Star Spangled Murder by Leslie Meier

position to start getting cocky.”
    â€œWell, your position isn’t so hot, either, is it?” exclaimed Toby, finally exploding. “I mean, you’ve got a court date, too, don’t you? With the dog?”
    Chagrined, Lucy bit her lip. “You’re right. Who am I to scold you? I’m in trouble, too.” She chewed her lip. “It’s even worse than that. Mrs. Pratt said she caught the girls on her property. What is going on? When did we turn into a family of criminals?”
    â€œWe’re not criminals, Mom. We’re good people. Circumstances have been against us, that’s all, and we ended up on the wrong side of the law.”
    â€œI know,” said Lucy, wondering as she started the car how something like this could happen to such nice, decent people. And even worse, how was she going to tell Bill?

    Lucy made sure Toby was out of the house and the girls were upstairs, out of the way, when Bill finally came home towards eight o’clock. She warmed up his dinner in the microwave while he settled himself at the round golden oak kitchen table with a cold beer.
    â€œHow was your day?” she asked brightly, setting the plate of meatloaf and mashed potatoes in front of him and taking a seat.
    â€œGood.”
    â€œTraffic bad?”
    â€œNot really.”
    â€œDid you get what you wanted?”
    â€œPretty much.”
    â€œDid you get a good deal?”
    Bill put down his fork. “Is something the matter, Lucy?”
    â€œWhy do you say that?”
    â€œYou seem unusually interested in my day. Plus, there’s no sign of the kids. What’s going on?”
    â€œBrace yourself. I’ve got bad news.”
    Bill took a swallow of beer and carefully set the glass back down on the table.
    â€œWe’re not at the hospital, so it can’t be that bad. What is it?”
    â€œToby got in a fight and got arrested. He’s out on bail but he has a trial in August. He’s charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and assault with a deadly weapon.”
    â€œDeadly weapon?”
    â€œA shod foot.”
    â€œOh,” said Bill, spearing a piece of lettuce and chewing it slowly. “Who was he fighting with?”
    â€œWesley Pratt.”
    â€œSomehow I’m not surprised.”
    â€œIt’s not about the dog, if that’s what you’re thinking.” Lucy sighed. “Not that Toby’s saying much about it, but I think it’s about poaching. Wesley and Calvin are the prime suspects.”
    â€œIt would be a Pratt, wouldn’t it?”
    â€œWhy do you say that?”
    â€œI got a call from Mrs. Pratt the other day, when you were out. Apparently Sara and Zoe were over in her yard. She says if they come back she won’t be responsible for what happens to them.”
    â€œWhy didn’t you tell me? I saw Pru at the courthouse and she lit into me.” Lucy took a sip of Bill’s beer. “What were they doing over there, anyway?”
    Bill scraped his plate with his fork, getting the last bit of gravy and mashed potato. “They told me they’re upset about the dog hearing and they wanted to get evidence that she mistreats her chickens.” He chuckled. “They’re their mother’s daughters, that’s for sure.”
    â€œAnd Toby’s your son,” replied Lucy.
    â€œThat’s what you keep saying,” said Bill, reaching into the refrigerator for another beer. “But personally, I have my doubts.”

Chapter Nine
    B ill was in a foul mood next morning and barely touched the bacon and eggs Lucy cooked up for him as a treat. Toby wasn’t around and Lucy thought his early hours were one bright spot in a day that didn’t look very promising.
    â€œDon’t forget we have the dog hearing tonight,” she told him.
    â€œIt never rains but it pours,” he said, adding a big sigh for emphasis.
    â€œOh, cheer up,” said Lucy, who was