Beach Blanket Homicide (Lucy McGuffin, Psychic Amateur Detective 1)

“Oh, Lucy! Poor little Cornelius. I’m just grateful that he’s all right.” I can hear Anthony in the background, shooting off a barrage of questions.

The next voice I hear on the line is his. “Lucy, it’s Anthony here. Aurelia told me what happened. Is there anything we can do?”

“Not really, I mean, I’m just so grateful that Aurelia was able to provide a health history for the doctor.”

“I don’t understand. Cornelius has been naughty before, but never like this.”

I gulp. “I must have left the pill bottle out by accident.”

“That must be it. Aurelia had all of Susan’s medication locked up tightly, so Cornelius was never tempted by them.”

Talk about pouring salt over the wound.

“Susan was on a lot of meds, huh?”

“Oh yes. She was on all sorts of painkillers for her cancer. Aurelia was a wonderful nurse,” he adds proudly. “She handled all of Susan’s home regimen.”

“Aurelia has nurse’s training?”

“She was a certified nurse’s assistant for ten years before she came to work for Susan as her cook. All that experience came in very handy when Susan became ill.”

Dr. Brooks motions like she wants to speak to me again. “Anthony, I need to get off the phone. Please thank Aurelia again for the information.”

“Certainly. And…you’ll let us know about the séance?”

“Sure.”

I hang up. “Sorry,” I say to Dr. Brooks.

“No problem. So, let me fill you in on the plan of care. We’ll need to keep Paco for at least twenty-four hours.” She glances at her wristwatch. “It’s already past ten. How about you plan to pick him up Friday morning? That will give us plenty of time to make sure his labs all come back normal. Barring any complications, which I have to warn you, could still happen, we should be able to give him a clean bill of health by then.”

Complications. “Okay, sure, whatever is best for Paco.”

“Can I ask, what you plan to do with the dog?”

Before I can answer, Will pipes up. “I’m taking the dog.”

I whip around to face him. “For sure?”

He nods.

“Oh, Will! Thank you!”

Lanie claps her hands. “Yay for a happy ending!”

My happy ending glow is ruined when I see the preliminary vet bill. Will takes the paper from my hands. “He’s going to be my dog, so I’ll pay for his treatment.”

I snatch the paper back. “That wouldn’t be fair. I’m the one who messed up by leaving the pills out.”

“Luce—”

“Please, Will, this is all my fault. I need to do this. Okay?” The urgency in my voice stops him from protesting again.

The door to the vet office opens. Brittany rushes in. “How’s little Paco?” she asks breathlessly. “I came as soon as I heard the news.”

I look at Will, who shrugs. “She called my cell while we were waiting to hear from the doctor, so I left her a text explaining why I couldn’t talk.”

“Is he all right?” she asks again. “I’ve been so worried! What happened?”