Read Online Dancing on the Head of a Pin by Thomas E. Sniegoski - Free Book Online

chests.
    They didn’t appear to be in the least bit happy to see a stranger on their doorstep, so Remy figured some introductions were in order.
    “Stop,” he commanded, in their canine tongue.
    The obvious pack leader came to a sudden halt, the two others stopping as well.
    “Intruder,” the leader barked. “Intruder. Intruder.”
    “Intruder. Intruder. Intruder,” the other two barked in agreement. “Stop, intruder. Stop!”
    “I’m not an intruder,” Remy explained to the animals. “I’m here to see your master.”
    The leader stopped his vocalization and started to sniff the air toward Remy. “Invited?” he asked tentatively.
    The others sniffed as well.
    “Yes. Your master and I have some business to discuss.”
    “Business?”
    The leader padded closer, smelling the ground around his feet. “Smell dog,” he said, moving closer to his pants leg.
    “Yes, I have a dog. His name is Marlowe. What is your name?”
    “Luthor,” said the leader. “Name Luthor.”
    “That is a very strong name, Luthor,” Remy praised the animal. “And might I say what a good job you and your pack are doing protecting the master’s house.”
    The nubby tails on all three of the rottweilers started to wag.
    “I Daisy,” said one of the others.
    “I Spike,” said the last.
    Remy extended his hand for Luthor and his pack to sniff. “My name is Remy.”
    Luthor placed its large head beneath Remy’s hand, hungry for affection. Remy sensed a sudden change in the animal’s powerful demeanor.
    “Not good. Bad. Useless.”
    The dog’s body began to shiver with nervousness. The other two members of the pack had crowded around him as well, starving for the same affection that their leader was receiving.
    “I don’t think that’s true,” Remy told them. “I think you’re all very good dogs.”
    “No. Bad dogs. No good.”
    They pushed one another out of the way, each of them wanting to be petted and praised. He had an idea where their self-esteem problem was coming from, especially since he had been summoned here to help with the investigation of a theft.
    He was doing his best to give the guard dogs the attention they were craving when the front door to the house suddenly opened.
    The dogs’ heads all turned to look at the man standing in the doorway.
    “Mr. Karnighan?” Remy asked. “Hi, I’m Remy Chandler.”
    The man was very old, leaning upon a cane carved from dark cherrywood that reminded Remy for some reason or another of solidified blood.
    “It appears they like you, Mr. Chandler,” the old man sneered, his voice hinting of a strength now passed. He slowly lifted his cane and pointed it at the dogs.
    Remy noticed them flinch.
    “It seems that they like everyone, which is why I am currently in need of your services.”
    The old man’s expression softened as he tore his gaze away from the animals.
    “I’m Alfred Karnighan,” he said, hobbling farther outside the door, his hand extended. Remy met the man partway, shaking hands with him.
    “If I can tear you away from your new friends, why don’t you come inside so that we can discuss business,” Karnighan said with a hint of sarcasm.
    He made a brief clucking sound and motioned with his hand toward the animals. Heads hung low, the dogs trotted off, as Karnighan returned his attention to him, now gesturing with the cane for Remy to go inside.
     
    The inside of the home was like a museum.
    Remy walked slowly alongside the elderly man, taking in objects of art tastefully displayed around him as they progressed through the house.
    “You have some very nice things,” Remy said as they passed a beautiful piece that he recognized as being by Monet, not a foot away from a glass case that displayed a porcelain vase that could have quite easily been from some ancient Chinese dynasty.
    “Thank you, Mr. Chandler, but I consider these items merely knickknacks in comparison to what has been taken from me.”
    “These are some very expensive knickknacks,