Excerpt: The Case of the Grumbling Basset

Within minutes, the front door bell rang.

“Do you want me to get that, Father?” called Phyllis.

“No, thank you, I’ve got it.” Wiping crumbs from his mouth, he went to answer the door.

“Father McFeeney,” greeted Lana coldly. “I’m here to get my dog.” She clicked the leash’s clip menacingly.

Mac’s heart fell.

“Yes, well, it’s about time,” he blustered. “Caught the beast in the cemetery again. Laney called several days ago,” he said severely.

“St Francis, if you have any pull at all, you’ll take pity on that poor animal and find a way to rescue him,” Mac prayed.

Mrs. Baum looked down the hallway from the kitchen and caught the exchange. Without pause, she let herself quietly out the kitchen door, cookie in hand.

“He’s out back,” Mac said stoically. “you can come through the kitchen.”

Lana pushed past the old priest. Mac had a moment of glee when Lana’s high heel slipped on the polished floor causing her to briefly lose balance.

He reached the kitchen as she huffily opened the back door and stepped out sharply calling “Bobo, here.”

“Sorry old son,” Mac thought regretfully.

Lana whipped around with dark look.

“Well where is he?” she demanded angrily, tapping her foot on the kitchen floor.

Mac walked out back and got far enough in the yard to see a pair of orange braids and white tipped tail turning the far corner of the church into the parish lot.

Grinning, he looked up and winked. He turned back, plastering a grim look on his face.

“Well, he’s gone,” Mac said flapping his arms at his sides. “And serves you right too. I’m calling animal control if this is the best you can take care of your pet.”

“Whatever,” said Lana giving Mac a really mean look. “Next time you catch him, call the dog pound, not me.” Lana stomped through the back yard to her car and drove off.

The phone rang and Mac walked into the kitchen to answer it.

“Is the yuchna gone?” asked Phyllis. “the fishwife?”

“Yes, that was ingenious. Thank you. And thank the girls. Where are you?”

“Holly honey, I can’t shift with the doggie in the front, push him back with Noelle. Sorry Father, we’re just passing your niece I think.”

Mac heard a honking and a chorus of “Hi LANEY” and woofing in the background.