Pest Management Professional, March 2018

Continued FroM Page 60 T he next morning MJ waited for Crawley near the front entrance of the Peace of Mind headquarters She was sitting in a comfortable chair in the small foyer of the building drinking coffee and pretending to read Pest Management Professional magazine but she was really trying to ambush the little bug nerd when he arrived She knew he usually came by the office early to get stocked up on materials for the day and get any last minute instructions or assignments from Margie the office manager Soon she spotted him scurrying up the sidewalk toward the building Sure he was socially awkward and had disabilities but MJ admired him He was honest hard working and loyal And he would go after a bug problem like a dog after a bone Hey Crawley She acted surprised to see him Hows it going His head finally came up and he seemed to force a smile Okay I guess dont know yet how its going because it isnt going yet He walked nervously past her and started down the hall toward his office MJ followed trying to keep her tone light Ive been missing seeing you lately Whereve you been hiding He hesitated turning halfway back toward her as if he didnt know for sure what to do Just working MJ Trying to get it all done Seems like Jacks always MJ looked from one to the other It must be real since both of them have it she thought What are the chances two people could have something like this giving me someone elses account Then a big toothy grin spread across his face But I really dont mind it helps me be a better pest technician You ever thought about taking the license exam and starting your own business MJ asked He blushed I guess I might could try for a license Long pause Maybe someday Hey speaking of you being such an expert can I ask you about a case Im working on Yeah sure MJ looked up and down the hall Cmon lets go in your office Inside Crawleys office MJ told him about Alex and Shea Higginbotham and the mysterious pests biting them She explained how none of her samples revealed any mites or biting insects that could produce the bite marks on their bodies Im at a loss Crawley she concluded How do we help someone with a bug problem when we cant figure out what the bug problem is Im telling you theyre desperate Sounds like you got a case of the DOP he said flatly Those kind of folksll drive you crazy MJ shook her head I dont think its delusions of parasitosis They both have bites all over their arms hands face and neck She paused And according to them also have bites all over their bodies under their clothing but I didnt want to see any of that if you know what I mean Crawley looked away Mmm What do you mean by that It dont make me no nevermind He looked away for a long time Did you set out glue boards Yes repeatedly but theres nothing on them but a few tiny beetles or an ant or two here and there Mostly near the kitchen Crawleys eyebrows shot up Fire ants No pharaoh ants I think Did you refer em to a dermatologist for them bite marks Thats the kind of doctor they need to see Bites aint nothing we do anything about No but thats a great idea Ill call them and suggest that She smiled at Crawley You want to go out there with me and look around Id really appreciate your help Just having an extra pair of eyes to help look around would make me feel better I guess I could work it in my schedule he said after some hesitation T he next Saturday afternoon Crawley made his way to the Higginbotham residence Technically he was off on Saturday afternoons but it was the only time he had free to look at the Higginbotham case with MJ MJ was parked in the driveway when he arrived He donned his technicians toolbelt grabbed a small notepad and went to meet her MJ flashed a huge grin Im so glad you could come take a look Crawley You dont know how much this means to me Cmon theyre waiting for us Alex Higginbotham met them at the door and ushered them into the Continued on Page 64 62 March 2018 Pest Management Professional mypmp net