Bring Home the Murder by Theresa M.; Jarvela Page B

blank look. “There’s some truth to the rumors about Fred and Amelia. I wonder if her husband knew about their relationship?”
    â€œThat, I don’t know. Should we saddle up and head in that direction?”
    â€œYou’re not seriously thinking of checking out his grandfather’s house, are you? That’s trespassing.”
    Meggie shook her head. “No, let’s just ride a little farther. I don’t want to get involved in anything or snoop around. What’s the point?”
    â€œRight, Sherlock.” Shirley groaned. “I’ve heard that one before.”
    Meggie led the way through an open area and into a grove of pine trees. She hadn’t gone far when she heard a high-pitched bark. Seconds later a small light-colored puppy shot its head up through the tall grass and yelped again. It came bounding over.
    Black fidgeted and backed away from the small creature. “I wonder if he’s lost,” Meggie called to Shirley and tried to restrain the horse. “He’s a cute little fellow. Looks like a Labrador retriever.”
    â€œIf he follows us when we turn around what are we going to do?” Shirley reined Beauty in close to Black.
    â€œI’ve had second thoughts about going any farther. Let’s start for the house and see if he follows us.”
    The puppy ran ahead of them. He stopped abruptly and chased his tail in a circle then spied a butterfly on a nearby clover. He ran to the clover, pawed the air and gave chase to the butterfly. Seconds later the puppy dashed past the riders.
    â€œI suppose we better find out who he belongs to. It looks like we might make Mr. Schmidt’s acquaintance after all.”
    They reversed directions and rode until they came to the back gate, found it open and crossed through. Meggie wrinkled her brow and looked back at the gate. “That isn’t good. Black and Beauty could have gotten out.”
    â€œWhy is there a gate here?”
    â€œMolly told me that years ago the original owner of the property shared pasture space with the neighbor. I guess some of this fencing has been up for quite some time.” Meggie wondered if Fred had never bothered to take the gate down for other reasons.
    Pine needles crunched under the horses’ hooves. They zigzagged in order to avoid the trees. When they had gone a short distance Meggie spotted an outbuilding. It looked in dire need of repair. She pointed it out to Shirley then turned in her saddle to make sure the puppy still followed.
    They reached the Schmidt yard and several little puppies started to bark from a fenced-in area near the outbuilding. As she pondered how the little fugitive escaped the pen, he came scampering up to Black and wagged his tail.
    Meggie climbed out of the saddle. She bundled the puppy in her arms and strode toward the back door to let Mr. Schmidt know the reason for their visit. She glanced around at her surroundings. The house needed a fresh coat of paint. A dilapidated screen lay on the ground under a broken window and several beer bottles lay strewn around an overflowing garbage can.
    Meggie knocked on the back door, waited several seconds and knocked again. When she knocked for the third time it became obvious no one was at home. She turned to go when she caught a glimpse of someone inside the house.
    The face wasn’t distinguishable but the person had shoulder length hair. Meggie recalled her conversation with Donna. Perhaps Darrell had been released from prison. An uneasy feeling settled over her.
    â€œLet’s get out of here,” Shirley called from the saddle. There’s no one around, and I feel like we’re trespassing. Not to mention my rear end is getting sore.”
    â€œJust let me take care of this little fellow.” Meggie carried the puppy to the dog pen. She set him inside and shook her finger at him. “You be a good little puppy now and don’t follow us.”
    She noticed the latch hung