Anne, may I jump in? I cannot write like you, but I will add a few thoughts.

Just then Koko let out a ear splitting Yowwwwwww. Five seconds later the phone rang. It was Andrew Brodie, police chief of Pickax. Qwill, will you be in for a wee bit, I want to stop and talk something over with you after I drop Mrs. Brodie off at church this morning. Yes, Andie, I will brew some more coffee. No you will not be killing me with that stuff you pass off as coffee, no thanks. Qwill hung up the phone and turned to the cats, that is your Uncle Brodie. He is coming over in a few minutes. Yowwww said Koko, Nowwww said Yumyum and she jumped down from Qwill's lap and walked off.

Brodie sat on the contemporary sofa and ate Scotish shortbread and drank coffee with a grimmace toward the later. What brings you buy this morning Brodie, Qwill asked. I was wondering when you would be moving to the condo. Qwill wintered at a condo in Indian village. He did it, because in the past, the barn was so hard to heat and to be close to Polly. Those reasons did not hold true now, but he continued the practice out of routine and the sameness of the practice pleased him. Better make a move before snow flies, Brodie answered. Why do you ask, Qwill commented. Well, the sheriff's boys have been having trouble in the woods across the Ittabitawasee Creek. Right across from your unit. The have busted several poachers up to no good this fall.

I think I'm going to sit back and see where this goes. Looks like our story is taking on a life of its own.

By the time Brodie had left, he had consumed two cups of coffee and several pieces of Scottish bread. He hurried off to pick up his wife from church. Qwill turned to the cats, as his mustache twitched and itched, it is time to move back to the condo. He tamped his mustache with one hand, First thing tomorrow we will call Bart's office and have the cleaning crew ready the condo for the winter. I'll go by Tootle's Market and stock up on winter supplies.

The next morning, Qwill shopped at Tootles, buying a case of canned red salmon, a case of shrimp, a half pound of turkey, a half pound of roast beef, and some canned crab. He stopped off at the Scottish Bakery and purchases some rolls and breads for the freezer, and then stopped at the liquor store to stock his bar for the winter. Brodie drank Scotch, and he picked up ingredients for margaritas and a few other things. When he got back to the apartment, Koko was waiting as if he knew a change in address was about to take place. Yumyum was no where to be seen. He busied himself clearing his refrigerator and packing. He carried a suitcase and the turkey roaster that served as the cat's comode down to his SUV. It was a new vehicle for him. His van had developed to many knocks and screeches from driving country roads and he had traded at Gibbles for a gray nondescript SUV this past spring. It suited his purposes well enough. Yumyum came walking......

YumYum came walking out of the bedroom and across the living room. Qwilleran scooped her up and put her in the cat carrier. Koko hopped in eager to go for a ride. Qwilleran drove the short distance to Indian Village at a leisurely pace, so he did not upset her royal highness. Yumyum did not like fsst speeds, curves or hills. Indian Village was a fairly new development of apartments and condiminiums set along the Ittabitsiwasee creek which was a deep, fast flowing creek that might be considered in another area to be a small river. Flora and Fauna abounded and as fall began to give way to winter, the warm colors of the season were quite beautiful. (Insert one of LJB's big words in here to describe the color) lol

Weatherby Good was the radio announcer at the Pickax radio station that served Moose County. (I can't remember where the station is located really) His real name is Joe Bunker and over the years he had become a good frient to Qwill. When Joe arrived, Qwill served Squnk Water, a local mineral water, over ice. They settled into comfortable couches in front of a large windo overlooking the creek. Qwill opened the conversation with a question. What's this I hear about drug dealers in our woods Joe. And burglary Sat. night of some condos. Yes, we could hardly believe it. We live in a gated community, and the burglars came through the woods and across the creek from behind. They tried to rob Polly's old condo that Barbara lived in for a time. They did not know since she moved back down below that it was empty and nothing in there to steal. Amanda Goodwinter was in Chicago on a buying trip for her business and she was burglarized as well as the vet. Of all people, Amanda, the mayor of Picax. She will be in an even worse mood than usual when she hears about it.

Agreed on both counts.

Qwill leaves the Something and walks to the Bookstore. As he is going in, Polly and a strange man are on their way out. Hello, Polly,I thought I heard you were in town! Why, Qwill, how good to see you. There is a protracted long look between them. Qwill, I would like you to meet Steven Stearns, my husband. Both men shake hands. I have heard so much about you Mr. Qwilleran, it's finally good to meet you. You have me at at disadvantage in that I don't know anything about you, but since I trust Polly's judgement, it's a pleasure to meet you also. Afew uncomfortable minutes pass and then both Polly and Qwill speak at the same time. Well...Qwill then asks: how long will you be in Pickax? Oh, only a week, replies Polly. I wanted Steven to see where I spent most of my adult life. Well, I hope you enjoy your stay. Qwill continues into the store and Polly and Steven continue down the street. As he enters, he sees twelve pair of eyes on him, the manager, staff and a few customers are all staring at him until they come to themselves and turn away.

Written by a friend of mine: