Maximum Security (A Dog Park Mystery) Read Online Free PDF

sitting at one
of the tables, a polite expression on her face. She was of medium
height and plump, dressed nicer than the usual dog park patron in
tan knit pants and a green tunic topped with a heavy gold necklace
that couldn’t possibly be real. The conservative, chin-length bob
of graying hair had clearly been styled at a salon. Lia thought she
looked familiar, but couldn’t place her.
    Viola, who approached very few
people, walked up to the woman, tugging on her leash. She sniffed
at her, then lifted her head for a pet. The woman held her hand out
for approval. Viola gave it a quick flick of her tongue. The woman
stroked the top of Viola’s head. Satisfied, Viola returned to her
pack.
    “Good morning,” Lia said. “We
don’t normally get people without dogs.”
    The woman looked flustered. “I’m
just waiting for someone.”
    “Who is it? I know most people who
come here.”
    “I doubt you know him, but thank
you.” The woman angled away, signaling the end of their
conversation.
    Whatever , Lia
thought.
    She passed through the picnic
shelter to the corral, released all the dogs except Max and headed
for her favorite picnic table. Jim sat there, playing Draw
Something on his Kindle. Fleece and Chester lolled beside him on
the table top.
    Lia seated herself on the table.
Max settled on the ground. Viola jumped up, curling behind Lia.
Honey and Chewy had abandoned her, hoping to find slow squirrels
and evidence of deer incursions.
    Lia peered over Jim’s shoulder.
“You ought to draw bigger. What are you trying to make?”
    “It’s a teapot. Think she’ll get
it?”
    “That’s a coffee pot.”
    “What’s the
difference?”
    “Teapots are short, round, and
have a long spout. Coffee pots are tall and have a short,
triangular spout.”
    He held out the tablet. “Here, you
draw it.”
    “You really want me
to?”
    “Sure, why not.”
    Lia handed Jim Max’s leash,
swapping it for the tablet and erasing the drawing. She started
over, first laying down a background color of light tan, then a
pale blue table cloth overlaid with thin, lavender stripes. Next,
she selected the eraser and drew the belly of the pot, a sinuous
spout and a curved handle in white. She drew a small knob on top.
Then she selected a rose hue and decorated the pot with little
flowers. Last, she switched back to the eraser and pulled wisps of
steam coming out of the spout. She passed it to Jim.
    “There you go.”
    He shook his head. “You’re a
terrific artist. Bonnie won’t know what to think.” He hit the send
button.
    “When do we get to meet this
mysterious Bonnie?”
    “One of these days.”
    Chester waddled across the table
top and sat up on his hind legs by Lia. She turned to him and bent
her face down so he could kiss her. Chester obliged, then tried to
sneak his tongue up her nose. Jealous, Viola snapped at
Chester.
    “Eeeew. Stop it, Chester! Viola,
Be nice!” She straightened up and looked back at the picnic
shelter.
    “That woman is still just sitting
there. How long has she been here?”
    “She was here when I arrived. I
think that Nissan Altima in the parking lot is hers. I saw an Avis
folder in the front seat. Guess she’s from out of town.”
    “Or else her car is wrecked.
Insurance will pay for a rental.”
    “True,” Jim considered.
    “She looks familiar.”
    “She’s been hiking in the woods. I
saw her head back there with someone last week. I can’t remember
who.”
    “In those clothes?” Lia raised her
eyebrows.
    “Takes all kinds.”
    “Hail, good people.” Terry walked
up with Bailey. Jackson, Nappa and Kita chased circles around the
picnic table, barely dodging their owners while Chester barked from
his perch. “What’s the story? Enquiring minds want to know. The
news said your man found bones in the woods. Do we have a killing
ground?”
    “I don’t know much,” Lia
responded. “It was just one body. They don’t know who it
is.”
    “And they found disarticulated
bones? Not an