Free Kee Patterbee - Hannah Starvling 03 - The Priest Who Ate a Poison Petit Fore by Kee Patterbee Page A

all that Whipson had revealed about himself. Two knew, one dead , she mulled over. That he knows about , she added to herself. Catching sight of something on the side of the road, she sat up straight. “Stop!” she exclaimed.
    Hym slowed the car in rapid order. Magdalen sat up from the backseat, wide eyed. Both she and her brother cried out. “What?”
    “Pull over,” Hannah demanded, “I saw something.”
    Hym did as instructed before backing up the road a short ways. Doing so, he asked what she saw.
    “I’m not sure, but it was moving.”
    “Like an animal or something?” Magdalen inquired.
    “Maybe, but I just want to make sure, so stop here.”
    Hym brought the car to a halt and Hannah exited with haste. Hym and Magdalen followed after.
    Hannah pointed to the edge of the tree line. “There.” Lying down in the grass was a ball of brown fur covered in what appeared to be mud. Two dark eyes peered forward but did not move. As she motioned for the others to slow behind her, she held out her hand.
    “What is it?” Magdalen asked in a cautious voice. “A raccoon?”
    “I don’t think so,” Hym informed. “I think it’’s a…”
    “Puppy,” Hannah interrupted as she pressed her hand forward. “Here baby, come on. No one’s going to hurt you.”
    Two ears half raised but fell back down as the creature’s head moved just a bit to one side. The sleuth moved further forward, hand outstretched, and assuming a crouched position.
    “Careful, Sherlock,” Hym warned.
    “It’s alright. Come on, now.”
    Hannah took her time and made a careful approach. At a moment’s notice, she readied herself to snatch her hand away. Reaching the animal, she held it just before the creature’s nose. For the first time, the dog raised its head enough to sniff, and then it licked her hand. Hannah took the opportunity to give a gentle stroke down the pooch’s body. Doing so, she checked for any obvious injuries but found none. She removed the lightweight jacket she wore and wrapped it around the creature. “She’s thin. I think she just hasn’t had enough to eat.” With care, she lifted the small creature into her arms and rose. She turned to face Hym and Magdalen.
    “Think Will would mind an extra guest?”
    Hym sighed and let out a breath. “I suppose not. Is it hurt?”
    Hannah shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
    “She seems weak. Do you still have some of that sandwich left, Tubbs?”
    “Yup,” Hym turned toward the car, “but not for long I imagine,” he mumbled half under his breath.
    *****
    After arriving, the three went to stay at the home of William “Will” Hooligan, Hym’s best friend. A restaurateur by trade, he owned Hoolie’’s Burgers, Fries, & All That. Hannah admired his work, so much so that it was he that she asked to cater the wedding. He also agreed to be one of Hym’s two groomsmen. When Hannah showed the unexpected guest, asking if he minded her keeping the canine until they figured out what to do with her, Will acquiesced without hesitation. He gave his usual big smile that could light the world. As he scratched the dog’s head, he looked the creature over.
    “Although, it seems to me that if she’s going to stay, you might want to give her a good scrub. Bathroom is down the hall and on the left. I’ll bring some towels to dry her up.””
    A half hour later, Hannah and Magdalen sat in the living room drying the canine. With the dirt removed, the dog presented itself in a different light. Will inferred that it was young.
    “I’d guess between six to eight weeks.”
    The fur underneath the mud was short, white, and wiry. There was one tan spot on her back. Another colored patch circled around both the hound’s eyes and extended to mid-muzzle along the side. The tail appeared bobbed, but more so than traditional length. Examining it, Magdalen frowned.
    “I don’t think a vet did this.” The nurse lifted the appendage with a finger. “Looks like it was bitten