Till Death Do Us Bark

by Judi McCoy

  “Sam needs to give you more credit.”

  “Sam respects women who know what they’re doing. The trouble is, most of the time I don’t.”

  “But you do.”

  “How can you say that when I get things right maybe once in every thirty tries?” Ellie said. “Now let’s have lunch, then go upstairs and try to bleach me back to a more human color.”

  Ellie raised a leg out of the bathwater and inspected her skin. Thanks to Viv and a ton of rubbing, her complexion had faded to a dull orange. Getting back to near normal had also taken a total body scrub with a loofah and something from Arlene’s beauty arsenal that smelled like perfumed bleach, and two tub baths, each filled with three boxes of baking soda. She was still a little on the tangerine side, but the creepy color was barely there.

  “That looks a lot better,” said Viv from her seat on the commode lid. “How does your skin feel?”

  “Like it’s been rubbed raw, but I’ll use that expensive Swiss body lotion of Arlene’s to soothe the burn.” She sighed. “I think we’d better drive to a drugstore and stock up on SPF sixty or I’m going to fry like an egg the next time I sit on the beach.”

  “Sure, why not? It’ll be good to get out of the house for a while. Too many bad things happening here.”

  “Think we ought to ask Arlene to join us?”

  Viv shrugged. “Probably not. She was sorting through pill bottles when I got to her room after lunch, and I know she took a couple of what she called relaxers. But I did see her empty bottles in the toilet and toss the containers in the trash.”

  “That’s a good start. So you think she’s asleep?”

  “Yep.” Viv stood and walked out the door. “You dry off and get dressed. I’ll go start the BMW. I need to practice a little before we head into town.”

  “You sure you want Vivie to drive you again?” asked Rudy from his post on the turquoise throw rug.

  Ellie opened the drain, stepped out of the tub, and wrapped herself in a fluffy towel. “I’m not about to get behind the wheel of that car, so yes. Besides, she’s out there giving the shifting another run. How bad can it be?”

  “Hey, that’s for you to find out. I don’t plan to get a second round of neck jerks until we go home.”

  She slathered her skin with Arlene’s soothing body lotion, then walked into the bedroom and dressed in clean underwear. “What color do you think will play down the orange best?” She held up a creamy white short-sleeved T and a pair of red shorts she’d removed from a drawer. “How about these two?”

  “Wear jeans and you won’t have to worry about it.”

  “Hmm, maybe you’re right.” She pulled out a pair of color-washed denims and slid them on, then slipped the shirt over her head. “Makeup?”

  “Not too much, in case it changes color when it hits that sandpaper-scrubbed skin.”

  Returning to the bathroom, she finger-curled her hair, and grinned at him from the mirror. “You are too smart.” After applying a bit of styling gel to her hair, she added a coat of mascara and a little peach lip gloss to their respective targets. “How do I look?” she asked, turning in place.

  “Almost normal.”

  Relieved by his comment, she returned to the bedroom and put on her sandals. “You’ll have to stay here. It’s too hot to leave you in the car while we shop.”

  “Fine with me,” said Mr. T from the pillow on Viv’s bed. “I’m taking a nap.”

  “I want to go to the pen,” said Rudy. “See a little of the sun, smell that ocean breeze.”

  “Fine. Come with me and we’ll leave T here.”

  “I just hope those Bostons don’t give me a hard time. That Darby-Doll keeps givin’ me the fish-eye look.”

  “No fighting, please. Just ignore them all. They really are kind of cute, and Arlene has enough to worry about without you terrorizing her babies.”

  “Okay, fine, no arguing with the Bostons. Now let’s get movin’. I could use a snack, too.”

  With Rudy following, she headed for the front stairs. Viv was right. They needed to get out of this house for a while. She’d get a bead on the town of Montauk, maybe do some shopping, and think of the clues. She might even buy a notebook so she could write down what she remembered of the investigation.

  Too bad if Agent 007 didn’t want her looking into the murder, because Rosa did, and so did Arlene. Surely, between her and Viv, she could come up with an overview of all that had happened since they’d arrived.

  In the foyer, she peeked out the door and saw that the car was gone. With Viv practicing her driving technique, that gave her a chance to see if Rosa or her girls were around. She needed answers to a few questions before she took on the mystery of who murdered Dr. Kent.

  “Maybe Maria will take you out back. You like her, right?”

  “She’s a cute kid. I can’t believe that devious doctor was gonna do her wrong. Giving her those pills was bad enough.”

  After padding through the dining room and into the kitchen, they went out the rear door and onto the terrace, where Rosa was standing at the railing and staring at the beach.

  After signaling Rudy with a finger to her lips, she cleared her throat to announce her presence and walked over to stand beside the housekeeper. “How are you doing, Rosa?”

  Shrugging, Rosa heaved a sigh. “Not so good. I miss my son, and my Julio is not here. The girls, they are worried about their brother, and I am, too.”

  “Any idea where the girls are?”

  “They finished the guest cottage and I sent them to the beach. They’ll be here to help with dinner in a little while.”

  It was now or never, thought Ellie, taking a deep breath of the salty ocean air. “I know I asked you this earlier, but why is it you haven’t told Arlene about what happened between Maria and Dr. Kent?”

  Rosa clenched her fingers so tight her knuckles turned white. “Because Ms. Arlene doesn’t need to worry about more bad things. With the doctor gone, my little girl is safe.”

  “I understand that, but don’t you think it would be better if Arlene knew about some of the bad things her fiancé did? It might help her to come to grips with his death.” She formed the next words carefully. “It could even get her to thinking about who might have wanted Dr. Kent dead, and that would help clear Tomas.”

  The housekeeper bit her lower lip. “You think that could be so? That it would help free my son?”

  “I don’t know, but I believe you should give it some thought. And remember, Arlene is your employer, but she’s also your friend. I think she’ll understand the reason why you didn’t tell her about Dr. Kent and Maria when it happened, but I also think she’ll be grateful to hear about it now.”

  “Since you are the one Ms. Arlene says will work to free my Tomas, I should probably do as you say. And I will, later today or this evening.”

  “One more question. I haven’t seen your husband since this whole mess began. Where’s Julio been?”

  The housekeeper sniffed. “He is on a mission at our church, praying for our boy. A very special mission.”

  “Special? Can you tell me about it?”

  “He is praying to La Virgen.”

  “La veer-hen? I’m sorry but I don’t understand.”

  “Not la veer-hen, you dip brain. The Virgin Mary,” her boy corrected.

  “He is promising a manda to La Virgen Maria, our Holy Mother,” Rosa explained, as if echoing Rudy.

  “Ahh.” Ellie glanced down at her yorkiepoo and smiled. She knew about the Virgin Mary and respected her place in Christianity, but she had no idea about the other thing. “And what’s a manda?”

  “It’s like a juramento, only different.” The housekeeper sniffed. “He is willing to do anything to save our son.”

  “A juramento?”

  She looked at Rudy and he gave a doggie shrug. “That’s a new one to me.”

  A horn honked from the street, telling Ellie that Viv was ready to go. Relieved that Rosa knew where her husband was, and it d
idn’t sound dangerous, she said, “I think we can discuss this later. Right now, Viv and I are going into town. Do you need anything?”

  “Not for tonight, but maybe for tomorrow. I will let you know, yes?”

  “Of course, yes.” The horn tapped out a demanding string of bleats, as if Vivian would leave without her. “Viv can’t wait, so I have to run. What time is dinner?”

  “Unless Ms. Arlene changes the time, she usually eats at seven o’clock.”

  “Great, we’ll be back. See you then.”

  Chapter 8

  After checking out the Yellow Book of Maps on the Hamptons, Ellie decided to use a colorful and infinitely more interesting map she’d scrounged from a drawer in Arlene’s kitchen. Reading it carefully, she chose to direct Viv to one of two stores in Montauk that appeared to sell what they were looking for.

  “There’s a White’s Drug and Department Store on the map, but Montauk Drugs is closer,” she told Viv as they passed Gurney’s Inn, Resort and Spa on Old Montauk Highway and made a left onto Route 27.

  “Fine by me. If we’re lucky, they’ll have what you need and we can be back home quickly. Maybe we can explore the other shops tomorrow or the next day,” said Viv. “Just tell me when to turn.”

  Ellie checked the street names, which were easier to read on the more detailed map. “After we pass Emory, then Embassy, make the first right. That will put us on the circle. The drugstore should be on the right, too, somewhere near the Montauk Bake Shoppe.”

  “Very cute,” said Viv as they turned into the center of town. “Looks as if we could spend an entire morning here checking things out.”

  “According to this business-sponsored map, there are way more summer shops in town than what you’d expect. There’s even a Plaza Pet Supplies, and it looks adorable. Maybe we can stop there with the boys and see what’s available when we make our next trip.”

  “Sounds fine to me.” Viv steered the pricey car into a parking spot and they jerked to a stop. “Damn, and I was doing so much better,” she ground out as the BMW shuddered and died. “This ride was an improvement over our trip out here from Manhattan, wasn’t it?”

  Ellie rubbed the back of her neck. “There was less spine snapping, so I say yes. You’re getting the hang of it.”

  Viv removed the keys and opened her door. “Thanks, you’re a pal.” She waited for Ellie to step on the sidewalk and join her. “I know I’ve said this before, but I want you to know I’m serious. I can’t thank you enough for agreeing to help my sister and Rosa. I’ll never be able to repay you, but I’ve decided to cancel all the ‘you owe me’ pronouncements I’ve made in the past. After you solve this case, we’re even.”

  Ellie laughed. “And if I don’t solve it?”

  “You’re going to give it your best shot, right?”

  “You bet, but I’ll probably need help.”

  “Help? From someone besides me?”

  They opened the drugstore door and stepped into cool air ripe with the scent of the ocean, probably from the display of burning scented candles set up to the left of the entryway. “I’ll need another talk with Rosa and a first questioning with her girls. I even need to ask Adrianne a few details. I wasn’t paying much attention, but I remember meeting people who seemed to disappear right before the body was found. To do this right, I’ll have to get answers from everyone who was there, including your mom and dad, and maybe even the relatives who went home.” Ellie took stock of the store while she thought. “Got any ideas on how I should approach your secondary family members?”

  “You’re talking about the people who were at the early party?”

  “Yep. All of them,” Ellie said, fingers crossed in hopes that Viv could offer a better idea.

  “Hmm. Here’s a thought. If you give me a list of questions, I can phone the R relatives and my aunt and uncle. I’ll even try my non-aunts, Elsie and Connie, and take a shot at pinning down whatever they know.”

  “So that means Vanessa, Evan, and Adrianne are my job.”

  “That makes sense, don’t you think?” said Viv. “They’re the ones who are still here, and I’m too close to them to get a good read on their answers. Dad could be trouble, but Mom? Not so much. If you tell them it’s for Rosa, they’ll be more inclined to cooperate.”

  “Okay, you convinced me. I get the terrible threesome.”

  They scanned the aisles as they discussed the situation. “But I get the impression they refuse to believe their little girl was stupid enough to get hooked on uppers or downers, or fall in love with a pusher. That alone could shake up Mom and Dad—make them lend a hand.”

  “We’ll see,” said Ellie. She scoured the aisle directory.

  The store was small and stuffed with merchandise, but they finally found a section selling flip-flops, towels, T-shirts, sand chairs, even boogie boards and plastic buckets holding shovels and sand molds for kids.

  “Okay, there’s the sunscreen,” said Ellie, stopping at the end of the aisle.

  While she inspected the offerings, Viv picked through a stand of sunglasses. “How do I look in these?”

  Bent at the waist so she could check out the products, Ellie had to stand to do what Viv asked, and saw that she’d found a pair she liked, taken off her ultra-expensive glasses, and put the new ones on. “Too rectangular for your face,” she said, giving her a once-over. “You need something round or oval.” Ellie plucked a pair off the rack. “Here, these are twenty dollars and I bet they’ll look great on you.”

  “Every pair on this rack is twenty dollars. I can’t imagine wearing such cheap glasses.” Viv slid them on and checked herself out in the mirror, scrutinizing her face from all sides. “You’re right,” she said, pouting. “These do look good.”

  “And they’re as serviceable as those Jason Wus you paid two hundred and seventy-five for. Buy these for the beach and keep the designer brand for when you’re out among the stars and celebrities of the Hamptons.”

  Returning to the shelves, she passed over all the expensive sunscreen products. She’d been that route and it had turned her into a human carrot. She needed plain old protection, something that had been around for years. Something people depended on.

  Viv took the new glasses off and held them close. “Find what you’re looking for yet?”

  “Here’s what I want,” said Ellie, picking up a plastic bottle of Coppertone that promised complete SPF coverage. “Wasn’t Brooke Shields the baby who first advertised this stuff when it came out years ago? How old is she, anyway?”

  “I haven’t a clue. Far as I’m concerned, as long as it keeps you from burning, it’s a go. Is there a guarantee?”

  “As good as any of the others. Now find me the school supply area, or the section that sells pens and notebooks.”

  They passed a mother leading two children, her arms full of kiddie Ts and underwear; a woman wearing a bathing suit and cover-up who carried a basket loaded with cleaning supplies; and a group of teenage boys balancing boxes of cookies and bottles of soda.

  “I love places like this,” she said to Viv. “It’s one-stop shopping.”

  “Well, I’m not a fan.”

  “You’re a snob,” Ellie warned her. And so much like your mother. “One of these days you’ll find out that some bargain brands are really as good as the designer stuff you pay quadruple for.” She glanced down the next aisle and headed for the display of spiral notebooks. “Here’s what I want. You check out. I’ll be there in a minute.”

  Selecting two black palm-sized tablets that looked very much like the ones Sam, Vince, and every other Manhattan detective she’d met used, she held back a laugh. Rudy was going to get a charge out of it, but Sam would probably clap her in cuffs if he thought she was in true detective mode.

  “What’s so funny?” asked Viv when Ellie met her in the checkout line.

  “Not a thing,” she lied.

  They stood behind the teenage boys at what looked to be the only open register. The older man ringing them up w
ore a white lab coat with a name badge, but Ellie couldn’t read what it said. Blinking when she saw his face, she whispered to Viv, “How do I know this guy? He looks familiar.”

  Viv peered at the tall, jowled man handling the customers. “I think that’s Dr. Kent’s uncle Mickey, but I don’t remember anyone saying he was a pharmacist. Do you?”

  “Nope, but he may have a less important job, like a pharmacy technician or aide.” Ellie and Viv moved up in line. “Do you think he’ll remember us?”

  “Beats me.” Viv frowned. “You know, I think he was one of those people who disappeared a little while before the caterer found the doc’s body. What do you think?”

  “You’re right and he’s already on my mental list, though I thought I’d have to conduct a search to locate him,” said Ellie, smiling. “This is why I need your help. If you’re sure you didn’t see him on the terrace before we went down the stairs, he’ll stay a suspect.”

  “Unless he says he was in the bathroom,” Viv added.

  Oops, Ellie thought, that could be anyone’s excuse, and how would she be able to prove them wrong? “Let’s see what he says.”

  Now at the counter, Ellie got a better look at his name tag, which read MICHAEL FORREST, PHARMACIST, and under that what appeared to be an identification number. She set her spiral pads and sunscreen next to Viv’s sunglasses. “Hi. Remember us?”

  The man glanced up and focused on her face, then spotted Vivian and gave a huge grin. “Why, yes, I do. You were at Arlene and Marty’s prewedding celebration, which means you’re from the McCready side of the family.” He shook his head and his jowls wobbled. “Terrible thing, that. I gather you’re still staying at the house? Have you heard any more about the killing?”

  Ellie opened and closed her mouth. She’d been ignored for Vivie before, so she wasn’t surprised. But how could she warn Viv that they should wait to question him until she’d had a chance to do a bit of sleuthing first?

  “I remember someone saying that you really weren’t Dr. Kent’s uncle, even though that’s what he called you. Do I have that right?” Viv continued.