Michael and Kitt were driving along the highway, heading east towards Chicago. The Foundation Board of Directors had decided to hold their next meeting there, in one of Wilton Knight's former residences. Neither had ever been to Chicago before, and both were hoping to get in some sightseeing. Devon and April were already there, having flown there from California.

"Michael," said Kitt, "I am receiving a call from April."

"Put her through."

"Hello, Michael."

Michael couldn't tell how April was doing through the video screen. But he thought she wasn't quite over her recent ordeal. Being kidnapped by Garthe had been traumatic for the red-headed engineer. At least her voice sounded pleasant today, an improvement over the sharp and testy tone she had been using lately.

"Hi, April. Let me guess: Devon forgot something important for the Board meeting and needs Kitt and me to turn around and get it for him?"

"Not even close. Now, I know how much you love attending Board meetings –"

"You have an assignment for us? Please say yes. Please."

"Devon is throwing you in the briar patch, Br'er Rabbit."

"Yes!" Michael pumped his arm enthusiastically.

"We've had a request from," April checked her notes, "Candice Linton. There's a company called Wondergate that wants to build a golf course. With the clubhouse right where her mother's house sits."

"Let me guess: Her mother said no, which isn't the answer Wondergate was looking for."

"You got it, Michael. Oh, and her mother is widowed."

"Because of course she is."

"Why did Devon approve us to skip the Board meeting in favor of this assignment?" Kitt asked.

"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, pal," muttered Michael.

"Wondergate is headed by two men: Kenneth Swanson and Adam Stanley."

"Why do those names sound familiar?" asked Michael.

"They are associates of Lawrence Blake –"

Michael remembered that name. "The guy who tried to take over Slammin' Sammy's."

"We were never able to connect Kenneth Swanson and Adam Stanley to Blake's illegal operations," said Kitt.

"Sounds like we will have to visit Chicago another time," said Michael, clearly not that upset over the change in plans. "So where are we going instead, April?"

"Another place you've never been, much further east," said April with a ghost of a smile.

"How far east?"

"About as far as you can go, Kitt. The coast of Maine. A little town called Schooner Bay. Mrs. Linton's mother – Carolyn Muir – lives in a home known as Gull Cottage."

"Kitt, how long –"

"We are almost to Chicago, Michael. It will take us about 18 hours to reach our destination."

"Tell Mrs. Linton to let her mother know to expect us around early afternoon tomorrow."