“No. No books today. I came by to see if you decided to keep Inga’s dog.” He smiled at Yummy running up and down the four aisles of books.
“I wasn’t sure at first, but I think Yummy and I will do just fine.” I smiled back at him.
“Splendid,” he answered and pulled an envelope from his pocket. “Inga wanted you to have this to help care for Yummy. She didn’t want him to be a burden.”
I put my hands up and shook my head explaining that Douglas and Mags were already helping. Yummy and I would be just fine.
He lay the envelope on my front counter and said, “Inga was adamant that whoever took care of Yummy would have some help. He is three years old. He could live another ten or longer. It will take care of things until the reading of the will.”
I did my best to say no explaining, “When you have a pet, you accept the responsibility for whatever they need.”
“Inga thought of Yummy as family. Take the check. It will make Inga happy wherever she is. I’ll see you soon.” He smiled again, turned, and strode out of my store.
Douglas had left me a check for $500 to buy dog food, and I was sure that would cover Yummy’s food for a year. I didn’t want to take anything from Inga. I opened the envelope and was still staring at the check when Georgie hurried in with our lunch from the grill.
#######
Georgie flipped the “Out to lunch” sign around on the door and pulled on my arm. “C’mon, we don’t want lunch to get cold.”
I followed her into my back room still holding the check and Yummy at my heels.
She dropped into a chair and pulled the food out of the bag. “What’s up with you?”
I explained about my morning and showed her the check.
She whistled and said, “Ten thousand dollars for promising to take care of a dog? I’m in the wrong business. Sit down and eat. Then I need to talk to you.”
I placed the plain burger patty on its wrapper on the floor. Yummy walked around it twice and settled down and began to take small bites.
I took a big bite of my double cheeseburger. Georgie had brought fries and chocolate malts. It was just what I needed after my crazy morning.
Georgie sucked out the last of her shake with enough noise that Yummy growled. At least I think it was a growl. He was still nibbling at his burger patty.
“I have news,” Georgie grinned.
“Okay, I’m listening.” I leaned my elbow on the table and supported my head.
“Well, Dot stopped in for a quick lunch before I came here. She was talkative as usual.”
Dot was a few years older than Georgie and me, but she became close to Georgie last summer when Dot’s son Justin got into some trouble. The judge gave Justin a week to find a summer job and sign up for a summer class to make up for the one he failed spring semester. At sixteen, Dot was afraid he would blow it off, and the judge would send him to juvenile detention. Justin signed up for the class immediately and approached Paul for a job.
Paul was impressed by the teenager’s honesty and gave him a chance. He hired him on the spot and Justin now works as hard as Paul. Dot was grateful, and she and Georgie became friends and I became friends with her, too. Dot is an auxiliary police officer and works the phones at the station.
“What did Dot say?” My curiosity was piqued.
“It seems that Douglas Kelleher stormed into the police station late this morning and insisted on speaking to the police chief. Dot had him wait and said he was more fidgety than a bug on hot summer blacktop.”
Georgie had a way comparing things no one else could match. I looked at her, and she continued.
“Well, Douglas went in to see the chief and with the walls as thin as they are in that old building, Dot could hear them. She heard Douglas’ rant anyway. He was yelling and demanding that the chief call the M.E.’s office and stop the autopsy. He said Inga was an old woman and died of a heart attack. She should be able to rest in peace. It was quiet for a few minutes, and Dot thinks the chief was explaining something to Douglas. She heard the chief’s door open and Douglas yell, ‘suspicious death? It’s a conspiracy against my family.’ Then he stormed down the hall and left.”
“Hmm,” I said. “Why would he say conspiracy? That’s odd.” I reached down and took the burger wrapper away from Yummy. He was snarling at it and trying to shake it. Maybe he wanted more to eat.
I looked back up at Georgie and said, “I wish Yummy could talk. Maybe there were hard feelings between them and he could tell us.”
“Maybe he could tell us who killed her,” Georgie stated with emphasis.
“That can’t be. It boggles my mind.”
“There’s more. After Dot heard Douglas’ rant, she called her cousin who works at the hospital. Word travels around the hospital, and it seems Inga’s heart was undamaged. The M.E. ruled out a stroke. Doc Bolden insisted the coroner do a complete tox screen. Something’s up. I think she was murdered.” Georgie crossed her arms and placed them on the table.
“Murdered,” I stammered. “Who, why?”
Georgie shrugged.
Someone pounding on the front door broke into our conversation. I rushed to see who it was that needed a book so urgently that they couldn’t wait until after my lunch.
#######
I hurried to the door with Yummy at my heels. I saw Mags’ face pressed against the door window, and she was using her hands to shade the outside glare. She appeared panicked, and I immediately looked around thinking she was being chased. I opened the door, and she
