Page 102 of Death on Gallows Path

Clara said cheerfully. “The easy answer is, don’t tell the department. I’m going to go have dinner with my husband since he’s home tonight before leaving town again. I’ll see you tomorrow, Sheila.”

She breezed out.

Teague frowned at me. “What are you two planning tomorrow?”

Cravenly, I shrugged. “Dog park, I suppose.”

That might not have sufficed, except he checked his phone, and left nearly as quickly as Clara had, except for a brief but satisfactory delay at the door.

* * * *

Teague tried not to wake me up, but I’d been alert to his arrival.

He was tired and taut, especially across his shoulders.

It felt so good to put our arms around each other and fall deeply asleep.

DAY TEN

WEDNESDAY

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Teague didn’t wake me when he left the next morning, but the dogs did when they returned to the bedroom after seeing him off.

It was barely light.

I went back to sleep, enjoying the renewed Teague scent on his pillow.

* * * *

It was a gorgeous day at the dog park, with bright sun and brisk breeze that kept fluffy clouds moving and the dogs energized.

Like they needed that.

It brought out a lot of dog park irregulars. That meant paying more attention to our dogs’ interactions with the newcomers and talking more with the additional humans.

It was relaxing and we spent more time there than usual.

On the flip side, it intruded on our murder-discussing time. We did, however, decide what came next.

Drop off all the dogs at my house, then head back to the Georgers’ house.

Clara had a plan. Again.

* * * *

“We know how busy you must be—”

“Too busy to—”

Zoley was no match for Clara, who kept talking while opening the door, since Zoley failed to. “—so we came to pick up the casserole dish and spare you the trip to bring it back. One less thing to worry about.”

“I wasn’t worried.”

Zoley said that to our backs, because Clara walked past her and I stayed on her heels.

“You’ve been on TV,” Zoley said, “about murders and stuff.”