Max’s next stop was Hogan’s office, where he found Bertie alone. “Do you know when Hogan will be in?” he asked.
“He’s at the Baker Farm, assuming that’s why you’re here, but he should be back any minute. Get comfortable while I get you a coffee,” she said.
“It’s a real puzzle,” Max said. “I guess he told you about it.”
She nodded. “He filled me in on everything yesterday. I don’t recall much about the Bakers.”
“That’s no surprise, They rarely left the farm, and didn’t socialize much.” Max glanced out the window. “Here comes Hogan now.”
“Morning, Max.” Harry rinsed his mug, refilled it and sat down.
“Did you see anything at the farm?”
“Nothing that would indicate anyone has been there recently, no tire tracks, not even a footprint. Last night’s dusting of snow was untouched. Heard anything new from Bingo?”
Max nodded. “Just came from there. He hasn’t seen anything different, but he heard sounds last night. Faint scraping sounds, like something being dragged across the floor, and thumps, like things falling over.”
“Could be rodents, or other small animals,” Harry said. “Don’t look so disappointed,” he added, with a chuckle.
“I guess I was hoping for a little more than that – for Bingo’s sake. Did the real estate agents know anything?”
Harry shook his head. “I called one whom I know, and she checked with the other agents in town. None of them know anything. Perhaps Bingo saw lights from an ATV reflecting on the place. A trail comes out of the country just up from the farm.”
“So, that’s it, that’s all we can do.” Max got to his feet.
“Does that house have a fireplace?”
Max paused and turned, with his hand on the doorknob. “In the living room, custom built and fairly large. Why?”
“Just a thought. Next time you see Bingo, ask him to watch for any signs of smoke. Homeless people might even burn furniture for a little warmth.”
“Good call. I’ll do that.” Max closed the door behind him.
***************
.
Max returned that afternoon to report that Bingo hadn’t seen any smoke. “When he opened his window he thought he caught a whiff of smoke, very faint, but he didn’t see anything, so he wasn’t sure.”
“So it’s more likely to be animal pests, rather than homeless people.”
“But what about the light? Rodents don’t use flashlights.”
“No, but as I said earlier, it could be the reflection of ATV lights. Has Bingo ever mentioned hearing ATV’s out that way?”
Max shook his head. “He hasn’t said anything. By the way, I went over there last night and I saw the light, just like Bingo described it.”
Harry rubbed his chin. “That strengthens the idea that someone is using the place for some reason. But how are they gaining access? There should have been some signs in the snow.”
“Did you check around in back of the house?”
