Till Death Do Us Bark

by Judi McCoy

  “You have a good memory. I’m Uncle Mickey to most everybody around here. Been in business for a long time now. Between Fred Dwyer and me, we service just about everyone on this end of Long Island. Feel free to call me Mickey, too, if you like.”

  “Fred Dwyer?” asked Viv. “I don’t remember him being at the party.”

  “He owns the other drugstore. Together, we take care of the locals and the summer crowd. I believe he was scheduled to come over with the second wave. I was Marty’s best man, so I got invited with the first group. It was a real honor, I’ll tell you. He was well liked by everybody. I can’t imagine anyone wanting him dead.”

  When Viv asked, “How long had you known Martin?” Ellie tapped her toe with the tip of her sandal. It might not be smart to continue questioning him until they knew more about the pharmacist.

  But it didn’t matter, because Viv moved ahead. “I don’t mean to be nosy, but Arlene is distraught. I was hoping to get a few old friends to stop by and offer comfort . . . that is, if you’re an old friend.”

  Uncle Mickey accepted Ellie’s credit card as he spoke. “Marty had been practicing around here for years. His original office was in Bridgehampton, but when he and Arlene got engaged, it was just natural that he moved to her place. Then again, I guess you already know all that.”

  He passed Ellie the receipt and she signed it while he spoke. “I thought maybe there’d be a memorial service. Didn’t want to intrude on Arlene during her time of sorrow.” He scanned Viv’s sunglasses and accepted her card, too.

  “I’m sure my sister will hold some kind of memorial, but she can’t do anything until the ME releases the body.”

  Impressed at Viv’s line of questioning, Ellie kept quiet. Why intrude when she was doing fine on her own?

  “Right, right. I forgot about that.” He handed Viv her card and a bag holding her glasses. “Guess I’ll call first, feel Arlene out. If she sounds okay, I’ll stop by. Nice talking to you.” He nodded to the next customer in line, effectively telling them the conversation was over.

  Ellie followed Viv out of the store and into the car before she said a word. “I thought I was on lead here?”

  Viv started the BMW’s engine. “I know, and I apologize. But when he looked at me and gave me that slimy smile, well . . . you know what I mean. I just figured he’d be more receptive to me.” She checked over her shoulder, then looked in the rearview mirror and backed out onto the circle. “You’re not upset, are you?”

  Ellie snapped her seat belt in place. “Of course not. If we’re going to work as a team, we’ll take whatever assistance we can give each other. I’ll question all the little old ladies. You can have the men.”

  “Oh, stop. You’ve been hit on by plenty of guys when I’m with you. It was clear he was more interested in me, just like I suspect our faux Agent Double O Seven is more interested in you.”

  Ellie choked out a laugh. “What?”

  “You heard me,” said Viv, a smile playing on her lips. “Mr. Bond would be asking you out if he didn’t already think you were trying to ruin his investigation.”

  “He’s working a case, so I doubt he’d want to hook up with anyone right now.”

  “Who knows? He might be in the market for a summer fling. He’d probably try to get into your pants if he hadn’t heard about Sam.”

  “Vivian, that is so not funny.”

  “I’m being serious. You were too busy worrying about your tan cleanup to notice the way he looked at you on the beach. I’ve seen that twinkle in a man’s eyes before. He definitely liked what he saw.”

  “There’s no room in my life for another man.”

  “And he knows that, but it won’t stop him from checking you out. Now, where’s my next turn?”

  “Take this left,” Ellie said, still pondering Viv’s words. “Then the first right. That’s Old Montauk Highway. You know the way home from there.” Sitting back, she crossed her arms and thought about Viv’s outrageous assumption.

  Her and James Bond?

  It was too ridiculous to worry about.

  “Good thing you got home when you did,” said Rudy, gazing up at Ellie from the bathroom doorway. “It was only a matter of seconds before I took out ol’ Corey dog.”

  “That adorable little Boston?” Ellie asked, swiping mascara over her lashes. “Why?”

  “He was guarding all the water dishes. I’d walk to one, and Corey would rush over and stand in front of it, growling. He refused to back down when I called him on it.”

  “Well, that’s not very nice.” She added lip gloss, then walked past him and into the bedroom, where she checked out a drawer. “How about this?” she asked her boy, holding up a pair of white cropped pants and a navy-and-white-striped top. “Very beachy, don’t you think?”

  “Sure, fine. So, tell me, did you find out anything more about the night of the murder?”

  She stepped into the pants and slid the shirt over her head before answering. “Not much. But we did end up in Uncle Mickey’s drugstore.”

  “You mean that old guy with the bulldog face and droopy eyes?” He shook from head to tail. “Didn’t care much for him. He was one of the few people who never once gave us dogs a look-see.”

  “Okay, so he’s not animal-friendly. That doesn’t mean he isn’t a nice person. We should pity him, because he’s missing out on one of the best things in life, just like Viv’s dad is.” Satisfied that she was decent, she slipped into her sandals. “You ready to go to dinner? I’ll feed you. Then you can sit on the deck—where you will mind your own business, of course.”

  “Yeah, yeah, sure. Just watch Mr. T. He’s been grumping about those Bostons again.”

  “I haven’t asked yet, but I might as well. Did any of the Bostons talk about the night of the murder? Maybe see or hear a strange noise coming from the guest cottage?”

  “Those three nut balls? All I know is they didn’t like the doc. It was nothin’ they could put their paws on, but Myron knew what he was really like, since he’d lived in the office for a couple of weeks before the party.”

  “You talked with Myron about Dr. Kent?”

  “Not exactly. But he does a lot of squawking to himself, and I pay attention.”

  “And you’ll tell me if he says anything interesting?”

  “Trust me, if he’s blabbing something important, you’ll be the first to know.”

  They went down the hall and took the rear stairs into the kitchen, where voices from the terrace, along with squawks from Myron, filled the air. She pulled Rudy’s dry food from the pantry and his can of wet from the fridge, took down a bowl and mixed his chow, then set it on a place mat in the eating area.

  “Here you go. I’ll check things out from the doorway. Come and get me when you’re finished.” With his nose already in the dish, Rudy didn’t answer. She slipped out the door and stepped onto the deck to take stock of who was there.

  Viv sat quietly, as if absorbing every word.

  Arlene was so animated, she reminded Ellie of a set of chattering teeth. Talking to her mother and Adrianne at a nonstop pace, she was clearly on another prescription high.

  Adrianne drummed the fingers of one hand on the table while she used the other to push the food on her plate in a circle with her fork, ignoring her older sister as if she couldn’t wait to be excused.

  Vanessa concentrated on her daughters as if she hadn’t talked to them in years.

  Evan manned the huge gas grill on the other side of the terrace. Ellie wasn’t sure what he was cooking, but it smelled delicious.

  And Rosa, without her girls or Julio, stood in a far corner watching the proceedings through sad dark eyes.

  Ellie closed the door when Rudy yipped. “You finished already?”

  “Yep. Let’s get movin’.”

  She chose a seat next to Viv. Rudy headed for Mr. T; they touched noses, then curled into balls and sat side by side.

  “You seem quiet. Is anything wrong?” she asked Viv as she helped herself
to a glass of icy lemonade from the huge pitcher on the table.

  “I’m in detective mode and it’s exhausting. How do you do it?” Viv muttered out of the corner of her mouth.

  “Do what?”

  “Keep track of everyone, pay attention to all the conversations, the sly looks and telling glances. Not only that, but thanks to Dr. Kent, my sisters are spending all their time living on illegal pills.” She nodded to her left, where Arlene and Adrianne were arguing animatedly with their mother. “Which makes them impossible to figure out.”

  Ellie accepted the salad bowl Viv passed her and added a heaping portion of greens, tomatoes, feta cheese, and black olives to her plate. “I was afraid of that,” she said in a subdued tone. “Maybe, after all this is over, your sisters can get some help at a—”

  “Ms. Engleman,” said Evan McCready, who had arrived at the table in silence. “I’m on grill duty tonight. We have rib eye steaks or fresh spiced shrimp skewers. What can I get for you?”

  “I’m having a steak,” said Viv, “but I’d be happy to share if you want both.”

  “That sounds like a great idea,” said Ellie. “One shrimp skewer, please, and Viv and I will divide the food ourselves.”

  The senior McCready returned to his post without cracking a smile.

  “What’s up with him?”

  Viv shrugged. “I think it’s all the talk about Dr. Kent and the murder charge against Tomas. Dad’s taking it all personally, as if he’s the one to blame for not keeping an eye on things that night. Being ex-CIA, he feels he should have headed off a disaster. Thank God Rosa’s holding up fine, but I hear her girls are a mess. And Julio’s still MIA. No one’s seen him since this morning.”

  “I’m sure Rosa knows, but she’s keeping it to herself,” said Ellie, not sure this was the time to tell Viv what she’d learned from the housekeeper.

  Viv passed her a basket of rolls and she shook her head. “Dinner is my no-carb meal, remember? I have to do something if I want to look passable in my swimsuit.”

  “You look fabulous in that Karla Coletto. I’ll be washing mine tonight—want to add it to my load?”

  “Doing your own laundry?” said Ellie in a teasing tone. “Is the world ending?”

  “Ha-ha. I’m just too lazy to take it to the town cleaner’s when that big, swanky steam unit hanging out in Arlene’s laundry will be free. It won’t hurt me to do a load myself.”

  “I thought the washer and dryer was Rosa’s territory.”

  “It is, but I don’t want to add to her workload. She’s got to be worried, even though she’s putting on a good front, and the girls are frantic about their brother. It appears that Maria is taking it personally, says Tomas wouldn’t have interfered if she hadn’t taken the drugs to begin with. It’s her fault if he did the deed.”

  “Are you saying the sisters believe their brother is a murderer?”

  “I’m not sure. But Rosa finally told Arlene the real story behind Maria’s overdose.”

  “Uh-oh. Now that Arlene knows the truth, do you think she can accept that her almost-husband was really a drug pusher?” And a lecher?

  “I think so, but I’m not positive. As soon as I arrived on the terrace, the comments seemed to stop, but it looked as if they’d been talking for a while. Rosa’s girls practically ran away when I showed up, and Mom dragged me into a description of what she, Dad, and Adrianne did on their afternoon out. It was all fairly odd, if you want my opinion.”

  “Of course I want your opinion,” said Ellie. “You have to tell me everything you see or hear, no matter how insignificant you think it is.”

  “Right now my head hurts. Can we talk about it later?”

  “Tonight, while we’re doing the laundry?”

  “Okay, fine. I’ve already made a list of the people I’m supposed to contact. I just need your questions.”

  Ellie took another sip of lemonade. “We can come up with a plan while the washer’s running.”

  Evan carried a serving tray to the table and set it down in front of them. “Here you go, and make it quick. I have one more rib eye on the cooker and I don’t want it to burn.”

  Viv slid the steak onto her plate and Ellie took the skewer of shrimp. After dividing the food, they exchanged servings.

  It was then Vanessa acknowledged Ellie’s presence. “Ellie, hello. I don’t mean to interrupt your discussion, but I didn’t see you come out. Vivian tells me you had quite an exciting day.” She squinted, as if appraising Ellie’s skin. “You don’t look all that bad to me.”

  “I’m better, thanks. Arlene had a few magic potions in her beauty arsenal, and the baking soda helped.”

  When Arlene stood and walked to the grill, Vanessa leaned forward as if sharing a secret. “This whole business about Martin being murdered because he’s a drug dealer has everyone upset, but I did hear some interesting news. Arlene tells me you’ve agreed to help Rosa’s son go free.”

  “Mother, I asked you not to bother Ellie just yet. She has to talk to some . . . people and get information first.”

  “I’m aware of that, Vivian, but I still wanted to thank her for offering assistance. Your father hasn’t said a word, so I suggest you don’t mention Ellie’s involvement while he’s around.”

  “But I do have to ask you both a few questions, Mrs. McCready,” said Ellie, using her finger to follow a drop of condensation down the side of her glass. “It won’t take long.”

  “As long as it isn’t too intrusive.”

  “After we eat?”

  “I’ll ask him as soon as—”

  Evan took that moment to sit next to his wife while Arlene returned to her chair. “What are you two yammering about?” he asked. “I believe I’ve already made my feelings known. I don’t think anyone, especially a dog walker without one iota of police training, should butt into something that’s the job of the local authorities.”

  “I realize that,” said Ellie, cutting into her steak. “I’m only lending a hand because Rosa and your daughter made the request.”

  He raised an eyebrow and glared at Arlene, who was pushing her shrimp into a mound on her plate. “So I heard.”

  “Come on, Dad. Let it rest,” said Viv. “Rosa and Arlene trust Ellie, and so do I.”

  Adrianne’s fingers tapped out a disjointed rhythm on the tabletop. “I agree. The police should be in charge.”

  “I’m afraid it’s not that simple,” Ellie began. “The DEA is involved, and they mean business. The way I understand it, the good detective got orders to share with James Bond all that he knows, even though each of them is handling a different side of the investigation. And Wheeling isn’t exactly happy about it.”

  “Ha! I’ll just bet,” said Evan, stuffing a slice of steak in his mouth. After chewing, he said, “Just make sure you don’t step on the wrong toes or you could find yourself in jail for obstruction of an ongoing case.”

  “Wrong toes?” Ellie and Viv asked at the same time.

  The senior McCready rolled his eyes and Ellie saw whom Viv got that trait from. “Don’t you understand what people involved in a drug ring are like? They’re dangerous, willing to do anything to make their sales quotas and keep their customers. If word slips out that you’re on the lookout for Kent’s killer, you could be next on the murderer’s hit list.”

  Chapter 9

  After dinner the group broke apart. Vanessa and Evan turned in early, while Arlene and Adrianne went to Bridgehampton to check out the little theater’s summer schedule. With everyone accounted for, Ellie and Vivian decided it was time to compose the questions for Viv to ask the relatives who had left the morning after the murder. As soon as they finished, Viv disappeared to do her job and Ellie took Mr. T and Rudy on their afterdinner walk.

  Now in the kitchen, she hunted the cupboards for a tea bag, found a box of Earl Grey, and brewed a cup with help from the automatic hot water tap on the island sink.

  Inspecting the huge kitchen, she took note of the state-of-the-art applianc
es standing guard in the room. The kitchen had dark green marble floor tiles, matching granite counters, two sets of double stainless steel sinks, a stainless steel Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer, a six-burner range with a separate grill area, and more cabinets than she could count. The space amazed her, but then so did everything about this house.

  Cup of tea in hand, she walked through the eating area with its large bump-out enclosed by mullioned windows and stepped onto the deck. A breeze rustled the tall fronds of sea grass surrounding the yard, and she sighed, content with the smell of salt water wafting in from the east. She could live here happily, she decided, amid the sun, sand, and serenity. All she needed was Sam and Rudy by her side.

  And the time to enjoy it.

  This was her first real vacation in forever. Her ex-husband, the dickhead, had been too cheap to take any time off while they were married, and he couldn’t understand why she needed a break. After all, he gave her everything he thought she needed, including membership to an upscale health club and money to buy designer clothes. All she had to do was walk the treadmill, follow her personal trainer’s excruciating workouts, and keep herself runway-model thin, perfectly groomed, and politically correct.

  Oh, and one more thing. He forbade her to own a dog.

  She’d played by the dickhead’s rules for ten long years, until she found him in bed with a client. Then all bets were off. She did a full-personality overhaul and rearranged her life so it was in line with what mattered most to her. Instead of saying yes, she said no. Instead of taking orders, she made demands. Instead of pleasing others, she worked to please herself.

  She also ate real food, wore comfortable clothes, and interacted with people who cared about the same things she did. Her hellish workouts were replaced by enjoyable daily walks up and down Fifth Avenue accompanied by small, furry, four-legged creatures who needed her and, more important, loved her just for being her.

  Besides forging a new and more balanced relationship with her mother, she now had a sister in Vivian, and a renewed friendship with Randall, a man who had watched over her for a short while after she’d lost her father. She’d found a career she loved and worked to make it a real business. Then she met Sam who, bit by bit, had inched his way into her heart and her life. They argued, they laughed, and they made love. She’d already decided she wouldn’t trade him for a man like Brad Pitt, Ashton Kutcher, and Gerard Butler all rolled into one.