Mrs. O'Malley's Secret

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Chapter One

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Mrs. O'Malley held her yapping poodle close to her face, she was eying the police entering her neighbor's house. Her heart stopped in disbelief when she saw her neighbor.

"Bastard! He's still alive," she whispered to Percy her poodle. "I thought that crazy man killed him."

"Morning, Mrs. O'Malley," Chief Innocent waved to the nosy old lady. "You old bat," she mumbled to herself.

"Morning Jeannie," Mrs. O'Malley walked toward her former pupil. "What happened to young James?" The retired teacher watched the man in the wheelchair.

"He had an accident," Innocent told her. "He'll be on his feet and back to work real soon. Talk to you later, Mrs. O'Malley." She bid the old lady a false cheerful good-bye and followed Lewis into James' house.

Mrs. O'Malley stood on the sidewalk glaring at the closed door of James' house. "Well Percy, looks like you've got something to bark at." She turned to walk into her house, but froze when she saw a large yellow and black dog sitting on the walkway. Percy leaped out of her arms and joyfully danced around the newcomer.

"AGGHGHGHGHH!" James, Lewis, Bell, Laura and Innocent stopped talking when a blood cuddling scream pierced the house. Bell and Lewis raced out the front door searching for the source of the screams. "AGGGH! You son-of-a-bitch! Get the fuck out of my way. Percy, get back here damn-it."

Lewis chuckled at the scene on the sidewalk. Mrs. O'Malley was trying to pass James' dog, Mindy. Mindy was sitting wagging her long tail holding a tennis ball in her mouth, eagerly greeting her neighbor. Percy, Mrs. O'Malley's poodle yelped and barked, bouncing around the adorable new dog.

"Mindy," Lewis called. "Come here, Girl." Mindy pranced into James' house.

"Sorry about that, Mrs. O'Malley," Lewis called to her. She stormed into her house without saying a word. Percy sat on the walkway watching and waiting for any glimpse of the dog that excited him so much.

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"I think Percy has a crush on Mindy," Lewis joked, he looked the poodle sitting watching the house as he closed the door.

"Uh, what happened to all my furniture?" James was stunned at the sight before his eyes. The sofa, oversized chair, oriental rug, coffee table, and end tables were replaced by a hospital bed, bed table, and a portable commode. "My living room looks like a hospital room!"

"I didn't think a school teacher would use such language," Bell observed.

"When I was in Mrs. O'Malley's class, I remember her disciplining anyone using foul language with a bar of soap in their mouths," Innocent remembered.

"Hello! Anyone," James tried to get their attention.

Their conversation stopped and everyone turned to look, "Oh, right! Your furniture," Innocent explained. "The department thought you would be safer with a bed downstairs. This way you do not have to drag that heavy cast up two fights of stairs."

"That's nice, but where's my couch? And why a hospital bed?" James was exasperated. "What's that?" He pointed.

"Ah that," Innocent blushed.

"That is a bedside commode," Lewis talked as if he was selling the commode. "With detachable arms and extending legs. For easy patient transfer. Also fire retardant upholstery, removable commode pan and lid."

"You think I'm going to use that, in here?" James argued. "I have no curtains."

"Oh, that does present a problem," Lewis laughed.

"How about a privacy screen?" Laura teased. "I have one you can barrow. I'll go get it right now." She left before James could stop her.

"See, problem solved," Lewis smiled.

"No, problem not solved," James steamed. "Take that thing out of here."

"James, I need to dash," Innocent interrupted. "I hope you figure your loo problem out before you need to. See you in the morning, Lewis," she smiled and left.

"In the morning, Ma'am," he replied. Lewis noticed Percy still sitting and waiting. Mindy was sitting in a chair watching every move James made

James rolled his eyes and threw his arms up in the air, "I give up." He looked around his personal hospital room. "At least this bed looks more comfortable than the one in the rehab center."

Bell sat in the only chair left in the room. Lewis grabbed a chair from the kitchen and pulled it beside James. "I hope you don't mind. The rehab center thought you would be more comfortable at home," he tried to easy his partner's mind. "The department rented all this stuff for you. A home nurse will stop in twice a day. And you will be driven to therapy three days a week."

"UMPH!" Was all James could manage. He did not mind, though he wished someone warned him about the changes.

Lewis sympathized with his friend. "Laura and I cleaned the house and stocked the kitchen."

"I appreciate that," he smiled. "What do I owe you?"

"Not a thing, James," Lewis refused the offer of repayment. "Rebecca said she would bring Mindy some food. I did not know what to buy."

"I'm going to have her find Mindy a new home," his was trying put on a brave face. Mindy raised her head and whimpered sadly. "I don't have the room and the back garden is not fenced. Beside, Mrs. O'Malley will be complaining. I'm surprised she hasn't all ready called the station.

Before Lewis could say anything the doorbell rang. Mindy trotted to the door waiting for Lewis. He opened the door to be greeted by two uniformed officers and Percy. "Oh, Inspector Lewis," one office stammered. Percy waltzed in following Mindy to the living room. "Uh, do you live here?"

"No. Come in," he stepped to the side. "Sargent James Hathaway lives here. James, these gentlemen like to see you."

James turned his wheelchair around to face the visitors. He looked confused at Mindy and Percy wrestling. "I'm James Hathaway. How can I help you," he tried not to show any emotions to the uniform officers.

"Uh, sir, we had a call about a vicious dog attack," the office looked around for the vicious animal. All he saw was a sweet looking lab Sheppard mix dog and the poodle playing.

"Officer Davis," Lewis explained. "I'm was a witness to the overly exaggerated reported dog attack. Mindy did not bark, bite, nor jump on anyone. She was sitting on the walkway when Mrs. O'Malley screamed and started cussing at the dog. You can ask Chief Superintendent Innocent, she also witnessed the whole incident."

"Mrs. O'Malley did seemed a little overly exited," the officer folded his report book and put it back into his pocket. "We won't be bothering you again Sargent Hathaway." Lewis led the officers to the front door.

"See what I mean, Mrs. O'Malley will keep nagging until Mindy is gone," James fumed. He was about to say more when the doorbell rang again.

Lewis pulled the door open, "Sorry to bother you again, Sir," the officer apologized. "The woman next door demands the return of her dog." He looked like Mrs. O'Malley gave him a good chewing out. "Sorry!"

"Percy," Lewis called to the poodle. "Time to go. Mummy said to get home," he joked. "Thank you Officer Davis. I hope Mrs. O'Malley won't be making anymore calls."

"Too late, I think she has our number on speed dial," Office Davis laughed. "Do you think the station house could get an unlisted number?"

"Wish," Lewis retorted.

Mindy and Percy sulked to the front door. Percy hesitated then turn and left. His head and tail drooped.