The Mystery of the Pink Aura

by Vella Day

  “No.”

  “We’ll sort this all out on the drive over,” Steve said.

  I had no doubt that I was going to have some trouble with Aimee and Iggy when I asked them to stay back since both would want to come. Iggy, especially, loved being in the thick of things, but I feared that those two might get in the way. “It’s probably too dangerous for Aimee to go,” I told Iggy. “You’re small and can hide unnoticed, but Aimee isn’t as flexible.” Besides, Iggy could cloak himself, at least for short periods of time.

  “I get it. That’s code for asking me to keep her safe.”

  “Exactly. When I get back, I’ll ask Aunt Fern for an extra helping of hibiscus flowers for you.”

  He stuck his tongue out at me. “I appreciate it. But don’t let anything bad happen to you.”

  Iggy usually wasn’t this protective. Most likely, he was showing off for his cat girlfriend. “Would you miss me if something did happen?”

  He glanced away for a moment. “You know I would.”

  I flashed him a quick smile. “Good to know.”

  Once outside, we piled into two cars, ready to take down this ring of dog thieves. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. While I was merely translating what Snookums told me, what if he was making it up? It was possible he’d run off to explore and needed some excuse for leaving. When the sun went down, he might not have been able to find his way home. Uncertain what to do, he laid low for a while until he made his way back to Witch’s Cove.

  In case he was telling the truth, I gave Steve directions. The next turn wouldn’t be for a while. “Snookums, can you tell me how you managed to escape?”

  His answer would help me decide if he really had been taken. The fact Mittens was also missing made me lean in the direction of him telling the truth.

  “The man, Phil, took me out of my cage and set me down so I could do my male prowess thing with this cute little female Papillon. While I was busy sniffing around, Phil removed another dog from his cage. That’s when I realized I could escape unnoticed—at least for long enough to get out. Remember, ducking under cages and running around obstacles is what I do.”

  “That’s true. Wasn’t the barn locked up tight?” I asked.

  “Not that time. Phil must have had a lot on his mind, because before he let me out, he’d gone out back carrying a shovel. That’s when I slipped out and ran.”

  “What did he say?” Steve asked.

  Once more I relayed the information.

  “A shovel?” Steve asked.

  “That’s what Snookums said.” I turned back to the dog. “Do you know what he was digging?” I asked.

  “No. When I ran off, Phil was about ten feet into the woods, but I didn’t wait around to see what he was up to.”

  “Interesting.” I had no idea what to think about that. Okay, I had an idea, but I didn’t want to go there. I told Steve.

  He said nothing for a bit. “If this Phil and Diana were partners, I wonder where she was in all of this?” Steve said. “If the two of them are working together, they might have left the diner and gone straight to the barn.”

  That would explain why her stuff was still in her hotel room. “Or he killed her,” I said. “Remember, she wanted a bigger cut of the operation.”

  Steve whistled. “I hope you are wrong.”

  “Me too.”

  He looked over at Snookums. “Could you describe the layout of the barn for me?”

  “I didn’t see all of it since he kept us on a tight leash. We were only able to get out when it was time to breed.”

  “Yikes. Is that why he took you? To impregnate the other dogs?” I asked.

  “I wasn’t able to ask him directly, but that was my guess.”

  I repeated the answer to Steve.

  “Dogs at this level would sell for a lot of money,” Steve said.

  I shivered at that thought. “Back to the layout,” I said. “Was it one big room?”

  “No, I saw Phil go into another part of the barn.”

  I relayed what he’d said to Steve.

  “Thanks, Snookums. That helps,” he said.

  I stroked Snookums’ back. “Since you’re not from around here, how were you able to find Witch’s Cove?”

  He looked up at me with his big brown eyes. “I might not know exactly where your town is located, but since it is a beach town, I followed the sun as it set. That’s where the beach would be. It took me two days to get there.”

  “Wow. I’m impressed. Following the sun was smart.”

  “Yup,” he said.

  Too bad Snookums would be leaving town once he was reunited with Patty. I bet he and Iggy could have been good friends since they seemed to possess the same temperament—determined and stubborn.

  Jaxson, who was driving the car behind us, honked, and I realized we’d arrived at the start of the white picket fence. I needed to pay better attention. “Turn right. Here.”

  Steve executed the turn flawlessly but then looked over at me. “A little more notice next time?” Thankfully, he didn’t sound angry.

  “I will. I’m a little nervous, that’s all.”

  “I understand. How much farther?” he asked.

  “A couple hundred feet ahead is the entrance. Turn in there. The roof on the main house has collapsed, but the barn used to be in fairly good condition. I haven’t been out this way in quite a long time.”

  He pulled to a stop because the gate was closed. “Hey, Snookums, did you notice any security cameras inside the barn?” Steve asked.

  “No, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t any. I was kind of too scared to take notice,” he said.

  Once more I translated.

  Steve exited the car, opened the gate, and then pulled in. He cut the engine about a hundred feet from the white van that was parked next to the barn. This had to be the place. Jaxson stopped behind us.

  “Nash and I will take it from here. Please escort Mr. Snookums to Jaxson’s car. And thanks for your help.”

  “Sure.” I was quite happy to sit this one out.

  It was pitch black, which hopefully would prevent Phil and Diana from spotting them. Steve looked over at me, clearly waiting for me to do as he asked.

  “I’m going.” With Snookums in my arms, I moved over to Jaxson’s car, but both he and Nash had already gotten out.

  “Do you guys need me as backup?” Jaxson asked Steve. “I’m quite handy in a fight, as long as there are no weapons involved.”

  “Not right now, but be ready to take chase in case Phil gets the slip on us. I don’t want Glinda to be alone.”

  I wasn’t alone. I had a six-pound fearless dog with me.

  “Can do.”

  Jaxson got back into the car and started the engine. He probably wanted to be ready in case they had another vehicle hidden somewhere should they need to make a run for it. Since it was very sticky outside, I appreciated the cool air.

  “Do you trust Snookums?” Jaxson asked.

  I wasn’t sure why he asked, but I answered anyway. “I do.”

  Jaxson nodded. “Then I do too.”

  I kept petting the dog, partially to halt the worry that was inching its way up my spine. What if this Phil guy got the drop on both Steve and Nash?

  I understood that it would take them a few minutes to walk to the barn, but once there, how hard would it be to arrest the two of them? What if there were more people inside, and Steve and Nash were captured too? Or worse, shot?

  My nerves were out of control. “Snookums, did anyone else show up to the barn while you were there?”

  “Once. I think he was a vet. Phil wanted him to check out one of the dogs. I could tell the doc didn’t want to be there.”

  Phil might have threatened the poor man’s family if he didn’t come. I told Jaxson what he said.

  “Phil’s evening forest digging is troubling,” Jaxson said. “Does he know what Phil was burying?”

  “I already asked him. He doesn’t know, but it’s possib
le the sick dog might have died, and he was burying him.”

  “Maybe, or he killed Diana,” Jaxson said.

  “That’s gruesome.” But it was what I thought too.

  “I agree.” He looked over at me. “Do you think there is a spell you could put on me so I could understand Iggy, Aimee, and any other familiar?” Jaxson asked.

  Wow. That question floored me. While Jaxson had been very helpful, in the back of my head, I thought he kind of believed I was just a bit crazy. I wanted to take his request seriously though. “I don’t know. I wouldn’t trust me to do the spell. You know what happened the last time.”

  “That wasn’t your fault. How were you to know Hazel mixed up the ingredients? It kind of turned out okay in the end though, didn’t it?”

  I chuckled. “If you call being able to see ghosts okay, then yes. Iggy wasn’t all that happy, but I think he’s come to grips with it.”

  Jaxson placed a hand on my wrist. “I see something.”

  “Is it Steve and Nash?”

  “I think so.”

  The two men emerged from the darkness with a man in front of them. Behind them was a barking Border Collie. Josh Randall would be so excited to learn his precious Mittens was okay.

  “What about the other dogs?” Snookums asked.

  “I’m sure the sheriff will make arrangements for them to be taken someplace safe. Their owners must be frantic. Can any of the other dogs communicate like you?”

  “Not that I know of. Phil didn’t give us a lot of play time, so it’s possible.”

  I chuckled, happy this mess was almost over. “Where is Diana?” I asked.

  “Good question.”

  Nash loaded the offender, who was in cuffs, into the back seat of the cruiser. He slipped into the front seat while Steve walked over to us.

  Jaxson rolled down the window, and Steve leaned in. “Glinda, once more I apologize for underestimating you. Without your and Snookums’ help, these dogs would have never been reunited with their owners.”

  “You’re welcome, but where’s Diana? I thought she’d be with Phil.”

  “I asked him, but he said he didn’t know.”

  “Do you believe him?” I asked.

  “Not at all.”

  Steve called to Mittens, who pranced over, seemingly excited to be free. Jaxson slipped out and opened the back door, motioning for Mittens to get in. He must have smelled Snookums, because he hopped in and then placed his paws on the back of the front seat. He then barked.

  “Someone is happy to see you,” I said to Snookums.

  “I’m glad to see him too. Can you put me in the back?”

  “Sure.”

  I placed him next to Mittens. The two dogs immediately sniffed and then licked each other. When I faced forward, the moon peeked out from the clouds and shone on something pink next to the van. I pushed open my door.

  “Glinda, where are you going?” Jaxson asked.

  “It’s okay, I need to check something out.” Phil was in custody, and I was sure Steve and Nash made sure no one else was inside.

  Steve was next to me in a flash. “What are you doing?” he asked.

  “I saw something pink.”

  “Where?”

  “Next to the van.”

  For once, Steve didn’t argue with me. I trotted over, and he followed. Sure enough, on the ground was a pink and white bandana. I pointed to it instead of picking it up. “That belongs to Diana. She always wore it.”

  “I’ll be. How about grabbing Snookums? I could use his help with something.”

  I wasn’t sure what he was up to, but I was happy to oblige. “Sure.”

  I returned to Jaxson’s car and told him what I’d found. “I’m sure it belongs to Diana.”

  “Phil must have been burying her body,” Jaxson said.

  Shivers shot down my spine. “We’re about to find out, assuming Snookums can remember where he saw Phil digging. Can you stay here with Mittens?”

  “I can.”

  He was the best. With Snookums in tow, I returned to Steve. Between him searching the woods using his flashlight and Snookums giving directions, Steve found the shallow grave in no time.

  He turned toward me. “How about taking Snookums back to the car?”

  As curious as I was, I didn’t need to see a dead body. The clues all pointed to this being Diana Upton. “Happy to.”

  I slid into the car with Jaxson and told him about the grave.

  “Was it Diana’s?”

  “I didn’t wait around long enough to see.”

  “Smart,” he said.

  We said little until Steve returned from the back. He replaced the shovel in his trunk and then came over. Jaxson rolled down the window.

  “It was Diana. I’ve called the coroner. Because it’s late, I asked Sheriff Misty Willows from over in Liberty if she could assist. It has become very clear that Witch’s Cove needs more help.”

  “No kidding. What about the other dogs? What’s going to happen to them?”

  “I’ve called a rescue center. They, along with their vet, will arrive shortly to check them out. The dogs will be returned to their sanctuary. Hopefully, we’ll be able to find all of the owners in due time.”

  “That’s great. Have you called Patty O’Neal and Josh Randall yet?” I asked.

  “I was about too. Can you take both dogs to the station? I’ll have the two owners meet you there.”

  “Great.”

  Steve walked back to his cruiser. He should have looked triumphant, but instead, he appeared to be exhausted. I could understand. Now that the adrenaline rush was leaving my body, I wanted to crash.

  As soon as Steve started his cruiser, we took off, ready to reunite the dogs with their owners.

  Chapter Eighteen

  When we arrived at the station, two vehicles were parked in front, and both car doors opened at the same time. Josh Randall exited one, while Patty and her whole family slipped out of the other. I jumped out and opened the back door to let the reunion begin.

  Mittens was big enough to leap down, but to avoid Snookums from injuring himself, I lifted him up and set him onto the pavement. As the dogs raced to their owners, everyone’s squeals made my heart sing. Josh dropped to his knees and hugged Mittens so hard, I thought he’d crush the dog. Never in a million years did I expect Mr. Randall to cry. He might not be the best with humans, but he did seem to have a great bond with his dog.

  Patty came over carrying Snookums, smiling and laughing. “Thank you so much for rescuing him.”

  “Actually, Snookums rescued himself. He led us to the other dogs.” I ran a hand over his head. “You have a very brave dog,” I told her.

  She brought the back of his head to her lips and kissed him. “He is the best. Can you tell us what happened?”

  “Let’s go inside. The sheriff will be here momentarily, and I’ll let him fill everyone in all at the same time. I’m sure Mr. Randall has a lot of questions too.”

  I also was curious what went down inside the barn and how the other dogs looked.

  We hadn’t even reached the front entrance before Steve’s cruiser pulled up and parked in front of the building. A moment later, both of them had opened the back doors and helped Phil out of the car. After Nash led him inside, everyone followed.

  As Nash escorted Phil directly to a holding cell, Steve faced us all. “It’s been a long night, but I’m sure you have questions. Let me begin by saying I’m sorry this happened. Phil Thomas stole a lot of dogs. He was breeding them in order to sell them for an obscene profit.”

  Mr. Randall as well as Patty O’Neal gasped. “He needs to be punished,” Randall said.

  “He will be,” Steve said. “Not only did he steal many dogs, he allegedly murdered Diana Upton. According to sources, he and Diana were in this together. She got a little greedy, and he killed her.”

  I couldn’t believe Steve was jumping to conclusions without proof, but I totally agreed with him.

  The chatter
intensified. “Did he drug my Snookums?” Patty asked. “He knows better than to follow strangers.”

  “No. According to Phil, Diana paid a witch to put a spell on the dogs that basically hypnotized them. They did whatever he asked.”

  I was right, but it didn’t bring as much joy as I thought it would. I had to give Steve credit for believing a witch could do this. While I was certain the two owners had a ton of questions, I only had one. “Did Phil give you the name of this witch?” I asked unable to stop myself from butting in. The witch needed to be punished too.

  “Phil was a bit tight-lipped about that. He claimed he didn’t know much other than Diana called her Daphne.”

  “Does this Daphne live in Witch’s Cove?” I asked.

  “That’s all Phil seemed to know,” Steve said.

  “Was Mittens mistreated in any way?” Josh Randall asked.

  “Not that I could tell. A rescue center team should be at the barn by now to check out the other dogs, but I suggest you get your dog looked at too.”

  Snookums looked up at Patty. “I’m fine. I promise.”

  “I’ll for sure have our vet look over my dog.”

  “We had a contestant in the show by the name of Brad Thomas, who had a Golden Retriever,” Mr. Randall asked. “Was he related to this Phil Thomas?”

  “We’re not sure, Mr. Randall. In the morning, I plan to check it out.”

  Josh sniffled and then lifted his head. “How did you find them?”

  I thought Steve would ask me to explain, but he did a fine job of coming up with a story that didn’t include me talking to animals. In fact, he avoided mentioning anything about Snookums telling us where he’d been held. That would have resulted in too many questions. Instead, he said he had a source that had seen a man load some animals into an unused barn.

  “No matter how you did it,” Mr. Randall said. “Thank you.”

  I was happy he didn’t ask why I was involved.

  “If you’ll excuse me. I need to tend to Mittens,” he said. “He looks emaciated.”

  No, he didn’t, but Mr. Randall probably just needed an excuse to leave. Since everything seemed to be taken care of, Jaxson and I slipped out too. “I know you have an early shift tomorrow,” Jaxson said, “but how about some ice cream with chocolate sauce and sprinkles. I need to deplane, so to speak.”