♫See the beat cops walkin' down the street♫
♫Fall in line just watchin' their feet♫
♫They don't know ♫
♫Where those bad guys go♫
♫They're walkin' in time♫
♫They got the beat ♫
♫They got the beat♫
♫They got the beat♫
♫Yeah!  They got the beat!♫

Did I mention I got two, count 'em, two baths last week.  Once again I am fluffy.  I am irresistible.  I hate it.  Oh well.  At least the novel is interesting.

Chapter 17

            Chief of Police Dexter’s radio crackled to life.  “Hey, chief!  We got a sighting!”
            “Where are you?” Dexter demanded.
            “Heading south on Michigan.  They said it was only a couple of blocks from here.  I should be there…” the voice broke off suddenly.
            “Come in, officer.  What’s going on out there?”  He headed south as he spoke, breaking into a jog.  Static came in on the radio, then the officer’s voice returned, difficult to discern over a terrible racket in the background.
            “Sweet Mother of Dog!” The officer’s voice had become faint.  “Chief!  You gotta…” and again the connection was lost.  Dexter shouted into his radio, but there was no reply.  He barked into an open channel.  “All units to south Michigan Avenue, NOW!” 
            Dexter put his nose to the ground.  Yes, it was unconventional for the chief of police himself to be out tracking a suspect.  But he hadn’t gotten to the top by sitting behind a desk.  He had worked his way up from drug sniffing dog to the department’s head position with fieldwork, paws on experience.  One of his own was in trouble, and Dexter would find him.

I love the cop lingo.  I hope somebody says, "Book 'em, Dano."  That would be cool.

Chapter 18

            “Oficer Skye!  Oficer Skye!  My kitty is stuck up a tree!  Ha!  Ha!  Ha!   Oh, wait, Oficer Skye! You look like you would know where I could find the best doughnut shop in town.  Bwah-ha-ha!”  Basil the beagle pranced around her then collapsed in fits of laughter.
            “I swear, if you weren’t my partner, I’d bite you,” Skye threatened.  “Don’t you ever stop?”
            “Stop?  Stop?  What for?”  Suddenly he gasped, eyes wide.  “Oficer Skye, is I in trouble?”  Basil tucked his tail between his legs and tried to look contrite for a moment before succumbing again to fits of laughter.  Skye shook her head and glanced up and down the street.  People would be heading out for the evening soon, and business would undoubtedly pick up.  For the moment, though, there seemed to be no bad guys to chase and Basil was finding other outlets for his energy.  She shook her head and headed south.  Michigan Avenue was always a good place to pick up shoplifters and unruly tourists. 
            “Hey, Catahoula!  Isn’t that your radio?” Basil’s voice roused her from her thoughts.  She heard the Chief’s voice:  “All units to south Michigan Avenue, NOW!”
            “Let’s go, Boogle.  Looks like business.”
            “Hey, Skye, maybe it’s that monster everyone was talking about at the station.  GRRRRRR!  Here, monster, monster!  Come to Officer Basil,” he cooed.
            “Aren’t you ever serious?” Skye chided.  “The Chief says go, we go.  Some of us think this job is important.”
            “Aw, Skye, you know I’m a good cop.  I love being a cop!” 
            “I know you are, Basil, but nobody else would know just by looking.  Besides, you don’t want to be a beat cop the rest of your life, do you?”
            Basil stared at her.  “You’re kidding, right?  This is the best job ever!  I arrest the bad guys.  I save the damsels in distress. ‘Officer Basil, I knew I would be okay as soon as I looked into your big hazel eyes.’  I love this job!”
            “Well, I for one am going to make detective someday, with you or in spite of you.  You can rescue all the damsels you want but if you don’t do what the Chief says, you’re going to be back sweeping floors at the pet store.”
            “Okey dokey, Dee-tective Skye,” Basil replied and saluted her.  “Lead the way.”  As they made their way through the commuter traffic, Basil reflected on their conversation.  It hadn’t occurred to him that he was not taken seriously on the job.  Sure, he liked to cut up at the station, but he thought everyone knew how much he respected the position itself.  Maybe it was time for him to make his mark at the precinct.

Chapter 19

            The foursome was just settling into chairs at Lyle and Morgan’s table when they felt the ground shake beneath them.
            Seva looked accusingly at Morgan.  “You have earthquakes in Chicago?”
            “It’s not my city, Seva,” Morgan replied.  “Besides, I don’t believe they do.  I can’t imagine what that could have been.  Construction, perhaps.”
            Again and again, the ground shook and they soon could hear a rumbling with each tremble.  It seemed as though whatever was causing the disturbance was coming closer.  Glassware tipped off the tables and the other restaurant patrons began to glance around nervously.
            “Does this happen often in Chicago?”  Seva now directed her questions to Miss Matches.  “Doesn’t anyone realize I’m trying to have a peaceful drink?”
            “Um…” Miss Matches stammered.  “I really don’t think I’ve ever heard anything like it before.  Lyle, maybe you can ask the maître d' if he knows what’s going on.”
            “Check!”  Lyle smiled and rose from his seat.  “Lyle to the rescue!  Fear not, ladies, Lyle will protect you.”   He smiled and made an exaggerated bow before leaving the table.
            “Well, he hasn’t changed,” Miss Matches said, rolling her eyes, but smiling to herself.

I just knew I was going to be a hero.  Save the day and be back in time for dessert.  Mmm...dessert.