Рита Браун - Claws And Effect

"Hank Brevard kept meticulous records," Harry noted.

"He wrote them out by hand and then I think someone else entered them on the computer. Hank wasn't that computer literate." Coop paused. "Boy, am I dumb. I'd better find out who did that for him."

Harry frowned. "I guess so. After a while everything and everyone seems suspicious. It's weird."

"Salvage Masters."

"Oh, that's a good one. The Dumpster people?"

"No, a company that rehabilitates infusion pumps. You know, the units next to a patient's bed that drip saline solution or morphine or whatever." She studied the bill. "Middleburg postmark. I think I'll drive up there Saturday if Rick says okay."

"He will."

"Want to go with me?"

"Yeah. I'd love to go."

35

"Mug shot." Mrs. Murphy scrutinized the lost-dog photo taped on the wall by the postboxes.

"Ever notice you hardly ever see photographs of lost cats? We don't get lost." Pewter ran her tongue over her lips.

"Ha. It means people don't care as much about their cats," Tucker said, malice intended.

"Bull!" Pewter snarled and was about to attack the sturdy canine when the first human of the day entered the post office.

Reverend Herb Jones picked up the church's mail, then strode over to the sign. "Now that's a new one."

"What?" Harry called out from behind the divider.

She was dumping out a mail sack, letters cascading over the table, onto the floor.

"Bristol. I thought I knew every dog in this district. Who owns Bristol?" Herb frowned.

"You know, I don't know. The notice was slipped under the front door. I put it up. I don't recognize the pooch either except that he's awfully cute."

"Yeah. Hope he's found," Herb agreed.

"Where's Miranda?"

"Home. She said she'd be a little late this morning."

"Well, I'd better get a move on. The vestry committee meets this morning and I have to deliver the blow that we must replumb the rectory."

"That will cost a pretty penny."

"Yes, it will." He leaned over the counter for a second. "If money is your objective, Harry, become a plumber."

"I'll remember that."

He waved as he left.

A few minutes later BoomBoom Craycroft, tanned, came in. "I'm back!"

"So I see."

"She really is beautiful," Tucker had to admit.

"A week in Florida in the winter restores my spirits." She stopped. "Except I've come home to such-such sadness."

"No one quite believes it." Harry continued to sort through catalogues.

BoomBoom glanced at the lost-dog notice, said nothing, cleaned out her mailbox, then went over to the counter. "More."

Harry walked over, taking the yellow slip indicating there was more mail than the mailbox could hold. She put the overflow in a white plastic box with handles. She retrieved it, heaving it over the counter.

"Here you go."

"Thanks." BoomBoom picked up the box.

Harry flipped up the divider, trotting to the front door, which she opened. "It's slippery."

"Sometimes I think winter will never end. Thanks."

Harry closed the front door as Miranda entered through the back.

"Yoo-hoo."

"Hi." The animals greeted the older woman.

"Hello, you little furry angels."

"Oh, yes." Tucker flopped over on her back.

"That's more stomach than I care to see," Pewter snipped.

"Look who's talking," Tucker responded.

Tussie hurried through the front door. "Hi, late." She slipped her key in the brass mailbox, scooped out the contents, shut the door with a clang, glancing at the lost-dog notice. "Poor puppy." She dashed out the front door.

Jordan Ivanic followed, read the notice, said nothing.

Later that day Susan dropped by. "We ought to put up posters of marriageable daughters."

"Right next to lost dogs," Harry remarked.

"Or goats."

By the end of the day neither Harry nor Miranda had observed anything unusual regarding the poster. Harry called in to Coop.

"You know, even though Rick must have someone watching Mim, I'd rather she hadn't done that," Miranda worried out loud as Harry spoke to Coop.

"If it's the killer versus Mim, catnip's on Mim," Mrs. Murphy declared.

"It's been a while since I've been up there. I enjoy walking around the shops-after my duty is done, of course." Coop referred to their planned trip to Middleburg.

"You could get measured for chaps."

"Harry."

"Hee hee."

36

"Mother, do you really think you can stay neutral?"

A languid, melancholy Mim replied, "I have no choice."

"You don't think I should run against Dad, do you?"

"No."

A slight red blotch appeared on Little Mim's forehead, a hint of suppressed anger. "Why? He's been mayor long enough."

"I believe in letting sleeping dogs lie." The older woman patted the arm of her overstuffed chair; a fire crackling in the fireplace added to the warm atmosphere of the drawing room.

"Change never happens that way."

"Oh, Marilyn, change happens even when you sleep. I just don't see the point in stirring things up. Your father is a wonderful mayor and this town has flourished under his guidance."

"And your money."

"That, too." Mim glanced out the window. Low gray clouds moved in fast from the west.

"You never support me."

A flicker of irritation crossed Mim's regular, lovely features. "Oh? You live in a handsome house, provided by me. You have a car, clothing, horses, jewelry. You are denied nothing. You had the best education money can buy and when you married, I believe the only wedding more sumptuous was that between Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier. And when you divorced we dealt with that, too. Just exactly what is the problem?"

Pouting, not an attractive trait in a woman in her mid-thirties, Little Mim rose from her chair opposite her mother's and walked to the window. "I want to do something on my own. Is that so hard to understand?"

"No. Get a job."

"Doing what?"

"How should I know, Marilyn? It's your life. You have talents. I think you do a wonderful job with the hunt club newsletter. Really, I do."

"Thanks. Storm's coming in."

"Yes. February never fails to depress."

"Mother." She bit her lower lip, then continued. "I have no purpose in life."

"I'm sorry. No one can provide that for you."

Turning to face her mother, arms crossed over her chest, Little Mim said, "I want to do something."

"Charity work has meaning."

"No. That was for your generation. You married and that was that."