Qwilleran and Arch Riker walked into Lois' just as a woman was entering from the other direction. Qwill recognized her as the state investigator, Anne Cunningham, he had just met. Qwill intorduced him to Riker and asked her to join them. Anne said, "Yes, thank you, one thing I hate is to eat alone. Being single, I eat out alot. Qwill assured her, oh yes I can understand, I hate to eat alone also. They sat in a booth and Riker asked her what she was doing in Pickax. She smiled and said, I am on vacation for the fall, I have taken some time off and am looking at different parts of the state with my futre retirement in mine. Qwill felt a tingling in his mustache. They placed their order for flapjacks and eggs over easy with sausage. Riker said, "I hear retirement is over rated. I plan on working at the newpaper untl they carry me out." Anne turned to Qwill, are you retired Mr. Qwilleran? Qwill said, No, " Semi retired, I write a twice a week column for the newpaper." Oh I see, well I am sure that keeps you so busy. Do you employ researchers?" No, I just muddle about the county, looking for material." She laughed, "I think what you do is so interesting. I would love to do something like that in retirement, but there is only one problem. I can't write!" They laughed. As they finished their breakfast and got up to leave, Qwill insisted on picking up the check. Riker whispered to him, sorry we did not get to talk about Polly's return. Qwill answered, excuse me old chum, but Polly who? Riker grinned and looked at the back of Anne as she started to walk away. Qwill said, "Ms. Cunningham, Oh she said, call me Anne, well he said, you call me Qwill, and I will see you at the clubhouse at 7 tongiht. I have invited Arch and his lovely wife. Yes she said, I will see you at 7.
Qwill walked back to his car with a bounce in his step. The prospect of this lovely woman retiring to the condos. Interesting. But he knew from Brody's conversation she must be here for the current meth lab investigation. The retirement was probalby jsut a cover story. But one could hope.........

Hi Heidi. Thanks! If you can think of a villan other than Alma, please tell us.

Qwilleran purchases a book published in 1910 by Robert Leighton entitled: Dogs and all About Them. He thought it might provided information for the Qwill Pen column and give him conversations material for tonight. When Qwill arrived home he took his book purchase the the dog collar in the condo. Koko and Yumyum sniffed both, but Yumyum sneezed and soon walked off with distain. Koko was extremely interested in both and moved the collar about with his nose. I better put this collar under lock and key or her highness will hide it under a rug. He picked up the collar and again noticed how heavy it was. Koko let out a piercing Yowwwwwwwyowwwwwwwwwwwww and Qwill's mustache tingled. He went to the kitchen and examined the color under better lighting. It seemed to be very frayed along one edge, he picked at it with his fingernail and said Koko, I think you are right, something is different about this collar. Qwill got a knife and picked at the seam until it loosened and he could see a paper sticking out of the place he had ripped the seam. He cut along the seam, and extracted a very small folded paper. He unfolded it carefully and read..........He grabbed the phone and called Brody.

Brody, can you come over here around 5. I have to go out later but I need to talk to you about something I just found. Brody agreed to stop by around 5:30. Qwill walked over the the antique glovebox on the table in the entryway and put the paper in it. So far Yumyum the paw had not discovered how to open it. He feed the cats their noon snack and went in his office in the spare bedroom upstairs and called the newspaper. He spoke to Jr. Goodwinter and alerted him to save space in the paper for a news item that he could not yet tell him about. Brody drove up around 5:20, and Qwill ushered him in. Brody, I took a lost dog to the clinic this morning and this is his collar, Qwill said, taking the color out of the glove box. Qwill retreived the folded paper from the collar and Brody read it. Local guys caught, abort opertion. Meet me Sat at state park. Well said Brody, what is this all about. You say it was a lost dog, where did you find it? The dog was running around in the grass between here and the creek. And the dog is at the clinic now you say. Yes, took him there this morning. Okay, I will turn this over the the state police's person. Have you met her yet. Yes I have Brody, and some of us are getting together with her tonight at the clubhouse, You don't say, well, I saw her vehicle parked by her condo, I will head over and show her this. Brody do you mind if I tag along, she might have questions about where I found it. Well suit yourself. I told her you were a nosey one and liked to poke your way into investigations.

Anne,

Check the section of the forum called "A Story From Polly's Point of View." There is a post by Praline that asks your permission to merge stories.

I enjoyed reading this.

After a rolicking night of fun, with lots of good food and music by Weatherby Good, Qwill walked Anne home. He said good night to her and asked her not tho pay any attention to the mayor, Amanda Goodwinter and her caustic comments, telling her the mayor meant no harm, jus thad a rotten personality. But they liked her anyway. Anne seemed to enjoy the evening. She had gotten into a lively discussion with Mildred about UFOs, taking the side that they did not exsist, much to Mildred’s amazement. They said goodnight at her door and she commented she needed to walk the dog, he said he needed to check on the cats. After arriving home to his own condo, he wrote in his personal journal.

Where is the thread I started about "From Polly's Point of View". I wanted to write some more and it has disappeared.

Praline,

Glad to see you back.

I hope you were able to find your other posts. They should be located here:

http://girlebooks.com/forum/li.....t-of-view/

Joyce

Anne, I like your story line, too. Thank you!