Best In Show (Mina's Adventures Book 6)

by Maria Grazia Swan

  Margo mumbled something, and was gone.

  Certainly she must be exaggerating. Everything and everyone had been just fine when she left the Hermosa Beach house. What could have gone wrong in such a short time? Kalinda must know that Diego was okay and on his way to—to where? Mina had no idea. How about that?

  Mina started down the stairs with Houdini bouncing around her legs like a ping-pong ball, and Aria following at a distance, a reluctant princess. She heard Millie call from the laundry room, “May I come in? Yoo-hoo, Minaaaa.”

  “Come in. Come in. I was on my way to see you.”

  “Good, because I want to talk to you about this man who keeps calling and wants to talk to you. I waited until I heard your guest leave. Are you hungry?”

  “Why are you asking if I’m hungry? I’m supposed to offer you something to eat or drink, not the other way around.”

  “Oh, I’ve been young and in love. You forget to eat. I have some leftover beef stew if you’re interested, and you can come over and say hello to Zeus. He’s blooming, so much more friendly. Let’s go, you two,” she said to the cats.

  They all followed Millie through the laundry room and garage, to her apartment in the section known as the cottage, where they catered to fancy feline boarders.

  They’d had no new intakes since Houdini’s recent kidnapping and return, but now that life was semi-normal again, it was time to get back to business, starting with Victor Van der Voss. According to Millie the man had called about bringing in Princess, his precious cat, for a few weeks while he traveled. However, he insisted on meeting Mina personally first. She came highly recommended he said, and his cat was way too precious to be left with people he’d not vetted first.

  “I don’t know, Mina, there was something peculiar about the way he said precious. Anyway, he’s calling again first thing in the morning, he said.”

  “Good. If he calls after I leave for the shelter, make sure you tell him to get me there, okay? And then I’ll start contacting all the regular boarders we have on hold. Time to get back to work.” Mina spoke between shovels of beef stew into her mouth.

  “You were hungry, weren’t you? By the way, I never did get the full story regarding the accident. What happened? Obviously you weren’t driving your car.”

  “Of course not. I wasn’t driving any car at all.” Mina suddenly realized that Millie probably only knew the official version of the facts that she’d heard from Margo. She stopped talking, not sure what to do or say. She trusted Millie completely, but didn’t want to cause problems or consequences for anyone else involved in the mess, the accident, or Diego’s kidnapping.

  “It’s okay, Mina, I know most of what really happened.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes, your boyfriend, that nice Diego, came by and put me up to date.”

  “He did? When? Where was I?” What the hell?

  “He stopped on his way out, a quick visit. He is so protective of you. He gave me the short version of the facts, and then he was gone.”

  “Well.” Mina found herself searching for something appropriate to say. “How about that?”

  Millie laughed. “He also suggested you could use some food.”

  Mina stopped, her fork in mid air. “I’m going to get him for that.”

  “You should. Get him and never let him go.”

  Chapter Nine

  Only three days had passed since Mina had last visited her workplace. Three days that had changed her life forever. Mina took a deep breath and got out of her car feeling incredibly lucky and blessed. Time to go help some powerless critters find their forever home and a happy life. And then she stopped. What did everyone know about her absence? She had no idea if the accident had made the Orange County news. She hoped it hadn’t. Either way, it was time to get back to work.

  The bell above the front door chimed when she opened it, like it always did, and Leigh poked her head out of the cats’ room to see who it was, like she always did. “Hi Mina, I’m in here taking pictures for the new available pets book if you need me.” She disappeared behind the door.

  All was as normal and routine as it should be. Great. Mina had come dressed in ripped jeans and a loose oversized shirt. After donning rubber gloves, she headed to the dogs’ room to see what cages needed cleaning.

  Newly rescued pets would often have accidents, mostly due to stress and fear. How could you blame those poor pooches? Most of them were plucked from the euthanasia list, only hours from death, and Mina was convinced that animals, like people, sensed imminent danger. Often they would shake uncontrollably for days, ears down, tails between their legs, avoiding eye contact. So, so sad. It was one of the reasons she hardly worked with the dogs—her heart wanted to adopt them all—and her brain knew that wasn’t smart or practical.

  She bumped into one of the young volunteers taking Woody for a walk. The brown mutt was one of the volunteers’ favorites. He sniffled Mina’s shoes but kept on walking.

  The minute Mina crossed the threshold the chorus of barks began. Well, everyone was alive and well, and no accidents, how about that? She grabbed a handful of treats from the jar next to the door then walked by each cage making sure nothing was amiss and passing out a dog munchie to each of the furry residents. The corner cage was empty. Where was Scooby?

  “Hey Mina.” Leigh stood by the open door. “There’s someone up front who wants to talk to you.”

  Mina pointed to her chest. “Me?” Then lower, “Who is it?”

  Leigh shrugged then mouthed, “Weirdo.”

  “Leigh, where’s Scooby?”

  “Oh, that’s right, you were gone, visiting Margo’s new digs. How is Margo?”

  “Oh, Margo is Margo. In love and a real pain in the butt, but as fun as usual.”

  They cleared the corner together and Mina noticed a rather tall, thin man, in a grey suit, pacing by the front desk. When he saw them he said, “Well, where is she? I don’t have all day you know.”

  Mina put her hand on Leigh’s arm to let her know she would handle the stranger with ants in his pants. “Who are you looking for?” she asked.

  “The director or the owner, Miss Mina Calvi. I was told she was in.”

  “I’m Mina Calvi.” She offered her hand to the man in expensive threads and greying temples who towered over her.

  He ignored the hand and stepped back. “You—are—Mina Calvi?” His voice was filled with more than disappointment. It was downright outrage.

  “And you are?” She put her hands in her ripped jeans pockets while her mind shouted, A Jackass, that’s what you are.

  “Victor Van der Voss.” He enunciated his name and then waited.

  For what? Clapping? Bowing? “Oh, so you’re the one who’s been calling the Ritzy Cats boarding facility?” Boarding facility? God, where did that came from? Was she going to act like a jackass also? Be business-like. Stop reacting and take control. “Why don’t you tell me about this exceptional cat you would like to trust to our care?” Much better.

  He must have liked that change of pace. He seemed to relax a little. Well, his lips weren’t as pursed, but there was nothing friendly about the man, and he still ogled her clothes, decidedly not dressed for success. “Can we speak in your office?”

  Mina forced herself not to laugh. “This is my office. Sorry, you’re in a rescue shelter. We don’t usually have much to discuss in private. Did you bring your cat with you?”

  Just like that his eyes grew to the size of Oreos. “Why would I bring my Princess here?”

  His pitch was so high Mina expected the dogs to start howling. Thankfully, they didn’t. “Is Princess the name of your cat? Lovely.” She wasn’t sure how long she could keep the charade going. Any minute now she would show him the door.

  “What time will you be back at the B&B? I will talk to you then.”

  “Three o’clock,” she said, and then watched Victor Van der Voss leave. He used his handkerchief to open the door. Weirdo was too kind a word. Mina went looking for
Leigh to hear about Scooby’s whereabouts. If the stars were aligned he may have found himself a new home. She kept her fingers crossed. That would be a huge relief because Scooby had been waiting a long time.

  Mina left the shelter early to make sure she would be prepared in case Van der Voss showed up with his Princess. Regardless of how obnoxious the man seemed, the cat was an innocent pawn. And Mina catered to felines, not humans.

  Diego called just as she got on the San Diego freeway. “Ciao bella.” He sounded so far away, lots of static.

  “Diego, it’s hard to hear you. Where are you calling from?”

  “Not sure, we are over water, the Pacific actually.”

  “Oh!” The Pacific! “Where will you be landing?”

  “Maui.”

  “Maui?! Are you taking Kalinda home?”

  “No, but I will be going to her home. It appears she was right. Someone has been getting into her system.”

  “Really? People are getting into her Matchmaker to the Stars information?”

  He laughed softly. She could almost feel his finger poking her nose. “Maybe. Kalinda has other—businesses—on her computer system. It’s complicated.”

  Of course it was.

  “It may even be related to our accident. Or maybe not.”

  “Who’s with you?”

  “You mean on the plane? The crew. Who else?”

  “Well, our Scooby was adopted while I was—you know—away,” Mina joked.

  “Is that a good thing?” he asked, playing along.

  “It’s terrific. And then that awful Mr. Van der Voss showed up and spoiled the day. That’s why I’m going home early. I need to warn Millie. We’re going to lock our doors and—”

  “Whoa. Whoa. Who is Van Der what? That sounds like a phony name if I ever heard one. What’s going on?”

  “Nothing for you to be concerned with. I can handle him. It’s cat-related business. By the way, did you really go visit Millie before you left last evening? How come you didn’t tell me you were going to do that?”

  “Because, had I told you, you would have asked a million questions.”

  Yes.

  “And I was short on time, but I needed to know that she was trustworthy. I didn’t want a repeat of the Kalinda-Eva business.”

  “What about Kalinda and Eva?” Mina let her vivid imagination go, “Oh, by the way, I don’t believe for a minute that assistant was reading that book all the time. I bet she keeps a thing, you know, a recorder in there and leaves her book in a room when she’s asked to step out so she always knows what’s going on.” Mina was only half-joking now.

  Silence.

  “Diego?”

  “Mina, I think you’re on to something. Good call. Need to get hold of Gino.”

  “Hey, wait, what about Millie, what did you ask her? What do you think of her?”

  “Oh, I didn’t ask her anything. I lifted her fingerprints—that’s all.

  That’s all?

  “And by the way, she’s fine. Ask her to tell you about her past career.” He chuckled. “Oh, Mina, you certainly know how to pick your allies. Bella, I need to call Gino. You really may be onto something regarding Eva’s book. I’ll call before you go to sleep. Ciao, be safe, I love you.”

  He was gone, and she didn’t even get the number of his new phone, that was blocked, her cell said. What did he mean by picking your allies? She would ask Millie. Mina’s smile lingered at least until she reached the last curb before her home. That was when she noticed a black automobile idling at the side of the road. The tinted windows didn’t let her see who was inside. She sped past the car and clicked on the gate opener.

  The black vehicle tailgated her inside the compound. Whoever it was she wasn’t going to let them into her home, so she parked by the garage but did not open the garage door. She got out of her LTD and with a precise gesture slammed her car door shut. Mina walked toward the black automobile idling behind hers, her steps measured and precise—don’t let them think you’re intimidated. She watched the driver’s door open ever so slowly as she approached.

  And then Millie’s voice came from somewhere near the garage, “Need any help, Mina?”

  Chapter Ten

  Victor Van der Voss spoke and paced. When he spoke too fast his nose made strange sounds, like wheezing. All Mina could think was that if the man visited the cottage too often and paced that way at every visit they would soon need to replace the flooring. What an annoying man.

  First, he’d muscled his way in by tailgating her car and now he acted like he was the only cat owner in the whole universe, and he still hadn’t even proved he had a cat. Just what was so special about this Princess? Why was he being so secretive about her?

  “No other cats, I repeat, none. I will allow that calico because as you pointed out, he is handicapped and could hardly do any scratching or fighting—plus you tell me male calicos are sterile. I’ll have to take your word for it until I get home and double-check. Interesting name Zeus, and you say his original owner was a Greek heiress? Does this heiress have a name?”

  Allow Zeus? Enough already. “Mr. Van der Voss, the names of our clients are confidential. As for no other cats, we run a business not a retreat. Perhaps you’ll find a more suitable place for your Princess somewhere else. Now if you would excuse us, we have chores waiting." When Mina spotted the man’s shocked expression, she softened her stance, "Look, you checked the premises inch by inch. You know our rules and regulations, what we do and what we expect in return. I suggest we all sleep on it and perhaps revisit the subject in the morning. No need for you to drive all the way here from…Diamond Bar you say? Yes, let’s talk in the morning—by phone.”

  He opened his mouth, made that wheezing sound again, seemed to change his mind, turned on his heels, and left without a word.

  “Good riddance.” Millie followed him in a hurry. When she returned she announced, “I waited until his car crossed the gate and then locked it behind him. What an awful man. Poor Princess.”

  “You don’t think he’s mean to his cat, do you?” Mina asked.

  “I don’t know. He sounds more like a business man than a cat lover if you want my opinion.”

  Mina nodded. “Good point. By the way…why would Diego suggest I ask you about your former career? Oh, don’t look at me with those innocent eyes. How long did he stay? I had no idea. So, spit it out. What were you? A pole dancer?”

  Millie kept shaking her head. She didn’t look a bit amused. “The keys,” she mumbled.

  “What about the keys?”

  Millie wasn’t happy. “I fell for the oldest trick in the business. Unbelievable.”

  “Will you stop mumbling and tell me what’s going on? Whose keys are you talking about?”

  “I need a cup of tea,” was her answer.

  “Good, make it two, and if you throw in some cookies, even better.”

  Millie shuffled to the kitchen, still mumbling. Mina had never seen her so upset. What was going on? Better stay cool and wait for the tea.

  When Millie came back with a tray holding two steaming cups and some lemon drop cookies, she seemed calmer. She set the tray on the coffee table, sat on the couch next to sleeping Zeus, and proceeded to stir her tea, over and over and over.

  “If that was milk, we could have fresh butter,” Mina joked.

  Millie didn’t smile. From behind her thick glasses she looked up at Mina. “What does Diego Moran do for a living?”

  “Uhhhh.” Mina found herself searching for words to describe the love of her life’s profession, but all she could do was suck air.

  Wait a minute. This was the man who saved her life not once but twice, always ready to drop everything to rush to her rescue. She owed him a lot more than love and devotion—she owed him unconditional loyalty, so just what was Millie implying? Time to set her straight.

  Mina’s hand holding her teaspoon shook so hard the cup and saucer shook along with her. The clinking of the china reminded her of her latest heart q
uake. Mina locked eyes with Millie’s and with all her conviction she whispered, “He kills people?”

  Millie covered Mina’s shaking hand with her hand to stop the shaking. When Mina realized what she’d said, she quelled a sob against Millie’s shoulder.

  Millie said softly, “He might.”

  “Did you kill people?”

  Millie didn’t answer. She just hugged Mina tightly.

  “He said you’re fine,” she sobbed, “trustworthy.” She felt Millie chuckling. “You think it’s funny?”

  “Sort of. He must have local connections to get info that fast from just my fingerprints. I assume he’s good at what he does. It has been a very long time since anyone checked my real background. I suppose I’ll hear about it in the morning, and if I don’t, I’ll know that your Diego’s connections are very, very high up. We’ll see. Stop crying, there’s enough water in the tea already. Here, blow your nose. Look, you got Zeus all upset.”

  “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what got into me. Poor Zeus.”

  “Of all the things you could have said, why the killing one? What’s going on?”

  Maybe it was the time of day or Millie’s maternal embrace, either way Mina found herself sharing with the woman the real version of the car accident and subsequent kidnapping.

  “I see. You’re concerned about Diego shooting his kidnappers. Why?”

  “Um, I—I guess I should think of it that way.” She glanced at Millie with whole new respect. “And you haven’t told me about your past career yet.”

  Millie shrugged as she ran her fingers along the length of Zeus’s back. “Oh, nothing as exciting as your boyfriend’s profession. By the way, why all the mystery, the games…”

  “Games?”

  “Yes. Like when he dropped off that envelope for you, pretending he was a hired runner.”

  “Oh, that.” Mina felt blood rushing to her face remembering when their relationship was more of a mystery to both of them. “We weren’t—he was—it’s complicated.”

  “I bet. Where is he? Is he coming back?”

  “I don’t know. He’s staying away until the police know he didn’t do it. I mean, he didn’t kill the kidnapper. As soon as the brother in the hospital can talk I’m sure he’ll let the police know it wasn’t Diego.”