Rat Addendum

     A private investigator showed up this week.  She found the story of the rat dissatisfyingly unfinished.

     It was planned to be just a vacation, a time for a little R & R while the bureaucrats in charge of her department were off gallivanting around.  And that’s how it started, as a vacation.

      However, her investigative nature soon overcame the need for relaxation, and she dug right in.

     The weather didn’t cooperate.  The trail was obfuscated by a lot of snow, necessitating time off for tool cleanup.

      Other impediments included the poor support staff, no investigative lab out here in the sticks, only some dullard standing around in the snow with a point and shoot.

     But eventually, the help came round, and the weather did warm up.  The investigation revealed a den of iniquity in the bushes.  With shovel, hoe, and pruning shears,

a sizable amount of evidence began to pile up.  (Don’t stand behind the PI with unbuckled overboots.  The rat’s nest will soon be keeping your shoes, socks, and pant cuffs company.)

       Shucks, dry hole.  Someone tipped the rats off and they weren’t home.  Oh well.  Time to cool off and make a snow angel or two before the snow completely disappears.   

    Back to work.  To find another lead, quite a bit of evidence had to be turned over.

      But at last, pay dirt!  His nest overturned, the rat ducked and dodged through the woodpile, a scene reminiscent of a two-legged detective pursuing a bad guy through an abandoned factory or warehouse in New York City.  (The cameraman couldn’t keep up.)

       Finally, by using a metal rod, the inept help managed to dislodge the criminal from a chink in the woodpile.  Not far, but just enough to enable Bella to make the grab.

     Unfortunately, the suspect resisted arrest and as a result suffered fatal injuries.   WARNING:  the following illustration contains graphic and gruesome details not suitable for all audiences.  Discretion is advised before scrolling further.

 The subsequent investigation cleared the PI and crew of wrongdoing. The rat clearly resisted arrest and suffered the consequences.  Any questions should be directed to the legal department, handled by the Car Guys legal firm of Dewey, Cheatem, and Howe. Counselor in charge is Helen Waite.  For more information on this investigation, go to Helen Waite.