by Krista Davis
I could understand why Dave had said that, but I wasn’t sure it was true. Stella had been by Diane’s side. If Diane was murdered in her house, how did Stella get out unless the killer meant to take her and she managed to escape?
Augie stood up and eyed the people in the room. “It had to be someone local. No one else would have known how to get up the mountain the back way.”
People in the crowd nodded and murmured.
Dave spoke calmly but in a firm voice. “Now, let’s not get carried away with unsubstantiated theories. Augie, you might not notice them because you see them every day, but there are signs all over town pointing to the access road for handicapped visitors. Golf carts and electric wheelchairs go up and down there all the time.”
Clara Dorsey stood up. She leaned on her cane with her right hand and waved a photo of her Scottie in her left hand. “This is my precious Tavish. I’m just lost without him. Obviously, because of my foot surgery, I couldn’t walk him, so I let him out in my fenced yard at ten o’clock at night like I always do before I go to bed. That was the last I ever saw of my sweet boy.”
Glenda Hoover rose quickly and flashed a photograph of Dolly. “Clara just described exactly what happened to us. I’m telling you, folks, it’s not safe to let your dogs out at night by themselves. There’s a thief prowling our streets and stealing our babies.”
“Why?” shouted the owner of Café Chat. “Why would anyone take them?”
“To sell them,” said Augie.
The owner of Café Chat stood up. “Let me get this straight. You’re saying someone is stealing purebred dogs to sell them? Dogs aren’t like knockoff watches that can be sold on the street. Who would buy a purebred out of the back of a car? Why wouldn’t people just buy them from a breeder?”
Dave nodded. “Apparently, there’s a market for it. With all the dogs sitting in shelters, you’d think people would go there, but it seems they buy these stolen dogs. Some bring in hefty prices.”
Someone called out, “The buyers don’t realize that they’re stolen.”
Dave continued, “They also take them for puppy mills. So you breeders with high-profile dogs need to be especially careful.”
I looked over at the lobby to be certain Trixie and Gingersnap were still in the building. They were happily visiting with Stella and some of the dogs other people had brought with them.
Just past the dogs, Camille stood by a window alone. It appeared almost as though she was watching someone but didn’t want to be seen. Did she intend to eavesdrop on the meeting?
I fetched the cupcakes from the kitchen and placed them on the buffet. Then I surreptitiously sidled away from the crowd and tried to act casual when I ambled over to Camille.
“Hi! Everything okay?”
Camille’s cheeks flushed. “I’m fine. I’m just watching the Yappy Hour parade.”
Through the window I could see Pippin leading the parade of dogs and cats. A goat dressed as a pink unicorn with a horn jutting off its head was getting a lot of attention, too. I couldn’t help laughing. “People are so creative with the costumes. I see Finch and Marlee out on the porch. Wouldn’t that be more comfortable?”
“I’m good here. It’s, um, too hot for me outside.”
I looked at her flushed face, but I didn’t think those rosy cheeks had been caused by heat. It was already late afternoon, and the temperature outdoors was very pleasant. Maybe she had a falling-out with Finch or Marlee. In any event, whatever it was appeared to embarrass her. “You’re certain that everything is all right?”
Camille hesitated. She pulled the curtain aside ever so slightly, and I spied the gray-eyed man in the middle of the crowd that watched the Yappy Hour parade. My pulse quickened. Was he watching the inn? Had he expected Trixie to be in the parade? She often was. Or was I overreacting? The Yappy Hour parade was always well attended.
I was so unnerved by his presence that I gave a start when Camille spoke.
“Everything is fine,” she insisted. But then she added a soft, “I think.”
I studied her, not sure whether she was afraid or upset. I didn’t want to pry. Some people liked to confide their troubles and others didn’t. It was her choice. “If you need a friend, I’m always available.” I turned to walk away.
“Holly?”
I looked back at her.
“Thanks.”
I nodded and returned to the meeting, wondering what she was thanking me for. Was she relieved I hadn’t pressed her for the truth, or was she glad that I was looking out for her?
The meeting appeared to be wrapping up. I made a beeline for Dave.
Oma was on her feet holding up a sheet of paper. “Those who would like to volunteer for night shifts between the hours of nine and midnight until the dognapper is caught, please sign up here. You can walk during your shift or use golf carts. If you should see anything suspicious, do not take matters into your own hands. You must phone Dave immediately. I’m going to repeat that for the logic impaired. Do not take matters into your own hands under any circumstances. Your job is to be an extra set of eyes and ears, not to take action.”
I heard Augie mutter, “I’ll take action if I see someone steal a dog. He’ll be sorry he ran into me.”
People began to sign up, help themselves to food, and mingle.
I bent over and whispered into Dave’s ear, “The man who thinks Trixie belongs to him is outside watching the parade.”
Dave jumped to his feet. I followed him to the front porch.
“Where is he?” asked Dave.
I scanned the crowd. He had moved. Hopefully, he hadn’t grabbed a dog and made off with it! “Rats, it looks like he’s gone.”
“Too bad. I’d like to talk to him. I think I’ll stay out here for a little bit and keep an eye on things.”
I was so frustrated. I walked back into the inn and noticed that Camille had left her position at the window.
There was nothing to do but start cleaning up. I gathered discarded plates and napkins.
The fellow with the white beard was speaking with Augie, and I couldn’t help overhearing their conversation.
“Augie, you’re dead-on. I think someone local murdered Diane, too. What I can’t figure out is who had a beef with her.”
“I’m afraid I agree with Dave,” said Clara. “She bred top boxers. How do we know someone from the show circuit didn’t do her in?”
“She was such a genteel woman and a kind neighbor.” Augie wiped a teary eye. “She wasn’t the type to make a fuss or alienate people through her behavior. I don’t understand why anyone would kill her.”
“Holly,” called Oma, cutting into my brash eavesdropping. “I think the two of us should take evening shifts patrolling. Ja?”
“Sure. I’d be happy to do that.” I signed the paper just as Grady, the owner of Shutter Dogs, rolled in a dolly with boxes stacked on it.
“Liesel, per your request, noseprint kits!” said Grady proudly.
“Wonderful! Come with me to the office and I will write you a check. Holly, do you have everything under control?” Oma asked.
“You bet.” I was left to deal with the boxes, which I stashed in the storage room off the hallway. The door was open, but I was hidden from view when I heard two people speaking in the hallway.
They sounded like Marlee and Camille.
Thirteen
“What do you think of Howard’s invitation?” asked Camille.
“Are you kidding? This is our big chance. I was devastated when he dropped us on arrival. To be invited to his house is a huge deal.”
“I’m not so sure. Doesn’t it bother you that he didn’t include Finch or Jim? Not to mention Rae Rae. For a while I really suspected that his departure was some kind of test. Something they had planned to force us together. But now I’m not so sure. If we’re supposed to be bonding, wouldn
’t he invite everyone?”
“You’re overthinking this, Camille. Who cares if the others aren’t included? Rae Rae has nothing to do with the show. And Jim’s just a dog handler anyway. He doesn’t matter.”
There was a prolonged silence. I felt guilty for listening to their conversation. Not that they had said anything particularly private. Maybe I was the one overthinking my guilt. They could see the open door, couldn’t they?
My conscience bothering me, I was about to rattle some boxes to alert them to my presence, when Camille blurted, “No. I’m not going without everyone else. Do you remember when we arrived and he said it was a good thing I was pretty? That was an insult. He thinks I’m an idiot. Well, I’m not stupid enough to trot over to his private house and drool over him. If he wanted to talk with us or get to know us, he could have invited us to lunch in a public restaurant. Marlee, there’s something wrong about his invitation. I’m not going, and if you ask me, you shouldn’t go, either.”
And then it dawned on me. Marlee had said that Jim didn’t matter because he was just a dog handler. From Camille’s perspective, which she was kind enough not to voice, Marlee fell into the same category. She was just a social media manager for Pippin and played no role in the show. Camille was probably right. Howard invited the pretty girls on purpose. It had nothing to do with the show.
“No! Oh, Camille, don’t do that to me. Don’t you get it? This show is your big break. You did it. You got there. But this is my only chance to catch Howard’s attention.”
“I’m sorry, Marlee,” said Camille. “I understand why you feel that way. But I’m not going. Marlee, I’m telling you, there’s something weird going on.”
“Ugh. I can’t believe you! Okay, fine. Be that way. I’m going with or without you.”
I could hear heels clicking down the hallway. I peered from behind the door. Camille was walking toward the lobby, and Marlee was heading in the other direction.
I closed the door behind me and looked out the hall window. Camille was right. Something strange was going on, but I didn’t have a clue what was up.
I gazed down at Trixie.
She wagged her tail and studied me with those soulful brown eyes.
“That’s a smart pup you have.”
I picked her up fast and turned around. It was only Jim and Pippin. “Thanks.” I set Trixie on the floor. “You mean because she sniffs out dead people?”
“That, too. I’ve been watching her. She’d be great in commercials. She has such an expressive face.”
I stared at him in shock. Was he just complimenting her, or was he in the market for another dog? Surely, someone who doted on Pippin the way Jim did couldn’t be a dog thief.
“Did I say something wrong?” he asked.
The man with the gray eyes had me on edge. I smiled at Jim. “No, of course not. I think she’s smart, too. I have loved all my dogs, but sometimes it’s like Trixie seems to know what I’m thinking.”
“Ah. The sign of a very trainable dog. She wants to please you.”
I tickled the top of her head. “She can be a rascal, but there’s usually a reason for it when she misbehaves.”
“Pippin and I are having a great time. Honestly, I hoped Pippin would have fun, but I didn’t think I would, too.” His eyes opened wide. “Oh! I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. I’m sorry about the lady who died. Do they have any leads on who murdered her?”
“I don’t know. Poor Dave is kind of swamped right now.”
“I’m not from around here, but if there’s anything I can do . . .”
“That’s very kind of you. Don’t give it another thought. You’re supposed to be enjoying your stay in Wagtail, like the other guests. It was just bad luck that Pippin went along with Trixie when she smelled a body.”
“I heard about your noseprinting event tomorrow. How about if Pippin comes and gets his nose printed first?”
“That would be great! He can be an example, and it would draw a lot of people.”
“Super. We’re on then.” Jim waved and walked away with Pippin by his side.
I returned to the dining area to finish cleaning up after the meeting. Dave was the only one left. He was standing in front of the window overlooking the terrace and the lake, with his back to me. He held a phone to his ear.
As quietly as I could, I stacked the empty platters from the buffet and took them to the commercial kitchen. Trixie sprawled on the floor as if she knew this would take a while. When I returned with a tray to collect cups and saucers, Dave walked over and helped me load the glasses. “What do you know about Diane?”
I glanced up at him in surprise. “Just the usual stuff. Well-known boxer breeder. Well-liked in town. She was always very cordial to me.”
“Did you ever hear any rumors about her?”
I squinted at him, wondering what he was getting at. “Nothing springs to mind.”
“In her twenties she was an aspiring actress.”
“That’s not exactly a rumor. It’s not surprising either—she was very beautiful.”
He nodded. “Do you know if she was seeing anyone?”
So that’s what he was looking for. “You think she had a secret lover who killed her?”
Dave’s mouth twitched to the side. “It’s possible.”
“This is such a small town. I’m sure everyone would have known if that were the case.”
“But you haven’t heard anything?”
“Dave, just come out and tell me. You clearly know something.” I poured a glass of ice water for each of us and took a swig from mine.
“Any chance that she could have been having an affair with Augie?”
I spewed water. “I’m so sorry!” Laughing and more than a little bit embarrassed, I grabbed a wad of napkins and wiped off my shirt. “You can’t be serious. Diane with Augie? That has to be the most unlikely combination of people on the planet. No way!”
“That’s what I thought, but strange things happen. It would have been easy for them since they lived next door to each other.”
“Augie and his crew had been hauling tents and food up the mountain on that back road. But if I had killed someone, I don’t think I would have tried to hide the body in a place where I would be going the next day.”
“Glad to know that,” joked Dave. “You’ll leave plenty of clues and there won’t be any other reason for you to have been there.”
My grin vanished. “Good point.”
“Everyone who commits a crime leaves something behind, Holly. We just have to find it.”
“That’s not going to be easy with all those dead leaves up there. How did Stella react to Rae Rae?”
“Loved her.”
“So Rae Rae didn’t kill Diane,” I mused.
“I don’t know that I’d go that far. Stella’s behavior doesn’t exonerate Rae Rae. But it was interesting to me that she didn’t care for Howard.”
“Did she snarl at him?”
“Nothing quite so dramatic. Mostly she just ignored him.” Dave set his glass on the tray with a thunk. “Let me know if you hear anything that could be helpful.”
“What about Howard? What’s he afraid of?”
Dave shook his head. “He claims he was making a scene on purpose to get Rae Rae’s sympathy and attention. Seems he still has a thing for her.”
I had not expected that! “Really? According to Rae Rae, it’s been years since she saw Howard. Did you believe him?” I asked.
“This job has made me a little bit jaded. I’m suspicious about most things folks tell me. Up until something confirms it, anyway. Did you know that most people blink more rapidly when they’re lying?” He strode across the lobby and out the door.
Now exactly who had been lying to him? Howard? Rae Rae? Augie? I finished cleaning up and ran the dishwashers, thinking about Howard and R
ae Rae. Unless I was mistaken, Howard had put on that little scene in the reception lobby to cover up his real emotions. Maybe he was an ace actor, but I was under the impression that he truly was afraid of something. Or someone. But who?
As I walked out of the kitchen, I caught a glimpse of Marlee sitting on the terrace by herself. I wasn’t sure I should interrupt, but Trixie pawed at the door. I went with her intuitions and let her out.
Trixie ran to Marlee, who picked her up and cuddled her. Trixie’s little tail wagged.
I ambled over to join them. “Would you like some company?”
“Sure.”
She was very sweet to Trixie. “Do you have a dog?” I asked.
“My parents do. I really miss her, but I rent an apartment and my building doesn’t allow dogs.”
“You live in Los Angeles?” I asked.
“Pasadena.”
Marlee sniffled a little bit but kept stroking Trixie, who reached up and licked Marlee’s cheek.
“Is everything okay?” I asked. “You seem a little sad.”
“It’s a long story. It’s just that I’ve been trying so hard to land an acting job. I’ve done everything I’ve been told, but I just can’t seem to break in. My parents have suggested the time has come to realize that it won’t happen for me. I guess I’m a little envious of Camille.”
“I can understand that. I gather this wasn’t exactly an overnight thing for Camille, either. If you keep trying, maybe you’ll be cast in a show, too.”
“Sometimes I think I don’t take advantage of everything that comes my way. You know? I’m here with all these people involved in what’s going to be a sensation, but I’m not really part of it. But if I play my cards right, maybe I could be.”
Ohhh. She was talking about Howard and his invitation to the girls. I feared Camille was correct. I hoped I wouldn’t give away the fact that I had heard their conversation. I dared to say, “I think you’d be wise to steer clear of Howard.”
Marlee turned her head to gaze at me through her oversize sunglasses just as Trixie moved her nose to sniff Marlee’s ear, shifting what was apparently a wig. I tried not to show my surprise when a dark brown hairline appeared.