Officer Johnson nodded, looking unconvinced. “Well, I’ll tile the report, but I’ve got to be honest with you ladies. These cases are hard
to crack. Most stolen vehicles are never recovered.”
As he was about to dismiss them, another officer overheard their conversation and approached.
“Did I hear something about a stolen car?” the new officer asked. He was younger, with an eager expression. “You know, if you want to increase your chances of finding it, you might want to talk to Barney Windham
Laura perked up. “Barney Windham?”
The young officer nodded enthusiastically, “He’s a local Pl. Bit of an odd duck, but he’s got a knack for finding things that don’t want
to be found.”
Jen and Laura exchanged glances. It was a long shot, but at this point, they were willing to try anything.
“Where can we find this Barney Windham?” Jen asked.
Armed with directions from the helpful officer, they made their way through the small town until they found themselves standing in front of a shabby storefront. A faded sign above the door read “Windham Investigations.”
“Well, this is… charming,” Jen said, eyeing the cluttered window display filled with old magnifying glasses and dusty crime novels.
Laura shrugged. “Beggars can’t be choosers. Let’s go in.”
Abell jingled as they pushed open the door. The interior was just as cluttered as the window, with stacks of papers and odd knick- knacks covering every surface. And there, in the middle of it all, sat Barney Windham.
He was an elderly man with a shock of wild white hair that seemed to dely gravity. His eyes, magnified by thick glasses, twinkled with
CHAPTER THIRTY THREE Who Will Make the First Move?
curiosity as he looked up at them.
us find it.”
“Well, well,” he said, his voice surprisingly energetic for his age. “What brings two lovely ladies to my humble establishment?”
Laura stepped forward. “Mr. Windham, we need your help. Our car was stolen, and we were told you might be able to help us
Bamey leapt to his feet with surprising agility. “A stolen car, you say? How thrilling! I’ve been itching for a good mystery.”
He circled them, peering at them intently. “Tell me everything, and don’t leave out a single detail!”
For the next twenty minutes, Laura and Jen recounted their story, with Barney interrupting frequently to ask seemingly random
questions.
“What color socks were va
were you wearing when you last saw the car?” he asked at one point.
“I… what?” Laura stammered. “How is that relevant?”
Bamey winked. “Everything is relevant in a mystery, my dear.”
When they finished their tale, Barney clapped his hands together. “Right then! Let’s get cracking. Follow me, ladies!”
Before they could protest, he was out the door, leaving them to hurry after him..
Their first stop was a local diner. Barney marched up to the counter, addressing a startled waitress.
“Doris! Any suspicious characters in here lately? Perhaps someone bragging about a new car?”
Doris blinked at him. “Barney, you know I can’t discuss our customers.”
“Ah, but this is for a case!” Barney insisted. “These lovely ladies have had their car stolen!”
Laura and Jen stood awkwardly behind him, offering apologetic smiles to the other patrons who were staring at them.
After thoroughly embarrassing them at the diner, Barney led them to a nearby park. To their bewilderment, he began examining every trash can, muttering to himself.
“Mr. Windham,” Laura ventured, “I’m not sure how this is helping us
us find
my car
Barney emerged from a bush, leaves stuck in his wild hair. “Patience, my dear! The clues are everywhere if you know how to look.”
Their whirlwind investigation continued throughout the day. They visited a local garage, where Barney interrogated a bemused mechanic about recent oil changes. At a car wash, he insisted on examining the vacuum cleaners for “evidence.” They even ended up at a children’s playground, where Bamey claimed the sandbox might hold crucial clues.
As the sun began to set, Laura’s patience was wearing this “Mr. Windham, I appreciate your… enthusiasm, but we really need to tind my car. We have a funeral to get to in Phoenix.”
Barney paused in lus examination of a swing set. “Phoenix, you say? Hmm…” Suddenly, his eyes lit up. “Of course! How could I have been so blind? Quick, to the junkyard!”
Before they could protest, he was off again, practically skipping down the street. Laura and Jen exchanged weary glances but followed nonetheless
On the outskirts of town, they came to a large junkyard. Piles of scrap metal and old cars stretched as far as the eye could see.
“Car thieves often dump stolen vehicles in places like this,” Barney explained. “They strip them for parts and leave the shell behind.”
Laura’s heart sank at the thought of her car being reduced to spare parts. But as they scanned the sea of metal, something caught her
“There!” she gasped, pointing “That’s my car!”
Sure enough, about fifty yards away, Laura’s distinctive blue sedan sat among the wrecks, miraculously intact.
CHAPTER THIRTY–FOUR–When Desperation Meets Opportunity
Their excitement was short–lived, however, as they realized the junkyard was locked up fight. A chain link fence surrounded the property, topped with barbed wire. And in the distance, they could hear the low growd of a psard deg.
“Well, this is a pickle,” Barney mused, stroking his chin. “But fear not! I have a plan!
His plan, as it turned out, involved sneaking into the junkyard after dark. Despite their reservations, Laura and Jen found themselves. circling the perimeter of the fence as night tell, looking for a way in.
“Here!” Jen whispered, pointing to a small gap where the fence had come loose from its post.
It was a tight squeeze, but they managed to wriggle through one by one. Barney got stuck halfway, requiring Laura and Jen to pull him through by his arms.
Once inside, they crept through the maze of junkest cars, trying to remember the path to Laura’s vehicle. The growl of the guard dog seemed to be getting closer.
“Down!” Barney hissed suddenly, pulling them belund a rusted truck.
A beam of light swept over their hiding spot as a night watchman ambled by, whistling tunelessly. They held their breath until he passed, then continued their stealthy journey.
Finally, they reached Laura’s cat. She almost cried with reliet when she saw it was undamaged,
I have a spare key in my purse,” she whispered, tistang it out.
The engine started on the first try, purring to lite Laura had never been so happy to hear that sound.
“Alright, ladies,” Barney said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. “Time for a daring escape!”
With Laura at the wheel, they slowly navigated through the junkyard, wincing at every crunch of gravel under the tires. They could hear the guard dog barking in the distance, growing closet,
Just as they reached the gate, they saw the night watchman running towards them, flashlight bobbing
“Go, go, go” Jen velles!
Laura floored it, smashing through the flimsy gate. They bounced onto the road, tires screeching as they sped away into the night.
A few miles down the road, they finally allowed themselves to relax. Laughter bubbled up, born of relief and the absurdity of their
“Mr. Windham,” Laura said, glancing in the rearview mirror at the grinning old man in the backseat, “I don’t know how to thank you.”
Barney waved off her gratitude. “No need, may dear. This was the most fun I’ve had in years! Though I do hope you’ll let me tell this story to my other clients. It’ll make tor a marvelous advertisement!”
They dropped Barney off at his office, where he immediately began scribbling notes about their “great car caper.”
Exhausted but triumphant, Laura and Jen decided to call it a night. They drove to a nearby hotel, both agreeing they’d had enough
excitement for one day.
As they pulled into the hotel parking lot,
