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CASEY LANE rolled out of bed and just about hit the floor hard. The phone was ringing; it was the middle of the night and Jackie Lee, her German Shepherd Dog, had taken over her whole queen bed, covers and all. She groped for the phone.
“Casey Lane and Jackie Lee GSD Detective Agency,” She mumbled into the phone.
“Yes! Yes, hello, my name is Father Anderson, I want to hire you and your dog to go find my granddaughter, she’s missing. I know where she is; but it’s awkward to explain over the phone. Can you fly to Luxembourg and meet me, and then I can explain?”
Casey Lane turned on the light and looked at the clock, it was five a.m. time to get up soon anyway. She was listening with interest now. Jackie Lee was snoring and lying on his back. Really, he had to get up soon too.
“Well, we can fly to Luxembourg and meet you, but I can’t promise we’ll accept the assignment.” She told him.
“I will have tickets for you at Sea Tac, can you go tonight?”
Whew, tonight she thought!
“Umm, we just finished a big assignment, so we could catch a flight out tonight. Will you pick us up?” She asked him.
“Yes, I will be there to get you.” he replied.
“Ok, let me call and make a reservation.” she told him.
“It’s already done; you leave at 8 P.M. tonight on Lufthansa. Have a safe flight and thank you.” He replied then hung up.
Casey looked at the dead phone in her hand. What was this all about? She put the phone down thinking about all she had to do.
“Jackie Lee, up and at’em kid,” she said leaning over the bed giving him morning rubs.
“Arrrr,” He mumbled smiling at her with his big white teeth. Is it really morning?
“You’re a character Jackie Lee, let’s go.” She said with a smirk.
They hit South Beach for a bit of exercise and by noon were home and packed. Casey Lane notified her boyfriend of sorts that they would be out of town, to please keep an eye on her house. He was a State Trooper, so she wasn’t sure where he was right now. He wouldn’t be happy she had left without saying goodbye, so that’s why she at least left him a message. Jackie Lee was wearing his doggie armor suit, Casey Lane had her suitcase packed very lightly and they caught the ferry from Friday Harbor, Washington, that’s where Jackie and Casey lived, to drive down to the airport in Seattle and wait for their flight.
The airline was very accommodating to Jackie Lee; he got a seat next to Casey Lane in first class. It was a bit of a fiasco getting through security with Jackie Lee’s body armor.
“It was very nice of Mr. Anderson or Father Anderson to pay for our fare overseas.” Casey said to Jackie Lee.
It was very nice of him. Jackie Lee thought.
Everyone one on the flight thought Jackie Lee was so adorable; of course, Casey did too.
They were greeted at the airport without a wait and driven to a beautiful estate. Father Anderson told Casey this was Sophia’s house, used to be his until he joined a monastery.
They walked in; Casey Lane was stunned at the very beauty of the place. The off-white marble floors in the entryway, a huge chandelier hanging overhead, wainscoted walls, polished wooded floors, she shook her head in amazement. There seemed to be many rooms however they were shown into the kitchen.
“This is the house you and Jackie Lee can stay in tonight, I have prepared a dinner for us and thought we could talk about my proposal during that time. Then if you agree, I will take you to the destination tomorrow, does that sound good to you?” Asked Father Anderson.
“Yes, yes, could I just take Jackie Lee out for a quick walk?” Casey Lane asked him.
“Perfect idea, then I will have the food ready when you get back. What does Jackie Lee eat?” Asked Father Anderson.
“I have his food packed in dry ice, thank you for reminding me. I need to get it in the fridge right away. Then we’ll go out Jackie Lee,” she looked at her dog; he was giving her big eyes when she mentioned his food.
Did you say food? He got up and wagged his tail, then pawed her.
“In a minute, while I get your food unpacked, go get your leash!” She told him. With that he trotted off to the front door and came back with the leash in his mouth. He remembered she had left it at the front door as soon as they entered the house.
Everything was accomplished, Jackie Lee had his walk and dinner; he was now lying down at her feet. They were eating, and Casey Lane was listening in disbelief at the tale of Sophie and Kanani.
“Well, what do you think? Would you go and take a look, then get back to me? My older granddaughter, Jennie, is very worried about them. I think, but don’t know for sure if my great granddaughter went with Sophia and Kanani as well as Lamorak and Merlin. Something must have happened, or we would have heard from them by now. They have been gone nine weeks!” He looked very worried indeed.
“I will go over and meet with Jennie, then see if I can be of any help. I don’t know much about finding dragons, I don’t even believe they ever really existed and I don’t believe I can go back in time. However, if this is true, Jackie Lee needs to stay here with you until I return. I don’t feel comfortable with him going through time. Is that a deal?” she asked.
Getting up to shake her hand Father Anderson said, “That’s a deal, Jackie Lee will have to come back to the monastery with me and stay there until you return. Just tell me how to care for him and feed him. I’ll be anxious to hear your report. I’ll call Jennie now, so she can meet you tomorrow when you arrive.” He got up and walked into another room.
Casey Lane scratched her dog on the head, “I don’t believe any of this Jackie Lee, but he seems like a sane person. You be a really good boy, ok?” She didn’t expect an answer, but he gave her a high five.
I’ll be seeing you soon, right? Just come back for me. Man was she going to miss him.
“Ok, it’s all set for tomorrow. We will leave here around seven a.m. if that’s ok with you?” He asked.
“Yes, that’s fine. Where should Jackie Lee and I sleep tonight? I’d like a shower too and I need to repack a smaller bag to take with me.” She added.
“Follow me, you can have this guest room, there’s a tub and shower attached to the room and fresh towels.” He said as Casey Lane got up from the table and followed him to a room off the kitchen.
“Thank you and good night,” she said as he walked away.
“Thank you too,” he said turning around to look at her, “good night.”
With that they were alone. She didn’t know what she was getting herself into and why would anyone leave this beautiful house to go to the middle ages? Strange! She needed sleep. Pretty soon Jackie Lee was snoring away next to her. If she hadn’t been so tired she would not have fallen asleep so fast herself.
Morning came all too fast, Jackie Lee was left in the car or no one could have stopped him from coming with her on her journey. She cried when they hugged goodbye.
She was talking to Father Anderson and before she knew it, she had stepped through an opening. Darkness bounded all around her, she was all alone; it went by very fast, then she landed hard on the ground. She looked around and saw a carriage coming her way.
I sure hope they’re coming for me, she said to herself. Unbelievable, the old man was telling me the truth!
The carriage stopped in front of Casey Lane. Jennie jumped out of the door.
“Hi, I’m Jennie, you must be Casey Lane. Where’s Jackie Lee?” Jennie stuck out her hand to shake Casey’s and looked around for Jackie.
“Hi, yes I’m Casey and I left Jackie with your grandpa. I was worried about him coming through time.”
“Well, Kanani has come through many times and it hasn’t bothered her a bit. Kanani is a German Shepherd too. So, he would’ve been ok, but Grandpa will take good care of him. He loves German Shepherds. Come on, let’s grab your bag and go back to Camelot.” Jennie then grabbed Casey’s little bag and they jumped into the carriage.
“I’m in shock. Did I really go through time?” Asked Casey.
“Yes, you did, I know it’s a bit far-fetched, but it really happened. Welcome to our new world Casey. Thank you for coming. Let me catch you up on what has happened so far. By the time the carriage arrived in Camelot, Casey was up to speed on the story of Kanani, Sophia, and Gunther. She was introduced to Richard, Susan and Kimo. Then that night they sat around the campfire going over their plans. King Arthur was going with more of his knights, Richard, Jennie and yes, Leila were going too. In fact, they were taking a lot of people with them. They had their carriages loaded up the next day, Casey met King Arthur and they dressed up Jennie, Casey, and Leila in armor for women.
“You look fabulous!” Said Jennie to Casey.
“So do you!” Said Casey. “You think these will be comfortable for the long trip? I guess they want to make sure we’re protected. Not exactly ‘lightweight’ for traveling.” She laughed.
“I think they’ll be fine. Wait until Richard sees how stylish I am in this armor!” Jennie laughed too.