The missing sheep.
One animal unaccounted for. Several perfectly reasonable explanations considered too late.
- Status
- Closed. Animal recovered.
- Filed
- Location
- The roof. Eventually.
Field notes
At 06:10, the animal was not in its usual place. The charging lead was connected to nothing. This established very little, but I looked at it for a while.
The roof door was open. Maintenance says the latch works if you hold the door shut. I’ve asked them to clarify their understanding of a latch.
I searched the stairwell, then the elevator, then the stairwell again. The neighbor asked whether I’d lost something. I said I was checking the building. He looked at the feed bucket in my hand.
The sheep was behind the roof heater. There’s a space back there I hadn’t thought to check. It had found somewhere warm and was standing in it.
It knew where it was. I was the one having difficulty.
I moved the charging lead closer to the heater. It followed me back for breakfast. I stayed until it finished.
Redacted: Search duration
Forty-six minutes. I also checked the street. I’d prefer that the shared copy say “a brief inspection of the premises.”
Submitted expenses
REIMBURSEMENT IS A SEPARATE INVESTIGATION- Feed used to attract the subject
- $3.20Denied. Ordinary breakfast.
- Roof access
- $0.00Apparently included in the rent.
- Missed breakfast, investigator
- $7.40Not considered an expense.
Disposition
Animal recovered. No further action, apart from the latch.
FILED BY R. DECKARD. CORRECTIONS UNLIKELY.Subsequent notes
Added after the original disposition. Animal recovery remains closed.
Latch diagnosis
Worn spring confirmed by technician. Replacement identified. Installation awaiting cost approval.
Expense disposition
Management classifies the repair as an animal-related improvement. Cost of $38.00 approved by investigator. Reimbursement disputed.
Repair completed
Replacement fitted and paid for. Door holds when released. Original animal-recovery findings unchanged.