Millie yelped, howled, barked and ran in circles as Mary came in the door, finally giving it all up to stand as close to Mary’s knee as she could get while her ears were scratched.
‘It’s nice to be welcomed home, but don’t you think you’re overdoing it a bit?’
Millie didn’t. She followed Mary around the kitchen as she put the kettle on for tea, took bread and tuna out of the refrigerator for a sandwich and set a banana on a plate. Mary handed Millie a dog cookie as she pulled out her chair and settled in to eat. Millie lay right beside her, munching her own lunch.
‘Too bad they don’t allow dogs in church,’ Mary told the dog between bites of her sandwich. ‘It was a most interesting morning. I’m not sure I learned anything important, but it was interesting.’
Millie made a little growling noise, which Mary interpreted as an indication Millie wanted to hear more.
‘Agnes … you remember her, don’t you? She works for Dan at the police station … We had lunch in the park with her – she’s the one who decided to do a little extra patrolling downtown the night Miss Emilie died. She claimed she saw Gloria coming from the direction of the church and that she was headed home, or at least in the direction of her home. Remember? She wasn’t coming from the Watering Hole, which was the only place left open at that time. Jackie says she hasn’t been there for a while. Then Richard Plym was unbelievingly rude to Les and mentioned money was missing. Cassandra was appalled, and I don’t think it was the first time. She apologized all over the place and said he’s been under a lot of stress lately. Business failing, his wife left him … I couldn’t help but wonder if he came out here to see how much money he could wring out of the ladies’ trust fund. I’m not sure how much is left after Miss Emilie’s withdrawals, but there is the house.’ She paused, her sandwich halfway to her mouth. ‘It seems to me I heard … I wonder if it’s true. Now, who told me … why, Sam did! Years ago. I can’t remember what we were talking about, but …’ She paused to unpeel her banana. Millie looked up, decided she had no interest in bananas and went back to worrying her cookie.
‘It must have been about the Plyms because I remember he said the house couldn’t be sold while either of the twins was alive or until they had to go into a care facility.’ She took a mouthful of banana and chewed thoughtfully. ‘Do you suppose that’s why they wanted to put Miss Emilie in Shady Acres?’
Millie made faint growling noises while she also chewed. Mary watched her for a moment then got up and took her empty plate to the sink, rinsed it and put it in the dishwasher. She turned, wiping her hands on the dishcloth and addressed Millie once more.
‘I wonder if they could have sold the house once Miss Emilie was living in Shady Acres.’
Millie looked up then returned her attention to demolishing the last of her cookie.
‘I’m glad you agree with me. It certainly doesn’t look good for Richard, but then, it doesn’t look very good for Gloria, either.’ She walked back over to the table, pushed her chair back, bent down and wiped the floor under Millie’s face with a damp paper towel. ‘You certainly manage to get crumbs everywhere. I thought dogs licked them up. From now on you’re going to have to eat yours in your dish.’ She stood, with an alarming creak of her right knee, and headed for the trash can. ‘The Duxworths were certainly in a position to steal from her, but somehow … Do you suppose Gloria got all that money? That she’s got it tucked away somewhere?’
Millie didn’t answer. She watched as Mary started to wipe down the counter. Mary finished, turned and leaned up against the counter and stared at Millie. ‘Caleb is a cantankerous old coot. How Lorraine has put up with him all these years, I don’t know. But he is a hard worker. He keeps the Plym grounds lovely, Mr Blankenship at the grade school seems pleased with his work and he does several other people’s yards. That’s a lot. He and Lorraine must have known their time at the Plym house was limited, however. The sisters were old. They were bound to die or need more care. That would mean he and Lorraine would have to find someplace to live that would involve paying rent and utilities. You’d think that would be a good reason to keep Miss Emilie alive and well. Unless Caleb has money put aside. A lot of money.’ She stopped as another thought occurred to her. A horrifying thought. ‘Lorraine. She wants to live in town. You don’t suppose she put Miss Emilie up to giving her that money, that she thought she could buy a house … It was a lot of money but nowhere near enough to buy a house. Besides, she loved the sisters.’ She paused.
Millie cocked her head to one side and gave a small bark.
‘You’re right. She wouldn’t.’ She pondered this unwelcome thought for a moment until Millie once more interrupted with a series of small barks.
The dog got up, went to the back door and barked again, then looked at her leash and barked a third time.
‘A walk? Is that what you want?’
Millie started to turn in circles, barking and whining. She jumped up, trying to grab her leash, then ran to the door then back to Mary, who watched this performance with amusement.
‘All right. You haven’t been out lately and it’s a beautiful day. I think a walk will do us both good.’
A destination was running through her mind. Why, she wasn’t sure. Walking by someone’s house wasn’t going to tell her anything. However, she had to walk somewhere. The phone rang.
‘Oh, Ellen. I wasn’t expecting to hear from you. You sound … Is everything all right?’
There was a note of something in her niece’s voice that Mary couldn’t quite place. She was even more surprised when Ellen said she and Dan would like to come over, if that was all right?
‘Of course, but I was just about to take Millie for a walk. Do you …’ Before she could finish, Ellen interrupted.
‘Even better. Can you wait for us? We’ll be there in ten minutes.’
‘Of course.’ Mary hung up the phone.
Millie was dancing in circles and Mary wasn’t sure she could restrain the dog that long, but Ellen sounded elated.
Curiosity was stronger than Millie’s need for a walk. ‘Just hang on, we’ll go, but I’m not going walking in my church clothes.’
She was tying her shoelaces when the front door opened and a voice called out, ‘Hi.’
Ellen, Dan and a large three-legged dog walked into the kitchen.
Mary and Millie stared at the dog. He stared back.
‘He’s … big.’ It was all Mary could think to say. He was big. His sleek coat was black and white, eyes large and brown. His ears folded over slightly and his long tail had a white tip on the end.
Millie was more direct. She walked over to him, stood under his large head and looked up. The dog looked down at her. Mary held her breath. Both tails started to wag. The big dog dropped his head and sniffed Millie. Her rear end wagged harder. Mary let her breath out with a sigh.
‘I think they like each other.’
Ellen laughed. ‘I think they do. Now, if we can just convince Jake that Morgan isn’t going to eat him, or even chase him and that’s it’s all right to come down from the bookcase …’
‘Morgan?’ Mary looked down at the dog, then at Ellen. ‘You named him Morgan?’
‘He came with that name.’ Dan sounded gloomy. ‘I thought we’d name him Spot, but he only answers to Morgan.’
Mary thought she heard a small laugh from Ellen. ‘I think Morgan is a fine name. He’s a good-looking dog and Millie seems to like him. Jake will come round.’
‘Eventually.’ Ellen didn’t sound convinced. ‘We thought we’d introduce him to you and Millie and join you on your walk.’
‘That’s a wonderful idea. But can he walk all right without a leg?’
‘This dog can outwalk the three of us.’ Dan sounded as proud as if the dog had just won an Olympic medal. But if the dog really could … Mary decided it was worth a try. She only hoped the dog could climb hills. She hoped she could.
‘Well, then, I’m ready and so is Millie. I’ll just get her leash.’
‘Where are we going?’ Ellen stood at the bottom of the steps watching Morgan tow Dan down the sidewalk. Mary closed her front door, checked to make sure it was locked, and then she and Millie joined Ellen.
‘No place in particular. We’ll go up here a few blocks then over a little and then home.’ Mary’s voice was deliberately neutral.
Ellen looked skeptical but only nodded. They walked on, across Main Street, past the inn, up 12th Street to Elm, then crossed over to Maple and started up the hill. Even the dogs were willing them to stop when they got to the top.
‘What a lovely view,’ Ellen said.
The town spread out below them, the river that separated it dry this time of year but nonetheless impressive. The almond trees were in full bloom, pink flowers covering the adjoining hillsides. The buds on the oak trees were swelling, ready to burst into leaves, and the grapevines that covered more and more of the hillsides every year showed just the tiniest hint of green.
‘I don’t know what was wrong with Spot. I had a dog named Spot when I was young. He was a great dog. This one’s going to be a great dog, too. Morgan’s a dumb name for a dog,’ Dan grumbled.
‘You don’t have to name him Morgan,’ Mary pointed out. ‘He’s your dog.’
‘See Spot run.’ Ellen smiled.
‘What?’ Dan looked at her.
‘See Spot run. See Dick run. See Sally run. It’s what I always think of when I hear a dog named Spot.’
Dan looked at her, then at the dog. ‘I suppose you like Morgan.’
‘Actually, I do, sort of.’
The dog looked up at the sound of his name, or what Mary supposed was about to become his name. He got up and came and sat at Ellen’s feet.
‘I give up.’ Dan shrugged and looked around then turned to look at the house they stood in front of. ‘Isn’t that Gloria Sutherland’s house?’
Mary had to admit it was.
‘Why are we here?’
She didn’t answer. She couldn’t. She wasn’t quite sure why she’d wanted to come, but now she was here, she stared at it. It was a ranch-style house that still had its 1950s heavy shake roof, a rarity in the California fire-prone foothills. The shakes were green with mold. So were the overloaded gutters that hung under the roof. The red paint on the fascia boards was faded and peeling in spots, as was the red front door. The windows were single paned and slid open in aluminum casings. Mary wasn’t sure these slid very far. Some of the troughs looked caked with mud. The brick front porch, however, was swept and clean. No pots of flowers decorated it, no flowering plants showed their fresh spring buds in the yard but the shrubs that grew were trimmed almost militarily. The yard had not one stray leaf left over from autumn. The house might not be in the best of shape but the yard was.
Gloria’s elderly Toyota sat in front of the slightly sagging garage door. An old grape stake fence could be seen on the far side of the garage, a closed gate in the middle and gravel in front of it. A service yard, but no trash containers were in evidence. There was nothing to show the house was lived in but the car. Mary walked over to join the rest, looking out at the town below. Gloria might be in there. Was she watching them from behind the draperies that covered the plate-glass window, wondering what someone she knew was doing staring at her house? That a group of people and dogs were at the end of her street, staring out over the guard rail to view the town below was probably no surprise. She must be used to it. Her street, her house, was known for its wonderful view. Mary turned to look again at the house. There was no sign anyone was behind the drapes, no faint hint of movement. Gloria must be home, but if she knew they were there she had no intention of acknowledging them. Well, there was no reason she should.
Dan held Morgan’s leash tightly as the dog peered down the hill. A low growl grew in his throat and the hair on the back of his neck stood up. ‘What’s the matter with this dog?’
The leash in Mary’s hand tightened as Millie dropped into her attack crouch. She, too, stood at the top of the hill, looking down it through the almond trees, seeing something Mary couldn’t. She whined and tried to crawl under the guard rail, but Mary pulled her back.
‘Something’s down there.’ Dan tightened his hold on Morgan’s leash. ‘Probably a coyote or a fox. Whatever it is they don’t need to tangle with it. Are you ready to go?’
Mary nodded and pulled Millie closer to her side. She didn’t think Millie was any match for a coyote and had no intention of letting her find out.
Dan tugged on Morgan’s leash but the dog continued to stare down the hill, his throat still rumbling. ‘Come on, Spot.’
The dog didn’t move.
‘Morgan, let’s go.’ He immediately left his post to walk quietly by Dan’s side. Dan muttered something unintelligible as he started down the hill.
Ellen took Mary’s arm, her grin threatening to split her face. ‘I think his name is Morgan.’
‘I think you’re right,’ Mary said, trying to make sure Millie stayed on her left side. She, also, was reluctant to go.
‘Did you find out what you wanted?’ Ellen’s voice was low and curious.
‘Whatever do you mean?’
‘You know exactly what I mean. Did you?’
Mary frowned. ‘I’m not sure. I found Gloria could easily have walked home that night. It’s a bit of a trek to get up this hill but she’s probably done it a million times. She grew up in that house. It’s not in very good repair, but the yard is. I don’t understand that.’
‘That’s easy. Caleb’s taking care of the yard. I know because he complained loudly she was behind on paying him. Said he wasn’t going back until she got caught up.’
Mary stopped to stare at Ellen. Millie, caught unaware, also came to an abrupt halt and made her displeasure known with a large yelp.
Mary ignored her. ‘When was this?’
‘When Cassandra was here for Miss Eloise’s funeral. She’d called and asked me to come over and talk about possibly selling the house in the not-too-distant future. She felt even then that Miss Emilie needed more consistent care and selling the house might be necessary. We were in the kitchen, talking, when Caleb came in, practically spitting flames. Said he wasn’t going back, Gloria made good money taking care of Miss Eloise and she could sure as … I’ll delete that part … pay him. Cassandra asked him to leave, actually told him he was interrupting, and he did. But not before he took a long hard look at me. I think that was the first time it occurred to him that he and Lorraine would have to move.’
Millie tugged at the leash, probably upset the other dog was so far ahead, and Mary started walking again.
‘She must have paid him. The yard doesn’t look neglected. In fact, it’s a yard coming into spring healthy and in good shape.’
Ellen nodded. ‘Caleb probably leaned on her pretty heavy. Gloria’s not known for letting a penny go easily.’
‘Hurry up,’ Dan hollered as he tried without much success to reel Morgan in. ‘Let’s stop by the dog park and let these dogs run.’
Ellen laughed and yelled they’d meet them there. Dan and Morgan trotted ahead but Ellen and Mary kept to a good steady walk. Had Millie ever been to the dog park and, if not, would she be all right? Mary wasn’t too sure of her ability to intervene if Millie got into trouble. But then, Ellen and Dan would be there to help if she needed them.
Mary smiled at Millie. ‘You’ll love the dog park.’ She hoped she was right.
Ellen hurried ahead, which was fine with Mary, who was beginning to feel tired. Millie wasn’t. She tugged at her leash, head up, stub of a tail wagging. The fence surrounding the dog park was right ahead. Morgan was already in the holding area, waiting for them. A thought, unrelated to dogs, had started to form in the back of Mary’s brain but retreated as Millie’s ears pricked forward and she tugged at the leash. Mary smiled and walked a little faster. She’d worry it all through later. Right now, her legs felt like they had ten-pound weights on them, and the bench inside the park fence looked more than a little inviting.
She unsnapped Millie’s leash and sank down beside Ellen. Not only did her legs thank her but it was safer sitting. The dogs, free of any restraints, were eager to show off how fast they could run to their friends, both new and old. A serious game of chase was on. Dan stood in the middle of the area, trying to direct traffic with little success while talking to another dog owner, someone Mary thought looked familiar but couldn’t quite place.
‘Tired? That hill was no easy climb.’
Mary looked over at her niece and reluctantly admitted she was. Ellen looked a little winded as well, a thought that gave Mary a small twinge of pleasure. Maybe her tired legs were just a result of not being used to climbing hills and had nothing to do with her seventy-plus years. She just needed to go to her Silver Sneakers exercise classes more regularly.
The dog pack roared past her, yelping and growling, ears flying, eyes glowing with pleasure.
Mary pulled her feet back as far as she could and put her tote bag up on the bench. ‘They seem to be having a great time. I’ll have to bring Millie again.’
Ellen smiled as she watched Dan try to keep from being run over. ‘We’ll have to bring Morgan also. Missing a leg doesn’t seem to bother him at all. I have to admit, I was worried he’d have trouble, but he more than keeps up.’
‘He’s getting tired, though.’ They watched as Morgan stopped next to the dog-friendly water fountain and took a long drink. He then ducked his head under the flowing water and shook water all over himself and the other two dogs trying to get a drink. They didn’t seem to mind.
‘Mary, can I ask you for a favor?’ Ellen seemed a little hesitant and Mary looked over at her, puzzled. Ellen didn’t usually ask for favors and she was almost never hesitant.
‘Of course. What do you need?’
Morgan roared past them once more, this time with Dan in hot pursuit. ‘We need to get going,’ he hollered at them as he tried to catch the dog.
Ellen nodded then turned back to Mary. ‘Cassandra texted me. She wants me to come over tomorrow to do all the preliminary things that need doing before we list the house. Would you come with me?’
A start of surprise ran through Mary. ‘If you want me to, but why?’
Ellen didn’t say anything for a minute. A slight flush started up her cheeks and her mouth twisted into a frown. ‘Richard. He’ll be there, I know he will, and he makes me nervous. I want someone with me.’
Mary’s breath caught in her throat. Richard was rude and difficult, but surely not dangerous. Unless Ellen meant …
Ellen smiled. ‘No, nothing like that. It’s just I’ll have to walk through the house, measuring it, making notes, asking questions, and I’d bet real money he’s the kind who’d say later something was missing after I went through everything or that I promised something or gave a value to something that wasn’t true. I don’t trust the man. Also, I don’t think he’ll be as rude if you’re there. He bullies his sister and I know he’ll try to bully me. Somehow, I don’t think he’ll be quite as obnoxious if you’re there.’ Almost as an afterthought, she added, ‘Bring Millie.’
‘He may try to bully Cassandra, but I don’t think it works very well. I don’t know if I’ll be much help, but if you’ll feel easier …’ Mary quickly ran through her schedule for the next day, Monday, usually one she devoted to household chores and phone calls. She seemed to recall, however, something … the committee meeting for the Easter egg hunt on the church lawn for the preschoolers. What time were they meeting? Early, she thought. While the children were all in preschool at the church and the mothers were available. Nine – that was it. That shouldn’t last more than thirty to forty-five minutes. She already had everything planned, she just needed to confirm which volunteer was doing what and make sure they understood their allotted task. She did, however, have a list of phone calls she had to make, the rummage sale had to go off as planned on Thursday and she needed to do a lot of follow-up to make sure the publicity she needed to announce the new date was getting out. She especially wanted to call the radio station. Everybody listened to the local station. She’d also have to be prepared for the barrage of phone calls she’d be getting from people who planned on using the church community room. She’d work with Les and Ysabel on finding them alternative facilities. What was she forgetting? The Friends of the Library book sale committee meeting. No, that was next Monday. This Monday was, all in all, a quiet day. ‘What time?’
Ellen grinned. ‘How about eleven? We can go to lunch afterward and discuss how it went.’
‘I’m not sure about lunch, but eleven should be fine. Shall I meet you there?’
‘I’ll call you in the morning after I confirm the time with Cassandra.’ Ellen stood, stretched and held her hand out to Mary. ‘We’re both going to be sore tomorrow.’
Mary took her hand and got to her feet. Millie, who’d slowed down to a trot, came over and sat beside her. Mary quickly clipped the leash onto her collar. Dan had Morgan, but barely.
‘Are you ready to go?’ Mary asked.
Dan nodded. He was the first one at the gate, holding Morgan’s leash tight.
The short walk home was slow, even the dogs seemingly content to stroll quietly, sniffing interesting trees and bugs as they went.
Ellen and Dan chatted about how well Morgan was doing as they walked, hoping Jake would accept him soon. Mary listened with only half an ear. Suddenly she was very tired. Her legs hurt and so did her head. She wasn’t used to climbing hills, even small ones, and she wasn’t used to murder. The sight of Miss Emilie kept creeping back into her memory at unexpected times and she couldn’t help thinking of who’d left her sprawled, dead, on that chair. How could anyone? Why would anyone? They were almost home. Millie tugged at her leash. She probably wanted a full dinner dish. Mary wanted to sit down.
‘Are you all right?’ Ellen had fallen back to walk beside her and looked at her with concern.
‘Fine. I’m just tired, that’s all. I need to get out and walk more.’
‘Good idea. You don’t have enough things to do.’
Mary laughed. ‘Most of what I do doesn’t involve this much walking.’
‘I thought you went to that Silver Sneakers exercise class they have at the YMCA.’
Mary nodded. ‘Two mornings a week. I think I need to make it three. We do a whole lot of different exercises but we don’t climb hills. The backs of my legs are screaming at me.’
Ellen smiled a little ruefully. ‘So are mine.’ She stopped. ‘Here we are. Do you want me to come in?’
Mary shook her head. ‘You go on home. Millie and I will be just fine.’ She started up her front stairs, not her usual way of entering, but she didn’t think she could walk around the house, through the gate and climb the back stairs. Millie bounded up the stairs with seemingly as much energy as when they left the house. Mary glared at her then turned and waved goodbye to Ellen, Dan and Morgan.
‘Call me later,’ Ellen said.
Mary nodded and unlocked the door. Millie trotted in, through the living room, into the kitchen and sat down in front of the closet where the dog food was kept. Mary stopped in the kitchen doorway, looked at her and sighed.
‘All that walking up hills and running has evidently made you hungry, but hold on a minute. I’m turning on the tea kettle first.’ That done, she returned to the closet, scooped food into Millie’s dish and sat down, waiting for the water to heat.
‘We didn’t learn a thing, but I’m not sure what I thought staring at Gloria’s house would tell us. I wonder where she was. Of course, I didn’t expect her to run out and ask us in for a visit, but still, the house looked almost deserted. If her car hadn’t been there, I’d have sworn she …’ Mary stopped and thought. ‘I was going to say left. Now, why would I think that? Where would she go?’
The tea kettle whistled.
Mary took her tea into the living room, set it on the table and sank gratefully into her favorite chair. Did she want to watch TV? No. Millie came into the room and stood in front of Mary, who moved over. The dog jumped up and put her head in Mary’s lap. Mary let her hand rest on Millie’s head, leaned her head back and closed her eyes. She’d just rest them a minute and let her tea cool off while she thought through a number of things. When she opened them again, her tea was stone cold.