Doggone Christmas: A Polly Parrett Pet-Sitter Cozy Murder Mystery (Polly Parrett Pet-Sitter Cozy Murder Mysteries Book 1)

by Liz Dodwell

  Mallowapple is a small town with a small budget so there was only one old snow plow to clear the streets; not that it would do much good with packed ice anyway. The pound was more than a 10 mile drive from my home but at least Laurel and Hardy were on the way.

  By nine o’clock I’d made it to the shelter. I’d rushed to take care of my pets; the kitty litter had worked on the van; the cockatiels were in good shape and I’d crept along the roads at a max 20 miles an hour. I was feeling better about things as I reached to open the front door. Locked!

  I checked my phone. It was just after nine so I began banging on the door ‘til a harried-looking guy opened it.

  “We’re not open.”

  “It’s after nine and I’ve come to pick up a dog.”

  “There’s no-one here to help you. I’m just the overnight caretaker and my replacement should have been here an hour ago.”

  “Then I’ll wait,” I said, pushing past him.

  “Suit yourself,” he shrugged.

  For the next hour I flicked through year-old copies of magazines that told me how to cook perfect pies, gave me pro tips for demolition and explained how I could sex up my love life. I was getting in to that last one when I heard, “Polly! What are you doing here on a day like this?”

  Looking up I saw Dave Cartright behind the counter. We’d been at Mallowapple Junior High together; I used to help him with English grammar. He wasn’t the brightest of the ‘Mallowapples’ but he was a sweet guy.

  “Dave, I’m so glad it’s you working today.” And I told him Elaine’s story.

  As I finished speaking, he pulled out a file. When he looked inside his face creased into a deep frown.

  “Polly, the dog was admitted as a dangerous animal. She can’t be released. In fact, she’s scheduled to be euthanized at noon.”

  “What! There’s a mistake. Look again, please.”

  Dave shook his head. “I’m sorry, Polly.”

  “Wait. Who labeled her as dangerous?”

  “Ummm. It’s signed by Officer Rooney.”

  That scum!

  “Dave, do you have the number for the county sheriff’s office?”

  Sheriff Wisniewski wasn’t expected in ‘til the afternoon. No amount of pleading with the desk sergeant could elicit a home number or any clue as to the sheriff’s current whereabouts, nor was he listed in any phone directories. I was sick to my stomach with fear for Elaine. I figured the Sheriff was the only one with the authority to save her now and the last person who might be able to help me find him was also the last person I wanted to talk to – Tyler. For Elaine’s sake I bit my tongue and dialed the phone.

  “Hello, Polly.” His voice was cold but at least he’d answered.

  “They’re going to kill Elaine,” I blurted out and then promptly burst into tears.

  Another agonizing hour passed with me pacing in the waiting room. After gulping out the story to Tyler he’d tersely told me would find the Sheriff, then hung up without further ceremony. Not another soul had entered the shelter; not surprising considering the weather and just fine by me - I didn’t particularly want anyone to see me in my current state of angst.

  “Polly!” Dave was back at the counter. “The Sheriff called.” His face lit up. “He’s rescinding the order to euthanize.”

  For a moment my heart stopped; I couldn’t quite comprehend what I was hearing and then I burst into tears again – but this time, they were tears of relief. And of course, at that precise moment Tyler walked into the room. Oh, God. He’ll think I’m a weak crybaby. And I must look like hell. I bawled even louder. Tyler looked astonished and Dave mutely held out a box of tissues. I grabbed a fistful and honked loudly into them. When I looked up I saw that Rooster was right behind Tyler. He was staring at me with an expression of utter fear and I realized he must think I was crying of grief.

  “Rooster!” I sniffled. “It’s OK, Elaine is safe.”

  “I’ll go get her,” Dave announced and while Rooster paced anxiously, I plopped weakly into a chair and Tyler stood stiffly to the side. None of us spoke.

  A few minutes passed before we heard the scuffling sound of paws. Rooster stopped in his tracks and we all looked towards the door. As it opened, there stood Elaine. Man and dog gazed at each other for a split second and then all joy erupted. Elaine launched herself at Rooster. He went to his knees and held her to him, which wasn’t easy because she was wriggling so much.

  In my elation I forgot I was mad with Tyler. “How did you find the Sheriff?”

  “He and my dad are both active in the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars),” he answered coolly. “I knew they had a board meeting this morning so I called down there.”

  “But what about Rooster? Did they just let him go?”

  “He’s out on bail.”

  “Bail? How could he get bail…..?” My voice faded away as realization dawned. “YOU paid his bail.”

  “Damn right he did.” It was Rooster, standing with his hand on Elaine’s head as she leaned against him.

  Suddenly, I was starting to feel all warm and fuzzy toward Tyler again. “But what happens now? Where …..”

  “Why don’t we get out of here?” Tyler interrupted brusquely. “I still have a job to do and I need to get Rooster settled.”

  “Where are we going?” I asked.

  “Tyler’s letting us stay with him for a while,” chimed in Rooster. “Fact is, if he hadn’t offered us a place I’d still be in jail and my old girl would be stuck here.” Turning to Tyler he continued, “And I’m going to find a way to pay you back, son. I’ve never taken charity in my life and I don’t mean to start now.”

  Astonished, I looked at Tyler who was fidgeting uncomfortably. Damn, the man looked cute when he was embarrassed.

  “And I’m grateful to you, young lady.” Rooster turned to me. “Without you it might have been all over for Elaine. I’m really proud to know you.” Now I was the one squirming with discomfort as I shook the hand he held out.

  “Um, you’re quite welcome,” I mumbled. Then, more assertively, “And I’m coming with you. I want to hear everything that happened. In fact, why don’t you and Elaine ride with me, Rooster? Then you can tell me your story.” And Tyler can’t drive away leaving me behind.

  So off we went. Along the way I found out that Tyler had been at the jail with Rooster’s bail when I phoned in panic. Tyler, he told me, didn’t miss a beat. “He just took charge. Made some phone calls, made sure the right paperwork was done, then brought me over to the pound.” Hmm. Tyler’s definitely decisive. I like that in a man.

  “He’s also going to introduce me to his daddy and some others at the VFW. I’m a vet, too, you know - Vietnam. He says they can help people like me, but I’d be glad if they could just help me find a job.”

  “What sort of things can you do?”

  “Well, in the air force I worked on the flight line. I’d been planning to go to college to study mechanical engineering when the war started. A lot of guys went on to college to avoid being drafted but I didn’t think that was right, so I volunteered. Then a couple of years in, I got injured in a mortar attack. I was lucky, I just lost a bit of my jaw but they were able to rebuild it. Anyway, that was the end of the war for me. ”

  Rooster went on to tell me that his name was actually Washington Roosevelt. “I don’t know what my parents were thinking, but at school the kids started calling me Rooster, and the name stuck.” I also found out he married his high school sweetheart but started having flashbacks and, after a while, his young bride couldn’t handle it and left. “I don’t blame her,” he said. “I could get pretty scary and apparently I struck out a couple of times and hurt her. I don’t remember any of it but then I kept missing work at the local garage and they let me go. I was in my twenties and I didn’t want to be a burden to my parents, so I hit the road.”

  “But that means you’ve been on the road for nearly forty years!”

  “It hasn’t been all bad. I’d get work here and there,
stay in shelters, met some really good people along the way but then I got beaten up by a gang of teenagers and after that I couldn’t use my left arm properly and I’ll tell you, I was thinking it was time to end it all. That’s when Elaine and I found each other. She needed me and I guess I needed her.”

  I was so appalled I simply didn’t know what to say but by then we were pulling into Tyler’s driveway. I’d rather expected him to be in the town center in a stylish condo. Instead, we were on the outskirts of Mallowapple and the home before us was a rustic-looking ranch with a wide front porch. I knew the area; I had clients nearby and all the homes were on five to 10 acre lots. Behind the house it was fenced and I wondered if Tyler had a dog. My question was immediately answered when a big brown dog came bouncing out of the house. He had huge, floppy ears, a somewhat crinkly face and the longest legs you can imagine.

  Excitedly the dog greeted us all, including Elaine who sat placidly accepting his ministrations.

  “His name’s Frank,” Tyler offered, “after an uncle he reminds us of. We think he’s a great dane / bloodhound mix.”

  We?

  I looked back toward the house. Standing in the open doorway a woman waved. A young woman. From this distance I couldn’t really tell what she looked like but I was sure she must be pretty. How could I have been so stupid? It never occurred to me that Tyler was married.

  “Let’s go on in,” said Tyler

  “Actually, I think I’d better head back. I, uh, should check on my team and make sure there were no problems with the weather and stuff.” I scuttled toward my car. “’Bye Rooster. I’ll catch up with you later.”

  “Polly, wait!” It was Tyler. “Let me get that file for you so you can look it over with your mother.”

  I raised a hand in acknowledgement – I wasn’t sure I could trust my voice – and got in the van. A few moments later Tyler returned with the papers. I wound the window down and took them, willing my hand not to shake and keeping my gaze averted.

  “Are you OK? You don’t look too good.”

  “I’m just cold.” And to prove it, I cranked the heater as high as it would go.

  “Let me drive you back home. In fact I’ll drive your car and have Suzette follow in my car.” Suzette! Of course she’d also have a pretty name.

  “No! I’m all right.” Then I made the mistake of looking directly at Tyler. The expression of genuine concern on his face was the final straw. I simply couldn’t help myself and I burst into tears – again! Fumbling for the stick shift I managed to put it in reverse so I could back out onto the road.

  “Polly. Polly! Stop! What’s wrong?”

  I could only shake my head as I came close to knocking down the mailbox, but I managed to turn the van and fishtail away, leaving Tyler standing alone in the driveway.

  Seven

  Someone had pulled little wooly socks over my teeth in the night. At least, that’s what it felt like. Talk about dry mouth. I’d made it back from Tyler’s, checked with all my sitters to be sure everything was OK, taken care of my own ‘zoo,’ then poured myself a supersized glass of the only booze I had in the house – a bottle of homemade blackberry brandy, a gift from a client. It was sweet and syrupy and I’d cut it with root beer. Looking at the bottle this morning I saw I’d consumed more than half of it. No wonder my stomach was doing back flips, and the sugar rush it had given me kept me awake for most of the night. Serve me right for acting like an idiot over a guy I hardly knew.

  I guzzled down about a gallon of water while the dogs took care of business in the back yard, and prayed none of my sitters would cancel out today. I had a really great crew but things sometimes happen. You know how it is.

  Ditto was rubbing around my legs to remind me I had important things to do, like getting his breakfast.

  “You’ll have to wait a bit, buddy. I need a shower first.”

  I dragged my carcass to the bathroom, turned the water on hot and let it beat down over me. Of course, that’s when the phone rang. I considered ignoring it but it could be a pet emergency. Swearing under my breath I turned off the water, wrapped a towel around me and raced to grab the thing before it stopped.

  “Yes, this is Polly.”

  “Polly, it’s Tyler.” What the hell? It wasn’t even seven yet.

  “Is something wrong?” It couldn’t be good if he was calling this early.

  “Rooster’s been arrested.”

  The shock silenced me. Had I heard right? That didn’t make sense.

  “Polly! Polly, are you there?”

  “Did you say Rooster was arrested?”

  “The police turned up late last night. They had an arrest warrant for murder.”

  I simply didn’t know what to say. Finally I managed to blurt out, “Murder. But who was killed?”

  “A body was found in one of the dumpsters where we found Rooster. As far as I know it hasn’t been identified.”

  “This is insane. Where’s Rooster now? Why didn’t you call me when this happened?” “When was the body found?” I knew I was babbling but I couldn’t seem to stop. Then another thought hit me. “What about Elaine?”

  “Elaine is still at my house; she’s fine. I did call you, three times, and you have three messages on your voicemail that you obviously haven’t checked yet.” Oops, there I go with my big mouth again. “The body was found late yesterday afternoon, when the trash was being picked up. And Rooster is being held at the sheriff’s department until a vehicle can get through to take him to county jail.”

  “What can we do?” Indignation was beginning to rise in me. “We can’t let him be railroaded like this.”

  “Polly,” Tyler’s voice was weary, “I’ve been up all night, I’m still at the station and there’s nothing else I can do right now. I’m going home to get some sleep and then I’ll be able to think more clearly.”

  “You can’t just abandon Rooster like that.”

  I heard a sharp intake of breath. “Do you never stop? Where were you all night? Tucked up in bed and fast asleep, I suppose. And is it at all conceivable that you could believe Rooster just might be guilty? Keep in mind we really don’t know him, and he was hanging round the dumpster where the body was found.”

  No, it wasn’t conceivable that Rooster was a cold-blooded killer but I bit back the sharp retort I was about to make as I heard my mother’s voice in my head, Once spoken, can’t be mended. Tyler didn’t deserve my sharp tongue. Without him Elaine would be dead and it’s true, he was there for Rooster last night while I was crying in my blackberry brandy.

  “Tyler, I’m sorry. This has been such a shock I’m not thinking clearly. Look, I have a few visits to make this morning. Could we meet later and perhaps between us we can work something out? And let me know if you need help with Elaine. I can go and walk her or even keep her with me.”

  “We can get together at my office, if that’s OK with you? I’ve already left a message for my attorney so I should have something from him by then. And don’t worry about Elaine, my sister will look after her.”

  Sister?

  “Uh, that would be Suzette, is it?”

  “Sure. She was disappointed you didn’t stay yesterday. She wanted to meet you.”

  “Oh, well, another time.” Suddenly, I was feeling a whole lot better.

  Eight

  We were in the conference room at Tyler’s realty office. On the speakerphone Tyler’s attorney was talking. “I’ve contacted Zill Granger and he’s agreed to talk with Rooster, but don’t assume that means he’ll take the case.”

  “Who’s Zill Granger?” I wanted to know.

  “He’s the best criminal defense attorney in these parts; I only do corporate. Granger will take a look at the evidence and then contact you later. And, Tyler, you do know Granger is pretty expensive?”

  “Let me worry about that.”

  I gave Tyler a grateful look. He was turning out to be a real prince.

  “OK. Just wanted to give you a heads-up. I can also tell you th
at Rooster will be moved this afternoon at two and Granger will meet with him at county.”

  “Any word on the murder victim?”

  “As I’m not the attorney of record the authorities wouldn’t give me anything more. You’ll have to wait on Granger.”

  The lack of information was really frustrating me. “When will we be able to see Rooster?”

  “Again, I don’t know. My advice is to let Granger do what he does best and then you’ll be able to make better-informed decisions.”

  “Right, thanks Fred.” Tyler was bringing the conversation to a close. “I appreciate you getting on this so quickly. And send me your bill personally, not to the company.”

  “It’s on me. Your family has done me enough favors over the years and this was nothing much.”

  With that, we hung up.

  Vinny was sitting in my lap while I absent-mindedly scratched his head. Whenever I could I brought the dogs with me and it hadn’t occurred to me until I got to Tyler’s office that it might not be a good idea. It was too cold to leave them in the van but Tyler had no problem with me bringing them in. In fact, he said he sometimes brought his own dog to work. He’d even lifted Coco up and was now cradling her like a baby, which she absolutely loves.

  “Look,” I said, “you shouldn’t have to foot the bill for a lawyer. I don’t have much but I can chip in something.” It would have to be an advance on my credit card but I didn’t mention that.

  Tyler’s mouth raised in a crooked smile. “Let’s just see how it goes. Meanwhile, I have a business to run and there’s nothing else we can do for Rooster right now.”

  I can take a hint when I have to, and I really needed to get out and check on my mother. The aide hadn’t been able to make it out there this morning so mom had to get dressed as best she could. By now she’d probably be in a really foul mood. With luck the dogs would cheer her up. It’s hard to be mad when three lovable mutts act like they missed you more than anything in the world.

  The drive took longer than usual with the roads still really slick. I took the opportunity to check in with all my crew and was relieved to hear no problems. By the time I pulled up to the house it was nearly two and I was starving. I hadn’t felt well enough to eat breakfast and had skipped lunch, too.