The Chocolate Puppy Puzzle by JoAnna Carl Page B

made Aunt Nettie’s 1910 kitchen even narrower than it really is, but it was comforting to be doing homey things like scrambling eggs and toasting muffins and bumping rearends.
    We didn’t talk any more until we were sitting at the table in the dining room, and we kept the conversation light while we ate. I’d just finished rinsing the dishes when I heard an engine. Headlights flashed by the windows, and an SUV parked in the driveway. Our outdoor lights were on, so I saw Aubrey get out and go around to open the door for Aunt Nettie. Then he popped the rear end of the SUV and brought out Monte on his leash. The pup scrambled around in the bushes, undoubtedly giving them a good sprinkling, while Aunt Nettie and Aubrey stood talking. I couldn’t make out words, but both of them sounded cheerful. Apparently the evening had gone well. I surprised myself by feeling pleased.
    Joe and I retired to the living room, since the dining room overlooks the back door, and the back door is the one everyone usually uses. We didn’t know if Aunt Nettie would want to say good-bye to Aubrey there.
    But Aubrey came in with her. I heard their voices in the kitchen, then Aunt Nettie called out. “Hello! Do I smell coffee?”
    “It may not be as good as the Warner River Lodge’s,” I said, “but it’s there.”
    Monte frisked into the living room, pulling Aubrey along. Aubrey took the pup off his leash, and once again Monte bounced against my knees, then went to Joe. Joe greeted him, and Monte turned over, obviously ready to have his stomach scratched. He playfully kicked Joe with all four feet as Joe obeyed.
    “Did you enjoy your dinner?” Joe asked the pup. “Or did you go along?”
    “He went, but stayed in the SUV,” Aubrey said.
    “I don’t like to leave him in the kennel too long, though he’s patient. But Nettie invited him in.”
    “There’s nothing here a dog can hurt,” Aunt Nettie said. I saw that she had put on a dressy blue pants suit. I don’t think I’ve seen Aunt Nettie in a dress since Uncle Phil’s funeral.
    “I’m going to have a cup of coffee,” she said. “Aubrey? Will you have one?”
    “Yes, please.” Aubrey beamed at her, then turned back to Joe and me as she went to the kitchen. “The restaurant is delightful. Wonderful food! The Lodge might be a great place to house part of our cast—if we’re able to shoot here. Did you two have a pleasant evening?”
    The question summoned up a mental picture of Silas Snow’s boot sticking out from under that heap of pumpkins. I must have turned green, because Joe quit playing with the dog and reached for my hand. “Lee had a bad experience,” he said. “We’ll tell you about it after Nettie comes in.”
    Aubrey told Monte to stay, and the puppy lay down calmly. My nerves, however, began to jump wildly. I had just realized that I was going to have to explain the reason I’d gone out to Silas Snow’s fruit stand, and I was going to have to explain it right in front of Aubrey.
    Yikes! The truth might have done for Chief Jones, but it wasn’t going to work now. It would not be tactful to tell Aubrey I’d been spying on him. What was I going to say?
    Joe and Aubrey were chitchatting, and I was thinking madly. When Aunt Nettie brought in a tray with two cups of coffee and a dish of bonbons and truffles, I was ready. I don’t like to lie, but I sure can sidestep.
    “I’m on the Halloween Parade committee,” I said, “and we have to round up a lot of punchers. I mean, pumpkins! So after I finished up at the office, I went out to Silas Snow’s place. He’s got loads of pumpkins.” I turned to Aubrey. “The parade is a Chamber of Commerce function, and I’m on the body. I mean, the board! I’m on the chamber’s board.”
    I stumbled on, telling about finding the hand and the foot sticking out from under the pumpkins. “It must have been Silas.”
    Aubrey’s face screwed into a look of incredulous horror. “Are you sure he’s