A Shot in the Bark (A Dog Park Mystery) by Carol Ann Newsome Page B

Luthor was left handed. Still, trusting her would be a risk. Would it be worth it?
    "Lia, let's go sit down somewhere. I have something to tell you." Peter hoped he wasn't making a big mistake.
    "Over there?" Lia pointed to an empty picnic table under a Maple tree. They climbed up on top and rested their feet on the benches.
    "Why do so many people sit on top of the tables here?"
    "Dunno. Maybe because if we sit on the benches we might get slammed by a racing dog, or one of the dogs will jump up on the table and get in our faces? Maybe just maintaining pack leadership? Height is dominance to dogs, so you'll see little dogs jumping up on the table so they can lord it over the Great Danes and Rotties.
    "Huh." Peter noticed talking about dogs relieved some of the stress he'd seen in her. He hoped what he was going to say would eliminate some of her guilt. He also hoped she wouldn't shoot the messenger.
    "So what are you being all mysterious about?"
    "What I'm going to tell you has not been made public, but I think you need to know. Can I count on your discretion?"
    "Hard to say, since I don't know what it is. I'll stay mum if there's no compelling reason not to."
    "Fair enough. Look, Lia," He paused and Lia turned to him, searching his face. He tried to figure out how to present this. "Luthor shot himself with his right hand."
    "And?"
    "He's left handed."
    "What's the big deal about that?"
    "Have you ever held a gun?"
    "No. Never."
    "They can be pretty heavy. It would be awkward handling it with your non-dominant hand, even for someone who knows how to shoot."
    "What are you saying?"
    "We don't think he shot himself. We think it was staged to look that way."
    She stared at him. Her shock was immediate and real.
    "There's more."
    "More?" The word escaped her mouth in a high-pitched whisper. She swallowed.
    "Did you know Luthor had other girlfriends?" This time she looked away. He wondered if killing the messenger was occurring to her now. He kept on, doggedly. "One young woman he saw the previous time you broke up. He attempted to keep it going after you got back together, but she wouldn't have it."
    Lia gave a sad and cynical snort. "At least somebody had some class."
    "The other woman he started seeing casually recently. She seem to be more a girlfriend in waiting. It hadn't quite gone there yet."
    Lia kept looking down, shaking her head. Finally, she said, "This is too much. Luthor was murdered?"
    "We think so, yes."
    "Why?"
    "We don't know. Lia, did you ever find your cell phone?"
    "No. What does that have to do with anything?"
    "Because Luthor received a text from your phone shortly before he was shot. We have to find it."
     
     

~ ~ ~
     
     
     
    Anna and Jim watched from the other side of the park as Honey jumped up on the table and licked Lia's cheek. Lia turned her head into Honey's neck and wrapped her arms about her, taking comfort in the silky warmth.
    "What do you suppose he's saying to her that has her so upset?"
    Nadine walked up. "Lia looks really unhappy. Should we interrupt?"
    "I think she needs space right now," Jim replied, "She knows we're here."
    Catherine walked up and took Jim's arm. "Hello, Anna, I just love your sweatshirt. You look so . . . relaxed ." Anna ground her teeth. Catherine turned her attention to the pair under the tree. "Honestly," she said, nodding at Peter and Lia, "Why is he distressing her like that? She's in the middle of a big project. She doesn't need this."
    Anna rolled her eyes. "Catherine, you're all heart."
    "You'd feel the same way if it was your garden that might be late and your party that might be ruined," Catherine pouted.
    "No, I wouldn't. And he didn't need to do much of anything. Lia's got a brave face, but our girl's been hurting. It's only been a week since Luthor died."
    "Now, ladies, we all care about Lia," Jim said
    "Of course," responded Catherine. Anna just narrowed her eyes until Catherine blinked and looked away.
     
     

~ ~ ~
     
     
     
    Peter wondered if