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around the back of the house. Even he
knew about the secret entrance. The drive from my house to The Bakery Café was
a short one. I pulled into a parking space in the front, where Fab had snagged
our favorite people-watching table on the sidewalk. Waiting for me was a
caramel latte and pecan roll. They had an incredible selection of baked goods
and pastries that were hard to ignore.
    “Look at this.” Fab handed me a flyer with Grover’s picture.
“Says here he’s been missing from Pigeon Key for the last three months. Long
way from home.”
    A tall, rail-thin older man approached our table. “Why did
you tear my flyer down?”
    He definitely wasn’t one of the guys in the truck that day;
both of them had been considerably younger. “How did you lose your dog?” I
asked.
    He brushed his gray hair out of his face. “That’s a long
story. Have you seen him? I’d appreciate any help; I’ve about given up hope.”
    Fab and I exchanged looks as if to say ‘what now?’ “Have a
seat and tell us your long story,” I said.
    He extended his hand. “Tolbert Rich.” 
    Fab fist bumped him. “I’m Fab and this is Madison. Was he
tagged?”
    “His tag only had his name, ‘Grover.’ I’d been meaning to
attach his new tag with the contact info and I didn’t. It’s still sitting on my
desk.”
    “There’s a couple of dogs around here that look like the one
in the pic.” I stared at the photo. “Both of them have good homes. You’d have
to prove yours is better or I’m not helping.”
    “I’m not sure what exactly happened to Grover, he would
never leave the property on his own. He just disappeared one day. I suspect my
neighbors are somehow involved. We’ve been having a dispute.”
    “Why would your neighbors take the dog?” I asked.
    “They want to buy the southwest section of my property and
it’s not for sale. Four young hooligans, up to no good, harassing the neighbors,
shooting parrots and the next thing you know Grover disappears.”
    “What do they drive?” Tolbert had driven up in an old Ford
pickup in pristine condition.
    “Two beat-up pickup trucks; blue one has a back seat, hauls
around the four of them, red truck holds two people.”
    “If you got Grover back, how would you keep him safe?” Fab
asked.
    “No more running around the property by himself that’s for
sure. It’s been months and not a single sighting. Do you think one of those
dogs you mentioned could be Grover?”
    Sadness washed over me. I didn’t want to give Grover to
anyone, but I’d never keep another man’s dog, if he were a good pet owner.
“Possibly.”
    “Why should we help you?” Fab asked.
    “My grandchildren live with me and love Grover. My
granddaughter can sit for hours, throwing his ball for him to fetch until he is
exhausted. It’s all been just too much for the little ones. Their dad died and
then the dog disappeared.” Tolbert looked tired, character wrinkles etched deeply
in his forehead. “My son passed recently.”
    Then it dawned on me. “Are you Cosmo Rich’s father?” I
asked.
    “Did you know my son?”
    “No but he was good friends with my brother, Brad Westin.
Cosmo was a semi-regular crew member on Brad’s fishing boat. I couldn’t make
the funeral but Brad and my mother were there. What’s happening on Cosmo’s
case?”
    Fab kicked me under the table.
    “The sheriff seems uninterested. All I ever hear is they’re
still investigating. They were plenty interested when the news cameras were
around.”
    “I’ll check around about Grover but how do I know your home
would be better?” I downed the last of my latte.
    “Come to my farm later. Check it out.”
    “Tomorrow would be better,” I said. “If I don’t like what I
see, I won’t help you.”
    He looked disappointed but nodded his head.
          

CHAPTER 6
    Grover bounded into the kitchen. Fab was awake and that
meant people-food. “Who was on the phone?” she asked.
    “I’m surprised you weren’t