Family Matters (4 page)

H
aley’s barking woke a disoriented Gracie. The heaviness of prescription-aided sleep clouded her reactions. She suddenly realized that the kennel’s security alarm was going off, and frantic barking competed with the piercing sound. Haley ran back and forth to the kitchen door while Gracie struggled to get her bearings. She slipped on worn leather huaraches and managed to clip a leash on Haley. The attempt to control the 80 pounds of excited dog and the adrenaline rush quickly cleared her foggy brain. She grabbed the phone and punched in 9-1-1.

The dispatcher told her the security company had already called in the alarm and to wait for a deputy to arrive, but that wasn’t going to happen. The dogs’ safety was her priority. She held Haley’s leash tightly and stepped out into the steamy and raucous night. The motion lights were on in the yard, and the lights on the backside of the kennels shone starkly against the darkness. Haley’s hackles were raised, a steady growl rumbled from her throat. The alarm continued its ear-splitting tone.

“Good girl. Everything is all right. Let’s check it out.” Gracie was trying to convince herself and Haley. The window of the front door to the reception area was broken, and dagger-like pieces of glass were scattered on the floor inside. She didn’t want Haley to cut her feet. Giving a quick jerk on the leash, she firmly told her to sit and stay. Haley, amazingly enough, did both. Shoving the door open, she kicked back some glass, and stumbled to the wall behind the reception desk to the security keypad. She punched in the code, and immediate relief hit the night air. Barking decrescendoed, and Haley was whining and poking her face into the reception area.  The quiet was quickly shattered by the sound of sirens. The sheriff’s department was certainly speedy tonight. Like most law enforcement agencies, the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Department was chronically undermanned. There must have been a deputy just down the road to respond this fast. Gracie grabbed Haley’s leash as she turned to exit the reception area. The dogs began howling again as the wailing got closer. The Lab pulled at the leash, then sat to offer a sympathetic howl, her head raised skyward.

Two sheriff’s cars pulled into the driveway, scattering gravel as they came to a stop by the entrance. The sirens were cut, but the lights in the grills pulsated in the darkness. The barking once again began to subside.

“Mrs. Andersen?”

“Yes, deputy…”

“Stevens, ma’am.”

“Thanks for coming. I haven’t checked on the dogs yet. I need to make sure they’re OK.
”

“Hold on. Before you go any further, let Deputy Williams and
me check out the premises. We want to make sure it’s safe.”

“OK. I need to call my partner anyway.” Gracie stuck her free hand in her back pocket, realizing her cell phone was in the house.

“Who’d that be, ma’am?”

“Jim Taylor. He’s just up the road a couple of miles.
Near the old Taylor farm on Valley View Road.”

“Yeah, I know the place. We’ll need you to go through the building with us after we check it out.” He pulled out a long flashlight from his Crown Vic, and the other deputy joined him. Gracie nodded and watched them go into the reception area. She pulled Haley back into the house, grabbed the kitchen phone, and dialed Jim’s number with
shaking hands. She looked at her watch: 3:30. It had been a short night. The phone rang three times before he mumbled into the receiver.

“Jim, I need you over here. We’ve had a break-in.”

“What? Are you OK, Gracie?” His sleepy voice was suddenly crisp and alert.

“Yes, I’m fine. The sheriff’s department is here.”

“On my way.” The phone line went dead.

Gracie watched the inside lights go on in the corridors, and the barking once again took on a frenetic tone. She couldn’t wait; the dogs needed her. She quickly made her way back to the runs. Haley heeled perfectly as Gracie carefully picked her way through the reception area. The dog stepped gingerly, as if watching for glass. Her tail thumped against the doorway.

“I need to get these dogs calmed down,” she called through the corridor.

“Looks like whoever broke in is gone. You can go through,” Deputy Stevens shouted over the din.

She let go of Haley’s leash, allowing her to wander up and down the corridors, reassuring her canine buddies. The long training as a therapy dog was coming in handy tonight. Gracie began checking each run to make sure the dogs were all accounted for and OK. With Haley’s calming presence and Gracie’s confident voice, the kennel began to settle. Satisfied that everyone was fine, she quickly walked back to the reception area. The deputies stood surveying the mess. Papers were scattered everywhere, and the desk drawers were opened.

“Oh, no, they took the money.” A sick feeling swept over her. “No, wait a minute. I put it in my office. I need to check.”

Deputy Stevens followed Gracie to her office door.

“We didn’t see any damage in here, but you need to make sure.” The door was unlocked and Gracie anxiously hurried to open the bottom desk drawer. The bank bag was
still there. She unzipped the bag. The cash and checks appeared to be intact. All were still rubber-banded as she had left them. Gracie let out a grateful sigh.

“Is it all there?” asked Deputy Williams. He had his clipboard and was scribbling quickly.

“I’m not sure, but I think so.” She felt like throwing up with relief.

“You usually leave all that money in an unlocked desk drawer?” Deputy Williams scowled officiously.

Before Gracie could answer Jim appeared in the doorway slightly out of breath. His shirttail was half in and half out of his jeans.  His black hair was sticking out at various angles.

“
Everything OK? Did they take anything?”

“We’re checking that out right now, uh Mr. Taylor, right?” Deputy Williams said glancing up from jotting on a thick leather-covered notepad.

“Right.”

“They didn’t get as far as the office. I forgot to put the bank bag in the safe. So we’re pretty lucky, even though I was stupid.”

“I guess the alarm must have scared them off. Are the dogs all right?”

“They’re fine. Haley helped get them settled down. Where is she anyway?”

At the sound of her name, Haley came out of the bathroom with a wet face.

“Not again. Why do you drink out of the toilet?” Gracie was embarrassed and disgusted all at once.

“I had a dog that did the same thing, Mrs. Andersen.” Deputy Stevens was obviously amused at Haley’s bad behavior. He had removed his hat to smooth back his blond military cut, which didn’t need smoothing. He was tall, extremely fit, and had that quarterback look. He looked to be in the 40ish age range. Deputy Williams was just the opposite; he was short with a bubble of a stomach that threatened to pop out of his tightly buttoned uniform. He’d removed his hat and was wiping sweat off a shining wide forehead with his white handkerchief.

Gracie sat down in her desk chair with a heavy weariness, her head in her hands. Haley pushed her wet muzzle into Gracie’s lap.

“Looks like you were pretty lucky tonight. We’ve had quite a rash of these robberies. They usually get some cash or electronics.” Deputy Williams scowled at her and finished writing on the metal clipboard.

“Ma’am, I’d recommend you remember to put your money in the safe
,” Deputy Stevens gently rebuked Gracie.

“I agree, Deputy. It isn’t my usual practice.
Kind of a tough day. That’s my only excuse.”

“Well, mistakes happen. I guess, except for a little damage, it’s not too bad.” Deputy Stevens adjusted his hat and put his flashlight back in his belt.

“The dogs are OK. That’s the important part,” Jim put in. “Do you have any leads on who’s involved in these break-ins?”

“We’re still investigating. They’ve cleaned out some businesses in Perry and houses at Silver Lake. Hey, Jack, I’ll walk around the property one more time with Mr. Taylor. Why don’t you check out around the house with Mrs. Andersen and make sure she’s all set. We’ll get back to you in the next day or two if we have any developments.”

“Thanks.” Gracie involuntarily shuddered at the thought the thieves might be in the shadow of her house.

Deputy Williams pulled out a long flashlight and swept his arm signaling Gracie to go ahead. Gracie grabbed Haley’s dragging leash and carefully led her back through the trashed reception area.

“I guess I’ve got my work cut out for me tomorrow.”

“Yes
, ma’am.” Deputy Williams was all business as he began walking the perimeter of the house, peering into bushes and checking windows.

Gracie waited with Haley near the kitchen door for the deputy to finish. Her T-shirt was damp, but her throat was dry. Haley sniffed the night air and growled softly. Her hackles were raised.

“It’s OK girl. We’re all right.” Gracie was not convinced, but she tried to sound sincere.

“Looks like you’re clear to go in. Don’t see any signs of entry or footprints around windows.” The deputy was mopping his forehead again.

“Thanks. I really appreciate your help. You’ll get me a copy of the report, won’t you?” She hoped her voice was steady, unlike her hands, which were still shaking. She needed to regain some control over her emotions and the sick fear roiling in her stomach.

“Just call and request it from Administration tomorrow, ma’am. It should be ready. You’re pretty lucky tonight. Take care now and lock your doors.” He headed for the flashing lights of his cruiser.

The night sounds were back to normal. The peepers were singing with enthusiasm. Her shoes were squishy from the heavy dew on the grass. The three men continued talking in low tones near the police cars as she unclipped the leash and stepped back into the bright kitchen. It looked like Jim could handle the rest. Haley immediately drank deeply from her water dish. With all the commotion, Gracie was glad the nearest neighbor was a half mile away. She didn’t feel like fielding any noise complaints. Lightning flashed in the distance.  It looked like a healthy thunderstorm was brewing. Maybe the rain would clear some of the humidity. She filled a small water glass at the kitchen sink and downed four ibuprofen tablets.

Curling up on the sofa, she watched the storm move in from the west. Haley maneuvered onto the sofa and put her head on Gracie’s feet. A light knock on the kitchen door roused her. Jim stuck his head through the door.

“Want me to sleep on the couch? Won’t be a problem.”

“Go on home, Jim. I’m not going to sleep anyway. Haley’s on guard.”

“OK, if you’re sure Chief. I boarded up the window and reset the alarm.”

“Thanks, Jim. You’re the best.”

Gracie heard the door shut and the Explorer’s disintegrating muffler start up. There was no more sleep for tonight. Dawn was just around the corner, and the workday would start. Lightning cut across the sky again, and the rumble of thunder followed as Gracie and Haley stared out the window.

A
bleary-eyed Jim sat at the restaurant counter contemplating the stack of pancakes and three sausage patties that had just been put in front of him. It was exactly what he needed. Well, that and a gallon of coffee. He drained a second cup of coffee and then went to work on Midge’s famous buckwheat pancakes with real maple syrup. The village DPW workers were lined up on red vinyl stools for their early coffee break. Several dairy farmers were also among them with varying degrees of cow fragrance. Between the manure, coffee, bacon, and hot sweet roll smells, Midge’s was a veritable buffet for the nose.

“Hey, Jim.
What’s this about the kennel getting broken into last night?” Jason, one of the village guys asked.

“It’s true,” Jim answered, taking a bite of sausage.
“Didn’t get anything that we know of. Made a mess of the front office though.”

“There’s been a rash of break-ins. Especially around Silver Lake,” Corky Lockwood added. Corky was the manager of Raven Ridge Dairies. He was short with flaming red hair that swept around his forehead in an attempt to cover a balding head. “Saw it in the paper this morning. They’ve been
takin’ computer stuff and TVs.”

“Lots of the cottages over there are empty quite a bit of the time, so it’s probably easy pickings,” Jim replied.

The rest of the crowd on the stools put in their two cents of how the sheriff’s department should be tracking down the crooks, while Jim finished off the pancakes. When he looked up again, Midge was filling his coffee cup. He gave her a grin.

“Pancakes are top notch as usual.”

Midge grinned back. “Of course. Why wouldn’t they be? Did I hear you got robbed last night?”

“Well, they broke in.
Didn’t get anything that we could see. Broke the window in the door, messed up the desk. It’s a good thing we’ve got the alarm system. Scared ‘em off before they got to the back office where the money was.”

“That’s good then.
Gracie holdin’ up OK?”

“I guess so. It was a pretty tough day with her Aunt Shirley’s funeral and then that. We’ll see how it goes.”

“Looks like Isabelle’s doing all right.” Midge nodded her head toward the dining room. “She’s already working on some fundraiser with Gloria.”

Jim groaned inwardly. “I’m sure she is. She’s probably heard everything out here too.”

“Probably,” Midge quipped. The woman of indeterminate age put the coffee pot on the counter. She was scrawny with a smoker’s gravelly voice.

“Sheesh.
I’d better get out of here before she sees me.” Jim slapped down a $10 bill. “Keep the change.”

He never made it off the stool. Isabelle in a cloud of sweet perfume was on him like a duck on a June bug. Why women thought it was necessary to douse
themselves in bug spray was beyond him.

“Jim! Is it true? You and Gracie were robbed last night?”

He sighed. “Yup. They didn’t get anything though. Made some mess, but we’re in business today.”

“How absolutely awful!
The kennel is so isolated. You’re a perfect target for something like that. You’d better get some sort of security.”

“Well, we do have…” Jim wasn’t allowed to finish.

“I’d better check on Gracie. She wasn’t herself yesterday anyway. She really upset my father. Plus we have some family business to discuss.” Isabelle drew herself up, her blue eyes determined.

“I don’t think that’s necessary. She’s got her hands full with work. Gracie’s fine. We’re looking for some more kennel helpers, so…”

“You need more people at the kennel?” Gloria Minders joined Isabelle at the counter.

“Well, yeah. Business is growing pretty fast and one of our summer helpers quit yesterday. We need a couple of people, maybe more.”

“That’s good to know, Jim. I might be able to help. You may not have heard, but I’m heading up a new organization called Second Chances. We’re working with parolees and probationers to find them jobs to get back into the work force and be productive again.”

“Uh, that’s great,” Jim was unsure of how to extricate
himself gracefully from two determined women. He edged nearer the door.

“Maybe I could call Gracie later about it,” Gloria offered.

“Maybe. You know, I really need to get going. I’d call before you come, Isabelle. Like I said, Gracie’s pretty busy.”

Isabelle brushed some stray crumbs from her pink jacket. “Family doesn’t need to call, Jim.”

His cellphone sang out “Jeremiah was a Bullfrog,” which got a chuckle from Corky and a glare from Isabelle. Grabbing the cell from his belt, Jim almost ran out the door. He sat in his truck and watched Isabelle drive away. He held the phone to his ear, even though the caller had apologized as a wrong number and hung up. Gloria gave him a wave as she walked across the street to the parsonage that was behind the church. The brick church with the gray steeple sat on the corner of Main and Park. Lydia Wheeler, the organist was just getting out of her car in the church parking, carrying an armload of music. Gloria stopped and chatted with the rotund Lydia before crossing the driveway into her yard. Jim started the truck and eased out onto Main Street. He thought he caught a glimpse of a man darting through the bushes that separated the church and the parsonage. That was a little strange, but maybe it was the Reverend. He didn’t think so though.