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Category: Mystery/Crime
Description: Emaline Banister fancies herself a sleuth because she helped her favorite cop, Harry Jordan, solve a bizarre murder case. But Harry's out of town on special assignment, one so dangerous he can't tell her where, or when he'll be back. When two of her friends lose their beloved dogs to what seems to be an epidemic of canine heart attacks, she starts wondering if more than coincidence is at work. After all, chasing a serial killer, even if the victims are dogs, is better than sitting home and worrying about a man she might or might not be in love with. Isn't it?
eBook Publisher: Uncial Press, 2010
eBookwise Release Date: October 2010

1 Reader Ratings:

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Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [81 KB]
Words: 16611
Reading time: 47-66 min.

"A fascinating chronicle of the ongoing tales of chemist and amateur crime-solver, Emaline Banister. Ms. Watson has created a twenty first century Jane Marple."--Kenneth L. Levinson, author of A MAN OF HIS WORD "...will please any mystery fan looking for something different. It is one of those stories that could have come right out of the newspapers with its serious subject...It will pull at your heartstrings, giving rise to memories of the beloved pets in our lives. Enjoy. I sure did."-- Anne K. Edwards

The following Monday afternoon she called Martha. After the usual greetings, she said, "I know this is not the sort of question you want to answer, but can you tell me exactly what the veterinarian said about Perky's heart attack?"

"Nothing, really. Just that he was overweight and that predisposed him to it. He made me feel like I'd abused my baby."

"Nonsense. You took excellent care of him." So what if the middle-aged Basenji had been a bit chubby. He'd gotten regular exercise and had been fed expensive, nutritious dog food. In Emaline's opinion, that dog had eaten better than most people. "Did he offer any other possibilities. Besides a heart attack, I mean?"

"No. he seemed really sure of it. I wondered, because poor little Perky was already really sick when we got to the clinic. He was barely breathing."

"Did he do an autopsy?"

"Oh, gosh, Em, I couldn't have afforded that. You know how cranky Walt gets about how I spoil...spoiled Perky."

"Of course. I understand. It's just that... Martha, did the veterinarian ask about what he'd eaten in the last twelve hours?"

"Well, no, but I'd already told him. Perky had his usual supper."

"That's all?" With a peculiar sense of disappointment, Emaline twisted the phone cord around her forefinger. "No treats?"

"Well, sure. He always had treats after his supper. Just three, because they're higher calorie than his healthy food. But he loved them so." Her quick inhalation came clearly over the phone. "Em, do you think there might have been something wrong with his food?"

"Oh, you know me. I'm always looking for interesting stuff. It's probably nothing, but I'd like to know more about Perky's treats. What brand were they? And do you still have the package?"

"I tossed it. I couldn't bear to look at anything of his." A sniff punctuated the quavery words.

"Oh, well, then, it wasn't really important, anyhow. Just curiosity."

"Yeah, I know. You're worse than a cat. Oops, here comes Rachel. Gotta go." She hung up without giving Emaline a chance to say goodbye.

I'm probably imagining things. It's just coincidence. But all the rest of the day, she found herself wishing Martha hadn't tossed the remainder of Perky's treats. I'd really like to see an analysis.