The Phantom Photograph Read online

  “Good news! The stolen coins have been recovered,” he announced. “Four individuals have been apprehended, including the two smugglers who were here at the shelter.”

  The police officers cheered and gave each other high-fives.

  Lana watched the cops rejoice with a lump in her throat.

  Although Lana was relieved to hear that the criminals had been arrested, she couldn’t celebrate with the others… not while her beloved dog lay dead.

  *****

  At the abandoned warehouse, Peter slept beneath a pile of rags. He awoke to the sound of police sirens and flashing lights. He crawled out from his makeshift bed, and crept to the window. Through the grimy glass, the homeless man watched a dramatic arrest take place on the pier.

  Peter used to work as a dockhand at this very warehouse. When the business closed, he lost his job. A few months later, he lost his home.

  Peter put his hand on his filthy neck. It felt prickly. He felt a sudden urge to walk outside.

  An owl flew overhead as Peter walked along the beach, looking for cans and bottles he could redeem for cash. Debris from the broken dock had washed up on shore.

  A large wave rolled in, and as it receded, a long, belted pouch came to rest by Peter’s feet.

  The owl hooted as he picked up the strange packet and looked inside.

  It was full of money.

  Chapter 28

  The next day, Lana and Ryan sat together at the animal shelter, waiting for Henry. Grace had eaten some food and was now exploring the shelter. Ryan was pleased with how quickly the little dog was recovering.

  Ryan and Lana had stayed in the clinic until late, looking after Grace and talking. The kind, quiet veterinarian was falling in love.

  Ryan was supposed to return to California after the wedding, but he now found that he didn’t want to go; he wanted to stay with Lana.

  Ryan looked around the ramshackle clinic with a thoughtful expression. An idea began to form in his mind.

  Henry arrived at the shelter. He was surprised to see Grace up and about. The little brown dog greeted the boy with enthusiasm, wagging her tail and licking his face.

  Henry noticed Grace’s foreleg and abdomen, where the fur had been shaved off.

  “What happened?” he asked Lana.

  Lana described the dramatic events of the night before. Henry cuddled Grace as he listened. He couldn’t believe someone could have used the sweet little dog to smuggle coins. Grace could have died. How could anyone be so greedy?

  Henry looked deep into Grace’s big, dark eyes.

  If you were my dog, I’d treat you nice… like you deserve, Henry thought.

  Lana then told Henry about Zena’s death. She began to cry when she described Zena’s heroic attempt to protect her from the smugglers.

  Henry bit his lip and blinked hard.

  “She was such a good dog,” Henry said earnestly. Tears stung his eyes as he thought about the gentle old hound that he’d grown to love.

  Grace laid her furry brown head on the boy’s knee.

  “Did they catch them? The crooks that did it, I mean?” Henry asked.

  Ryan handed Lana a tissue. “Yes. The smugglers, the thief, and the coin collector were all arrested… thanks to Sal,” Ryan assured him.

  Ryan explained how Sal used a crayon from Phyllis’s purse to determine the smugglers destination.

  Henry was glad that Sal had helped catch the crooks, and that they would go to jail for what they’d done.

  But it won’t bring Zena back, he thought sadly.

  Lana seemed to know what he was thinking.

  “I p-picked a spot in the yard t-to bury her,” Lana said, “Would you like to c-come to say goodbye?”

  Henry nodded and wiped his eyes on his sleeve.

  *****

  Later that day, Ryan and Henry joined Lana in her yard. They buried Zena in a shady spot under an apple tree. It was a place Lana could see from her window. Henry had given Lana a special stone to mark the grave. He’d painted the stone white, and had written ‘ZENA’ on it in big black letters.

  They placed the stone over the spot where the heroic dog lay, and planted flowers around it. Lana told Henry that the flowers were perennials, so they would grow back every year. But right now, the flower buds were closed tightly.

  The group stood beneath the apple tree, looking at the memorial they had created. Teeny and Grace sat nearby, while numerous cats crowded the window of Lana’s apartment, watching the scene below. The animals seemed to be waiting for something.

  Lana felt a prickle on her neck. The assembled group gasped in wonder.

  The flower buds surrounding Zena’s gravestone suddenly burst into beautiful blooms… right before their eyes.

  Chapter 29

  Peter clutched the money belt in his grimy hands as he entered the Spector County Police Station.

  People wrinkled their noses and moved away as the grubby, homeless man stood in line to speak to an officer.

  While he waited, Peter wrestled with his conscience.

  It’s not too late, he thought. I can leave now, and be a rich man.

  Yet, the homeless man waited.

  When it was his turn, Peter approached the counter. Officer Gumshoe’s eyes watered when he caught a whiff of the foul-smelling man.

  “May I help you?” he asked politely. Officer Gumshoe had recently learned not to judge people by appearances.

  “Yes. I’d like to turn this in.” Peter put the money belt on the counter. “I didn’t steal it, I found it,” the grubby man said quickly.

  Officer Gumshoe whistled when he looked inside the money belt. “Where did you find this?” Officer Gumshoe asked.

  “I found it on the beach, near the old shipping warehouse,” Peter answered.

  Officer Gumshoe realized that he was holding the missing money that had funded the Museum coin theft. The money was the evidence they needed to help build a case against Rich Nickelson.

  He looked from the money belt to the homeless man in amazement. Here was a man who obviously needed the money, yet was honest enough to return it.

  The homeless man looked down at the counter. “I was kind of hoping… is there any chance that there’s a reward?” Pete asked softly.

  If anybody ever deserved a reward, it’s this guy, Officer Gumshoe thought.

  “Here; fill this out.” Officer Gumshoe handed Pete a form. “I’ll go check.”

  He brought the money belt to the back room.

  It didn’t take Pete very long to fill out the form. It asked for contact information, such as address and telephone number, and being homeless, Pete didn’t have them.

  In the back room, Officer Gumshoe told his fellow officers what happened. Like officer Gumshoe, they were amazed at the homeless man’s honesty.

  They were disappointed to learn there was no reward for the money belt.

  “Well, I can’t just let him walk away empty handed,” Officer Gumshoe said. He pulled out his wallet. “I’ve got fifty bucks,” he said, slapping it on the table.

  “I’ve got twenty,” somebody else chimed in as the group of officers all opened their wallets.

  *****

  Peter was starting to get nervous, waiting at the counter. Several police officers had peered at him from the back room, and Pete was beginning to wonder if he was in trouble.

  Officer Gumshoe returned to the counter. “There was, in fact, a small reward offered,” the cop said. He handed Peter a wad of crumpled bills. “Here, it’s almost two hundred dollars.”

  As the homeless man thanked him, Officer Gumshoe swallowed hard at the sudden lump in his throat. He realized that, although two hundred dollars might feed Peter for a few weeks, it wouldn’t change his life. He wished he could do something for this honorable, bedraggled man who stood before him in rags.

  “Excuse me.” The man behind Peter tapped his shoulder. “I hope you don’t mind, but I couldn’t help but overhear,” the man said. �
�My name is Mr. McMerchant.” He shook Peter’s grimy hand warmly. “I’m here to report one of my employees for theft.”

  Peter looked puzzled.

  Mr. McMerchant went on. “I own a vending machine company. I need an honest worker to collect the money from the machines and restock the inventory. You have no idea how hard it is to find a person who is trustworthy. Would you be interested in working for me?”

  Pete’s eyes lit up with hope. “You… you’re offering me a job?” Pete looked down at his dirty, ragged clothes. He couldn’t believe this was happening.

  “Yes, if you’ll accept it. I’ve been waiting a long time to meet someone like you. I can offer you a good starting wage, flexible hours and a company van to drive your route. What do you say?”

  Pete smiled. “When can I start?”

  Chapter 30

  The day of the wedding had arrived, and Sal stood at the altar, watching his bride approach. Henry stood near him, holding a small, velvet pillow. Two matching gold bands were nestled on top.

  Phyllis made her way down the aisle of the tiny chapel, wearing a simple dress made of flowing, pale purple fabric. Her enormous purse was atop her walker, festooned with a matching bow. Tiny white flowers adorned Phyllis’s silver hair, which was pinned behind her ears. Sal smiled, thinking how beautiful she was.

  When Phyllis reached the altar, she faced her husband-to-be. Sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows, illuminating the spot where the elderly couple stood.

  Sal leaned his cane against his leg and gently placed his large, strong hands over Phyllis’s stiff, swollen ones. Together, they held the sides of her walker while Reverend Smith spoke.

  Ryan sat next to Lana in the first pew. He could see the love in his mother’s eyes as she gazed at her husband-to-be.

  Ryan squeezed Lana’s hand. They had spent the last few days together, talking and making plans at the clinic. They had some exciting news to share after the ceremony.

  It was time for Sal and Phyllis to exchange vows. Reverend Smith asked Henry for the rings. In his eagerness to fulfill his duties, Henry fumbled. One of the rings fell to the floor and rolled away.

  Before anyone could react, Teeny sprung from Phyllis’s giant bag to retrieve the ring. The tiny white dog wore a black bow-tie to mark the occasion. Teeny jumped back onto the walker and presented the ring to Reverend Smith. Phyllis smiled and petted the clever dog before he disappeared back in the giant bag.

  Henry’s face grew red. Sal laid a reassuring hand the boy’s shoulder and gave him a wink.

  Once the rings were back safely in his possession, Reverend Smith resumed the ceremony.

  Although Sal said his vows too quietly for the rest of the congregation to hear, they could clearly see the effect the old man’s words had on Phyllis. Phyllis’s eyes gleamed bright with emotion as he spoke earnestly to her and placed the ring on her finger.

  With a tender kiss, Sal and Phyllis became husband and wife.

  Chapter 31

  The wedding reception was held in the community room at the senior center. There was music playing and a buffet table held of a variety of homemade food.

  The participants from Sal and Phyllis’s water exercise class were there, along with their instructor, Sandra.

  I don’t think I’ve ever seen Sandra without her bathing suit on, mused Phyllis. She sat next to her new husband and watched the wedding guests mingle. Wanda and Mrs. Michaud fussed over the food and decorations while Henry’s mother danced with Officer Gumshoe. Teeny hung around the buffet table, hoping for treats. Smitty stood up and called for a toast; the guests fell silent and raised their glasses.

  “I wish Sal and Phyllis a lifetime of happiness,” he began. “Their love for each other was always apparent, even before they themselves realized it.” Murmurs of agreement ran through the crowd.

  “Did I ever tell you about my first wife?” Smitty didn’t wait for an answer before continuing his story. “She actually didn’t like me at first… she said I talked too much… can you imagine?” The wedding guests groaned; as most of them had heard this story before, and knew it to be a very long and drawn-out tale. As Smitty droned on and on, the raised cups slowly lowered as the guests’ arms got tired and their attention wandered.

  Mrs. Michaud assessed the situation, and when the long-winded old man showed no sign of ending his monologue, she decided to intervene.

  “Smitty!” she called. “Wrap it up! Henry’s hair is turning grey!” The crowd laughed and cheered.

  Smitty nodded and tousled Henry’s shaggy mop. Raising his cup, he announced, “To Sal and Phyllis!”

  To prevent the old man from beginning another speech, the guests hurriedly clinked their glasses and drank to the happy couple.

  Agnes sat alone in the corner, looking around disdainfully and trying not to have a good time. Mildred danced with Reverend Smith, while Priscilla sampled goodies from the buffet table.

  Ryan and Lana approached the newly married couple, who sat together, holding hands.

  “Congratulations,” Ryan said.

  “It was a b-b-beautiful ceremony,” Lana said. She wore a long green dress that matched her eyes.

  “Lana and I have something to share with you,” Ryan said. He grasped Lana’s hand. “I’ve decided not to go back to California.”

  “Oh?” Phyllis replied.

  “I’m going to stay here in Specter County … with Lana.” He and Lana smiled at each other.

  “What about your brother, and Twin Vet Animal Hospital?” Phyllis asked.

  Ryan took a deep breath. “Well, we’re still working out the details, but Mike agreed to buy my half of the animal hospital. He supports my decision to stay.” He grinned. “Mike says that one of us needs be here to keep an eye on Sal,” he added, winking at his mother.

  Sal chuckled.

  “We’re going t-to open the shelter’s vet c-clinic t-together,” Lana said proudly.

  “That’s just wonderful!” Phyllis exclaimed.

  “In addition to treating the shelter’s animals, we’re going offer low cost veterinary care to needy families with pets,” Ryan said.

  “You probably won’t make a lot of money that way,” Phyllis cautioned.

  “Well, some things are more important, Mom… you taught us that,” Ryan said.

  Phyllis hugged Lana and Ryan. “The animals of Specter County are very lucky to have you both.” Phyllis’s twin sons had spent their entire lives together. It made her glad, knowing that Mike and Ryan were finally going to have an opportunity to experience life as individuals.

  Lana nudged Ryan and pointed to Henry, who was feeding Teeny a morsel of food from his plate.

  Ryan waved Henry over. “Henry, could you introduce me to your mother?” he asked.

  Henry nodded and disappeared into the crowd.

  He soon reappeared and led his mom to Ryan. “Mom, this is Ryan. He’s the vet who saved Grace.”

  “It’s nice to meet you.” She shook Ryan’s hand. “I’m Kate. I’ve heard a lot about you from Henry. I think it’s great that you’ve been helping Lana at the shelter.”

  “Henry is a great help t-too,” Lana added.

  Henry listened as Lana, Ryan, Sal and Phyllis took turns telling his mom what a great kid they thought he was. This made Henry feel proud, happy, and embarrassed all at the same time.

  Ryan and Lana explained how they planned to open the shelter’s clinic together.

  “We’ve noticed that Henry and Grace have developed a strong bond,” Ryan said.

  “Oh yes,” Kate agreed. “Henry talks about Grace all the time. He would love to adopt her, but unfortunately, we can’t afford to care for a dog on our current budget,” she said sadly. She placed a comforting hand on Henry’s shoulder.

  Ryan and Lana smiled. “Grace has had a tough time, and she needs a special home. We have a proposition for Henry, if you agree to it,” Ryan said.

  Henry’s eyes grew wide with hope.
r />   “We’d like to offer free food and veterinary care for Grace, in exchange for the volunteer work that Henry does at the shelter,” Ryan said.

  “Really?! Thanks guys!” Henry exclaimed. He turned to his mother. “Can we adopt Grace, mom? Can we, please?”

  Kate looked at her son’s eager face and nodded. “Yes. I can’t wait to meet her.”

  Henry hugged his mom tight. “Thanks Mom,” he said.

  Chapter 32

  After the wedding reception, Sal and Phyllis went back to Sal’s house. It was now Phyllis’s house too, and they would live here together.

  “Aren’t you supposed to carry me over the threshold?” Phyllis joked as they went inside.

  “Sure. We could start married life with matching hip fractures,” Sal said with a chuckle.

  They sat on the couch together in companionable silence. It had been a wonderful, but tiring day for them both.

  “What are you thinking about?” Sal asked his new wife.

  Phyllis sighed. “I was thinking that this was a beautiful wedding day… I just wish that Betty and Ernest could have been there to see it.”

  Sal nodded. “I do, too.”

  Teeny barked and dove into Phyllis’s giant handbag. He reemerged holding the photo of the four elderly friends, and gave it to Phyllis.

  Phyllis gasped and showed the picture to Sal.

  The photo had changed again. Ernest and Betty seemed to smile more brightly, and Ernest’s T-shirt now read ‘WELL DONE’.

  A new figure had appeared in the photo. A large, speckled dog now sat beside the four seniors, touching noses with Teeny. The loyal old hound who had fostered the tiny dog looked young again. Her muzzle was no longer grey, her amber eyes no longer milky with cataracts.

  “It’s Zena!” Sal exclaimed.

  Phyllis noticed something else in the photo. There was something shiny on Sal’s hand, something that was not there before. “Teeny, can you bring me my magnifying glass?” she asked.

  Teeny dove into the giant bag. The sides of the bag rippled as the tiny dog moved around inside. Moments later, he emerged with a magnifying glass in his mouth, and gave it to Phyllis.

  Phyllis used it to peer closely at the picture, and saw that she and Sal now wore matching gold wedding bands.

  “I guess Ernest and Betty were there after all,” Phyllis said.

  As the newly-married couple gazed at the photo, Zena’s tail began to wag.