The Dream Team: A Mystery Novel

By Donna Underwood

This is a murder mystery. A story about inmates from prison and juvenile hall who discover their inner beauty, the power they have to make right choices and their first glimpse of hope for a better life. The Dream Team formed with a diverse group of friends, lovers, ex-inmates and acquaintances. Houston and Wilamina were in-mates at the same time in Lancers Womens’ Prison. They both had received long sentences for murder. Mr. Lagunta, an attorney, took on their cases and had the guilty charges reduced to involuntary manslaughter. Once they were released, they decided to dedicate themselves to helping others make better choices and thus the Dream Team was born.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Abbott Press
• Release date: Mar 23, 2020
• ISBN: 9781458222824

Donna Underwood

Donna Underwood is a retired R.N. who has been involved with grief work for over twenty years. She is the author of three nonfiction books on grief and five mystery novels. Her novels were inspired by the grief support groups she co-facilitated and from her years working as a volunteer at juvenile hall. Abuses suffered on children leave permanent scars. Childhood abuses can arise from ignorance, poverty, stupidity, cruelty, drug and alcohol addictions, other addictions, mental illness, selfishness and self-centeredness. These traits and behaviors of parents and guardians can ruin a child's chance for a healthy and loving life.

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Copyright © 2020 Donna Underwood.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Abbott Press

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 978-1-4582-2281-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4582-2280-0 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4582-2282-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020905154

Abbott Press rev. date: 3/20/2020

Contents

Dedicated To…..

In Appreciation…..

Main Characters & Others

Introduction

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Five

Chapter Thirty-Six

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Chapter Forty

Chapter Forty-One

Chapter Forty-Two

PART TWO

Chapter Forty-Three

Chapter Forty-Four

Chapter Forty-Five

Chapter Forty-Six

Chapter Forty-Seven

Chapter Forty-Eight

Chapter Forty-Nine

Chapter Fifty

Chapter Fifty-One

Chapter Fifty-Two

Chapter Fifty-Three

Dedicated To…..

To all who have given up on themselves.

To all of the wounded who experienced cruelty, pain, fear, humiliation, disrespect and /or abandonment in childhood.

To all COWARDS who abuse animals, children or adults. May they open their eyes and their hearts and make kindness their mantra and habit.

To all youngsters residing in juvenile detention centers, or who have spent time in one or are heading in that direction.

To all prisoners, no matter what sort of cage you are in, look for and discover your better selves.

In Appreciation…..

To my husband Wayne. Thank you for your continued support, encouragement and financing my writing hobby. The only payment you are receiving so far is my daily appreciation.

To Patty Clark who efficiently and patiently continues to be my editor and friend.

To The Great Harvest Bakery who has graciously allowed me to take up a chair and table most every morning to hand write my novels. I’m grateful for their kindness and for their delicious baked goodies.

Main Characters & Others

The Dream Team:

Houston Hayfield Lorenzo—part-owner of Salt & Pepper Detective Agency.

Wilamina Robinson Jacks—part-owner of Salt & Pepper Detective Agency.

Detective Sark Lorenzo—Homicide Div. of the Whitefall Police Dept.

Detective Sasha Voss—Homicide Div. of the Whitefall Police Dept.

Marsh Jameson—fireman. First responder of the Whitefall Fire Dept.

Monte Jacks—nickname Stoney. Construction and masonry work.

Sammy Long—assistant to Dr. Blackmore and Lacona’s partner.

Lacona Monroe—owner/manager of an animal shelter.

Roco Lagunta—Attorney at Law.

The Grief Clinic social workers & others:

Brooksie and her husband Luke Jones—landscaper.

Lucinda and her husband Tony Padilla—carpenter and handy man and also loves to bake.

Rachael—her soon-to-be husband, Roco Lagunta-Attorney at Law.

Anita—psychologist protegee of Dr. Sharon Primm-Ph.d (Sharon Primm Psychologist and inmate of Lancer’s Prison.)

Hunt and Jessie Rickels—private investigators in Seattle.

Winnie Winters Physical therapist and abuse survivor.

Juvenile Hall—staff

Director—Evelyn Roth.

Day shift—Jane, Maria, Rod, Juan and Gary.

Weekend—Rudy Gonzales on leave. Todd Chen his replacement. Trudy in charge of housecleaning.

Teenagers incarcerated in Juvenile Hall—Ghett, Mick, Hamid, Louis, Jazz, Kayla, Melba, Sheila, Anlia, Tara, Shannon, Sirena, Blake, Adam and Red.

Miss Malina Forest—Red’s classroom teacher.

Introduction

One by one, The Dream Team was formed with a diverse group of friends, lovers, ex-inmates and acquaintances. Houston and Wilamina both ex-inmates from the Lancer’s Women’s Prison were the originators and motivators. They wanted to be positive influences on others who may have experienced damaging and chaotic childhoods, like they experienced. They came up with the idea of helping the teenagers who had been sent to juvenile hall and aiding the newly released women from Lancer’s Prison. Three social workers and a psychologist all working at the Grief Clinic jumped on board. Quickly followed by four private detectives, two husbands, two homicide detectives, one fireman, one boyfriend, one attorney and one ex-wife of an abuser. The group called themselves the Dream Team.

When Houston and Wilamina were incarcerated at Lancer’s Prison, Dr. Sharon Primm, a psychologist and inmate, put together a workshop program for the inmates. Houston and Wilamina, both attended. The goal was to educate, motivate and encourage the women to embrace their own self-worth. The program was to show the inmates their own potential for changing destructive thinking and behaviors. It was a twelve week program with small groups attending once a week. Warden James welcomed the new workshops with the hope of reducing the high recidivism rate. Four social workers, Brooksie, Lucinda, Rachael and Anita volunteered to facilitate the groups at no charge.

These sessions were life-changing for several of the inmates. Houston, Wilamina and Sammy were three of the most successful inmates from one of the first groups. After their release from Lancer’s Prison Houston and Wilamina joined up and started their own investigative agency in Whitefall, Washington. Sammy became the best damn veterinarian assistant as she had promised her former employer, Dr. Blackmore. Eventually, Sammy and her partner Lacona opened a shelter for abandoned and unwanted animals on their own property on the outskirts of Whitefall. Both women eagerly joined the team, which later became The Dream Team.

Houston and Wilamina’s agency slowly but surely grew. Some of their cases required assistance from other kinds of businesses and people. The police department became involved along with another private investigative business in Seattle, Washington. It was owned by Jesse and Hunt Rickels.

The team grew in members interested in making a difference in the lives of the teenagers in juvenile hall and the women recently released from prison. Their focus was the teaching of self-worth, choices, responsibility and hope. A program/workshop was offered to Mrs. Evelyn Roth, the director of the local juvenile hall and she readily agreed to allow the beginning of the twelve session, six month program.

Chapter One

It is the year 2018. Houston and Wilamina’s detective agency, better known as The Salt and Pepper Detective Agency, cases were growing slow but sure. They also had been hard at work getting their friends together to form a plan to assist the young kids in juvenile hall and the recently released women from Lancer’s Prison. The goals are to offer programs that will hopefully change poor choice making of the young people so they don’t return to juvenile hall or on to prison, despite their difficult childhoods. They would also teach self respect, selfworth and offer hope to those women about to be released from prison so that they wouldn’t return to their old ways of thinking or reacting. Which would take them right back to prison or perhaps to a worse fate.

Houston and Sark Lorenzo were recently married as were Wilamina and Stoney Jacks. Both women were busily moving into their new homes with their new partners. They had been sharing an apartment above their office up to the time they both married. Sark had a large home minutes from downtown Whitefall. Stoney had just completed his ranch-like home on five acres outside of the town. Before the weddings took place, Houston and Wilamina had planted a few ideas about helping the released inmates from the women’s prison and the kids being released from juvenile hall. Fairly soon, it was decided to focus primarily on the juvenile hall teenagers and work on the programs for the women’s prison at a later date.

Sark, Houston and Wilamina all had first-hand knowledge of the damages and ripple effects of abusive and traumatic childhood experiences. Houston and Wilaminas’ lives were greatly improved by the workshops they attended while being incarcerated in Lancer’s Prison. They believed that similar programs and workshops could and would benefit others so they were formulating a plan. This plan included many of their newly acquired friends. The plan included them paying back all those who believed in them and made a wonderful difference in their present lives.

We’ve sure had interesting cases our first two years in business, said Houston wistfully. "So far we’re not rolling in dough, but we’re not doing too bad for not having much regular schooling. Most of our education came from the streets and prison. We’ve both learned stuff from some mighty bad folks including our own messed up relatives. But now we’ve been gaining smarts from many good folks.

I believe we’ve both learned that everyone has a grain of goodness way deep inside, but they can’t let it grow without help. The good parts need sunlight, rain, encouragement, protection and a belief in themselves.

"You know Tex, I just have to keep pinching myself ‘cause our lives today are so filled up with lovin’ good folks. Lookin’ back when I was just a little tyke I never felt safe. Once I’d become a teenager I didn’t expect to live much past my twenties. There was crap gonna’ on all around me. Now here we are in our thirties. We’re married, successful business owners and have lots of great friends. God almighty! How blessed we are.

Now we’re rackin’ our brains with help from friends trying to figure ways to help others like we’ve been helped. I love the idea of working to teach the young to respect themselves and make decent choices and to help our sisters who will eventually be released from Lancer’s Prison.

We couldn’t do much if it wasn’t for Brooksie, Luke and Sark’s healthy bank accounts, added Houston. I still can’t believe I’m married to a man with money… and it’s legal money! Sure feels great not having to constantly look behind me to see whose stalking me, either a piece of rat shit or a cop. Sark and me completed the ton of papers to become foster parents. We figure we can take four kids, two boys and two girls. No babies. We’re asking for school age kids. We’ve got the required bedrooms and bathrooms. Hope we’re doing the right thing. Scares the shit out of me thinking about the responsibility of raising kids.

Here comes our team, said Wilamina. We can talk about you and kids later. I bet you’ll become one fine mama, white skin and all, grinning at her friend.

Seven men and eight women were walking through the office door of the Salt and Pepper Detective Agency. The group included Detectives Sark and Sasha, Stoney, Sammy, Lacona, Brooksie, Lucinda, Rachael, Winnie, Luke, Tony, Marsh, Roco and last to enter were Jesse and Hunt Rickels.

The Dream Team met once every two months at some designated place to go over ideas and plan for the programs they were wanting to offer the juvenile hall facility outside of Whitefall and later for Lancer’s women’s prison.

Sark took the lead and announced, Today I hope we can finalize our plans to present a specific program to juvenile hall. Dr. Sharon Primm has completed writing up the workshops for both places. Willy sent out copies to everyone so I hope you all have read Sharon’s outlines for juvenile hall. Lancer’s outline is for later.

Brooksie added, The warden wants to invite some interested parties from two other prisons to sit with us when we make our presentation at Lancers, possibly at the end of the year. Seems the idea of diminishing recidivism would be a welcomed change. It’s exciting to see the interest grow from Sharon’s first six month workshop that she authored. Her program is producing some wonderful results. Tex, Willy and Sammy are all proof of just how effective and worthwhile the program is.

Tex and me, we’ve been around to the local restaurants asking about the possibility of them hiring ex-cons or kids that have been released from juvenile hall. So far, the owners of Table Talk Cafe and The Hot Tamale are interested. The Pelican Restaurant and the bakery down the street said maybe.

We’ve talked with two coffee shop owners near our office and both seemed to like the idea of helping out the kids, said Hunt Rickels. One of the owners was somewhat hesitant about employing the women from prison. They didn’t say no only that it would depend on why they had been in prison.

Luke offered, "My dynamic wife has come up with a great idea and wants your feedback. Brooks and I have an opportunity to purchase ten acres very close to town. We know this has nothing to do with Sharon’s programs but, it could offer employment for quite a few. The availability of jobs is essential for most. Brooks’ vision is to build a restaurant on the acreage and possibly some duplexes. It could be a stock holder kind of arrangement. It will include things like a country like atmosphere, a hitching post for dogs, a poop disposal station, long tables with chairs and benches to encourage strangers to sit together and share a meal and/or stories. She also envisions the restaurant employing older kids from the juvenile center and newly released inmates. It would be on the job training while earning a paycheck. We all agree that poverty and bad choices often are bedfellows.

She’s even been thinking up names for the restaurant. For example: The Gathering Place, The Hearth or Hopeville Cafe. She thinks a sign over the gate could read, Good Food * Good People * Good Time. All would be welcomed including their animal companions. A restaurant and a petting zoo could offer a number of employment possibilities.

Wow! said Houston. That’s a great idea Brooksie! Sounds like there would be all kinds of employment opportunities for the women and the kids.

I agree with my enthusiastic wife about the many possibilities for work in a restaurant, said Sark. Today we do need to focus on two items. The first item is to get everyone’s opinion of the program outlines and the second item is to make an assignment sheet. Who is going to talk with Warden James of Lancer’s and what members of our fine team will approach juvenile hall with our program. First thing we need to do is okay the program, get it copied so that we have something to show to the folks at juvenile hall. I guess we could form a few committees who will be responsible for specific tasks.

Everyone was handed an outline and each took five minutes to read over the suggested programs.

After you’ve all read it, let’s share your impressions and get some feedback. We understand that we are putting the women’s program on hold for a time and focusing on juvenile hall for now, commented Sark.

The program outlines were as follows:

A. Newly released inmates.

Six month period, twelve sessions, two hours session to be held every two weeks for the inmates who are to be released within one year or less. To be facilitated by one social worker or psychologist and possibly one ex-inmate. This hasn’t been decided as of yet. It’s possible that Dr. Sharon Primm will be the facilitator and Mela, the weekend nurse may be her assistant.

Questionnaire for inmates.

1. What actions by you led to your incarceration?

2. Identify your concerns about your impending release.

3. Identify needs: income, job, job training, education, living expenses (shelter, food, utilities, medical, clothing, transportation, fees, licenses, insurance, childcare and etc.) court orders, probation, urine testing etc.

4. Identify all possible resources for your multiple needs.

5. Identify the following about yourself: briefly write your answers.

• Strengths and weaknesses.

• Recognize old damaging patterns.

• Who do you need to stay away from?

• Where will you go to avoid temptation or if in danger?

• How will you protect and care for your children?

• Who do you trust?

• What kind of work (legal) have you done in the past?

• What job would you like to be doing?

• What are your interests?

• Identify your future support people and organizations.

• Locating and attending daily (if possible) the NA or AA support groups.

• Never miss your appointments with your probation officer, (he or she can be a life line for you).

• Health issues; birth control, exercise, nutrition, spiritual support, addictions (of all kinds).

• Describe your parents/grandparents/guardians.

• Describe your childhood.

• If you are a parent, what sort of parent have you been?

• What do you see yourself doing in the next three years?

• What would a ‘good life’ look like to you?

The following lined pages are for you to answer each and all questions. You do not need to put your name on the pages. You get a copy and the social worker gets a copy. You can direct any and all question to the social worker, the ex-inmate, the warden, or Sharon Primm (the author of the program).

Discussion followed for the next hour or so regarding the outline. There were a few suggestions, but for the most part the outline was approved by all.

The outline for juvenile hall was then passed around and read and discussed and approved.

B. Program for Juvenile Hall children.

A six month period, twelve sessions, two hours sessions to be held every other week. To be facilitated by one social worker and one or two staff workers. Ideally four separate groups of seven to ten participants, separate for girls and boys and divided into ages 13 to 15 and 16 to 19. Groups to be held every other Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12.

Questionnaire for

1. What actions by you brought you to juvenile hall?

2. What problems did you have at home, school and away from home and school.

3. What is a typical day and week like at home? Write about the-behaviors of your parents, siblings and other relatives.

4. Are you ever afraid at home? Who frightens you?

5. Do you ever feel uncomfortable around someone? Who? When? Where?

6. Describe a breakfast, lunch, dinner at your house.

7. Do you feel hungry at times? When? How often?

8. Do you drink alcohol? Use drugs at home?

9. Is alcohol a problem for someone in your home?

10. Have you ever been homeless?

11. Who is responsible for your being homeless?

12. Do you have to move often?

13. What kind of jobs do your parents have? Do they go to work-regularly? Do they change jobs frequently? Do they complain-about their jobs?

14. Do you believe your parent or parents like/love you? Why? Why not?

15. What do you like or dislike about school?

16. Are you a bully? Do you get bullied by others?

17. Do you know anyone who has committed suicide? Do you-think about hurting yourself or committing suicide?

18. 18. When you’re hurt, frightened, sad, hungry, or sick who do you-tell?

19. What is your favorite activity? What are you good at?

Answer all of the questions. You do not need to put your name on this questionnaire. You will get a copy and so will the social worker. The information you give is to be used in working on problems during the two hour sessions.

Please ask questions. No question is stupid or foolish. All questions are important.

Rules during the session:

1. Don’t interrupt.

2. Everyone gets their turn.

3. No swearing, no fighting, no bad mouthing.

4. Tell the truth.

Remember……….Cruelty to any person or any animal is NEVER okay.

Kindness is ALWAYS okay.

The team discussed the juvenile program and gave their okay.

Jessie Rickels spoke up, How about we decide what each of us would like to do. For example, Hunt and I can work the restaurants and such in and around our area in Seattle. Maybe Sark, Sasha and Marsh could introduce our programs to juvenile hall. Houston and Willy are already working the local food establishments here in town. What do you guys think about this suggestion?

I think it’s perfect. I’ll approach the judges, commissioners and other attorneys and their staff, added Roco.

Tony said, I can work the construction angle. I know some cabinet makers and other trades people who might just be happy to teach an apprentice or others if there were any more interested. Stoney would you work with me. We can add masonry contractors.

I’d like to do that with you Tony, thanks for thinking of me. I’m not real good at talking to folks unless I’m answering questions about rocks and cement.

That’s not true, Stoney. You can talk the sweet talk and make a girl’s heart melt, said Wilamina with a twinkle in her eye. She reached over and took her husband’s hand in hers.

The others became animated and started taking turns at describing what area they could investigate. Winnie and Marsh felt they could speak with the fire department and others in the medical/rescue field.

Dr. Blackmore, Sammy and Lacona would work on the animal rescue groups in the area.

Brooksie, Lucinda and Rachael would talk to volunteer groups, such as Goodwill, Salvation Army, Service Clubs and churches.

Fantastic, announced Sark. We’ve formed six specific groups. We are definitely a dream team. We’ll meet again in four weeks and share any progress or any news we have.

Wilamina spoke up, I have a suggestion. Let’s start meeting at different places to help generate interest in our community. Maybe next time we meet at the Table Talk cafe and then the next meeting at another place.

Great idea Willy, I love your idea. In fact, I love all your ideas, confirmed Stoney as he smiled proudly at his wife and patted her back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood,

and I

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost

Chapter Two

Wilamina answered the phone, The Salt and Pepper Detective Agency. How can I help you?

I hope I’ve called the right place. My name is Charity Jackson. My dog is missing. Well, actually he’s not my dog. He seemed to be a stray and I took him in three days ago. There was a terrible rain storm, lots of thunder and lightning. I found the dog cowering, shivering and whimpering behind my garage. I thought maybe he was injured. I called to him and he crawled on his belly over to me. He let me pet him and take him into my house. We’ve been best friends ever since. Can you people help me find him, he’s disappeared. I know it’s crazy, but I’ve already grown very attached to him. He is the sweetest dog ever. I also believe he may already have an owner who might be looking for him. I know in my heart it’s the right thing to do. I was going to start looking for his owner before the sweet dog disappeared.

Have you checked with the animal control office or any of the veterinarians in the area? inquired Wilamina.

Yes, I did call the animal control place and they don’t have him. I looked in the paper and there were no ads looking for a dog of his description. I have to tell you that I think someone took him. I have a big backyard, with a six foot chain link fence and a sturdy gate with a dog proof lock. I don’t believe he jumped six feet.

Was the gate closed when you realized he was missing? asked Wilamina.

Yes. The gate was closed. Someone had to have opened the lock.

What day did he disappear?

Sunday. I put him out in the backyard before I went to church. I got home around 1 p.m. and he was gone. I do have a picture that I took of him Saturday after I’d given him a bath. Guess he’d been out in the rain for some time. He was covered in dirt and stuff. Can I bring you his picture? He is medium sized. Sort of a mix between a lab, a shepherd and maybe part husky. He is brown with a little black and white thrown in.

How about my partner and I come to your home, get the picture and look over your yard and your neighborhood? I’ll need your address and phone number. We could come over this morning if that would be convenient for you?

Ms. Jackson gave the requested information and responded, I’ll be expecting you in the next hour if that’s okay. Is this going to cost me a great deal of money? I’m not poor but I’m not rich either. I’m sorry, I forgot to ask your name.

My name is Wilamina and my partner’s name is Houston. We’ll see you soon and you don’t have to worry about the cost. We are very reasonable and so far we’ve a pretty good success record. We have friends in the animal business and they will be glad to help.

As soon as she hung up she told Houston about the visit they needed to make in the next half hour or so. She brought her up to date with what Ms. Jackson and told her.

Willy, we found a flower thief for Miss Abigail and that turned out great. So now, maybe if we find a dog thief, it will also turn out good for the people and for the dog. We might not turn out to be the most famous criminal detectives in the world, but we could become famous match makers. We’ve got ourselves two great husbands so we’re not doing too bad. Even Abigail has a man friend now.

You’re right Tex, I just hope we don’t have to do lots of sitting in the car for long periods with our legs crossed. That’s about the toughest part of this investigative work. I do have to admit I like the disguise part. I get to be a blond which shows off my beautiful caramel colored skin.

One hour later……

Willy, you drive and I’ll look for her down the street. I’m going to give Dr. Blackmore’s office a call and give them the description of the dog. After that I can call Lacona and see if she has any dogs that might fit the description. Do I have this right, the dog’s only been gone since Sunday afternoon?

Yes you’ve got it right. I think she’s thinking he was stolen and that’s why she’s so anxious.

Houston called Dr. Blackmore’s office and Lacona’s shelter. No luck at either place. There’s the street and it looks like that house over there is her place, got the right address. They parked the car and walked up to the door.

Hello Wilamina and Houston, I’m Charity. Thanks for coming right over. It must seem I’m making an awful fuss over a dog that doesn’t even really belong to me, but he is truly special. I lost my dog two years ago, and I really miss the companionship. The lost dog seemed like an answer from heaven. I’ll try to be more rational from now on. Would you have some coffee?

That sounds great, thank you, said Houston. I’ve spoken to Dr. Blackmore, a veterinarian and to a Lacona Monroe who owns an animal shelter near town. No luck yet, but they will be on the lookout and have our number and we also gave them your number.

Charity added, There are three boys who regularly ride their bikes down this street. I believe they live fairly close. I don’t really think they would open my gate. I always say hello to them and they respond politely. I’ve asked the neighbors on both sides of me if they have seen anyone around my gate. So far no one has seen anything. I’ve driven around the neighborhood several times trying to spot the dog. I don’t know what else I can do.

"Willy told me that you have a photo of the dog. Could we borrow it for today and make the rounds of other veterinarian offices, the local newspaper and canvas the neighborhood?’

Charity handed the photo over to Houston and said, I’m going to work for a few hours so here is my cell number. I work at a real estate office in sales so I have no set hours. I don’t want to stay around the house worrying and feeling sad. You can call me anytime and I’ll meet up with you if you need me.

The investigators agreed to keep Ms. Jackson informed of any progress.

Once in the car and driving off Houston said, Why don’t you place a call to the newspaper office and talk to someone in the lost and found department?

Good idea Tex. It’s a good thing we keep a directory in the car. That was Jessie’s great suggestion. Here’s the number. It’s ringing. Hello, could I speak to someone in the lost and found department? Okay, thanks."

She’s getting a Mrs. Johnson on the phone, said Wilamina. Hello I’m wondering if you have any missing dogs listed? Wilamina described the missing dog from the photograph.

How fortunate! A gentleman just placed an ad about thirty minutes ago about a missing dog that sounds like it fits your description, responded Mrs. Johnson. She gave Wilamina his name and phone number.

Tex, we may have located the owner. I’m afraid it will make Miss Charity sad. I’ll call her right now and maybe catch her before she leaves for work.

Wilamina got a hold of Charity who agreed to wait for them to return to her house. As soon as they arrived they shared the information given to them by the newspaper person.

How about you making the call Charity? We’ll stick around in case you need us, offered Houston.

Here goes, said Ms. Jackson as she dialed the number. "Hello Mr. Salinas. My name is Charity Jackson and I believe I found your dog four days ago. He was terrified of the storm, especially of the thunder. He fits the description that you just placed in the paper. I’m sorry to say he disappeared from my yard yesterday. I’ve just hired two investigators this very morning to help