Chapter
2
I thought this was going to be a
piece of cake. Boy was I wrong! After
looking at dozens of maps, searching the internet, and calling everyone and
anyone I thought they might be able to
give me answers concerning what town to move into, I finally just took a pen, closed my eyes and circled a
place. I wanted the town to be big
enough to need a private investigator, but small enough that I could have a
horse and dog and still is able to go less than a mile to get a loaf of
bread. Is that asking too much?
The map said Crownville Illinois.
Population 12000. It is a pretty town,
very clean. When you go by the schools
you get a sense of pride, the football team seems to win every season according
to posters all over the town. There are
4 banks and a post office. A small library, the usual gas stations, grocery
store, pharmacy and restaurants.
I had a little trouble finding
it. For some reason it wasn’t on my gps. It looks like it is hidden behind hills that
could pass for mountains in some states.
Another thing I like about it is it’s not that far from major cities so
I could go to concerts and such...
The first person I met when I drove
up to the city hall was a tiny little lady in a very expensive business suit. I
got the feeling that she had complete control of everything that went on in
that town. I introduced myself and she
returned the favor. It seems she is the
Mayor and has been for many years. She took over the office when her husband
passed away. Her name is Katherine Daly.
Mrs. Daly was really very helpful
after we got to know each other a little better. She told me about a building front for rent
right next door to the city hall. She
had shown me through the building. It
was almost exactly what I hoped to secure. When she told me the price I was
quite happy to sign on the dotted line of the lease before someone else
snatched it.
Being the curious sort I saw stairs on the outside of my building. I asked where they led to and Katherine told me there was an apartment but no one had lived in it for years so it needed a lot of work. Did I forget to tell you how much I love fixing up any and everything? The mayor and I made a deal on the rent. I would work on the apartment and pay for one third of the bill at the local hardware store. She had to approve the changes I would make. No decision had been made about what we would do on completion. When I looked at my new abode I realized that the improvements would take much longer with me doing it by myself, Oh well I figured it would be slow getting customers for some time so this would keep me busy. The problem I had right now centered on the fact that my furniture was nowhere to be found. They apparently didn’t have cells in order to contact them either. So it seems I would be looking for a reasonable priced motel for at least one night.
Being the curious sort I saw stairs on the outside of my building. I asked where they led to and Katherine told me there was an apartment but no one had lived in it for years so it needed a lot of work. Did I forget to tell you how much I love fixing up any and everything? The mayor and I made a deal on the rent. I would work on the apartment and pay for one third of the bill at the local hardware store. She had to approve the changes I would make. No decision had been made about what we would do on completion. When I looked at my new abode I realized that the improvements would take much longer with me doing it by myself, Oh well I figured it would be slow getting customers for some time so this would keep me busy. The problem I had right now centered on the fact that my furniture was nowhere to be found. They apparently didn’t have cells in order to contact them either. So it seems I would be looking for a reasonable priced motel for at least one night.
