A Shot in the Bark: A Dog Park Mystery

Tuesday, May 10

Peter rang the bell for Lia's half of a two-family at 10:00 a.m. as planned. Lia unlatched the screen door only to have it shoved open to the sound of excited whimpering. Paws landed on her thighs.

"Viola!" She knelt down for frantic puppy kisses. "Aw, sweetie, I missed you." She looked up at Peter. "Thanks for bringing her."

"Do you want me to hang onto her or should I unclip her?"

"Let her go, sure." By this time, Honey and Chewy were sniffing Viola and barking. The trio ran off to the back of the house for a canine reunion.

"Can I get you anything? I've got green tea, herbal, filtered water, or I could juice up some carrots and celery for you."

"No Pepsi? Isn't it illegal to be that healthy?"

"Cherry Coke is a deep dark secret in my life, Detective, but I only get one a month."

"That's even worse, having a disciplined vice."

"Better cuff me then. A month of jail food should rehabilitate me. Would tap water make you feel better? Or I could toss some high-fructose corn syrup into the tea for you."

"Sweet tea would be nice if you have any made up, otherwise, any kind of water it is."

Lia brought out two glasses of green tea and a squeeze bottle. "I was kidding about the corn syrup. I make simple syrup out of dehydrated cane juice because granulated sugar won't dissolve in cold liquid. This way you can make it how you like."

Peter shook his head. "I've never met anyone who actually went to this much trouble with their diet."

"I'm an artist, Detective. Artists can't afford health insurance. The cheapest and most reliable way to take care of yourself is with food. Call me up next time you can't sleep and I'll bore you right into a coma about it."

"Have a seat." Lia gestured to a mission style sofa with floral tapestry upholstery. A colorful hodgepodge of pillows cushioned the wood arms. She settled into a straight-backed oak chair rescued from a defunct elementary school. The dogs returned from their confab. Honey lay at Lia's feet and Viola jumped up on the sofa next to Peter. Chewy gave the detective a considering look.

"Careful," Lia said. "If Chewy wants petting, he'll head-bump your hand, usually the one that already has something in it. It's been known to cause accidents."

"Thanks for the warning. You seem to be doing much better than you were two days ago."

"Painting helps. It's my cure-all."

Peter nodded at a pair of canvases, one a close up of a Magnolia blossom, the other an Iris. "Those yours? They're beautiful."

"Thanks. I'm doing okay now, but it comes and goes. It also helps that I've been grieving my relationship with Luthor for a couple months now, off and on. Mostly, I'm just angry. I find it so much easier to function when I'm angry than when I'm grieving."

"I thought you just broke up?" He gave her a questioning look.

"That was the third time. The first time was in March. But he would wear me down and I'd take him back. And in my head I'd be trying to figure out a way to put more distance between us."

"That sounds pretty sad."

"It was. So what can I do for you today, Detective? You mentioned loose ends."

"There are just a few things we need to clarify. Do you mind if I record this?" Lia shook her head as Peter pulled out a small digital recorder and set it up.