Dog Days Read online

  “Good.”

  He sounded cranky.

  “I didn’t want you to worry.”

  “I wasn’t. Did you find out anything?”

  “Yes. I’ll fill you in when we get back.”

  Five minutes later we pulled into the parking lot, and went inside. Wyatt was in his office.

  We relayed our news of what we’d found out and what we hadn’t.

  “Good job. We’ll start working on the rest of it tomorrow. Let’s call it a night.”

  “Roger that, boss.”

  We all walked out together.

  The sun was starting to sink, but wouldn’t set for another few hours, and it was only slightly cooler than it had been at noon. Humidity was … thickly soupy.

  In the driveway at Wyatt’s, “The little guy is happy to see us.”

  It was true. Harley was in the window, and we could see he was barking … in a good way.

  As we exited the vehicle, he disappeared from view, to wait for us to open the front door.

  He never rushes up to us, just sits quivering until one of us gives a signal. Then he starts leaping.

  “Hey, buddy! Did you miss us? Yeah? Good boy.”

  He trotted inside and then followed me to the kitchen for his treat.

  Wyatt wrapped his arms around me from behind. “Sorry I was so short with you earlier. I was worried the whole time you were gone.”

  “You said you weren’t worried.”

  “I’m a guy. We don’t admit to worry.”

  “You just did. Besides, the courthouse is ten minutes away.”

  “I know.”

  “And I was with Gus.”

  “I know that, too.” He turned me so we could smooch. “But I still worried. And, I realize, or maybe understand better, how you feel when I go out on a call, and you’re left to wait.”

  I nodded. “A bit different, but yeah.”

  “I’m glad you’re safe and there were no … incidents.”

  “Me, too.”

  “I love you, ya know.”

  Aw. “I know. I love you, too.”

  “What are you hungry for?”

  My head tilted.

  He grinned. “For supper.”

  Smiling, I laid my hand on his cheek. (Which one do you think?) “There’s leftover sweet and sour chicken and rice.”

  “Sounds good. Let’s eat.”

  Chapter 31

  … THURSDAY…

  * * *

  … September 10th…

  * * *

  WYATT HAD ASSIGNED Rick and Paul to check out the abandoned house yesterday, but they’d been unable to get there due to several incoming calls. They did check it out earlier this morning.

  Upon returning, they took turns giving their report.

  “Pretty run of the mill abandoned hose, on the outside. No broken windows, though.”

  “And someone’s been keeping the lawn mowed and trimmed.”

  “The front porch light was lit, so the electricity is still on.”

  “Needs a roof and a couple coats of paint, along with some minor repairs and new gutters. But not in too bad a shape for a place that no one lives in.”

  “The doors and windows were all locked. And since we couldn’t see into the living area, there must be drapes or something drawn over the windows. No way to tell if the inside is in decent shape.”

  “The garage out back was also locked. Without a warrant, I didn’t figure we should bust in.”

  Wyatt nodded. “Right.”

  “It was odd that there were no trampled bushes, or standing dirt on the porches. No footprints at all, new or old.”

  “Anything else?”

  “The kid said he saw the guy go inside. There should have been some evidence of that entry, but there isn’t.”

  “Maybe there’s a secret way in.”

  “Could be. We’ll need to talk to Josh again, for more specifics.”

  “Sounds good. Who do you want to send over there?”

  “Declan? You or Paul want to interview the young Josh Jones?”

  “I’ll take it.” He cleared his throat. “We kinda hit it off.”

  I couldn’t tell if he was being facetious or not.

  “All right, Paul. Maggie, Gus? Bring us up to date on what you found at the courthouse.”

  I gave Gus the go-ahead nod. “The property is deeded to a Fred and Hazel Bowen. Maggie didn’t recognize the names. And both are deceased; Mrs. Bowen for only a couple of years.”

  “Declan, when we’re done here, grab a pal and go out to the neighborhood. Ask around about the Bowen’s, to include offspring, and any other friends and family.”

  “Will do, boss. Court? You up for a ride in the country?”

  The redhead grinned. “You betcha.”

  “Hopefully, when they get back we’ll know who’s been taking care of the place.”

  “That’s the plan.”

  “Is Vital Statistics in the municipal building?”

  “Yes, and we would have gone there, but the courthouse was closing by the time we found as much as we did. They have very few of their documents on the computer. Talk about the Dinosaur Age. We were digging through boxes of paperwork.”

  “I’m going to tag Hyacinth Reardon. She works in that building somewhere. Maybe she can point us in the right direction.” I looked at Gus. “You ready for another road trip?”

  “Say the word.”

  Chapter 32

  … THURSDAY…

  * * *

  … September 10th…

  * * *

  WYATT HAD ASSIGNED Rick and Paul to check out the abandoned house yesterday, but they’d been unable to get there due to several incoming calls. They did check it out earlier this morning.

  Upon returning, they took turns giving their report.

  “Pretty run of the mill abandoned hose, on the outside. No broken windows, though.”

  “And someone’s been keeping the lawn mowed and trimmed.”

  “The front porch light was lit, so the electricity is still on.”

  “Needs a roof and a couple coats of paint, along with some minor repairs and new gutters. But not in too bad a shape for a place that no one lives in.”

  “The doors and windows were all locked. And since we couldn’t see into the living area, there must be drapes or something drawn over the windows. No way to tell if the inside is in decent shape.”

  “The garage out back was also locked. Without a warrant, I didn’t figure we should bust in.”

  Wyatt nodded. “Right.”

  “It was odd that there were no trampled bushes, or standing dirt on the porches. No footprints at all, new or old.”

  “Anything else?”

  “The kid said he saw the guy go inside. There should have been some evidence of that entry, but there isn’t.”

  “Maybe there’s a secret way in.”

  “Could be. We’ll need to talk to Josh again, for more specifics.”

  “Sounds good. Who do you want to send over there?”

  “Declan? You or Paul want to interview the young Josh Jones?”

  “I’ll take it.” He cleared his throat. “We kinda hit it off.”

  I couldn’t tell if he was being facetious or not.

  “All right, Paul. Maggie, Gus? Bring us up to date on what you found at the courthouse.”

  I gave Gus the go-ahead nod. “The property is deeded to a Fred and Hazel Bowen. Maggie didn’t recognize the names. And both are deceased; Mrs. Bowen for only a couple of years.”

  “Declan, when we’re done here, grab a pal and go out to the neighborhood. Ask around about the Bowen’s, to include offspring, and any other friends and family.”

  “Will do, boss. Court? You up for a ride in the country?”

  The redhead grinned. “You betcha.”

  “Hopefully, when they get back we’ll know who’s been taking care of the place.”

  “That’s the plan.”

  “Is Vital Statistics in th
e municipal building?”

  “Yes, and we would have gone there, but the courthouse was closing by the time we found as much as we did. They have very few of their documents on the computer. Talk about the Dinosaur Age. We were digging through boxes of paperwork.”

  “I’m going to tag Hyacinth Reardon. She works in that building somewhere. Maybe she can point us in the right direction.” I looked at Gus. “You ready for another road trip?”

  “Say the word.”

  THE GARAGE DOOR was still going shut when Harley jumped out. I had one leg dangling, and Wyatt was halfway around the back of the Jeep when our pet began to bark and growl at the door to the kitchen.

  Wyatt moved past me, sidearm drawn. His other hand was lifted—palm out, at me—in a wait there motion.

  I did, for a change, and without comment.

  Yes, I know. Surprised me, too.

  He said something to Harley, and the dog went quiet but stayed on alert. As Wyatt eased the door open, Harley shot through. Wyatt followed more cautiously.

  I closed and locked myself in the Cherokee.

  You bet your sweet bippy, I did.

  Just in case.

  It seemed to take them a long time to come back, but it was only five minutes or so, and Wyatt’s firearm was holstered.

  Still sitting in the vehicle, I opened the door and sat sideways in the seat to face Wyatt.

  “There’s no one inside, and I didn’t see any damage. No forced entry, but I know for a fact that everything was locked up this morning before we left, as much good as that would do; too bad the locksmith didn’t have an earlier opening. You need to do a walk-through, and let me know if anything’s missing. Ranger’s on duty tonight.”

  Crap. I was mad, and scared. But more mad, irritated that whoever was doing this was making my life miserable when there were other things going on that needed my concentration. More fun but stressful things, like wedding stuff.

  Wyatt was on the phone as I got out of the Jeep and headed for the door.

  “Copy that. Maggie’s going to do a walk-through. I’ll unlock the front door. Just come on in when you get here.”

  As I stepped into the living room I saw them, turned around, and went back to the kitchen to wait for the chief and Paul.

  Wyatt came in and saw me sitting at the breakfast bar. “I thought you were going to do a walk-through.”

  “I was. I am, if you’re right there, too—which makes me feel weak. You’re as familiar with all my things as I am. He’s violated this house a few times now. I know we’re having the locks changed, but he’s already tainted everything.” Sliding off the stool, I headed for my bedroom, bumping the door open with my hip, not wanting to touch anything. It looked the same as when we’d left this morning—which is what Wyatt had initially said.

  Grabbing a couple of tissues, since I didn’t have gloves, I opened my closet, then proceeded to check dresser drawers. The nightstand contents had been disturbed. (Made me shudder), but my dresser hadn’t been rifled this time. Thank Jesus! What I’d found in the living room had jangled my nerves.

  Wyatt followed, also making note of the bedside drawer.

  We’d just gotten back to the living room when Paul came in the front door.

  He glanced at Wyatt, who shook his head, then looked at me.

  I pointed at my—now over-crowded—knick-knack shelf.

  “What’s different?”

  Good thing Paul asked. Since he’d never been inside my house before, he wouldn’t have known which was which.

  My palm itched. “I’ll point to the ones that aren’t mine. You have evidence bags?”

  Paul nodded and glanced at Wyatt while pulling on gloves. “Okay. Ready when you are.”

  “As Wyatt will attest, most of the ones that aren’t mine were declared missing from Lavender’s inventory, before … before Tom was killed. Actually, they disappeared this past summer. There are more on that shelf than she told us about, and I don’t think she mislead us. I think he’s been pilfering for a while.”

  “I won’t ask if you’re positive.”

  (Quick on the uptake, that one.)

  He sealed the first bag, and marked it. “I’ll make a note in the report, and have Lavender verify, just for protocol’s sake.”

  No longer needed, I went back to the kitchen.

  Harley whined, and I bent to scratch his ears. “You knew someone had been in here. You’re such a smart dog. Thanks, buddy. You get a reward for that.”

  I gave him a treat—which he almost swallowed whole, then barked and licked my hand.

  I was never so glad he was mine.

  Chapter 33

  … SATURDAY….

  * * *

  … September 12th…

  * * *

  MY MOTHER WOULD be here any minute with Harriet. I still didn’t know if she’d contacted my bridesmaids. I hoped not. I’d already contacted Dandy to drive me to Plain Jane’s later today.

  This final fitting thing was making me nervous. Not that the gown wouldn’t fit, just that seeing it on, with no pins or extra folds—fitting perfectly—would make it all real. Hmm. That doesn’t sound very reassuring, does it? I wasn’t nervous about the wedding. No way. Wished it was all done and over with, on the one hand, scared spit-less that the stalker would do something to ruin it, on the other.

  Because he’d already breached my home, and made me just the slightest bit wary to be there, I asked whether they could hold my dress until the Friday before the wedding. They said yes. It was worth paying the extra fee; I wasn’t about to take a chance that the bozo would break in again and steal it … or worse.

  That concern was small.

  In reality, I was beyond excited that, in a week, I was going to be Mrs. Wyatt Madison.

  An hour and a half later, both MOB and MOG (teary-eyed in a good way) were sitting across from me having a decadent slice of chocolate mousse cake and flavored coffee. They’d opted out of lunch when they saw the dessert menu. Blessing hadn’t been able to join us, but was anxious to get home and edit all the photos she’d taken.

  I was also very pleased and relieved that Dandy and Lancy hadn’t shown up.

  “Sweetheart, I can’t tell you how beautiful you looked in that dress. Whatever made you choose that color?”

  “Yes, I, too, am curious, dear. And just let me say, how honored I am that you invited me along today.”

  “You’re very welcome, Harriet. I wanted a special moment for the three of us to share. And even though Blessing was there taking pictures, I’m so glad it was just us.”

  “At this point, Magdalena, I should apologize for giving you a hard time about that. You were right. This was exceptionally special.”

  “Thanks, Mom. And to answer your question, I actually wanted purple, but once I saw the Navy dress, and tried it on, I couldn’t say no. It was like an epiphany, or the planets were aligned, or something. And, on top of that, it was on sale. The style was exactly what I envisioned when I thought about what I wanted. Not a long gown, not a short dress, but the cocktail-length was just right. Tea-length, I think she called it.”

  “And then you found your shoes a few weeks ago when we went to Morgantown, right?”

  “Yes. What a fluke that was.”

  “How so?”

  “I’d already decided to just wear a pair I’ve had in my closet for a while. But, Dandy needed—said she needed—a pair to go with her dress.”

  “What made you go to that store, in particular?”

  “Lancy Farnsworth, Rick’s fiancé. She has this thing for shoes, and a nose for the best stores that carry what she likes best. According to Lancy, Rick growls whenever she buys a new pair, but says he makes her model them when she gets home.”

  A soprano, and an alto chortle.

  “I’ll bet that’s not all.”

  I grinned. “She didn’t say, and I wasn’t about to ask. I do know she promised not to buy another pair until after their wedding. But I will be forever grateful she
shared one of her secret places with us.”

  Mom had a dreamy look on her face. “I suppose you’re going to say more planets were aligned when you saw them, too? They are a perfect match.”

  “They are, indeed.”

  “I don’t know about planets, but something was in the stars. Y’all made great choices on your dresses that day, too.”

  “Yes. Didn’t we just.”

  “Will you be wearing a veil?” Harriet nibbled at another bite of chocolate. “I realize this is your second marriage, but it always grabs me by the heart when I see a bride wearing a veil.”

  “Yeah, well, about that. Dandy and Pam, are of the opinion that I need to let my hair down, and wear this wreath of flowers that Pam fashioned for me, in lieu of carrying a bouquet. I’d planned on wearing my hair up; seemed fitting for that style of dress.”

  “Oh, that would be my niece, Pam?”

  “Yes, she’s doing the flowers for the wedding.”

  “How wonderful.”

  “I do believe you’re right about the hairstyle, Maggie. But, then again, I can see how that wreath would be stunning. Couldn’t you do both, wear your hair up with the wreath?”

  “I could, but I’m not sure that’s what they had in mind. More of a bohemian-sixties-flower-child kind of look, if I read them right.”

  Harriet laughed. “That would be more my generation.”

  I took a sip of coffee. “Indeed.”

  “What, you don’t think I could pull it off … forty years ago?”

  My mom snickered. “Actually, I can picture it perfectly.”

  Before Harriet could respond, our waitress, Hannah, approached.

  “Ladies, will there be anything else?”

  “No. This was just right.”

  “Okay. I’ll be right back with the check.”

  Mom pulled out her wallet.

  I frowned. “What do you think you’re doing?”

  “Oh, now, Maggie—”

  “When I invited you to do this with me, it included lunch. I told you that on the phone.”