Case of the Rusty Sword by Jeffrey Poole

Author:Jeffrey Poole
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: cozy mystery, small town mysteries, civil war stories, mysteries with humor, mysteries with dogs, animal sleuths, cozy murder mystery series
Publisher: Columbine Publishing Group, LLC

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The following morning, the two of us, along with Sherlock and Watson, walked hand-in-hand into the library. In case you’re wondering, I normally wouldn’t bring the dogs into a library like this, but I’ve been pulled aside so many times, assuring me the dogs were welcome pretty much everywhere we went, that it’s become routine to bring them with me. Even the majority of the restaurants along Main Street were pet friendly, provided our furry companions kept to the exterior terraces.

“Good morning, Mrs. Anderson,” a middle-aged woman greeted, as we walked by the check-out counter. “And Mr. Anderson, it’s good to see … oh! You have your dogs! Millicent, come, look! Sherlock and Watson are here!”

As one, the group of older ladies came hurrying around the counter to begin heaping their adoration upon the corgis. Sherlock and Watson, for their part, absolutely loved the attention.

Catching the eyes of one of the workers, I beckoned her to the counter.

“Yes, Mr. Anderson? How can I help you today?”

“What do you have in the way of the US Civil War and the part PV might have played in it?”

“I’d better get you Mrs. Plunkett.”

Mrs. Plunkett was the eighty-three-year-old head librarian. She had long, white hair—typically braided—so that it fell halfway down her back, and usually she wore sharp two-piece business suits one would expect to find at an executive office. She also wore a thin, black wire frame pince-nez when she was behind a computer, and when she was being addressed, she tended to look down her nose at whatever request was made of her.

Thankfully, she and Jillian are good friends.

“Mrs. Anderson, delighted to see you today,” the librarian announced, as she appeared from within the back room and approached the counter. “Mr. Anderson. What can I do for you?”

Jillian looked at me and inclined her head. That’s just great. For some reason, this particular lady intimidated the heck out of me. I think I remember hearing she was an elementary teacher a number of years ago, and I can easily picture her in that role. Can’t imagine there was much backtalk in any of her classes.

“We’re researching the Civil War, and the effects it had on this area,” I began. “Is there anything you can tell us about it, or perhaps, point us toward a book?”

“The Civil War,” Mrs. Plunkett said, closing her eyes for a few moments. “Believe it or not, the war had a profound effect on our area.”

My eyes widened.

“I can see this surprises you, Mr. Anderson,” Mrs. Plunkett said, offering me a thin smile. The smile deepened and became more genuine when she looked at my wife. “Would you like to hear how?”

Jillian nodded. “I would personally love to hear this.”

“That makes two of us,” I said, raising a hand.

“How do you think PV was formed?” the librarian suddenly asked, surprising us both.

I noticed both dogs had straightened, as though they were now listening to what was being said.

“Are you suggesting Civil War soldiers were responsible for forming Pomme Valley?” I asked, certain I had heard that wrong.

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