The Meeting

An hour later, Reese climbed back through the window and the Ghost Tail locked it behind her. She crept quietly back into her crate and laid down on her favorite unicorn blankey. Oh sure, she was a tough, smart, fully trained guard for AAPS but she still needed a blanket.

Reese sighed as she thought over everything Betty told her tonight. A pitbull with a dirty coat of fur, no collar, and an attitude problem was roaming their streets. Asking about Margo. This was the really troubling part for several reasons. Margo was Reese's sister and had lived here for several years before the family adopted Reese. Margo, like most animals, was a "nat", a natural, a pet. Nothing at all special about her. If Reese was being honest, she was a difficult animal to live with, old and cranky. Margo actually considered herself the guard dog of the house. Ha! She refused to acknowledge that Reese actually was an AAPS guard and a Ghost Dog! This caused major issues at the beginning of their relationship. Betty was just as confused as Reese by this mysterious pitbull and she had set up a meeting with their quad manager, Shamus.

The meeting was scheduled for the morning, which was a tricky time for Reese. Both Mom and Dad worked from home, while Logan, the younger boy was homeschooled. Dad was always up first. He showered and then took Reese outside. Reese was allowed to run around and go wherever she pleased but if she was missing for too long, Dad would come looking for her. Mom seemed to trust Reese more and didn't come to look for her until she had called out at least three times first. That gave Reese plenty of time to leave a meeting spot, be seen by Mom, bring her a ball, and get back to the meeting.

The meeting spot was Azalea Number One, meaning the white Azalea bush located on the far left side of Reese's house. Betty, being a possum, didn't like being out in the morning and was hidden at the far back of the bush, pressed against the cool bricks of the house. Shamus, a gorgeous but old, box turtle, crawled slowly up to Betty and waited for Reese and the others to arrive. Keller the cardinal landed swiftly and silently on the lowest branch of Azalea Number One and sang out a hello. Addison, the cat from Clearview, and Reese arrived at the same time.

"We have no time to waste here. HQ suspects this pitbull is looking for Margo for a very specific reason. Reese, do you have any reason to believe that Margo might be a Ghost Dog?" Shamus talked fast, especially for a turtle.

"What? Margo? No. Absolutely not." Reese replied, She would have laughed but it didn't seem the time for that.

"There isn't a thing Ghost about that animal!" Keller piped up. "She eats her own poop."

"She isn't that stupid." Reese said.

"Stay on track! Ghost traits can develop later in life. In rare circumstances. Reese, has she ever mentioned a pitbull to you? Friends? Family? When was she adopted?" Shamus asked the questions quickly

"Um, I don't know. I don't think so. Mom said they adopted her as a little puppy, five weeks old. Dad said they met the people at a trash dump and picked her up. Oh! But Margo isn't a full bull mastiff, she is part pitbull."

"REESE!" Dad yelled from the back porch.

"Good. Reese, keep your ears open. Try to use the tail to open a phone to Margo's puppy pictures. It may start a conversation among the family about her past. Ask Margo what she remembers but DO NOT mention the pitbull. Bring everything to me on this one. I'll be sending what little information we do have through the Mole Patrol to HQ" Shamus said and the Ghost Animals separated.

Reese ran inside with Dad, got her treat, and hopped up on the couch to wait for Mom to wake up. Mom would take her back outside as soon as she got up which would give Reese time to chat with Addison and possibly Keller. Margo would sleep until at least noon so Reese wouldn't have to deal with asking her any questions. Margo wasn't a well-liked dog. Except by Mom and Logan. Well, maybe Dad and Devin loved Margo, but not like they loved Reese. Ghost Dogs were different and people tended to obsess over them. They had the ability to "imprint" on an entire family instead of just one person. Margo had clearly imprinted on Mom right away. Reese had done it before they ever met. Imprinting is a special connection that can't be broken.

Shamus looked at Betty with dread in his eyes. Ghost Animals handled lots of situations and Shamus had managed this Quad for 46 years now. He had loved the excitement and the thrills this job provided. Something different every day but this felt very different.

"What are you thinking Boss?" Betty asked carefully.

"I wish I knew. HQ said the pitbull is no ghost but didn't appear to be a natural either. We both know that there are only two other options." Shamus replied slowly.

So he's a Bust or a Chanter?" Betty asked in a hushed tone. " But the odds of that are so low."

"Next to impossible. And what would that make Margo?" Shamus turned and walked away. There was work to be done now.