Legend of the Ghost Dog Read Free

something sleek and dark as a shadow. Though I couldn’t make out what it was, I had the distinct feeling I was being watched. A little shudder ran up my spine, and in one fluid movement the thing was gone, like a sea serpent returning to the depths.
    My heart pounding, I retraced my steps back to the main path without any trouble. Henry perked up a little as we made our way back home, but I was still troubled by what I’d seen.
    Or what had seen me.
    What in the world was back there, staring at me so hard I could feel it? My stomach rumbled, and I realized I was starving, on top of being scared silly.
    I’d have to leave the mystery to be investigated some other day.

There was an old Jeep parked in our driveway behind Dad’s car.
    â€œOh, great,” I grumbled to Henry. “Looks like our company is here already.”
    But Henry loved company. He’d mostly recovered from his earlier scare and was trotting happily toward the driveway. He paused by the Jeep, gave the wheel a few sniffs, then lifted a leg to leave what my dad calls one of his “free samples” on the tire.
    â€œHenry, how rude! Were you raised in a barn?” I asked him sternly.
    Henry gazed up at me, his liquid brown eyes wide. A piece of grass was stuck to the end of his nose. He was the picture of adorable innocence, like he’d just tumbled out of a Disney movie. I bent down and planted a kiss on his soft head.
    â€œWell, buddy, at least you’ll enjoy the party,” I said. “Let’s go in and face the people.”
    I heard the sound of voices as soon as I walked in the front door. There was also the smell of something cooking. I unclipped the leash and Henry dashed to the back of the house, where the kitchen, dining room, and living room all shared a single open space around a wood-burning stove. I followed Henry into the room.
    â€œAnd here’s Tee now,” I heard my father say.
    Dad was sitting on the couch with a big, cheerful-looking man I presumed was Joe the Research Assistant. Jack was standing at one end of the couch, his hands on his hips. He was staring at Joe like the guy was an alien who had just beamed onto the furniture — one that hadn’t yet declared himself a friend or a foe.
    â€œHi, Tee,” the man said, standing and extending a hand. “I’m Joe. Very glad to meet you.”
    â€œNice to meet you too,” I said, shaking his hand. Joe looked about ten years younger than my father, with a shock of red-gold hair and a round, ruddy face. His bright blue eyes were open and friendly. He smiled and nodded, then sat back down without asking me any of the usual Irritating and Predictable Adult Questions — how old are you? what are you studying? how do you like school? Henry approachedJoe and began to energetically lick one of his pant legs, leaving a slimy smear on the fabric. Joe grinned and reached down to scratch my dog between the ears.
    I decided Joe was okay.
    â€œHe brought chili,” Jack declared. “And brownies!”
    I glanced over at the kitchen, which was really just a corner of the living room that had a stove and a sink. Sure enough, there was a huge yellow pot simmering on the stovetop. It smelled great.
    â€œSo you’re off duty tonight, Tee,” my dad said. “Tee’s usually our chef when their mom is away on business — without her, Jack and I would be eating nothing but Pop-Tarts all day.”
    â€œWhich would be awesome !” Jack declared.
    â€œChili’s great,” I told Joe. “I’ll heat up bread and grate some cheese.”
    â€œThanks, Sweet Tee,” my father said. “Joe, if you want to come look now, I can show you some of the material I’ve already put together, and a list of what I’m still looking for.”
    Jack got up to go with them.
    â€œHow come they call it re -search? Is that like a do-over?” I heard my little brother asking Joe as I walked to