A Shot in the Bark: A Dog Park Mystery

Wednesday, May 25

"Catherine, are those daggers I see shooting out of your eyes?"

Catherine turned and smiled at Marie. The smile didn't reach her eyes and her expression was tense. "My goodness, what are you talking about?" Her voice was high and brittle.

"You seem unhappy with Detective Hottie." Marie's magenta bangs flopped over one eye.

"I don't see why he has to drag Viola up here. Lia's coming at the crack of dawn to avoid him. Lia doesn't need to be seeing that dog every day. I'm sure all it does is upset her."

"Has she told you that?"

Catherine sniffed. "She doesn't need to."

"I thought she was getting up at the crack of dawn to make your pavers."

"You make me sound like a slave driver."

Marie resorted to irony, "You? A slave driver? How could anyone think that? I'm sure she's still upset about Luthor, but she's also absorbed with your garden project. I think she's eager to get to the studio as early as she can."

"You think so?" Catherine relaxed.

"And I don't think she minds seeing Viola. She's always liked Viola. I think she sees her as the best part of Luthor."

"Perhaps you're right."

"So how is the garden coming?"

"I've got to keep my eyes on them every second, but it's going to be wonderful. You're coming to my party, aren't you? I'll be horribly upset if you don't."

"I wouldn't miss it. June 18th, isn't it?"

"Yes, and it's going to be so wonderful. We're going to have a sushi bar."

"You know I don't eat that stuff."

"A nice Asian girl like you? Afraid of a little smoked eel?"

"I'll stick with egg rolls, thank you."

"You really should broaden your palate."

Marie looked over Catherine's shoulder and spied Detective Dourson approaching. The man really must have a death wish. "What do you think, Detective? Should people eat raw fish?"

"Gollum seems fond of it."

"Gollum?" Catherine puzzled, "Who's Gollum?"

Marie laughed. "He means that creature in Lord of the Rings. Lived in a cave, crawled around with a fish flapping in his mouth. Didn't you ever see the movie?"

"How revolting."

"He lived a nice, long life," Peter added. "Maybe it was the fish and not the ring. As long as it's not Fugu, I'm in."

"As if," Catherine sniffed, "you can get fresh puffer fish in Cincinnati. Since you're such a big fan of sushi, Detective, you must come to my party."

"A party, Mrs. Laroux?"

"I'm celebrating my new garden with a Summer Solstice party on June 18th. We'll be starting at 5:00 p.m."

Marie turned to Peter in amazement. "You actually eat raw fish? You're from Kentucky. Why would a Kentucky boy eat raw fish?"

"I'm a Kentucky boy of unplumbed depths. I even know how to use chop sticks." He turned to Catherine. "I'd be delighted to attend your party. I see Viola is doing her daily duty, please excuse me, ladies." Peter trotted off while pulling a plastic bag out of his pocket.

"Weren't you just telling me you didn't want him at the park? Why did you invite him to your party?"

"Superior breeding never allows a little thing like personal feelings to interfere with one's social endeavors. I think a homicide detective will add intriguing cachet to my petite soiree, don't you agree?"