A Dog Detective Short Story Collection by Sandra Baublitz

Author:Sandra Baublitz
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sandra Baublitz

4

The Mystery of the Missing Bear

1990s

The late afternoon sun shone through the open French doors. Jac and Shelbee were serving Mrs. Booksteen tea. As Jac passed the plate of cookies she asked, “How was your trip to Hawaii, Mrs. Booksteen?”

“It was lovely, dear. They have the most beautiful flowers. I told Harold that we should have brought some back with us. But you know how my husband hates any extra baggage. He was sure it would cost too much. Oh, well, I suppose I have enough gardening to do as it is.”

“You do grow the most beautiful flowers,” I said as I accepted a cup of tea. “Your rhododendrons in the spring are always awash in color. I wish I had your green thumb.”

“Clarissa, you are too modest. You are a good gardener. With a little more experience you will be truly competent.” Mrs. Booksteen smiled encouragingly.

Or was that condescendingly? I shook my head and said to myself, Clarissa Montgomery Hayes you need to be more understanding. Mrs. Booksteen's garden success may be the only bright spot in her life.

Mrs. Booksteen took a sip of her tea. “I was fortunate to have Mr. Reynolds, that’s our next door neighbor, plant my newest rhododendron while I was gone. He said it was the least he could do because Harold took those books for him to Hawaii. I was furious at that nursery for making a delivery while we were away. I told them to wait until we were back. No one listens these days….” Mrs. Booksteen continued talking but I admit I stopped listening.

Thinking of her garden made me think of my Saint Bernard, Paw. Paw’s full name is Paudius Pernivious, but I call him Paw since he loves to dig. I could only hope that he was behaving himself in Mrs. Booksteen’s garden. Paw goes almost everywhere with me. I must admit that I have him horribly spoiled. Mrs. Booksteen’s nephew, Arnold, was to be in the garden with Paw keeping him from mischief, especially digging in his aunt’s garden. I had my doubts that he could accomplish this task. Paw can be devious and determined when he wants to do something. Arnold was an intelligent and capable boy at ten years old. It remained to be seen if Paw would outsmart him.

Suddenly something came hurtling through the French doors and landed with a plop in the middle of the tea tray on the coffee table. Dishes shattered, the teapot toppled over sending tea splashing everywhere, and cookies tumbled to the floor. We all froze, shocked by the sudden event. Then everyone started talking at once.

“What was that?” Jac said, looking bewildered.

“My tea service!” Mrs. Booksteen exclaimed.

“Is that a baseball?” Shelbee inquired.

“Where did it come from?” I asked.

“Arnold!” Mrs. Booksteen bellowed. “What did you do?” She jumped up from the sofa, a feat I didn’t think possible, and charged out the French doors.

Shelbee, Jac, and I followed. I could only hope that Paw had nothing to do with this little incident.

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