by Sparkle Abby
Promo Page
Caro Lamont—pet therapist—and her cousin Melinda Langston—owner of The Bow Wow Boutique—pamper the kitties and pooches of Laguna Beach’s elites. Unfortunately, their human clients keep turning up dead.
“We were at an art exhibition at The Montage,” I told the detective, “and Kitty asked me to take her cats home because something had come up. Something urgent. It seemed strange, but then the whole evening was strange with dogs and cats. Ones that paint, I mean. And Kitty would never leave her cats, but she did, so it must have been really urgent . . .”
Detective Judd Malone looked past me. “Are those the cats?”
I nodded.
“What kind are they? They’re huge.”
“They’re Bengal cats. Bengals are a hybrid. A cross between a domestic cat and an Asian Leopard Cat. It’s a relatively new breed. Most have . . .” Malone’s face said TMI. Fair enough, more info than he’d been looking for.
“I imagine you know I’m here about Ms. Bardot?” Malone was suddenly all business.
“Yes.” I held my breath and hoped for good news.
“Caro.” He paused. “She didn’t make it.”
“She—” I felt my throat close, and I swallowed hard trying to get control of my emotions. “Too many injuries?” I finally asked. Whatever her emergency had been, it had seemed to upset her. She’d been shaken, and Kitty was never shaken. I remembered her voice as she’d asked me to take care of Tobey and Minou and get them home. The cats. What would happen to the cats now? “Was she driving too fast?”
“Not exactly.” Malone’s voice was serious and grim. “We won’t know until we have a lot more information from the crime lab. It’s too soon to tell, but it may have been a case of road rage. Kitty Bardot was shot.”
The Pampered Pets Mysteries
By Sparkle Abbey
Desperate Housedogs
Get Fluffy
Kitty Kitty Bang Bang
Yip/Tuck (Coming in 2013)
Kitty Kitty Bang Bang
Book three, The Pampered Pets Mysteries
by
Sparkle Abbey
Bell Bridge Books
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead,) events or locations is entirely coincidental.
Bell Bridge Books
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Memphis, TN 38130
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-61194-237-8
Print ISBN: 978-1-61194-241-5
Bell Bridge Books is an Imprint of BelleBooks, Inc.
Copyright © 2012 by Carter Woods LLC
Desperate Housedogs (excerpt) © 2011 by Carter Woods LLC
Get Fluffy (excerpt) © 2012 by Carter Woods LLC
Printed and bound in the United States of America.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.
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Cover design: Debra Dixon
Interior design: Hank Smith
Photo credits:
Cat scene (manipulated) © Dedmazay | Dreamstime.com
Collar © Roughcollie | Dreamstime.com
Paw Print – © Booka1 | Dreamstime.com
Magnifying glass – © Yudesign | Dreamstime.com
:Ebk:01:
Dedication
To Mary Ellen, the ultimate cat-momma, who left us too soon.
Chapter One
“We’ve got to stop meeting like this,” the teasing voice whispered in my ear.
The cliché would have been trite and lame had it not been delivered with such a handsome and not-at-all-lame smile. The voice belonged to Sam Gallanos, my friend, my confidant, my sometimes date.
But not tonight. Tonight I’d arrived with the esteemed Hollywood publicist, Kitty Bardot, who was my next-door neighbor and also human-mom to the famous cat-painting twins.
Now, by this, I don’t mean human siblings who paint portraits of cats. I mean two cats who paint.
Kitty’s Bengal cats, Tobey and Minou, to be specific.
The extravagant fete at the wonderful Hotel Montage was the launch of a traveling collection of animal art work. Kitty (the human one) was not only publicist to some of the top Hollywood stars, but also represented Mano, the Jack Russell terrier, a famous artist in his own right.
Mano had done solo exhibits in Milan, Brussels, Paris and New York. He was the headliner for this traveling exhibition, but Tobey and Minou were no slackers. The past year their art had been winning competitions, had been part of some west coast shows, and now the two Bengals had five paintings included in this exclusive event.
I looked around the room at the large canvases, full of life and color, and, well, paw prints. Kitty tells me they’re abstract expressionists.
I know, I know. I don’t see it either.
But back to Sam, who’d handed me a glass of champagne. “How do you think it’s going?” he asked.
“Well, I think,” I took a sip and answered, “the room is packed, champagne is flowing, people and checkbooks are loosening up.”
Usually Kitty’s partner, Franklin, attended events with her, but tonight he was under the weather, and so she’d asked me to accompany her as a favor.
Kitty had sold the idea as, “it’s good to have a pet therapist in the house,” but truly Tobey and Minou were so well behaved, I was more moral support than anything else.
I’m Caro Lamont, and though I’m a trained psychologist, my current vocation is pet therapist. I have my own business, PAWS, the Professional Animal Wellness Specialist clinic, here in Laguna Beach, California. Originally from Texas, I’d picked Laguna Beach partly because I knew the community (my family had summered here), but mostly because you couldn’t ask for a more pet-friendly corner of the world. Oh, and to get away from my overbearing Texas family and the scandal created by my ex-husband. He was the reason I was no longer a practicing “people” therapist and had instead turned my attention to the more loyal species.
Grey Donovan approached from across the room. He was alone, and I have to tell you I was a bit disappointed.
“Hey there, Carolina.” He gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek, then reached out to shake Sam’s hand. “Great crowd.”
“I know. Who would’ve thought?” I looked around at the packed room.
“Mostly the curious but a few collectors,” Grey noted. “From what I’ve heard, it sounds like there has been some big interest.”
Grey owns a local art gallery. As far as I know all human artists, not dogs and cats. Grey is also almost family.
“Where’s your errant fiancée?” I referred, of course, to Melinda, my cousin who Grey was engaged to. At least last I’d heard the engagement was back on. But hey, what day is this? It could be off again.
“She and Darby had some big event at the shop.” He smiled.
“Really?” It could be they really did have an event or it could be Melinda was avoiding me.
“Yeah, I think they’re calling it Yappy Hour. Mel was serving drinks and pupcakes, and Darby is taking pictures of customers’ dogs.”
Mel owned a high-en
d pet accessory shop called the Bow Wow Boutique and her friend, Darby, had Paw Prints, the pet photography studio next door.
“Sounds like a lot of fun. Leave it to Mel to come up with a brilliant marketing theme.” I meant the compliment. My cousin was incredibly smart, strikingly beautiful. If it weren’t for her stubborn streak . . . well, more than stubborn. Mule-headed, in fact. If not for her mule-headedness, we’d still be fast friends like we’d been as kids.
“I’m sure you’re disappointed she’s not here.” Grey looked pointedly at the brooch pinned to the bow on the shoulder of my basic black Kate Spade dress. I hadn’t been certain what was appropriate attire at a pet art affair. A little black dress is always a sure fire fallback.
“I am, sugar.” I smiled a smile that I have to confess was not all that sincere. “I am very disappointed.”
Just then a photographer from the Orange County News approached.
“A picture?” he asked.
I immediately perked up. Kind of like my pooch, Dogbert, when he hears the word “walk.” The idea of one-upping my cousin does the same to me.
“No problem.” I quickly slid between the two most handsome guys in the room and posed for the picture—my hand lightly touching the brooch as if to straighten it.
Yes, I’m shameless.
“Thanks so much.” He glanced down at the display on his camera. “A great shot. I can guarantee it will be in this week’s feature article on the event.”
“That will be smashing.” A feature Mel was sure to see. Super!
“You’re bad.” Smart as well as handsome, Grey hadn’t missed the significance.
“I know.” My smile was much more genuine this time.
“Well, I’d better mingle.” Many of Grey’s patrons were there, and I’m sure, like me, he felt the event was part social and part business. His gallery was very successful. I had an idea art wasn’t all he did, but whatever he was involved with he’d chosen not to share, and I respected his need for privacy. He was a stand-up guy, and so no matter what the reason, I knew it was a good one.
“Off to schmooze.” Grey gave me a hug and straightened the brooch. “You two girls and that pin.” He shook his head.
Sam watched the exchange and also shook his head.
Grey clapped Sam on the shoulder. “Nice to see you again.”
I sighed. Truly, the only way those two would be bumped out of first place for best-looking male specimens in the room was if George Clooney and Brad Pitt were in attendance, and I didn’t think they were. Even if the Ocean’s Eighteen (or whatever number they were on) duo had shown up, I’m thinking Sam and Grey would be contenders.
“So, you and your cousin are still feuding over this jewelry of your grandmother’s?”
“Actually, no. Not anymore. The brooch is in the possession of its rightful owner.”
“How did you get it this time? Breaking and entering involved?” Sam’s dark eyes danced.
“No,” I huffed. “Her brother let me into her house. Fair and square.”
“I don’t know that your cousin would agree.” Sam chuckled. “And I’ll bet her brother is in big trouble.”
I smiled, remembering how easy it had been. She’d been gone. (Granted on something pretty big, but at the time I’d had no idea.) Mitch, Mel’s brother, had let me in. I kind of felt bad about putting him in the middle of things.
The piece of jewelry under discussion was a multi-jeweled basket of fruit. It had been our Grandma Tillie’s. An amalgam of rubies, emeralds, and other gems in a gold basket. My inheritance from her—she’d left it to her favorite granddaughter—and to let Mel have it would mean admitting defeat. As you may have already guessed, Mel also thinks Grandma Tillie meant it to go to her.
I slipped my hand into the crook of Sam’s arm. “Looks like the closing ceremonies are about to begin.”
We made our way to the seating area. Virgil McKeever, the organizer and emcee, had taken the stage and was about to introduce the “artists.”
As we looked for seats, I noted several clients.
Andy and Mandy Beenerman, all dressed up in designer duds and diamonds, were the center of a circle of fitness groupies. His investment business had recently tanked, but her Yoga-Pilates-Zumba studio, Mandy’s Place, had taken off like a house afire. I’d helped them out with Nietzsche, their depressed and agoraphobic Lhasa Apso, a few months ago. Mandy’d also had another issue I sincerely hoped she had under control. She made eye-contact and waved in my direction.
Across the room, I’d also spotted retired newsman, Davis Pinter, one of my favorite clients. He had an adorable Cavalier King Charles, Huntley. Smart, classy. Both the man and the dog.
Tova Randall, a newish Laguna resident, was trying so hard to fit in that, well, she didn’t. She was over-dressed, over-botoxed, and overly-loud.
Tova had the money, thanks to a very lucrative career as a lingerie model. She had the house, a multi-million dollar abode in the hills, thanks to the aforementioned money. She had the looks, thanks to good genes and several hours a day at Mandy’s Place.
But like a new pooch who’s not accepted by the pack, the rich and famous in the exclusive community still treated her like an outsider. She’d asked me to work with her and her Yorkipoo, Kiki, but when I’d arrived at her house, she’d gone to the spa. There was a message. She’d left Kiki with a dog-nanny and told her to work with me. I left a message explaining that’s not how it works.
Then she’d sued my cousin, claiming Kiki’d gotten fleas at Mel’s boutique. I think it all got sorted out, but it didn’t matter, I was done with her. No one is allowed to pick on my family.
Except me.
There were also a lot of people from the Laguna Beach art community in attendance. I recognized a few whose paintings hung in Grey’s gallery. The place was completely packed. I hoped we could find seats.
At the end of an aisle, a handsome young artist, who I’d seen talking to Kitty earlier, sat with his arms folded and his legs extended. There were some open seats just beyond.
“Excuse me. If we could just slip past you.” I touched his shoulder.
He flipped longish dark hair out of his face and glanced up. His aquamarine eyes were red-rimmed, and he covered his mouth with the silk scarf that accented his tux.
“So sorry.” He stood to let us through and then slumped back down as soon as we’d passed.
I settled in my seat and then leaned past Sam and said, “I don’t believe we’ve met, but I’ve seen you at Kitty’s house. I live next door. I’m Caro Lamont.”
“Clive.” He nodded in our direction.
Apparently like Cher or Seal or uhm . . . Liberace, he didn’t have a last name. I was kind of glad he didn’t offer his hand as I wasn’t wild about catching whatever he had.
“Nice to meet you, Clive.”
“Allergies?” Sam asked.
Ahh. So he might not be contagious. I hadn’t thought of allergies.
As usual, Sam was more observant than most. He had this incredible charismatic gift with people, and I loved him for it. Unfortunately so did all of the eligible (and some of the not actually eligible) females in Laguna Beach.
“Yes.” Clive dabbed his eyes with his scarf. “I’m allergic to cats.”
“Tough evening, then,” Sam noted.
“Yeah.” He nodded.
His date came back just then with some cheese and dog and cat shaped crackers on a plate.
“You know I’m lactose intolerant,” he snapped at her.
The girl popped a piece of the cheese in her mouth and stomped off.
Allergic to cats, can’t eat the hors d’oeuvres, now his date had deserted him. The guy was not having a good evening.
The lights dimmed, and the emcee acknowledged the patrons of the event. We all applaude
d at the appropriate times. And then the artists themselves began to take the stage. There was Mano and his human, a large bulky guy who looked more like a WWF wrestler than a dog artist enthusiast. A couple of more canine artists, and then they shifted to make room for the cats.
Kitty looked stunning in a coffee-brown sequined Michaels Kors that shone in the light of the chandeliers and perfectly completed her cats. Their tabby rosette-dappled fur was shiny and rich. They looked out at the crowd with an aloofness, like they knew they were stars. Bengal cats are beautiful animals, and Tobey and Minou were regal representatives of the breed.
And clearly, very talented felines. Their paintings received high acclaim, rivaling Mano who’d had top-billing in the past. Kitty now had her work cut out for her with her own cats as clients.
I made eye contact with Sam’s dark eyes and could see he was as amused by the whole surreal affair as I was. We were, at that moment, in tune with each other, like a close harmony. Yin and Yang. Like peanut butter and jelly. Like milk and cookies. Chips and salsa. I suddenly remembered I’d missed eating in my rush to not make Kitty late for the festivities. I wondered where that guy’s date had gone with the cheese and crackers.
Sam reached over and took my hand. His thumb stroked my wrist, and I felt a tingle in my stomach that had nothing at all to do with having missed dinner.
The lights came up, and as we stood Kitty approached from the stage area.
“Hello, Samuel. How nice to see you again.” Kitty never forgot a name or a face. It was part of what made her so incredibly good as a publicist. She made connections effortlessly.
“Caro, I need a huge favor.” She seemed a little breathless. I guess the excitement was quite a high, even for someone who mixed with big stars on a regular basis. I imagined this was probably more personal.
“Sure. What do you need, hon?” I was struck by how tiny she was. Of course, I’m tall, so a lot of people seem short. But Kitty was undeniably petite. Short in stature but definitely high in energy.
“I hate to impose, but I’ve had something urgent come up, and I must take care of it right away.”