The Dog Who Ate The Drawing

By Edward Coburn

When Adam, Marti, and Livinia attend the ghost party at the Canary House apartments on New Year’s eve, they are told the story of the lost Chandler gold mine. Knowing full well that he can't leave a mystery like that unsolved, Adam starts on a quest to follow the trail of well-hidden clues that, he hopes will help him solve one of the most storied mysteries in the history of Canary Corners, West Virginia. In the process of ferreting out clues, a couple of dead bodies are found and Adam, Marti, and Bagel have to figure out who the murder is while continuing to search for the mine.

Authors note: Just as with all books in this series, this book will never have any profanity (not one word), any overt sex (the most is the occasional smile, wink and maybe slight innuendo), and no overt bloodshed (someone is always murdered, but, as the reader, you only find out after the fact, you will not be a witness to the murder).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Edward Coburn
• Release date: Apr 14, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301127603

Edward Coburn

Edward J. Coburn is a computer programmer and a long-time writer. He began his writing career while teaching college when he started writing textbooks. Now, with many textbooks to his credit, he began seriously writing fiction in about 1996. His first book, Order of the White Feather: The sword of Dalamar may be purchased at Smashwords along with his latest book The Last Killer Standing. He is now writing a new alphabetical series of books beginning with The Dog Who Ate The Airplane: An Adam And Bagel Mystery Book 1. The Dog Who Ate The Burglar: An Adam And Bagel Mystery Book 2 was released in November 2012 and The Dog Who Ate The Crossbow: An Adam And Bagel Mystery Book 3 was released December 2012. The Dog Who Ate The Drawing: An Adam And Bagel Mystery Book 4 was released April 2013, The Dog Who Age The Elephant: An Adam And Bagel Mystery Book 5 was released September 2013 and the short story Bagel Helps Find Robin Hood was also released September 2013. His wizard book Aaron Franks Attends the Montana Academy for Advanced Magic and Wizard Studies The Order of Magic: Book 1 was released January 2014. His second Wizard book Aaron Franks and the Treasure of Leonardo was released September 2014.

Book preview

The Dog Who Ate The Drawing

By

Edward J. Coburn

Smashwords Edition

Ed’s Website: EdwardJCoburn.com

Copyright 2013 by Edward J. Coburn. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the author.

Table Of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

The Dog Who Ate The Airplane

The Dog Who Ate The Burglar

The Dog Who Ate The Crossbow

About The Author

Connect With Ed

Chapter 1

All right, Harriet Thompson said as she clapped her hands a couple of times to get everyone’s attention. Places everyone. Harriet was the leader of the Canary Corners, West Virginia, theater troupe and director for their performance of A Christmas Carol. All the performers hurried to where they were supposed to be, even though only Ebenezer Scrooge and Bob Cratchit were on stage in the first scene. Ebenezer Scrooge was being played by Adam Martin Swope, also known as Robert Adam Madigan or Ram to the readers of the local newspaper, the Tweet. Adam had become popular not only because of his newspaper articles, but also because he’d started the Rambling Foundation to distribute some of his massive wealth to those in the area deserving of his monetary help.

Adam had gained much of his wealth winning two large lotteries by making use of his inherited psychic abilities. The lottery wins, along with his stint as a finder, had shown him how valuable his abilities were. Unfortunately, his time as a finder had also shown him how much of a toll being a finder would have on his psyche. That’s why he hid from his real name and his history as a finder. He came to Canary Corners to work for his long-time friend Larry Archibald at the Tweet, writing a column called Ram’s Ramblings, which was also posted as a blog on the Internet.

This Saturday’s matinee performance of the play went smoother than did the first performance before a live audience, the evening of the prior Wednesday. Naturally, a few cues were missed and a few lines were flubbed, but, all in all, the play went well. When all of the actors came to the front of the stage for their bow after the final curtain, Harriet raised her hand to silence the audience. As most of you know, she began, Robert Adam Madigan, better known as Ram, did a marvelous job as Ebenezer Scrooge in our play. The crowd started to applaud again, but again, Harriet raised her hand to silence them. But what some of you may not know is that the Rambling Foundation funded by Ram is responsible for this marvelous new theater you now find yourself sitting in. She paused while the audience gave Ram a standing ovation that she did not try to stop. The rest of the cast moved back to enable Adam to be virtually alone on the stage for his moment of glory. After a few moments of applause, Adam turned and swept his hand to indicate that the applause should be for the rest of the cast as well. They all took another bow. Adam thought he should say something, but couldn’t think what that might be. Therefore, he simply let the audience continue to applaud until they tired and sat back down. Then he led the rest of the cast off the stage.

Backstage, Harriet said, Good job, everybody. See you tonight. Please be on time.

Everyone filed through the doors at the back of the stage and down the few stairs to their dressing rooms. Adam waited in the hall for his semi-constant companion Marti Blossom to come out of her dressing room. Marti and Adam had been together since the first few weeks he’d been a resident of Canary Corners. They’d been introduced by Marti’s great-aunt, the septuagenarian Livinia Blossom, who happened to be Adam’s next-door neighbor on the third floor of the Canary House apartments where he’d initially settled. Now he lived in a large house on Political Street, a few blocks away from the mayor’s house which, by an odd set of circumstances, his foundation now owned.

Marti put her arms around Adam, giving him a brief kiss. You were wonderful tonight, Sweetheart.

So were you. Marti played the part of the Ghost of Christmas Past in the play. Shall we go?

Ram. Harriet had walked up behind them without notice. I want to thank you and Larry for the fine article on the new theater in the paper and the nice review of the play, too, of course. Since the articles came out yesterday, we’ve sold virtually every ticket we had left.

Good, I was hoping that would happen, Adam said. Larry and I thought maybe some people who weren’t all that interested in the play might buy a ticket anyway so they could see the new theater. I guess that proved to be the case.

Honestly, I hope that’s not the case. I hope the tickets went to those who also want to see the play. But I guess I don’t actually care why the tickets were sold. I’m just glad they were sold.

Me, too, Marti said.

I’ll give sales one more week, Adam said. And then whatever tickets are left I’ll buy and give them to Marti so she can give them to any of her students who might be interested in seeing the play but can’t afford tickets. We’ll also arrange transportation for anyone who needs it considering the theater is a ways out of town. The new theater had been constructed in an old warehouse originally used to store mining equipment after the existing theater in Canary Corners burned down. They did their best to locate the new theater between the local communities to make traveling to the theater convenient for the actors and their audiences who lived in the surrounding towns instead of in Canary Corners.

When Adam and Marti arrived back at Adam’s house, they put the dogs on the back porch and let them go through the doggie door to the backyard. Adam owned two purebred beagles, or, as he often said, they owned him. Bagel had been bequeathed to him by his mother when she succumbed to her reoccurrence of cancer.. Before she died, Adam’s mother learned of Bagel’s special abilities, teaching him several games most other dogs can’t play. Bagel plays colors whereby, when asked, he can fetch a toy of a particular color from his large collection of toys. He also plays with the dice from a Boggle game. He upends the box on the floor, pulls a certain number of dice away from the rest, and turns them to the appropriate letters with his paws and nose. Adam had discovered the letters could generally be rearranged to form a word that would have something to do with a mystery he was trying to solve.

Adam’s other beagle, a female named Butter, came into Adam’s life from the Mason Jar restaurant, where it had been the custom for the customers to give the dog any butter left over from their meal. Adam knew doing that couldn’t be healthy for the dog, which was evidenced by her vastly overweight bulk.

Since the time he’d taken Butter home, Adam had been hard at work keeping Butter’s diet to a set amount and making sure she got at least some exercise each day to help her to trim down to a more healthy weight. Unfortunately, even though Adam frequently gave Butter carrots and other vegetables to supplement her dog food as suggested by the vet, sometimes he’d still found her eating all sorts of things that probably weren’t good for her including, once, chocolate. Fortunately, it was white chocolate, which has less of the chemical theobromine, which is what makes dogs and other animals sick. Adam wrote a Ramble about how bad chocolate is for pets.

When they brought the dogs back in the house, Marti looked appreciatively at the large Christmas tree in the corner of the living room. They’d bought the tree together from a Boy Scout tree lot and had decorated it with all the brand new lights, ornaments, and icicles Adam had bought with Marti’s guidance. Adam had never had a Christmas tree that he could’ve actually called his own. Of course, his parents had had a tree every year when he was growing up and there’d been trees around when he went to college, but after he gone out on his own after he finished college, he never put one up. He hadn’t seen the need because everywhere he turned, whether in the newspaper office, in the lobby of whatever apartment he lived in at the time, or whatever store he visited, there were lavishly decorated trees. He felt whatever tree and decorations he might be able to afford on his paltry reporter’s salary would look pretty sad by comparison. He also thought coming home to that type of tree might even be depressing.

Are you sure you won’t give me just a little hint? Marti said, looking longingly at the packages under the tree with her name on them.

What, and spoil the surprise? Not on your life.

Well, what now then, Sweetheart? Marti said, giving up quickly. She actually didn’t want a hint as she preferred being surprised. She also looked forward to his opening the presents she’d bought for him. There were also presents under the tree for each of the dogs. It actually surprised her that their presents hadn’t been disturbed because she thought the dogs could probably smell the treats in their packages. She’d caught Bagel sniffing the packages a time or two, but that seemed to be the extent of his curiosity. She’d even seen Bagel shoo Butter away from the tree when she’d seemed intent upon disturbing one of the packages.

Why don’t we relax with some music for a while? I’m still a bit keyed up from the play, Adam said.

Sounds like a plan. I could use a bit of relaxation myself.

Shall we then? He led the way into the living room. She settled on the couch while he turned on the music system.

Vivaldi, again? she said.

You know it’s Bagel’s favorite. Would you like something else?

No, Vivaldi’s fine, but how about some Mozart after this CD is finished?

That’s fine with me. He settled next to her on the couch, putting his arm around her.

As they were both dozing slightly when the CD finished, Adam got up carefully, hoping not to disturb Marti. He went to this music system and changed CDs, but when he turned around, she was smiling at him.

Did I disturb you, Sweetheart?

Maybe just a little, but that’s all right. She looked at Bagel. Would you like to play some colors, Bagel?

Bagel raised his head, pulled back his upper lip in what passed for a smile, but didn’t move.

I think he likes the idea, Adam said.

Bagel, blue, Marti said.

Bagel went to his collection of toys, nosed through them for a second or two, and then brought a blue stuffed hippo out of the pile, which he dropped at Marti feet. Good boy. Marti reached down to massage Bagel’s ears. His ears are so soft.

And he loves it so much when someone massages them.

I know.

Bagel, red, Adam said, sitting on the couch again.

Bagel went to the pile and shortly brought back a red rubber alligator, which he dropped at Adam’s feet.

Let’s see if he’s learned orange yet, Marti said. Bagel, orange.

Bagel looked up at her with what could best be described as a look of confusion. He didn’t move. Guess not, Marti said. Bagel, yellow.

Bagel went back to the pile of toys retrieving a yellow rubber canary, which he dropped at her feet.

I wonder if we could teach him orange, Marti mused.

Adam shook his head and a bemused expression crossed his face. I doubt it. Though I’ve not tried to expand on his knowledge, I was told by Ryan and Sheila dogs can’t discern between orange and yellow. Ryan and Sheila were his sister Sarah’s children. Ryan was ten and Sheila was eight. So, while we might teach him the word, he would probably bring back a yellow or orange toy more or less randomly.

Well, I guess that answers that question, then, Marti said. I’ve noticed, though, that when we ask him to get yellow toys, he generally brings a yellow toy, not an orange one. She looked thoughtful for a moment, tapping her cheek with her finger. Though, I guess that’s not always true.

Adam thought back. You know, I think you’re right. I’ve never noticed that. Maybe, in that case, we could teach him orange. Maybe orange doesn’t look exactly like yellow to him. Maybe there’s enough difference in shade to allow him to tell the difference. Either that or he simply likes some toys more than others.

That may be it, but we could try to teach him. But how about some other day? Right now I think I want to just relax and listen to the music.

Fine by me. It’s wonderful just sitting here with you.

Thank you, Sweetheart. She had to stretch to kiss his cheek.

I know it’s not time, but where would you like to eat tonight?

I’ve been thinking about that. If it’s all right with you, I think I’d like to eat at Ariel’s tonight. I feel like having a steak.

We’re on the same wavelength. I was thinking the same thing.

They continued to listen to the music and doze for a couple more hours before it was time to go eat. They’d decided they should eat early so they could have time to come back to the house and get ready before they had to go to the theater for their nightly performance.

I think we have time for a couple of games of Boggle before we go, Marti said. It might be a good idea to wake up our minds after relaxing all afternoon.

It might at that. Adam walked to the shelf and picked up the Boggle shaker box. Then he walked into the kitchen to get the electronic timer. When he returned, he noticed Marti had grabbed a couple of pads of paper and pens on which they could write their words. He accepted a pad and a pen, set down the timer, shook the box until the dice fell into the bottom, and then asked, Ready?

Absolutely.

He reached over and turned on the timer. Go.

The timer was set for three minutes. At the end of their time, they compared their lists of words. After eliminating the duplicates, Adam had four four-letter words left while Marti had two four-letter words and three five-letter words left, which gave her the victory.

They played two more games, with Marti winning both of them. Boy, Adam said, I feel like a real dummy tonight.

I hardly think so. You’re just not seeing the words as well as you usually do. It happens to me sometimes like that, too. You’ve seen it.

Yeah, I guess so. But now, I think it’s time to get ready to go.

Marti glanced at the clock on the wall and agreed, so they went into the bedroom and got into their costumes.

When the cast walked to the front of the stage after the final curtain that evening, Harriet again gave Adam the recognition for his part in the creation of the new theater as she’d done earlier in the day. She’d noticed Rupert Nichols, the contractor responsible for the building of the theater, was in the audience, so she had him stand and accept a well-deserved ovation as well.

Backstage, Marti went into the dressing room and came out a few moments later with a Christmas package for Harriet. She held it behind her back until she saw Adam come out of the men’s dressing room.

What’s this? Harriet said when Marti handed it to her after Adam had joined them.

Just a small token of Ram’s and my esteem for you to show our thanks for all your hard work.

But I didn’t…

Adam held up his hand. Not necessary. We just wanted to share a bit of our good fortune with you.

Harriet looked from Adam to Marti. What can I say but thank you? That seems to be so inadequate.

How do you know? You don’t even know what it is yet, Adam said.

If it came, at least in part, from you, I’m sure it will be lovely and, probably quite extravagant.

Remember, a poor teacher helped pick it out. Marti smiled.

Do you want me to open it now?

No. We want you to save it for Christmas morning, Adam said. I think it’s good to feel a bit of our inner child each Christmas.

You’re right, it is. Harriet smiled. I’ll run out and put this in my car before I set it someplace and forget it. You know how I can be.

Neither commented on Harriet’s last statement but instead Marti said, Why don’t you do that? We’ll see you after Christmas for the Wednesday performance.

Harriet nodded and left the theater.

On Christmas day, when Adam and Marti went into the living room, Bagel had pulled all his and Butter’s packages from beneath the tree. He hadn’t torn any of the wrapping paper; he’d simply dragged them to the middle of the room.

Do you suppose he read his and Butter’s names on the packages? Adam cracked.

I think it much more likely that he simply smelled them and knew they were treats. Besides, she said with a smile, if he’d known who they belonged to, wouldn’t he have separated them into two piles?

Yes, I suppose he would have. I was going to suggest we have breakfast before we open packages, but I don’t think that’s going to work now. Bagel apparently has an inner child as well.

I agree. We’d better at least give them a treat either from their Christmas packages or from the bag of treats we already have. She paused and then she added, However, it is Christmas, so I think we ought to let them open their packages.

Well, we’re going to have to watch Butter so that she doesn’t eat the paper We can watch her and Bagel to make sure that he doesn’t either. But right now, I think you need your presents, Adam said.

She smiled at him. And you don’t?

Well, of course I do. Adam reached under the tree and retrieved five packages for Marti, handing them to her one by one. He also picked up the rest of the packages he knew were for him. These he sat on the couch before he separated Bagel’s packages from Butter’s, placing the appropriate ones in front of each of the dogs. Before you start, read the label on the packages please.

Were you talking to me or the dogs? She winked.

Very funny. We know Bagel knows which Boggle letters are which, but I really don’t think he’s learned to read yet. Maybe next week. I think you knew I was talking about your packages.

To which label were you referring? You mean the one that says ‘Open me first’?

Of course I do.

Does that mean it’s a camera like that old television ad?

Well, now, you’ll just have to open the package and see, won’t you?

She opened it, being careful not to rip the paper.

Don’t tell me you’re a paper saver, he said.

But it’s such pretty paper.

But opening it like that takes away half the fun of opening presents, he said as he ripped the paper off one of his presents. Hang on a second. He got up and went into the kitchen and returned with a plastic trash bag. He shoved the wrapping from his present into the bag. We need to be careful not to leave paper lying around that Butter might try to eat. As I understand it, wrapping paper can be more toxic than regular paper. He looked at the dogs sitting behind their presents. I guess they haven’t figured out they’re entitled to open those so, I guess, we don’t have to worry about the paper yet.

All right, Marti said, shoving her paper into the bag. When she opened the box she was holding and saw the pearl necklace, she caught her breath. Oh my God, she said. I assume these are real?

Would I give anything else to the woman I love?

I know I was admiring them in Laurent’s, but I really didn’t expect… He’d gone with her into Laurent’s Jewelry Store several weeks ago when she needed a new watch band. She got up, went to where he sat in the chair, gave him a kiss, and held the necklace out for him to put around her neck.