“And that we will,” Max agreed, as they left.
“How did you know?” Max asked as they drove away.
“I didn’t,” Harry said. “Not really. But, I had a gut instinct and I figured there was no harm in trying.”
***************
When Harry parked in his driveway, Max got into his own little car and drove away, while Harry went inside.
“Did you solve the mystery?” Bertie asked, looking up from her computer.
Harry got a cup of coffee and sat down. “We did.” He leaned back in his chair, holding the mug with both hands.
“Well? Aren’t you going to share?”
Harry shrugged. “She didn’t tell us not to, so I guess it’s okay.” He ducked and chuckled as Bertie threw a balled-up sheet of paper at him.
“Max was right,” Harry began, “her father actually told her that if the house didn’t pass to his grandchildren, he would return to haunt whomever was living there. But she had no interest in marriage, she preferred to be alone. When she went to Europe, she had intended to remain there and let the house decay until it fell down. But she found that no matter where she went, it wasn’t long before she began to miss the farm.
“Anyway, she has returned to fulfill her father’s wishes in the best way she knows how. The main house is being turned into two separate dwellings, like town houses, while she continues to live on the two upper floors of the silo.
“The two ‘town houses’ will be occupied, rent-free, by two cousins and their families; it won’t be her father’s grandchildren but those of his brother. At least the house will be kept in the family and she said if he isn’t satisfied with that, he will just have to be content with haunting her.”
“So the light Bingo saw was because she was already there,” Bertie said.
Harry nodded. “It is now. At first it was her cousins. Several of them, who work with in construction during the week, have been working out there on weekends for several months. The big front veranda has been turned into a sun room, and the ground floor of the silo now has three separate laundry and storage rooms.”
“I guess one of them must have had a key while she was away.”
“Her father’s brother, Paul, who lives in the city, was looking after the place for her. Four months ago, she called, told him her plans and said she wanted it done as soon as possible.”
“I wonder what it’s like to live in a round house,” Bertie said.
“She’s going to give us a tour when it’s finished,” Harry said slowly. “I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if you came along.”
“I’ll hold you to that,” she said, smiling as she turned back to her computer.”
