The Sleuth’s Miscalculation with Kimberly Rose Johnson

“Nancy!” Her neighbor ran up the cobblestone steps, waving. “Help.” Anna Plum stopped on the top stair and bent at the waist, gasping for air. Her auburn hair fell loose around her face.

“What’s wrong?” Her neighbor, a local high school English teacher looked ready to burst into tears.

“Freddy ran off.” Anna’s voice caught. “If Ben sees my baby loose one more time, he’s going to cite me.”

“Ben with Animal Control?”

She nodded. Her eyes pleaded with Nancy to hurry. The three-year-old miniature American Eskimo dog escaped at every possible chance. “I tried to catch him.” She took a deep breath then let it out in a huff. “That dog is too fast. Can you help me find him? Please? Freddy loves you, and I know once you catch up to him he’ll come to you if you call him especially since you always have doggie treats at hand. I sure wish he didn’t enjoy being chased. It’s exhausting, and he won’t come to me, even for treats until he’s tired of the game.”

Nancy shielded her eyes to the afternoon sun. “Which way did he go?”

“Toward the town square park. He’s probably there right now, but I don’t think I can take another step. I ran all the way from my house, and I’m not a runner.” The thirty-something woman sunk to the cobblestones and rested her elbows on her knees. “I need to catch my breath then I’ll follow.”

Nancy stifled a giggle. “Okay. I’ll do my best to catch the rascal.” Anna had her quirks, but Nancy liked the happy-go-lucky woman. Most in town felt sorry for Anna since she’d been jilted at the altar ten years ago, but Nancy didn’t. Her neighbor was content to be single and put all her energy into her students. A man wasn’t necessary for a complete life. Her mother married right out of high school, became pregnant with her soon after, and then Nancy’s father took off when she was six-years- old, never to be heard from again.

She picked up her pace to a fast walk being careful not to twist her ankle. She never should have worn heels to work.

“Hi, Miss Daley.” An eight-year-old boy from her church waved.

“Hi, Justin. Have you seen Miss Plum’s dog, Freddy?”

“Sure. The kids are playing with him in the park. See you.” He turned and skipped off.

“Thanks,” Nancy called after him. She rounded the corner, and in the center of the town square’s small park, Freddy romped with a group of children on the grass while the new play equipment stood vacant. The town should have requested a dog from the local philanthropist who donated the new equipment. It would have been cheaper and apparently more entertaining.

A teen she didn’t recognize tossed a tennis ball, and the dog charged after it. Shaking her head, Nancy walked onto the grass. Her heels sank. Now more than ever she regretted her shoe choice. “Come, Freddy,” she said firmly and loudly.

The white dog rolled to a stop and altered course, charging toward her. “Oh no.” She braced herself. Freddy leaped into her outstretched arms, and Nancy went down. The twenty-pound dog lavished kisses on Nancy’s cheek. “Okay, that’s enough.” She held the dog close, feeling water seep through her skirt. Of course it had rained earlier, leaving the park a bog.

A man’s chuckle drew her attention. She glared at him.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh.” He offered his hand,

which she ignored. “Is that your dog?”
Nancy looked up, shielding her eyes with the palm of

her hand while maintaining control of Freddy. All six feet of the man looked down at her. A halo of light framed his handsome face. She always did enjoy a five o’clock shadow, and he knew how to wear one.

“Uh, no. He belongs to my neighbor. I’m Nancy. Thanks for the offer, but I’m good.” She pushed to her knees while still cradling Freddy in one arm and stood as gracefully as possible given her pencil skirt. “Are you new in town or passing through?”

“New.”

He didn’t offer his name, which struck her as rude, but she shook off the slight. His cerulean blue eyes reminded her of the now cloudless sky overhead, and his dark hair shined in the sunlight.

“Gavin, it’s time to go,” the man said in a firm voice.

The same young teen who’d been throwing the ball jogged toward them.

“Well, it was nice meeting you.” She turned and tiptoed off the grass holding tight to Freddy, who seriously needed a bath, then strolled back toward the library.