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Howey, in his gangly lope, his ears flopping, raced toward the house.
Bernie bent down and called out, “Come on, Howey. Come to Mama.”
The dog didn’t slow until he reached the porch steps.
Instead of climbing up to Bernie, he darted to the right and disappeared beneath the porch.
Bernie laughed. “He’s probably disturbed by all the people.” She descended the stairs and crouched low to peer beneath the porch. “Howey? Come out, sweet boy.”
The dog whined but remained where he was.
Gerard pulled out his cell phone and turned on the flashlight, then squatted beside Bernie.
When he shined the light beneath the porch, it reflected red off the hound dog’s eyes.
“Come on, boy. Come to Mama,” Bernie coaxed.
In the beam of light, Gerard noticed a variety of items scattered beneath the porch. “I see what you mean by Howey’s treasures.”
Bernie laughed. “I really need to get under here and clean it out. It’s been a while. Come on, Howey. I want you to stay in the house tonight.”
“I’ll get him,” Gerard said and dropped to his hands and knees.
“Please, don’t,” Bernie said. “It’s too dirty, and there are spiders and maybe even snakes.”
“I don’t want Howey staying out all night, either,” he said and handed her his cell phone. “Hold the light.”
She aimed the light at an angle toward the dog so that Gerard could pick his way through the items the dog had collected.
When he reached Howey, he scratched the dog behind his ear and spoke softly. “It’s okay, boy. We just don’t want anyone to hurt you. Come on.” He snagged the dog’s collar and started to drag him out. As the dog moved, Gerard could see what appeared to be a gym bag beneath him.
What were the chances?
He hooked his fingers through the handle and crab-crawled backward, dragging the dog and the bag. As he came out from under the porch, Howey ran for Bernie.
She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him until he squirmed.
Gerard stared down at the bag in his hand, his heart pounding as he slid the zipper open.
“What have you got there, Gerard?” Remy leaned over his back. “I’ll be damned.”
Gerard turned to Bernie, a smile spreading across his face.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Howey had the bag of money all along,” he said.
Her brow furrowed. “You’re kidding.” Holding onto Howey’s collar, she moved closer. “Holy cow. It’s probably been there since the first night.”
Gerard zipped the bag before curious party-goers gathered around.
At that moment, Lucas arrived, easing Shelby’s cruiser through the crowd and stopping in front of the house.
Shelby came out the front door with her prisoner and escorted him to the cruiser, tucking him into the back seat.
She joined Gerard and Bernie beside the porch. “What’s going on?”
Gerard shoved the bag full of money toward Shelby. “We found the money. It needs to go into evidence ASAP. And, by all means, leak it to the news. The mafia needs to know the money has been recovered and turned over to the state police.”
