Finding Things: The Card and Photos

Always check inside books because you never know what you will find.

At the free little library, I found Gwyn Hyman Rubio’s book Icy Sparks. I took it home. I always look inside used books in case there are treasures hidden in the pages. I’ve found block-print images of bees (which I loved), cute bookmarks, notes, and grocery lists. Most recently, I found a blue envelope with a Garfield the Cat graduation card tucked inside. Nothing was written on the card, but the envelope had an address in Minnesota. The return address was in Canora, Saskatchewan. There were eight photos from some kind of celebration, including people in red serge RCMP uniforms and a woman holding a framed certificate.

As a mystery writer, my curiosity was piqued and I wanted to solve it. So I reached out to my one and only friend who lives in Canora. The conversation went like this:

Me: Hey friend, hope you are well. I was wondering if you could help me solve a mystery. Do you recognize this address?
(I sent a picture of the address.)

Chris: Nope.

Me: Ha! Okay. How about this one?
(I sent a picture of the American address.)

Chris: Nope.

Me: Man, I’m a terrible detective!

Chris: Oh?

Me: Let’s try this.
(I sent several of the photos from photos in the envelope.)
Do you recognize these people?

Chris: Yes! I do know them! The person getting the award is Lynette Kiver, and that’s her entire family in the first photo. I also know the couple with her in the last picture. That’s Ike Massen and his wife… Natalie, I think. He was in the RCMP. She worked in dispatch for many years. Those are the people I recognize.

Me: Amazing!

Chris: Why do you have their photos?

Me: Well, I took a book out of the free little library and found a Garfield the Cat graduation card, blue envelope, and all these photos inside it. You’re my only person in Canora, so I took a shot.

Chris: I talked to Lynette’s sister and she said the address in the States is their cousin, but we have no idea whose address that is in Canora. I’ll get in touch with her and let her know you have the pictures. And of course you found them because you’re the person who would return them to the rightful owner.

Me: I love how small the world is.

Chris: Me too. And I’m glad you found your way into my world…

Me: Sniff… tear.

After a little pause, Chris returned with more information.

Chris: Lynette donated some books and forgot to check them. If you contact her, she would love to have those photos back.

Me: Perfect. It is done! Thanks.

Delivery

I’m dropping the envelope off today with a little note. It was fun to solve a mystery. I’m glad it all came together. And of all the people who live around that free little library, I wonder how many know someone in Canora? That’s a different mystery. Mine can end here.

So remember, always check your books. Oh, and all names were changed in this post because that seems like the right thing to do.

As always, thank you for reading, Lovelies