A doggone crime!

Aunt Clare’s priceless coin was missing . . . but where did it go?

Flashes of lightning filled the room as thunder rattled the old windows.

“Yikes!” Kaitlyn hurried to draw the curtains, then turned to smile at her two brothers and the family lawyer all sitting around Auntie Clare’s spindly antique table. Sparky, her shaggy black dog, slept before the fireplace.

“It’s a dark, stormy day,” she said, taking her spot between William and Zac. “Wouldn’t you say, Henry?”

Henry Hammond nodded distractedly. “Sounds like one of your novels, my dear.”

William, the eldest sibling, checked his watch. “If we get a move on, we might finish before we lose power. The wiring in this fire trap is unreliable at best. It’ll never last in this storm .”

“That’s why Auntie has candles all over, Billy,” Kaitlyn said patiently. “She was used to being left in the dark.”

William winced at her use of his childhood nickname. “Since I’m the only one with the combination, I’ll open the safe,” he said. Striding to the wall, he removed a painting and spun the dial until the door popped open.

“It was good of Aunt Clare to leave us her stuff,” Zac said, fingers tapping .“She was so supportive of my music. She really cared.”

Kaitlyn patted his hand. “I know she’d be happy to have her money help your career.”

“It sure will. The band’s van needs a new engine.”

William set several velvet sacks on the table.

Q. Why was the eye doctor sent home from the party? A. He was making a spectacle of himself!

“You can buy a new one with your portion of the proceeds.”

The lawyer opened the bags, spilling gold and silver coins across the tablecloth.

“Which is the priceless one ?” Kaitlyn poked a finger into the pile.

“You’re referring to the coin President Lincoln had in his pocket when he gave the Gettysburg Address?” Henry asked.

“Of course!” William boomed.

“It’s that one.” Zac pointed at a silver coin. “I remember.”

Another fl ash of lightning lit the room and all the lights went out as thunder split the air.

Sparky awakened and gave a shrill bark. “The candles are on the mantel,” Henry said.

The table shook as he stood. Shuffling back from the fireplace, Henry tripped over the dog. Sparky yelped. Henry cried out, stumbling into the table as it tilted and fell over.

Confusion reigned as Henry was helped to his feet, the table was righted, the candles lit. William, on hands and knees, scooped up the coins, dropping them onto the table with a scowl. The lights flickered on.

“Henry, are you hurt?” Kaitlyn asked. She rubbed Sparky’s ears as he panted heavily, licking his lips.

Henry eyed the dog. “I’m fine, thank you. Now —”

It’s gone!” William interrupted, sifting the coins. Indeed, the priceless coin was not among the pile on the table.

Everyone dropped to the floor, searching under chairs and along baseboards. Even Sparky snuffled around the rug, but no coin was found.

“This is absurd,” Henry said, looking from face to face.

“Kaitlyn, I know your last book tanked, but if you need money, I’m happy to help,” William said. “Zac, that’s true for you, too. Just put the coin back.”

“Mr. Moneybags, I didn’t take it,” Zac said.

“Nor did I,” Kaitlyn chimed in.

Henry sat back, looking at the dog. “Perhaps he swallowed it.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time,” Zac said.

Kaitlyn pulled Sparky close. “He ate everything when he was just a puppy.” “My point exactly.” Leaning down, Kaitlyn looked Sparky in the eye. “You didn’t, did you?”

Sparky panted, then licked his lips, tail thumping against the table leg.

“Bacon,” Kaitlyn said. “I smell bacon.”

Then she stood, turning on one of the men.

“Empty your pockets.”