Flower Girl: A Burton Family Mystery by David Marshall Hunt Page A

Angie to watch over him," Reddy said. "Meet 'Critter' Purcell." Critter took this all in, with a look of total disinterest.
    "Sounds like a plan, Reddy, but he'll have to ride in the back with the dogs," Rhyly said. This time Critter twitched, noticeably. "He seems awfully nervous around the dogs," Rhyly said. "What do you think of my new toy? We call her 'Streak.’ Check out the neat black lettering on the silver paint job, compliments of Sarge's son."
    We oohed and aahed our appreciation, loaded Critter, then the dogs, and Rhyly said, "Everyone buckle up, and double check the dogs’ harnesses, please."
    During our flight to River View I told Rhyly the tale of how Comet and Shy sniffed out and captured Critter.
    "I was home alone, Angie was out partying, and I hadn't seen nor heard from Reddy for a few weeks. I was reading some Sufi poetry, you know, that beautiful stuff by Rumi that Matte and you recommended last time we talked. Anyway, it was a quiet and peaceful evening when suddenly I heard the crunch of footsteps out back on the gravel that encircled the house. Comet's and Shy's ears went straight up. Comet was growling a soft low rumble while Shy hunkered down as if about to pounce. The hackles went up on her back, then his, and they both were growling in soft but menacing tones. They went totally silent as I stepped to the screen door and peered out into the blackness. I turned off the night lights to get a better look at whatever was out there in the dark.
    "At that moment, Reddy drove into the driveway and lit the place up with the high beams of his Silverado. The truck headlights startled the creature that was hiding in the dark and it began to run, sort of a shuffle. Reddy yelled out, ‘Let the dogs loose.’
    "I unlatched the screen door and Comet and Shy took off in the dark in the direction of the creature, up the hill trail and off to the south towards the stadium. Reddy grabbed a couple of big flashlights from his truck, tossed one to me, and hollered, ‘Let's follow them.’ I had my running shoes on from my evening workout, so the two of us took off up the hill, flashlights dancing and lighting up the trail. We could only hope that the home-fort was secure, in case the creature doubled back.
    "A mile down the trail we caught up with the dogs who were sitting at the base of a large windswept cypress tree, staring up and growling menacingly. We panned the tree with our flashlights and spotted the quarry, a bedraggled homeless person. Reddy said, ‘Better get your ass down from that tree.’ But the man in the tree said, ‘Not while those dogs are here.’
    "Anyway, to shorten the story, that was my introduction to Critter, the man Reddy has been tracking for the past few months," I said.
    "Is he the one who shot me?" Rhyly asked with an icy tone.
    "Reddy says he is; he just uses the homeless man bit as a disguise. He's a former dropout from Marine sniper training. Makes a living at contract killing for anyone who has a need, but he's expensive."
    "So what's next?" Rhyly asked.
    "You'll have to ask Reddy."
    "Thought we'd take Critter to Skeleton Lake and introduce him to some really deep cold water. Might find out who the first shooter was and who hired him and Critter. That is, if it's okay with Craft. If not, I'll find a suitable disposal site," Reddy said in a matter-of-fact tone. Critter's eyes never left the dogs.
    "Speaking of the dogs, let's walk them out behind the cargo hangar and back. They need to take a pee break," I said while cringing a bit as Rhyly gave me a big hug. I'm getting better with my no hugging phobia, at least with close friends. "Damn, it's good to see you. How are Matte and Craft and mother KC, Rogue and Wolf?"
    "Matte's in DC lecturing on child slavery. She said to tell you it’s urgent she talks with you about Princess Zubaida. She'll be back in town tonight. Meanwhile she sends her love," Rhyly said. "KC and the pups and Craft will join us