Uncovering Secrets: The Third Novel in the Rosemont Series

by Barbara Hinske

***

  Frank Haynes wove his way along the sidelines, searching the sea of dogs and their handlers walking the courses and taking trial runs. Two courses had been set up in the old armory. He picked his way around crates, blankets, folding chairs, and beverage coolers to the course where Dodger would be competing. The noise level was deafening and his fine leather shoes were covered in an inch of mud (and probably worse), but instead of being annoyed, he found all of the chaos invigorating.

  He searched in vain for David and Dodger and almost tripped over them when he stepped back to avoid being sideswiped by a large Newfoundland running off course.

  “Sorry,” David said. “I was just coming to let you know we’re here.”

  Frank pulled David to a spot out of the main line of travel between the ring and the entrance.

  “How are you both doing today?”

  “I don’t know, Mr. Haynes. I read up on this on the Internet, but it’s a lot different in person. I think Dodger is freaked out by the other dogs and all of the noise.”

  Frank Haynes bent over to pat their athlete. He didn’t want to say a discouraging word, but he had to agree. He glanced up at the boy, who was searching his face with a mournful expression. Good grief, Haynes thought. He’s looking to me for words of wisdom and comfort.

  Haynes quickly stood and clapped his hand on David’s shoulder. “You’ll both be fine. You can’t expect to start anything at the top. Hard work makes your success worthwhile. In the meantime, just go out there and have fun.” Where in the world had that come from? Haynes wondered. Sometimes he surprised himself. He’d been doing that a lot lately.

  The cloud lifted from David’s face. “You mean it? Because I think we’re going to lose your entrance fee.”

  Haynes dismissed the worry with a wave of his hand. “Don’t give it a second thought. Now get ready.”

  ***

  Haynes watched the trials with increasing interest. The dogs were having fun and the communication between handler and dog—limited to voice commands, hand signals, and body movements—was impressive. The first few contestants all had clear runs, but based upon what Haynes had seen at the dog park, Dodger would beat their time by a country mile. He maneuvered himself to the front of the crowd as David and Dodger approached the starting line.

  Dodger sailed over the first two jumps and fairly flew off the A-frame. He hesitated on the teeter-totter and lost time, but picked it up going through the tunnel. Haynes clapped his encouragement from the sidelines. Maybe the unlikely duo would pull this off. The weave poles, however, proved very difficult. Haynes couldn’t tell if Dodger got through every pole, but he didn’t think so. And his failure to pause in the pause box sealed his fate. Dodger was undaunted by his poor showing, but David’s shoulders sagged.

  Frank Haynes approached them. “Well done, you two.”

  “You’re kidding, right? He did well in the beginning because he’s familiar with those obstacles. But he didn’t listen to a single command from me when he needed to. I’m not much of a handler,” he concluded morosely.

  “Nonsense. This is your first contest. And you’ve had no coaching. You can’t expect to do this without a lot of practice and some training for both of you.”

  “Are there classes we could take?” David asked, hope creeping into his voice.

  “Of course there are. Let me check into it, and I’ll let you know. And don’t worry about the cost. I think Forever Friends should sponsor you, since you’re both affiliated with us. You’ll be our sports team, so to speak. This’ll be good publicity,” Haynes said, warming to the idea.

  “That’d be cool.”

  “Leave it to me,” Haynes replied. “Now, let’s gather up our future champion and get out of here. I’m buying you lunch.”

  ***

  Frank Haynes thought he was well acquainted with the size of a teenage boy’s appetite, but if all of his paying customers ate as much as David, his profits would triple. After feeding David an astounding number of hamburgers, he placed a call to John Allen.

  “John. Wondering if I could get some advice.”

  “Hello, Frank,” John answered. He didn’t trust the man—especially now that he suspected Haynes of conspiring to manipulate Maggie into resigning the mayoral seat—but his dedication to animals couldn’t be denied.

  “How would you go about training a dog to compete in agility contests?”

  John had to hand it to him—Frank Haynes never ceased to amaze him. “Are you thinking of entering your dog, Sally? Border collies are naturals at the sport. It would help with her weight issues.”

  “I’m asking for a friend. But now that you mention it, I might take it up myself. How would I start?”

  “The best place is a group class. They’ve got them going on regularly over in Springerville.”

  “None here in Westbury?” Haynes asked. David probably wouldn’t be able to take part in a class out of town.

  “Not that I know of. But I’m in touch with the instructor, and if there’s enough interest here, I’m sure she’d offer a class. Let me post a notice in my reception area and make some calls.”

  “That’d be great, John.”

  “Give me a week.”

  “Put me on the list. And David Wheeler and Dodger.”

  “I didn’t know they were into agility.”

  “You should see them at the dog park, John. Dodger is incredible. And David is great with animals. That’s why I’m asking about training.”

  “I’ve seen that side of him recently. It’s nice of you to help him, Frank.”

  “It’s the least I can do, considering what happened to his father.”

  Both men were silent. “William appreciates it, Frank; I’m sure he does,” John said quietly.

  Frank Haynes swallowed the lump in his throat and wished John a pleasant day.

  Chapter 17

  Loretta approached the closed door of Frank Haynes’ office with trepidation. He’d been acting strangely lately—harsh and morose one minute and cheerful to the point of giddiness the next—and it had gotten worse since he returned from his vacation to Florida. She’d asked him about his trip, and he’d shut her down, fast, saying it had nothing to do with Haynes Enterprises.

  She sighed and summoned her courage as she raised her hand to knock. This would be the fourth time in the last three weeks that she’d left early to pick Nicole up from school. Her daughter just couldn’t shake this bug that had gotten hold of her.

  Loretta knocked lightly and recoiled at the gruff “what” that greeted her when she poked her head around the door.

  “Sorry to disturb you, Mr. Haynes. My daughter’s school just called. Nicole is sick, and I need to leave early to pick her up and take her to the babysitter.”

  “Again?!” Haynes exploded. “You’re gone more than you’re here! Haven’t you taken this kid to the doctor?”

  A wave of anger traveled from her toes to the top of her head. She was sure she must be beet red. “Of course I’ve taken her to the doctor. And I’ve followed all of the doctor’s instructions to the letter. But she’s getting worse every day. I’m not sure what to do now.” To Loretta’s horror, a sob escaped her lips. “I know I’ve been gone a lot. I’ll drop her at the babysitter and come right back.”

  Haynes waved her away. “See that you do. I can’t keep paying you for time that you’re not working.”

  Loretta paused, searching for a response that wouldn’t get her fired.

  Haynes looked up from his desk. “Get going. The sooner you leave, the sooner you’ll be back.”

  Loretta pulled his door shut firmly, stopping just short of slamming it. She grabbed her purse and her coat and headed to her car.

  ***

  Nicole, indeed, was not feeling well when Loretta arrived in the nurse’s office. “Her hands and feet are swollen,” the nurse said, “and her eyes are puffy. This isn’t a normal cold. I’d take her back to the doctor, if I were you.” She stared at Loretta.

  Loret
ta examined Nicole closely and nodded. “I’ve got to go back to work now.”

  “Some things are more important than work,” the nurse admonished.

  Loretta spun on the woman. “Do you think I don’t know that? Do you think I’m not concerned?” The nurse took a step back. “Well, I am. But I also need to keep my job. I’m a single parent, you know.”

  “Surely your boss will understand about a sick child,” the nurse began.

  “You don’t know Frank Haynes,” Nicole retorted. “Come on, sweetie. Let’s get you home and into bed.” Loretta grabbed Nicole’s backpack and took her hand. She turned back to the nurse. “I’ll take her to Urgent Care as soon as I get off work.”

  ***

  Loretta arrived back at Haynes Enterprises shortly before five o’clock. She’d been gone for almost two hours, so she would need to work until seven to make up the time. With any luck, she’d have Nicole checked in to Urgent Care by eight. Thank goodness her babysitter needed the extra money and was available to keep her kids extra hours, but the unbudgeted expense was wreaking havoc on her finances. She’d maxed out the cash advance on her credit card.

  Loretta threw her coat onto the coat rack and slid into her chair. Everything on her desk was as she’d left it. Frank Haynes’ door remained shut. She wondered if he’d even left his office while she was gone.

  Loretta had just finished preparing the bank deposit when his office door opened and Frank Haynes appeared, briefcase in hand. He shrugged into his overcoat and switched off his office light.

  “How’s your daughter? What’s her name again?”

  “Nicole. And she’s worse. We don’t know what’s wrong with her. I’m going to take her to Urgent Care tonight. But don’t worry,” Loretta added hastily, “I won’t miss any more work.”

  Haynes cleared his throat and studied his shoes. “All right, then. Let’s call it a day. You need to get your kid to the doctor. You can finish that up tomorrow.”

  Loretta regarded him closely. It wasn’t like Frank Haynes to consider anyone else’s feelings. “Thank you, Mr. Haynes,” she said as she rose. “I really appreciate this.”

  ***

  Loretta and Nicole entered the Urgent Care clinic shortly before seven o’clock. The waiting room was packed with others who, like Loretta, needed to wait until after work to attend to their ailments. She signed Nicole in and looked for two chairs together. A middle-aged man in work boots and a rugged jacket caught her eye and motioned for her to take his seat and the empty chair next to him.

  “Thank you so much,” she said as she and Nicole settled in for what appeared to be a long wait. The man nodded and took a single seat on the other side of the waiting room.

  Loretta reached into her purse and took out the Angelina Ballerina book that was Nicole’s favorite. Nicole nestled against her mother and was soon lulled to sleep by the rhythm of the familiar story. Exhausted herself, Loretta closed the book and enjoyed the short break of doing nothing.

  The waiting room eventually began to clear and mother and daughter were called into an exam room at eight fifteen. The young nurse apologized for the wait, took notes on a tablet as Loretta cataloged Nicole’s recent complaints, and took her vital signs.

  Nicole lay back on the examining table and was soon asleep. Loretta foraged in the stack of well-worn magazines in the rack on the wall and was thumbing listlessly through a six-month-old copy of Highlights when the doctor knocked and entered the room.

  He read the nurse’s notes on his tablet. “Do you mind if I wake her?” he asked, turning to Loretta.

  “Go ahead.”

  “Hi, Nicole,” he said, gently touching her shoulder. “I’m here to examine you. Can you sit up for me, please?”

  Loretta rose and helped the drowsy child remain upright.

  “This may be a bit cold,” he said as he put the stethoscope under her blouse and listened to her breathing. “Can you open wide?” he asked as he looked at her throat. “What a good patient you are,” he praised. “Best one all night.” Nicole smiled. “I’m going to look into your eyes, now. The light is real bright, but it won’t take me long.” He finished his examination.

  “Okay, good job,” he said to Nicole. “You can lay back down while your mother and I talk.” He turned to Loretta.

  “She’s a bit congested, which is consistent with the cold you mentioned. Her throat looks fine. Ordinarily, I’d say there’s nothing else wrong with this child. But she’s unusually lethargic and the swelling is a concern.”

  “So what do we do?” Loretta asked.

  “I’d recommend a urine test and a blood test,” he said. “They’ll give us more information to go on.”

  “What could it be?” Loretta asked, unable to conceal her alarm.

  “I honestly think she has nothing more than a lingering cold. Anything else would be very rare. Let’s not worry about that until we get the results of the tests.”

  “Okay,” Loretta replied. “Do you do that here?”

  “We can,” he said. “But the tests will be much cheaper if you have your primary care doctor do them.”

  Loretta nodded.

  “We’ve got your doctor’s information here,” he said, pointing to his tablet. “I’ll send my report to him before I leave tonight.

  “Thank you, Doctor,” Loretta said as she reached over to rouse Nicole.

  “Get her in to see your primary as soon as possible, and go home and get some rest,” he said kindly. “Moms need to take care of themselves, too.”

  Chapter 18

  True to his word, John collected enough names to persuade the agility trainer to start a class in Westbury. The first class was scheduled for the dog park on Saturday morning at eight o’clock.

  Frank Haynes groaned when his alarm went off at six thirty that Saturday. He pushed himself out of bed and could see that Sally, his border collie mix, had no interest in leaving her warm bed, either.

  “Come on, girl,” he cajoled. “This is for you. It’s gonna be fun.”

  The dog thumped her tail tentatively.

  Haynes clapped his hands, and she dutifully rolled out of her blanket and followed him to the kitchen.

  ***

  David and Dodger were already streaking around the agility course when Frank Haynes and Sally arrived shortly before eight. Haynes thought he recognized an assistant manager from one of his restaurants and nodded at the woman, who beamed in return. He hoped he wouldn’t be called upon to remember her name.

  The instructor quickly took charge, issuing orders in equal measure to the dogs and their handlers. Haynes was pleased to see that David hung on her every word and easily implemented her advice. He and Sally, however, were another matter. At the halfway point in the lesson, the instructor divided the group in two. He and Sally were consigned to the remedial group. Even so, it was invigorating to be up and outside on a Saturday morning, instead of drinking his fifth cup of coffee while pouring over the cash flow statements of Haynes Enterprises. And Sally was having fun.

  The instructor reunited the groups to hand out homework for the next week. Frank knew he wouldn’t look at the assignments. David, however, was studying the paper she gave him and asking questions. He turned to Haynes. “This doesn’t seem too hard. Dodger’s got most of this down already.”

  Haynes smiled. “I’m not sure Sally and I are cut out for this.”

  “Don’t be discouraged,” David replied. “This was only your first time.” He knelt to pet Sally. “Border collies are naturals at this agility stuff. You just need to practice with her.” He brought his head up and looked at Haynes. “Why don’t we practice together, Mr. Haynes? I can help you with Sally—just to get you two started.”

  Haynes opened his mouth to dismiss the idea, but something in the boy’s expression stopped him. When was the last time anyone offered to help him with anything? “All right,” Haynes said slowly, a smile stealing across his lips. “You’re on. But you’ll need to start calling me Frank. Have you had br
eakfast?” he asked, knowing that this boy could down another full meal even if he’d already eaten at home. David shook his head. “Let’s head over to Pete’s Bistro. They have the best pancakes in town.”

  Chapter 19

  Maggie walked David to the kitchen, where the kittens were now holding court. Roman gently nosed them off the countertop. The kitten with four white paws, however, had other ideas. He leapt back to the countertop and streaked away with Roman barking and running along the floor in hot pursuit. The kitten came to a screeching halt, boxing himself in between the toaster and the coffeemaker, and Roman picked him up with his gentle mouth and placed him on the tile floor where David scooped him up.

  The adventuresome kitten also liked to bait Eve, noiselessly sneaking up on her as she lay snoring in her basket in the corner of the kitchen. The kitten would pounce on her then bolt before Eve could uncoil herself from her cozy perch. Eve chased him the first time, but now she gave all the kittens a wide berth. She’d experienced enough whacks on her nose from their razor-sharp claws to know that they didn’t fancy being chased through the house by a slobbery-mouthed dog.

  “He’s almost old enough for you to take home,” Maggie said, handing David a bottle while the kitten squirmed against his chest. “Have you named him yet?”

  David nodded as the kitten nursed greedily. “Namor,” he said, sliding his eyes to hers.

  “That’s an unusual name. Sounds exotic—almost Egyptian.”

  “It’s Roman spelled backwards,” David said. “I thought it was fitting.”

  Maggie grinned. “Indeed it is. Very clever of you, David.”

  She picked up one of the other kittens and started giving her a bottle. “I was going to keep the others, but I think Sam Torres is getting attached to that one,” she said, indicating the smallest one of the litter. “When he started coming here in the afternoons to feed them, you’d have thought he was going for a root canal. I could tell he was annoyed and only agreed to help because Joan put him up to it. But these little guys get under your skin, don’t they?” She nuzzled the one she was holding.