no cutlery.” The young woman looked at me in total consternation, confused and distressing excitement over a man with a friend who slept on the floor and took his meals as well, on the floor while eating with his fingers.
“May I see the suite?”
“Certainly.” She rang for the concierge. I heard a thumping sound and a man appeared hopping toward the desk on one leg. “Mr. Robquest will show you the suite, sir.”
“I’ll follow you, sir.” I said wondering how he would make the stairs.
“Ship shape, Colonel!”
The man hopped along until he came to a well-disguised lift. It had an iron cage fronting the door, the lift hardly held two people. We took it to the fourth floor with Robquest leading the way to the corner suite were he unlocked the door. He hopped across the suite to the window and threw open the large French doors to a small balcony…and in the distance the village of Powell River with the park across the street, were Heinz would run and catch the ball to the dismay of the registry clerk, and the monkey playing the organ.
The suite was perfect, at five hundred dollars per night in Venice during the off-season. Location, location…and this wasn’t Venice. The daily rate was considerably less than the Venetian rate. It was two rooms with a large master suite; king sized bed and marbled bath made for a man. It also had a shower with a seat for washing the feet, as well as other southern parts. The front room contained a lovely sitting area with a table in the center of the room for meals. There was also a small sofa with coffee table and two side chairs, as well as a secretary’s desk and chair.
Robquest closed the doors to the balcony when it appeared I was finished with my appraisal. I thanked him as we took the lift back to the lobby and handed him a tip, which he accepted graciously, and then he hopped away.
I reserved the suite, left two smiling, nodding heads, and went to the apothecary. It was similar in style to the Guest House, utilizing marble floors and a marble soda fountain, which was a good twelve feet covering an entire wall. It contained iron seats, which were attached to the fountain. Each seat had a red cushion with shoulder high backs, swiveled from side to side to get in and out, and was built to guarantee comfort while at the soda fountain. I ordered a strawberry shake and tuna on rye. The tuna was freshly made with just the right amount of mayo and onion with a hint of spices I did not recognize. The ladies serving at the fountain all wore freshly starched white lacy uniforms with small French aprons, which added a very quaint touch. They were clean, attractive and efficient. It reminded me of my boyhood favorite hangout in Louisville, Kentucky, The Colonaide at Fourth and Walnut. Lunch was terrific and provided the encore to the Guest House. To my delight, there were two private booths with public phones.
It was noon before I called Deputy Cover.
“Deputy, sir, this is Brandon Simpson.”
“Good, expecting to hear from you. The sheriff has no problem with your moving. Do you know where you’ll be staying?”
I wanted to say “The Hermitage” at Monte Carlo but I managed to restrain my weird sense of humor and answered instead, “The Guest House Inn.”
“Good choice, do try the coffee shop, they bake their own pies, I believe pecan this evening.” He said and I could hear in him ... he was a regular patron at the coffee shop. “By the way Colonel, I meant to tell you when you mentioned you were taking Heinz to the vet; the sheriff’s office does not have a budget for vet expenses.”
“No problem, it’s my treat for Heinz, and I discovered Dr. Weisiger is the breeder?”
“Yes ... it’s true.”
“Deputy Cover, would you think it out of place for me to try to purchase this dog, we have become quite attached, Heinz means a lot to me, but having said so, I would not want to do anything which might undermine the department, knowing the work you perform with Heinz is of vital safety to the community.”
“Colonel, the county doesn’t own Heinz, he was owned by Seg Maze, and you know dogs are funny. He may or may not work with a new guide. But if it’s going to be an issue ... you’ll have to address the estate of Seg Maze.”
“Thanks for the insight, deputy…speaking of the deceased, have you heard from the coroner?”
“No word, but I expect his report any day.”
“One final question, this may sound strange, but I was wondering if you knew of this family, the Maze’s…do you think they have the funds to handle his final expense?”
“Christian offer Colonel, Seg lived with his elderly mother, on government assistance, but I caution you, the offer is a sticky-wicket in lieu of the charges on you.”
“Yes, officer, I understand, thank you for your confidence, I’ll leave a message for you with my new coordinates.”
Now it was back to Dr. Weisiger to pick up Heinz. When I opened the door, Heinz was resting on the other side of the room.
“He’s been waiting for you.”
“Any problems.” I asked the attendant as I rubbed his ears and checked his clean teeth.
“Doc Weisiger says Heinz will live to be at least twenty and will make someone a great sire.”
“May I see Dr.Weisiger?”
“He was in surgery, but let me check for you.”
She was gone for less than five minutes; returning to show the Colonel into the doctor’s office. Heinz knew the way so I followed him…after all he is a pointer, I thought.
“Colonel Simpson, so happy to meet the man everyone is talking about.”
“The pleasure is all mine, sir and I regret ... my newly acquired persona may have given you the wrong impression of who I really am.”
“I read people fairly well… and is why I prefer dogs.”
“I won’t take much of your time.”
“I’ve finished the surgery, so I’m good.”
“You know I have been charged on the matter of the drowning of Seg Maze? Ridiculous charge, I never knew the man until the morning we went duck hunting.
You know Heinz discovered the body and sat with it for two days until he could get my attention. I believe as soon as the coroner’s report is in, the court will have to release me. There will be no signs of foul play, and Doctor, you know how smart this dog is? Why do you think he would have anything to do with me?”
“I believe this dog’s intuition can be trusted, Colonel.”
“The point is Heinz and I have bonded. His owner has passed, Heinz has no home and I am told Seg’s mother is elderly and relies on the government. I don’t know who will be responsible for the final expenses, but I was just wondering.”
“Yes, I see were you are going, and I believe it would be a good match and the resolution for what I am sure is a heavy burden for the widow, Maze.”
“I don’t want to do or say anything, which would give the wrong impression. I have tried, well you know how people talk, Doc, and my interest is solely in
