In retrospect, we all should have known something is up when Professor Burton bought the Douglas

farm. Douglas was a farmer in name only, somewhere managing to scrape a living together

off a few cows, scattered chickens, and the occasional cabbage. In the end, he was sick

of keeping up the pretence, sold off everything, and settled into the comfortable position

of town drunk.

How much was known about Professor Burton? Thin, bold, with thick spectacles? He looked

every part the college professor. He was apparently a professor of botany, and no knew why anyone

would buy the Douglas farm. Well, Burton certainly had plans for the place.

Now, the only thing of note on that rundown farm is the perfectly surfacedable barn, and

every day we saw trucks drive up and on no-the-cargo, white fixtures, hoses and cables,

and specially cables. Burton also had a company build some sort of addition to the barn, some

sort of up a deck or office that could be reached by stairs. Burton kept mostly to himself.

Some thought he was strange, but most, myself included, considered him a harmless sort.

That all changed three months after he bought the farm.

Now, I'm a veterinarian, and I once had pretty good business in this town, with all the

farmers and their animals. But, the farming business isn't what it used to be, and

soon most of the local farmers shifted to producing fruit and vegetables for the surrounding

markets. Locally grown and well priced produce is all the rage these days, especially

odd heirloom varieties. But some still kept a few animals around, like a couple of chickens

for eggs, a cow for milk, or a well-loved horse.

But, business was bad. So, as one of the few locals with any scientific background, I

soon took up a part-time job as a CSI. Not that there was much to do, but it's at least a regular

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