
Seating 200 when quillin arrived Carol ushered him into the backstage area saying isn’t this a lark with a little dye dark glasses and a visor cap you’ll never be recognized the land speaks of amazed quillin nothing in their appearance or manners suggested that they had been on
The stage yet Carol could play a queen or a harlot convincingly and Larry could play the role of scoundrel old man or dashing hero both had the inner energy that distinguished an outstanding performer now Carol was saying it’s the kind of dye that will wash right out
When you get home so you don’t have to worry about that The Cats won’t recognize you though Coco will but yum yum will hiss at me you trimmed your mustache a little that’s good I always trim it for weddings and undercover assignments he said first choose your uniform then Alice can make alterations
If necessary while I work on makeup Alice Todd whistle was standing by with a tape measure around her neck and a thimble on her finger querin chose a dark blue outfit with an emblem on the sleeve and a cap that looked official if not examined too
Closely when he tried it on and appeared in the fitting room the two women screamed at the sight the trousers Too Short the sleeves too long the cap three sizes too large do you have a neanderthal in the club he asked Alice said I can fix the pat legs and sleeves
In a jiffy the cap will be okay if we stuff the crown with tissue paper in the makeup room Carol went to work with professional Assurance darkening the pepper and salt mustache eyebrows and patches of gray at his temples did Del Camp arrive on schedule he asked yes he brought his niece this
Time a quiet girl she defers to him all the time he’s put on some weight but he’s quite handsome for a man of his age I think he’s had cosmetic surgery and his tupe is new a very expensive one oops did I bump you in the eyeball I’m
Sorry that’s all right I have another one at the Country Club dinner he showed his slides of fabulous jewels in museums there was a necklace that Napoleon gave Josephine and it must have weighed a pound all rubies emeralds in enamel work and precious metals do you realize that
Rubies and emeralds were replaced by diamonds in 19th century fashion for the simple reason that the lighting in public places was improving Dazzle became more important than color there Carol whipped off the cape covering his shoulders now for the logistics I’ll drive you to the Inn Barry Morgan will meet you at the
Entrance and whis you upstairs on the elevator at 3:00 he’ll escort you to the ballroom as soon as it’s over return return to his office he’ll phone the store and Larry will drive you back here quillin said Carol you’re so well organized it’s unnerving well it helps
If you’ve run a department store for 25 years and directed Two Dozen stage Productions and raised three kids as quillin knew their Elder son was a clergyman in New York state their daughter was an MD in pickax the younger son had been a tragic failure no one
Ever mentioned him how does Dr D man feel about pouring tea this afternoon quillin asked she says she hasn’t been so nervous since she lanced her first boil she and Polly will pour for 45 minutes and then be relieved by Susan xbid and Maggie sprinkle it’s Maggie’s Belgian lace banquet cloth that we’re
Using and Susan is lending two silver tea services and a six Branch silver calabrum then the uniform was ready quillin assembled his disguise and looked in the mirror well Carol asked well Alice repeated he hesitated I don’t know who this guy is but he’s not me the women
Applauded as Carol drove him to the Inn quillin asked do you know a perfume called lur blue of course it’s a classic a delicate flowery fragrance with a hint of vanilla jacqu Garla created it for Ivon Pon in 1912 as a matter of in fact
Larry gave me a bottle of lbl when we were hunting mooning in Paris years ago could you special order it I’d like to surprise Polly be glad to I think she’d like the OD tolet in the spray bottle and by the way are you and she free on
Thursday evening we’re giving a small at home dinner for Mr de camp and his niece for you quill it would be your only opportunity to meet him but I warn you he’s a Non-Stop talker that’s okay as long as I learn something you will believe me he’s an in opedia of facts
About several subjects they could see Barry Morgan standing at the carriage entrance of the Inn okay said quillin I’ve taken my adjustment I’m Joe Buzzard ex cop I hire out for security gigs everyone’s a potential jewel thief he stomped out of the lp van and swaggered up to the entrance in a surly
Manner pretending not to see Barry with a straight face the inkeeper asked are you from City Security Services yes sir follow me as soon as they were in the office with the door closed Barry said you look great quill no one will recognize you how about some coffee
While we’re waiting for 3:00 can you drink without the dye running down your chin I’d feel safer with a straw how did you enjoy the barbecue I had a great time lots of nice people they’re not uptight like City dudes they’re friendly no doubt about it but they’re also nosy
And prone to spread room so be on your guard speaking of City types Barry said guess who barged into my office this morning wearing a Moroccan cfan and 5 lbs of silver jewelry he said cooly I’m de Camp I jumped up to welcome him and got the tips of his fingers for a
Handshake he had a complaint to make he had gone to the kitchen to tell them how he wanted the tea made and the chef he said was uncooperative and rude I apologized for him but pointed out that Board of Health regulations put the kitchen off limits to anyone not involved officially in Food
Service I’d say you handled that well Barry I thought so too wait a minute quill you need something else an intercom I’ll get you one hang it on your belt the focal point of the ballroom was a long tea table with lace cloth tall silver candal abam and two flower
Arrangements at each end a silver tea service stood ready small skirted tables and clusters of little Ballroom chairs were scattered about the room there was a piano in one corner half hidden by large potted plants and off to one side was the jewel table covered with an
Oriental rug there were no jewels in sight just leather carrying cases a hatted young woman in a business-like suit was in charge at Barry’s suggestion quillin stationed himself on the stairs in a shadowy corner from which he could observe without being conspicuous when Paulie and Dr Diane arrived they brushed
Past him without noticing and went to opposite ends of the tea table Polly in a simple blue Breton to match her dress Diane in a to with an impudently long pheasant feather then the servers brought platters of finger food and silver pots of tea to place on the
Burners it would take more than a short black dress and frilly White Cap and apron quillin thought to transform MCCC students into French maids shortly before 3:00 the host swept grandly down the stairs in Oriental cfan and heavy gold chains his portliness only adding to his dignity he introduced
Himself to the porous inspected the tea table discussed something with his assistant at the jewel table and signaled to The Pianist lyrical Melodies flooded the room as guests began to move slowly down the stairs balancing topheavy hats and exuding whiffs of perfume as they passed the security guard
Del Camp stood at the foot of the wide stairs and gazed at the women with patent admiration or was it part of his act he bowed kissed hands and murmured words that met with pleased surprise or girlish Delight quillin thought what a ham for the next hour and a half the
Bearers of the spectacular milliner would move self-consciously about the room sipping tea nibbling seed cake conversing softly and making gentle exclamations over the diamond clips and pearl chokers on the jewel table Carol was there wildly hated and she seemed to have a managerial role supervising the French maids and controlling the flow of
Guests to the display of jewels they were on shallow trays that slipped in and out of the leather cases neither Carol nor poly ever glanced in quillin’s Direction after having his fill of sights and sounds and perfume he stole a surreptitious Peak at his wristwatch it
Was only 20 minutes after 3 and already he had had enough as a journalist he would have made a swift exit but as a security guard he could hardly walk off the job feeling trapped in a situation was something he had always deplored avoided feared yet here he was in a mess
Of his own making and he had to endure it for another 70 minutes he could imagine what Arch rker would say if he could see him in this predicament and in this disguise Arch always sniped at him about his compulsions to Snoop and this Fiasco would give his old friend plenty of
Ammunition quillin stealed himself he devised ways to keep himself amused how many of the guests did he know socially and how many had he met in the line of business why was The Pianist playing only DEC and Sati why did De Camp object to chopan was there some psychological influence at work what
Would happen if she suddenly launched into Flight of the Bumblebee what would happen if he suddenly shouted fire how much perfume would be required to activate the sprinkler system the mingled scents were getting stronger as their wearers drank hot tea and listened to Old campo’s heated Whispers could mental telepathy be used
To force Polly or Carol or The Pianist to glance at the security guard when the servers removed picked over platters of goodies such as they were and replaced them with fresh platters what happened to the rejects did they go into the garbage grinder were the French maids allowed to take
Them home quiller and suspected they were merely rearranged and sent back to the tea table what was Sarah plen Dort doing at the tea she was an older woman who worked as office manager at the Moose County something she lived quietly and her hobby was button collecting surely
She was not in the market for a diamond clip did she have family heirlooms to sell her ancestors had been either ship Builders or Bootleggers depending on the source of Gossip who was there to buy and who was there to sell as quiller introduced the potential buyers poured over the jewels
In the shallow trays then spoke to the assistant who wrote something in a black leather notebook the potential sellers on the other hand ignored the display and merely spoke to the assistant who again wrote In the book what did De Camp think of the outrageous hats did he
Realize the guests were mocking him Pie’s blue Breton was one of the few sane and simple hats in the hall quillin named it lur blue others he named Swan Lake fruit salad plate yes we Have No Bananas or wreck of the Hesperus it killed time at that point male footsteps came
Tripping down the stairs behind him and stopped just behind his right shoulder a hushed voice asked how’s everything boring quillin muttered without turning his head anything I can do the inkeeper asked yes turn on the sprinkling system it’s stuffy in here I’ll check the ventilators at 4:30 make your geta
Away and come to my office use the stairway then quillin was alone again according to his watch he had another half hour to spend as Joe Buzzard of City Security Services he tried Rising on his toes stretching his spine flexing his muscles discreetly blinking his eyes behind his dark
Glasses poly had finished her duty at the tea table and was now circulating and chatting with other guests she knew everyone gradually she made her way to the jewel table he had told her to select something nice it would be her Christmas present she protested she had
Her pearls and her Opals and she had no taste for diamonds he had insisted however and now he saw her approach the leather cases reluctantly explain to the assistant look at shallow trays of bobles and shake her head then show sudden interest even enthusiasm the assistant wrote something in her book
And Polly had another cup of tea now what quillin consulted his watch 20 minutes more he began to wish for a minor Jewel Heist and he fantasized a scenario French maid drops a platter of cucumber sandwiches to divert attention grabs an empty teapot and bashes Jeweler’s assistant Scoops handfuls of diamonds into her
Apron dashes to the service exit pursued by a security guard waving a wooden gun and shouting stop thief this exercise amused quillin for 5 minutes 15 minutes more now what he could search for fodder for the quill pen could he write a thousand words on cucumber sandwiches or the Forgotten art
Of hand kissing or hats yes they were cowboy hats baseball caps bike helmets construction workers hard hats a bagpiper bonnet Gob hats a Bishop’s miter hats were important there had been George Washington’s cocked hat Yankee Doodle’s hat with a feather Humphrey Bogart’s snap brim fedora Maurice chevalier’s straw boater Fred A’s silk
Top hat before quillin knew it the piano music stopped the tea warmers were turned off the jewel cases were locked and he was running up the stairs to the inkeeper office gasping for a cup of coffee when Larry LPE drove him back to the K theater quiller and said well
You’re Jeweler camps it up doesn’t he his get up is straight out of Arabian nights and his manners date back to molder and you’ll have to forgive me Larry but I can’t help wondering if this hoopla is worthwhile business-wise that is Larry said I’ll be frank with you we
Don’t get a penny of commission from any of his transactions here but what the heck it’s only once every 5 years and in between if a customer of ours wants to special order a String of Pearls or an engagement ring we get the usual markup also the B who is good public relations
For us it helps the Old Guard unload some of their old jewelry do you think he offers them a fair price no one ever complains he sends them roses and they’re always thrilled to have him visit their homes Larry dropped quillin at the side door of the theater handing him a small
Paper bound booklet here’s a script to the play that’s about to open in case you want to read it before opening night I assume you’ll be reviewing it for the paper who else it was a script for night Must Fall it was first produced in 1937 emilin Williams wrote the role of the
House boy for himself it’s a challenge for an actor yes I know kurin said I saw a Revival on Broadway several years ago I suppose Derek cutle br will be playing the Emin Williams role unfortunately no he could bring it off but he’s working nights at the Inn he’s Major D of the
Macintosh room you know just leave your uniform and props on the table in the costume Department quill okay and thanks for everything Larry it was an unforgettable experience quillin had misgivings about Derk as Matra D the last two restaurants he managed had closed suddenly and permanently one under a cloud of Scandal
One under a cloud of dust in the late evening when quiller and phoned poly to report Coco came running and hopped on the library table did he feel obliged to chaperone the conversation did he know there was a Siamese male named Brutus at the other
End of the line or was he still trying to figure out how the mystifying instrument worked her first words were well was the experience worth your while not really he said what did you think of the hats they were just teasing Mr damp he pretended to think they were fabulous
What did you think of his private collection he had some spectacular things such as a vintage pin paced with 13 carats of diamonds and signed he was asking 35,000 it won’t sell in Moose County don’t be too sure signed pieces are collectible and there are persons of
Means around here who buy for investment but never advertise the fact I saw a solid gold Tiffany T trainer for 18800 that was already sold it won’t be used to strain tea did you find something you like yes I did she said with enthusiasm a cameo ring a
Cameo his tone indicated a distaste for cameos not the commercial quality that sold to tourists quill antique cameos with incredibly fine carving are making a comeback I saw a pin depicting Venus and cupid in a forest and the carving was so detailed I could count the leaves
On the trees the ring though is something I can see myself wearing the subject is the Three Graces in a gold mounting they’re the goddesses of Beauty refinement and the Arts it sounds like you Polly grab it they’re holding it for me my appointment is Thursday at 2 good
I’ll write a check how much they don’t accept checks or credit cards only cash that’s odd he said thinking of the diamond pin for 35,000 but it’s all right I’ll make a withdrawal Thursday morning and deliver it to you at the library or even in the
Lobby of the Inn at 2:00 how much 800 is that all I had visions of 18,000 I was prepared to hire an armored truck from the bank actually she said with a ripple of laughter it’s only 795 and that includes tax I’ll withdraw $800 and be sure to get your $5
Change quillin replaced the receiver thoughtfully as he questioned the terms of sale cash only no tax what do you think of that Gambit he asked coko who was sitting near the phone the cat jumped to the floor and walked slowly and with deliberation to the kitchen cabinet where the cbles were
Stored while yum yum shrieked from the top of the refrigerator hitting a high sea that would curdle one’s blood chapter 5 Wednesday September 9th chickens always come home to roost after the Siamese had breakfasted and performed their morning ablutions three licks to the Paw four swipes over
The ear Etc they were treated to a workout with quillin’s old Paisley tie he enjoyed whipping it around over their heads and watching their midair contortions when they were tired and ready to stretch out in a patch of Morning Sun he went to a studio on the
First balcony to work on the quill pen column for Friday halfway through a sentence he was interrupted by urgent yowling on the main floor and he took the shortcut to the kitchen down the spiral staircase coko was standing on the kitchen counter staring at the window quillin made a
Quick check there were no vehicles in the barnyard no Prowlers on the grounds false alarm he said to the cat you can get arrested for that just then a small red car came bouncing through the wooded area and pulled up to the kitchen door coko knew it was coming certainly knew
Who was driving and probably knew what she was bringing my apologies old boy quillin said going out to greet the visitor he exclaimed Celia what a pleasant surprise look in the back seat Chief there’s some stuff for your freezer I was going to sneak in and leave it in the pirate
Chest a weathered seat chest stood at the back door for package deliveries no one sneaks in when the Inspector General is on duty Celia laughed happily she always laughed at the mildest quip from the chief she explained I’ve brought you two meals of macaroni and cheese and a 2B meatloaf
It’s sliced so you can thaw some for a sandwich I didn’t put much onion in it because you might like to give some to the kitties and I know they’re particular oh you have new bar stools she squealed when she went indoors we’re so busy I had to hire a
Helper we’re catering a wedding reception Saturday would you have time left for volunteer work you were a real asset only one thing teaching adults to read my first student is a 40-year-old woman who’s tickled to be able to read recipe books in fact she’s the one I
Hired as my helper have you rented my old apartment yet to the new manager of the mcintoshi in he says he has a strange feeling that some wonderful person lived there before him oh Chief you’re a big kider in midafternoon quillin walked downtown to Lois’s lunchonette for a slice of her
Famous apple pie Lois inchot was a loud bossy good-hearted woman who had been feeding downtown Shoppers and workers for decades in a dingy back street lunchroom the shaber it became with the years the more the customers cherished it they felt comfortable there when quillin arrived the place was empty and
Lois was in the kitchen where working on dinner what do you want came a demanding Voice through the pass through a window apple pie and a cuper he shouted back apples all gone you can have cherry he walked to the pass through and said I’m not enthusiastic about cherry pie how
Come you want American or something I did my patriotic bit when I helped choose the queen for the Cherry Festival Lois shoved a mug of coffee across the shelf and then banged a plate of cherry pie beside it chanting cherries every day keep the gout away is that propaganda for the Cherry Growers
Or are you practicing medicine without a license eat it she ordered you’ll love it he had to admit the pie was good not too tart not too sweet not too gelatinous not too soupy obviously it had never been in a freezer or a microwave oven not bad he declared as he
Returned his empty plate keep practicing and someday you’ll get it right oh is Posh she said grouchily but with a half smile she liked quillin where’s Lenny her voice softened he has classes most all day on Wednesday and I don’t allow nothing to interfere with that boy’s
Education he’ll finish school if I have to scrub floors did you know he’s working parttime at the hotel I mean the Inn 6:00 to midnight and he’s captain of the desk clerks she said proudly someday he’ll be Chief inkeeper quillin predicted knowing that was what she
Wanted to hear Lenny said says old Mr Mucky muu is here again registered in the fancy Suite on the third floor you seen him to whom are you referring quillin asked to tease her don’t get Lada with me you know who I mean no I haven’t seen him I thought I might catch
A glimpse of him here eating cherry pie ha she huffed with contempt banging the lid on a soup kettle for emphasis just then her son burst into the restaurant and threw his textbooks on a table in the rear Booth got any pie mom he helped
Himself to a mug of coffee hi Mr Q going to the games this weekend the Inn booked solid for Friday and Saturday nights do you participate in the athletic event Lenny only the foot races I leave the hammer throw and all that to the big guys but our night clerk tosses the
Caber he has the strength for it I introduced him to you at the party Saturday night we call him Bose short for Bozo Lenny moved his coffee mug to quillin’s table I’m sort of his manager he needs somebody to prod him make his decisions keep him on track you know how
Long have you known him since high school I was managing the football team and Bose was a great tackle not much of a student though and he wanted to drop out so my mom and I took him on as a private Crusade I tutored him and she
Fed him and read the riot act she’s good at both of those and he managed to squeak by with a diploma what were his parents doing all this time he’s an orphan grew up in different foster homes after graduation he got a job as Woodsman with a forestry
Company and I worked at the old hotel until it was bombed what brought Bose Out of the Woods quillin asked a soft job at the hotel a small scholarship to MCCC and a birth on the Moose County team for the Highland Games Bose can toss the cber like nothing you ever saw
It’s not just brute strength You Know It’s Tricky and he’s mastered the neck should I know what a cabber is it’s a pole a tree trunk about 20 ft long and weighing about 200 lb Bose tosses it like a toothpick and tumbles it end over
End the way you’re supposed to if we can beat those Bixby bums Saturday it’ll give the whole County a big charge are you going to be there I’ve never attended a Scottish Gathering but I’ll be there rooting for you guys altogether it’s quite a lively week in the Sleepy
Town of pickax have you met the distinguished guest no he checked in while Vella was on the desk she says he comes on pretty strong but his niece is kind of mousy not after 11:00 when I’m on the desk though I guess her uncle’s gone to bed
And she comes down to the lobby in false eyelashes short short skirts and lots of lipstick she likes to hang around the desk and talk about rock bands I couldn’t care less I go for country western besides I have a lot of studying to do and I can use some quiet time on
The desk so I follow Mr Morgan’s rule act friendly but don’t get friendly Lenny his mother shouted from the kitchen if you’re going to gab instead of studying your books get off your rusty Dusty and help me with dinner Lenny jumped up and grinned got got to go Thursday September 10th the early
Bird gets the worm at 6:00 quillin picked up Polly an Indian village for the drive to West Middle Hummock where the land speaks had their country estate his first words were did you get the ring it’s breathtaking I can’t believe that it’s mine or will be after December 25th
Nonsense start wearing it now where is it I went directly to the bank and put it in my lock box but I can’t wait for you to see it how was the appointment with old Campo all business no hand kissing or compliments I declined a cup
Of tea and kept looking at my watch they showed me the ring and I handed over the cash did they count it the assistant took it into the other room I’m sure she counted it quillin said both you and I must avoid any slip of the tongue that
Would reveal my presence at the tea West Middle Hummock was an exclusive Enclave of Country Estates and the landscape was a panorama of woods and Meadows winding roads bordered with wild flowers and rustic bridges over gurgling streams isn’t it lovely Polly murmured would you like to live here no but I
Like to visit once in a while Carol is preparing dinner it’s her Cook’s night off the LPS lived in an unpretentious farmhouse house furnished with Country Antiques that looked like Museum quality when their children were young they had kept a family cow riding horses and a few chickens and Ducks now Carol
And Larry were alone except for the couple who took care of the housekeeping and grounds and they concentrated on running the department store and participating in the theater Club Historical Society genealogy club and Gourmet group Larry met them on the front steps saying the visiting firemen
Will be a little late so we’ll start the happy hour without them old Campo doesn’t drink anyway uhhuh quillin thought Carol came out of the kitchen where she was preparing her famous breast of duck with pruto and mushroom ducel quillin asked has this year’s Del Camp Expedition been a success so far he
Never discusses that aspect of his visit Carol said but I know that Mrs wooding Hurst sold her famous broch yesterday and he’s agreed to take Maggie sprinkle Tad they talked in chummy fashion about the Tuesday tea and quillin entertained them with an account of his discomforts and boredom as a security
Guard then the honored guests arrived and the mood became formal what happened next is best described in quillin’s own words which he recorded in his personal Journal this guy de Camp has been coming up here for more than 20 years years and is not on firstname terms with anyone
Even Carol and Larry his niece was introduced as M North Pamela she said shyly keeping her eyes cast down could this be the chick who pestered Lenny input at the reception desk in the late hours she was wearing her tailored suit and her uncle wore a Blazer obviously
Tailored to flatter his expanding girth he said to me haven’t we met in the last few days at the country Club perhaps I professed regret at not having had the pleasure but I began to wonder if my disguise had been less effective than Carol insisted quickly she said Mr
Quillin writes a column for the newspaper and his picture appears at the head of it that’s the answer unconvinced old Campo continued to throw glances in my direction all evening he asked for a cup of tea when Larry was ready to serve a second round of drinks leading me to
Challenge him as a journalist and a confirmed coffee drinker may I ask why you prefer tea tea is the thinking man’s coffee he began for 5,000 years in China it has been known as a revitalizing beverage increasing concentration and alertness later the Japanese promoted Harmony and Tranquility with the Tea
Ceremony Dutch and Portuguese traders introduced tea to England and Russia Caravans of two or 300 camels used to bring chests of tea to the Russian border Clippers ships raced each other from China to London his niece was yawning she spoke only when spoken to but paid deferential
Attention to Old Campo at one point she whispered to him and he said now I know where I’ve seen you in my Suite there’s a portrait of Mark Twain you could be brothers during Carol’s excellent dinner he discussed the 3,000 kinds of tea in the world and then the seven grades of
Tea the latter sounded like a comic routine and I was glad I had my miniature tape recorder in my pocket when he recited them Pico Orange Pico flowery Orange Pico golden flowery Orange Pico Tippy golden flowery Orange Pico finest Tippy golden flowy Orange Pico and special finest Tippy golden flowery Orange
Pico the after dinner tea was daring the champagne of teas we were told grown in India in the Himalayan Foothills sometimes on a 45° slope the special guests left shortly after that and the rest of us had some good strong coffee while we recapped the evening and had a
Few laughs at one point Polly excused herself and returned with a look of wonderment Carol you’ve done over the powder room it’s spectacular naturally nosy me had to investigate they had made one entire wall into a lighted Niche with glass shelves for a collection of French perfume
Bottles Larry gives me perfume on every anniversary she said and I save the bottles shalomar shaniz L BL all the geran classics the bottles are works of art every time we go to Paris I haunt the antique shops and flea markets for vintage bottles some are priced as high
As 5,000 Franks and more if they’re bakara little did paully know I had spent special ordered a bottle of lur blur for her as quillin and Polly drove back to Indian village she said Mr de Camp is visiting Maggie tomorrow morning to buy her Pearl and Diamond torsade I’d love
To know what he offers for it I won’t ask of course and Maggie won’t tell and even if she does she isn’t bound to tell the truth you know the old rule ask me no questions and I’ll tell you no lies who said that Shakespeare Oliver Goldsmith she
Corrected him and he said fibs not lies it was a line and she Stoops to conquer with a friend like you Polly who needs an encyclopedia thank you dear that’s the nicest thing you ever said did you know that FIB has been a euphemism for lie as
Far back as the 18th century it’s derived from fibble Fable I hope I’m not boring you not at all this is a lot more interesting than tea conversation stopped as they passed the sight of the Old Glory mine and turned to look at the old shaft house a
Spectral presence in the Moonlight then she said I hear the historical society and the County Commissioners are squabbling about the new historical markers to put them outside the fence inside the fence or on the fence what’s your opinion Quail inside the fence they’re bronze and susceptible to theft
That down below perhaps but not up here there are vacationers from down below who might like to take home a bronze souvenir I still say it’s safest to post it inside the fence a quarter mile rolled by and he said tomorrow afternoon I visited Maggie to tape her great grandmother story take
An oxygen inhaler she advised her apartment is suffocatingly Victorian but you’ll like her late husband’s collection of books Edington Smith sold me a fine old copy of edifus Rex this week handsome binding but poor translation in Canada this summer I saw a wonderful production of the play complete with grotesque masks and exaggerated
Buskins they turned into iTab bitty wasy Road he asked how did you like Carl’s breast of duck it was a little Rich for my taste but the blackberry cobbler was good when they reached Indian village Polly asked would you like to come in and say good night to Brutus and
Kata for a few minutes it was late when quillin returned to the barn that night and the internal clocks of the Siamese told them their bedtime snack was long overdue yum yum prowled aimlessly coko sat on his hunches his tail slapping the floor impatiently they gave the impression they were too weak from
Hunger to protest that was one of their subtle strategies designed to make him feel guilty sorry about this but you know how it is he apologized while measuring a serving of cbles on each plate we had breast of duck I had hoped to bring you a taste but there was none
Left after that they were ready to sleep he escorted them up to their lodgings on the top balcony and said good night leaving their door open they never prowled in the night like FAL cats they had adapted to the human sleep schedule but they often liked to rise at dawn and
Watch the early birds getting their worms on the main floor there were windows with excellent views and accommodatingly wide Sills during the night an unnatural sound Disturbed quillin’s sleep he was dreaming about the wild west and a coyote howling on a distant Peak he always dreamed graphically and a coyote
Was an appropriate part of the scenario IO yet the howl grew louder and closer and more urgent he sat up in bed and took a moment to adjust to reality Barn pickaxe cats coko was howling outside his bedroom door was it an alarm a warning quillin threw the master switch
That illuminated the premises indoor and out and went to investigate he found nothing wrong no Prowlers not even a waddling Raccoon as for the cat he had returned to his court Waters and was asleep in his basket perhaps he had been dreaming too quillin thought he looked at his bedside clock it was
2:30 chapter 6 Friday September 11th when elephants fight it’s the grass that suffers after the Unexplained disturbance in the night quillin had to sit up and read for a while to relax his nerves consequently he was still sleeping when a morning phone call made a rude Interruption he answered the
Bedside phone with a single syllable resembling a grunt sorry quill said a woman’s wide awake voice am I calling too early it’s going on 8:30 she of course was dressed breakfasted and ready to leave for work at the library groggy quillin explained Coco had a stomach
Ache in the night and kept me awake so I had to sleep in does Brutus ever Howl in the middle middle of the night no but he’s not as vocal as Coco all I wanted quill was to ask what we’re wearing to dinner in the Macintosh room tomorrow
Night we don’t want to overdo the bunny Scots idea do we right you are no Kilts no tartans I thought my olive green silk would be good with the Plaid chair seats and Green carpet sounds okay I’ll wear a gray tweed jacket to go with my gray Tweed
Mustache quillin was beginning to wake up I’m working tomorrow so I’ll go home to dress and the then ride into town with the Rikers good idea I’m really excited about the dinner did you read Mildred’s interview with Chef Wingo on yesterday’s food page it was inspiring do I hear
Coco making a commotion yes he’s ordering his breakfast ham and eggs with a side order of American fries go back to bed you’re not ready Polly said quillin slipped into a jumpsuit before opening his bedroom door and following two cater Walling cats down the ramp instead of going to the feeding
Station however coko jumped on the library table and put one paw on the phone it’s going to ring quillin thought and before he could press the button on the automated coffee maker it rang in an agreeable tone with a rising inflection he said good morning the solemn voice of
The attorney answered quill this is Bart prepare for some shocking news quillin hesitated he was thinking the hotel’s bombed again quill are you there damp died in his sleep last night I can’t believe it I had dinner with him at the Lance Peaks he was in fine form although
He left early was it a heart attack I don’t know the doctor’s on the way to the Inn I’m at home Barry Morgan called me here did his niece find him she must be vastly upset I don’t have any details but I thought you ought to know that all
Deals are off I’ll phone Carol and she can notify those those who had appointments pending too bad isn’t it yes too bad quillin phoned the newspaper first then he called the lp House in West Middle Hummock the housekeeper said that Mr and Mrs had left for downtown he
Called the store they had not yet arrived while his hand hovered over the receiver in a spasm of indecision A call came in from Barry Morgan speaking in a hollow voice quill bad news I know Bart phoned delic is dead yes but the coroner is here and it looks bad the police are
All over the place half the third floor is sealed off I can’t talk now would you notify Bart of the situation the phone clicked unceremoniously first quillin called the paper with the latest tip then he phoned the attorney his wife said he’s just driving out catch him he visualized her
Running after the car screaming and waving her arms caught him she gasped after a few minutes her husband was less perturbed what’s up it’s worse than we thought Bart they obviously suspect homicide Jewel thieves sounds like it doesn’t it quillin agreed we were assured that the jewels and large
Amounts of cash would be brought to the safe in the manager’s office every night something went wrong I’ll go right to the Inn I may be needed thanks Quail quillin felt a rush of blood a burst of energy a flashback to his old days as a police reporter down below
Coko who had been sitting there to monitor the calls was less involved he pushed the script of the theater club’s new play onto the floor not now quillin said picking it up and putting it in a safe place he was asking himself where was the niece what
Could she tell when had she last seen the jewel cases what had been done with the cash from the days purchasers after leaving the dinner party early where had they gone what did they do and then his curiosity took a different turn why did coko Howl in the middle of
The night it was about 2:30 what was the time of death and why was the cat sitting near the phone looking so wise no doubt about it quillin mused he was an unusual animal all cats have certain senses that are deny to humans they tell time without a clock and find
Their way without a map Koko’s intuition went beyond that he knew right from wrong and he had known that something was wrong at 2:30 a.m. some things cannot be explained and quillin had learned to accept the cat’s uncanny perceptions his own curiosity about the murder would have to go unsatisfied no
Facts were known even W pkx had nothing to offer when the first News Bulletin interrupted the country music a Chicago businessman registered at the Macintosh Inn was found dead in the presidential Suite this morning a victim of homicide no further details have been released and the victim’s name is withheld until
The notification of relatives local and state police are investigating quillin was aware that his newspaper would have reporters out in the field hounding every news source in time for the noon deadline and afternoon publication still he felt the urge to do a little snooping himself he dressed hurriedly and walked downtown without
Even saying goodbye to the Siamese a courtesy that meant more to himself than to them his first stop was the public library known as the information center of the county not because of its extensive book collection and expensive computer system but because it was the Hub of the pickaxe grape vine in moments
Of Crisis its subscribers flocked to the library to exchange questions hearsay and rash guesses all of which would be circulated throughout the county by phone in coffee shops and on street corners it was a traditional system that worked for better or worse quillin walked slowly up the broad
Steps to the library wondering what information and misinformation would be circulating at this early hour he found the young clerks behind the desk in a huddle speaking in hushed voices volunteers had their heads together in the stacks subscribers stood about in clusters their solemn faces indicating they were not critiquing a best seller
Only Mac and Katie the two feline mascots were unperturbed being engaged in Social grooming quillin spoke to them and they looked up at him briefly with extended tongues then he bounded up the stairs to the mezanine where Polly could be seen in her glass enclosed cubicle
She was hanging up the phone as he entered well she said vehemently have you heard the news offputting isn’t it he remarked you and I and the L Peaks must have been the last outside contacts he had how did you hear about it one of our volunteers has a son who’s a day
Porter at the Inn she knew I’d met Mr deant did her son have any particulars only that the assistant hadn’t been around probably upstairs being interrogated it sounds ominous doesn’t it what’s your mission this morning I’m on my way to see the L speaks at the store Carol will be
Flabbergasted at the department store he went directly to the office under the main staircase standing outside until she had finished a phone call call she beckoned to him to come in but all she could say was I’m flabbergasted he sat down without waiting to be invited how did you hear
About it from Vella the morning clerk at the Inn she’s in my Sunday school class and was one of the French maids at the tea she knew I’d be flapper gasted aren’t we all do you have any inside information only that the police are there and half the third floor is
Cordoned off viella says they’re questioning the staff and the guests and cautioning everyone not to talk about the case how did she contact you she wrote a note and the day Porter brought it to me what’s Larry’s reaction to the news he doesn’t know I drove him to the
Airport this morning and he boarded the 8:00 shuttle to miniapolis there’s a merchandising show there and he won’t be back until tomorrow night I’ll phone him of course wait till he hears he has always had a jealous husband theer you know she stifled a slight giggle at
Least we know it wasn’t Mr wooding her he died 20 years ago quillin said just because it happened here it doesn’t follow that the perpetrator was a local you’re so right quill I’d prefer to think it’s an outside job what effect will it have on his customers those who
Wanted to buy tomorrow will be disappointed of course but I’m concerned about the Old Guard who were expecting to sell to him today some of them really need the money their Old-Timers who thought they were financially set for life then Along Came inflation and dishonest relativ and bad investment
Advice it’s sad they should be notified in case they don’t hear it on the radio but his niece has the schedule the poor girl must be terribly upset quiller and next went to Lois’s lunchonette for the mid morning coffee clutch where caffeine addicts and assorted loafers met to exchange
Opinions and rumors about current events everyone had a connection to the Grapevine a son-in-law or neighbor or fellow worker who knew the inside story Lois whose son was captain of the in’s desk clerks had a direct line to the facts they called him a Chicago businessman on the air she announced
While bustling around with the coffee server but everybody knows he was a jeweler with a million dollars worth of stuff in his luggage they didn’t say nothing about his girl where’s his girl probably took off with the killer in the loot could have been kidnapped he was
Her uncle Lois said yeah well Lenny says she was no niece he and her killer were in Hoots if you ask me somebody from Chicago take Fair strangers come up here and get themselves knocked off and it makes us look bad why it happen just
When we got a nice new hotel and some good publicity makes me mattering a wet hand 11:00 turn on the news Lois switched on the radio that occupied a shelf above the cash register and her customers heard one additional scrap of news the state Bureau of Investigation has been called in to
Assist local police in the investigation of of a homicide a Chicago businessman quillin paid for his coffee and went home taking time to walk through the in’s parking lot Del Camp’s Mercedes rental car was still there when quillin turned the key in the back door lock he heard the welcoming
Chorus indoors and realized once more how much he appreciated his housemates he had lived alone for most of his adult life before adopting Coco and yum yum they were companion able handsome entertaining and admirably independent sometimes exasperatingly so one of the pleasures they shared was reading aloud he had a good voice having
Trained to be an actor before switching to journalism when he read aloud from the Vintage books that filled his shelves he dramatized the pros in a way that excited his listeners currently they were reading the playscript of night Must Fall the smarmy lines of the house
Boy the petulant f of Mrs Bramson and the country dialects of the kitchen help they had reached scene 4 yum yum was curled contentedly on quillin’s lap coko perched on the back of his chair looking over his shoulder as if following the printed words purring in his ear or
Tickling his neck with twitching whiskers Mrs Bramson was worrying about her Jewel box Dany was being overly attentive suddenly he picked up a cushion and smothered his Rich employer Yow came a piercing Howl in quillin’s ear please the man protested putting a hand to his ear don’t do that but then
He felt a sensation on his upper lip and he tamped his mustache it was always the source of his hunches now he knew or thought he knew more about the murder than the investigators had revealed the Friday edition of the Moose County something would have the latest
At 2:00 at 1:30 quillin had an appointment with Maggie sprinkle the sprinkle building across Main Street from the Macintosh Inn was a stone structure like all the others downtown and its history dated back to the days when Merchants always lived over the store now the storefronts on
The ground floor had been updated into offices for an insurance agency and a realy firm at one side a door led up to Maggie Palace on the second and third floors quillin rang the bell waited for the buzzer to unlock the door and found himself in a steep narrow stairwell it
Seemed narrower and steeper because of the thick stair carpet in a pattern of roses and the velvety rose pink walls hung with dozens of old Engravings Maggie was waiting at the top hang on to the handrail she cautioned the stairs are murder most of my guests come in the back where there’s an
Elevator that’s all right he called up the stairs I prefer the dramatic approach he made it safely to the top and she welcomed him with a bear hug he found himself in a two-story foyer with a skylight and another staircase leading to the upper level this reception area
Also functioned as a library its shelves glowing with the polished calf bindings of fine old books do you have any Mark Twain he asked thinking to introduce an earthy note yes indeed she replied in her usual hearty manner my grandfather-in-law entertained Mr Clemens when he lectured here come into
The Parlor the ladies are waiting to meet you for a moment he expected the ladies of the libraries board of directors Forgetting Sarah Charlotte Carrie flora and Louisa May they sat in the five Windows a tiger with white boots and bib a Calico an orange marmalade a black and white and a
Snowy white with blue eyes each had her own window sill and sat under a canopy of lace curtain cut away at the bottom for easy access good afternoon ladies he said all but the white one turned away from their pigeon watching and gave him an inquisitive glance Charlotte is deaf Maggie
Explained but she’s an adorable little creature unusual curtains he remarked Amanda good winter had them customade in Belgium she’s done all my decorating for 40 years wonderful woman and now she’s going to run for mayor and we must all support her do sit down and I’ll bring
The tea tray I’d rather walk around and Ogle your collection he said it’s a museum The Rosy velvet walls of the Parlor were hung floor to ceiling with old oil paintings in ornate frames Furniture crowded the room heavy carved tables with marble tops button tufted chairs and saes heaped with needle Point
Pillows lamps with handp painted Globes and everywhere a clutter of Crystal and Porcelain brick ofra when Maggie returned with the tea she said did you know that Florence Nightingale had 60 cats not all at once of course and she named them after famous personalities Disraeli Mr Gladstone and so forth all my ladies
Have come from the animal shelter where I work as a volunteer they sat in carved side chairs at a carved table and tea was poured into small porcelain cups with finger trap handles but for quillin a plate of chocolate brownies made it all worthwhile pully said they’re your
Favorite site Maggie said she’s such a wonderful woman and I’m so glad she has you for a friend it’s my good fortune he murmured Maggie chattered on about the controversy over the library’s bookmobile about the failing health of Osman Hassel senior partner of the city’s most prestigious Law Firm about
The Scottish Gathering Polly tells me that you and she are going on Sunday yes Polly likes the piping and dancing I’ll attend the athletic events with WN mccannell on Saturday wonderful man she said he handles my tax work she had not said a word about the murder yet it was generally known that
She intended to sell the fabulous sprinkle necklace to the jeweler it was a strange oversight considering local passion for commenting on the latest news as for quillin he was there for another purpose after declining a third chocolate brownie he drew a tape recorder from a pocket and said now
Let’s hear the story about your great grandmother Maggie do you want to ask me questions no just repeat what you told the genealogical club Maggie’s tale was later transcribed as follows this story about pioneer days in Moose county has been handed in my family and I believe it to be absolutely
True they were heroes and villains in our history and many of them were involved in mining as you know there were 10 mines in operation and enough coal for all but most of the owners were greedy exploiting their workers shamefully my great-grandfather Patrick bston owned the Big B mine he and
Another owner Seth dimsdale cared about their workers health safety and families and their attitude paid off in loyalty and productivity their competitors were envious to the point of hostility when Patrick was killed in a carriage accident his workers were convinced that someone had purposely spooked his horses
They suspected Ned bucks Smith owner of The Buckshot mine immediately he tried to buy the big bee from the Widow but Bridget was a strong woman she said she’d operated herself the idea of a woman mine operator shocked the other owners and when the mother of three
Proceeded to do a man’s job better than they could their antagonism grew especially that of Ned bucki she was twice his size being tall Buxom and Broad shouldered she always wore a long voluminous black dress with a little white lace collar and a pancake hat tied under her chin with
Ribbons folks said it was the lace collar and ribbons that sent Ned bucki over the edge he and the other mine owners met in the back room of the K Saloon on Thursday evenings to drink whiskey and play cards and he got them plotting against big Bridget one
Thursday night a window was broken in the shack she used for an office the next week a giant tree was felled across her access road next her night Watchman put out a fire that could have burned down the office one Thursday morning Bridget was sitting at her roll toop
Desk when she heard a frantic banging on the door there on the doorstep was a young boy out of breath from running them men he gasped at the Saloon they be blowing up you mine then he dashed away that evening Bridget went to the saloon in her tent-like black dress and
Pancake hat carrying a shotgun she barged in knocked over a few chairs and shouted where are those dirty rats customers hid under tables as she swept toward the back room who’s going to blow up my mind she thundered and pointed the gun at Ned bucki he went out the window
Head first and the the other men piled out the back door she followed them and unloaded a few warning shots there was no more trouble at the Big B now if you’re wondering about the youngster who tipped her off he was Ned bucks Smith’s boy and he had a crush on Bridget’s
Daughter when they grew up they were married and that young boy became my grandfather quillin turned off his tape recorder you tell the story well Maggie that’s how I told it at the genealogy Club one man came up afterward and said his answer ERS knew Bridget they worked for
Her it must be gratifying to know who your four bears are I never knew my grandparents how do you know details like the lace collar and pancake hat the Historical Society has a deera type of her she looks like a king-sized Queen Victoria you’ve inherited some of her
Fine qualities Maggie and some of bucks Smith’s bad ones that was my maiden name and I was glad to get rid of it when I married Mr sprinkle he was a gentleman and a gentle man he grew prize roses do you like the roses in this carpet they
Remind me of him have another brownie Quail you talked me into it by the way I think the Big B shaft house is the most dramatic they say it has a Subterranean lake at the bottom of the shaft quillin walked to the window to say goodbye to the ladies and look at
The windows of the Inn he said there was a murder in that room on the third floor early this morning I know poor Mr damp he was kind of silly but we liked him he was supposed to make me an offer for the sprinkled torsa today she Shrugged
Perhaps I’ll have it made into five collars for my ladies incidentally quill I saw something last night and I’m wondering if I should report it to the police it depends what it was well Carrie was unwell and I was sitting up with her just to make her feel cared for
And loved we sat in the dark it was late and there were no lights in any of the guest rooms across the street the windows have those narrow slat blinds you know and suddenly I saw streaks of light behind the blinds and two of the windows on the third floor like the
Beams of a flashlight moving around how long did the light show last only a minute or two it wouldn’t hurt to report it quillin said you never know if some small observation will develop into a clue do you know what time it was well the bars close at 2: and
There’s a brief Rush of traffic and then it’s quiet about 2:30 I’d say do you know anyone at the police department Andrew Brody I know him very well he played the bagpipe at Mr sprinkle’s funeral when quillin left the sprinkle building he crossed the street to pick
Up Friday’s paper in the lobby of the inn and he was disappointed to find that the something knew of no more about the murder than did w pkx he did however see Roger mcgil in the parking lot are you on the Del Camp story quillin asked him I was but
They’re not releasing any more details I’m on my way to cover a meeting of the interact Club at the school knowing that reporters always know more than they’re at Liberty to write he asked any off the Record dope on the girl she’s gone but her clothes
And things are still in her room and the rental car still here on the lot and here’s a twist the jewel cases are still in the manager’s safe figure that why are the authorities being so Cy the PPD is waiting for the SBI to release information do you know the time and
Cause of death oh sure Suffocation probably with a bed pillow between 2 and 3:00 a.m. chapter 7 Saturday September 12th to a man with a rifle everything looks like like a squirrel as quiller and watched the Siamese gobble their breakfast and then groom themselves in the age-old style
Practiced by felines around the world he shook his head in Wonder here were two cats doing what cats do and yet one of them had yowled officiously when a character in the play was suffocated with a pillow something had clicked in his little brain connecting the drama with
The real life incident at the in there was no doubt about it Koko was gifted with a rare intellect sitting in the kitchen observing The Grooming ritual quillin asked himself what does coco have that other cats do not the answer was 60 whiskers eyebrows included and Counting
Both sides of his Noble head his revery was interrupted by the telephone which seemed to be ringing more urgently than usual Polly was on the line speaking with the breathlessness of one who was late for work any news about the murder only rumors he mumbled still lost in his
Own profound thoughts about Coco well I have something to report didn’t have time to call you last night Bird Club you know exciting meeting I’ll bet he thought what’s your news the police came to the library yesterday to talk to me Quin snapped to attention about what
About the purchase of my ring they had the appointment book with a list of prospective purchasers they knew I was interested in a ring for $7.95 they wanted to know if I’d bought it with credit card personal check or Bank check when I said the Jeweler required cash
The officer Adams Apple wobbled mine wobble too quillin admitted when I first heard about the cash only policy was he embezzling from his firm or defrauding the government I must hang up now and go to the library see you tonight enjoy the games W mccannell called for quillin at the
Barn and they drove to the fairgrounds in the accountant’s car both men were in Highland dress Kilts sporin knho garters with flashes brogues white sports shirts and glenary caps tilted rakishly over the right eyebrow and it must be said that both men had the commanding stature and Swagger to carry it
Off big Mack’s first words were predictable I can’t believe it I can’t believe the new Inn opened with a murder I never met de camp but I was always aware of the social and economic waves he made during his visits but why now and why here times are changing even in
Pickaxe quillin muttered Jewel thieves are the prime suspects I suppose said the accountant with a chuckle but I have a client who would qualify for the honor 5 years ago his wife Drew 10,000 from their joint bank account and bought some earrings I suppose you know purchasers
Have to pay in hard currency big Mack chuckled again can’t you picture the local ladies lined up at the teller’s window with suitcases and shopping bags to fill with 20s plenty of folks in the North Country don’t recognize anything larger than a 20 is negotiable it was the first time quillin
Had attended a Scottish Gathering and the first time one had been held in Moose County Bixby County usually excelled in athletic events and lockmaster in music and dance this year the idea of a local venue had charged moose couns with the will to win there was more to the annual
Scottish Gathering than competition of course it was a gathering of Clans a renewal of friendships a scene of festivity there were crowds of happy celebrators Scottish food and drink Hospitality tents in bold colors penants flapping in the Breeze Fiddlers fiddling bag Pipers piping quillin and Big Mac
Pushed through the crowds to an open field where a sheep hering demonstration was scheduled a flock of a dozen sheep was being unloaded from a stake truck belonging to the ogal ranch and herded into a temporary Corral divided into a maze of miniature pastures the shepherd was Buster ogy himself carrying a
Crooked staff quillin knew the whole family the shepherd grew the the wool his wife spun it into yarn their daughter knitted it into sweaters and socks from you to you the OG quipped a crowd had gathered and Ogie made an announcement in the relaxed gentle manner typical of persons who
Deal with sheep folks we’ve brought a 5-year-old border collie to show you how he does his job the breed was developed many centuries ago on the border between Scotland and England this breed of dog is not only intelligent but born with the Sheep hering Instinct also they Workaholics here’s
Duncan a rough coated black and white dog with tail carried low came bounding from the truck cab right on Q he went directly to the penned sheep rounded them up in businesslike fashion and herded them into the next small pasture they moved obediently and acidly in a close order cluster of woolly backs
Ogleby said you’ll notice that Duncan doesn’t Yap or make a fuss he doesn’t have to they know what he wants them to do even rebellious sheep obey him if something happens to make the flock nervous Duncan can calm them down just by being there by the time the Sheep had
Scattered in the second enclosure Duncan rounded them up and herded them into a third Big Mac muttered to quiller and the poor Devils must be all confused they sheep theirs not to question why ogy said there’s a silent understanding between a border collie and his flock
Some folks call it magic it’s a kind of mental telepathy I think he reads my mind too now in case you’re wondering about all this herting we have to move the flock from one pasture to another to give them a balanced diet as well as p periods of shade and water if sheep
Gorge too much they can get bloated and that can be fatal briskly and with authority Duncan moved his willing charges through the Maze and back to the starting Place Watchers applauded cameras clicked and he trotted back to the truck good show quillin said to the shepherd he’s a real
Pro big Mack said I wouldn’t mind having a dog like that that’s the problem ogy said the borders are so friendly that people want them for pets but that’s not fair to the dog and not fair to the breed you see for hundreds of years they’ve been bred as working dogs and if
They don’t get enough work they’re frustrated there’s a story whether it’s true or not I can’t guarantee but it’s about a border collie living on a farm where they didn’t give him enough work to do one day he Tred down the road to the next Farm rounded up their chickens
Geese Hogs and goats and hered them back to his own Farm the food tents were offering mutton pies fried Herring cakes bries and assorted sweets such as scones and shortbread quillin and Big Mac chose the bridey a kind of meat-filled pastry turnover similar to Moose County’s Cornish pasties but without the
Potato They Carried their repass to a picnic table and were bantering with Scots from Bixby when Lois inchot walked past their table and pointed a threatening finger at them you guys get out there in the bleachers and root for my boy do you hear he’s in the foot
Races starting in a few minutes big Mack mumbled we’d better do what she says or we’ll never get a second cup of coffee free personally I prefer the heavy games to the races although I know it’s traditional for Scots to respect speed in the early days of Clan Warfare they
Needed fast Runners as Messengers as well as strong men for bodyguards they went to the bleachers and roared encouragement to Lenny while his mother stood up and waved her arms like a middleaged cheerleader in spite of their support he never came in better than third bike racing not foot racing was his strong
Suit the big men who next paraded around the field were no candidates for Mr America’s crown they were just big beefy heavyweights some in kilts some in shorts all wore extra extra large t-shirts stretched tightly across their torsos the logos and the shirts were an 8o buck moose County A Raging Bull Bixby
And Pegasus lockmaster what I’d like to see said Big Mac is the test of strength and grit called hauling the bucket but it’s probably been outlawed a guy picks up two iron buckets weighing a couple of hundred PBS a piece and he runs or struggles down the track until he’s
Forced to drop them the longest run wins as the saying goes if you don’t drop dead you haven’t been trying hard enough what I want to see is called tossing the caber quillin said Lenny says there’s quite a trick to it and there’s a desk clerk at the in who’s
Mastered the trick the program listed five events involving tossing pitching throwing pting and heaving one throwing the hammer it was 4 ft long and weighed 20 lb the thrower stood with back to the goal and his feet planted firmly on the ground then he twirled and let it fly his Kilt swirling
In a circle of pleats a Bixby Contender one handily two heaving the sheath a burlap sack filled with 20 lbs of hay had to be lifted with a three-pronged pitchfork and pitched over a crossbar that started at 18 ft from the ground it was another win for the Raging Bulls
Three putting the stone the contestant had to balance a 16lb stone ball with one hand at shoulder height than he it another win for Bixby four throwing the box a 56lb box weight with ring attached had to be flung over a bar moose County won but only by default when the leading Bixby
Contender ran a foul of the rules five tossing the cabber this feat was performed with a 20ft cedar log weighing more than 100 lb and it required skill as well as strength a number of big men took the field for the CER toss but Moose County’s Bose Campbell was the most
Formidable he’s the desk clerk quillin told big Mach a Woodsman by trade a Latter-Day Paul bunan from what I hear one by one the contenders tossed the pole in the air hoping it would land at 12:00 if it soared and then fell flat the crowd would groan
A it was supposed to flip end over end in midair that was the art each man had three tries to quillin there was something suspenseful about the cab toss he had his camera ready and he snapped pictures of the entire ritual Bose swaggering onto the field Lenny saying
Something in his ear Bose taking a confident stance at the small end of the the pole that lay on the ground an official stood at the other end facing Bose and waiting then he picked up his end and walked it hand over hand to an upright position Bose was squatting with
Feet wide apart as the pole was leaned against his shoulder he concentrated with fingers interlocked he hoisted it to Vertical the crowd was silent as it balanced precariously then Bose ran awkwardly forward a few paces before tossing the caber it soared it flipped end over end it landed as close to 12:00
As Could Be Imagined three times Bose accomplished the incredible feat and the crowd surged onto the field cheering and whooping and Bose’s teammates lifted him to their shoulders photographers from all three County newspapers scurried about the hero wore a bland smile historic event said Big Mac front
Page news said quillin let’s get out of here before the Bixby crowd riots they won’t the sheriff’s dog is here and his mere presence keeps the rowdies under control he had to go home and dress for dinner big Mack had to attend a business meeting of the curling club of which he
Was Treasurer are you interested in curling quill you mean that sport where they slide big Stones around a rink and sweep the ice furiously with little brooms something of that sort it’s an old man’s game not anymore it’s for all ages male and female it has Olympic
Status requiring skill and it’s a social sport how social can you be in temperatures below freezing we play on an indoor rink well I might be available quillin said if you need a broom keeper a delegation of three from Indian village Polly and the Rikers arrived at
The barn at 6:30 and trooped through the back door into the kitchen with the nonchalant of frequent visitors quillin asked shall we have a libation before we go to the inn our reservation is for 7:30 I’ll have the usual said Arch the usual Mildred said the usual Polly
Echoed while the drinks were being prepared Polly filled the nut bowls and the Rikers strolled about with nosy familiarity you’ve got some new bar stools what did you do at the old ones we’re the kitties Coco’s on top of the fireplace looking at us suspiciously
There’s yum yum on a bar stool with her dainty Paws crossed she’s adorable Arch spotted the newly acquired waste basket it’s a Chinese water bucket not terribly old probably 18th century he hefted it by the carved wooden handle it weighs a ton that’s so yum yum can’t
Tip it over quillin said when she fishes in the waste basket for Treasures he passed a tray with one dri Cherry one scotch one duban one ginger ale Arch was always quick with a toast here’s to old friends who know you well but still like you he helped himself to a handful from
The nut Bowl Brazil nuts Quill’s going first class honey go easy on the Brazil nuts his wife said they’re loaded with calories that’s what makes them good Polly complimented Mildred on her interview with Chef o if he’s so good Arch asked why did he leave Chicago for
A hick town like this why did you come up here quillin retorted the two men had known each other since kindergarten in Chicago because I’m big-hearted and you needed me to run the paper you don’t kid us you want her to get away from down
Below you want her to be a big frog in a small pond they talked about the demographic shift toward small towns the Del Camp murder and the new’s blackout Bose Campbell’s gold medal for winning the cab toss the proposed Tri County curling League then Mildred handed quiller in a
Gift wrapped box happy whatever open it inside layers of tissue was a round covered Box made of spalted maple you mind reader quillin said I want to buy this and you’d beaten me to it how can I thank you it’s a sensational piece of wood turning look how precisely the
Cover fits I’ll keep it on the library table near the phone then Arch handed him a small flat package that could be nothing but a compact disc I know you like classical piano music quillin this guy’s a master play a few tracks before we go quillin slipped the CD into the
Stereo and they listened to a little Mozart a little Beethoven and then remky corov Hey listen quillin shouted fly to the Bumblebee that should bring back memories Arch said at the same time there were two thumps as coko jumped down from the fireplace Cube he approached the stereo cautiously and sniffed the
Speakers you know what he’s looking for don’t you quillin asked Koko’s head jerked to right and left and he sat up on his hunches and paed the air when the short piece ended he returned to his perch Clever Cat art said clever composer said quillin they drove to dinner in the
Riker’s car Mildred informed them there will be two menus one is the traditional soup and salad and entree but I suggest we all try the new century dining five small courses as an adventure in tasting Chef Wingo maintains that discriminating diners are bored with the 16 o and baked
Potato speak for yourself Wingo said Arch the they parked in the lot behind the inn and were walking toward the carriage entrance when querin stopped abruptly and picked up something from the pavement a penny he said a lucky penny heads or tails Mildred asked I believe it was heads that’s double luck
Here you take it no no Finders Keepers take it home and put it in the spalted Box Arch said I wouldn’t bend over for anything less than a quarter the penny I predict will soon be obsolete the smallest coin will be a ni Polly said she was glad pennies were a
Nuisance do you know he went on that my wife is a secret Penny dropper she nudged him you’re not supposed to tell honey tell me I’m seriously interested Polly insisted well Mildred began slowly I’ve had so much good luck in recent years she stopped and glanced at her
Husband I decided to spread it around when I get pennies and change I drop them here and there one at time for someone else to find in stores on the street at a gas pump at the post office anywhere it makes me feel good to know I’m making someone else feel good
Charming idea Polly said my wife’s a wonderful woman Arch said and I’ll bet 10 to one she’s a better cook than this Wingo character in the lower Lobby they were faced with a choice to ride the elevator to the main lobby or walk up the grand staircase Arch wanted to ride and
Conserve his energy for more important things like taking up the trash the main lobby was teeing with guests many wearing tartans most of them in town for the Scottish Gathering several talking about the painting of Anne McIntosh quillin the spelling of her last name was either Scottish or
Danish they said in either case she was probably named after lady an heroine of the Scottish rebellion in the days of Bonnie Prince Charlie at the entrance to the Macintosh room the lanky Derek cuddle Brink towered over the Mater’s desk he seated quillin’s party at the best table in
Front of the gabled Macintosh Crest and presented the menu cards with a flourish then he whispered in quillin’s ear got a question to ask you later Arch rker looked suddenly pleased listen no music no Jazz no show tunes no electronic noise I can eat my dinner in peace his wife explained Chef Wingo
Believes in entertaining you with good food he maintains that the voices of happy diners are the real music here here he sounds like my kind of guy let me look at this crazy new menu the weight staff consisted of young men and women from MCCC wearing white
Shirts black trousers and plaid bow ties the one who came to quillin’s table delivered a well rehearsed speech a traditional menu is available for those who prefer but Chef Wingo recommends New Century d in with its five courses soup appetizer salad Savory and dessert take your time and don’t be afraid to order
Three savories and two desserts quillin asked Mildred should I know what a Savory is to me it’s a little surprise a change of flavor at the end of the meal and before the dessert the four of them studied the bewildering variety of options Arch said he would throw himself on the mercy of
The chef and say just bring me something good to eat Polly thought she could make a meal of four savories and a salad and no dessert she would have a toasted cheese ruad a curried chicken liver crepe eggplant and avocado tartlet with cashews and deved crab on the half shell
Her salad would be baby spinach leaves mandarin orange slices and crumbled Stilton with a tomato vinegret dressing one by one they took the plunge first came the fun bites with the compliments of the Chef little something that he concocted on the spur of the moment no two alike each guest was
Served a single bite-sized morsel smoked salmon sandwiched between two Thin slices of strawberry and topped with a dab of sour cream and sprinkling of toasted pine nuts a cherry tomato stuffed with lobster and hazelnuts half a shrimp on a potato chip crowned with a peppery tomato aspic and a miniature
Goet of cucumber an inch cube of turkey Terin smothered in Black Black Bean Salsa and capers comments varied what is it just enjoy it and don’t ask questions how many more fun bites can he invent Polly asked how many more poems can be written how much more
Music can be composed quillin said tell that to wingo and you’ll get free desserts for a year at their table and at surrounding tables there was more conversation about food than about the election the World Series and the new car models Chef Wingo would have approved at one point Polly
Flashed her new Cameo ring mild found it breathtaking and even Arch was impressed they wanted to hear her personal reactions to the jeweler she described the excesses of the afternoon tea the hats the hand kissing the French maids it’s interesting she added with a mischevous glance at quillin for the
First time in history they had a security guard watching everyone with his hand on his gun Arch said wisely apparently DEA Camp had been tipped off that something was a foot there were desserts rum cake lemon sule chocolate praline cheesecake blackberry cobbler and then it was
Over on the way out of the Macintosh room quillin asked the others to wait while he had a few words with the mat D how’ you like your dinner Derek asked it was better than than Chad’s Barn Barbecue what’s in your mind the police have been around asking questions they
Haven’t talked to anybody in the kitchen yet but some of the staff witnessed an incident last Tuesday and wondered if they should report it what kind of incident well damp went into the kitchen and wingo chased him out with a skillet quillin chuckled as he visualized the scene chasing someone
With a skillet or rolling pin is more symbolic than threatening a CLE would be something else but actually Barry Morgan knows about the episode and explained to De camp that a city ordinance prohibits guests from entering the kitchen so tell the kitchen crew they’re off the hook
The manager will handle it they don’t have to snitch on their boss personally I think Wingo has a sense of humor the incident has elements of slapstick comedy anyone who’d make a thimble siiz sandwich of smoked salmon and strawberries has got to be a joker quillin invited them back to the barn
For a night cap and when they drove into the Barnyard he jumped out of the car and unlocked the back door throwing the switch that illuminated exterior and interior what he saw was more of a surprise than strawberries and salmon the entire kitchen was SED in paper towels over and around appliances
Counters and Furniture two rolls of towels from the kitchen sink and the snack bar had provided Ed 50 or 60 yards of toweling you cats he shouted all mixed with annoyance somewhat in shock he walked out to meet his guests brace yourselves he told them the cats have
Prepared a little surprise for you poy gasped well it’s a fitting end to an unusual evening Arch said ye gods Mildred called it conceptual art and marveled at the skill and diligence required to carry out the idea coko on the refrigerator looked down on his Masterwork it was obviously his doing
Yum yum was hiding somewhere feeling guilty she had a conscience coko squeezed his eyes as if accepting the compliments the guests instead of having a night cap pitched in to unwrap the kitchen then said good night anything else they insisted would be an anticlimax after they had gone quillin
Called out where’s our little sweetthe heart and she came wriggling out from under the sofa he picked her up and walked around the main floor for a while massaging her ears and listening to her purr and all the while he was asking himself what was the purpose of that remarkable
Demonstration coko never did anything without a reason hello my dear viewers I’m so glad you’re enjoying listening to this book I love making videos for you and sharing my passion with you if you love my videos too and want to support me you can buy me a cup of coffee it’s a small
Gesture that makes a big difference it helps me cover the costs related to making videos and motivates me to keep going you can buy me a coffee by clicking the link in the description thank you so much chapter 8 Sunday September 13th better to be the head of a cat than
The tail of a lion before he was fully awake querin had a flashback to his early Boyhood walking home from first grade with his friend Archie both watching the sidewalk to avoid stepping on cracks both spotting a lucky penny and grabbing for it fighting about the penny until
Archie’s mother told them about joint ownership after which they took turns carrying the penny in a pocket in a few seconds the film of memory had faded and he was wide awake why he asked himself had this fragment of ancient history raced through his mind then he remembered the
Penny he had found on the parking lot and had put in his pocket simply to please Mildred where was it now when quillin went down the ramp to start the coffee maker coko was sitting on the library table not waiting for the phone to ring but guarding the spalted
Maple box of course that was where he had put the penny the night before did Koko know he was wondering about it was he mind reading again you rascal quillin said I wish you’d learn to speak English then he remembered the cat’s tour to force with the paper towels what
Was that all about young man coko scampered to the feeding station in the kitchen and waited confidently for his plate to be filled later in the day quillin drove to Indian village to pick up ply for the Scottish gathering in this rustic residential complex the trees were turning gold
Making a striking background for the stained Cedar buildings there were fourplex Apartments a clubhouse and clusters of condos along the IDI wasi River for in a cluster they were named The Birches The Oaks and so forth ply had a unit in the Willows and so did quillin although he occupied only in
Winter when the Barn’s cavernous spaces were hard to heat and its half mile of driveway was blocked with snow drifts Indian village might be in the country but the county kept the roads clear because many influential persons lived there another occupant of the Willows was weather be good the wpk X
Meteorologist the Cavendish sisters had recently moved to idii Estates and their unit adjacent to P’s was vacant causing her concern the walls of the condos were thin and noisy neighbors could be a problem Polly was waiting she and quillin exchanged pleasantries with the cats and then set off for the
Fairgrounds both wearing their Kilts white shirts and the glenar cap that had become unisex headgear lovely evening last night she said very enjoyable any idea why Coco rampaged with the paper towels he was expressing himself Carol ANP called yesterday but I didn’t have a chance to tell you last night
It’s about her lovely collection of French perfume bottles in The Powder Room her housekeeper has found two missing two of the nicest apart from me the only one to use the powder room was de Camp’s niece I went in there to look at the collection quillin said yes but you’re
Not a suspect has Carol reported it no it was too Petty an incident compared to subsequent happenings and now for the good news this morning I met my new neighbor he’s an antiquarian book dealer from Boston you couldn’t ask for a quieter neighbor that’s what I thought
Does he know he’s moving to little Antarctica he’s a native of moose County he’s returning home is he interested in winter sports they’re trying to start a curling clo I spoke to him only briefly but I’m really excited about having a rare book collector next door quillin huffed into his mustache he
Too was a collector of old books but they were not rare just secondhand he said I bought a book from edington’s this week something I’ve always wanted to read in pretty good condition for the price $3 what’s the title 20 questions it was a game they often played with
Book titles 19th century yes fiction no male author no was she American no British yes did she also write novels yes has any one of them been made into a film it’s safe to say no is the book you found poetry no biography no history no h I’m not doing
Very well am I was her work popular in her time rephrase the question was the book you bought popular in England yes in America no ah py said with a look of Discovery how many questions do I have left plenty quillin could tell by her attitude that
The game was lost was it a book of travel yes is she known today for something other than her writing yes was she the mother of a famous author yes was his first name Anthony yes did their last name begin with t congratulations quillin said Mrs trops domestic manners of the Americans
Published in 1832 I’ve never read it Polly admitted but I know she disliked Americans Their Manners their principles and their opinions it should be fun to read at the scene of the Gathering quillin and Polly climbed to the top of the bleachers to ensure the best view first there were the marching bands
Featuring bag pipes and drums and representing the counties of lockmaster and Bixby the very sound of a bagpipe and drum band makes me teary eyed with Scottish Pride Polly said quillin admitted that he liked the sound but was not moved to tears probably because I’m only half
Scottish I’m assuming that my father was a Dane basing the Assumption on the qw spelling and my fondness for Danish Pastry when the first skirling bag pipes and beating drums were heard however a chill ran down his spot eight ranks of men and women in colorful tart and Garb marched in precise
Formations while playing Scotland the Brave the spectators Rose to their feet then came the dancers performing the Highland fling and sword dance on portable stages while musicians bowed their fiddles in a frenzy young women in Highland dress bounced on the balls of their feet their pleated Kilts swirling
Polly said oh to be 20 years old and weightless the traditional kicks and turns and arm positions were done with micrometric exactness they dance on a dime and do it without looking she cried in amazement in the sore dance they bounced between the crossed blades without touching steel when they danced in a
Line of three or four their gyration were synchronized right down to a heartbeat there was only one male dancer in announcing his solo The Master of Ceremonies said that Highland dancing was originally an athletic challenge for men requiring both skill and endurance quillin said to ply do you
Know the bozo who won the gold medal for the C toss I’m afraid not I know several John Campbell but none could toss anything heavier than a horseshoe the final event was the P BR performed by the police chief of pickax the Century’s old tradition called for a
Lone Piper to play a succession of pieces increasing in difficulty all the while walking slowly about the stage for the piper it was a challenge for the audience it was a mesmerizing experience almost spiritual in its effect the crowd watched in total silence Polly claimed to have been in a
Trance quillin said in the Scottish Community Andy is considered the master of the PBR and he thought I’ll invite him to the barn for a drink tonight they were walking back to the to the brown van in the parking lot when querin swooped down on a penny and
Dropped it in his pocket Polly had not noticed on the way home she asked what are you writing for your Tuesday column glad you asked thanks to our conversation on fibs I’m planning a dissertation on prevarications of all kinds untruths falsehoods canards Whoppers taradiddles Fivel Fable and just plain
Bowl I’m asking what is the difference between a little white l and a big dirty one what are the dangers of lying to your boss your spouse a court judge the Internal Revenue Service what was the most heinous lie in Shakespeare in orell she replied without hesitation Yago maliciously lies about
Desdemona’s handkerchief and it leads to her murder good go to the Head of the Class and how about Mark Twain did he have anything to say about lies he had something to say about everything she reflected briefly he said the difference between a cat and a lie was that a cat
Has only nine lives that brought up the subject of the Mark Twain Festival according to Old letters and Diaries found in Moose County the author had lectured in pickax in 1895 while touring the northern states and he had captivated the audience with his wit and forthright opinions there was no documented
Evidence that he had slept at the pickax Hotel on the other hand there was no proof that he had not and the McIntosh in had decided to rename the presidential suite the Mark Twain Suite already his portrait hung above the bed where DEA Camp had been murdered quillin told
Polly the murder in the presidential suite has caused the festival promoters to postpone it until October is that a good month she asked it could be cold there’s a meeting Wednesday to discuss the pros and cons quillin dropped Polly at her condo for her Sunday ritual of getting herself
Together for the work week what had entailed he had no idea and he would never ask he himself went home to feed the cats and talked to them you guys missed a good show this weekend next year we’ll have a fine Gathering Coco can toss the cabber and yum yum can
Dance the Highland fling on the balls of her paws whether he talked nonsense or recited the Declaration of Independence their reaction was the same purring looking wide-eyed and twitching their tails as he discovered coko had done a little caber tossing of his own the floor of the library area was littered
With the fat yellow pencils that kerin kept in his ceramic pencil holder there were Fang marks in the soft wood that cat he said aloud as he gathered them off the rug one day it’s paper towels the next day it’s pencils y came a response from the kitchen as coko tried
To y owl and swallow at the same time for his own Sunday night supper quillin went to reny’s at the Inn it was quiet weekend guests had checked out and the week’s business Travelers had not yet registered after having a Reuben sandwich he stopped at the reception desk to chat with Lenny
Inchot how’d you like the games the clerk asked my mom saw you there with Mr mcel and said you two had the best looking knees at the whole Gathering that sounds just like like your mother how’d you like Bo’s caber toss fantastic when he went to the podium to get the
Gold medal hung around his neck I was so proud I could bust it’s not real gold but it’s a shot in the arm for a guy with no real ambition except to win the state lottery one day he asked me how much is a million dollars Bose isn’t
Smart but he’s big and it doesn’t hurt to have a muscle man behind the desk after midnight another time he asked me why the days were getting shorter it keeps me on my toes sort of how do you answer his questions usually I give him a straight answer best I can but the
Other day I went for the joke he asked me where’s Brazil I remembered that line from Charlie’s Aunt and said where the nuts come from it fell flat of course so I told him Brazil’s in South America which is south of North America and I ended up drawing a map of the Western
Hemisphere on the back of an envelope see what I mean what’s his chief interest eating never gets enough food my mom would be willing to teach him to cook for a living but a business traveler came to the desk asking for a studio room with computer desk and querin moved away until the
Transaction was complete then he asked Lenny has the homicide had any effect on business it doesn’t seem to bother the guests in fact some of them find it kind of exciting but the staff talks about it a lot among themselves yesterday the day Porter saw a locksmith truck from Bixby
Pull up to the back door the police took him upstairs in half an hour he left Bose must have been on duty at the time of the crime yeah and he told me what he told the police around 2 or 2:30 the lobby was quiet and he heard the
Elevator go from the ground floor to one of the upper floors he thought some guest was coming in when the bars closed a little later he heard the elevator go down again as if somebody had just come in for a night cap or something or something quillin
Said well good to talk with you Lenny keep up the good work he glanced at the carpet picked something up and dropped in his pocket with Amusement he remembered what iris Cobb used to say a whir gig is just a whir gig but two whirly gigs are a pair and three are a
Collection he was now a collector it was surprising how many pennies dropped through people’s fingers or through holes in their pockets or were they purposely dropped by Penny droppers like Mildred at the barn he put the Newfound pennies into the spalted maple box and checked his messages on the answering machine he
Immediately returned Larry lpi’s call quill I’ve been trying to reach you all day when did you get in from wherever you were this morning Carol had phoned my hotel on Friday and I couldn’t believe the news but I met a Chicago Buyer at the merchandising show and he told me something quite interesting
About damp that wasn’t always his name his last name was Campo that spelled c a m p auau and he was in partnership with a French gemologist whose name was spelled f y d auau but it seems that Americans had a problem pronouncing the firm’s name and
Even remembering it so Campo became Del camp and F yde Au became f d o do you follow me woof woof okay wise guy get off the line I’ll be on my best behavior tell me the rest of the story Larry went on Pho accused Del Camp of embezzling
Money from the firm and took him to court but he lost his case for lack of proof there had been a lot of nasty publicity however so Del Camp sued Pho for liable and won a sizable judgment how do you like that interesting bit of intrigue that’s what I thought I’ve
Always been curious about Del Camp’s cash transactions don’t forget the genealogy Club meets Wednesday night and you’re invited it was late evening the hour when quillin had often phoned Andrew Brody at home the chief answered Brusly it’s a long time between drinks Andy and I happen to have some double
Malt be right there a few minutes later he tramped into the barn looking grouchy quillin said with enthusiasm Andy I saw the PE bro for the first time today and I want to tell you it’s a transcendental experience whatever that means you were superb Polly was with me and she said
Your performance put her under a spell Brody grunted he was not accustomed to compliments was your wife there nah she’s seen it a 100 times how about your grandchildren nah they’re not into that stuff it must give you satisfaction to play music that gives people deep feelings nah it’s just something I do
Bro flung the suggestion away with an impatient gesture who was the man with a video recorder some fell from the Scottish Museum in lockmaster thinks they can sell him but it won’t work with the p BR there has to be a direct connection between the piper and The Listener
Exactly what I was trying to say quillin told him take a seat and pour yourself a drink his guest dropped into one of the new bar stools nice tool he glanced around the barn where’s your smart cat on top of the fireplace watching you don’t make a false
Move there was a thump as coko jumped down to the surface of the library table making the visitor wince instinctively but Koko merely began dragging yellow pencils from the pencil holder quillin explained he likes to sink his fangs in the soft wood of a pencil I did the same
Thing when I was a kid learning to write I chewed every pencil Arch reker my seatmate wrote with his left ear down on the desk and his right hand moving the pencil 4 in from his nose the teacher thought we were a couple of weirdos Brody chuckled it seems to me
You turned out all right both of you the worst I ever did was to try licking Frozen railway tracks almost lost a tongue lucky you didn’t lose an entire head quillin pushed the nut Bowl toward him try these Absolutely Fresh what are the big ones they’re big as horse
Chestnuts Brazil nuts we never had them up here until the Sip and nibble Shop opened good aren’t they I didn’t see at the games yesterday had to take my wife’s shopping when Bose Campbell tossed a perfect cabber three out of three it was a historic moment in
Moose County it’ll be all over the paper tomorrow he’s a desk clerk at the Inn you know I know he was on duty at the time of the homicide and all he noticed was the elevator going up and down he’s a good athlete but not smart what can
You expect he was born with two strikes against him he was an orphan I hear a foundling said Brody and I’m the one that found him is that so yep 25 years ago when I was working for the sheriff there was an old Shack on chipmunk road
That we had orders to keep an eye on kids used to hang out there one night before Halloween I was on patrol and stopped to check it out it was a fire hazard what with oil lamps candles and smoking I saw no cars parked no lights
Inside but I heard a baby crying I knew it wasn’t some kind of bird or animal I went in with my flashlight and there at an old broken down table was a soup carton with this little red thing no bigger than a skin squirrel and was
Yelling its head off there was no note no clue nothing I rushed it to Old Dr Goodwin’s house remember him and got him out of bed the mother was never identified how did he get named John Campbell that’s a prominent name around here Social Services took over and at
First he was just John Doe but nobody wanted to adopt him and give him a name so they took the one off the soup carton Brody stopped for a chuckle he was a ward of the county after that kicked around a whole string of Foster holes I
Kept track of him sort of like a Godfather I saw him grow big drop out of school go back to play football Lois inchot took an interest in him yeah she’s a good woman tough but good-hearted when Bose started classes at MCCC and working the desk at the in
You could have knocked me over with a feather that fell Has the strength and skill of a backwoodsman quillin said it would make a good headline if his mother came forward now that he’s a hero nah she’d never do it too many unknowns how would her son react how would the
Taxpayers react after supporting him all these years would she have to answer charges of infant abandonment what kind of life is she living now nah she’ll let sleeping dogs lie so forget your headline pour another drink Andy and I’ll get out some cheese quillin’s visitor was loosening
Up and it was time to change the subject what do you think about the Strange Case at the Inn Andy too bad it happened on the heels of the grand opening yeah well well when you operate like that guy you’re just a murder waiting to happen we can’t release
Details till the SBI gives us the go-ahead but between you and me it’s not a local crime the killer drove up from down below did the job picked up the accomplice posing as the victim’s niece and drove her back where she came from strange thing they left the jewel cases
Here but apparently took the cash and there must have been plenty of that considering the purchases made Thursday some customers said they gave him amounts up into six figures doesn’t take many of those to make a million why would they leave the jewels quillin asked they a lot harder to fence
If you don’t have the right connection we haven’t been able to open the cases yet they’re tricky have you seen them uh no the local locksmith said he couldn’t open them without an axe the Bixby guy didn’t have any more success so they’re flying up an expert from down
Below there was a rumor the girl was kidnapped her clothes were still in the room and the rental car was in the log all part of the scam the strange thing though was the towels towels quillin smoothed his mustache yep all the towels were gone from both bathrooms bath towels face
Towels everything instead of Jewel thieves we’ve got towel thieves archly quillin remarked that moose County liked to be different y came a comment from the top of the fireplace Cube where Koko had returned after his game with the pencils I see your smart cat has to put
In his two cents worth Brody observed my smart cat as you call him unrolled two full rolls of paper toweling last night and draped it around the kitchen as if he was trying to tell me something Brody not known for hearty laughing laughed until he almost choked
Quiller and handed him a glass of water it would help the chief said if old gumu here would tell us something we don’t know already such as quillin asked lightly who’s the girl she registered at the Inn as Pamela North an alias of course she probably has several now that IDs are a
Dime a dozen he lowered his voice this is strictly off the record of course but the SBI has found a pattern in her M Mo you speak as if she’s the brain of the operation and yet she was Meek as milk when I met her at the dinner party
Did your smart cat meet her no he never had the pleasure but I’ll tell you one thing he did Andy he howled in the middle of the night at the precise time of Del Camp’s death Brody grunted dogs do that but only when it’s someone they know I’ll show you something else dogs
Don’t do I’m going to play a piano recording a Flight of the Bumblebee watch CoCo He Slipped the disc into the stereo setting it for track three the pianist’s fingers started to fly from his lofty perch coko looked down on the men and the Machine they waited the cat did
Nothing I don’t get it Brody said what’s he doing he’s making a fool of me that’s what he’s doing it’s his favorite hobby chapter n Monday September 14th a cat in gloves catches no mice while brushing the cat coach that morning quillin kept up a running patter
To relax them he said culbert’s calendar tells us it’s Monday but what do you care all days are alike to you guys no Saturday night dates no Monday blues no Tuesday deadlines after the grooming they liked a reading session and he chose Mark Twain’s story about the Jumping Frog
Coko wanted edus Rex but kerin said it was too tragic for their tender ears his own day started with a visit to the public library where he was greeted warmly by Mack and Katie the feline mascots they knew he always brought a pocket full of crunchy treats on the
Mezzanine he found Polly in her glass enclosed office eating her lunch a tuna sandwich and carrot sticks good news she said our bookmobile will be back in circulation by the end of the week the vehicle had been acquired through private donations and a matching Grant from the K fund manufactured by a
Maker of school bus it looked like a school bus without Windows the interior had bookshelves instead of seats and hundreds of books could be circulated to communities that were without libraries unfortunately it was painted white giving rise to a public outcry letters to the newspaper said it looked
Like a milk truck an ambulance a laundry van to settle the unrest readers were invited to suggest ideas the best was selected by a panel of Civic leaders poly included and the bus was sent to a commercial art studio in lockmaster to be repainted the panel’s selection was
Top secret and now it was returning to pickaxe shrouded in a tarpine until the Thursday unveiling quillin said to Polly how about telling me off the Record what the new design is my lips are sealed she said smugly could I sneak a peek under the tarp or do you have armed guards you
Declined an invitation to serve on the panel so you’ll have to wait along with the other citizens have some carrot sticks no thanks they’re good for you I know that’s why I don’t want any quillin’s next stop was the newspaper office where he handed in his copy to Junior good winter the young
Managing editor is something wrong asked the editor you’re a day early usually the quill pen met its deadline with only minutes to spare then junior said wait till you see today’s edition un stage one the Highland Games are the banner story with some great shots of the cabber cavorting in midair and Campbell
Getting his gold medal plus a sidebar on Brody and the PBR on the picture page we have the dancers Fiddlers pipe and drum bands and a candid of a couple of stalwart Scots in kilts eating briy on page two we congratulate Homer tibbet on his 98th birthday and on the editorial
Page we have some interesting letters to the editor interesting good or interesting bad wait and see by the way Junior do you know anything about an old Shack on chipmunk Road near the bib B mine sight it said to be a hangout for kids oh that it was torn down during the
Roadside beautification campaign but there was so much public sentiment attached to it the county salvaged the boards and auctioned them off there are plenty of stories about that dump do you have time for lunch I’ll treat it renage can’t Arch has called an emergency meeting during the lunch hour what
Happened quiller and and asked did the water cooler spring a leak did somebody cancel a subscription goodbye Junior barked and I’ll see that they misspell your name in tomorrow’s paper fellow staffers always teased quillin about his personal Crusade against typographical errors and on one occasion they conspired to sprinkle his
Entire column with typos even he had to chuckle over the comic enormity of the April Fool trick now it was Monday September 14th and he liked to lunch with someone on the first day of the work week on the way out of the building he came face to face with a wiry
Vigorous man in Farmers denims and feed cap Sig ducher the County’s agricultural agent they met often at the dimsdale diner where Farmers gathered for coffee Agri talk gossip and a few laughs quillin said Sig you mud devil what brings you in from the back 40 just
Delivering some Red Hot a news to your business editor are you free for lunch at the Macintosh in my treat sure can I go like this of course we’ll have a burger in the coffee shop it was the agent’s first visit to the refurbished Inn and he was
Thunderstuck when he saw Ren’s with its clean white walls and bright blue and green tables he said it beats the dimsdale diner anything new with the diner quitan asked after they took seats in the high-backed chairs I haven’t been there for a while well Benny broke his leg and
Tractor roll over Calvin had a couple of cows die on him Doug’s daughter want a blue ribbon to the fair for a blackface U Spencer’s wife needs an operation and their insurance lapsed that’s about it how about you quaill are you still eating a macatos a day to keep the
Doctor away actually I have nothing against the medical profession but I do like apples and my favorite happens to be the Macintosh if I can’t get wine saps we don’t get many wine saps around here but we have one of the best Macintosh orchards in the state and
Thereby hangs a tail that might steal its way into your column did you know there were no so-called eating apples on this continent before the European settlers brought them only crab apples and here’s another interesting fact the millions of McIntosh trees in the US are all direct descendants of a single
Seedling found in the Canadian wilderness how did it get there Quin asked that’s the mystery In 1832 a farmer in Ontario was clearing land when he found this seedling he transplanted it to his farmyard and it bore fruit for 30 years then his son found out about
Grafting fruit trees and the rest is history it sounds like a quill pen story all right that’s what I thought quill if you go to my office in the county building and ask for the Macintosh file they’ll copy a lot of material for you you’ll notice that the Canadian farmer
Has a different spelling for his name it was spelled called m c i n t o while waiting for their burgers they discussed the Highland Games bixby’s proposal to build a gambling casino the remarkable border collie and the weather any new jokes at the diner quillin asked
Did you hear the one about the two bulls and the he was interrupted by the wait person’s announcement you didn’t say if you wanted fries so I brought you some anyway what else can I get for you gentlemen Dutcher asked for red pepper sauce quillin wanted horseradish did you hear that the agent
Asked she called us gentlemen they’ve been instructed not to refer to customers as you guys anymore how do you react to being called a gentleman it comes as a shock maybe it’ll help me keep my elbows off the table my wife will approve how’s the family all fine
Thank you the boy’s going out for football the girl enrolled at MCCC she’s decided she wants to be a large animal vet which is funny because she’s such a little thing but let me tell you the latest Becky is working part-time as housekeeper’s Aid at the inn and she’s
The one who found the body Friday morning that must have been a jolt for a college freshman you’re right it doesn’t happen every day you see her instructions would to make up the 301 suite and 301a every morning between 7:30 and 8:30 while the occupants were downstairs at breakfast as usual she
Knocked before using her pasy but the door was chained she went to the other room and got right in we’re not supposed to talk about this quill but I know it won’t go any further don’t worry first thing she noticed the assistant’s bed hadn’t been slept in she opened the
Connecting door and there he was lying in bed with a pillow over his head she backed out reported to the housekeeper told the police everything they wanted to know and kept her cool but then she went to pieces and had to be driven home good for Becky she
Performed like a Trojan who do you think did it quail I believe all the suspicion points to someone from down below yeah said the agent that’s the consensus at the diner before leaving the Inn quillin bought a newspaper in the lobby and sat in the stickly AL Cove to peruse it
Alternately he approved of the coverage and huffed into his mustache with adverse reactions he approved generally of the handling of the Scottish Gathering and Homer Tibbits night 8 birthday but did they have to continue using a 30-year-old photo of the Old Gentleman and were they overdoing the
Praise heaped on the Gold Medal winner Bose was a naive young man and it could go to his head and did they have to use that photo of two unidentified Scots eating bries everyone in the county knew the faces of quillin and mcell it was all too koi they should have given more
Space to Andrew Brody and the PBR and why was the Lone male d answer overlooked even the editorial was too sppy in quillin’s opinion about the youth who lacked family advantages but had persevered to finish school hone his athletic skills enroll in college and take a responsible part-time job still
It was not a columnist’s privilege to edit the paper quillin went on to read the letters to the editor to the editor come November another election with voters staying home as usual do you know why because used to being served Refreshments in public places at meetings and Exhibits in Banks and
Stores at church and funerals to get a good turnout on Election Day just advertise vote Tuesday refreshment served all you need is a few cookies and some weak punch Herbert watts to the editor Bixby County wants to build a gaming casino to bolster its economy and create jobs is that a
Euphemism for gambling or is it true that Bixby ites can’t spell whatever they plan to build at half a block from the county line since gambling establishments are prohibited in Moose County our good folk will beat a path to the gaming casino and it will be moose County money that bolsters the Bixby
Economy smart thinking guys Mitch Campbell to the editor I am a woman of 40 years old I have just learned to read and write it gives me a wonderful feeling I hope I will get better jobs now now I always tried to hide my secret I was afraid to get married because my
Husband would find out I want to thank my tutor for being so kind and helpful name withheld quillin’s last scheduled stop for Monday was idid wasia Estates where he would pay his annual birthday visit to the Count’s most prominent nonagenarian the development was nowhere near the picturesque River after which
It was named it occup Ed a ridge between chipmunk Road and bloody Creek neither of which would make an appealing name for a retirement community the main building was a large four-story structure with a steeply pitched roof that gave the impression of a resort hotel in Switzerland or the Rockies
Homer tibit and his wife Roa had moved there in order to have assisted care when and if necessary quillin found them on the top floor Roa a sweet-faced white- hair Dr jarian with a hearing aid greeted him warmly it wouldn’t be a birthday without a visit from you quaill
Homer is waiting for you in his layer a sneeze came from an adjoining room come into my library came a re high-pitched voice if you’re not allergic to dust scrawny and angular Homer sat like a potentate in a pile of soft pillows cushioning his bony frame
His face had the furrows and wrinkles of his age but his Spirit was still lively Now official historian from moose County he had been a high school principal and a lifelong bachelor when he retired not too long ago he had married a retired teacher 10 years his junior he married
Me because I still had a driver’s license she said sweetly she married me because she thought I had a future said Homer she was a wild thing at 82 I tamed her shall we have tea she asked with a gentle smile when she left the room quillin set
Up his tape recorder on the T table well Homer do you have any profound thoughts to share on the occasion of your natal day anything fit to print the old man cleared his throat at Great length before saying glad you asked it so happens I Came Upon my
Childhood Bank book a few days ago and it loosed a flood of memories I was born in the town of Little hope but I had the grand hope of becoming rich and having my own horse and saddle my father could afford to give me spending money 10
Cents a week and I always took a penny to the general store and bought a week’s supply of candy the rest went into my cast iron bank it was like an apple with a cork in the bottom which I removed twice a week in order to count my
Growing Fortune when I had amassed 50 pennies I deposited them in my bank account the teller would write the total in the right hand column so I could always see my net worth at a glance sometimes the bank added a few pennies interest I was always amazed and Overjoyed to get something for
Nothing did you ever save up enough to buy your horse quillin asked no but I bought a two- wheel bike a dollar down and a dollar a month I couldn’t believe it when they said I could take it home and ride it before it was paid for it
Seemed like incredible large s on the part of the General Store Roa had poured the tea and handed him a cup saying stop talking and drink it while it’s hot she’s a tyrant about hot tea wants me to scal my gums she murmured to quillin he forgets
To drink it and complains because it’s cold I didn’t know about his quaint foibles when I married him BOS you knew everything you’d been chasing me for years you didn’t run very fast dear quillin interrupted the comedy routine that the happy couple repeated on every visit I suppose there was no
Income tax in those days not until I had my first teaching assignment it was in a one room school house with a potbelly stove I didn’t earn much money and at the end of the year the government took $4 away from me for income tax they said
I thought I’d been robbed now all you hear from Washington is 70 million 12 billion 6 trillion sounds like the old Kingfish character on the radio you don’t remember him you’re too young kerin said Homer you should start writing your autobiography there’s plenty of time for that the old man said
Testily I intend to live until that villain in the mayor’s office is thrown out on his ear then you’ll live forever dear said Roda explaining to quillin Mr blly is automatically reelected every ter because his mother was a good winter between sips of tea she was snipping a scrap of black paper with
Tiny scissors may I ask what you’re doing quillin asked cutting a silhouette of you my grandmother taught me how it was a popular art in Victorian days she had a silhouette signed by edar that would be quite valuable today and she promised to leave it to me but my cousin in Ohio
Got it Roda and her rascally relatives Homer complained they’re driving me to an early grave querin said I have no relatives at all and I’d gladly settle for a couple of Rascals take some of Roa quill take her two cousins in Ohio she said but the aunt Fanny you inherited
From she was my mother’s best friend not my real aunt and how is dear Polly I haven’t seen her since we moved out here I used to drive Homer to the library every day and I always had a little chat with py do you find it stimulating enough living
Out here oh yes we have book clubs and discussion groups and lectures last week we had a speaker from The Literacy Council do you know it’s easier to teach adults how to read than to teach children adults have developed certain skills and talents and are more realistic Homer was showing signs of
Drowsiness and kerin thought it was time to leave Roa gave him his silhouette in an envelope saying put this in in a little frame and give it to Polly she’ll want to put it on her desk at the library your head has very good lines as soon as he reached the parking
Lot he opened the envelope the silhouette was hardly larger than a postage stamp yet it was a recognizable likeness the mustache protruded more than he thought it should perhaps it needed trimming the head was a little flat on top but generally he agreed that the lines of his head were good
On the way home he stopped at LPS and bought a small frame in the gift shop in the early evening as quillin Was preparing the catch dinner coko muttered a small growl and jumped to the counter to peer out the window in a minute or
Two a small red car came out of the woods Celia Robinson’s car yet he always welcomed her with anticipation not growls going out to meet the vehicle quillin saw a strange woman at the wheel she rolled the driver’s window down and said Mr quillin Celia Robinson wanted me to deliver some things she’s
Very busy she handed over the three cartons that were on the passenger seat that was thoughtful of her are you her new assistant yes sir he summed her up as healthy looking but plain with glasses and with hair drawn tightly back and what is your name he asked
Pleasantly Nora sir thank you Norah follow the driveway around the big tree and you’ll be headed back to Main Street yes sir thank you sir as soon as the cartons were in the refrigerator quillin phoned Celia and told her how much he appreciated the food delivery I’m working on a big luncheon
For tomorrow and thought you wouldn’t mind if I sent Nora what did you think of her what can I say she seems to be neat and clean and polite yes she has nice manners Celia said she worked for the sprinkles for years as a housemaid and also helped the cook she’s the
Student I tutor is she the one whose letter ran in today’s paper did they print it she’ll be thrilled did you help her with it syia only with punctuation and the spelling of a couple of words did you open the cartons the tuna salad is for sandwiches the bread pudding is laced
With chocolate sauce and I made you a lovely ham loaf what’s the difference between a lovely ham loaf and an unlovely one her shrill laugh pierced his left ear and he scowled at the receiver go back to your chicken Al King he said when she went back to her kitchen
And he went to stock the refrigerator his mind was not on hamloaf or bread pudding he was thinking how did that cat know it was not Celia driving Celia’s car chapter 10 Tuesday September 15th a carriage without a horse goes nowhere for the morning reading session Koko
Selected edus Rex again and his choice was vetoed for the third time kerin thought it’s more than fish glue in the old binding that attracts him there might be a $100 bill leafed between the pages or a love letter or the de to a gold mine a brief Gold Rush had been
Part of moose County’s history riffling through the pages he found nothing not even a coffee stain or a smear of chocolate confirming his guess that the book had never been read so the Sophocles volume went back on the shelf and quillin read from Mark Twain’s autobiography the part about the two tom
Cats fighting on the roof later he went downtown to buy supplies for the evening’s cocktail party he was inviting Barry Morgan to meet some of the town’s movers and shakers Barry had met Polly on Labor Day now he would meet hickie rice promotion director for the something Dwight Summers local public relations count
And Maggie sprinkle who had connections with all the old moneyed families after cocktails the guests would be taken to dinner at the Old Stone Mill the best restaurant in the county until the Macintosh room opened at the sipen nibble shop quillin purchased champagne the best label and
Mixed nuts the luxury blend with plenty of pecans and Brazil nuts thoughtfully he bought half a pound of almonds for py and anyone else on a diet Jack nibble and Joe sip were both in the store talkative as usual longtime Partners they had the habit of completing each other’s thoughts they
Said didn’t know pickaxe could be so exciting new hotel Gold Medal winner and murder all in one week the guy they killed came in here once looking to buy Rum ticked off because we handle only wine bought some luxury mix though his assistant or whatever tagged along after
Him demurely his kind likes that kind while quillin was downtown Pat Odell’s janitorial service gave the barn what they called a Fluff up quick tidying superficial dusting and vacuuming here and there to stay out of their way quillin killed an hour at Lois’s luncheon at having a slice of
Apple pie and reading the Tuesday something Lenny he expected would barge in after classes howling for coffee and Pie instead the young man slouched into the lunchroom and went directly to the kitchen for quiet words with his mother when he emerged with a plate and a mug quiller inhaled him anything wrong Lenny
Bose didn’t show up for work last night he replied in a low voice as he slid into the booth he had Saturday and Sunday nights off but was supposed to relieve me last night at midnight no show no excuse no nothing I called his rooming house but the phone was on the
Answering machine until 6:00 a.m. then he took a gulp of coffee what happens in a situation like that I notified the resident man manager and she covered for him but I was really burned quill I drove around to all the bars until 2:00 looking for his truck no
Luck he cut his classes this morning too quillin said that was a lot of Glory for a neopit I admit I wondered how he’d react Lenny wasn’t listening did he go on a colossal binge in Bixby did he get in a fight down there did they drug his
Beer did he fall in with some groupies how do you think Morgan will feel about it it’s only only one night that he goofed off Saturday and Sunday where Mr Morgan is a decent boss but rules are rules it could be a traffic accident did anyone check the police in
The hospitals the resident said she would there’d be a radio News Bulletin if anything bad happened to a gold medalist I think Bose is awall and it reflects on me I’m the one who recommended him for the job other people thought I was crazy you know Mr Q
Sometimes I think I’m jinxed I try hard but something always happens first the hotel gets bombed by some psycho and I lose the only girl I was ever serious about also my job is bombed out for a year the interim job you got from me
Turned sour when I was framed see what I mean quillin said if Bose doesn’t report tonight you should file a missing person report and the police will put a Tri County check on his truck he stood up to leave and don’t let me hear any Deus
Talk from you nothing can get you down Lenny you’re like Lois Polly first to arrive at the barn that evening said Maggie will be the only native in the party tonight that’s all right quill replied it’ll show Barry how Outsiders adjust a small town living without losing their identity is there
Anything I can do you might look at the photo prints of the Gathering on the coffee table and take whatever you want I ordered extras the dinner guests arrived at the barn in separate vehicles making the Barnyard look like a used car lot Polly had brought a large book from the
Library featuring old photos of moose County mines Lumber camps shipyards Sawmills rooming houses log cabins logging wagons she told Barry Morgan you might like to take it home and browse through it then drop it in the Drive-Thru book box behind the library great the iner said then Maggie presented him with a
Framed photo of a grim Stone own building with a painted sign Hotel she said this was the original pickaxe hotel and staff you might like to hang it in your office on the front steps were the manager in side whiskers and frock coat the hotel’s Carriage driver with top hat
And whip and long skirted white capped chambermaids and Cooks all were solemn-faced the only happy touch was a stray dog of mixed breed sitting on the sidewalk and enjoying the excitement great Barry said I’ll have a companion photo taken the Macintosh in and its smiling staff and a dog hickie suggested
Maggie said the animal shelter has one exactly like the original they’ll let you borrow him for the photo the something will run before and after shots on the picture page quillin promised then hickie presented Barry with a small gift wrapped box this is a momento of something that never happened
Moose County’s first and probably last Ice Festival he opened it and found a 3-in lapel button with a polar bear Motif she said it’s one of only 15,000 that we were stuck with great in 50 or 75 years it should be worth something hang on to it I will I will Barry said
As he pinned on his Blazer there was an obvious moment of appreciative raor between the two and the others started talking all at once there were some interesting letters to the editor yesterday how’s the Mark Twain Festival coming along does anyone know I saw Homer tibit yesterday he’s as spirited
As ever where are the cats Maggie asked yes where are they Polly wanted to know they’ve scrutinized all of you and Found You harmless quillin replied they’re sleeping on top of the refrigerator would anyone like to see Amanda’s campaign poster Dwight asked yes yes who’s Amanda Barry asked everyone
Explained at once she’s Fran Brody’s boss owner of the design studio she’s going to run from mayor she hates the incumbent she’s been on the city council for ages she’s a little odd but Everyone likes her Oddities what kind of oddities Barry asked name too she’s a successful
Businesswoman but looks like a scarecrow she speaks her mind and doesn’t care where the chips fall and what about the incumbent I met him at the opening reception and he seemed quite smooth smooth like a snake said Maggie he was the high school principal until a scandal involving girl students then he
Became an investment counselor and ran for mayor he was elected because his mother was a good winter he keeps getting reelected for the same reason not because he’s ever done the city any good Dwight had opened his portfolio and produced a poster with a photo of a
Handsome man and the message vote for blly he said this is the poster that gets him elected every time now I’ll show you the poster that will beat him in November it was a caricature of a woman with unruly hair slightly crossed eyes and a downturned mouth and the message
Was we’d rather have Amanda Polly said everyone knows who she is she’s a real good winter Barry said I’ll vote for her where do I register when quillin went to the refrigerator for another bottle of champagne Barry followed him and said in a low voice our hero didn’t show up for
Work last night and no explanation so I heard what happens now two cuts and he’s suspended after a week he’s fired even if he is a celebrity you can’t run a hotel that way back in the lounge area after the cork was popped Barry asked what was the
Hotel like before it was bombed everyone groaned dismal depressing but clean then Dwight told his towel Rod story when I came to pickaxe I stayed at the hotel a couple of weeks the bed was okay the plumbing worked but the towel Rod kept falling off the wall every day I
Reported it and every day it was fixed but whenever I took a towel it clattered to the floor again once it crashed in the middle of the night for no reason at all after I left the hotel was bombed Windows blew out chandeliers fell but Fran Brody reported that the towel rod
In 209 was still on the wall great story said Barry we’ll give you a weekend in the new 209 without charge the restaurant called the Old Stone Mill had been a working Grist Mill on a rushing stream in pioneer days with a water wheel that turned and groaned
And creaked now the stream had run dry and the wheel was a reproduction electrically powered but the original stone walls and ponderous Timbers gave the mill a romantic atmosphere for dining quillin’s party had a round table for six and Barry managed to sit next to hickie and get better acquainted Dwight
Interrupted their tetet with a question what do you think about moose County Barry it’s great absolutely great do you have any questions to ask Quill’s panel of pickaxe pundits yes my brother and his wife are planning to move up here and wondering where to live any suggestions if they want a roomy
Oldfashioned house Pleasant Street has some Beauties and they’re within walking distance of everything if they’re interested in an apartment or condo I recommend Indian village it’s in a wooded area a short drive from town I live there I live there said hickie I live there Polly chimed in and so does
Quill in the winter there are walking paths along the river and a clubhouse sounds great Barry said my sister-in-law is an artist and she asked about the art climate around here quillin answered that question we have a new art center for exhibitions classes workshops and lectures what is her special interest
Boutique Polly said no one in this area does batique maybe she would teach a class great she likes to teach after dinner all but Barry declined quillin’s invitation to have a night cap at the barn the inkeeper said he had to pick up his library book and the framed picture of the old
Hotel Barry said he had had enough champagne but would like some bottled water quillin poured squonk water and introduced him to yet another moose County specialty what’s that on the rug the visitor asked a Brazil nut quillin exclaimed very odd the cats are never interested in
Nuts they sat in the lounge area with their mineral water and bar said I had a great time tonight good food great people hickie is an interesting woman how how long have you known her a long time we met down below I was instrumental in bringing her
Here there was a job opening and she wanted a career change she has clever ideas and boundless enthusiasm is she single divorced any attachments she was never married but I don’t know about her present status she and Dwight have apartments in the same building in Indian village and frequently attend
Functions together but that doesn’t mean anything if I invited her to dinner what would be a good restaurant other than the Macintosh room in the Old Stone Mill Tipsy’s Tavern in kbec quillin suggested it’s a Roadhouse in a log cabin established in the 1930s good steak and
Fish who’s Tipsy that was the name of the original owner’s cat and her portrait painted in oils hangs in the main dining room a few years ago there was fierce controversy about the color of Tipsy’s feet some said black some said white that’s moose County for you after the inkeeper had left quillin
Scouted the premises for more Brazil nuts and found three with Fang marks coko liked oily Foods yet there was no sign of nibbling where was that cat there were sounds of slurping Koko was on the coffee table licking snapshots no quillin thundered and Koko fled the
Scene of the crime he had a passion for licking the surface of photographs and his saliva and rough tongue left ugly splotches several prints of the Scottish Gathering were ruined it’s my fault quillin thought I should have put them away he gave the cats their bedtime snack and escorted them to their
Quarters on the top balcony he himself retired to his Studio on the first balcony and read from domestic manners of the Americans it was good but not good enough to keep him awake and he was dozing in his chair when the telephone jolted him awake his watch said almost
2:00 so it was obviously a wrong number he grabbed the handset and snapped a Gruff yes Mr Q you’ll hate me for calling so late it was Lenny inchot and his voice was Heavy with emotion quillin felt an uneasiness on his upper lip something wrong bad trouble what
Happened I can’t tell you on the phone where are you at the all night gas station come on over do you remember how to get here I remember Lenny had once delivered a takeout meal from Lois’s lunchonette qu kin threw the switch that lighted the exterior and went down the
Ramp to wait soon the headlights of a pickup came bobbing through the Wooded Trail he went out to meet it are you okay Lenny shook up that’s all oh God you won’t believe it Mr Q you looked pale would you like a brandy coffee food I don’t feel like anything to tell the
Truth in the barn he dropped into a big chair first tell me if Bose’s reported tonight quillin said then he shook his head soberly when I finished at midnight I gave him 15 minutes and then reported to the manager before heading for home employees park in the back lot which
Hasn’t been paved or lighted yet so I didn’t notice the truck parked next to mine until a squeaky voice said hey Len I froze he called again and I beamed my flashlight in the cab it was Bose at the wheel he told me to get in what was your
Reaction relief I wasn’t angry or anything just relieved to find him alive I jumped in beside him punched his shoulder and called him a dirty dog he didn’t say anything just turned down the nition Bose never says much I noticed he was wearing the same t-shirt he wore to
Toss the cabber and the gold metal around his neck he looked as if he’d been living in the woods he’s more at home in a cave you know than a room with a bed we were driving toward chipmunk there’s a bar there that he likes and I
Thought we’d talk over a beer but he turned off on a dirt road parked under some trees and turned off the headlights and still he didn’t talk not a word it was spooky back there really dark then he turned to me and said did
Did it get in the paper well I told him about the splash on the front page the big headline the terrific photos he smiled his dumb smile I told him we’d been worried when he didn’t show up two nights in a row that’s when he said I
Got another job pow just like that it really burned me up Mr Q I’d gone out on a limb to get him into the Inn for Bose to quit without a word was a slap in the face but I had to be careful he’s touchy also big so I asked him casually what
Kind of work and he said he was going to be a bodyguard nobody around here ever needed a bodyguard but stop and think Lenny the new gambling casino in Bixby might need a bouncer the owners might have been at the Highland Games scouting yeah well you haven’t heard the worst before I
Could think what to say he blurted out I’m going to go to Rio on an airplane lots of fun down there easy work beaches and carnivals all that honestly Mr Q I couldn’t believe what I was hearing quillin stroked his mustache the possibilities were racing through his
Mind Lenny was saying I really thought he was cracking up so I asked some simple-minded questions like when he was flying to Brazil he said soon as she sends me the ticket she’s nice we’re going to have fun she likes me I helped her out took care of the old guy drove
Her to the airport when I got through work she told me not to tell anybody they wouldn’t understand oh God what was he saying that he killed the Jeweler then he stopped to gulp take it easy quillin said did Bose say why she wanted the old guy
Killed she said he was sick he was dying he was in pain it would be kind to help him die what did you say Lenny what could I say I felt rotten poor Bose such an easy make I just told him I had to go
Home and get some sleep I said I have an early class tomorrow so he drove me back to my truck and I wished him well in Brazil I think I told him to send me a postcard I don’t know what I said Mr Q I was really shook up you handled it well
Under the circumstances quillin said what do I do now tell the story to Alan barter first thing in the morning he’ll know the proper action to take it’ll be a hard bullet to bite but you’re required to report such information or be guilty of complicity Lenny groaned I
Told you I’m jinxed and I told you not to use that word again you’re like Lois you always survive setbacks and come out stronger than ever I’ll call Bart at home meanwhile you go up to the guest room on the second balcony and get some sleep would you like a warm drink before
You turn in at the risk of sounding like your mother I recommend Coco chapter 11 Wednesday September 16th a cat once bitten by a snake will fear even a rope at 7:00 a.m. quillin telephoned G Allen barter at home and said in a tone urgency are you aware that the hero of
The Highland Games has been awall from his job at the Inn the captain of the desk clerks has a disturbing explanation to relate it has to do with the delic camp homicide you need to hear his tale and take proper action at once I could
Be in my office by 9:00 quill forget the formalities Bart jump into a sweatsuit and drive to my barn the witness is here and the murderer is at large in the woods quillin knocked on Lenny’s door and told him the attorney was on his way he was not fond of being everybody’s
Uncle and yet the rising generation seemed to have cast him in that role unloading their confidential problems and expecting advice it was partly because of his standing in the community partly because of his sympathetic mean and willingness to listen there was also a journalist’s need to hear everything
And hear it first he fed the cats and watched them devour their breakfast with all the slurping and gobbling and crunching of ordinary felines yet one of them had licked three snapshots the night before Koko’s raspy tongue had ruined shots of bows tossing the cabber bows receiving the gold medal and Bows
Riding triumphantly on the shoulders of his teammates was it some coincidence or was he tuned into the unknowable it was not the first time such a mystifying coincidence had occurred when the attorney arrived he left him with Lenny and went about his errands he shopped for Paulie’s
Groceries and put the sacks in the trunk of her car in the library parking lot he killed some time at edington’s bookstore and found a secondhand book on how to trace your family tree in midm morning he dropped in the dimsdale diner where Benny Doug Sig and
Others in the farming Community met to solve The World’s problems and drink the world’s worst coffee disparaging it was an ongoing to the table joke brewed from the finest quality of motor sludge and produced and distributed by ptle hog farm brought Roars of laughter interrupted only by a bulletin on the
Radio police are searching for a local suspect in the delic camp murder case no further details have been released at this time Benny did it said Calvin Spencer did it said Doug Sig suggested it was a police ploy to mislead the real suspect down below what do you think
Quill time will tell quillin said next came the weekly Luncheon of the Boosters club in its new venue the ballroom of the Macintosh Inn it was still a soup and salad Affair served very fast most members were shopkeepers managers and professionals with no time to waste barter was there and he drew
Quiller in aside to say I took the young man to the prosecutor’s office to tell his story and we we both decided he should leave town for a few days for his own protection he can go to his aunt in duth how will this be explain to his
Boss I had him phone Barry and asked for a week’s leave saying there had been a death in the family and he was needed to help an elderly relative this whole situation is troubling quillin agreed the truth when it comes out would be painful they’ve made Bose such a
Hero at the tables the com ation was friendly but brief geared to fit between bites of food before the presiding officer banged the gavel Susan xbridge the antiques dealer sat next to quillin and said darling it’s been so long since joining the theater Club she had become
Dramatic in speech and gesture I’ve been in mooseville he said How’s pully she’s fine what’s new in antiques I’m liquidating a collection of mechanical Banks what are they small cast iron banks for saving coins expensive one is valued at 50,000 he took a swallow or two before
Asking what do they look like some are cute some are ugly come and see them at my shop Bang Bang Bang the meeting was called to order the Boosters club had accepted the responsibility of the Mark Twain festival and the various committees were reporting on progress
About the parade the idea is to have characters from Mark Twain stories Marching In costume so far we’ve signed up Soldier Boy the horse aen the dog Tom quartz the cat to be drawn in a wagon and more than 50 Tom Sawyers the question arises how many clones do we
Want about the lecture series we invited a wellknown Mark Twain expert in California but he’s lukewarm he says he never heard of pickax and can’t find it on the map also his fee is quite High question should we reconsider someone like Jim quillin could probably give the
Lectures if he did a little research shouts of here here about the dedication of Mark Twain Boulevard we thought to honor the author by naming a historically important architecturally attractive Street after him but the 47 Property Owners on Pleasant Street are protesting violently to any name change there was a near riot
At city council meeting last week we can’t name some grubby little back street after him can we the committee would welcome input about the proposed Mark Twain suite at the MC in well you all know what happened in the suite A few days ago virtually under the porit of the
Great man the management of the Inn deems it inappropriate to draw attention to the presidential suite at this time probably next year about lapel buttons to be sold at the festival unfortunately our 15,000 polar bear lapel buttons couldn’t be used when the Ice Festival melted down we proposed having them reworked with
Mark Twain’s portrait but the cost of reworking would be higher than starting from scratch the committee would welcome ideas for using the polar bear buttons a husky man raised a hand and requested the floor the chair recognizes whether be good the wpk X meteorologist said as the messenger who brings bad
News I expect to be shot but it’s my duty to report that the long range forecast for October gives thumbs down to picnics soccer games parades and outdoor festivals we all remember the freak thaw last February everything points to freak weather in October lizards sleet storms Sub-Zero temperatures high winds and several feet
Of snow need I say more he sat down amid shouts of cancel it postpone it forget it get out the polar bear buttons then a bell rang and the sound of scraping chairs and feet running for the exit drowned out the shout of meeting adjourned quillin the only booster
Without a demanding schedule ambled up Main Street to a shop with gold lettering on the window xbridge and Cobb fine antiques the window was always sparkling the artifacts of brass and mahogany were always polished and the prices were always high darling I didn’t expect you so soon Susan cried I’ll go
Away no no come into my office and see the collection of banks she led the way to the rear and unlocked a closet where shelves were lined with nondescript metal objects measuring five or six inches in height and width he said I want to see the one that’s worth 50 thou
The dealer hesitated if you write about these you can’t mention prices or the name of the owner she’s an older woman the banks were collected by her late husband I didn’t say I’d write about them I just want to see them you’re so brutally honest quill the bank she showed him was a
Small iron sculpture of a circus Pony and a clown how does it work he asked do you have a penny put it in the coin receptacle and turned the crank he did as instructed and watched the pony run around a circus ring while the clown deposited the penny in the bank Susan
Explained all of these banks have mechanical parts that activate a donkey or elephant or whatever they became popular in the late 19th century when children were taught to save their pennies this made it fun how many $50,000 Banks do you expect to sell in pickaxe none darling imagine advertising
The rare ones in a national magazine the others will be sold by telephone auction quillin studied the banks in wonderment there were cats dogs monkeys cows a whale and one bust of a Scotsman wearing a glenary cap and shoulder tarton he had a large mustache he looked
Amiable he looks just like you darling would you like to buy him she placed a coin on the Scott’s hand and pressed a lever he blinked his eyes raised his arm and dropped the coin in his pocket it what’s it worth well it’s not as old as
The others but it’s American and in good condition the Germans made a bank with a Scotsman who stuck out his tongue and swallowed the coin Maggie’s husband thought it was repulsive did you say Maggie is she selling this collection I’ll phone her and see how much she wants for kilty that’s the name
Of the Scotsman Quin fed pennies into the various Banks until Susan returned and said Maggie said she’ll take 1,500 for I hope you know that’s a steal archly he replied I don’t want to rob an elderly Widow when she’s down to her last Diamond and Pearl Joker she likes you
She loves your column Susan said also I told her you’re going to help with the telephone auction I don’t remember volunteering however what does it entail simply sit at a phone and take bids from collectors all over the United States with your wonderful voice you can charm
The callers into raising their bids I’ll get a box for kilty on the way to the parking lot with the box under his arm quillin passed the office of mcwell and Shaw and went in to show them his prize where’d you get that ugly thing big Mack demanded then added in a milder
Tone perhaps I shouldn’t say that because he looks a lot like you got a dime I’ll show you how it works the accountant placed his dime on Kil hand and pressed the lever the eyes blinked and the coin disappeared do I get my dime back of course not this is a bank
Are you a bank robber that’s some racket you’ve got going quill let’s show it to Gordy he called his partner on the intercom Gordon Shaw was there promptly what’s going on Magic said quillin another dime disappeared and the partner hooted with Glee go across the street
And show it to Scotty the owner of Scotty’s men’s store laughed so hard that his tailor came running from the workroom and happily watched his own dime drop into K’s pocket quillin was enjoying it immensely and decided to Rook the guys at the newspaper when he carried the box into
The city room the staff was relaxing for a few minutes after putting the Wednesday Edition to bed and before starting the Thursday they gathered around kilty and fished for dimes in their change Pockets the managing editor and the women in the feature Department joined the fund and Arch rker came from
His office to investigate the commotion kilty was such a pleasant fellow that no one objected when he pocketed the money although rer suggested suggested it would work equally well with pennies Junior good winter called it bank robbery pickax style instead of robbing the bank the bank robs
You quillin was $2 richer when he left the building and teasing him about it became a corporate PassTime for the rest of the year at the barn where every new acquisition was dangerous until proved safe the SI sniffed kilt’s mustache blinking eyelids and moving hand yum yum soon walked away but but coko
Scrutinized the bank in his nearsighted studious way until suddenly alerted his neck stretched and ears pricked as he detected activity to the east someone was coming up the trail from the direction of the art center quillin went into the yard to confront The Uninvited visitor when he recognized the 10-year-old boy from the
MCB Farm Culver what a pleasant surprise I think of you daily when I read my thought for the day oh he said what can I do for my dad said I could ask you for something and what might that be could you get me Bose’s autograph dad says he works at your
Hotel that posed a problem and quiller installed it’s not my hotel tell your dad it belongs to the K fund it just happens to be named after my mother oh culbert said dully such facts had nothing to do with his urgent Mission and it’s no longer a hotel it’s an inn
Which offers a friendlier kind of hospitality oh did you see Bose toss the cab on Saturday he shook his head it was in the paper they talked about it at school unfortunately Bose isn’t working this week so we’ll have to wait and see what happens how’s everything at school
Okay culbert said and ran back down the lane after thrwing something for his dinner quillin walked to the Old Stone Church on Park Circle where the genealogy Club met the land speaks were waiting for him at the side door everyone’s excited about your coming Carol said are they expecting me to
Stand on my head or do impersonations in the fellowship room 20 members were sitting in a circle and quillin went around shaking hands he needed no introduction everyone glanced at his mustache and said I read your column where do you get your ideas how are you kitties all were his age or
Older after a brief business meeting a member read a paper on his genealogical research in Ireland and others spoke about their happy discoveries in family documents or at the courthouse or in Cemetery records or federal military archives finally Larry lansi asked the honored guest if he would say a few
Words you skunk quillin thought why didn’t you warn me nevertheless he stood up looked around the circle and blinked his eyes as he considered his chore I feel just like kilty he thought then in his malif fluous lecture whole voice he began this evening has been an experience that’s enlightening to say
The least I myself am a lost entity wandering in a void minus relatives family records at even an inkling of my father’s first name he died before I was born and my mother never mentioned his name or those of my grandparents those of you who have births and deaths inscribed on the fly
Leaves of family Bibles must consider my predicament strange indeed to me growing up as the only child of a single parent there was nothing strange about it at all it never occurred to me to ask questions being too busy playing baseball acting in school plays doing homework reading books about dogs and
Horses and fighting with my peers my mother died when I was in college and later all family memorabilia were destroyed in a fire what can I tell you we lived in Chicago my mother’s maiden name was Macintosh our last name was spelled with a qw that’s all I know my case
Rests the moment of silence that preceded the burst of Applause testified to the deeply touching nature of his confession one woman sobbed audibly he acknowledged the response with a sober nod actually there had been no fire but it was not so much a lie as a euphemism
For the black period in his life when he lost everything including his self-esteem when the land speaks were driving him home Carol said quill I didn’t know you were such a man of mystery Larry said you mind if I turn on the 11:00 News the lead item was a death
Notice Osmond Hassel 89 died at pickax General Hospital tonight after an illness of several weeks the senior partner of Hassel Rich Bennett and barter had practiced law in Moose County for 60 years a native of little hope he survived his wife daughter and two brothers
The end of an era Larry said he was a Grand Old Gentleman he claimed to be and I quote just a country lawyer but the best gold DED country lawyer you’ll ever find and he was right then Larry declaimed in his best or rhetorical style farewell Noble
Osmond quillin’s Chief memory of the old man was his custom of serving tea to his clients pouring it into his grandmother’s porcelain cups that rattled in their saucers when he passed them with shaking hands when he entered the barn the sies were waiting side by side solemnly as if
They knew something momentous had happened coko ran to the answering machine where there was a message from the junior partner of hbnb quill Osman has gone I was with him at the end there’s something he wants you to have can you meet me for lunch in the
McIntosh room tomorrow at 12: call my office uncomfortably quillin thought he’s left me his grandmother’s cups and saucers I made the mistake of admiring them too much chapter 12 Thursday September 17th monkey see monkey do when kerin came down the ramp in the morning he saw an unusual spectacle two
Cats sitting on their hunches with Tails curled and ears at attention but they were 2 feet tall and their ears measured about 5 in coko and yum yum were in the foyer watching Birds through the sidelights and The Morning Sun slanted in at a low angle and elongated their
Shadows on the floor another surprise was in store when he turned on the radio for the hourly newscast a sheriff’s deputy was attacked in the woods near the big beam mine site sometime after midnight while investigating an abandoned pickup registered to John Campbell a suspect in the local slaying of a Chicago
Businessman Deputy Greenleaf was struck on the head by a blunt object when she regained Consciousness her service revolver was missing the suspect is now considered armed and dangerous described as a Caucasian male in the early 20s 6’2 weighing 250 lb when last seen he was wearing a moose County bucks
T-shirt quillin discussed the item with the Siamese as their heads bent over their breakfast plates Bose apparently ran out of gas will he use the gun to hijack another vehicle do the sport fans know that John Campbell the alleged attacker is Bose Campbell the champion y was Koko’s comment as he attempted to
Yow and swallow at the same time at noon quillin met the attorney for lunch at the Macintosh room he the news barter asked it puts a new slant on the case the authorities are smart though not to identify the suspect as the caber tosser local sport fans can be
Fanatical in support of their Heroes there’ll be a lot of disappointment quillin added my neighbor kid asked me to get Bose’s autograph they’d been talking about him at school let’s hope he’s apprehended before he commits any more felonies now he’s armed querin smoothed his mustache Lenny says he’s never been out
Of the County so I doubt that he’ll head for Parts Unknown to him he’s an experienced backwoodsman and they’re a breed of their own it’s my hunch that he’ll hole up in a cave or some kind of impenetrable ficket and use the gun for shooting small game there’s plenty of
That around the sheriff’s helicopter will be able to spot him Bart said confidently the server brought a glass of red wine and a glass of squonk water and the two men toasted the memory of Osman Hassel it was time for him to go the attorney said he was distraught after his daughter’s
Tragic death but kept going for his wife’s sake when she died though he knew he wouldn’t last long barter shook his head Osman had always been my mentor and in recent years he treated me like a son I was with him every day at the end he wanted to discuss his final wishes
Instead of a funeral he wanted a memorial service like euphonia gages but he wanted it at the Old Stone Church with a solitary bagpiper playing l lomman and a few of his favorite hymns Andrew Brody was a great friend of his did husband have Scottish blood he
Claimed he couldn’t find so much as a sheep dog in his ancestry but he frequently took his wife and daughter to the highlands and islands and called himself a closet kilty what will there be at the memorial service besides music no eulogies he said he wanted the reading of great
Words by great voices he meant you quill and Larry and Carol High Praise indeed kerin murmured did he specify the reading he wanted Carol to read his favorite biblical passage 1 Corinthians chapter 13 Larry is to read the words of early Statesmen as in the Declaration of Independence and the preamble to the
Constitution you are requested to read Robert Burns with a Scottish accent and also Kipling’s poem If if you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs any Shakespeare we discussed it and the only line he suggested from Shakespeare was the first thing we do
Let’s kill all the lawyers Osmond never lost his R sense of humor I think it really had some Scottish blood then lunch was served and conversation was intermittent quillin was thinking about the firm of hbnb would they drop osman’s revered name would they bring in a new partner the
One in line was a cousin of weatherbe goods Loretta bunker the jokesters in Moose County would have a good time with Bennett barter and bunker the prestigious law firm of good winter and good winter had come to an unfortunate end when a third name was proposed after lunch barter retrieved a
Package he had checked at the front desk Osman thought you should have this he told quillin it was an old-fashioned box file with metal clasp leather spine and Boards covered in marbleized paper the label on the spine read clingen Shin correspondence the Thursday paper was due off the
Presses at 2:00 and quillin went to the newspaper office to wait for it Junior good winter said we’re running some somber stuff today but that’s the way it works out the hassle Rich obituary The Assault on the deputy and the postponement of the Mark Twain Festival
But there’s a letter to the editor that will give you a laugh it’s in response to one of your recent columns he handed over a proof sheet of the letter to the editor after reading Mr Q’s dissertation on fibs white off-white gray and Shades of Black I made a list of 12 Little
White Lies that are in common use you look wonderful don’t worry he doesn’t bite a child can assemble it all that’s needed is a screwdriver guaranteed for life of course I remember you the chef says the clam chowder is very good today this won’t hurt you’ll just feel a little
Discomfort drop in any time you’re always welcome the doctor will be with you in just just a moment you don’t need an umbrella it’s not going to rain this car has been driven only 10,000 M I love you Bob turmer quillin chuckled who is this turmeric no one knows him but the letter
Came from sawdust City I thought you’d enjoy it are you covering the play for us tonight kerin went alone to the K theater Polly had another commitment the enthusi I Astic amateurs who auditioned for such Productions were office workers MCCC students nurses commercial fishermen truck drivers and waiters who
Had enjoyed being in school plays and church pageants as for the audiences half of them were friends or relatives of the actors many had never seen players of professional caliber except on TV many had never seen live theater on the whole quillin thought the cast did well there were no forgotten
Lines or missed cues The Voice coach had convinced them to project their lines to the showgoers in the back row when it was over querin went home and was writing a review for Friday’s deadline when poly phoned how was the play she asked not bad how was your meeting the
Library needs a new furnace Mr Hammond came to the meeting himself and convinced the board members that were only throwing money away on repairs were spitting into the wind he said the metaphor shocked the ladies into action they signed a contract without the usual fussing because of the cold weather
Scare canham and have the new equipment installed and operating before the heavy snows and freezing temperature quillin asked to tell the truth quill it’s been on order since August he and I knew it was inevitable so you practiced a little duplicity sometimes it’s necessary dear
And I knew the K fund would help us pay for it well I know you’re writing your review so I won’t keep you I’ll talk with you tomorrow night after the maiden voyage of the new bookmobile did you see the list of scheduled stops in today’s paper
Yes and I’ll meet it at iTab wasia Estates good choice abiento abiento during the phone conversation Koko had been sitting on the box of Kling and Shain correspondence and now he hunched down on it with his tail elevated like a flag as he went through the motions of digging into the
Box okay we’ll have a look quillin said and you can write my view of the play he opened it gingerly as if it might contain the skeleton of a dead mouse or even Al live one false alarm the Box contained handwritten letters on stationary yellowing with age the handwriting looked familiar treat he
Shouted and gave the cats their bedtime snack then escorted them to the top balcony when he came down the ramp he was wearing the Paisley silk pajamas that Polly had given him for Father’s Day with a mushy card from Coco and yum he took time to brew coffee before
Settling into a lounge chair with a box of old letters the handwriting was definitely his mother’s she had been proud of her penmanship fine pen Strokes slanted precise elegant she had learned it at a private school somewhere no one wrote like that these days scanning the sheets he found they
Had all been written to Aunt Fanny and dated with the month and day no year June 2nd was the on the first one it was signed love from Annie his mother’s presence haunted the page as he began to read and shivers traveled up and down his spine dear Fanny how’s everything are
You having fun do you like Atlantic City as much as you thought you would I know you don’t have time to write letters so don’t bother to answer this but I have news I told you my parents wanted me to go back to De Mo and work in dad’s
Office but I adore Chicago totally and after slaving for 4 years as an English major I’d jump off a bridge before I’d work in an insurance office and I told him so it didn’t go over big dad is hopping mad about my moving to Chicago and mother goes along to keep the peace
She’s afraid to cross him she says she loves him I guess I don’t understand love and she doesn’t understand why I don’t want to marry her best friend’s son dad would take him into the business and we’d all live happily ever after but I can’t stand the guy he’s so dull and
His eyes are too close together you know what you and I used to to say about that so here I am and my wildest dream has come true a job in the public library I get a Clerk’s salary because I don’t have a degree in library science but
Just between you and me I do everything the Librarians do but that’s okay I love the work totally with my first paycheck I made a down payment on a secondhand upright you never heard me play the piano but I think I’m really pretty good just for fun to make dad hit the ceiling
I asked him to ship my baby grand fat chat I have a small apartment and the girl across the hall is nice Sue Ellen from Tennessee pronounced Tennessee we go to plays and concerts together just a couple of country girls whooping it up in the big city love from
Annie quillin huffed into his mustache so his grandfather was in Insurance in De Mo that might be the place to start checking County records even if it proved a dead end it might be worth the trip but what what about this 22-year-old who turned out to be his
Mother her letter had him thinking in capital letters lady an was so calm and sensible he read the next letter dated June 10th dear Fanny want to hear some fabulous news Sue Ellen and I went to see a Russian play strictly for our education it was Grim but the actor who
Played the male lead was enthralling totally glorious voice expressive hands and good-look even with a Russian beard after the final curtain we wondered if we Dar to go backstage and compliment him we giggled about and then said oh let’s well he was totally charming and
Even invited us to have a drink we went with him to a little Bistro and I don’t mind telling you we were both weak in the knees I didn’t sleep a wink that night I was so overwhelmed and that was only the beginning the next day he
Phoned me at the library and I met him for drinks after the play every night for the rest of the run it’s a road company and they had to move on we had a lovely farewell date and he promised to write but I’m afraid to Hope keep your fingers crossed for me
Fanny love from Annie quillin returned the letters to the Box all the while marveling that this giddy young female could metamorphose into a Suave sophisticated parent who never said totally chapter 13 Friday September 18th to live a long life eat like a cat and drink like a
Dog it was a beautiful day for the ride to IDI wasia Estates the bookmobile was due to arrive at 11:30 and quillin went a little early already residents were gathering on the lawn in front of the building and there was an air of excitement some sat on the parked
Benches that lined the circular driveway one group sat in a circle of lawn chairs and bursts of laughter came from the five women and three men among them were Homer and Roa tibit the Cavendish sisters and Gil mcmurchie this sounds like a lively bunch he said as he approached the
Circle what kind of jokes are you telling Jenny and Ruth Cavendish had been his neighbors in Indian village and he had made himself a hero by Saving one of their cats from strangulation behind the washing machine they were retired academics who had enjoyed illustrious careers down below and had returned to
Their native County Ruth the tall one was a born leader Gil bring another chair quill sit down you have stumbled into a board meeting of a new Publishing House the absolutely absurd press Incorporated we publish only absolutely absurd titles he sat down could you give me an example our first will be the
Complete works of Shakespeare in one volume large print edition she paused for his amused reaction the next will be the collected love poems of Ebenezer Scrooge several titles are she was interrupted by a general shout here comes the bus Roa she said make a list
Of titles for quill he might use them in his column the board members and other waiting Book Lovers swarmed toward the driveway the white bookmobile that had looked like a laundry truck was now a mobile mural of the county on the boarding side a billboard siiz painting
Was a panorama of woods with a startled deer Rocky pastures dotted with sheep and a shaft house house towering above an abandoned M sight on the driver’s side surf pounded on a Sandy Shore seagulls soared above a beached boat and drying fish nuts a lighthouse stood on a distant
Promontory the vehicle was staffed by two energetic young women from the library who handed out shopping bags full of books to be carried into the building then browsers went aboard including quillin the two staffers sat with backs to the windshield ready to check out individual choices he asked
Which one of you drives this thing I do said one is it tricky only going around corners the women looked at each other and laughed what places do you visit besides the Estates schools churches nursing homes daycare centers hospitals we even stop at the grocery store at squonk
Corners what kind of books do you bring in those tote bags it depends here they like biography history humor inspiration nature large print mystery other places like cookbooks juveniles romance Western Nancy Drew Roa tibit picked up a book her husband had special ordered a new biography of Thomas Jefferson then the
Half hour was up the transactions were completed and the management of the residents invited quillin and the two staffers to come indoors for a little lunch first the driver took the large vehicle away from the front door of the building the ambulance entrance as the residents called it she drove it down
The hill to the foot of the circular driveway and then ran back up the hill we have five more stops to make this afternoon she explained oh to be able to run up a hill one of the Watchers exclaimed oh to be able to run anywhere said
Another in the dining room they were served quickly a sandwich and a cup of soup while the resident librarian told them about in-house activities there was a workshop for training tutors to teach adults to read she said Avid readers take great pleasure in teaching others to read it’s an adventure for both
Teacher and student when it was time to leave quillin carried out the bags of books being returned and the driver ran down the hill to bring the vehicle to the door the Cavendish sisters sent their love to Polly and asked about the health of Brutus and Kata Roa gave
Quillin a list of absurd titles and urged him to add a few of his own before he could scan the list a scream came from the foot of the hill and the driver came running and waving her arms all heads turned in her Direction the bookmobile was nowhere in sight a big
Man came out of the woods she gasped he had a gun he made me give him the keys quillin shouted somebody call the sheriff quick and somebody call the library he himself hurried to his van and called the newspaper patrons of the bookmobile stood about in a days others
Swarmed out of the building they were saying must be the fellow that stole the deputy’s gun he’s wanted for murder he won’t get far with that conspicuous jalape he’s desperate he’ll ditch it and steal something else and Homer tibit said maybe he just likes to read distant Sirens came
Closer quillin drove the library staffers back downtown along with the bags of books that were being returned he said nothing but he was peeved he had intended to write a thousand words on book mobiling for his Tuesday column but the hijacking had killed the idea it would appear as crime news in Monday’s
Edition it was a bizarre story that would appeal to the media down below locals would be fearful the man was armed and must be a maniac even to conceive of such a caper and the concept of a felon riding around with several hundred books would tickle the jokers in
The coffee shops only in Moose County they would say slapping their thighs by the time quillin reached the Barnyard a w pkx News Bulletin announced a suspect wanted for murder has hijacked the pickax library’s bookmobile at gunpoint this afternoon while it was making a scheduled stop at IID wasia
States roadblocks have been set up in Three Counties the stolen vehicle is easy to identify being 30 ft long and painted with murals of moose County Landscape anyone seeing it should call the sheriff’s department and avoid approaching the hijacker the Siamese were having their afternoon nap on the bar stools when
Quillin arrived and they slept through his conversation with the director of the library pully just phoning to see if you had a heart attack quill could you ever in your wildest dreams imagine such a ludicrous situation he can get far the sheriff’s helicopter will be scanning
The highways and back roads too bad we didn’t have bookmobile painted on the roof in large letters she said with a touch of Whimsy the back roads have overhanging trees it wouldn’t help thanks for driving the girls back downtown quill keep your radio turned on querin prepared coffee changed into a
Jumpsuit and stayed close to the radio within an hour there was another bulletin the sheriff’s ground Patrol directed by the Helicopter Surveillance detail has located the hijacked bookmobile earlier reported stolen it was found wrecked on an unimproved Road in chipmunk Township the hijacker is at large and motorists are warned to keep
Car doors locked and to avoid picking up hitchhikers the suspect wanted for murder is described as 250 lb armed and dangerous the wrecked vehicle carrying hundreds of books belonging to the the pickaxe Public Library is on its side in a ditch quillin’s phone rang immediately quill did you hear I heard what an
Incredible mess can you imagine the condition of the books is there anything I can do there was no answer Polly is there anything I can do I’m thinking gle’s garage can rescue the bus but we should Salvage the books first what can I do Ernie kle were line up his handy
Helpers those kids love an emergency like this but we’ll need lots of book crates in a hurry liquor cart are good how many need your need in the next few hours quillin canvased drugstores bars and food markets and delivered a small mountain of cartons to the back door of the
Library when he returned to the barn in time to clean up for Susan’s auction the Siamese were Furious the inside of the barn looked like the inside of the ditched bookmobile they had not been fed for that matter neither had quillin and he had only half an hour to report
To the Antique sh up his priorities were clear he fed the cats at 10:30 p.m. the interior of xbridge and Cobb was brightly lighted although the sign on the door said closed a few Curious passers by stood on the sidewalk gawking in the main shop they could see two women sitting at
Telephones and a man standing at a chalkboard in the annex others were eating and drinking and having a good time that’s Mr Q the gawkers said to to each other as he wrapped on the front door Susan xbridge admitted him darling you’re always so punctual I’m also
Hungry I didn’t have time for dinner go into the annex Maggie has prepared a feast the hostess was wearing her usual black flecked with cat hair her arms were loaded with gold Bangles and her chest was loaded with pearls here he is she cried let me get him a hug would you
Like wine or coffee quill food besides the silver coffee service and the cut glass decanters there were platters of cheeses and cold cuts Susan briefed him while he satisfied his hunger the phones have been open since 9: midnight is the cut off you’ll be taking calls during the last hour Dr
Diane will be at the table with you Dwight Summers will be at the chalkboard back up he said I don’t know the basics how does this thing work she explained when a call comes through from Maine or New Orleans or Los Angeles you get the caller’s name and phone number and the
Catalog number of the bank he’s interested in then you consult the chalkboard and give the amount of the latest bid the caller May raise it or hang up if the bid is raised you call it out to Dwight and he updates the board Dr Diane said I’ve done this
Before and found that some calls come from practical jokers or cranks or lonely folks who just want to talk tell them three calls are waiting asked to be excused and hang up legitimate bids said Susan may want additional information such as Dimensions condition date name of maker or description of Bank consult
Your print out and answer their questions quillin said I can’t believe the eyes and ears of the nation are focused on pickaxe 400 miles north of everywhere you wait and see said Maggy Mr sprinkle belonged to an International Bank Club at 11:00 quillin and the doctor
Went to the phone table and Dwight went to the chalkboard the lines had been comfortably busy for the first two hours Susan said but the action would build up as the deadline approached a speaker phone had been set up and just before midnight she would call a 900 number and
Washington Naval Observatory time would be announced every 5 Seconds that way there’ll be no arguments when we cut off the bidding quillin’s phone rang and his first call came from Austin Texas inquiring about the buding ram Bank querin described the movement for him put coin on limb of tree and press lever
Ram butts coin into bank a small boy thumbs his nose it was in good condition valued at 6,000 the highest bid was five the caller raised at 500 a collector in Buckhead Georgia called back several times and raised his bid on the circus Pony Bank whenever someone had topped
Him although most of the callers were men the wife of a banker in Reno Nevada wanted to buy her husband a birthday gift do you think he would like a mechanical Bank I’m sure he would there’s one called the magic Bank the cashier takes the coin and disappears
With it into a bank vault how Charming she said how old is it he’s not too fond of old things it’s dated 1873 would you like to make a bid the highest we have is 4,000 although it’s valued at 6,500 how big is it 6 in high that’s
Approximately the usual size I see are you an antiques dealer I love talking to you you have such a delicious voice crisply kerin said a bid for 4500 has just come in on the other line better make up your mind she offered 4750 and Dwight said quill
You’re a rascal she was holding up the line the phones rang incessantly as the deadline approached and Dwight was busy with the chalk and eraser with only 5 minutes to go Buckhead made another bid on the circus Pony he also inquired about less valuable Banks bidding $100
Here and $100 there he was stall quillin looked at Dwight and Shrugged the speaker phone was beeping away the seconds at the stroke of midnight all bids were cut off Buckhead had his circus Pony for 45,000 everyone in the shop applauded the Siamese without help from the Washington Naval Observatory knew
That their bedtime snack was 74 minutes past due and they met quillin at the kitchen door scolding and lashing their tails all right all right he said I was helping an elderly Widow who loves cats try to be a little understanding a little more flexible as he watched them devour their
Cbles he reflected that it had been an eventful day in every way the hijacking of the bookmobile the coast to coast telephone auction and even the Mad Scramble for cardboard cartons for the library not to mention the debut of the absolutely absurd press in corporated he
Had not yet read the list of proposed titles he found it in one of his pockets everything you wanted to know about Ravens by Edgar alen Poe a revised History of the World by Lis Carol painting by numbers with forward by Leonardo how to make lasting friendships by Richard
III bedtime stories for Tiny Tots illustrated by heronimus Bosch the last one was undoubtedly Homer Tibbits contribution how to get away with anything by mayor Gregory BL after a few Chuckles quillin was feeling relaxed enough to retire but first he would read a couple of installments of the Annie Fanny
Correspondence next was the letter dated June 24th dear Fanny Miracle of Miracles my actor didn’t write to me but he phoned every week from a different city the tour ended in Denver and he called to say he was coming back to Chicago he said life had been Barren without me so
Now he’s here and hoping for work but there’s not much opportunity in his field he says he’s willing to sell neck ties at Marshall field until something turns up Fanny you can’t believe how happy I am I’ll send you a snapshot of him when I finish the rooll on my camera
Without the Russian beard he’s really handsome in my weekly letter to mother I broke the good news and her reply was Dad warns you not to get serious about an actor wouldn’t you know what does he understand about love I’ll send you a snapshot of Dana as soon as I finish the
Rle in my camera his last name is quillin spelled with a qw he says it’s Danish be happy for me dear Fanny I’m ecstatic love from Annie quillin huffed into his mustache his male parent should have had sense enough to stay in New York with his handsome looks Charming personality
And glorious voice he could have been the John Barrymore of his generation the next letter dated August 22nd was a short one he read it dear Fanny we’ve decided to get married isn’t that exciting I phoned mother to share the good news and what an explosion
Totally dad got on the line and said he didn’t want his daughter Marrying an unemployed actor I told him I had to live my own life he said then live it your way but don’t come crying to me for help when he can’t support you I said if
Necessary I can support both of us and hung up I knew that would be his reaction but I don’t care I won’t let it put a wet blanket on a joyous occasion think good thoughts Fanny I know you’re on my side love for Manny the plot thickens quillin said as
He replaced the letters in the file Chapter 14 Saturday September 19th the fish dies because he opens his mouth too much with his first cup of coffee quillin felt the urge to read another Annie Fanny letter he would read only one he promised himself it was dated September 30th
Dear Fanny we did it we’re married Dana is impulsive and I like to make quick decisions so we simply went across the state line to a place where a couple can get the knot tied without red tape knot tape haha don’t mind me I’m tipsy with bliss I never wanted a big wedding
Although mother had dreams of seeing me in grandmother’s wedding dress with a 10-ft train and eight bridesmaids and floppy hats and of course a reception for 200 guests I knew and she knew that dad would never put the bill for such an extravaganza so here we are married and
Totally happy my apartment is rather snug for two unless they’re madly in love someday we’ll have a lovely house in the suburbs and a garden and a car and an attached garage Dana is working part-time at Marshall field and the library gave me a token raise and were
Saving our pennies want to hear something I did that was naughty I sent my parents a note signed Annie quillin telling them that they now had a son-in-law I couldn’t resist telling them he’s a thae Salesman I knew dad would burst a blood vessel of course he wouldn’t let mother acknowledge my note
I don’t care if they don’t need a daughter I don’t need parents love from Annie when quillin returned the letter to the file Koko was sitting on the library table paying no attention to the mechanical bank which was supposed to be his toy as usual he showed more interest
In the spalted maple box sniffing the little knob on the lid and ping the decorative motifs created by flaws in the wood one was like the outline of a mouse trapped beneath the waxy surface of the Box another looked somewhat like a bee cats unpredictable quillin muttered as he
Thought a roll for his breakfast a phone call from Celia Robinson interrupted Chief sorry to bother you she said but I need to discuss something shoot it’s about Nora my help her I was telling her about short and tall tales and how you’re collecting stories about moose
County some true some Legends She said she has a story to tell that actually happened how long ago do you know the nature of it she wouldn’t tell me but she’d like you to hear it she’d love to see it in your book she was thrilled you
Know when the paper used her letter it’s a headyy feeling to see your words in print for the first time I’ll listen to her tale he never said no to a story it might be a gem I don’t want her to waste your time it may not be worth anything she’s just
A simple country woman you know then she added with a laugh like me you’re worth three City women Celia tell you what someday when Norah is making a delivery for you I’ll see what’s on her mind wonderful I’m making beef pot pies today shall I make an extra one for you also
Minc meat Tarts keep talking Celia laughed merrily Nora could deliver them this afternoon I’ll be gone all day how about tomorrow morning she goes to church an appointment was made for Sunday afternoon and quillin went up the ramp to dress feeling he had made a good deal the Autumn color in Moose County
Was at its peak gold red bronze Coral maroon all accenting The Groves of dark dense Evergreens this was the weekend when everyone took to the highways with cameras quillin Polly and the Rikers planned to do the tour and stopped for lunch at Boulder House Inn on the North
Shore they assembled an Indian village and rode in quiller and van which offered a wider view than Arch’s four-door Polly was looking unusually jaunty in a beige corduroy suit Black Beret and beigan black scarf featuring Chinese calligraphy Mildred said I love your scarf Polly you didn’t get that
Around here thank you it’s from the boson Museum of Art I hope you know what it says Arch warned happiness Harmony and health or something like that all good things I assure you they proceeded to crisscross the county on country roads driving slowly gasping at spectacular Autumn views
Taking snapshots of the most brilliant color conversation was limited oh look at that did you ever see anything so beautiful breathtaking better than ever this year why is traffic so light Polly wondered usually the roads are crowded on the big weekend everyone’s at home watching the
Ball game on TV Arch suggested with his usual cynicism the weathered gray shaft houses stood like lonely Sentinels in the Lush landscape each had its history a cave-in a mine Explosion a murder Polly said Maggie insists there’s a Subterranean lake under the big bee at the boulder House Inn their
Reservation was for 1:30 giving them time for a walk on the beach in a few weeks the sand would be buried under three feet of snow indoors to their surprise the dining room was half empty we’ve had several cancellations the inkeeper said just spread a rumor about
A killer on the loose and folks lock themselves in the bathroom at a table in the window overlooking the lake Mildred said let’s not ruin our lunch by talking about the terrorist in our midst I have good news said Polly after the Cavendish sisters moved out I worried about
Getting a Noisy Neighbor the walls are deplorably thin while yesterday the new owner came into the library and introduced himself he’s a rare book dealer from Boston you can’t get anyone quieter art said cheerfully he does mail order business from his home and is having shelves installed on all the
Walls until his furniture and books arrive he’s staying at the Macintosh Inn what’s he like Mildred asked eagerly she was always looking for interesting guests to invite to dinner Polly said he was middle-aged Nic looking soft spoken and quite Charming of course he’s tremendously knowledgeable I expect to
Learn a lot from him he specializes in incunabula kerin huffed into his mustache and decided then and there to close the barn for the winter and move back into his condo but he said to the group I have some news for you too the Cavendish sisters the Tibbits and a few
Others at IID wasia Estates have organized what they call the absolutely absurd press Incorporated and I have a list of the Absurd titles they proposed to publish he read the list pausing after each title for the amused response sometimes a giggle sometimes a gar I’d
Also like to add one of my own five easy piano pieces for the index finger the laughter was spontaneous followed by thoughtful silence as three Minds went into gear no hurry querin told them you have until 4:00 by the time coffee and dessert were served poly had proposed recipes for
Entertaining by luria boura Arch’s contribution was My Secret Life as a pussycat by King Kong Mildred said that books on food were always popular and suggested kabad Crane’s lowfat cookbook the two men looked at each other mischievously remember kabad they said in unison Mildred clapped her hands is this
Another story about your misspent youth whenever the forsome met quillin and Arch reminisced about growing up in Chicago we were reading Washington Irving that year and we called our English teacher kabad because he was tall and skinny said quillin he was a joker and played tricks on his students
When giving tests we had a great desire to get back at him remember that school Arch it was an old one and about ready to be torn down they don’t build them like that anymore with the first floor way off the ground the way it happened
Quillin went on we had to report to room 109 for an English test after lunch and we got there early somehow we got the idea of going in throwing the bolt on the door and locking everybody out then we went out the window and dropped down
On the ground about 6 ft by the time we brushed ourselves off and came in the front door the whole class was standing in the hall and the teacher was running around trying to get a janitor with a ladder the window was wide open of course were you ever found out Mildred
Asked oh he knew we did it we were the only kids in the class smart enough to think of it but he had a sense of humor Mildred said I wish I’d known you then I’m glad I didn’t Polly said quillin returned his passengers to Indian village dropping the Rikers at
The Birches and driving Polly to the Willows will you come in to say something friendly to Brutus and Kata she asked just for a while does your new neighbor have cats no but he offered to take care of mine whenever I need to be out of town he’s a very thoughtful
Person he brought me this scarf which I thought was an unusual usually lovely gesture what’s his name Kurt Nightingale what’s his real name oh quill you’re always so suspicious does he know about our 10-ft snow drifts in wall to- Wall Ice oh yes he grew up here his relatives
Have moved away but he has fond memories of winters in Moose County perhaps he’d like to join the curling club as soon as quillin arrived home he telephoned Pat Odell see Robinson’s husband who ran a janitorial service he asked to have unit four at the Willows cleaned for immediate occupancy is it
Cold feet you’re getting now Pat asked in his lilting Irish Rogue you might say that Pat whether be good predicts November weather for October sure it’s only one man’s opinion I’m thinking but a pleasure it’ll be to do whatever you want while hanging up the receiver
Quillin noticed that the lid was off the turned Maple box and the pennies were gone a quick glance Reve heed the two culprits on the fireplace Cube looking down on the scene of the crime Koko looked proud of himself yum yum looked guilty you scalawags quillin scolded
Fondly one of you is a bank robber and the other is a petty Thief she had not gone far with her loot the pennies were not shiny enough to appeal to her Exquisite taste they were on the rug nearby what interested quillin was Koko’s motive curiosity about its contents his catly response to
A challenge he had found out how to clamp his Jaws around the knob and lift the well-fitting lid with a vertical jerk of the head smart cat he had been obsessed with the problem and now that it was solved he would walk away and forget it with his tail held
High querin himself was becoming obsessed with the cling and chain file now he understood why he had never received birthday presents from grandparents while his friend Archie boasted about getting a cowboy suit and even a two- wheeel bike the next letter was dated October 10th dear Fanny thank you for the
Gorgeous wedding gift we’re putting it away until we have our house in the suburbs I can picture it on a console table in the foyer or on the fireplace mantle all that is in the future not too distant I hope right now we have to think about Dana’s career shall we give
Up our jobs and move to New York where there are plenty of auditions or stay here where I have steady income and a promise of promotion although Dana is doing well at the store his heart isn’t in retailing he could make better money as a manufacturer’s rep but I’d hate to
Have him on the road all the time what kind of life is that for two people so much in love we read the want ads every day and hope and hope and hope Dana isn’t quite as optimistic as I am but I know something wonderful is just around the corner love from
Annie a question arose in quillin’s mind what was the gorgeous wedding gift all the time he was growing up in a respectable townhouse apartment with a foyer in a fireplace he had never seen such an impressive object or had paid no juvenile attention and he might describe
It in a later letter a crystal vase a silver bowl a porcelain figurine he went on to October 22nd dear fanny can you stand some terrifically good news if I sound incoherent it’s because I’m tipsy with delight I’ve just found out I’m pregnant Dana is sort of stunned they laughed at
Me at the library because I immediately checked out an armful of books on parenting speaking of parents I dashed off a note to mother but it was returned unopened too bad some mother daughter talk would be comforting right now you are my dearest friend Fanny if the baby
Is a girl I’ll name her after you if it’s a boy Dana can name him frankly he would be more enthusiastic if he had a decent job preferably with a Repertory acting company I wish you could see him on the stage Fanny he’s so talented it
Breaks my heart to see him so frustrated I try to make him feel that he’s loved no matter what we have each other and that’s what matters and soon we’ll be three can you believe it love from Mannie after reading the letter he rejoiced that he was not named Francesca
Quillin or even Fanny quillin the next letter was short but he was limiting himself to two at a sitting good night Ernie he said as he closed the clasp on the box file chapter 15 Sunday September 20th contented cows give the best milk kerin was accustomed to spending
Saturday and Sunday with Polly but this weekend she needed a day to do things around the house to catch up with correspondents to organize her winter wardrobe quillin said he understood and called a friend to have Sunday brunch at Tipsy’s Tavern in kbec it was a no frills limited menu
Roadhouse in a sprawling Log Cabin serving the best steak and the best fish a recent Innovation was a Sunday brunch offering the best ham and eggs and Country fries and the best Flapjacks with homemade sausage patties weather be good the wpk X meteorologist met him at Tipsy he said
Lots of vacant tables considering the usual popularity of this brunch The Fugitive scare quillin surmised yesterday we took the color tour and there was hardly anyone on the road but the Autumn color was magnificent best ever moose county has always had better color than lockmaster whether be was a
Native of horse Rish a town in the adjoining County we have more trees quillin explained after the lumbering companies had cleared the forests a century ago the Kling and chain family bought up huge tracts of worthless land and left it to reforest itself now the K fund has it in Conservancy safe from
Developers who would use it for resort hotels golf courses racetracks mobile home parks and God forbid asphalt plants the streams are full of fish and the woods are full of wildlife the clinging chains weren’t in lumbering or mining or quarrying where did they get their money don’t
Ask the ham was succulent the eggs were fried without crusty edges or puddles of Greece the country fries had skins on flavor and were toasty Brown Weatherby asked when are you closing the barn you’d better move to the Willows before the first blizzard he occupied unit
3 we have a new neighbor in unit 2 quillin said have you met him no but I’ve seen his car Massachusetts tags he’s a rare book dealer from Boston his name is Kurt Nightingale Hail To Thee blly Spirit Bird thou never w the weatherman always enlivened his predictions with snatches of poetry or
Songs wrong bird said quillin it was written to a Skylar whatever it was Keats at his best sorry friend wrong poet Shelly wrote it but speaking of blly spirits do you think Amanda will be able to unseat the mayor absolutely she’s tough she’s honest she’s a good
Winter and some of us have talked her into adopting a cat from the animal shelter to improve her image Norah was expected to arrive at the barn with the beef pot pie at 3:00 while waiting quillin read another Annie Fanny letter dated November 1st dear Fanny
Just a brief note to thank you for your enthusiasm about our baby and also for the darling booties they’re the first item in our leet it’s a long wait but I’m making plans I sold my piano to make room for a crib but that’s all right I’ll have a baby grand someday meanwhile
I’m reading classic literature for half an hour every evening hoping to give my baby a love of good writing I love the story of King Arthur and his court and if my baby is a boy I’m going to call him Merlin don’t you think that’s a beautiful name his middle name will be
James which I think is very Noble then my pet name for him will be Jamie forgive me for rambling on but I know you’re interested love from Annie querin groaned as a recalled his youthful embarrassment over those names Merlin was the name on his report card
That was bad enough but it was his friend Archie who spread the vile lie that he was called Jamesy at home there had been many a fist fight and many a trip to the principal’s office at 3:00 Celia phoned to say that Norah was on her way with the beef pot
Pie and some other goodies and I just wanted to tell you chief that she has a terrible case of stage fright you’re so famous and the barn is so big and your mustache is so threatening he said thanks for tipping me off I’ll try not to growl at her
He planned an informal chat at the snack bar with a glass of apple cider he would introduce the Siamese and let her stroke yumyum he would show her the mechanical bank and give her a coin to deposit it always amused visitors when the red car pulled into
The Barnyard he went out to meet it and carry the cartons into the kitchen make yourself at home he said casually she stood rooted to one spot and gazed around the immense interior in awe and a little fear you like apple cider he asked yes sir she said sit down to the
Snack bar and we’ll have a glass of cider and talk excuse me sir what is that thing she pointed to kilty and he explained the bank and gave her a penny to deposit Yow came a loud comment from the top of the refrigerator excuse me
Sir is that a cat yes he’s a male Siamese very smart he wants you to start telling your tale where did it take place do you know ugly Gardens sir I’ve seen it on the county map it’s spelled u l y yes sir that was a man’s name Oliver
Ugly he had acres and acres of land and he rented it to poor Farmers Farm families came from the old country to have a good life but the soil was no good and it was swampy all they could raise was turnips they worked very hard quillin nodded he had heard about ugly Gardens
It had been called the last pocket of De pration in Moose County until the Kay fund acquired it and turned it around the land was tilled for drainage and goat farming was introduced the Huts were replaced by prefabricated housing and the families became citizens of a community he asked did your story take
Place before the goats came yes sir how did you know about it I lived there and met a girl at prayer meeting her name was Betsy was there a church at ugly Gardens no sir families just got together and sang hymns was there something special about
Betsy yes sir she was oldest of six kids and had to stay home and help her mother she never went to school quillin thought this doesn’t sound real in today’s world it’s a fantasy a fiction he said don’t wait for me to ask questions just go on with your
Story yes sir when Betsy was 13 she heard about a hotel that hired farm girls to cook and clean because they were hard workers so she ran away from home it was a nice job cleaning rooms and making beds she slept in the basement and got all her Meals one day
The housekeeper told her to take some more towels to a man in one of the rooms he was a nice man he said you’re a pretty girl sit down and talk to me nobody ever called her pretty she stayed a while and he was very friendly he gave
Her a big tip when she left but the housekeeper bowled her out for taking so long and after a few months she was fired for being pregnant quillin huffed into his mustache it sounded like the scenario for an old silent movie go on she was afraid to go home to ugly
Garden so she slept in Barnes all summer and asked for food at farmhouses she knew all about babies because her mother had so many any hers was born in a Shack on chipmunk Road it was a boy she called him Donald but she couldn’t keep him she
Put him in a box and hoped and prayed somebody would find him a policeman found him everybody was talking about the abandoned baby they gave him another name and she heard about him once in a while her Donald then she continued to live in the area yes sir
And she always knew what he was doing playing football working in the woods working at the hotel winning the gold medal does she know he’s suspected of murder yes sir if it’s any comfort to Betsy let her know that the best lawyer in the county will handle his case thank
You sir what if what if if they find out Donald killed his own father he didn’t know quillin hesitated just long enough to swallow of course he didn’t y came a piercing comment from the top of the refrigerator kerin thanked her for the story said he would consider it for the
Book escorted her to the car in the barnyard you told the story very well Nora in your own way do me one favor don’t tell it to anyone else yes sir he would not embarrass her by confronting her with the truth that Betsy’s story was really her
Own but Nora knew that he knew that was evident in the beseeching look in her eyes when she said thank you sir to quillin the incredible coincidence was Koko’s persistent interest in edus Rex the ancient story of a king who unwittingly killed his own father after Norah left Koko came down
From the refrigerator with two hearty thumps and yum yum floated down like a feather they had a small reward for good behavior while quillin had a strong cup of coffee and read another Annie Fanny letter it was dated November 30th dear Fanny I wish I could write a cheerful letter
As the holiday season approaches but I’m worried about Dana and I know you won’t mind if I unload my troubles on you my dear adorable husband has just lost his job at the department store he says they’re cutting down the sales staff but wait a minute the Christmas rush has
Started and they should be hiring extra salespeople shouldn’t they I can’t help wondering if he’s been drinking on his lunch period or even worse on the job I don’t object to cocktails before dinner although I’ve given them up until baby comes but Dana has a tendency to drink a
Wee bit too much when he’s unhappy I can understand that he’s frustrated by the lack of acting opportunities here but the thought that he may have lied to me is most discouraging I must not allow myself to get depressed I must go on dreaming our Dream an acting career for Dana a house
In the suburbs and a healthy baby Dana is going to try for a job as a waiter and I know he’ll be a good one because he has great charm and can play any role well but I worry that he’d have even more opportunities to sneak a drink oh Fanny please think good
Thoughts love from Annie quillin could empathize with the father to be he too had succumbed to a drinking problem when faced with a stressful situation and he could sympathize with the mother to be faced with fears and responsibilities he kept reminding himself this happened more than half a
Century ago there’s nothing I can do why am I so involved OLED he read the letter dated December 29th dear Fanny this will be brief just want you to know that I’m really unwell I’ve missed quite a few days at the library and today the doctor told me to
Stay home and take care of myself or risk losing the baby Dana is working at a convenience store evenings and I sit up waiting for him when he comes home he’s had too much to drink what can I do how will it all end love from Andy before quillin could Marshall his
Reactions the telephone interrupted Mildred was inviting him and Polly to dinner the following evening I know it’s short notice she said but I thought it would be neighborly to have a little dinner for Mr Nightingale just an informal get together with cocktails and a casserole Polly says he’s absolutely
Charming are you free quill I’m always free for one of your casseroles mild with or without a Charming guest of honor mid could not hear him muttering to himself about Pie’s discoveries first the Charming French Canadian professor in Quebec City and then the Charming hand-kissing Jeweler from Chicago and
Now the Charming rare book dealer from Boston what time will you expect us he asked and what’s for dessert chapter 16 Monday September 21st is folly to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs as quillin tore off yesterday’s page from Culvert mcb’s calendar he regretted that the month would soon end
On the last Tuesday he would devote his column to the 10-year-old’s carefully researched collection of wise sayings some were old favorites others had ambiguous meanings a few were of foreign origin all would be printed having been stowed away in a kitchen drawer and readers would be encouraged to discuss
Them over coffee at the dimsdale diner tea at the iTab bidia Estates and beer at the blackbear cafe at 2:00 the Moose County something was routinely delivered to the newspaper sleeve on travelan road and quillin strolled down the lane to pick it up the carrier was late however so he went into
The art center to kill time he found Thornton haggus in the manager’s office and asked him what’s that Hearst doing in the parking lot actually it was a very long very old black Cadillac it’s the tibet’s car roa’s conducting a workshop and silhouette cutting five women and one man are in the classroom
Snipping away would you like to join them no thanks I’d rather learn how to turn wood your two wood turnings are a big hit the spalted elm vessel on the coffee table and the spalted maple box in the library people like to touch them yes they’re sensuous even sensual
Thornton said my male cat is fascinated by the splotches on the spalted box he sniffs them and touches them with his paw I’d wanted to buy it you know but Mildred had already spoken for it did you know she was buying it for me in Moose County everyone knows what
Everyone is doing quill you should have learned that by now okay this is a test question who is Kurt Nightingale you got me who is he a rare book dealer who claims to have come from this area well said the stone cutter I never cut a headstone for a nightingale
And I went through all the old ledgers of the monument works when I wrote that paper for the Historical Society there were Rens and crows but no Nightingales quillin looked out the window there’s the newspaper carrier he’s late today Thornton walked with him to the door anything new about the
Hijacking I believe not Everett my youngest son knew Bose Campbell when they both had summer jobs with a forestry outfit in Camp they’d sit around telling jokes and drinking beer but Bose just sat there whittling and chewing gum his jack knife was a treasured possession he’d start with a
Tree limb and Whittle it down to the size of a pencil when kerin left the center he saw a penny alongside the front path he left it there certain that it was one of Mildred’s calculated Penny drops he now had four lucky pennies in the spalted maple box all grimy tarnished
Weather-worn examples of genuine lost pennies it was too early to dress for dinner and too late to start another serious project so he sat in a comfortable chair and leafed through the latest news magazine in the large empty Silence of the barn the only sound was the Turning of pages
Until his ear was alert to cat noises and he heard a special kind of mumbling yum yum never mumbled it was obviously Coco talking to himself as he undertook a difficult task quillin was out of his chair in a Flash the foyer was the scene of Koko’s
Investigation he lay on his left side on the flagstone floor and extended a long left for leg under the rug then he withdrew it and rolled over to stretch the other for leg under the Oriental which happened to be very thin very old and very valuable yum yum watched with
Interest from a nearby table quillin watched with admiration Koko’s diligence and perseverance the determined animal now tried a frontal attack flattening himself on his Bel and squirming under the carpet nose first like a snake his ears disappeared then his for legs and half of his long torso when he finally
Backed out he had a treasure clamped in his mouth it was a foil gum wrapper Barry Morgan had dropped it into the Chinese water bucket two weeks before it was Yum Yum’s hobby to scour waste baskets for Collectibles to store in secret places and this was probably the
First gum wrapper she had ever seen why did she want it now did coko know she wanted it how did he know she wanted it if he knew would he be likely to do her a favor did cats do favors for other cats questions about cat behavior have
No answers quillin decided he gave them an early dinner and had time for one more letter before leaving for the rker party date January 1st dear Fanny happy New Year and thank you so much for your generous check I thought Dana would be pleased with the thoughtful Christmas
Gift but for some strange reason he was angry then I said it was a loan to be repaid after the baby comes but he raved and ranted he’d been drinking and was really out of control he tore up the check and said he wasn’t going to accept charity from his wife’s
Girlfriend oh dear what to do sometimes I’m at my Wit’s End one minute he’s wonderful and after a drink he’s not the same person his masculine pride is hurt because he can’t support us yesterday he was yelling I’ll support my wife and child even if I have to work the garbage
Trucks or hold up gas stations that’s when he tore up your check and today he was hung over and filled with remorse then he gets suicidal today I screamed at him don’t talk like that in front of our baby I’ve never screamed at anyone in my life have you ever heard me scream
Fanny I don’t know what’s happening to me love from Annie quillin threw the letter back in the box there was something naggingly familiar about the scene Annie had described on the way to Indian village to meet Paulie’s Charming antiquarian he stopped at the Macintosh in to have
Another look at lady an so Serene so poised that was the way he remembered her a few minutes later he was at the Willows greeting Polly also poised and Serene they walked to The Birches he was carrying a bottle of wine and yellow mums for their hosts she had a jar of
Honey tied with a ribbon for the guest of honor it’s the traditional housewarming gift she explained do you know the line quill about honey and plenty of money from Edward Lear Kurt has a book of lear’s nonsense poems that’s valued at 12,000 we were talking about it
Yesterday has he moved in quillin asked no the moving van arrived tomorrow when they arrived at the rer condo the vehicle with Massachusetts tags was parked in the visitor slot isn’t that an exciting car Polly cried it was a Jaguar they presented their gifts Polly saying to the book dealer here’s to
Honey and lots of money he was introduced as kurtwell Nightingale but said he liked to be called Kurt quillin sized him up as an ordinary looking man of ordinary bills with ordinary clothing and haircut and handshake cocktails were served and Arch proposed a toast in your garden of life
May your pea pods never be empty quillin asked what brings you to little Arctica Kurt I grew up around here the man said and at a certain age one has a yearning to come home did you live in pickaxe no out in the country he’s evasive quillin thought
Probably grew up in Mudville or ugly Gardens nild said quill has a fabulous collection of old books in his barn an accumulation not a collection he corrected her I simply wander into Edington Smith’s place and buy something I’d like to read or something I’ve read before and never
Owned not all collectors buy for investment the dealer said many buy for personal reading pleasure my only advice is to check the book’s condition it should have a secure binding and all pages with no tears or underlining and of course A Clean Cover quillin asked what if your cat has a hobby of
Knocking books off the shelf you have a problem Paulie’s question was if I want to collect books how do I start first decide whether you want to be a generalist or a specialist it’s my humble opinion that Specialists have more fun if you focus on one category zoology shipwrecks or Thomas Edison for
Example example the hunt can be exciting Polly said she would choose Ornithology Mildred old cookbooks Arch life and early America quillin said I have an old copy of domestic manners of the Americans that you can have for 20 bucks sure you bought it for three quill said Kurt you’re on your way
To becoming an antiquarian book seller all it takes is one profitable sale and you get the fever and by the way Polly gave me some back copies of your column your you’re a splendid writer and she tells me that’s a portrait of your mother in the lobby of the Inn a
Handsome woman mild interrupted by announcing dinner individual casseroles of shrimp and asparagus green salad with toasted sesame seeds and stil and cheese and cranberry parfaits on the way home Polly asked quillin what he thought of their new neighbor not a bad guy he said it was midnight when the brown van drove
Into the Barnyard and quillin expected a scolding instead Koko and yum yum staged a demonstration in the foyer prowling back and forth and jumping at the two tall windows that flanked the double doors quillin flood lighted that side of the building expecting to see a marauding raccoon there was no sign of
Wildlife but shadowy movement could be seen behind the screens of the Gazebo a Prowler he thought Bose Campell before he could call the police however a thin figure materialized out of the shadows and came running toward the barn with waving arms and shouts of Mr Q Mr Q Lenny quillin shouted back
Going out to meet him what are you doing here you’re supposed to be in duth I came back do you have any food I’m starved I spent my last nickel on breakfast how did you get here where’s your truck out of gas on the highway I
Walked the rest of the way come in come in I’ll make a ham and cheese sandwich well would you like to drink beer coffee Cola milk if you’ve got it quillin put a glass and a plastic jug of milk on the snack bar help yourself while I throw the sandwich together
Mustard horseradish both is Ry bread okay anything then he gulped a glassful and poured another do you know what’s been going on here since you left the stolen pistol the hijacking everything the young man said Mom phoned my aunt’s house every night why did you decide to come home
I’m worried about Bose I’m afraid he’ll get himself shot some tricker happy Claude will see him in the woods and panic he’ll think he’s shooting him in self-defense so you think he’s hiding out in the woods kerin said that’s my hunch too although it’s generally thought he’ll steal another vehicle and
Disappear down below here try this sandwich I have ice cream in the freezer too don’t talk until you finish eating sitting on a bar stool quillin filled him in with the latest news I husand Hassel died the Mark Twain Festival is postponed Amanda good winter is running for mayor Homer tibit
Celebrated his 98 the sloes are selling their drugstore and moving to Florida Lenny chewed in silence obviously more interested in his own crisis than in local news after he had devoured a chocolate Sunday the two of them went to the library area and stretched out in lounge chairs kerin
Said tell me what you propose to do get him out of the woods for his own safety under normal conditions he could live off the land he has his jack knife and now he has a gun and he has friends out there in Backwoods stores who’d sell him ammo and matches and Flashlight
Batteries and chewing them they’d even help to hide him they’re on his side he’s their own kind besides he’s a hero do you think you can get him to come out of the woods and give himself up he trusted me or he wouldn’t have told me
What happened now maybe he thinks I’m a double Crosser but that’s a chance I’ve got to take Mr barter told told me that no moose County jury would convict a simple Country Boy duped by a big city Sharpie I knew she wasn’t that guy’s niece I’ve been working in hotels since
I was 16 and I know a bimo when I see one she tried to come on to me at the desk you know but I wasn’t having any if only I could have guessed she’d be in jail and the old guy would be alive and Bose would still be a
Hero quillin stroked his mustache what makes you think you can find him I’m pretty sure I know where he is said Lenny looking looking wise if we can take your van wait a minute Lanny are you expecting me to go out there we got to quillin considered it a hairbrained
Mission although his professional curiosity and sense of adventure were undermining his better judgment he hesitated do you have a couple of flashlights Lenny asked they drove out chipmunk Road in silence until quiller and said you mentioned that Bose could buy chewing gum from backwood stores yeah
He’s a chain chewer always has a wad in his mouth at the Inn where gum chewing isn’t allowed on the job the housekeeper found gum wrappers in the waste basket behind the desk and wads of gum stuck under the edge of the counter it was my job to straighten them out not
Easy the midnight shift must be dull what does the night clerk do to pass the time when he isn’t talking to bimbos on the sixth to midnight I get a chance to study Bose liked comic books all that seems like a long time ago I’ve lived a year in the past
Week after a while quillin asked isn’t this the way to the big be mine yep it was once owned and operated by a woman oh Lenny’s mind was somewhere else not in the conversation until the Big B shaft house came in view silvery in the Moonlight take the next right he said
It’s a dirt road it paralleled the six-foot chain that marked the limits of the mine property like all other mines the big bee was posted as dangerous and the fence was topped with three courses of barbed wire okay Mr Q stop here let’s get out and walk they took the flashlights
Although the moon was bright the rutted lane was shaded by overhanging tree branches the leaves had not yet begun to fall as they walked all was quiet except for the wine of tires on chipmunk Road behind them and the occasional scurrying of a small animal in the underbrush at
The northeast corner of the fenced site the lane turned South and became even more primitive Lenny said in a hushed voice Boose and I used to play around here when we were kids we knew how to get over the barbed wire without skinning a knee and how to pry a board
Loose from the shaft house you mean you went inside that dilapidated wreck crazy wasn’t it it was spooky inside all scaffolding and ladders we could hear the water sosing in the M shaft a zillion feet below there’s a Subterranean Lake down there how do you
Know everybody says so all I know is we threw Pebbles down and heard them Splash we’d climb to the top platform with a pocket full of Pebbles and sit there and eat a candy bar didn’t you realize how dangerous it was those Timbers are more
Than a century old yeah but 14 in square and put together with handmade spikes a foot long we climbed around like monkey monke we were only 9 years old our only fear was that Mom would find out once we were dumb enough to try smoking on the
Top platform Bose had stolen a cigarette somewhere and I had book matches we lit it all right but it didn’t taste as good as a candy bar we dropped it down the shaft and heard it fizzle out in the water or imagined we did that was one of
Our finer moments I’ll bet quillin said thinking what a sheltered life he and Arch had lived in Chicago sh he flashed his light on the ground he’s here there’s a gum wrapper a scrap of foil caught the light quillin’s mustache twitched as he remembered Koko’s obsession with a bit of foil under the
Rug look Mr Q here’s where he built a campfire there was a charred circle on the ground and some small bones he cooked a rabbit I bet he’s saving the Skins to make a blanket quillin looked around uneasily he felt they were being watched through
A KN hole in Old boards he could see a pinpoint of light inside let’s get out of here he whispered but Lenny began to shout Bose it’s Lenny are you all right we came to help you there was no answer I know he’s in there Lenny whispered I can see
Pinpoints of light flashlight or Lantern this is insane quillin hissed Lenny shouted again Bose everything’s going to be all right Mr Q’s here he’s going to help you all was quiet again and then they heard a gunshot from the tower quillin grabbed Lenny’s upper arm roughly and propelled him back along the Primitive
Road there was another shot then sounds of thumping and crashing and splintering of old wood a splash and silence again breathless and wordless they hurried along the dirt Lane leading to the highway in the van quillin phoned 911 and backed the vehicle out to the shoulder of chipmunk Road they waited
With headlights beamed on the shaft house Lenny sat quietly shivering need a sweater quillin asked there’s one on the back seat when the police come let me do the talking one by one the emergency vehicles appeared the sheriff’s patrol car an ambulance the pickaxe police the rescue squad quillin’s presence lent
Credibility and seriousness to the incident not only did he have a press card he was Mr Q as he reported it they had been driving past and saw flickers of light in the tower barely visible in the chinks between the weathered boards they drove into the lane for a closer
Look heard gunshots and backed out in a hurry leaving the scene and heading back to pickax he said to his passenger do you want to be dropped at Lois’s house how will you reach your truck in the morning is there anything I can do let me give you some money for gas better
Not give Lois any of the details Lenny was in a fog he just wanted to go home he had lost a brother he felt guilty his intentions had been good he should have stayed in duth he should have left everything to fate he was jinxed quillin listened sympathetically murmuring remonstrance encouragement
Condolences whatever was needed chapter 17 Tuesday September 22nd can a leopard change his spots after the late hours episode at the big be mine quillin wanted to sleep late but the siames had other ideas they howled outside his door at 20-minute intervals and were suspiciously quiet in
Between when he shuffled down the ramp to investigate he found that someone had Pride open a kitchen drawer and some someone had removed the 21 previous Pages torn from culbert’s calendar and someone had distributed them throughout the main floor he presumed it to be a collaboration what he called their
Jerry Rumple teaser act and he collected the litter of paper with grudging admiration they knew how to capture a person’s attention during the morning he avoided news bulletins on W pkx preferring to wait for the 2:00 edition of the Moose County something meanwhile he delivered a van load of
Books and personal belongings to his condo unit four at the Willows a moving van from Boston was unloading at unit 2 and the Jaguar was parked under the visitor’s carport on the way back to town it occurred to him that now might be a good
Time to present py with a gift he had special ordered and was saving for sweetest day now he reasoned however that his move back to Indian village had a celebratory aspect and in midday he walked into her office with a gift wrapped package she was having a vegetarian
Lunch at her desk have some celery straws she invited slightly knowing he despised them then she saw the small box in guilt paper and ribbons for me what’s the occasion Quil it’s Tuesday he said with characteristic calm after fumbling excitedly with the wrappings she uncovered an octagonal
Bottle of French perfume encased in Gold filigree she was stunned she tripped over her words had never seen such a beautiful bottle had never dreamed she’d have such a famous scent to spray on her skin both of them were remembering an evening last month between Sunset and dark when Twilight descended on the
World like a blue mist and brought her magical silence L blue glad you like it quillin said he grabbed a handful of celery straws pickax commercial establishments and government agencies no longer observed the quaint custom of shutting down for lunch between 12:00 and 1 but it was
Still wise to avoid that hour for making transactions quillin went home to give the cats their midday treat and to start cleaning out the refrigerator for his own lunch Celia’s catered Specialties that he had been stockpiling in the freezer would be transported to Winter quarters in dry ice
He had a list of individuals to notify about his move it was only a gesture to the bank manager postmaster garage owner book seller and so forth the truth was that everyone in town knew where Mr Q was living at any given time but it was
A compliment to be on his list foremost was the chief of police his Department always kept an eye on the barn when quillin was not in Residence Andy tonight’s your last chance to drop in for a night cap quillin said to the disgruntled officer sitting at the computer Brody was always
Irked and impatient when confronted with the contraption that he loathed be there at 10:00 the chief said Brusly can’t stay long at 2:00 the Moose County something reached the new stands with the headline suspect dies in M shaft a fugitive from the law fell to his death in the shaft of the abandoned
Big be mine early this morning morning John Campbell who was wanted for murder and two counts of theft was hiding out in the shaft house when an unidentified motorist noticed a light in the tower and called 911 after hearing a gunshot the Sheriff’s Department pickaxed police and rescue squad Personnel
Responded the suspect known locally as Bose Campbell had won a gold medal for a perfect three out of three CER toss in the Highland Games earlier this month before disappearing into the woods assaulting a deputy stealing her revolver and hijacking the city’s bookmobile he was 25 a native of moose
County with no known parentage a student at MCCC and a part-time employee of the Macintosh Inn he leaves no survivors a sidebar on the same page was headed Bose mourned by sport fans when news of John Bose Campbell’s death became known sport fans gathered at Lois’s luncheon at to grieve extoled his
Athletic Feats praised his woodsmanship and refused to believe he was guilty of crimes Lois inchot who had known him since he was a young boy said he was a nice young man kind of sweet but he’d had no bringing up and my son Lenny and
I sort of adopted him he didn’t drink or smoke and he loved the woods when he won the gold medal I felt like my own son had won it we’re going to have a nice funeral for him and my customers are taking up a collection to buy him a
Headstone I hope they find the real murderer I know Bose could couldn’t have done it after reading this quillin was hardly surprised to hear from Lenny phoning from the kitchen of the lunchroom against a clatter of pots and pans and his mother’s shouted commands did you read it Lenny asked abruptly yes your
Mother’s statement was very touching she’s a good-hearted woman Lenny they didn’t tell how Bose was tricked into doing it the paper printed information released by The Police use your common sense don’t you suppose the authorities are on the trail of the woman who duped him she’s done it before she’s a menace
Sit tight and see what they discover there’s another thing Mr Q when we heard the gunshot last night I thought Bose had shot himself but today I’m wondering if he tripped and fell and the gun went off accidentally what do you think good question we’ll never know will we
Whatever makes you comfortable in your mind it seems to me that’s what you should believe quillin was struggling with questions of his own about Koko’s recent behavior all cats he knew are psychic to a degree but Koko who had more than the normal number of Whiskers was exceptionally preent it was his system
Of communication that baffled one he howled in the night he knocked books off the shelf he tossed pencils around like bows tossing the cab he licked photographs he dug up Clues and hid others who could say how much was pertinent evidence and how much was catly playfulness and how much was strictly
Coincidence when Coco pilfered Brazil nuts from the nut Bowl did his actions have anything to do with a cruel trick played on Bose Campbell or had he found something deliciously oily into which he could sink his fangs quillin would have liked a confidant with whom to discuss such
Arcane matters but even his close friends were unreceptive the least likely candidate happened to be the best Prospect and he was coming to the barn for a drink at 10:00 Chief Andrew Brody had scoffed at quillin’s smart cat at the beginning but he was gradually coming around in the evening the temperature
Dropped and a West Wind arose quillin put on a wool turtleneck jersey and a heavy sweater and built a fire in the library fireplace the barn was drafted it was high time to move the Siamese whose hair was standing on end took up position Ians on the
Hearth rug facing the blaze as if to toast their whiskers quillin stretched out in the lounge chair closest to the fire and wondered if Andy would prefer a hot buttered rum to his usual Scotch meanwhile he read another Annie Fanny letter dated January 3rd dear Fanny the worst has happened
Yesterday I was sitting alone reading Spencer’s fairy queen to take my mind off the new year we had neither the money nor the spirit to celebrate Dana had been trying to get a job as a waiter but the restaurants were hiring only experienced help finally he lied and was
Hired but he didn’t last more than one shift it was too obvious that he had never worked in a restaurant before when he came home he was feeling positively suicidal I was really worried because I knew his brother had taken his own life but yesterday he went out again to look
For work I felt so sorry for him I thought my heart would break but then I remembered my responsibility to my baby and started reading about the knights and Ladies of old suddenly there was a knock on my door and two police officers were there they said ma’am we regret to
Inform you that your husband has been killed I almost fainted and they helped me to a chair all I could think was he’s thrown himself in front of a bus I managed to ask was it a car accident they said no ma’am he was shot by a security guard during an attempted bank
Robbery quillin had read enough he jumped up and threw the letter into the fireplace the past is dead he muttered and they emptied the entire box of cling and chain correspondence into the blaze a car pulled into the Barnyard and the cats pricked their ears but quillin had
The poker and was feeding the Flames Brody let himself in and swaggered through the kitchen to the library it’s a good night for a fire he said in his commanding voice temperature dropped 20° since sundown what are you doing burning vital evidence getting rid of obsolete documents before I move sit
By the fire Andy how’d you like your scotch on a night like this just a splash of tap water not too big a splash he settled into a deep cushion armchair don’t let me get too comfortable and forget to pick up my wife at 10:00 she’s at the church helping to mend winter
Clothing they collected for the needy she’s been there since 4:00 they serve the women supper what did you do for food ah I found some be and franks in the fridge and warmed them up sounds better than what I had quillin served the Beverages and individual bowls of
Nuts the luxury mix keep your eye on the Brazil nuts Andy coko collects them doesn’t eat them just collects them so you’re moving back to the Village anything new out there a new neighbor kurtwell Nightingale know him says he’s from around here although he’s been living in Boston never heard of a
Nightingale in these parts and I worked for the sheriff’s department long enough to memorize the county book the name sounds phony to me he sells rare books from his home some priced and five figures hm said the chief sounds a bit Shady better keep an eye on him put your
Smart cat on his tail then he spotted kilty on the bar what’s that strange looking thing a vintage mechanical Bank about 1930 from the sprinkle collection quillin brought it into the circle around the fire extorted Ed a dime from his guest and pressed the lever B laughed with gusto when the canny Scott
Blinked and pocketed the coin and have you seen thoron haggis’s wood turnings quillin put the spalted maple box on the table at his guest’s elbow pick it up examine it see how perfectly the lid fits Ro looked inside pennies I’m saving up to buy a yacht
Quillin said didn’t you ever pick up a lucky penny in the street Andy not since I was 6 years old nothing was said about Bose Campbell until the chief had downed his second drink then he asked abruptly what were you doing at the big be mine last night driving in from a
Party in the country it’s a sad ending to a sad story who should know better than you it’s not over till it’s over off the Record there’ll be a break in the case soon real soon the FBI is watching the girl she’s pulled other scams with a iety of
Aliases at that moment Koko who was sitting on the Hearth rug Rose in the air and landed on the end table he gave Brody an impudent stare nipped the knob of the maple box yowled and jumped to the floor what’s wrong with him the chief asked he does some peculiar things
But he usually has a reason quillin explained remember hearing about the paper towels he draped around the kitchen you had just discovered that all the the towels in Del Camp Suite were missing what happened well this is just between you and me when we finally unlocked the
Jewel cases they were empty she had cleaned them out before checking them into the manager’s safe that night and it’s our theory that she wrapped the jewels in towels and had them in duffel bags when Bose drove her to the airport all her regular luggage and clothes were left in her
Room Quin asked seriously would you say that Coco’s demonstration with the paper cows was only a coincidence he was thinking about Brazil nuts snapshot licking and the gum wrapper couple of years ago I’d have said yes when I met Lieutenant haes that time down below and he told me about
Your smart cat I didn’t believe a word hes is a great cop but little nuts you know but now he jumped up it’s almost 10 thanks for the drinks tell kok he’ll be sworn in next week if the sheriff can have a dog the PPD can have a cat on the
Force he was striding for the exit and quillin was following Brody was saying if you ever get married quill never be late in picking up your wife we’re a onecar family now that we can’t use official Vehicles when off duty quillin consulted his watch you
Have 2 minutes to get to the church you can make it if you drive the wrong way around the Park Circle too bad you don’t have a siren Brody slid behind the wheel and said just before driving away stick close to your radio I think there’ll be news
Quillin stirred the fire and added another log which the Siamese appreciated in removing the refreshment tray he noted that his guest had not touched the Brazil nuts and neither had Coco that meant that the case was closed as far as the cat was concerned he had lost interest in the yellow pencils
Edifice wrecks and snapshots of the Highland Games to quillin that was proof that these were messages and not mere catline sprawling in front of the fire he thought about other things and dozed lightly until a dull ache in the center of his forehead roused him Koko was
Sitting on the arm of the chair staring at him he sat up and coko scampered to the feeding station in the kitchen it was almost 11:00 time for the news time for the Bedtime snack while the cats bent over their crunchy treat quillin heard the W pkx announcer say a woman
Alleged to have planned the robbery and murder of a Chicago jeweler in pickax has been arrested as she boarded a plane for Rio de Janeiro carrying large quantities of jewelry and cash she had registered at the Macintosh in as Pamela North and was posing as the victim’s niece and assistant investigators say
She tricked a local man John Bose Campbell into committing the crime using a number of other aliases she has perpetrated similar schemes elsewhere her legal name is now known to be Harriet Marie peny Campell fell to his death early this morning in the shaft
House of the big be mine where he was in hiding Penny Penny quillin exclaimed coko did you hear thatle Koko said between a yowl and the swallow the end you’ve been listening to the cat who robbed a bank by Ian Jackson Brawn narrated by George guidel hello my dear
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1 Comment
The unknown how the apple seedling & how it got there might have came from bird poop. Birds eating seeds by chance traveling thousands of miles only to poop on distance locations.