Till Death Do Us Bark

by Judi McCoy

  Raising a hand, Arlene said, “No, I won’t, and I’ve already figured out why. Those women were only pretending to like me because of Martin. They got their drugs from him, and they used me to stay in touch.”

  “I don’t mean to pry, but what about the drugs? I know you used them to get you through the last few weeks, and that’s your business, but—are you still taking them?” asked Ellie.

  “You’re not prying. You’re asking because you care, and I appreciate that.” She heaved a sigh. “I’ve been trying to slowly wean myself off. I plan to take half of my usual dose to get to sleep tonight, and that might go on for a while, but I’m determined to get through the day without any of the ‘happy pills’ ”—she used air quotes around the last words—“if it’s the last thing I do. I want my life back.”

  Viv squeezed her sister’s shoulder. “I’m so proud of you.”

  Arlene’s cheeks colored. “Thanks. I’m proud of me, too. And guess what I’ve decided to do.”

  When Ellie and Viv didn’t answer, she smiled. “I’m going back to my first love . . . astrology. I’m set financially, and I’ve decided I don’t need another man in my world, at least for a while. I’m going to advertise in Dan’s Papers that I’m available for charting horoscopes and let the ad run year-round. I’ll meet new people—people who are interested in the things I’m into, not people who want me because my lover is a pill pusher.”

  “Wow,” said Ellie. “That’s a real life-changing decision.”

  “And it sounds wonderful,” added Viv. “You haven’t read my chart since I was in high school. I want to be your first client.”

  “Nope. I already have a first client . . . if she wants to be.” She focused on Ellie. “What do you say? Want to be my first new customer—for free?”

  Ellie blinked in surprise. “Sure. I guess so.” She’d never had her horoscope read, but it sounded like fun. “Uh, when this is over?”

  “Great. I just need your date, time, and place of birth. I’ll do the rest.”

  Viv raised her chin, and Ellie nodded. “Ah, sis, we’re not exactly finished with the personal stuff. There’s something else you need to know.”

  Arlene cocked her head. “Oh, Lord, now what? Please don’t give me any more bad news. I don’t think I could take it.”

  “We’re not sure it belongs in the ‘bad’ category, but Ellie and I think it’s important. And you shouldn’t see it alone.”

  “You can’t just tell me? I have to go somewhere to see it?”

  Ellie capped her Caramel Cone, gathered the other two cartons, and headed for the kitchen. “Don’t worry. We’re only going to the guest cottage. I’ll just put these in the freezer and walk down with you and Viv.”

  “Then it does have to do with Martin.” Arlene frowned. “What the hell else did the bum do?”

  Ellie left Viv with the task of preparing her sister for a sight she had to see. Standing in front of the freezer, she stored the Caramel Cone and shut the door.

  “You think she’s ready for this?” asked Rudy, who had followed her inside.

  Ellie scratched her boy’s ears. “One can only hope. She sounds fairly pulled together. If she falls apart, Viv will be there for her.”

  “Poor Vivie. She’s takin’ a big chance, showing her sis something so freakin’ rude.”

  “I agree, but it serves Adrianne right. How dare she pretend to care for her sister, then deceive her in such a rotten way? Imagine, sleeping with your sister’s fiancé and acting like it’s perfectly okay.”

  “I hear you.”

  They arrived at the kitchen door and Ellie saw Viv and Arlene standing close and talking quietly. “Are you sure you want to come with? You could go up to bed and I’ll let you know what happened tomorrow.”

  Rudy snorted. “Are you kidding? I wouldn’t miss this for all the Milk-Bones in the world.”

  Chapter 13

  The outdoor lights marking the brick walkway glowed steadily, guiding the girls and the five dogs to the guest cottage. Arlene had taken the keys off the board at the terrace door because the bag holding her regular key ring was in her bedroom. Viv told her they’d already used these same keys twice. Once when they crossed the crime scene tape, and again when they found what they thought she should see.

  As they walked, the dogs bounded off the path, sniffing tufts of sea grass, lifting their leg or squatting, then racing in whatever direction their senses took them. Even Rudy, who rarely participated in canine antics, wandered with abandon. It appeared they were all happily up for following their mistress to wherever she was going.

  Now at the cottage’s rear entrance, Arlene stopped and gazed at the path that circled the back of the building. “Is this where they found Martin’s body?” she asked, gazing at the broader area of bricks holding a dark-colored stain just outside the door.

  “That’s where Dr. Kent was when Viv and I got here, yes.”

  Arlene nodded toward the hidden corner. “And Agent Bond was there, behind those pine trees?” She bit her lower lip. “Lying in wait.”

  “It did seem that way,” said Ellie, “though he explains it differently. He says he was preparing to come in through the front door when he heard the argument, so he waited until a door slammed. He entered the building, but before he could search, the doc started arguing with a second person outside. Next thing he knew, the caterer was crying for help. By the time he got back here, Dr. Kent was dead. There was nothing he could do, so he ducked behind the pines until we arrived.”

  “Or so he said,” Viv added.

  “Do you believe him?” Arlene asked, her voice trembling.

  “We don’t have any reason not to,” said Ellie. “He’s a law enforcement officer. Why would he kill Dr. Kent, when he needed the doc to get the details of his drug ring?”

  Wrapping her arms around her shoulders, Arlene shuddered. “And to think, I almost married that monster.”

  Viv hugged her close. “But you didn’t. In a way, the murderer saved you.”

  “Now, there’s a gruesome thought,” said Ellie. She gazed at the darkening sky. “It’s getting late. We should go in.”

  When Arlene raised the keys, her hand shook. “Can you do it, Vivie? I’m too nervous.”

  “I can’t believe you’ve never been in here,” said Viv, accepting the keys.

  Arlene blew out a breath. “After the remodeling, I dropped by to make sure the guest suite upstairs was in order, and Martin gave me a quick tour of the downstairs, but that was it. He never invited me back, and once Maria and Terry took over the cleaning responsibilities I didn’t have a reason to return.”

  Ellie gazed at Viv, who nodded. “I know you don’t want to be here, but you really should see what’s inside.”

  “I just want you to think before you react,” said Viv. “Because it’ll probably impact you in a negative way.” She gave Arlene another hug. “But don’t worry. Ellie and I are confident you’ll handle it.”

  After opening the door, Viv stood aside to let the entire group enter the foyer. They headed straight for the office and unlocked that door. Then Viv took her sister’s hand and led her into the waiting area while the dogs scampered beside them.

  Ellie turned on the light. “How are you doing, Arlene?”

  “So far, so good. It’s just that . . .”

  “Hang in there, big sister. Ellie and I discussed it and we think it’s best you do this now when you have company, instead of later when you’ll be alone.”

  After scanning the room, Arlene sighed. “So, this is where he did his dirty business.” She sat on the couch and riffled through the magazines centered on the coffee table, picking up a copy of last week’s Dan’s Papers, then a Town and Country, then a Vanity Fair. “He certainly gave his patients the newest and best reading material, didn’t he?” she asked of no one in particular.

  She eyed a large empty jug sitting on a credenza. “Rosa told me he insisted the girls kept that filled with iced lemon water. What an idiot, givi
ng his customers amenities while he fed them poison.”

  Viv sat next to her on the sofa. “This isn’t all. You need to see his office.”

  Arlene gazed at the open door across the room. “You expect me to go inside?”

  “You should be aware of everything he was into,” said Viv. Standing, the sisters held hands and went into the doc’s private office with Ellie and the dogs following. Once inside, she again took care of the lights while Arlene scanned the room.

  A moment later, Arlene stiffened and headed toward the far wall. Ellie held her breath. Viv turned and gave her an eye roll, then walked next to her sister.

  “I don’t—I can’t—” Arlene whispered, staring at Adrianne’s self-portrait. Then she straightened her spine like a general preparing to declare war. “I’m going to beat her to a bloody pulp.”

  Viv placed her hand on Arlene’s shoulder. “No, you’re not.”

  As if deflating, Arlene slumped against her, and Viv led her to the oversized leather sofa, where she stopped and stared.

  “Put the pieces together, sis. Don’t make us tell you what we believe happened here,” Viv said in a quiet tone.

  Arlene sneered at the sofa as if it were riddled with vermin, then sidled to one of the two chairs in front of Dr. Kent’s desk and turned it to face the portrait, much as Viv and Ellie had done the evening before. Solemneyed, Viv followed suit while Ellie shuffled around the desk and dropped into Dr. Kent’s plush leather chair.

  When Arlene propped her head in her hands and began to cry, Ellie opened a drawer, found a box of tissues, and passed the box across the desktop to Vivian.

  “I’m so sorry, Arlene.” Viv handed her a tissue.

  Time passed while Arlene cried and Viv offered comfort, holding her close while the tears flowed. Even the dogs acted as if they knew this moment was important. Toning down their antics, they padded near their owners and sat at their feet.

  Rudy found his way around the desk and rose on his hind legs, resting his paws on Ellie’s thigh. She smiled at him and he jumped into her lap.

  “This is serious stuff, huh?”

  She caressed his head. “Very,” she said in a hush. “So no talking.”

  Minutes passed, while Viv and her sister spoke in whispers. Then they turned their chairs around and faced Ellie. She put Rudy on the floor and gave a halfhearted grin. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m getting there,” said Arlene. She rubbed her red nose. “Who else do you think saw the painting?” Her voice sounded strong but soft.

  “Detective Wheeling, the EMTs, and the forensics crew. Agent Bond, Maria, Teresa, Rosa, and Viv and I, for certain,” offered Ellie. “We have no idea if your mother and father dropped in after the crime scene tape was removed.”

  Arlene raised her gaze to the ceiling. Then she grabbed another tissue and blew her nose. “Well, now, that’s abso-fucking-lutely great, isn’t it? Though I can’t believe Mother would have seen this and not commented.” She heaved another sigh. “There’s no way I can shut them all up, especially the police team. What will I do if word gets out?”

  “I don’t think you need to worry about that,” said Ellie. “The investigative crew is ordered to secrecy when they work a crime scene. They’re not supposed to give details to reporters or gab about what they found to friends or family. Every once in a while someone slips up, and you can’t control that, but—”

  “A story or photo might still leak out.” Arlene dabbed at a tear that escaped her tissue. “Great.”

  “If you ask me, that thoughtless painting is nothing when compared to what Dr. Sleazeball did to Maria and some of the women who wanted what he had to offer. And I’m betting gossip about those exploits will get out before anyone mentions Adrianne’s tacky self-portrait. Let’s see if anything’s written in the next issue of Dan’s Papers and worry about it then,” said Viv. She gazed at Ellie. “I think we ought to leave before someone from upstairs hears us and decides to come down.”

  Ellie agreed and stood. Arlene grabbed another fistful of tissues and did the same. “With so much to think about, I’ll never get to sleep tonight. Which means I’ll be back to taking more drugs.” She inhaled and her entire body shuddered. “I hate the thought that even after his death, Martin is able to manipulate me. I’m afraid—”

  “There’s nothing to be afraid of. We’re here and we’ll take care of things,” said Viv as they closed the rear door.

  “I’m not afraid of the killer. I’m afraid of this damned addiction. I have to find a way to toss those pills in the trash and still hang on to my sanity.”

  “There are places you can go to for help,” said Viv, locking the outer door. “We’ll find a good doctor and get you a professional recommendation.”

  Arlene walked between Ellie and Viv as they followed the brick path home. “I don’t know why I’m asking this, but what about Adrianne?”

  “You don’t have to go to the same center. There are plenty of places that give exceptional care,” said Ellie.

  “I don’t know how I’m going to face her in the morning.”

  “Just try to get a good night’s rest. Adrianne might not even show until dinner. We’ll tackle it then.” The dogs raced up the stairs to the deck with the three women at their heels. “Think about it carefully and do what you feel is right.”

  The next morning, Ellie and Viv awakened with a new idea in mind. They’d talked for an hour before drifting to sleep last night and come up with a plan. Because of the activity surrounding Dr. Kent’s death, they hadn’t been able to visit any part of the Hamptons except the Montauk drugstore. It was time they canvassed a few of the area’s hot spots, found a way to catch a bit of gossip, maybe stop in some local stores and hear what was being said on the streets.

  “How do I look?” asked Viv, pirouetting on her bronze-colored Mephisto sandals. She wore a pair of tan, ankle-length linen slacks, a silk, off-the-shoulder white T, and a bronzed leather belt to pull her outfit together.

  “Very in-style,” said Ellie, though she hadn’t a clue if Viv’s clothes were “in” or “out.” All she knew was they were mostly Ralph Lauren, they were expensive, and Viv looked great in them.

  “I’m wearing the opposite. White cigarette pants with a brown, long-sleeved, scoop-necked T. But my sandals are Dansko Sigrid ankle straps. Think anyone will care?”

  “The only thing they’ll notice about you is that purple face and swollen eye.” Viv checked her out. “Wow, it’s gotten worse, not better.”

  Ellie’s shoulders slumped and she dropped to her bottom on the bed. “You really know how to make me feel special.”

  “Oh, stop.” Viv whipped the twenty-dollar sunglasses from her bag and passed them over. “Here. Fix those curly locks to cover your forehead and wear these. And don’t take them off, even if we’re inside. If we’re lucky, you’ll look more like a girl with a hangover than a battered woman.”

  Ellie stepped into the bathroom and stared in the mirror. She’d tried not to look at her face this morning because it was so ghastly. She never gave a thought to what any strangers would see if they gazed at her straight on. Frowning, she added tinted sunscreen to her face, careful not to press on her bruises, then added mascara and gloss.

  After dabbing a bit of gel on her fingers, she pulled a couple of curls down to cover her left eyebrow. Then she fluffed her hair, slipped on the sunglasses, and took another look. Oh, Lord, nothing is going to make it better.

  Standing tall, she returned to the bedroom. “I’m afraid this is the best I can do.”

  Viv covered her lips with a hand, but her grin sneaked out from behind her fingers. “Sorry. I guess we’ll just have to live with it. But remember—keep those sunglasses on and try not to make a spectacle of yourself. We’re not clubbing. What can people expect for a simple breakfast and a day of shopping?

  “I just need to make a potty stop. Think you can bring the dogs down to the pen? I’ll meet you there in a couple of minute, and we can get going,” said
Viv, stepping into the bathroom.

  “I don’t suppose we can come,” said Rudy as he and Mr. T followed Ellie down the rear stairs.

  “Sorry, but no. It’s going to get too warm to leave you in the car.”

  “We’re tough. We can take a little heat,” said T, his tone full of bravado.

  “You two are about as tough as day-old marshmallows where the weather is concerned. I’ll fix you both a morning nibble while I wait for Viv.”

  When they entered the kitchen, Terry and Maria were setting up the buffet and Rosa was at the stove. “Good morning,” she said to the trio. This might be a good chance to begin her questioning of the Suarez family. “I’m glad you’re all here. Can you spare a few minutes?”

  Rosa made eye contact with her daughters, and they sat at one end of the large breakfast table. “Give me a second,” said Ellie. She took the boys’ food and bowls from the pantry and poured them each a bit of kibble, then carried it to a floor place mat. Joining the Suarez women, she asked, “How are you all doing?”

  “A lot better than you, is my guess. Do you still hurt?” asked Terry, the older sister, scanning Ellie’s bruises.

  “Ibuprofen does wonders,” she answered. “And it helps if I keep my hands off, but that’s hard to do because it’s starting to itch. Now, what’s up with you three?”

  Terry stiffened her shoulders. “I’m fine, but Maria’s a mess. And Mama and Papa aren’t so great, either.”

  Maria sniffed away a tear. “Sorry, but I still feel responsible for this whole mess. If it weren’t for me—”

  Terry grabbed her hand. “Stop talking like that. Ellie is going to make sure Tomas goes free. Dr. Kent was a monster. Whoever killed him did the world good.”

  “Viv and I will do our best to figure it out. Now, what about Tomas?”

  “He is mucho upset,” said Rosa, pulling the everpresent tissue from her apron. “He doesn’t understand why that detective isn’t listening to his story.” She blew her nose. “Miss Vivian, she says you are an expert with things like this. Why won’t the policía listen?”