<br><br> <center>*There was nothing I could do to dim the supernovae exploding
 inside my brain, an endless chain of intra cranial firecrackers*
― John Green</center>




<br><br> <center>![image-of-a-human-skeleton.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmYagdhJZf4EKbeSJRRyPVSyoR73ypHK2FK23BbkeB8bSH/image-of-a-human-skeleton.jpg)</center>





<br><br>It was incredible. I felt we had been to Mars where the atmosphere was a hundred times less dense than ours and the sense of desolation and alienation almost as incomprehensible.

What the hell was going on?

"I'm still puzzling over the link between the Nazi government and the Canadian government's contemporary involvement," Nate mused. 

Gail nodded in agreement. "And what about those Nazi briefing documents―how can we know if they are even legitimate?"

<br><br>I held up a hand. "One thing at a time, guys. I know it's overwhelming but there are many skeins to untangle and pursue."

Nate looked exasperated. "Where do we begin if we don’t even know the players? I mean, is Hannah Becker really a friend of Esther's or is she representing the government's interest in this house?"

I smiled at Nate. "I'm writing down all these questions as you raise them―some of them maybe Esther can answer―if she's free to disclose what's really going on here. And that raises another question, why involve us as private citizens?"

Once again silence descended and we stared at each other at a loss for where to begin.

<br><br>My cell vibrated on the table and we all jumped. 

"Guess all our nerves are frayed," I muttered.

It was Greg's sober voice on the other end. "We found something―you need to come now."

I didn't have to be a sensitive to detect the note of dread in Greg's tone.

"We've got our starting point," I said and rose to go. "This might be unsettling, so be prepared."

<br><br>We walked up the street and followed the paved walkway to the back of the house where Poppy and Greg were waiting .

"Look at this," Greg said, handing us a print-out of a geophysical survey that clearly showed a skeleton.

"Without digging a hole it's impossible to know whether this is contemporary or ancient," he opined.

"So what do we do?" Gail moaned.

I shrugged. “Call the police. Let them decide.”

<br><br>There was nothing to do but sit and wait. Gail looked shaken and Nat and Greg were grim and silent.

Poppy was bewildered. “Are all your investigations like this?”

“Nope,” I smiled bleakly, “this one is special.”

<br><br>The corner’s van arrived along with several uniformed police and a dark haired man in a suit I assumed was a detective.

“Abe Rosen,” he said, extending his hand. “Is this how you spend your weekends, Professor?”

His eyes crinkled when he smiled and I instantly took a liking to him.

“No, we usually just raise spirits of the dead, but this is our first skeleton.”

He glanced at the girls’ obviously appreciative of their looks, “Yeah, university was never like this when I attended.”

<br><br>He asked to see Greg’s geophysical survey and then spent a good hour examining the grounds and ordered a  dozen photographs.

“We’ll have to tape this off as a crime scene,” he winced, “I know that’ll put a bit of a dent in your investigations.”

“It can’t be helped,” I shrugged.

He nodded and clapped me affectionately on the shoulder. “I like your attitude, Prof, “you remind me of a friend of mine.”

He tilted his head in the direction of the coffee shop, “How about you let me buy you a coffee?”

<br><br>It was weird the way we seemed to hit it off as if it were the most natural thing in the world for him to invite me to chat over coffee.

Very weird, but in a good way.

He seemed particularly interested in my house whispering and I sensed there was a lot more he wasn’t telling me.

<br><br>We sat down in the booth Gail, Nate and I had previously occupied while he went to the counter to order the coffee.

Two beautiful women were sitting in the booth across from me, a redhead and a blonde and I got the sense they were high-end escorts, although I had no experience with such things.

The redhead caught my eye and asked, “Are you in real estate, cause my friend and I are looking for a place?”

I coloured up to the roots of my hair. Even I knew a proposition when I heard one.

<br><br>At this point, Abe returned and eyeing the girls, couldn’t resist commenting.

“Hey, if you two ladies are free you’re welcome to join us.”

I wanted to sink into the floor and disappear. How the hell could Abe not see who these two women were?”

“Don’t mind if we do,” Blondie said, and she and her redhead friend slid into the bench seat opposite us.

“It seems we have some free time,” the redhead said again, “and I’m kind of interested in your friend.”

“You’ve got very good taste,” Abe smiled, “he’s a Professor.”

“Guess I’m always drawn to the quiet ones.”

<br><br> I was about to make an excuse and leave when the redhead laughed 

“So Abe—how’s it goin’?”

“Hey, Darlin’—you know me—always somethin’ goin.”

“Who’s your cute friend?” the blonde asked.

I felt the colour creeping up my neck again as patrons turned to stare.

<br><br>Abe reached out, grabbed my arm to steady me.

 “This cutesy pie here, is Laird—he’s a university Professor—very knowledgeable.”

The redhead laughed. “He looks like he learns most of what he knows after dark.”

Again the colour shot up to the roots of my hair.

The blonde intervened. “Aw, leave him alone, Cindy—he’s cute.”

I looked desperately at Abe. “I really think we should go.”

<br><br>He burst out laughing, and pulled me by the lapels so my ear was close to his mouth. “These aren’t real hookers, Pal—they’re undercover cops.”

My eyes widened and the blonde patted my arm affectionately. “It’s okay—I guess we look the part.”

“You sure do,” I blurted out.

The three of them laughed—Abe so much, he was wheezing. He had tears in his eyes.

<br><br>”See you around, Abe,” the redhead said as the pair got up to leave.

“You made my day, Darlins,” he called after them. 

He waited until they were out the door before he turned to me.

“Sorry Laird, but I had to string it out. They’re part of *my* team and your house is under surveillance.”

I stared at him,  open mouthed. 

I had told Poppy the investigation was ‘special’, but had no idea my wry humour would come back to haunt me.

And why the hell were the police surveilling the house? I was definitely in way over my head.

<br><br> <center>To be continued…</center>

<br><center>© 2020, John J Geddes. All rights reserved</center>

<br><center>[Photo]( https://images.app.goo.gl/VpnaH1CJ27BsfYNL8  )</center>

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