A Confusing Drowning at the Riverfront Dog Park

By Saundra McKee

The body of a young man is found in the pond at the Riverfront Dog Park. The murder is caught on camera, but there's confusion as to whom the victim is. Due to the poor lighting and and camera angle, the perp could be any of a number of suspects. Terry Drake who discovers the body soon learns she has connections to the victim(s) and families affected by the tragedy. She uses her wits, human and canine friends, and sheer determination to help solve this puzzling case. 6th in the Riverfront Dog Park Series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Saundra McKee
• Release date: Feb 13, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310355479

Saundra McKee

I am a retired educator. I taught in the public schools for 15 years and at the university level for 22 years. I love to travel the world. I enjoy politics, dogs, mysteries and water sports. I am a lay speaker in the United Methodist Church.

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A Confusing Drowning at the Riverfront Dog Park

6th in the Riverfront Dog Park Series by Saundra McKee

Smashwords Edition. Copyright 2014. Saundra McKee

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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All characters and events in this story are fictional. Any resemblance to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental. While some of the places mentioned actually exist, they are used in an entirely fictional manner.

Chapter 1

Mid July

This is an outrage! shouted Dr. Myrna Burns at the monthly board meeting of the Riverfront Dog Park. Do you know how many people have cancelled appointments at the clinic believing that all their pets need to do is sip the healing waters at the dog park and all will be well? We were all surprised to see the usually calm, poised and attractive veterinarian so agitated.

Shelly Blose, a representative for a major pet pharmaceutical firm, concurred. We’re feeling the impact too. People aren’t purchasing heartworm, flea and tick medicines and the like. They really believe that the drinking water at the park has miraculous powers.

I was convinced that they were overstating the case, but things in Greenbanks, PA haven’t been the same since a few months back when a few folks claimed that their dogs had been cured after drinking from the pool of spring fed water. The park had been crowded with hopeful pet owners over the past few months. I was among the more skeptical citizens, not that I didn’t believe in occasional miracles. I was enjoying the resurgence of the park. It had nearly had to close down after several mysterious murders had taken place there a year and a half ago.

One of my best friends, Bonnie, felt the need to contribute to the heated discussion. She’d been dating Shelly and took every opportunity to demonstrate that they were kindred spirits. What’s worse is that I heard someone is actually selling the water from the pool like snake oil at the local flea market. They’re touting it as an elixir for pets and humans alike!

That was the first I’d heard about that and wondered who’d be so foolish to buy or sell such an obvious rip off. My other best friend, Sean answered that one.

Yeah, I was out at the flea market last Sunday. A guy named Tim Fields had a table set up with bottles of water supposedly from the park. He’s charging five bucks for two ounces. Of course he has a disclaimer on the label. Something like, ‘there is no scientific proof that this has or will cure disease, and the buyer uses it at their own risk’. Do you think someone needs to speak to him? Maybe we should consult with an attorney.

Jeff Wells, the animal shelter director, said, Well I can recall shelling out money for a bottle of water when I visited the Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine. Most folks will tell me that I look more than my fifty years. Think I should sue?

This drew a laugh from the group, and no decision was made on the issue. We adjourned and refilled our mugs and plates. The meetings were held at ‘Crafts and Joe,’ the café and crafts store that I owned along with Bonnie and Sean. It was in a lovingly restored old train station near the picturesque Allegheny River. During the summer months, we featured an outdoor patio with umbrella tables where people and their pets loved to linger and watch bikers on the trail that followed the winding and gently flowing Allegheny River. The western Pennsylvania town, my pets, the business and my friends were my little slice of heaven.

Once everyone had left for home, Sean, Bonnie and I stayed to clean up. In a few hours we’d be reopening, and it had been a busy summer with lots of customers, craft workshops and seminars. I still think we need to do something about that guy hawking water from the dog park for profit. It just seems wrong whether or not the water has any healing powers, insisted Sean.

Bonnie nodded in agreement. "I feel bad that people are avoiding taking their