An end to the madness

Yesterday was the big day. Mrs. X came to clean for the first time since I realized she has been thieving my recogedors!

Mrs. X was late getting to my house, so I had to leave to meet a friend before she got there. I left the dustpan and the broom (with the new high-tech security system) in the cleaning closet. I was highly anxious about leaving the new dustpan unguarded, but I felt hopeful that the new security system would keep it safe.

When I came home, Mrs. X was already in the middle of cleaning our living room. She was using the broom, so I tried to act nonchalant and strolled by looking for the dustpan. Much to my dismay, it was nowhere in sight! I deducted that she must have foiled my security system by untying the dustpan from the broom! She is crafty one, alright. I spied on her (as inconspicuously as possible) all day and I never once saw her use the dustpan.

When she left, I ran to the cleaning closet to investigate. The dustpan was resting safely in the closet. She had untied the string and wrapped it carefully around the dustpan handle, then hung it in the closet. It was almost like she was taunting me with the remnants of my foiled security system! I had tied about 5 or 6 knots in the string connecting the dustpan to the broom, so it must have taken her a lot of effort to untie it.

Even though she made a bold statement by ruining my security system and flaunting it for me to see, I at least feel like my security system made a point with her. She knows that I think she is a shady dustpan thief and I know that she thinks that I am a crazy person who will stop at nothing to protect my dustpans. I have a feeling that Mrs. X won't be causing any more trouble in my cleaning closet. Hopefully no more innocent dustpans will have to fall victim to her villainous ways.

I think we can consider the Cleaning Closet Caper solved. Case closed for now. I know everyone will sleep better tonight.