Belly Up in the Koi Pond

by Cheryl Zelenka

  Lilly and Mandy returned to Sadie’s parked Kia Sorento and retrieved the last of the herbal plants and tea tins in the back seat. Dora and Sadie remained behind to figure out the best way to display their merchandise. While playing with plant arrangements, Sadie queried, “Dora, when are Detective O’Cleary and Pointman arriving? I’m so glad they’re coming down for the Memorial Day celebrations.” Sadie was smiling from ear to ear.

  “Actually, Sadie, they’re coming down to help me install my Koi pond,” Dora corrected.

  “I know, I know,” Sadie answered. “They’re helping you build that awful Koi pond, but you can’t work in the dark. I think they’d enjoy tonight’s’ firework display.”

  Dora took note of Sadie’s suggestion, remembering her friend’s interest in the husky Irish George Clooney look-alike. Mary, Timothy’s partner, and Dora were secretly hoping a love connection would ignite from the Memorial Day visit. Sparks had certainly been in the air just a few months ago, when Sadie and Dora helped the Portland Detectives solve a strange murder case involving a Koi pond exhibit. What was meant to be a fun filled weekend at the Oregon Yard, Garden, and Patio show had turned into a surprising and unusual murder mystery.

  “Timothy said they’d be at my house around noon, ready to work. They’re both excited about helping me with my landscape project, which you so vehemently object to.”

  “Only because I know the stray cats in our neighborhood will eat your fish!” Sadie crossed her arms. “Sure, chica,” grumped Dora, “if that’s what you want our neighbors and friends to believe. Go with that story, it’s certainly is a whopper. However, you and I both know that’s not the real reason for your objection. Your fish phobia is no secret to me, Sadie Sunshine. Walking up to my front door will soon mean you’ll have to pass by my Koi pond. I don’t think you like the idea of facing your fears.”

  Sadie had a horrible fear of fish called Ichthyophobia. She gagged when she was near an aquarium and nauseas every time she walked past fresh fish in the grocery store. She never swam in rivers or oceans because she worried fish would brush up against her legs, or nibble on her toes. The thought of eating fish gave her the heebiejeebies.

  Sadie pulled a face then added a few Rosemary, Black Cohosh, Coneflower, and Chamomile seedlings onto the large display shelf in front of the booth.

  Dora decided not to pester Sadie any further and continued, “So, that gives me less than an hour to help you set things up. I’ll go home while you’re selling our products and bring Timothy and Mary back here around 6 or 7pm. We can then grab dinner. Mary and Timothy love Carni-food. We’ll have to indulge in some deep fried pickles, funnel cakes, and corndogs.

  “Sounds like a plan but you can have all the pickles!” Sadie was trying to contain her enthusiasm. She was nervous about meeting up with Timothy again, but the butterflies in her stomach were not going to ruin her evening. She was looking forward to seeing the twinkle in his Irish blue eyes. Of course Mark, her next-door neighbor, would also be at the Carnival. She had agreed to be his date for the Memorial Day parade, but Sadie was hoping for some quality time with Detective O’Cleary first.

  Sadie added, “Mandy and Teddy offered to take the night shift at our booth. Mandy’s mom is watching Beaker Polly.” The Goldens were diehard Oregon Ducks fans, thus accounting for the originality of their daughter’s name. Gushing, Sadie added, “Let’s plan to stay late and watch the fireworks. Be sure to bring a blanket for all of us to sit on.”

  “Sure,” Dora replied. Then under her breath she mumbled, “I’ll be watching two displays of fireworks if Timothy plays his cards right tonight.”

  “What?”

  “Nothing, Sadie. I was just talking to myself. Made a prediction.”

  “About how successful today will be?”

  “Uh huh. Si, Amiga. Today will prove to be a huge success… I think.”

  Chapter Two-Snow Cones

  “So how far did you get on your Koi pond, Dora?” Sadie was helping her best friend lay out their picnic blanket. They were fortunate in securing such a prime location to view the celebratory fireworks display. It was just 7:30pm, so Detective Pointman and O’Cleary were off getting everyone Carni food for dinner.

  “Well, as you know, I did a lot of prep work yesterday when I measured out things and used that orange landscape paint you gave me.” Sadie nodded but waited for Dora to continue. “Well, we, I mean,” Dora paused and shrugged her shoulders, “Timothy, mostly Timothy. Umm, O’Cleary excavated the 1,800 gallon pond.”

  Sadie’s expression turned into a giant question mark. “You’re telling me Timothy O’Cleary got that 15x10 hole dug in a single day? I know it isn’t very deep, but wow!” Sadie knew how hard it was to work with Oregon soil.

  “Si. Timothy’s a maniac, a machine. He was finished by 6:30 pm. He wouldn’t let us gals help with the digging. He said we’d get in his way. Mary and I decided not to argue with him. Instead, we used our shovels to move the excavated dirt over to my Dogwood tree. I’m going to make a rock garden to compliment the pond.”

  “Nice! So what’s the next step?”

  “We have to put all the underlayment and the pond liner in the hole. We also have to add the skimmer filter and the pump. Then the underwater light system has to be installed. I’m hiring a professional landscaper to do that for me. I don’t want any of my koi belly up in my koi pond!”

  Sadie gagged. The image of floating koi in Dora’s pond made her knees go weak. “Really? Do you have to bring up past memories? Electrocuted fish are not such a distant memory, you know.”

  Dora felt bad. She really hadn’t wanted to torment Sadie. “At least there won’t be a dead body in my pond.”

  Sadie shifted her feet then answered, “Unless it’s my body! You know what a klutz I am. I’ll probably trip over something and fall into your pond. When the fish start nibbling my toes I’ll faint and… drown!”

  “You have quite the imagination, chica.” Dora could see right through Sadie’s manipulation, but it wasn’t going to work. She had a big hole in her front yard and the liner and materials were sitting in her driveway. “Look, you know the key code to my garage. If you don’t want to knock on my front door, you can always knock on my garage door.”

  “Awesome,” Sadie responded with false enthusiasm. Her battle to dissuade Dora was hopeless. Her friend was determined.

  “Then I add the rocks and plants. The Koi won’t be added for at least a week. The water has to be tested and cleaned.”

  Glancing over her shoulder, Sadie was relieved to see Mary and Timothy walking towards them. “Hey look, our dinner has arrived.” Sadie was sitting on one corner of the blanket. Timothy made sure to settle in close to her while Mary found a seat next to Dora.

  “Hey Ms. Sunshine,” Timothy’s voice had a smile in it. “I hear you love deep fried pickles and corn dogs.”

  Sadie stuck out her tongue. “Corn dogs yes, but you can give Detective Flores all the pickles. I’m not a fan. Did you also buy funnel cakes?”

  Mary handed her two cakes dusted with honey and powdered sugar.

  “Yum, I think I’ll have dessert first!” Just as she was about to take her first bite, a big gust of wind blew the confectioners sugar into Sadie’s face and hair.

  Laughing, Dora pointed and said, “Look, La Llorona!”

  “Very funny, Dora. I’ll be over to haunt you real soon. Does tomorrow night work?”

  Timothy hid a smirk and grabbed a few paper napkins. Dipping them in water, he handed them to Sadie so she could wipe her face. Before letting go he whispered, “Sadie, I already know you’re sweet. You aren’t trying to sugar coat something, are ya?”

  Sadie couldn’t help but laugh out loud. The Irishman was funny and so easy to be with. It was good to get the koi pond out of her mind.

  “Oh Detective O’Cleary, you’ve caught me! Yes, indeed! I was trying to sugar coat my humble appearance and win your heart so you’d treat me to a snow cone after this gourmet feast.”

&
nbsp; Feigning shock, Timothy asked, “That’s all you want? A snow cone? I can offer so much more, Lassie.”

  Mary and Dora tried to ignore the flirtatious conversation between their friends, but a giggle or two slipped out while they dug into the deep fried pickles.

  Timothy watched as Sadie wiped the sugar from her face and nibbled at the confection now missing most of its sugar. She certainly knew how to steal his heart. He thought she was the most adorable woman on the planet.

  Earlier that day, while digging out Dora’s Koi pond, their neighbor stopped by to check on the landscape progress.

  O’Cleary took a minute to ponder the encounter. Hmm, Mark. Now I have a face to fit a name, the name of my competitor. Dora says he’s been taking Sadie to church every Sunday and is her date for the Boatnik parade. Well, I’ve got tonight and tomorrow to get her attention back on me. Who knows, maybe Mark will end up sitting next to me at church. I’m gonna ask Sadie if Mary and I can tag along on Sunday and with Dora’s help, I’m certain to pull it off. By Monday, Mark may no longer have his parade date.

  By the time Timothy’s feet were back in the present, Sadie had finished her funnel cakes. A local marching band was playing a lively number and Sadie was using her corndog as a baton to conduct the musicians.

  Dora threw a question her way. “What would your Pop say if he saw you playing with your food?” Sadie didn’t drop a single beat, even though her corndog was shifting around on her stick. Yelling back at Dora she replied, “He’d say, ‘Throw me one of those corny dogs, Butterfly! I’ll help you keep the beat.”

  O’Cleary and Mary both cracked up but Dora just rolled her eyes and said, “Estas loco!”

  When the band finished the marching number, Sadie detached the slipping corndog from its stick and devoured it in three very large bites.

  Wanting some alone time with Sadie, O’Cleary stood up and offered Sadie his hand. “Snow cone dear lady?”

  Sadie was in a mood to flirt. She wanted to keep things light between them, so she batted her eyes she gushed, “Only if you promise to sing songs from Frozen while we walk to the food court.”

  Timothy thought, This lass is hard to keep up with but I’m sure having fun trying! “Certainly. Did you know I have a six-year-old niece who calls me Olaff? We sing, ‘Let it Be’ whenever we don’t want to clean up our messes.”

  “Oh, that’s so mature! Tell me more, Mr. Olaff.” Sadie loved that Timothy had a comeback line. Not only was he familiar with the movie Frozen, a favorite of students at Fort Follyfield, but he actually knew a character’s name from the movie. She accepted his hand and was soon walking up the grassy slope that led to the food court. All the while she was serenaded with made up lines from the musical.

  At the top of the hill, a middle-aged woman passed them while walking a very large dog with a thick golden coat. “Timothy, I’ve never seen a dog like that beauty. Let’s see if we can give it pet.” With that, Sadie chased after the woman with O’Cleary at her heels.

  Unfortunately, the lady took a sudden turn and led her dog down the hill they had just climbed. Sadie stopped her pursuit and watched as they disappeared into the crowd.

  Turning to Timothy, Sadie assessed, “That dog was beautiful and really unique! I’m sure it was very expensive and hard to come by. It must weigh over 100 pounds.” Pausing, she then added, “I wonder what my Bosco would think of that gentle giant. Ha, I can assure you shear size does not intimidate my Maltipoo. Bosco would boss a dinosaur around if I had one for a pet.”

  O’Cleary chuckled and said he wanted to meet her fur-kids.

  “I believe that can be arranged.” Sadie looked deep into the light blue eyes that were filled with humor and intelligence. I sure hope this detective likes me as much as I like him, thought Sadie. Timothy squeezed her hand then led the way to the snow cone vendor. It was just 5 booths down from Fort Follyfield’s herbal plant and tea booth, which Mandy and Teddy were manning.

  Ready to place her order, Sadie’s jaw dropped when she stepped up to the window of the snow cone trailer. A handsome eighty-year-old, dressed in a bright turquoise apron, was running things. His incredible sea blue eyes recognized Sadie so he called out, “Hey there, butterfly! I didn’t expect to see you tonight. You want your regular strawberry-lime snow cone?”

  “Pop, what are you doing here? I had no idea you were helping Scott with his business. Are you okay? Why isn’t he here helping you?”

  “Relax honey. Scott is at the hospital. He’s about to become a daddy! I’m doing just fine. I came on duty about an hour ago and will leave in an hour. Scott said I could close early, so I’ll skip the fireworks and hit the hay as soon as I get home.” Then looking at Timothy he asked, “Say, who’s that nice fellow standing next to you, girlie-girl.”

  While her dad made her snow cone, Sadie introduced Timothy to her father. Handing his daughter the sweet and sour treat, Jerry looked Timothy up and down. Hmm, I’d say you’re a one-flavor kind of guy. Solid and safe but not too predictable. Orange is predictable. Grape. Right? Grape.” O’Cleary grinned at Jerry’s correct flavor assessment and paid for the treats.

  “Pop, can we do anything for you before we leave for the night?”

  Retying his apron, Jerry thought for a minute then asked, “Could your detective friend roll a huge ice chest on wheels into the trailer for me? Scott told me it was full of ice. It’s in back. I’ll need to load up this here machine before the night is over. I don’t think I can lift that cooler or get it in the trailer on my own.

  “Sure thing, Mr. Sunshine!” Timothy wanted to earn some brownie points with Sadie and what better way to get them? “We’ll meet you around back, Jerry.”

  Sadie and Timothy walked to the other side of the trailer and saw the gigantic cooler. Crossing his arms, O’Cleary scowled. “I don’t care if this thing is on wheels, Sadie. Your dad shouldn’t be moving this thing.”

  “I know, but try convincing my Pop he isn’t twenty and superman’s twin.”

  “Hey, I have an idea. Let’s hope this thing is full of separate blocks of ice. If Jerry is only going to serve up snow cones for another hour, one or two blocks should cover all the requests.”

  “Great idea, Olaf! Let’s open this thing and see what’s inside. You’re probably starting to melt, so be sure stick your head in there for a few minutes.”

  “Har, har, so funny, Sunshine.”

  Then, looking as if a lightening bolt had hit him in the head, “If I’m snow and you’re sunshine, we’re not exactly a healthy combination. Please tell me we can work around our differences. You know, the writers of that movie made it work for Olaf.”

  “Geesh, that thought never occurred to me. Is your heart gonna melt in the presence of my sunny disposition, you vexing Irishman?”

  “It already has, Ms. Sunshine. I’m a puddle.”

  “Oh my. I always heard Irishmen were a bit overdramatic.” Timothy grinned with his arm stretched open wide. Sadie went to him and was soon caught up in a giant big bear hug. Jerry Sunshine opened the back door. Silently, he watched as his daughter rested her head on the detective’s shoulder. Jerry wanted the very best for Sadie but he wasn’t sure if the best was Mark or Timothy. Personally, he liked Mark since Sadie’s dogs had accepted him into their pack, and Bosco was a hard one to win over. He’d have to see how they reacted to Timothy. Dogs are a good judge of character, thought Jerry. They’ll let us know the best man for Sadie.

  Lifting his voice so the couple could hear him over the carnival rides, “You gonna bring that big ol’ ice box in here or not, detective?”

  “We had a better idea, Jerry.” Timothy winked at Sadie and squeezed her hand before letting it go. “We’re hoping the freezer is filled with large blocks of ice. We figured two would cover you for tonight.”

  “Well, that would certainly be easier on your back wouldn’t it, big guy.”

  “Pop, be nice,” Sadie growled. “Get back to your customers. We’ll lug some ice inside as soon as we get the
lid off this tank of an ice chest.” Jerry nodded and disappeared from sight.

  Taking the lid firmly in hand, Timothy lifted the top.

  Looking inside, Sadie suppressed an urge to scream. Instead, she went as white as a ghost. This time, she really did look like Dora’s La Llorona.

  “I do believe we have a dead body to deal with, Ms. Sunshine.”

  “That is a positive, detective.”

  “So, I guess there won’t be any fireworks for us tonight.”

  “Really? I thought we already experienced a few.”

  Sadie’s last comment fell on deaf ears. O’Cleary’s detective hat went on the minute the dead body was discovered. “Call Dora and Mary. Get them up here ASAP. Tell your dad to shut down early and go home. I’ve got to tape off this area. Assure him Scott would understand.” Sadie nodded then said, “I know our victim.”

  Timothy stopped in his tracks and turned to face her. “Go on.”

  “This is Larry Phibbs. He’s the Grand Marshall of our Boatnik Memorial Day Parade.” O’Cleary groaned.

  “Oh, hold on. That’s not all of it, detective. He’s also Mayor Phibbs only brother.”

  Author Bio

  Cheryl Zelenka is a retired teacher, brain tumor survivor, and former resident of the Pacific Northwest. She is a Christian author with three devotionals and a Bible Study about Job. A garden enthusiast, dog lover, and mystery reader, this is her first book in the Sadie Sunshine Cozy Mystery Series. She now resides in Colorado Springs with her dogs Bosco and Akasha.

  Make sure you visit her at:

  FacingTrials.com