Begging for Trouble

by Judi McCoy

  Standing, she led them to the elevator, pushed the call button, and stepped inside before she spoke. “Okay, let’s think about this.” She leaned against the wall. “Something is definitely up with the judge and Mariette. The other night she acted ecstatic when she saw me, and today we’re through.”

  “Who do they think we are? Chopped liver? It’s like sayin’ so long, and don’t let the door hit you in the butt on the way out.”

  “I can’t believe it’s Mariette’s doing.”

  “Gotta be that snooty judge. I never did like him.”

  “Maybe so, but I’m still going to try to say good-bye to Sampson properly. That’s the least they should let us do.” She missed the chubby Pug already. “If we’re lucky, the judge is gone and Mariette’s at the gym.”

  “So what are you gonna do? Knock on the door and see if Mr. Pudgy answers?”

  “Don’t be silly. I have a ring with extra keys, remember? And I’m fairly certain it’s not legal for me to use them once I’ve been dismissed.”

  They gathered the pack and Ellie explained that they might have lost Sampson, which brought out a round of boo-hoos and snarky comments. She let the group complain while they walked, and she went over things in her mind.

  Bitsy was here, and she’d brought the little dog quite a distance for this experiment. If she knocked on Twelve-G and no one answered, she could open the door, give Sampson a good-bye hug and be done with it. Then she’d have to think of another way to let Bitsy hear Mariette’s and the judge’s voices.

  When they arrived back in the Cranston lobby, the charming Mr. Farkas was nowhere to be seen. She breathed a sigh of relief and aimed for the elevator, telling herself this was something she had to do. After dropping off the last dog, she pushed the button for the twelfth floor.

  “So we’re gonna take a stab at it, huh?”

  Hands on her hips, she gave Rudy an eye roll.

  “Sorry, that was a bad pun.”

  The elevator stopped and the door opened. “You two ready?” Neither dog answered, so she took off down the hall. Lucky for her, the apartment was at the far end, away from the others. If there was a scene, it might go unnoticed.

  But when she reached the door, she heard a rumbling of voices. Either the television was on at full blast, or Norm and Mariette were having one doozy of an argument. Rudy stuck his nose on the doorjamb and began snurffling. Raising her hand, she knocked and waited.

  No answer.

  “Are you getting anything?” she whispered, not sure what to do. When she knocked again, there was a scratching from the other side of the door.

  “It’s Sampson. He’s upset and he wants us to come in.”

  Ellie cringed. Poor Sampson. When moms and dads argued, some dogs hid under the bed or cowered in a corner. A family altercation was as traumatic for a canine as it was for the humans doing the fighting.

  A loud whimper sounded from behind the door, and she made up her mind. Using her spare key, she opened the door, and dropped to her knees to face a quivering Sampson.

  “Ellie, Ellie, Ellie. I’m glad you’re here. Big Momma and the judge are fightin’ something fierce. I’m scared.”

  “Oh, you poor baby.” She ran a hand over his head. Angry voices carried from the rear of the apartment. “What can I do for you?”

  “Come in and make ’em stop. Please.”

  Standing, Ellie realized she’d gotten in trouble the second she unlocked the door. Could one more tiny transgression make it any worse? “Why don’t you find your leash? We can take you for a walk. Maybe by the time we get back they’ll be finished.”

  “It’s on the kitchen table. Big Momma dropped it there after my morning quickie. I can’t reach it.”

  “Go on in, Triple E. With all the racket them two are makin’ I doubt they’ll hear a thing.”

  It was then she spotted Bitsy, quaking in the doorway. This was ridiculous. She had three upset animals on her hands. She had to do something, even if it was something beyond the boundaries of the law.

  Raising a finger to her lips, she signaled for silence, then tiptoed down the hall and made a left into the kitchen. Relief washed through her when she spotted the leash coiled on the table. Picking it up, she turned.

  “What are you doing here?” Norm Lowenstein demanded, his angry brown eyes staring her down.

  “Uh, Judge, sorry. I knocked, but I guess you didn’t hear me.”

  “And why would you knock, Ms. Engleman? Didn’t the doorman tell you your services were no longer needed?”

  Ellie straightened her shoulders so she was eye to eye with the judge. “He did, but I wanted to say good-bye to Sampson.”

  “Say good-bye? To a dog?” He sneered. “I’d heard rumors about your animal antics, but didn’t believe them, even after you and your hound caused that commotion at the party. You’re probably the one who put your boyfriend up to sticking his nose into my business, too. Talk about having a couple of screws loose.”

  Mariette hobbled into the doorway. “Who are you talking—” She blinked, openmouthed. “Ellie. What are you doing here?”

  “It doesn’t matter, Mariette. I’m escorting her out.” Norm took a step toward Ellie, and the three dogs scattered like leaves in the wind.

  Mariette shrieked as they flew past her and up the hall.

  “Get those mutts,” the judge shouted, following his wife and the canine trio.

  Ellie tried not to laugh, but good Lord, the situation was like something out of an old Keystone Kops movie. She took off after the humans, who were after the dogs, and they were heading who knew where. Sampson had led the charge, then Rudy, with Bitsy scampering behind. She could only imagine the two adults trying to corner three rambunctious canines.

  She stopped just short of the room at the end of the hall. Judge Lowenstein was shouting, the dogs were yapping and snarling, and Mariette was dithering as she tried to sort out the mess. The situation quickly turned into a brawl. The pooches snapped and tugged at a black trash bag, while Mariette and her husband tried to wrestle it away.

  Ellie figured she had two choices. She could wait until the dogs and the Lowensteins tired each other out, or she could walk inside and take control. Sampson and Rudy ripped the bag open and she decided to do her thing.

  “Everybody! Step back and let me get the leashes!”

  Ignoring her, the judge stood, swung a leg back, and kicked Sampson into a corner of the room. Mariette screamed and ran to her Pug. Bitsy whimpered and backed up.

  And her boy, her hero, latched on to Norm’s leg, snapped his muzzle over the calf, and hung on for dear life.

  Norm started hopping on one foot, trying to shake Rudy off, but her little guy wasn’t about to let go.

  Steeling her spine, Ellie let out a “Hey! Leave my dog alone!” and pulled at the judge’s arm.

  The judge twirled in place and slapped Ellie hard across the face with an open hand. Dizzy, she staggered back and tried to regain her balance.

  Norm grabbed a lamp off a table and raised it high, as if to smash it over Rudy’s head.

  She gasped and lunged, clutching his arm. The judge swung around, trying to shake Rudy off while attempting to whack her with the lamp.

  Ellie grunted as she ducked. Staggering to her feet, she again lunged for the judge.

  She heard some kind of noise behind her, but didn’t care what it was. Rudy needed her.

  “Police! Everybody freeze!” Sam shouted a second later.

  Ellie wasn’t sure how much time had passed. She’d positioned herself in a corner of the room so she could watch the proceedings and still stay out of the way. And while she cuddled Bitsy in her arms, Sampson and Rudy sat so close that their bottoms rested on her feet. Things had sorted out quickly, but she was still trying to get a handle on the story.

  The Lowensteins were handcuffed and led away before Sam turned to her. “You okay?”

  “Yes, but—”

  “You mean you don’t get it?”

  �
��Ah, no. I mean yes.” She heaved a sigh. “No, not really.”

  Sam grinned, obviously happy he was the one who could fill her in. “Mariette was the killer, not the judge.”

  Ellie blinked. “So that’s what their argument was about. They kept screaming and accusing, but none of it made sense. He insisted she was stupid, and she insisted he’d ruined their lives. He meant the stabbing while she meant the affair, right?”

  “Probably. She was sick and tired of the blackmail, especially after Pearson tripled the rate when he heard the judge was up for promotion. She could live with a bisexual husband, but she refused to be publically humiliated if news got out about her husband’s affair.”

  “And the judge kept paying because he’d be disbarred if the truth was known.”

  “Seeing as his and Pearson’s relationship started while he was hearing the case against Carmella, that’s the way I see it. He and the wife were going to take the clothes and the pair of his shoes she’d worn to commit the crime to a trash dump somewhere in Jersey today. It sounds as if the dogs smelled the blood and decided to take a look for themselves.”

  Ellie gazed down at the Pug. “There’s no one to look after Sampson. Would it be all right if I took him to my place?”

  Sam shrugged. “I don’t see why not. This isn’t a crime scene, and we’ve removed the evidence. What do you plan to do with him?”

  “Keep him for a while. Maybe you could find out if the Lowensteins have children? If not, I’ll check with Pug rescue. They have a great group here in Manhattan.”

  He touched her cheek, the one that still stung from the judge’s slap. “Good thing there were other cops around, or I would have ‘accidentally’ got in a punch for this.”

  “It’s no biggie,” said Ellie. She nestled her nose in his palm and smiled. “Do I have to go to the station and give a statement?”

  He raised a shoulder. “I don’t think that’s necessary. By the time the suspects are booked and their lawyer arrives, it’ll be all over. If we need your version of things, you can come down tomorrow.”

  Ellie breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks for that. So . . . I guess you need to leave.”

  Sam backed up a step. “There’s still a lot of work to be done, so yes. You going to be all right?”

  She thought about her afternoon. “I’ll walk Bitsy home. Then Rudy, Sampson, and I will catch a cab to my place. I still have a second round of walks, which means I’ll worry about getting hold of Pug rescue tomorrow.”

  He leaned in and kissed her aching face. “You going to lock up here?”

  Ellie nodded. “Yes, and then I’ll stop at the doormen’s station and give them the news.”

  “I’ll put in a word, too. Take it easy, finish your runs, and get a good night’s sleep. If I can, I’ll let myself in and spend the night. There’s something we need to discuss.”

  She waited until he walked down the hall and slammed the door. Fairly certain what the “discussion” was going to be about, she slid to her knees and caught Sampson’s muzzle in her hand. “Hey, big boy. Are you okay?”

  The Pug shuddered. “I just want out of here. Are you really gonna take me to your house?”

  “Sure am.” She kissed his nose. “You’re a trouper. Things will be fine. You’ll see.”

  She stood, collected the leashes, and headed for the door.

  “Hey, what about me? Don’t I at least get a thank-you?”

  Stopping, she dropped to a squat in front of Rudy. “Sorry. I forgot to tell you how proud I am of you. And thanks for trying to protect Sampson and me. You saved my bacon again.”

  “Bacon? Did you say bacon?” whimpered Sampson.

  “I love bacon,” Bitsy yipped.

  “Not for you, big butt,” Rudy sniped. “If I don’t get any, neither do—”

  Ellie grinned. Bacon or no bacon, listening to her boy gripe told her that things were almost back to normal. A normal she loved.

  Epilogue

  Vivian poured Ellie a glass of white wine, set it on the kitchen table, and took a seat. “I still can’t believe the story. The way things just ‘happen’ to you”—Viv used air quotes—“makes me think you should exchange the caramel you put in your coffee for Jack Daniel’s. That might help get you through the day.”

  Ellie sipped her Pinot Grigio. It was after seven, and she was beat. “The wine is fine. Thanks. But if things continue the same as today, I’ll need more than a shot of booze to keep me sane.” She slumped over her kitchen table, while Rudy stood next to her with his paws on her thigh. “God, what a mess.”

  “But it’s over, right? Rob’s free?”

  “As a bird. His attorney had called him by the time I arrived for the afternoon run. Kayla and Bradley are leaving tomorrow. She and her boy hated the snow. They can’t wait to get back to Phoenix.”

  “And the Lowensteins have been arrested for murder.”

  “Involuntary manslaughter, actually. And only Mariette. That’s the charge levied when a murder is committed in an act of passion. She didn’t bring a weapon, just fell apart and used what she found to do the deed. The judge is an accomplice of some kind.” She drank another gulp of wine. “The legalese makes my head ache. I need to go to bed.”

  “I understand.” Vivian took a swallow of her Merlot, then stood and set the glass in the sink.

  Ellie ruffled her boy’s ears. “So where is our pudgy houseguest?”

  “He’s in the spare bedroom, asleep. He’s pretty bummed about what happened.”

  “I know. I have to bring him to Pug rescue tomorrow. They said they’d foster him until the judge and Mariette are out on bail. Poor little guy.”

  “I still can’t believe Mariette was the real killer,” said Viv, reluctant to leave. “I bet that was a surprise.”

  “Ya think?” Ellie heaved a sigh. “Thank God Sam sorted it all out, because I was lost. Even after she told me she had bunion trouble, I didn’t connect it with her wearing her husband’s shoes.”

  “Imagine, being so vain she didn’t want the surgery. And being willing to live with a man who has sex with other men.”

  “According to the judge, it was more like a couple of quick boinks in his chambers. And Mariette didn’t mind staying with a gay husband, as long as they kept it a secret. But if word leaked out, she’d lose her socialite standing as the wife of a prominent judicial figure. Her husband would be disbarred—”

  “Is that what they call disciplining a judge who has sex with the accused on a case he’s trying?”

  “It’s more than that for Norm Lowenstein. Since he’s what they call an Article Three judge, Congress has to impeach him. It’s going to be a total humiliation for both of them.”

  “I still don’t get exactly what happened on the night of the murder.”

  “Apparently Mariette had been simmering over the extra ransom request ever since Carmella made the demand. When Norm left for one of his gay hangouts, she decided to confront Carmella and tell her no dice. She dressed in slacks, a sweater, and a long black coat, and put on the pair of shoes she’d confiscated from the judge. Then she sneaked in the rear entrance of the club and waited for her target—”

  “And Carmella just happened to be in her dressing room,” said Viv. “Talk about an unlucky coincidence.”

  “For sure. They argued and Carmella refused to be swayed. When she turned around, Mariette spotted the scissors on one of the tables and blam! Carmella got it in the back of the neck.”

  “And this morning?”

  “When the judge realized she still hadn’t gotten rid of the clothes, he went ballistic, and I walked in on the fight.”

  The downstairs buzzer rang and Vivian raced to the intercom. “I’ll get it.”

  Ellie heard the muttered conversation, then heavy steps on the stairs. Putting her elbows on the table, she rested her head in her hands and locked gazes with Rudy. “Do you think Sam believed me when I told him I used my key because I wanted to say good-bye to Sampson?”

&n
bsp; “Beats me. But us bein’ there helped the cops, so how can he be mad?”

  Viv’s voice echoed from the front hall, and Ellie recognized the second voice. “You might want to leave the kitchen. This could get ugly.”

  “No way am I gonna miss this.” Rudy trotted to his fluff mat and parked his bottom. “I’m here if you need me.”

  Sam walked in and, cool as ice, hung his jacket on the back of a chair, then removed his empty shoulder holster and draped it over the jacket. His face composed, he took a seat. “I got away early. Since Vince is number one, he told me to leave, he’d take care of the rest.”

  “Are the Lowensteins out on bail?”

  “The judge is, but not Mrs. Lowenstein. Her charge is more serious, so it might take a while.” Sam leaned back in his chair. “Thanks to Mariette’s weight training, she was a strong woman. The scissors were handy, and she was able to hit the perfect spot on Pearson’s neck.”

  Smart Sam. Who else would have thought to check back two years, and go for a judge’s bank account info? Ellie held her breath, waiting for the promised discussion . She had a good idea what it would be about and needed all her strength to rebut the accusations.

  “You look a little green. Stomach upset?” he asked her.

  “Nope. I’m just waiting for the ax to fall.”

  He raised a brow.

  “I figure you didn’t give it this morning because you were in a hurry and I was upset. Now that things have cleared, you’re here to give me the ‘I told you not to mess in police business’ lecture.”

  “Yeah, big man. Accusing Ellie when she was helping a friend ... a canine friend.”

  Ellie tried not to smile. Rudy had an answer for everything.

  Sam’s lips curled at the corners. “You were messing in police business? When?”

  She heard Rudy groan. “Ah, I don’t know. Maybe by showing up right before the search warrant fiasco?”

  “You were there, but Vince and Captain Carmody say you were legal. It’s not your fault the door was open and the dogs were fighting over the bag holding the shoes, coat, and gloves of the killer.”