Case of the Chatty Roadrunner Read online

  I nodded, “Right. Do you want to know what’s been bugging me? Why did the dogs react to those people in the hotel? They couldn’t have been growling at Isabelle, right?”

  In response, Jillian pulled out her phone and accessed her photos. After a few moments, she handed me her phone. On the display was one of the pictures she had taken of the group of Semzar employees as they passed by.

  “I’ve seen this before,” I told her, shrugging. “What about it?”

  “Look closer,” my girlfriend urged. “Who do you see there, in the back?”

  I held the phone closer. I’ll be damned. It was Maureen! She was standing just behind Mr. Clean. Er, make that Glenn Ridley.

  “Those are some smart dogs,” I once again muttered, handing Jillian’s phone back to her.

  “What do you think will happen to Semzar Pharmaceuticals?” Jillian asked me, as she slid her phone back into her purse.

  I shook my head, “I don’t really know. They have such a history of creating pharmacological duds that…”

  “Wow,” Jillian interrupted. “You said that word correctly!”

  “Ha, ha. I am a writer, you know. As I was saying, they’ve created so many duds that I’m inclined to think they need to get out of the drug-making business altogether.”

  “I’m predicting they’ll be filing for bankruptcy within the year,” Vance said.

  “You’re probably right. I…” I trailed off again as I noticed my two dogs. “What are they looking at now?”

  Sherlock and Watson had suddenly jumped to their feet and were staring at a hallway leading deeper into the Masters’ home. Had they smelled something? Heard something? Well, as you’ll see shortly, it turned out to be a little bit of both.

  “What’s with them?” Vance asked.

  Just then, I saw Denise gently jab her elbow in Jason’s stomach.

  “It’s your turn. I have a feeling she’s awake. Sherlock and Watson must be able to hear her.”

  “I’ll bet they can smell her,” Randy added, with a grin.

  “They must be able to hear and smell who?” I wanted to know.

  Jason silently rose to his feet, gave me a wink, and headed down the same hallway my dogs were focused on. After a few moments, he was back, only he was holding something. A furry, orange and white something. Jason placed the fuzzy form on the floor and took a few steps back. Intent on seeing what the object was, Sherlock and Watson crept forward.

  “So, that day we met your two dogs,” Denise began, as she rose to her feet and then knelt on the ground by the orange and white fluffball, “we just knew we had to have one. Therefore, Jason and I began calling around to see if there were any corgi breeders in the area. As it turns out, there were several, and one of them had puppies for sale. Only one was left, though, and that was because the breeder had classified her as a ‘fluffy’. Apparently, fluffy corgis aren’t as desirable. I, for one, disagree. We both fell in love with her the moment we saw her. So, I’d like you all to meet our new puppy!”

  The fuzzy puppy rose to her feet, shook herself a few times, and then noticed there were two adult versions of herself standing nearby, giving her curious looks. The puppy yipped once, bounded forward until she was sitting directly in front of Sherlock, and raised a paw, as if she expected to shake hands with the strangers. Sherlock cocked his head once, then twice, and then a third time. Then Sherlock yipped playfully and took off like a shot. The puppy barked excitedly and scrambled off in pursuit.

  “Better get going, girl,” I told Watson. “You’re gonna be left behind.”

  Watson licked my hand once, as if thanking me for giving her permission to play, and ran off after the other two.

  “She’s adorable,” Jillian gushed, as she turned to Denise. “And you’re right. She’s absolutely beautiful. I love how the markings on her face resemble that of a fox. Have you picked out a name for her yet?”

  Denise smiled and nodded, “We have. We decided to name her ‘Keeley’. Keeley the corgi.”

  THE END

  Author’s Note

  Anyone familiar with what has been happening with me over the past few months will know why I threw in that last bit about the Masters’ new puppy and why I chose that particular name. For those that don’t, then I need to warn you that I’m about to impart some sad news.

  My sweet little Keeley, my faithful companion for over 11 years, passed away several days after Thanksgiving, 2018. My wife and I were enmeshed in the packing/sorting of our Lake Havasu house and were spending one last week there to get everything out. Unfortunately, Keeley took a turn for the worse, and I had to make a decision that every pet owner dreads.

  Okay, enough dreary news. Now, on to some good news. We have a new puppy, and her name is Kinsey. Wow. What a handful. I don’t remember caring for a puppy being so difficult, only when I mentioned that to my wife, she not-so-kindly pointed out I was 11 years older. That shut me up. 

  What’s next for me? Well, it’s time to wrap up the Pirates of Perz trilogy. I left off with it being almost halfway done. I should be able to get that done fairly soon. Then it’ll be another trip to Pomme Valley, and then? We’re going to be heading to Cazel to see how Doiron is faring. Who’s he, you ask? Well, if you haven’t read Senthyd, a short story I wrote in 2016, then look me up on Facebook, or stop by my website, and ask me for a copy. I’ll send one your way.

  Senthyd was my first attempt ever at dipping my toe in the dark fantasy genre. Surprisingly (for me), it was received well and enough people asked about it, so it’ll be developed into a full-length novel. So, I’m guessing that’ll happen sometime later this year.

  As for Lentari, I can tell you that no, the stories aren’t done. I’ve got several other possible plotlines to explore, so it’s just a matter of picking which one sounds the most interesting, and then it will be fleshed out into a story. I’m also working on a side project, based in Lentari, and will be ready to test it out soon. Yeah, I said ‘test’. Think about that for a while!

  That’s about it for now. I’m off to start packing. Again. We’re moving from our first apartment in Phoenix to a much nicer downtown location in just a few weeks. Yes, I can’t wait, but egad, moving again???

  J.

  February, 2019.