The Case of the Prescient Poodle

by B R Snow

  “Welcome back,” he said.

  “Yeah, it’s me,” I said with a blank stare.

  “I assume you’re here to see the Finance Minister,” he said with a smug smile.

  “Actually, I’m here to see the Premier.”

  “Oh, you’re moving up in the world,” he said, biting his lip to keep from laughing.

  “Please, don’t start,” I said. “This is hard enough as it is.”

  “I’m sure you’ll be just fine,” he said, winking at me. “You know the way by now, right?”

  “I do,” I said, heading for the elevators.

  “Oh, Ms. Chandler.”

  I stopped and turned back to him.

  “Yes?”

  “Try not to wear him out. He has a very full day ahead of him,” the guard said, then couldn’t contain his laughter any longer.

  “Everybody’s a comedian,” I said, then wheeled around and did my best lumber toward the elevator.

  My phone chirped just before I pressed the up button. I answered the call and leaned against the wall outside the elevator.

  “Hi, Victor,” I said. “How’s the weather in Ottawa?”

  “It sucks,” he said. “I’ll spare you the details.”

  “Okay,” I said, laughing. “What’s up?”

  “We got a deal,” he said.

  “Really? Wow, you work fast.”

  “The board was all over it. I got you fifteen million and the hundred thousand shares.”

  “Well done,” I said, feeling the last of the company-induced weight fall off my shoulders. “Now what?”

  “I’m going to Fed Ex the documents to you today. Take a look, then sign the contract and get it back to me. Then we’ll wire the money to your account.”

  “Perfect,” I said, grinning. “It was nice doing business with you, Victor.”

  “I still think you’re nuts,” he said, laughing.

  “Think? You have doubts?” I said.

  “I’ll be talking with you soon,” he said. “Try to stay out of trouble.”

  “I’m afraid it’s a little late for that,” I said, remembering why I was here.

  I ended the call and rode the elevator then made my way toward the Premier’s office and was greeted by his executive assistant. I stood waiting as she called him on the phone then escorted me inside. He got up from behind his desk when I entered and smiled at me.

  “Mr. Chandler,” he said, extending his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Then he gestured at a sitting area, and I recoiled when I saw Gerald on a couch next to a woman I didn’t recognize.

  “Of course, you know Gerald,” the Premier said.

  “Hey,” I said. “How’s it going?”

  “Hello, Suzy,” Gerald said, getting up to give me a hug that helped me relax a bit.

  “I’d like you to meet the Governor of the Cayman Islands, Henrietta Williamson,” the Premier said.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Chandler,” she said, also standing to shake my hand.

  “The pleasure is all mine,” I said, still incredibly nervous about the reason I’d been called to the Premier’s office. “But please call me Suzy.”

  “Suzy it is,” she said, smiling.

  “So, can I call you Gov?” I said, for reasons unknown. I silently cursed myself and did my best to maintain my composure.

  “It’s probably better if you don’t, the Governor said, giving me a puzzled look. “Henrietta will be just fine.”

  “Okay,” I said, exhaling audibly as I rocked back and forth on my feet. “No cops or lawyers, huh?”

  “What?” the Premier said, glancing back and forth at Gerald and the Governor.

  “This is some sort of deportation hearing, right?” I said, squeezing my hands to keep them from shaking. “I just assumed there’d be some cops and lawyers hanging around.”

  “Why on earth would you think you’re being deported?” Gerald said, staring at me in disbelief.

  “Well, when Detective Renfro told me the Premier wanted to speak with me, he sort of led me to believe that…” I said, then scowled. “I’m gonna kill him.”

  “I think Detective Renfro was having a little fun with you,” the Premier said, laughing. “Actually, I asked you to stop by so I could thank you.”

  “You did?” I said, staring at him.

  “Yes, please have a seat,” he said, gesturing at a chair near the couch.

  I sat down and got as comfortable as I could manage. I looked around and frowned.

  “I’m sorry to do this,” I said. “But my knowledge of how your government works is a bit sketchy.”

  “What do you need to know?” the Premier said.

  “You’re the Premier, so you run the place, right?”

  “Actually, the Governor, as the Queen’s representative, technically runs the place as you so eloquently put it. She’s the de facto head of state. But, yes, I am responsible for the day to day running of the government.”

  “And you’re an elected member of the Legislative Assembly?”

  “Yes, Gerald and I both have our own constituents we represent,” the Premier said.

  “So, you’re not actually elected as Premier?” I said.

  “No,” the Governor said. “I appoint the leader of the ruling party as the Premier. And I serve as Governor at the Queen’s pleasure. I have a four-year appointment.”

  “It sounds complicated,” I said with a frown. “But given our elections lately, who am I to be talking about strange politics?”

  “Indeed,” the Governor said, laughing.

  “Please accept my sincerest gratitude for helping William get out from underneath the problem he was dealing with,” the Premier said. “I truly can’t thank you enough.”

  “Don’t mention it,” I said, shrugging it off. “I was sure he was innocent. And then I just sort of got caught up in events as they unfolded.”

  “Yes, so I hear,” the Premier said. “Detective Renfro said he couldn’t have done it without your help.” Then he caught and held my eyes. “Not that I was thrilled to hear that a part-time resident was involved in an active police investigation.”

  “Yeah, I really need to start working on that.” Then I glanced at the Governor who was studying me closely. “No offense, Governor, but why are you here?”

  “I’ve heard so much about you the past several months from Gerald,” she said, smiling. “I just couldn’t pass up the chance to finally meet the Naked Lady.”

  My face flushed deep red with embarrassment, and I glared at Gerald.

  “Don’t look at me. I didn’t tell her,” he said, laughing.

  “It was your assistant, wasn’t it?” I said.

  “Maybe.”

  “Is that all you wanted?” I said, glancing around. “I’m supposed to meet everyone at the docks soon. We’re taking the dogs out and maybe do a bit of fishing.”

  “If you have a few minutes, we do have a bit of news to share with you,” the Premier said.

  “Is it about the Jensens?”

  “Actually, that wasn’t what I was referring to, but we do have some news on that front,” he said.

  “When I spoke to them, they were convinced they were going to get probation,” I said.

  “That is a distinct possibility,” the Governor said. “Along with a permanent ban on living anywhere within her Majesty’s Commonwealth.”

  “Interesting,” I said, giving her a small smile. “Trying to keep the riff-raff out, right?”

  “Among other things,” the Governor said.

  “What about the Commissioner?” I said.

  “Oh, he’s going to prison for a very long time,” the Premier said with a huge grin. “Along with several other corrupt cops who did his bidding.”

  “Good call,” I said, nodding. “And Ramon?”

  “The same,” the Premier said. “And hopefully for just as long.”

  “So, who’s going to be the new Commissioner?” I said, glancing back and forth at the Prem
ier and the Governor. He gestured for her to take the lead.

  “Historically, the Police Commissioner has been filled by someone from the UK,” the Governor said. “But given recent events, I imagine her Majesty would strongly consider our recommendation that it be filled by someone local.”

  “You’re giving the job to Detective Renfro?” I said to the Premier.

  “Well, that will be a decision for the Governor and Gerald to make,” he said, letting his comment hang in the air.

  I frowned, then the lightbulb flickered and finally held. I shook my head as if to clear the cobwebs.

  “Really?”

  “Yes,” the Premier said. “I’ve decided to step down. Frankly, I’ve had enough. Trust me, I’d much rather be spending the rest of the day with you fishing.”

  “There’s plenty of room on the boat,” I said, still thoroughly confused.

  “Maybe some other time,” the Premier said, laughing. “At the moment, I’m rather busy with some transition activities. Not to mention trying to rebuild my relationship with my son and his new fiancé.”

  “They got engaged?” I said, glancing at Gerald who, judging from his blank expression, had already heard the news.

  “They did,” he said. “And I’m about to become a grandfather.”

  “Jennifer’s pregnant?” I said, sneaking another look at Gerald.

  “She is,” the Premier said. “And I couldn’t be happier. Maybe I won’t make the same mistakes with my grandkids as I did with William. This time I’ll do everything I can to be available.”

  “Good for you,” I said, then focused on Gerald. “When do I have to start calling you Premier?”

  “You don’t,” he said. “Gerald will be just fine.”

  “Sure, sure. Congratulations…Premier.”

  “Didn’t I tell you she was an absolute delight?” Gerald deadpanned to the Governor. “And I think I’d like to take you up on your suggestion that I get a dog. I’m thinking about a poodle. That is if you still have her.”

  “We do. And there’s no way we’re going to give her back to those two,” I said, firmly. “You’re okay with that, right?”

  “I’m sure we can negotiate custody of the dog into the agreement,” Gerald said. “As you might imagine, the Jensen’s leverage is a bit limited these days.”

  “They should be going to prison,” I blurted, then glanced around, chagrined. “Not that it’s any of my business. You really want to adopt Polly?”

  “If it’s okay with you,” Gerald said. “If the dog is as smart as you say, maybe she’ll be able to give me a hand from time to time. I’m certainly going to need all the help I can get.”

  “Wow,” I said, shaking my head. “You’re going to be running the government. Does my mother know yet?”

  “No, I thought I’d tell her over dinner tonight,” he said. “Try not to let it slip out on the boat today.”

  “I’ll do my best,” I said, nodding. “But you’re still going to be able to make it to my wedding, right?”

  “Of course. I wouldn’t miss that for anything. Don’t forget to give my assistant a call when you set the date just to make sure it gets on my calendar.”

  “I’ll do that. Just as soon as my mom lets me know,” I said with a shrug.

  “Your mother is picking your wedding date?” the Governor said with a frown. “You’re joking, right?”

  Gerald and I grinned at each other then looked at the Governor.

  “No,” we said in unison.