With the next ring, at two PM, Harry felt sure the sound was coming from the garage and he walked out there. His walk-through the previous day had shown him that it was empty except for a laundry-room set up at the back. It was a small, compact arrangement with washer and dryer side by side and a cabinet up over. The front was open but there were folding doors that could be closed if desired.
He had an hour to wait until the next ring. Another search of the garage might pass the time, so he went back to the truck and brought in a flashlight. Harry walked slowly around the empty garage, taking care to shine the light in the corners. Nothing. Everything was clean.
Then he moved to the laundry area. First he checked the cabinet, using a 3-step stool that was hanging on the garage wall. He shone the light inside and found nothing but a container of tennis balls. He did not want to try moving the washer and dryer unless it became necessary. These two items were placed fairly close together, with nearly a foot of space at each side. He shone the light in those spaces, taking time to check the entire length of each space thoroughly – nothing. He checked inside the appliances – nothing.
By this time, Harry had decided that it might not be a phone. He could see no visible wires and no plugs in the outlets. He glanced at his watch. It was almost time for the next ring, so he stayed where he was. When the ring started, Harry knew where to look.
Several minutes later, Harry called Bertie and Shirley, telling them to meet him there in the garage. He was leaning against the dryer when they arrived, just a few seconds apart.
“Did you find something?” Shirley asked.
“What did you find?” Bertie asked almost at the same time.
Harry laughed. “It’s not a phone.” He reached behind him and then held out his hand.
“What is it?” asked Bertie. “And what are you doing with the crowbar?”
“I’ll explain the crowbar in a few minutes, but this is a digital alarm that can be programmed for as many as five alarms. Convenient for people needing to take medications on time, but not all at the same time. And, I suppose for anyone on a strict schedule for anything.”
“But if it was a reminder for taking medication, someone would miss it,” Shirley said.
“There are any number of uses for these things, depends on the needs of the individual. Students sometimes use them when studying to remind themselves of other things that need to be done, or when it’s time to take a break. I’ve heard that people with OCD sometimes use them too.”
“Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? Why?” Shirley asked.
Harry shrugged his shoulders. “Perhaps to schedule their time into hourly slots for various tasks. I don’t have the answer for that one.”
