“I am assuming you looked for the source,” Harry said, eyebrows raised.
“The last day I was there,” Shirley said, nodding. “From top to bottom. I can’t find a thing. And, I can’t put it on the market like that.”
“Why not?” Bertie asked. “Wouldn’t prospective buyers just think it was a misplaced cell phone?”
Shirley shook her head. “I doubt it, not if they knew how long the place has been empty. A cell phone would have died long ago, without being charged.”
“How often does it ring?” Harry asked.
“Pretty much every hour, on the hour,” Shirley said, “but, with two teenage girls, a cell phone would have been missed before they even got out of the driveway. I did ask the parents, but they confirmed that all three kids have their phones.”
Harry and Bertie nodded. “Who’s the third child?” Harry asked.
“Nine-year-old son, Lucas. Very much into computer and video games. His mother said he would have hit the roof if any of his equipment was missing.”
“Sounds about right.” Harry rubbed his chin. “Could there have been something that he had stopped using, didn’t really care about anymore, something he would no longer miss?”
“I could ask the parents.”
Harry shook his head. “Not yet. We’ll see if we come up with anything first. I’ll need the address and a key.”
“29 Maple Drive,” Shirley said, removing a key from her purse and handing it over. “Split-level, garage, cedar shingles on the garage side.”
“I’ve seen it,” Harry said, nodding. “Did you check for any sign of unlawful entry? Someone could be stashing a phone inside that’s used for some secret purpose and only checks it at certain times for information – or instructions.”
Shirley looked puzzled and shook her head.
“It has been done,” Harry explained. “The owner would access the phone only when it was safe to do so, check the messages, and leave again.”
“Everything is locked up tight. I checked the exterior and I didn’t see any sign of break and entry but I could have missed it.” She stood up. “I will leave it in your hands, Mr. Hogan, but I hope it won’t take too long. I need to get this house on the market before the owners lose patience.”
“Does this ringing occur all day long, or mostly during one part of the day… such as in the morning?”
She paused at the door and turned around. “I don’t usually do on-site work until in the afternoon, so I really don’t know about the rest of the day.” Her hand was on the doorknob when Harry spoke again.
“One more thing, if you don’t mind? The two girls… do you know, by any chance, if either of them is an athlete or an honours student?”
“No, I’m afraid I don’t have that kind of information, Mr. Hogan. My interest is only in the house.”
Harry nodded. “I understand. Thank you. I’ll get back to you within a day or two.”
