by TOMMY DAVEY
"Here she is," the inspector said. He pointed to Katherine Montclair, although it would have been quite apparent that the person who was tied up was the suspect.
"Katherine Montclair, I'm afraid you will have to come with me," Chief Moore said. "We have some questions for you."
One of the other officers who had come in with Chief Moore came over and untied her and immediately put her in handcuffs.
"Oh," she cried. "Please be careful! I'm still an old woman, you know."
"By the way," Chief Moore said, "you'll be happy to know the diamond has been recovered."
"What?" cried Mr. Sloane. "You found it?"
"Yes, sir," said the chief. "We were able to send the local police to the train station in Pecan River. They arrived just as Ms. Montclair's accomplice was digging through the trash for the diamond. They were able to identify him as Albert Baxter; he is a known criminal and had previously been arrested for jewel theft. He had been working at the auction house under a different name for the last few months. The federal police think he might be able to lead us to many more people involved in a very large theft ring."
"That's how she knew the diamond was on this train!" I said.
"When can I have it back?" asked Mr. Sloane anxiously.
"Was the diamond in your possession, sir?" asked the chief.
"Yes, it certainly was."
"Well then, come with me and we can sort it all out. The gem will require some...cleaning...first."
"I understand," said Mr. Sloane, looking at Calvin. "I understand completely."
The officer who handcuffed Katherine Montclair began to lead her to the exit door at the front of the car. "Come with me, Ma'am."
"Just a minute," she said. "There is something I need to say first."
"What is it?" asked the chief.
"Cora," said Katherine Montclair, turning to me. "Please believe me when I say I never intended to hurt you when I put you in that room. I just wanted to get you out of the way before you got hurt. It was never my intention to bring harm to you."
"I understand," I said.
"And there is something I want to ask of you. I am no doubt going to be in prison for a while, and I cannot bear the thought of poor Calvin being sent to a shelter to live with strangers. He is so fond of you, so I was hoping you would be able to take him for me. I am sure you would give him a good home."
I looked at Calvin, who was now sitting up and watching the room with great interest.
"Calvin, would you like to come home with me?"
His little tail began to wave frantically, and he was excited at the prospect of living with me.
"Well," said Katherine Montclair. "It's settled. Calvin can live with you." She looked down at her dog and bent over to get closer to him. "Goodbye, my little fellow. I'll miss you."
Calvin jumped up on his hind legs and licked her face. It was almost as if he knew he was saying, “Goodbye,” to her.
Everyone in the car watched the officer lead Katherine Montclair out of the train, followed by Chief Moore and Mr. Sloane. Calvin turned around and ran over to me, taking his place beside his new master.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
"Well, I guess this is goodbye," said Sheila.
We had alighted from the train and were standing around in a circle with our bags beside us. Mr. Sloane and the inspector were not standing in the group, as they had to attend to police business, so that left just me, Ted and Sheila, along with Abigail and Mr. MacEvoy.
"It was really nice to meet you all," added Ted. "It certainly was an exciting trip."
"It was a little too exciting for my taste," said Mr. MacEvoy. "I was hoping for a relaxing ride, and that is the complete opposite of what I got!"
I could not help but let out a little laugh at Mr. MacEvoy's statement. It was completely true, of course.
"I hope the rest of your honeymoon is a bit more peaceful," said Abigail.
"Oh, I'm sure it will be!" Sheila laughed.
"If anyone tries to steal this diamond," said Ted, holding up Sheila's hand so everyone could see her engagement ring, "they'll have to get past me first!"
We chuckled at his joke before saying our final goodbyes. Sheila and I hugged first as Ted and Abigail gave each other a little hug. Despite her earlier cool demeanour, Abigail seemed quite fond of her fellow travellers by the end of the journey. Ted and I exchanged hugs as Abigail and Sheila said farewell.
Mr. MacEvoy stood watching with reservations. He did not seem to be in an affectionate mood. Despite this, Sheila turned to him and threw her arms around him.
"Goodbye," she said. "It was very nice meeting you!"
"Oh," he gasped after being released by Sheila's grasp. "I'm sorry; I'm not much of a hugger. I have a strong attachment to my personal space."
"Uh, Mr. MacEvoy," I said.
"Look, Cora," he interrupted, "I'm sorry, but I cannot hug you, too. Please understand."
I was not at all interested in a hug; I merely wanted to point out something I had just noticed.
"Look," I said. "There." I motioned to his suitcase, which sat right next to him on the station platform. Happily perched on top of the suitcase was a bird that looked remarkably like the one on Mr. MacEvoy's book.
"Oh...my...goodness," he said in a state of shock. "No-one move!"
"Looks like you've found your self a Spotted Pilkington," said Willy, who had just stepped off the train to join the group.
Mr. MacEvoy looked completely thrilled at his visiting bird, and slowly lowered himself so he could get a better look. "What a perfect specimen!" he said upon inspecting the bird.
"We had better be going," said Ted. "We have a honeymoon to start!"
"Have fun!" I said as Ted and Sheila picked up their suitcases and made their way to the taxi stand.
Calvin, who had been quietly sitting at my side, suddenly noticed the small bird that held Mr. MacEvoy's interest. He decided, right then and there, that the bird was there for his amusement, and he needed to catch it.
"Grrrrrrr," Calvin said. "Aaarrff!" He lunged at the bird, but the leash around my wrist kept him from going far. He did, however, scare away the bird, who flew in the direction of the train station.
"Oh, no!" cried Mr. MacEvoy. "My bird! My precious bird!" He grabbed his suitcase and chased after the bird, desperately trying to catch up with it before it disappeared for another twelve years.
As he hopelessly ran after the animal, a man in a button-up trench coat and a tweed Newsboy cap rushed over to the group.
"Cora!" he called. "Cora, is that you?"
I recognized him and raced over to him. "Uncle André!" I said, running into his arms.
"How was the trip?" he asked. Before giving me a chance to explain, he asked, “Why are the police here?”
"Well, I'll tell you on the ride to the hotel."
"If you don't mind," he said. "We need to make a stop along the way. Oh, Cora, something terrible has happened. Everyone in town is terribly distressed."
"Sounds like you have your self another mystery, Cora," said Willy with a smile.
"Sounds like it," I confirmed, with a grin of my own.
"Cora," said Abigail. "You know how to reach me if you need help."
"Thanks," I replied. "I just might do that."
I said, “Goodbye,” to Willy and thanked him for all his help. I then turned to Abigail and said a quick goodbye to her, although we both knew we would be seeing each other soon.
"Uncle André, this is Calvin. He's my dog."
"Hello, Calvin, I'm your Uncle André. It's very nice to meet you. Now, Cora, we must get back to town. There is so much I need to tell you."
I walked with my new dog to my uncle's car in the parking lot. Just as he was about to tell me about the mystery, my cell phone rang.
"Hello?" I said.
"Cora, are you there yet?" my mother asked. "You were supposed to call me when you arrived!"
"Yes, Mom," I replied. "I'm here. Sorry, I was just saying goodbye to everyone
and then Uncle André arrived."
"Is everything okay? How was the trip? Anything exciting happen?"
I thought for a minute and then decided not to say anything just yet. "No," I replied. "Nothing exciting. Nothing at all."
I looked at Calvin, who I swear had a mischievous smile on his face. I realized I not only had to tell my mom about the Diamond of Madagascar, but I had to tell her about Calvin, too! And if Uncle André was correct, it sounded like there was going to be even more to explain.
Some things, I thought, can wait.
At least until after The Mystery of the Haunted Hotel!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tommy Davey spent his youth writing mystery stories and plays, and watching reruns of Three's Company until every line of dialogue was permanently burned into his memory. When not writing, he enjoys traveling to favorite destinations including New York City and Paris, which he plans to feature in future stories. He lives in Toronto, where he was born and raised, with a Norfolk Terrier named Calvin. Cora Flash and the Diamond of Madagascar is his first novel.
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