by Amy Phipps
The Sheriff nodded to his deputies and looked at Jonah and asked. “What do you think?” Margaret stepped forward to hear better and Amanda followed. “I can't be sure until I do an autopsy.” Rubbing his hand over his face.
“Looks to me like that won't be necessary.” Sheriff Thomas interjected. “She's an older lady probably just a heart attack.”
“You might be right......but I am very curious what the toxicology screen is going to say.” He looked at the Sheriff and said “I'm not releasing the body until I complete a full autopsy.
“The family is not going to be happy.” Sheriff Thomas said scratching his chin.
“They will be even more unhappy if this is a murder and we let the killer go free.” Jonah countered giving his a meaningful look.
“I think your overreacting Doc. The Sheriff pressed.
“I don't!” Margaret chimed in. “I think he's made the right decision.”
The Sheriff huffed. “Your call.... but let me just say I don't like it one bit.”
“No one likes murder, Sheriff.” Margaret replied.
“Let's hope that I'm wrong.” Jonah sighed giving the Sheriff a weak smile and patting him on the back as he walked away.
Margaret asked, “But you don't think you're wrong do you?”
“No I don't.” Shaking his head he answered. “But the official comment is no comment.” He shrugged giving her a weak smile.
“That's so sad” Amanda said looking at the spot where the body was previously laying. “Sure she was bossy, demanding, and thought she was better than everyone else, but that's no reason for anyone to kill her.” Turning she could see Jonah with a smile on his face and Margaret shaking her head. “What?” She said feeling a little guilty for the comment. “It's true.”
Shaking his head Jonah laughed. “Do you always say the right thing at the right time.”
Amanda gave him a dirty look. “Do you always have to point out the obvious.”
Margaret watched the exchange with a curious expression and then rushed to introduce them.“I'm sorry, Doctor Jonah Winters, this is my granddaughter Amanda Blakemore.”
“We've met....sort of.” He smiled and extended his hand after they shook hands he said “I must be going I have a early morning tomorrow.”
After he left Margaret inquired. “When did you two meet?”
“It's a long story.” Amanda waved her hand in the air. “I will tell you on the way home. If Olive doesn't kill us with her driving.”
Chapter 4
The next morning Amanda made her way downstairs yawning and stretching as she dragged herself into the kitchen. She had a difficult time sleeping. Every time she closed her eyes she could see Florence Hardy's body lying lifeless on the floor of the storage room. Murder, was the word that kept playing over and over in her mind. Shaking her head she told herself. “Today is a new day.” She is going to start her new job walking Twinkle. The name made her want to laugh every time she heard it. “This job should be easy as pie.” She smiled.
The doorbell rang just as Amanda reached for the coffee pot. Walking to the door she opened it and got the shock of her life. She gasped, and blinked as she took a step back, her mouth hanging wide open at what was standing on her doorstep.
“Amazing you can be rendered speechless.” Jonah said holding the leash to that giant dog that barks all night.
“What are you doing here?” Amanda stuttered having a sinking feeling of why he was standing on her Nana's porch with that massive beast drooling beside him.
“This is Twinkle.” Jonah coughed into his hand a little embarrassed by the dogs name.
“Of course ….It is!” She announced tossing one hand up in the air at the large brown and white dog with drool hanging from his mouth. “Because this is the way my life is going right now.”
“Sorry, I'm running late for an appointment.” He said shoving the leash into her hand along with a piece of paper “If you need to get in contact with me here is my cell number just call if there is any problems.” Turning he practically ran down the sidewalk just barely missing the FedEx man coming up the path.
“Mrs Amanda Blakemore?” The delivery man asked, nodding her head, she signed for the large envelope. Twinkle barked a couple of times and tried to smell the man's leg as he turned and hurried back down the sidewalk. Then he was gone.
Looking down at the dog she said “Can this day get any better.”
“Who was at the door?” Margaret asked wiping her hands on a dishtowel.
Holding up the envelope and leash to the dog she answered. “Who wasn't at the door.”
“Is that your divorce papers?” Margaret questioned and pointed at the dog. “Is that the dog from next door?”
“Yes to both questions.”
“Why is that dog here?” She asked with a confused expression on her face.
“With everything that happened yesterday.... I forgot to tell you.” Amanda sighed and tried to smile with little success. “I'm going to be a dog walker until a better job comes along.”
Raising her eyebrows Margaret stated. “All I can say is it's a good thing that I already let the cat out.”
Looking at the envelope in her hands she tossed it onto the table and commented. “After finding Florence's body I totally forgot all about Daniel.”
“Maybe that's a good thing.” Margaret suggested patting Amanda on the shoulder in an effort to make her feel better.
“Perhaps.....” There was a long pause and Amanda quietly continued. “I really hope you are wrong about what happened to Mrs. Hardy”
“Me too.” Margaret sighed.
After breakfast Amanda made her way out the front door with Twinkle right behind her. She secured the leash on her wrist and breathed in the cold morning air. There was still some patches of snow and ice left on the ground. It won't last long she thought, the days are getting warmer and spring is right around the corner.
Reaching down at Twinkle's drooling face she rubbed him on top of the head. At that moment Ghost meowed from the bottom step, where he had been sitting licking his paw. Twinkie's ears perked up and turned his full attention on the cat. He let out a low growl and jumped at Ghost. “Don't you dare!” Amanda yelled just as Twinkie took off running, practically pulling her arm out of socket. Throwing her off balance, she stumbled down the stairs behind the massive creature. Missing the bottom step she fell. Twinkie didn't seem to notice or slow down dragging Amanda through the grass and shrubbery. After dragging her a good thirty feet the loop on the leash broke and Amanda stopped face first down in the slushy ice with mud and what was left of the snow mixed together. All she could see was Twinkie running down the side walk as fast as his feet could carry him. Catching her breath and rolling onto her back she yelled. “You stupid dog!”
Hearing a male voice chuckling. “You alright, Freckles?”
Slowly turning her head she could see the man who kept staring out the window at her. He stretched out his hand to help her up. “I think so.” She answered climbing to her feet and dusting her clothing as best she could. Rubbing her shoulder she said. “I better go, he's getting away.”
Henry watched as she took off running as fast as her legs would carry her. “Good Luck!” He called after her.
Funny she thought, that was the first time he had actually talked to her since she had been back in town. Then again who could blame him every time he saw her she was either crying or doing something completely crazy. In Amanda's experience, men never approached a crying female. She laughed and shook her head. She felt bad about what Nana said, that he had never gotten over his wife's death. She decided that she was going to make a point of behaving a little more sane around him. Maybe they could be friends.
It seemed that Twinkie was hitting his stride. Stopping to sniff a tree or fence post but for the most part he seemed to be enjoying the neighborhoods hustle and bustle. Running from one side of the street to the other. Every now and then he would slow down and wait on Amanda to catch up to him. He was als
o enjoying making Amanda chase him. Every time she would get almost close enough to get hold of the leash he was take off again. Now and then she would try to tackle him with little success considering it was like taking down a small bear with her bare hands.
She was exhausted, they had run around the same block at least four times. Great, just great, she thought the first day on the job and I lose the dog. Tossing her hands into the air in exasperation, she was ready to give up, then she spotted him. He was standing right next to a large oak tree digging at something on the ground. Thank goodness she thought, maybe he was distracted enough for her to move quietly and slowly enough to finally get hold of that leash. Moving with pure determination she crept up behind the massive dog and stepped on the leash with her right foot hoping to immobilize him. But before she could put all her weight on it he jerked his head up and took off running in the other direction. Pulling her leg out from under her, down she went on the hard ground with a loud thud. “I give up!” She shouted and tossed her arm over her face and she started to cry.
How did her life end up like this she thought. Here I am laying on the cold wet ground covered with mud and crying. “Stupid dog!” She sniffed. She could hear a rumbling coming from a large truck making it's way down the street. It slowed down to a stop and a familiar voice called Amanda's name. Slowly taking her arm from her face she turned her head toward the trunk. The driver climbed out and made his way toward her with a look of concern on his handsome features.
Swiping at the tears on her face and sitting up she said. “Pastor Max, I didn't know you drove a tow truck.” Hoping he wouldn't notice that she was having a complete breakdown.
“Yeah when necessary, but most of the time, I'm a mechanic down at the Carl's.” Looking down at her he asked. “Are you alright?”
“I didn't know that either.” She sniffed trying to force a smile.
“You didn't answer my question.” He continued giving her a meaningful look and taking a seat next to her on the ground.
“No” She answered weakly and sniffed again. “My life is falling apart and there's nothing I can do about it.”
“It's hard when life deals you some hard blows.” Glancing at her mud covered clothing.
“Tell me about it.” Holding up her dirty fingers to count off the bad that had happened to her. “First, I find my husband in bed with another woman. Second, I lose my job because the woman he's been having the affair with was my boss. Third, I have no money because Daniel froze all our accounts. Fourth, I find a dead body that my grandmother thinks was actually murder! And last but not least I took a job dog walking and he ran away and now I can't catch him.”
“Sounds like you had it rough lately.” He said sympathetically handing her a tissue. “You know I was married once.” Taking the tissue she shook her head no. “Before I was a Pastor. I was married, her name was Sarah. I loved her so much.” He smiled at the thought of her. “She died in a car accident. It was so sudden, my life changed in an instant. I began drinking a lot and became a person that my wife would have been ashamed of. Then one day I woke up in a puddle of my own vomit and realized that I had to change things. So I asked God to help me change the things that I could control and accept the things that I cannot.” He smiled and continued. “And he will do the same for you if you ask him.”
“ Wow, that kinda makes my problems.....” Sighing she climbed to her feet and continued. “You're right, I've been so caught up in feeling sorry for myself that I didn't even think to ask God for help.”
“We can't always manage things by ourselves and we don't have to.” He said climbing to his feet and patted her on the back.
“Thanks I needed that.” She smiled up at him.
“Glad to hear it. I think I can help you with one of your problems.” He returned her smile.
“You can?” She looked at him in astonishment.
Smiling he informed her. “You know there is a reason why that dog is named Twinkie”
“There is?” He could hear the surprise in her voice.
“Wait here.” He ran back to the tow truck and came back with a Twinkie in his hand. “Here try this.” She didn't look convinced so he explained. “Jonah dated my cousin, trust me.”
“I guess......” She shrugged, “What do I have to lose.”
“I better get going if I'm going to get that old car of your grandmother's fixed.”
“How long do you think it will take?”
He shrugged, “Your grandfather kept it in good shape so maybe a couple of days.”
“My neck and stomach thanks you. They could use a break from riding in the car with Olive.” They both laughed.
She watched as he climbed into the tow truck and drove away. Looking up at the heavens she prayed. “I'm going to need your help.” Out of the corner of her eye she could see the massive hound rooting in the flowerbed of the house across the street. Giving one last glance back up at heaven she whispered. “Here goes nothing.”
Making her way across the street with the Twinkie in hand she stopped on the sidewalk and crinkled the wrapper. Twinkie ears perked up and he turned his head to look at her. “Looky what I've got you drooling monster.” She said in sickeningly sweet voice. He turned his head from one side to the other so Amanda crinkled the wrapper again. He wrinkled his nose as he sniffed the air and took a few steps closer to her.
Slowly she opened the wrapper and pinched a piece off to offer it to the dog. “You want some?” Holding it just out of reach to draw him closer. Finally he licked her fingertips and left slobbers on her hand. Then a miracle happened. He sat down and waited for her to offer him another bite. She slowly reached down and picked up the leash and patted him on the head. “Good boy!” She said. “Good boy!”
Amanda and Twinkie seemed to call a truce. He walked calmly at her side which gave her time to actually enjoy the neighborhood. Everyone she walked past would wave cheerfully or nodded their head. They all smiled as they got into their cars on their way to work or to run errands. This place was very different from Chicago, she thought. Everyone was always trying to get from point A to point B as fast as possible. The only time people spoke is when you hindered that process. But most of the time people generally ignored you. She had forgotten what it was like to be in a small town where everyone knew your name. It was kind of nice.
They were making their way down the sidewalk to Nana's house when Amanda heard. “I see you managed to survive.” Henry called from across the yard.
Just barely.” She answered as he laughed shaking his head. He was making his way back into his house when Amanda called. “I'm going to have something to eat do you want to join me?”
He looked surprised and blinked his eyes several times before answering. “I guess so.” He sounded a little uncertain.
Making their way into the house Amanda unhooked the leash and Twinkie ran around the room sniffing everything in sight as she called. “Nana, I'm back and I've brought company.” Margaret came from the back of the house carrying a laundry basket full of clean clothes.
“Henry! How nice to see you.” She looked a little surprised as Henry looked a little embarrassed.
He nodded his head and said. “Margaret its been awhile.”
“I invited him over for something to eat.”
“I haven't made lunch yet.” Margaret answered.
“I thought we could have some cake that was left over from last night's dinner. You know the chocolate one. I think I've earned it.” She laughed motioning toward her clothes that were still covered with mud.
“What on earth happened to you?” Margaret asked noticing her clothing for the first time. “Twinkie.” Amanda answered looking over at the dog who was sitting on the throw rugs scratching his ear with his back leg. “I'm going to change my clothes and then I'll tell you all about it.” She rushed up the stairs and changed in record time.
When she got back down stairs Margaret and Henry was already in the kitchen with the cake on the table and milk po
ured into the glasses. She explained what happen on her first day as a dog walker and they all had a great laugh at Amanda's expense. “Did Max come over and pick up the car?” She asked.
“Yeah and he said it should only take a few days to get her in tip top shape.” She said pouring Henry another cup of milk.
“I remember your grandfather loved that car.” Henry mused. “Every Saturday he would be out in the driveway washing it.”
“I remember that!” Margaret chimed in with a faraway look in her eyes at the fond memory.
“And you want me to drive it.” Amanda commented nervously. “No pressure.”
“He would love it.” Margaret reassured Amanda with a light squeeze on her hand.
“Margaret is right. Edward would want you to drive it.” Henry agreed.
Margaret was dishing out some more cake for Henry when Amanda asked. “Have you heard when Florence's funeral will be?”
“I haven't heard anything yet.” Margaret answered.
“It shouldn't be much longer. Once the police get all the information they need.” Henry admitted.
Both Amanda and Margaret stared at him as if he had sprouted another head right then and there. Margaret leaned in closer and asked. “What have you heard?”
Looking very uncomfortable Henry admitted. “I don't think I should....”
“It's murder isn't it!” Margaret exclaimed slapping her hand down on the table. “I knew it.”
Henry sighed, “I heard it over my old police scanner.”
“You have an old police scanner?” Amanda asked surprised.
“I used to be the Sheriff at one time and when I retired they never asked for it back so.....I listen from time to time.” He shrugged one shoulder before taking another bite of cake.
“You was the Sheriff!” Amanda sounded surprised. “I bet you were so much better than that Sheriff Thomas, much nicer too.” Henry's face turned three shades of red from the compliment.
“What did you hear?” Margaret prompted. Both ladies leaned in closer as if he was going to impart a pearl of wisdom.
