Strange Outfit: An Avery Barks Dog Mystery (Avery Barks Dog Mysteries Book 2) by Mary Hiker Page B

let her go to town.  As she dug, I scooped out the dirt behind her as fast as I could go.  Not only was I glad that Princess had impressive digging skills, I also figured no rodents would dare come around me while she was there. Chevy and Bullfrog stood on the floor above and looked down through the hole at us as we dug.  I chuckled to myself…men.
    It wasn’t long until I noticed both Chevy and Bull Frog had disappeared from view.  I stuck my head back up through the floor and discovered that Chevy had entered into his mischief mode.  He had snuck the special soft dog treats off the kitchen counter and both dogs happily chowed down on the last of the snacks.  The same snacks rumored to give Bullfrog extensive gas – Great.  One thing was now for sure, Bullfrog would be having his own farting party before the night was over. It was too late to save the treats, so Princess and I went back to work digging for the secret box.
    We dug about two feet down when I was alarmed by the sound of gravel spewing from under tires outside.  It must have already gotten dark out, because I saw vehicle lights through the cracks in mobile home’s underpinning. I wasn’t expecting anyone, and my phone was still in the kitchen. 
    Two people got out of a car and ran straight for Ben’s front door.  Instinctively, I grabbed the trapdoor and pulled it back down over me and Princess. 
    It was pitch dark under the mobile home with the hatch closed and no light coming from above.  I held Princess tight, petting her to keep her quiet.  It was vital that no one knew we were under the house. Things had turned from being weird and crossed into dangerous.
    I could only assume that the dog bed fell back in place, hiding the secret hole.  As an added bonus, Bullfrog jumped back on his bed and growled to protect his prized possession. 
    There were two loud crashes at the door, followed by the sound of heavy footsteps as they entered the home.  My heart raced as I heard them travel from room to room.  I heard Chevy’s paws hit the floor as he ran to the door, but his barking stopped.  I was glad Princess was hidden under the mobile home with me.
    “Where is she?”  The voice was familiar, but I couldn’t place it.
    “This is going too far.” I immediately recognized Rocky’s voice. 
    “You are in it up to your neck, so get your head in the game.” The voice was threatening.
    “She hasn’t done anything wrong.” Rocky was almost pleading.
    “She either has the treasure or knows where it is.  I saw a loser private detective slip her a package at the festival.” I realized the voice belonged to the announcer from the dog parade. “We have worked too hard to just let some broad get rich.”
    “We wouldn’t be in a pinch if you hadn’t hired those idiots to dig up the place.” Rocky said.
    My heart hurt in more ways than one, as it became apparent that Rocky was not who he portrayed himself to be.  As I huddled in the dirt, I remembered that Princess’ hackles rose when Rocky came around the first day I met her.  I guessed she knew it all along.
    The room was momentarily silent.
    “AAAAGGGGGHHHHH, what is THAT??”  The stranger yelled, followed by gagging.
    Rocky snapped back, “Knock it off, you’re gonna make me puke!”
    Bullfrog’s gas bombs must have kicked in from all the soft dog treats. 
    Right on time.
    “Get me outta here, this place stinks like rotten eggs!” The strange man was still heaving as they ran out the door and drove down the drive.
    Heart still beating fast, I hugged little Princess with relief and said, “Bullfrog does know how to clear a room, doesn’t he?”
    I pushed up on the hatch door to get back inside, but it wouldn’t budge.  Bullfrog was lying in his bed and had no desire what-so-ever to move.  I called out to him with no luck, and pushed again with all my might but couldn’t get any traction with the cramped space.  Besides, the old dog was heavy.  As true to his