The Case of the Brokenhearted Bulldog

by B R Snow

  “I thought the boats that traveled the Great Loop are a lot smaller than that one,” I said.

  “They are usually,” John said, nodding. “That’s what made the design of this one so much fun. It was a real challenge to make sure that it met the nautical requirements of the trip and still provided the luxury my client expects. If he’s going to be spending the better part of a year on it, as he constantly reminds me, he’s going to be comfortable doing it.”

  John laughed and continued to stare up at the yacht like a proud papa.

  “What do you mean by the nautical requirements?” Josie asked.

  “Well, there are only a couple of major ones,” John said, turning to Josie. “Since it’s an inland water route, we had to make sure our design incorporated the changing water levels in various parts of the route. The design had to ensure a maximum draft of not more than five feet.”

  “Draft is the amount of boat that’s below the waterline, right?” Josie said.

  “It is indeed,” John said, nodding in approval. “Not bad for a landlubber, Josie.”

  Josie turned and made a face at me. It wasn’t an attractive look.

  “And you said I never pay attention,” she said as her scrunchy face morphed into a wide grin.

  Josie’s prowess with boats and water was, to be kind, still evolving. It was understandable since she hadn’t grown up around them. When she moved here to join me as co-owner of the Thousand Islands Doggy Inn, I thought I’d do her a favor by adopting the role of teacher when it came to all things nautical. It turns out I’m not the most patient of teachers and have a tendency to set unreasonably high expectations when it comes to learning and retention.

  At least that’s her opinion.

  I think her progress has been slow because she sometimes has the attention span of a gnat.

  But she’d gotten me this time.

  “And I guess I’m not the lousy teacher you make me out to be,” I said, glancing back up at the yacht. “I can’t believe that thing doesn’t draw more than five feet. That’s impressive.”

  “Roger is an amazing engineer,” John said. “I’d be lost without him.” He turned back to Josie. “The other physical requirement is for the boat to have an overhead clearance of nineteen feet. And the boat needs to have a cruising range of at least five hundred miles. But given the size of the gas tanks on this baby, that won’t be a problem.”

  “No problem until you see what it costs to fill them,” I said, laughing.

  “Yeah,” John said. “But that’s the least of my client’s concerns.”

  “I kind of figured that one out,” I said. “Must be nice. So, you’re going to deliver the boat to him?”

  “Well, not me personally,” John said. “But my crew onboard is. Captain Bill, Roger, a couple of college kids I haven’t met yet, and Alice will be setting off for Florida as soon as they’re ready to go. It’ll take them about a month. Maybe six weeks. I just need to make sure the thing performs as designed before I turn it over.”

  Alice climbed down the stairway and stepped onto the dock and headed our way. She smiled and waved and then gave all three of us a quick hug. She looked good; tanned and refreshed and I assumed relieved that there wasn’t a dead body in sight.

  “Is everything pretty much in order?” John asked her.

  Alice shrugged and stared back at him.

  “It’s okay,” she said. “But you need to have a word with Captain Hook and his first mate. They’ve been at each other’s throats since we left Montreal.”

  “About what?” John asked.

  “Who knows?” Alice said. “Maybe a bottle of rum for all I know. But this isn’t what I signed up for, John. I can’t listen to any more of that.”

  John frowned and rubbed his forehead.

  “Those two,” he said, placing a hand on Alice’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’ll go have a chat with them to see what the problem is.”

  He walked down the dock and climbed aboard. I looked at Alice who was staring after him.

  “So, no more school?” I said.

  “No, not for a while,” she said. “I thought I’d take the year off and do some traveling while I figured out what I want to do with my life.”

  “Good for you,” Josie said. “You got lots of time.”

  “Would you mind telling my parents that?” Alice said, laughing. “They certainly aren’t listening to me.”

  “They’ll get over it,” I said. “Besides, you’ll learn a lot more about life over the next year than you would have in school.”

  “Yeah, I think that’s what they’re afraid of,” Alice said, laughing. “I heard Chef Claire was doing the catering today.”

  “Yes, she is,” I said.

  “Great. I’m starved,” Alice said. “How about we catch up over a plate of her food?”

  Unconsciously, I rubbed my stomach and glanced at Josie who seemed to be giving the question serious consideration.

  “I could eat,” she said.

  Chapter 3

  Josie and I ate another plate of food while we chatted with Alice and I began to wonder if a food rehab program might be the next course of action for both of us. I sat on my chair, nodding at a story Alice was sharing about her recent trip to Montreal to pick up the yacht and resumed gently rubbing my stomach.

  I knew I had to develop at least a modicum of restraint, but a trip through one of Chef Claire’s buffet lines was an experience that needed repeating.

  And if repetition was the key to perfecting a skill, I knew I must be approaching mastery.

  Josie waved at Chef Claire, the mastermind behind today’s feast. We’d met her a few months ago when she’d been the chef for a candy magnate at his island and then framed for his and his ex-wife’s murder. But after we identified the actual killer, Chef Claire was released and had decided to stay in town until she determined where her next stop would be. Josie and I were currently doing a full court press to convince her to stay in Clay Bay. But Chef Claire was a warm weather girl, and the fall temperatures were continuing to drop. Despite our best efforts, I didn’t like our chances of convincing her to stick around.

  Right now, Chef Claire was carrying a tray filled with bowls and headed in our direction.

  “Dessert?” Josie said, glancing at me.

  I managed a brief shake of my head and small wave at Chef Claire.

  “Hello, ladies,” Chef Claire said. “How was your boat trip, Alice?”

  “Life altering,” she said, laughing. “And I saw just enough of that lifestyle to convince me I wanted it.”

  “Be careful what you wish for,” Chef Claire said. “Would you like dessert?”

  “Thanks,” Alice said, reaching for one of the bowls.

  “Josie?” Chef Claire said, holding the tray directly in front of Josie.

  “Just don’t get too close,” I said, looking at the expression on Josie’s face. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear she hadn’t eaten in a week. “On occasion, she’s been known to bite her food servers by accident.”

  “Funny. And for the record, it was only that one time,” Josie said, then focused on the tray in Chef Claire’s hand. “What is it?”

  “Let’s see if you can tell me,” Chef Claire said.

  Josie selected a bowl and spoon and took a bite.

  “Oh, my goodness,” Josie said, savoring the dessert. “I think I need to sit down.”

  “What is it?” I asked, sneaking a peek inside the bowl.

  “Let’s see. It’s a walnut and almond brownie with almond ice cream and a healthy splash of… Amaretto cream sauce over the top,” Josie said.

  “Very good,” Chef Claire said, then extended the tray in my direction. “Suzy?”

  “Not unless you’re also handing out sweatpants,” I said, unable to take my eyes off the tray.

  Chef Claire laughed but stayed right where she was.

  “You sure?” Chef Claire said, inching the tray even closer.

  I folded like a che
ap lawn chair and grabbed a bowl.

  “I hate myself,” I said through a mouthful. “What is wrong with me? I always thought I had a strong will.”

  “You do have a strong will. The problem is your incredibly weak won’t,” Josie said, grinning at Chef Claire and Alice.

  I ignored their laughter and noticed John striding up the dock flanked by a man on either side. Their conversation was animated, and John was obviously not pleased by what he was hearing. I turned to Alice.

  “That must be Captain Bill and Roger the engineer, right?” I said.

  “That’s them,” Alice said, pausing briefly from her dessert to take a quick glance at the three men.

  “It looks like they’re still arguing,” I said.

  “Yeah, they’ve been going at it non-stop since we left Montreal,” Alice said.

  “About what?” I said.

  “I’m not sure. Between all of Roger’s engineering language and Captain’s use of nautical terms, I was completely lost. I’m assuming it has something to do with the yacht, but I have no idea what it is. The boat seems perfect to me.” Alice turned to Chef Claire. “Have you decided if you’re going to accept John’s offer?”

  “I doubt it,” Chef Claire said. “That’s a lot of time to spend on a boat.”

  “What are you talking about?” I said, pausing mid-bite.

  “John wants to hire Chef Claire to cook for us on our trip to Florida with the new yacht,” Alice said.

  “Actually, he made me a second offer,” Chef Claire said, handing the dessert tray to one of the servers who headed off with it.

  “Really?” Alice said, brushing the hair away from her face as she focused on Chef Claire.

  “Yeah, just this morning,” Chef Claire said. “He said that if I didn’t want to make the Inland Waterway trip, I should just sign on to be his chef. Apparently, he’s taking his personal boat down the St. Lawrence all the way to the Atlantic and then head south along the coast. He says he’s going to meet you guys in Florida.”

  “I didn’t know that,” Alice said, glancing at John who was still in the middle of his conversation with Captain Bill and the engineer. “Are you going to take the job?”

  “No, I don’t think so,” Chef Claire said. “I like John, but he’s got quite the reputation as a player. I’m not sure I want to be out on the open water if he decides to try and get friendly.”

  Josie and I laughed. We’d both been the targets of John’s affections in the past. We had successfully beaten them back and remained friends with him in the process, but then again we’d never been stuck on a boat with him.

  “John would never force himself on anyone,” Alice said.

  “No, I’m not saying he would,” Chef Claire said. “But who needs all that drama, right? And while I love the River, I’m not a big fan of being out on the ocean.”

  “That means you’re going to stay in Clay Bay, right?” I said.

  Chef Claire laughed.

  “You guys are relentless,” she said. “Right now, I’m considering sticking around until the first snowfall. I’ve never seen it snow before.”

  “Then you’ve come to the right place,” Josie said.

  The sound of a piano caught our attention.

  “Showtime,” Josie said, immediately striding off in the direction of the makeshift stage.

  “Wow,” Chef Claire said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen her move that fast. What got into her?”

  “That would be Summerman,” I said, strolling with Chef Claire toward the stage.

  “I met him earlier,” Chef Claire said. “For him, I’d stick around.”

  I nodded and kept walking as I watched Alice approach the three men who were still having an animated conversation. They kept talking when Alice approached, and John draped an arm around her shoulder, then slid his hand down until it reached her lower back. His hand seemed to linger there longer than I would have expected.

  But I could easily have been wrong about that. Dessert had pushed me over the edge, and I could have been hallucinating from the onset of a food-induced coma.

  Chapter 4

  I stood waiting at the front of the stage for Josie who was standing next to Summerman on stage saying her goodbyes. He’d played for ninety minutes, electrified the crowd, apologized for his abrupt departure, and then quickly packed up and prepared to leave. At least he was trying to. Josie was doing her best to convince him to stay.

  Jackson Frank, the Clay Bay Chief of Police, approached, trailed by his bulldog, Sluggo.

  “Hey, Suzy,” the Chief said. “Great show, huh?”

  “Yeah, it was. Hey, Sluggo. Who’s my boy?”

  On cue, Sluggo rolled over and waited for his belly rub. I complied, and he was soon kicking his legs in the air as he squirmed on the grass. Chloe climbed on top of Sluggo and tried to assist me. Then she decided a belly rub of her own was in order. She stretched out next to Sluggo and rolled over. I used my free hand to comply with her demand.

  It’s a dog’s world; fortunately, I get to live in it.

  “I’ve lost my touch,” Josie said, climbing down off the stage.

  “Couldn’t convince him to stay, huh?” I said, waving goodbye to Summerman who waited for the massive Murray to get settled into the front seat of his truck and then climbed in and drove off.

  “No. And he said he wouldn't be back until next June,” Josie said.

  “Did he say where he’s going?” I asked.

  “Not really. He mentioned a couple of possible locations, but nothing specific. He’s a little mysterious.”

  “You like that quality in your men, don’t you?” I said, laughing.

  “Yes, I do.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” Jackson said.

  “You do that, Jackson,” Josie said, grinning. “Hey, Sluggo.”

  Josie bent down and took over the belly rubbing duties. Sluggo’s tongue dropped onto the lawn, and he snorted.

  “You got your speech ready?” the Chief said.

  “I think I’m all set,” I said. “But I always get a bit nervous speaking in front of groups.”

  “Just use that old trick of picturing everyone in the audience in their underwear,” the Chief said. “In case you’re wondering, Josie, I’m wearing boxers.”

  “How about that?” Josie said, not even bothering to look up. “Me too.”

  I laughed at the look on the Chief’s face. Either he was trying to figure out if Josie was joking, or he was trying to picture it in his mind. Either way, Josie’s comment had shut him up. I stared out at the River and the ship that was making its way through the main shipping channel on its way to Lake Ontario about thirty miles away.

  “Beautiful sunset,” I said.

  Josie stood and glanced out over the water. Then her eyes drifted back to the new yacht secured to the dock.

  “What a boat,” she said.

  “John’s been taking people on tours. Maybe he’ll give us one later,” the Chief said. “But I’d be happy just winning the one being raffled off. I bought twenty tickets.”

  We cringed at the sound of a microphone screeching with feedback. I turned and saw John standing next to a podium on the stage. He caught my eye and gestured for me to join him.

  “That’s my cue,” I said, trying to hop up onto the stage. I failed miserably and then decided to use the three small steps located on the far side.

  Josie snorted, and I glared at her.

  “I’m just too full to make that jump,” I said, defending my decision.

  “I didn’t say a word,” she said, laughing.

  I made my way to the far end then climbed onto the stage and approached John who was now sitting at a small table next to the podium.

  “Having a good time?” he asked as he flipped through a small stack of note cards.

  “Yeah, it’s great, John,” I said. “We can’t thank you enough.”

  “It’s the least I can do, Suzy,” he said.

  “I couldn’t help but
notice that you and the captain and engineer were having quite the discussion earlier,” I said.

  “Yeah,” he said, shaking his head in disgust. “Those two geniuses made a mess of things. But I’ll figure out a way to fix it.”

  “What did they do?” I asked.

  “Apparently, one of them is a bit challenged by some pretty basic math,” John said. “Which one I’m not sure yet so until I do know, I’m blaming both of them.”

  “I hear you asked Chef Claire to be your chef,” I said.

  “You’re a wealth of information aren’t you, Suzy?” he said, smiling but still giving me an odd look. “Have you been doing some snooping?”

  “John, how long have you known me? When have I ever not been snooping?”

  He laughed.

  “Yes, I did ask Chef Claire. She’s an amazing cook,” he said, not looking up from his notes. “But she said no. She said she’s not a fan of being out on the ocean, but I imagine she’s worried that I’d hit on her.”

  “Would you?”

  “Suzy, how long have you known me?” he said, finally glancing up at me.

  I laughed.

  “Touche. Dumb question. Forget I asked.”

  He went to the podium and asked the crowd to get settled. He waited until he had everyone’s attention, then jumped right in.

  “I’d like to thank all of you for coming today. It’s been a great day, and I know that tonight will be even better. And for those of you who’d like to get a look at the inside of that magnificent craft sitting at the dock, I’m happy to give anyone interested a tour later on.”