The Facilitator© First Published 2023

Chapter 2 - The Super Sleuth

That had been over two months ago. Harry had wanted to go over and give the new neighbour a piece of his mind when he heard about it. Sue had diffused the situation somewhat by saying, "I appreciate the sentiment darling, but I don't think you have too much brainpower there to go giving it away to random strangers," she laughed good-naturedly.

Harry looked at her hurt and walked off in a pretend huff to the security of his man cave, and a well-earned beer in the garage.

They made some enquiries in town in the ensuing weeks, only to discover that no-one else had any more clue about the new stranger in town. The postmaster had said all he knew was his name was Joseph Mengle the third, and that he had had mail forwarded to him from the Bahamas.

When they had gotten home from their shopping expedition, Sue had gone on the internet and Googled Joseph Mengle III and the Bahamas. She was somewhat taken aback when a number of news articles mentioning him popped up on the screen. It appeared their new neighbour was quite wealthy, a millionaire, in fact, and quite eccentric according to a number of reports.

One article, in particular, got her attention. There had been a kerfuffle of sorts in Marsh Harbour, a seaside town in the Bahamas. Apparently, some locals were up in arms about plans to extend a house owned by Mr. Mengle. Town planners had approved a renovation which included a tower structure that some nearby residents were objecting to.

To no avail, it seems because a follow-up article reported that Mr Mengle had won a protracted battle with one of his neighbours over the tower construction which had culminated in the neighbour selling up and moving on. The newly renovated house becoming somewhat derisively known as the lighthouse.

A recent article had speculated that Mr Mengle had finally had enough of the local harassment of himself and his servant staff, that he had decided to take up residence back in the U.S. for a time. This was despite his being a German citizen. He had been granted a semi-permanent visa to visit the U.S. siting his many business dealings and real estate assets there. There had been no mention of a Mrs. Mengle or the existence of any children.

Sue was now more curious than ever about her new neighbour. Perhaps he was just misunderstood. She had always prided herself on being able to give people the benefit of the doubt. Even some criminals had their saving graces according to her philosophy on life. A, 'There but for the grace of God,' thing she guessed that had been instilled in her by her mother, God rest her soul in heaven.

She would make an effort to get to know this Mister Mengle. Harry hadn't been all that keen, "Stuff him," or words to that effect had been his response at the dinner table the night she told him of her discoveries, and her plan to get to know him.