12 Chapter 12

“Come on, Clyde,” Nick had called.

The basset obediently came to the front door and the two of them left the townhouse.

* * * *

“Yoo-hoo. Hello there!” Mrs. Kloswick’s voice broke into Nick’s reverie.

He looked up to see his next-door neighbor with hose in hand, watering her roses.

“Oh, hello,” he responded.

She turned off the hose and walked over to him, extending her hand. “I’m Ursula Kloswick. I don’t believe we’ve met, but I live here,” she said, indicating the townhouse behind her, “between you and Jesse.”

Nick politely took her hand and shook it gently. “Hi, I’m Nick Warden. It’s nice to meet you.”

Nick was still distracted by his encounter with Dennis Christopoulos. Clyde sat at his feet, smiling his doggie hello with his tongue hanging out.

“Oh, this is Clyde.”

Mrs. Kloswick bent and patted Clyde’s head. “My, you’re low to the ground,” she said with a little laugh. “Does he bark much? I don’t like a lot of barking.”