“I’ll put you down in Gentry’s appointment book. You all have a nice day; you too, you sweet, handsome doggie,” Bessie said as she stroked Cyrus’s big head. Cyrus woofed his thanks for the compliment and the ear rub. Handsome was good, and he could overlook the sweet doggie bit.

On the way back to the hotel, Dennis kept up a running commentary on their visit with Bessie Love. “I think she’s just who she says she is. I didn’t get the impression she was withholding information. She seemed open and aboveboard to me. Mr. Lomax might know more, but I wouldn’t bet any money on it. What she said about Mr. Meadows did jar me a bit. I felt like I had an itch I needed to scratch when she said he doesn’t go there much. I’m wondering what his total share is on that investment. Do we know anything about him? Like what does he do at the Gaming Commission? Is he Cosmo’s right hand, his assistant, or are they just in this venture together as partners and his job at the GC is just a job? If he’s a partner, where did the money come from? I think we need to know a lot more about Meadows. What do you think, Jack?”

“I agree with everything you just said. It’s weird, but I got the same itch you did, and I’m not even a reporter. I wish Cyrus could talk so he could tell us his opinion.”

The big shepherd woofed, then woofed again. “I think he’s agreeing with both of us,” Jack said. Cyrus woofed again. “Confirmed,” Jack said.

Dennis nibbled on his lower lip as he squinted at the bright sunshine flooding the car. “There was one other thing that brought me up short. What did you think about the twenty people leaving? Mrs. Love said she thought that Cosmo and Mr. Gentry Lomax were going to discuss the twenty people who had left and that it was worrisome. Seven months is a long time not to question why that many people would suddenly up and leave without telling anyone. In this kind of environment, you would think elderly people look out for one another rather than wait seven months to do something, even if that something is just discuss possibilities among themselves. I don’t like it when I can’t come up with an answer.” The young reporter’s voice was so fretful, Jack found himself wincing as though in pain.

“That’s something we need to talk about, but with who I have no idea. Cosmo is in no condition to talk to us, at least not right now. Lizzie doesn’t seem to know anything about the workings of Happy Village. That leaves us to do our own research or possibly have a face-to-face with Zack Meadows. I don’t mind telling you that I’m a little ticked that he hasn’t responded to the three phone messages I left,” Jack said.

“Let’s call him again and see what happens,” Dennis suggested.