Collins owned a plastics company that he had built up from almost nothing. With a loan from an uncle and two maxed-out credit cards, he bought the small company for which he worked. It was near bankruptcy due to the previous owner’s age and failing health. The owner and the company each had one foot in the grave. Collins rescued the company with hard work and long hours; the owner would need divine intervention. In the ensuing twenty years he had bought out two competitors and was now after a third. Through it all he had kept fit and trim and looked nowhere near his 45 years.

"So you'll be back tomorrow?" his business partner Tom asked. 

"I hope. But if all the pieces fall in place I'd like to do the deal right away. It might take a day or two."

"Don't worry about things here; I'll hold down the fort in your absence."

Collins needn't worry. His partner was more than capable. Collins had hired Tom 15 years ago. Tom never objected to the long hours and additional responsibilities he assumed as he rose from machine operator to production supervisor to plant manager. Two years ago the business was especially profitable, largely due to Tom's efforts. Collins gave Tom an equity stake in the business as a bonus and as an incentive.  

"Call me if anything comes up," Tom replied. He never stopped thinking about the business. 

By 5 o'clock the next morning, he was on the Interstate.

The prospective company seemed to be run by neophytes but had potential. Collins was sure he could fix their mistakes and return the company to profitability in less than two years. He made a lowball offer. The owners needed a night to think about it so Collins checked into a Bed & Breakfast that was nearby. The Suisse Chalet Bed & Breakfast. It was a charming cottage run by a middle-aged couple with a yellow Labrador retriever. He phoned Tom to keep him apprised of the progress of the negotiations and fell asleep.

He rose early for breakfast and joined the other guests already seated at the breakfast table. Introductions were made all around. One couple was from Switzerland, another from a neighboring state. A third was here antiquing.

"And this is Mae," the woman in the third couple said. A pretty young girl. Mid-twenties maybe. Seemed too old to want to travel with mom and dad.

"Hello Mae. Pleased to meet you," he said.

"Pleased to meet you, too," she responded.

Collins turned back to the older woman and her husband. They made small talk about the weather. Mae said she'd been hiking on trails in the woods the previous day. She had come across an abandoned house,