Free Hero's Journey by J. J. Cook, Joyce Lavene, Jim Lavene

“I know this isn’t a social call. You didn’t drive up here to sit and talk.”
    â€œI have a few questions about Patrick Dorner.” She didn’t bother to deny that she was there for a reason.
    â€œThe chimney sweep.” He nodded as he poured them each some red wine. “How did he work out for you? I thought he did a great job here. All five chimneys are working very well. He was clean and punctual too.”
    Stella took the glass of wine from him. Muscadine wine was popular in the area. It had a very different taste than the wine she was used to. She liked it. The earthy aroma and taste reminded her of summer.
    â€œHe did a good job for me. Thanks for referring him. Something else has come up. I was wondering if you had a fire in the house after he was here.”
    Ben sat down opposite her in another expensive dark leather chair near the fire. His white brows knit across his forehead. “You think he might be involved in the break-ins the police are investigating?”
    â€œMaybe.” She sipped her wine. “Are you missing anything?”
    â€œNo. Not that I’m aware of. Are you?”
    â€œNo. He worked on the chimney and was gone. End of story. Except that Hero, the Dalmatian puppy we’re training for the fire brigade, is missing. He was at the cabin when Patrick was there.”
    â€œYou think Patrick took your dog?” Ben chuckled a little. “I thought the thief was taking jewelry and other nonliving things he could sell. What would he gain by taking your dog?”
    It sounded even sillier the way he said it. Stella looked at the red wine in her glass. “I know it sounds crazy.” She told him about the Hero sightings and the girl saved from the fire that day.
    â€œI’m not sure I follow. You think Patrick is starting these fires
and
he’s taking the dog around with him? This might be better left for the police, Stella. I’ll be glad to post a reward for the return of your dog, if you think that would help.”
    She could see she wasn’t getting anywhere with the discussion. Maybe he was right about her theory. It sounded absurd the way he’d said it back to her.
    She swallowed the rest of her wine and thanked him for listening. “I’m sure we’ll find Hero. It’s only a matter of time. I hope I’m wrong about Patrick.”
    â€œBarking up the wrong tree, as it were.” Ben smiled fondly at her. “You don’t have to leave so soon. Tell me about the Loflin fire. That was a sad state of events. The charity I set up with the pepper plant is going to help them until they can get back on their feet.”
    Stella was about to leave—with apologies for going so soon—when there was a disturbance outside the door to the parlor.
    â€œExcuse me,” Ben said. “I don’t know what’s going on but Vivian’s group seems to be getting a little louder than usual.”
    Vivian, backed by her charity group, seemed to be in the process of strangling one of the housemaids. Ben’s current wife was a a tall, thin blonde, who was elegantly frosted with diamonds. She’d only been married to him a few years. Everyone considered her the perfect society matron.
    Ben separated the two women and demanded to know what was going on.
    â€œMy ruby ring is missing. I want it back,” Vivian told him with a flash of her blue eyes. “I think she took it.”

Chapter Seven
    Ben glanced at Stella. “I may have spoken too soon.”
    He questioned Vivian about the missing ring. She wasn’t sure when she’d worn it last. She’d previously seen the housemaid looking at it in her jewel case.
    Stella kept her thoughts to herself. The looks on the faces of the group of ladies from Vivian’s charity were priceless. They’d clearly gotten more than they’d bargained for. Each of them had a deer-in-the-headlights look. No doubt they could all use a big