Three Sisters and a Red Rabbit

By Joanne McGough

Chief Inspector Desmond Joyce semi-retired from Howth’s Garda Siochana to spend more time with his wife and children. When the lead investigator feels that she’s missing parts of a murder inquiry, she asks Desmond to help. The murder case leads him on a path of deception and treachery. While he tries to tear through the lies, Desmond’s family gets entangled in the web.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Laurel Highlands Publishing
• Release date: Jul 10, 2020
• ISBN: 9781941087459

Joanne McGough

Joanne McGough was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and now lives in the Ligonier area of Pennsylvania with her collie and cat. She is a retired registered nurse who specialized in hospice nursing. Joanne loves to sing and is active in the music ministry at her local church. She loves flowers, traveling, cooking, her children, grandchildren and values her friends dearly.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

They buried Bob just inside the gated, wrought iron fence that surrounded the garda station at Howth. Chief Inspector Desmond Joyce was there supporting Emma, his wife, and Liam and Moira, their twins. Emma wept openly, not caring that her mascara was creating black rivulets down her cheeks. She had lost her protector, her beloved friend.

Liam and Moira were weeping softly, saying goodbye to their playmate and guard.

Desmond shed no tears. He knew his family had loved their German Shepard dog beyond measure. Desmond had admired and respected their dog and he was sure Bob knew it. He said so to his family. We will never forget Bob, right?

Their heads nodded in agreement.

He was a warrior, a defender and a night watchman. He was an honored guard. Most of all, he knew we loved him. Moira, Liam, please salute him as these garda fire him a send off.

Seven garda were assembled at the ceremony to honor the canine guard, Bob. Their rifle shots rang in the air proudly. Afterward, they placed their rifles at their sides and saluted brave Bob. That done, all present were dismissed and the Joyce family started back to their auto.

It wasn’t until the dismissal that Emma turned around and saw that her friend, Francie Houlihan, was there. Francie had never liked Bob. Truth be told, she’d always been afraid of him. But she respected Bob, knowing that he had saved the lives of Emma, Liam, Moira and the chief. In Francie’s heart, Bob had saved her family.

Just one year ago, Bob had been able to accompany the twins to school every morning and return there for them at three p.m. By the end of the school year, however, Bob’s arthritic hips wouldn’t allow him to walk that far.

Emma realized that Bob’s condition was deteriorating long before Desmond did. One evening, relaxing in their parlor after dinner she said, You know, Des, Bob is getting old. Actually, he’s not getting old, he is old. Ten years old. In the world of large dogs, Bob is a senior citizen.

Cautiously, ready for an argument, Desmond replied, You’re not saying we should have him put down, are you?

Shocked, Emma assured him, "Oh, no. Never that. He’ll end his days here in his home with us.

No, what I’m saying is I’d like to get a second dog. Another shepherd. Now. While Bob is still here and he can teach the new dog the ropes.

Desmond pondered the situation for a while. He got his Meershaum pipe prepared with well tamped Borkum Riff, lit it, crossed his legs and settled deeper into his soft leather recliner chair. A few puffs later, he answered her. A second dog, he mused aloud. Bob would be a good teacher, wouldn’t he? How could we ever replace him? There’ll never be another Bob.

I know that, Emma admitted with tears filling her eyes. I can’t bear to think of him leaving us. Bob is the reason our children are alive today. But our need for protection won’t end when Bob dies. I want another shepherd before that happens.

A few more puffs on the Meershaum, then Des asked, How much longer do you think he has?

If we’re lucky, maybe a year. The vet said so. I’ve noticed lately that he’s limping more and he needs a lot more rest than he used to.

Des added, I think his hearing is failing, too.

Emma nodded and said, I think you’re right.

Well, the chief agreed, I’d better call the breeder tomorrow. How about a female this time?

Either sex will do, Emma declared. I just want a strong, brave, loyal, obedient, affectionate shepherd about three years old.

Is that all? Desmond teased.

Through tears, Emma reminded him, That’s what we got the first time.

After the ceremony, the Joyce family and Francie Houlihan returned to the Joyce home. They were greeted at the kitchen door by the formidable but welcoming bark of Lucy. Tail wagging, she greeted each person as they entered.

Francie put the kettle on to make tea. Liam and Moira changed into play clothes and when they wanted to go outdoors, Lucy went with them.

True to her nature, Francie blurted out her thoughts. Ya know, I never liked that Bob, but I was always glad ya ‘ad ‘im. The night ‘e saved us all from that Dylan Davidson, I sez to myself, I sez, ‘God bless that dog.’ ‘E was that brave ‘nd I was glad for ‘im.

At the mention of the name, Dylan Davidson, Emma shuddered. The memory of him kidnapping her infant son from the hospital’s newborn nursery—that memory was still so vivid it made her heart stop for a second. She gasped for breath and had to sit down.

Desmond found him five days later—the baby, that is. Davidson escaped to parts unknown, but not for long.

A week later, during a baptismal celebration at the Joyce home, Davidson managed to sneak into the house unnoticed and hide until all the guests were gone and the family had gone to bed. Bob wouldn’t settle that night and continued to go downstairs, only to be called back to bed again.

Bob caught Davidson in the kitchen. Davidson shot Bob in the leg. Emma woke up at the sound of the dog yelping in pain and she went to his aid. Davidson held her at gunpoint and forced her to go back upstairs in front of him. He intended to take both babies this time.

In the couple’s bedroom, Bob got him. Though bleeding from the painful gunshot wound, Bob held him as Desmond entered the room with a revolver in his hand.

Dylan Davidson was dead. Emma knew that. Still, she went to the kitchen window to check on her children.

At seven years old, Liam and Moira both looked like Emma. Liam was taller, slender and had his mother’s curly dark hair and blue eyes. Moira had the same hair and eyes but she was shorter and a bit chubby. They were fine, playing catch with a soft rubber ball and Lucy was trying to be part of the game. The children were Emma’s heart and soul.

Emma turned back to Francie who was ready to resume her talking. Francie had quietly filled the teapot with the leaves and boiling water and then wrapped a tea cozy around it to keep the pot warm. She continued to air her thoughts: Ya know, I wasn’t happy when ya got the second dog but I admit ya was right. She’s ready to take over. ‘Nd she’s a bit smaller than Bob. I like ‘er.

Emma hugged her friend and thanked her for her kindness. Lucy is wonderful, isn’t she? She’s not as big as Bob but she’s plenty strong and so fast! And she’s pretty, don’t you think?

Francie looked up from her tea pouring and said, I like ‘er eyes. There’s a sweetness in ‘er eyes. Bob didn’t ‘ave that. I guess I trust Lucy more.

Emma spoke softly, I hope she never has the challenges that Bob had.

Desmond added, Amen.

CHAPTER 2

Desmond Joyce, Chief Inspector of the Garda Siochana for County Dublin, wanted to retire. At fifty-seven years of age, he wanted more time at home with his family. He had been able to at least cut back on his commitment to the garda. Now he was called in as a consultant on difficult cases, and he was paid handsomely for it. But sometimes he was tied up with a case for days on end. He didn’t want to work that much.

He refused the superior position offered him when Ronald Roach retired. Instead, he proposed that Inspector Mary Carroll be upgraded to chief inspector and the commissioner title be given to someone in another precinct. Desmond Joyce and Mary Carroll had always had a good working relationship and she was