Stiffs and Swine by J. B. Stanley

Author:J. B. Stanley [Stanley, J. B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Mystery
ISBN: 9780738712673
Google: b0au9Ol4KGkC
Amazon: 0738712671
Goodreads: 3170573
Publisher: Midnight Ink
Published: 2008-10-01T04:00:00+00:00

Felicity was practicing with her dogs on the far end of the campground area. A pair of Jack Russell terriers leapt through a series of hoops in blurs of white fur as they raced one another. At the end of their obstacle course, the dogs barked and smiled, their tongues lolling and their stumpy tails wagging fiercely as Felicity lavished them with praise.

Two border collies began their routine next, dashing through tunnels, climbing steps, and weaving in and out of flexible poles with lightning speed. Felicity encouraged her animals by calling their names and blowing shrill notes on a small silver whistle. As the supper club members walked toward her, James observed that Felicity’s dull blonde hair was braided and piled on top of her head and that she wore a baggy, white cotton shirt embroidered at the neck and hem with small flowers. With her long black skirt and mud-covered clogs, Felicity looked more like a Dutch milkmaid than a dog trainer.

“I was wondering if y’all were going to track me down,” she said by way of welcome. “The news about Jimmy’s death has spread around this place like germs on an airplane. I heard about Gillian, too. I even asked to see her after they were finished questioning me at the station, but they wouldn’t allow it.” She picked at the end of a coiled leash in agitation. “How is she?”

“Not so great. But at least she had someone to confide in before her arrest, thanks to you.” Lindy took both of Felicity’s hands in her own. “We are so grateful to you for taking care of Gillian last night. We were all frantic with worry over where she’d gone.”

“It was nothing.” Felicity waved off the notion that she had done anything special. “Plus, I made a new friend. That doesn’t happen too often at our age, does it?”

One of the border collies trotted over to Bennett and began to energetically sniff at the cuffs of his pants. Bennett shifted his feet and backed away from the curious canine.

“He’s harmless,” Felicity assured Bennett.

“Everybody says that about their own dogs,” Bennett muttered, “but I’m a mailman, lady. I’ve seen the supposedly nicest dogs turn into savage, droolin’, postal-carrier-hatin’ maniacs in my presence.” He eyed the dog fearfully. “This dog’s gonna eat me, isn’t he?”

“Not Parson. He might lick you to death, but that’s it.” Felicity laughed and placed her hand on the head of the black and white collie sitting calmly beside her. “And this is Vicar. The terriers are Minister and Clergy. My father was preacher, as you might have guessed, but he passed away years ago. These guys are my only family now. All four of them.”

“Is your show still set for tonight?” Lucy asked.

Felicity nodded. “Yes. Nothing on the schedule’s been altered despite this morning’s, uh, discovery. That’s why we were practicing. Besides, I wanted to get my mind off my trip to the sheriff’s. It was very intimidating being questioned by them.” She giggled nervously. “I felt guilty even though I haven’t done anything wrong.

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