Changing of the Guard Dog
Page 21
Whatever. I ran to my office for my handbag—which is really a beach bag—and grabbed the keys on the plastic peg shaped like a dog’s tail. I yelled at the phone, “I’m on my way. I’ll be there in five.” It would take me ten minutes. I motioned for Shelby to disconnect the call. “Shelby, call the DRBA police desk in the ferry terminal. Ask for Wayne. Tell him I’ll buy him a drink if he stops this. Dana, keep trying Henry’s cell.”
As I ran by Anthea, it occurred to me that she might be able to help. What’s the use of having a local celebrity if they can’t get you and your dogs out of a jam? Without slowing down, I grabbed her arm. “Come with me.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I hope you’re enjoying getting to know the Pet Palace Mystery characters as much as I’m enjoying bringing them to you. CHANGING OF THE GUARD DOG called for more research than any of my previous books so I have a lot of people to thank.
First, brainy, talented, and really nice person, Rachelle Roe, Director of Public Relations—NSO & Classical at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, who patiently answered all my questions about the road from someone saying, “Hey, let’s perform X this year,” to people like us sitting in our seats and hearing X. Thank you!
Second, Michael Globetti of Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control kept me laughing as he answered my questions about the recent sinking (don’t worry, it was intentional) of a ferry to add to our artificial reef. I offered to name a character after his dog but he gave that honor to his partner in crime, Delaware’s Artificial Reef Program Coordinator, Jeff Tinsman, and his wife, Ruth. In real life, Beaut Richards-Tinsman is a Nova Scotia Duck Toller. Not a musician for a symphony orchestra—yet.
I have so many friends to thank for giving me space when I needed to do nothing but write, and company when I needed to talk: Keeley, Theresa, Terrie, Emily, Joan, Susan W, Susan C, Sue B, Arlene, Margaret B, Margaret Z, Leslie, Elizabeth, Sylvia, Virginia, Lynn, Gail, Danielle, Ginger, Anne, Eugenia, Renee, Barb, Julie and Jackie, and many others. Then there are my super talented critique partners, Linda Ensign and Carolyn Rowland. Love you, guys!
My fellow Delaware River and Bay Lighthouse Foundation board members have been such good sports letting me use their names for characters! Together we’ve done meaningful work restoring and preserving our Harbor of Refuge Light and had a damn good time doing it.
Tara Gavin and Vida Engstrand at Kensington are great to work with! Thanks for all your support and for getting authors.
…Unlike my husband, Larry Korb, who absolutely never knows what I’m talking about when I try to explain plotting or clues or editing. I love him for supporting me anyway!
Stay in touch,
Lane Stone
About the Author
Lane Stone, husband Larry Korb, and the real Abby live in Alexandria, Virginia during the week and Lewes, Delaware on the weekend.
When not writing she’s enjoying characteristic baby boomer pursuits: traveling and playing golf. Her volunteer work includes media and communications for the Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation. She’s on Georgia State University’s Political Science Department Advisory Board. She serves as Campus Outreach Coordinator for the Alexandria branch of American Association of University Women, and on Northern Virginia Community College’s Women’s Center External Advisory Board.
Her standard schnauzer, Abby, tweets as TheMenopauseDog. And you can reach Lane at www.LaneStoneBooks.com.