The Yorkie Yapped at Midnight: A Sam Scoop Mystery
Chapter 2

Sam is asleep, and his dream continues...

Mr. Tibbets – Mayor and first goat of the Yard. He’s not been right in the head since the love of his life migrated south last winter with the rest of her flock…and he was no sharper than a bowling ball before that. But as the Mayor he’s out poking into everybody’s business all day long, so if you want the latest buzz, he’s your man. I found him standing on his overturned feed dish, staring out towards the southern horizon. His beard was dusty and ill kept and a low moaning sound came from his sad, ridiculous face.

“Hey Tibbets!” I barked. “Quit keening over that duck and c’mere, I want to talk to you.” It startled him so badly that he began to dance, his hooves flailing wildly on the plastic surface before falling off butt first, landing with his tail on the ground, all four legs still on the feeder. I watched in wry amusement as he scrambled to his feet and shuffled towards me. He was still looking southwards as he muttered rapidly, “Hiya Sam, wasn’t keening, baaa, just humming to myself, thinking of things, baaa, whatcha’ doin’ back, haven’t seen you in a coon’s age, baaa …”

"Button it and just listen for a minute." I told him I wanted to hear the latest scoop in the yard.


“Baaa, that’s funny, Scoop wants the scoop, baaa…” He looked at me with one ear cocked, and a weak grin on his hairy mug.


I stared at him from under my brows. “Can it, you daft little duck lover. Tell me what the Yorkie has been up to.”


He suddenly appeared agitated, looking anywhere but my eyes. “Up to? Baaa, don’t know anything myself but Blind Sister Cisco was out in the yard this morning, baaa, said that the Yorkie raised a ruckus in the big-house last night, that what you mean?”

“Ruckus? What kind of ruckus?”

“Don’t know, don’t care, baaa. Not my business, no way now how,” he said, as he scrambled away quickly. I watched him as he went and I could’ve sworn he was scared…if I didn’t know that he was too stupid to feel fear, that is.

And claiming it wasn’t his business? That goat was into other peoples business so often he could qualify for a payroll deduction. Something just didn’t add up.

But at least I now had a lead …I went to find Blind Sister Cisco.

The Yorkie Yapped at Midnight: A Sam Scoop Mystery


Sam asleep on the floor, dreaming...


There was a desert wind blowing that night. It was one of those hot, dry Santa Ana’s that come down through the mountain passes and curl your fur and make your nerves jump and your skin itch. On nights like that every booze party ends in a fight. Meek little wives feel the edge of the carving knife and study their husbands' necks. Anything can happen. You might even get a goat to squeal like a fat monk in an earthquake if you lean on him just right…


Dammit, I can’t believe I’m back. Back where I grew up, the yard I left so long ago. A hot and rocky place I never wanted to see again this side of the veil. I’m Sam Scoop – hard-boiled doggie detective. My breed is Golden, and so is my heart…as long as you don’t get on my “ruff” side, anyway. Tread there brother and you’ll find that not even your owners can save you. But fate has pulled me back to this burg, with me clawing and growling in protest the whole way.

Did I say fate? Not unless Fate’s earthly form is six pounds of rhinestone studded smarminess. I’m here because of the Yorkie.


The Yorkie…now there’s one feisty femme fatale. Sure, on the outside she’s all sugar and spice. But on the inside? Not so nice. She has a taste for expensive collars and other dog’s dinners. Ten minutes alone with her and even a Cardinal would be tempted to “kicka’ dat tiny backside.” She has to be the reason I’ve been sent back…I’m sure of it.

But that’s all I’m sure of. I need to get to the gist behind this; who hired me, what do they expect, what’s the payoff? And who do I gotta lick up to in order to get back home?

I’m walking into this without a scent to follow. And unless I want to find my nose rubbed in someone else’s stink, I think I’d better pay a visit to the Mayor.