Once outside Maddie ran at top speed toward the stable. The open barn door indicated that help was about; soon the concerned Cybersybil espied Olivia's father, preparing for a day of gardening. "Professor! Olivia's missing! Heavens and Andromeda, Olivia is gone!" "Calm down, my girl! What are you saying..." "She's disappeared. Maybe kidnapped. We must call the authorities! Please, come with me." Madeline took Professor Peyton's hand and the two ran back to Olivia's unoccupied bedroom. "Look here!" Madeline pointed at the crimson fingernail marks, as the elder Peyton froze. He touched the vermillion gently, then sighed with real concern. "Did you and my daughter go out and get tipsy last night?" sniffed the Professor. "No, of course not. We haven't gone bistro hopping in years. This disappearance is the work of a darker force than mere alcohol." "Could it be the Grail Gestapo, those buggering infidels!" "Probably not - though I wish I knew someone locally who could help us - the police will take forever to find her." "What do you mean? We must tell the police right away." "No, I have a better plan - may we take your car? I'll explain on the drive to Les Andelys." The elder Peyton nodded, and with that, the two departed. "It's that stone mansion, over there!" Madeline exclaimed, as she pointed at the rumored brothel of Don Juan Carlos the Jackal. The Prof swerved off the road and into a spot beneath a large elm tree outside a large brick and mortar structure. "Oh no!" Maddie said, disappointed, "Look at that line! There must be some other way..." "We can't go barging in on Mr. Jackal! Isn't that a side entrance?" "Perfect," the anxious Cybersybil agreed, exiting the vehicle, soon entering the house via an unlocked, heavy oak door. "Oh my! That's him!" At that moment, a man glanced up from the chair where he was sitting, and what appeared to be a male visitor of some sort, looked over also.    Text Copyright © 1999 - 2005 cybersybils.com All rights reserved.