A Bloodhound to Die for by Virginia Lanier

and Dad sent me on an errand. They want me to pick up Leon’s dog, Sherlock, and pay the kennel fees for boarding him.”
    Uh-oh. I must have looked surprised.
    “He is here, isn’t he?”
    “Not exactly.”
    “No?” It was his turn to look surprised.
    “Sara’s mother and father picked him up over an hour ago. My kennel manager, Wayne Frazier, told me that they wanted him at the funeral.”
    “You’re kidding!”
    “I’m afraid not.”
    Lee focused on the tarmac and moved a foot back and forth absentmindedly.
    “Is the dog valuable?”
    “If you mean money-wise, I really don’t think that’s the reason both sets of parents want possession. They are all hurting right now, blaming each other and trying to assuage their pain with anger.”
    “I’m just trying to understand what’s going on. Legally, who gets the dog?”
    “That’s going to be touchy, if they’re gonna fight for possession. I’m not sure, but I would think that
if
Sara and Leon had a reciprocal agreement that everything goes to the other, Sara survived Leon—but since she was the cause of his death, she doesn’t stand to gain from her crime.” I gave him a straight look.
    “I’m really worried about Sherlock. He’s a very talented dog, and with another month of hard work, he should finish his obedience trials. If he’s going to be inlimbo for months while the court settles a civil dispute, he might not ever achieve his potential.”
    “Couldn’t you board him here and keep up his training until they decide who inherits?”
    I smiled. “It’s not that simple. It takes a great deal of time, commitment, stamina, and money.”
    “How much time?”
    I laughed. “I think I know what you’re thinking. I really couldn’t explain a bloodhound’s needs in less than two or three hours and we both have funerals to attend today. Why don’t we have lunch later this week? How long are you planning on staying?”
    “My first game is in three weeks, but I should get back before then. I’m a high school football coach. I will be staying for a few days. I’ll call you about lunch.”
    “Great.” I glanced at my watch. “I’m sorry that I don’t have time to visit with you longer. I have to get dressed for Sara’s funeral. Will I see you there?”
    “My mom would disown me. Personally, I liked Sara, but under the circumstances I couldn’t go.”
    “I understand.”
    He left and I stood there gazing after him. I’d asked almost everything but the most important question, did he have a wife? I had left this too late to work it in smoothly without being obvious.
    Why would I even be thinking along those lines anyway? I’d had a long-distance romance with Jonathanthat had withered on the vine because of a lengthy commute; it would be foolish to even contemplate another. I should forget that Lee was the first to even stir any interest, lo these many months, and those wonderful green eyes, the broad shoulders, et cetera, et cetera. I went to take a cold shower.

   11
“Comforting the Survivors”
August 26, Monday, 12:20 P.M
.
    S usan and I had sat together in the fifth row of All Souls, and were now strolling among large pine trees to the graveyard, two hundred yards behind the church, where Sara would be laid to rest. Bright sunlight and high humidity. We were both eyeing the black smudges that were moving in slowly from the east.
    “What’s our chance of getting damp?” Susan asked idly.
    “Thirty percent this afternoon, and fifty tonight.”
    “You obviously disagree, since I see your umbrella in your bag.”
    “Just prudent. They’re guessing along with the rest of us. I’ve been in toad stranglers when they predicted thirty.”
    “You’re getting older and more cautious, Sidden. Anumbrella
and
flat heels? Where’s your adventurous spirit?”
    “I’m not risking a sprained ankle from stepping into an armadillo hole out here. We have two more cemeteries to walk through this afternoon. You can live dangerously if