Flashback*

September 17, 2024

Rocky's POV

"Alright, pups... Time for a break. You've all been good pups," Ryder said as we returned to the Lookout after saving Chickaletta from Mr. Porter's runaway pickup truck.

We all went to our pup houses to get some rest before the next emergency.

"Oh, and also..." Ryder added, "I scheduled an appointment with Katie to give you all a bath."

"Look at who's getting a bath again," Chase said.

"Chase, stop!" I replied.

"What? When was the last time you had a bath, Rocky?" Rubble asked.

"Doesn't matter, Rubble. I'm not getting wet. After all, Marshall already sprayed me with the hose this morning," I answered.

"That doesn't count as a bath," Marshall said.

"How about we just chill for now before bath time or the next emergency?" Skye suggested.

"Good idea, dude. It's getting kinda noisy over here," Zuma agreed.

"Yeah, I'll go take a nap. See ya..." I said, shutting my pup house door.

But the second I closed my eyes, I heard my pup tag glowing. Someone was trying to call me. But who? I picked up the call anyway.

"Hello?" I whispered.

"Hi, Rocky! It's me, the Princess of Barkingburg," the voice answered.

"Princess? How did you call me through-"

"That doesn't matter right now, but I need your help. I need to write an anonymous letter for someone, and I need your skills to send it without them knowing it's me."

"But, who's it for?" I asked.

"Shh... Can any of the other pups hear you?" she questioned.

I listened carefully and made sure none of the other pups were listening to me.

"No, they're not here," I answered.

"Good... You know how much I have strong feelings for Ryder, right?" she continued.

"Yeah. So, you want to send the letter to... him?" I answered.

"Yes, if you can keep this a secret between us two?"

"I don't know... If Ryder finds out, I don't know what to say," I said.

"Well, you're not gonna tell him on me, right? Hear me out, things will get much worse than Ryder finding out if you don't do this for me," she added.

"Like what?" I asked, a little frightened.

"I asked one of the other pups to bring a knife for me when you come here to help guard at night," the Princess said.

My heart pounded nervously when I heard those words. Who did she ask? Oh boy, sounds like she's up to no good if I don't do what she says. I took a deep breath before speaking up.

"Okay, I'll do it."

"Great! I knew I could trust you, Rocky."

Suddenly, something interrupted our conversation.

"Rocky, it's time to go to Katie's for your bath!" Zuma yelled from outside my pup house.

"One second!" I yelled back and turned back to my pup tag, "Hold on, give me five or ten minutes. I'll call you back!"

I hung up the call and burst out of my pup house.

"Whoa, dude! I don't remember you responding that fast when it comes to bath time," Zuma said.

"Oh, yeah, I guess, I just don't wanna end up you all dragging me all the way to, uh... the pet parlor. You know?"

"Right, let's go then!"

We all walked up to the pet parlor and saw the two bathtubs occupied already. Skye and Rubble were both having their first turn. As we were waiting in line, I tried to figure out a way to sneak out so I could call back to the Princess.

"Hey, uh, who wants to go next after them?" Chase asked.

"Dude, I am a bit itchy now, can I go?" Zuma said.

"Itchy? Ew, you better not have any fleas!" Marshall said.

"I don't, okay? It's just I haven't had my bath in a week," Zuma answered.

"Why do you sound like Rocky?" Chase questioned.

"Me, I don't know..." Zuma replied and noticed that Chase was scratching so much as well, "Why are you scratching? Maybe YOU have fleas."

"What? No, I don't!" Chase denied, "You're telling me Marshall is scratching too."

"Chase, what's that crawling on your back? Oh, my dog, why do I feel something crawling on me?" Marshall exclaimed.

"Great, looks like we all have the fleas!" Zuma said.

I used this moment to sneak out while they argued. As I stepped back quietly, they didn't realize I wasn't talking the whole time. I was still by the door, so I could still hear them fighting.

"Whoever started this outbreak is gonna get it!" Chase complained.

"Did someone say fleas?" Katie asked worriedly.

"Oh, shoot..." Rubble muttered.

"We're doomed," Skye mumbled.

I ran back inside my pup house, noticing that nobody followed me. I tapped on my pup tag, trying to see if I could call the Princess. Somehow, it worked. Maybe she did something on my pup tag? I don't know, but I don't think it's that important right now.

"I'm back, Princess. Sorry, it took so long."

"It's okay, Rocky. Anyway, so here's the plan..."

It took some time for us to figure out how to write the message electronically and anonymously. She told me what to write, and I typed it down like I was her secretary.

"And it's done! I sent it..."

"Thank you, Rocky!"

"You're welcome, Princess," I answered, "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me."

"And same for me, as well," she replied.

After I hung up the call, Chase was calling me from outside.

"Rocky! Come out, it's your turn to get a bath," Chase said.

"I'm coming out!"

I came out of my pup house, and Chase was standing right in front of my pup house.

"There you are, I was wondering where you could be hiding," Chase said.

"Yeah, uh... hehe, well, I guess I'll get going?" Rocky said.

"Yup, it's your turn now..." Chase replied. I walked away as I headed for the pet parlor for my bath.

*End of Flashback*

Chase's POV

Rocky sat on the empty seat in front of me, meeting my eye level.

"So, what is this about?" he asked.

"Rocky, you know what I'm looking for..." I answered, "Today, I got the autopsy report of the Princess, and I found out she was poisoned."

"What? I mean... how?" Rocky exclaimed.

"I suspect the glass of milk we saw on her side table was contaminated with poison. You gave the milk to her the night before, right?" I questioned.

"Me? Wha- No, of course not," Rocky snapped.

"Don't lie to me, Rocky! I know everything!" I argued.

"Then prove it!" Rocky said.

"Marshall saw you handing the glass of milk to the Princess," I said straightforwardly.

Rocky went silent for a moment while I stared at him, waiting for an answer.

"Look, even if I did give the glass of milk, I don't know what that poison is and where it is!"

"And is there anything else about you and the Princess that I need to know?" I questioned.

Rocky was even more surprised at how much I knew about him. I knew he was hiding something, but he still didn't dare to tell me. He doesn't even fully admit that he gave the glass of milk to the Princess.

Rocky's POV

When the interrogation ended, I walked down the hallway to the exit. As I was walking, I saw the Earl pass by.

"Oh, Rocky, hi!"

"Hi, Earl... Um, what are you doing all the way here?" I asked.

"I just want to have a talk with Chase. Is he here?" the Earl replied.

"Yes, he's in the interrogation room," I answered.

"Alright, thank you."

The Earl walked away. He looked like he was in a bit of a hurry.

Marshall's POV

I was busy satisfying myself with my chew toy when we suddenly got visitors.

"Carlos! Tracker!" I greeted, getting up at my feet.

"Hey, Marshall... Is Ryder here?" Carlos asked.

"Yeah, he's inside. I'll go get him," I answered, running inside the Lookout.

I found Ryder and told him to come outside because Carlos and Tracker were looking for him. After that, I went back to my chew toy. As I was chewing on my toy, I could hear Ryder and Carlos' conversation.

"Look, I'm sorry about the last message I sent you. I was... I was a bit stressed and all lately," Ryder said.

"It's alright... I know you and the pups are busy, and... I'm sure you all need a break."

Skye approached me as I was listening.

"Hey, I heard Ryder and Carlos had a bit of a dispute or something," she whispered.

"About what?" I asked.

"I'm not so sure, but Ryder kinda got too far and said something mean in a text. I'm pretty sure he's just stressed about everything that's happened."

"Stressed? I mean, he wasn't even asked for questioning, not even once. How is he more stressed than any of us?" I questioned.

"Well, I don't know, probably because we're his pups, and since we're all suspicious, he goes along with it?" Skye replied.

Out of nowhere, Rubble just came out from behind.

"You sure have a skill for eavesdropping."

"What?" Skye exclaimed.

"Rubble, shush... I know I've told you before that I eavesdropped a bit on Rocky before, but you don't have to say it out loud!" Marshall scolded.

"Eavesdropped on who now?"

We turned around to face whoever it was. It was Rocky.

"Oh, uh... I mean, the leaves! You know, need raking," I muttered nervously.

"Stop changing the topic like I didn't hear it right. You tattled on me, didn't you?!" Rocky replied, starting to get angry.

"Rocky, calm down!" Skye said, but it was no use.

"Well, it's true, though. I saw you hand over the poisoned milk to the Princess," Marshall argued.

"And you think I know that milk has poisoned? Geez, of course I don't!" Rocky yelled.

"Dudes, what the heck is going on over there?" Zuma asked after being awakened from his nap.

"HE STARTED IT!" Rocky and Marshall pointed in unison.

"YOU THINK YOU'RE SO INNOCENT JUST BECAUSE YOU TOLD CHASE EVERYTHING?!" Rocky said angrily.

"WELL, I BET YOU'RE THE MURDERER CHASE HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS WHOLE TIME!" Marshall snapped.

"OH, REALLY?! HUH?! THEN PROVE IT! DO YOU HAVE A SECRET CCTV FOOTAGE IN YOUR PUP PACK THAT WE DON'T KNOW?!" Rocky continued.

"GUYS! OH, FOR PUP TREAT'S SAKE!" Rubble interrupted.

"Pups, what's going on over there?" Ryder turned his glance over to us. Carlos and Tracker stared in confusion as well.

"He was accusing me of a murderer!" Rocky pointed.

"And he's saying I'm SO innocent and that I have a secret CCTV footage and all," Marshall pointed as well.

Ryder sighed at the sight of his pups accusing one another.

"I'm sorry you had to see and hear that, Carlos and Tracker," he said.

"It's fine... We'll just get going," Carlos replied, "Tracker, let's go."

Tracker was so curious about that conversation he just heard. At first, he didn't want to leave, but he decided to go as well.

Hey again, Detectives!

Uh oh! Looks like a secret has been spilled, and now the pups are arguing. What will happen next? Also, you have two new characters. Are they innocent or could they be also somewhat involved in the crime?

Thanks for reading and see you in the next chapter!

~Detective Skye~