by V. M. Burns
This was Dixie’s revelation, so I nodded for her to explain. She took a deep breath and started talking slowly and calmly. “You know how in the United States, there are regional dialects. People here say soda or soda pop, where people from Indiana might say pop?”
Red and Joe both nodded.
“Well, Scotland was the same. People in Glasgow had different dialects and used different words than people in Edinburgh and…well, Shetland.”
Red nodded again. “Okay, and…?”
“That’s what bothered me about the Kilpatricks. Their accents seemed to be a mish-mash. There was no distinct dialect and the words were from all over the country.” She shook her head. “It just sounded wrong…like…I don’t know.” She turned to me.
“It was like someone from the South trying to talk like a New Yorker or someone from Boston…It was exaggerated.”
Joe nodded. “I think I get what you’re saying.”
Red nodded as well. “Well, your instincts were right. Mary and Fergus Kilpatrick are from Kansas City.”
“Interesting, that Archibald Lowry’s Scottish cousins are both from the United States.” Red’s phone rang and he stepped away to answer.
Dixie excused herself to visit the bathroom, leaving Joe and I alone at the table. Well, as alone as two people who were surrounded by five dogs could be.
Joe took a drink. “Will she be upset that I’m here?”
I didn’t need to ask who ‘she’ was. I merely shrugged. “I don’t know.”
He nodded. “Red told me about the two murders and…I was worried.” He leaned forward and ran his hands through his hair which he wore clipped in a short buzz cut that helped to identify him as a policeman. “I shouldn’t have come.”
I wasn’t sure how to answer, but before I could, I heard voices inside and knew that Stephanie was home, and she wasn’t alone.
Stephanie came to the back door. “Mom, we went to—”
Joe stood up as Stephanie stepped down onto the deck.
“Joe? What are you doing here?”
I was determined to stay out of this battle, but I noticed the color go up Joe’s neck and a vein throb at the side of his head.
“Stephanie, isn’t it wonderful that Joe was able to come down to help Red…with…well.” For the life of me I couldn’t think of what Joe was going to help with, so I merely waved my hand and hoped she wouldn’t notice. “And he brought Turbo.”
Lucky and Turbo were both on their back legs, vying for Stephanie’s attention.
Eli stepped out onto the deck. Like a male model who just stepped off the pages of GQ magazine, he dominated the scene. His thick wavy hair was loose today and floated gently in the breeze. The first two buttons of his silk shirt were open exposing a very well-tanned chest and his muscular physique was highlighted by his suit. He smiled. “Stephanie, aren’t you going to introduce me?”
Stephanie looked like she’d rather eat dirt, but instead she reluctantly turned to Eli. “Eli Goldstein, this is Joe Harrison, my…a friend of the family.” She turned to Joe. “This is Eli Goldstein.”
Joe extended his hand to shake just as Lucky lunged. Only Joe’s quick reflexes prevented him from pouncing on Eli.
Whether spurred by Lucky or a general dislike of lawyers who looked like male models, a current of aggression seemed to transfer to the other dogs. Aggie and Rex growled and would have also lunged if I hadn’t scooped them both up.
Joe anticipated Turbo. “Platz.” He gave a command in German that sounded like “Plah-tz.” As a K-9 police team, Joe was well versed in Schutzhund which was used with police dog training. I knew platz meant down and so did Lucky and Turbo. Both dogs immediately lay down, although they stayed alert and continued to stare at Eli.
Even Steve Austin, normally, the meekest dog on the planet, seemed tense.
Eli gave another nervous chuckle. “Dogs don’t like me.” He shrugged and shook his head. “Especially that dog.” He pointed at Lucky.
“Surprising. Dogs are usually a pretty good judge of character.” Joe squatted down and gave Lucky a pat. I was standing next to him and heard him whisper, “Good boy.” I was sure it wasn’t a coincidence when I suddenly saw Lucky eating a hot dog that had moments ago been on Joe’s plate.
“Is this Indulf?” Eli’s eyes rested on Rex. “Such a little dog to be the center of so much attention.”
“I’ve renamed him Rex,” I said a bit sharply. “I named him after one of my favorite mystery authors,” I explained in a softer tone.
“Oh, Rex who?”
I hesitated for a moment, taken aback. Then, I remembered my manners. Not everyone was a mystery fan. “Rex Stout. He wrote the Nero Wolfe Detective Series.”
There was still no light of recognition in his eyes, but he flashed a smile, which failed to weaken my knees.
Dixie came back outside and joined the group.
“Mary and Fergus Kilpatrick are really anxious about this little guy.” He reached over to pet the poodle.
Rex nipped at his fingers.
Eli quickly withdrew his hand.
I was so shocked, I merely stared for several seconds. Aggie growled and Rex added to the confusion with a high-pitched yap. I didn’t want to ignite the other dogs and gave both dogs a firm. “No.”
There was a rumble from all of the dogs, but between Joe and Dixie, they managed to get them all under control.
Red finished his call and rejoined the group.
Eli gave an arrogant smile. “All of the male dogs must all be jealous.” He placed an arm around Stephanie’s waist.
A red flush rose up Stephanie’s neck.
Dixie, Red and Joe stared at Eli with a wary look.
I laughed to break the tension. “Eli, you remember Red? He’s the TBI officer that is investigating the murder.”
“Oh yes.” He laughed nervously and looked around. “You aren’t still investigating?”
“Law enforcement officers are always on duty.” He paused, but then added, “However, this is just dinner with my good friends.”
Dixie scooted back and I could tell she was preparing to leave. However, I managed to catch her attention and used my eyes to plead with her to stay. Fortunately, after twenty-five years, she recognized that I wasn’t having a stroke and sat back in her chair.
I breathed a sigh of relief and took a long swallow of my pop. For a few seconds, I wished I was drinking something stronger than Diet Coke.
“I don’t want to interrupt.” Eli flashed his super big smile again.
For a few moments, the awkwardness continued. Then, I remembered my manners. “Eli, please have a seat. Would you like a beer?”
He sat down. “Sure, do you have a Newcastle Brown Ale?”
I looked across at Red who shook his head and pulled out a common beer which he and Joe were drinking. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think we have that brand.” I started to rise. “Would you prefer wine instead?”
He waved me down. “No, please don’t get up. I’m sure this will be just fine.” He took the bottle Red handed him. Wiping his hands on his pants, he then looked around. “Do you have a bottle opener?”
Red took the beer and titled the bottle against the table and with one quick thrust, popped the cap and handed back the beer.
“Thank you.” Eli took a sip. From the expression on his face, it was clear he didn’t like the beer, but he smiled and put the bottle down on the table. “Wow. That’s something.” He coughed. “I usually drink ales. Once, when I was travelling with Mr. Lowry, he managed to get his hands on a couple of bottles of Antarctic Nail Ale when we were in Europe and…man was that something.”
Red stared at him. “Isn’t that the Australian ale which is made from an iceberg they fly in from Antarctica?”
Eli nodded excitedly. “Yes. I’m surprised you’ve heard of it.”<
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Red’s eyes flashed for a moment and the nerve alongside his jaw throbbed. He narrowed his eyes. “Why?”
Eli was taken aback by the blunt question and the smile froze on his face. “Excuse me? Why, what?”
“Why are you surprised that I would have heard of it?” His voice dripped icicles.
Dixie mumbled, “Danger. Danger Will Robinson.”
Eli was probably too young to get the reference.
I tried to use mental telepathy to get Red to take it easy, but he wasn’t making eye contact with me. Instead, he had flipped the switch which turned him into a cop, and like a Canadian Mountie he was determined to get his man.
The air was charged and short of pouring the beer in Red’s lap, I couldn’t think of any way to stop him.
After a few moments, Eli gave a nervous laugh. “Well, it’s rather expensive and not a lot of people know of it.”
Red glared and leaned forward. He opened his mouth to speak, but I interrupted. “I’m not much of a beer drinker myself.” I held up my Diet Coke. An idea flashed through my head. “Eli, you’re from the South, right?”
He nodded.
“What do you call this?” I held up my can of Diet Coke.
He looked at me as though he expected a trap. “Diet Coke?’
I sighed. “We were talking about the different word choices in various regions. I’m originally from Indiana and I call this a pop, but Dixie and Red are from the south and they call it soda pop.”
He tore his gaze away from Rex and nodded. “I get it.” He glanced over at Rex again. “It’s obvious, you’re very attached to…Rex. However, as Executor for Archibald Lowry’s will, I think he would consider the dog as part of the estate, which technically conveys to the Kilpatricks.” He extended his hands. “However, the Kilpatricks are reasonable people and have made a very generous offer for the dog…given your attachment. I think we could avoid a lengthy drawn out court proceeding—”
In a flash, both Joe and Red were no longer regular citizens enjoying a leisurely dinner with friends. They were law enforcement officers. The air crackled with an electric charge. Red leaned forward. “That dog belongs to Lilly. I’d advise you and the Kilpatricks to remember that. Until a judge orders her to surrender the dog, it belongs to her.” He glared.
There was another awkward silence until eventually Eli stood up. “I should probably be going.”
Stephanie stood too. “I’ll see you to the door.”
After a brief delay, Red stood and extended his hand to shake hands with Eli. Despite the gesture, there was an authoritative air about him which screamed law enforcement. Don’t mess with me!
Joe stood too and with that same air of authority, shook hands with Eli.
Eli turned to go, but Joe stopped him and once again extended a hand, but this time rather than shaking, he pulled a long red hair from Eli’s shoulder.
Eli laughed. “It’s a wonder I’m not completely covered in hair with all of these dogs.” He extended his hand toward the five dogs. The two poodles who were curled up on my lap, stared. Lucky and Turbo were still lying by Joe’s side but hadn’t stopped staring at Eli. Steve Austin, Red’s adopted dog was sitting with his nose in Red’s lap.
Dixie rose. “I’ve got to get home too.”
I started toward the door to see Dixie out, but was afraid to leave for fear of a double homicide. Red looked like he wanted to shoot Eli and Stephanie looked as though she would like nothing better than to throttle Joe.
Dixie must have sensed my dilemma. “You don’t have to see me out.”
I sighed. “We’ll see you tomorrow at dog class.”
Dixie stopped. “You’ll see me tomorrow afternoon at Morrison Middle School in Cleveland. Did you forget? We’ve got that demonstration.”
“I did forget.” I looked cautiously at my friend. “Is it atop a mountain?”
“No, it’s straight up 75-North and completely flat.” She chuckled. “I can send you directions tomorrow. Unless you want me to pick you up?”
I shook my head. “As long as I don’t have to drive Mount Everest, I’ll be fine, unless you want to drive?”
“I’ll be by to pick you up around noon.” She smiled and left.
Stephanie showed Eli out. When I knew they were out of earshot, I stood. “Red, could I talk to you in private for a moment, please?”
He stood up. Before he left, he turned to Joe. “If I’m not back in thirty minutes, call for back up.”
Joe smiled. “I got your six.”
I handed Red one of the poodles and walked inside. He followed me to the bedroom. I opened the door and waited for him to enter before closing the door after me.
He smirked. “Well, maybe I won’t need backup after all.” He leaned forward to kiss me, but I sidestepped him.
“Red, will you be serious?” I glared. “I appreciate you sticking up for me, but don’t you think you were a bit…harsh with Eli?”
He sighed. “Sorry, there’s just something about that guy I don’t like.” He shook his head. “He’s too…pretty.”
I worked to keep from laughing. “He can’t help the way he looks.”
“I know, but it’s not just that…He looks like a model. He doesn’t like dogs.” He held up Rex. “He wants to take your dog. He’s coming between Joe and Stephanie and…I don’t like his hair.”
This time I couldn’t stop myself and I laughed. “Will you be serious?”
“I am serious.”
I stared. “And, how did Joe just happen to come down for a visit at the same time that Stephanie is here?”
He squirmed. “Joe and I were talking, and I mentioned I was working a double homicide and then I mentioned about someone trying to steal your dog. I didn’t invite him to come, but…” He looked sheepish. “I also didn’t tell him not to come.” He paced. “If I was in his place, I’d probably do the same thing.”
“I’m not upset that Joe’s here.”
He paused. “You’re not?”
“Of course not.” I smiled. “Stephanie might have another opinion entirely, but I like Joe.”
He took a deep breath. “Then, why am I in trouble?”
“Who said you were in trouble?”
He looked perplexed.
“Stephanie and Joe are going to need a little time and I suspect a little privacy.”
That’s when we heard raised voices. We couldn’t hear exact words, but there was definitely a lot of heat behind them. After a few minutes, I heard a door slam, marching and then the door to the guest room slammed. After a brief pause, there was another door slam and then the front door slammed. In a few moments, I heard the slam of a car door.
Red handed me Rex, leaned down and gave me a kiss. He paused for a moment and looked into my eyes. “Promise me, you’ll be careful.”
I nodded. I had every intention of keeping that promise.
Chapter 14
He walked out and I heard the sound of a truck starting and driving away.
Stephanie didn’t leave her room for the remainder of the night. When I woke up the next morning, I found her sitting outside on the back deck drinking coffee with Lucky beside her chair.
I opened the door and let out Aggie and Rex. “Do you want company?”
She shook her head.
I went back inside. Despite the fact that Linda Kay said I could take time off or work from home, there were still a few things I wanted to clear up in the office. So, I showered, dressed and prepared to go to the office.
I stepped back outside. Stephanie hadn’t moved. “I need to go into the office for a couple of hours. If you want the car, I can—”
“I don’t need it. I’m not going anywhere.”
As a mother, there was a part of me that wanted to sit down and talk to my daughter and make everything better. There was anot
her part of me that has learned from experience that when it comes to matters of the heart, the best plan is to sit back and wait until she was ready to talk.
“Okay, dear. I’ll be back in a couple of hours.” I paused but got no response. “Call if you need anything.”
She nodded.
I hesitated a few seconds, but finally turned and walked out.
Preparing for an audit can be a nerve-wracking experience, no matter how fastidious your accounting methods. However, this audit was my first since I’d been hired by the museum to clean up the mess the previous accountant, and I use the term accountant lightly, created. I cleaned up the mess and worked with the IRS to resolve the problems caused when someone who doesn’t know the slightest thing about accounting is hired because he’s a descendent of the founders rather than for his accounting knowledge. I knew the museum’s books were in good shape, but I was still nervous and wanted to make sure every i was dotted and every t was crossed.
After a couple of hours, I headed home. I wasn’t surprised to find Dixie’s RV in my driveway. When I went inside and didn’t find anyone, I knew she and Stephanie must be out on the back deck. I hurried to my bedroom and changed into a comfortable pair of blue jeans and a shirt that looked presentable enough for a dog show without being too dressy. Finding appropriate clothes to wear to dog shows was becoming a challenge. I didn’t want anything too nice because working at a dog show can be messy, as I learned when I spent an entire day picking up dog poop to raise money for the dog club. However, if you’re competing, you wanted to look presentable because if you earned a qualification, there would undoubtedly be pictures. The last thing I wanted was to look like a street person in the unlikely event I ever managed to earn a qualification while competing with Aggie.
When I was dressed, I headed outside to the deck where Dixie and Stephanie were surrounded by four poodles and one golden.
I sat down and noticed three Styrofoam cups and a container with a dozen small bundt cakes. I leaned across the container and tried not to salivate. “Nothin’ Bundt Cake?”
Dixie nodded. “Help yourself. We saved you a white chocolate raspberry.”
I reached for the delicious cake which was so moist and delicious and bit down with pleasure. After a few minutes, I opened my eyes and looked at Stephanie who was smiling at me. “What?”