Deadly Referral

            Downtown, I ducked into a bookstore called The Book Worm and selected several books on plants for the wicker coffee table.  Next to The Drunken Billy Goat for the floor lamp I''d seen here earlier.  Now for lunch, I didn''t want to go anywhere I''d been before and decided to try Spikes Sand Skullduggery.  The restaurant decor hosted a pirate''s theme, and to my horror there were actually human skulls perched proudly on shelves.  I could only hope they really weren''t some ancestor, but made of resin instead.  Just as I was deciding whether or not to leave, my waiter arrived.

I went ahead and ordered a glass of Cortese Di Gavi, and reviewed the menu.  After last nights tuna sandwich, I was hungry.  I settled on the chicken fettuccini Alfredo Caesar salad.  When my lunch was served, I was delighted that the chicken was sautéed with real cream, imported Parmesan cheese, then accented with a medley of fresh garden vegetables.  The creepy decor was soon forgotten.

Back at the Bogart mansion, I decided to get a little sun, and changed into my bathing suit.  After a couple of hours by the Olympic size pool, I felt I''d had enough for one day and went inside for a shower.

Later in the library, I poured myself a drink.  The servants had already left for the day, so I peeked into the fridge to see what she left me this time.  Liverwurst on rye!  Uck!  Well, I wasn''t hungry anyway after my big lunch, so now where to dispose of it so Quintessa will never find it?  It wouldn''t do to hurt her feelings.

I carried it to the bathroom, dissembled it and flushed it down the toilet.  Then I went back to the library to read.  After awhile I switched on the lamp taking note that the room had long shadows.  Upon checking the clock I realized it was already after nine.

Suddenly I heard a noise.  A very distinct noise that sounded like it came from the kitchen.  Just then I knew I hadn''t checked the French doors, nor had I set the alarm!

Panic broke in little beads of perspiration on my forehead.  I listened again.  Nothing.  I unsteadily got to my feet and crept across the vast room.  I could hear the pounding of my heart and thought my chest would explode.  At the doorway, I stopped and listened again.  I could have sworn I heard footsteps whispering over the stone kitchen floor.

What to do?  The kitchen was completely dark.  I reached around in the darkness groping for the light switch.  I snapped it on and........