by Leona Fox
Paws & Ballroom Blues
A Willow Crossing Mystery Series
Book 2
Leona Fox
Copyright © 2015 Leona Fox
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher
Chapter 1
The much-awaited Crackerjack Canine dinner finally was happening. The weekend was filled with multiple fundraisers for the various local shelters and rescue organizations. It has been tradition for the past five years that Del Mejor caters the event. The ballroom of the local and luxurious hotel was decked out for the gala and the room was filled with guests and their dogs.
The Delgados, Griffin, Julie and Lorena walked the room happily, offering hors d’oeuvres to the humans, and little dog treats to the honored guests. Just for the special event, the hotel built a fenced-in area outside for the dogs to play and go to the bathroom, and even provided several staff members to act as pooper scoopers to keep the area clean and fun. Opal sat, as usual, in her little pink wagon, dressed to the nines in her best lace dress, watching with bored amusement as the other dogs played and begged for the tasty treats created by Ru herself.
“Well, Mama, you did it! Your attempt at making dog treats was a great success! Look at the dogs, they’re all begging for more!”
“Do you really think they like them?”
“Heck, even picky Opal ate a handful already!” Esteban said, patting Opal’s head as he handed her one more treat.
“No more for her. If she eats too many more, she will just lay there like a lump for the rest of the night.” Ru said teasingly, knowing the loveable pooch couldn’t possibly get any lazier than she already was.
Ru looked around and noticed some of the items on the buffet table were getting low, “I’m going to get more of your mini burritos and chicken wings, Papi. They seem to be the favorites of the night!”
“Bring out another tray of your fudge, too, Mama.”
“Already? It isn’t even dessert time.”
“Everyone is raving about it. Once again, the fudge wins the fan favorite award!”
Blushing, Ru said, “Thanks, Sweetie. I’d better bring out more right away, then; we wouldn’t want a riot on our hands.”
“I know, especially not when we already have the drama that is known as Seth Washington!” Esteban quietly replied.
Seth Washington, a famous athlete turned politician, was at the event. Seth didn’t love dogs. In fact, he didn’t even like them. He also wasn’t a fan of charities, but he still showed up for events, strictly for publicity. His fake concern and kindness was obvious, even to the most casual observer. His goal was to make it big in politics, but he knew the best way to do that was to start small. So, he moved to Willow Crossing where he built a large home. It was no secret he chose the small town because of the low cost of living. He is known for being both obnoxious and rude, and that night was no different. He was laughing too loudly, and being way too fake-nice to all of the dogs. While some of the pups enjoyed his overzealous behavior, Opal wasn’t impressed. It was clear his personality was to blame for his five divorces in the last eight years. He made the people around him uncomfortable, and it was easy to see he wasn’t the only one in his conversations wearing a fake smile.
As the people walked around the room, enjoying great conversation with other dog lovers, Ru and Esteban couldn’t help but overhear some of the things Seth was saying. They rolled their eyes at some of his words, but forced themselves to remain professional as they made their way around the room. Ru found it funny that even though the man was extremely wealthy, he still made many trips to the buffet, where there were platters full of finger foods. She thought he was acting like a man who hadn’t eaten in days.
On one of his many trips to the buffet, he chose a piece of the gooey fudge everyone seemed so happy about. Because he was so cynical, he doubted the quality of the fudge, but only until it began to melt in his mouth. When he walked away from the table, he licked his fingers, winking at Lorena and Ru. This gesture made both ladies cringe, and they were happy when he started to walk away.
Seth only took a few steps when he grabbed his throat and fell to his knees. His face slammed onto the floor, and while the human guests didn’t know quite what to do right away, the dogs acted like Seth was playing with them. Several of them ran over and began climbing on Seth’s back, and without warning, one even peed on his leg. Realizing that Seth wasn’t playing, Chief Putnam hurried over with his trio of Huskies. By the time he reached the body, others had come to their senses and were pulling their dogs off of the man.
“Okay, everyone, please, step back.” Chief Putnam said loudly.
“Come on, back up. Control your dogs.” he said when dogs continued trying to pile on Seth’s body.
When the onlookers backed up, Leanne Birch, Seth’s personal assistant, fell to the floor and began crying over her boss. The onlookers all stood there, awkwardly staring at the body of the loud and exuberant man, and Chief Putnam leaned down to check the man’s pulse.
Trying to keep the room calm, the chief announces, “Excuse me, folks. I’m going to need you to make your way over to the next banquet room while we get the paramedics in here.”
“Why aren’t you doing CPR?” Leanne frantically screamed.
“Ru, can you please help this young lady to the other room?”
Shocked at what was going on, Ru answered, “Of course Chief.”
“If you all could follow the Delgados, we will get Mr. Washington some help. I only ask that none of you leave. We will need to get statements from all of you.”
Ru led the hysterical woman to the next room, looking at Esteban worriedly. Less than a year ago, there was another mishap at an event they catered. While it wasn’t nearly as serious as what had happened this time, Ru couldn’t help but worry that they somehow would be linked…especially considering the man dropped to the floor immediately after eating the fudge that Ru made.
Ru led Leanne to a chair away from the other guests and then went with Esteban back into the other room to get Opal and the catering crew.
As they walked, Ru said softly, “He just ate the fudge.”
“You don’t think the fudge killed him, do you?”
“I sure hope not. I didn’t see anyone else eat it. We need to let Chief Putnam know not to let anyone eat the food.”
Esteban said, “You go get Opal and the crew, and I’ll talk to the chief.”
Ru went to Opal and scooped her out of her wagon, hugging her closely. She turned and looked at Griffin and said, “You and the girls should go on over to the next room.”
“What happened Mrs. Delgado?” he asked, looking worried.
“I don’t know, but we should just do what the chief said. You guys go next door and sit. Only talk to the police.”
“You sound worried,” Griffin said.
“Well, Mr. Washington had just eaten a piece of my fudge, and then he fell to the floor. I’m a little concerned about that,” Ru commented, sounding almost sarcastic.
“Okay, I’m sorry. I’ll get Lorena and Julie and we’ll go to the other room. Do you want me to bring Opal?”
“Would you please? Thanks. Her wagon is right over there.”
“No problem.”
Ru watched as Griffin carried Opal out of the room, Julie and Lorena following close behind him. Then she went over to Esteban and the chief.
“What do you need us to do, Chief?” Ru asked.
“Well, I was just telling your husband that we will need to pack up
the fudge, and of course I will need to ask you a few questions, but other than that, I think I have everything under control. Thank you for your help.”
He then patted her hand and said, “Go, on, Ruby, go sit with your crew. As soon as we are done here, the dinner can continue.”
Just then, the coroner arrived and began doing his assessment on Seth. Ru and Esteban walked quickly to the other room. Once seated at a table with their crew, Ru said, “How does he expect the dinner to continue?”
“I don’t know, but I’m not too sure the rest of the guests are going to feel much like enjoying a party.”
“I know, not to mention it’s not like the chief to be so insensitive.”
“Well, he must have his reasons.” Esteban was pretty much at a loss, so he just sat and petted Opal.
Most of the dogs had been ushered to the fenced-in area in the back of the hotel, but a few remained inside. Opal was getting antsy and when her owners weren’t looking, she slipped away. It wasn’t until about half an hour later that Esteban looked down and saw Opal wasn’t in her wagon.
“Where is Opal?” Esteban asked.
Ru looked around and then said, “I have no idea. She was right there in her wagon.”
Ru stood and began looking around the room. As she walked through the crowd of people she heard someone say, “I didn’t eat it, did you?”
“I was saving my fudge for later.”
“I guess we got lucky.”
Remembering that when she unwrapped the tray of fudge, one piece stuck to the plastic wrap, so she ate it, Ru said to the two ladies, “I ate some of the fudge and I’m just fine.”
“You’d better get checked out. Your food may kill you, too.”
Humiliated at the thought that something she made may have killed someone, Ru hurried on her way, looking for Opal as she went. When she couldn’t find the dog, she rushed back to their table and there sat Opal, in her wagon, looking like she had been there all along.
“You little stinker! I looked all over for you!”
Opal grunted and closed her eyes, tired from all the wandering she had done. Ru sat back down and Esteban could see in her eyes that she was really upset.
“What is it, Mama?”
“People are talking, and it isn’t good.”
“What are these people saying?” Esteban asked, annoyed that people were already starting the gossiping.
“People think my fudge killed Seth Washington.”
“Nonsense, I’ve had like eight pieces, and I’m still here.”
Shocked that he had eaten so much fudge, Ru replied, “Esteban! That’s too much!”
“But it’s so good, Mama!”
Griffin spoke up and said, “I ate a bunch, too. I don’t think your fudge killed the man.”
Then Lorena said, “Yeah, it was probably his bad attitude that got the best of him. He’s such a creep!”
“Be careful what you say, Lorena,” Ru said. “All the gossip that already is going around, you may become their target!”
Deciding it would be best not to talk about the fudge or Seth until they were questioned, the four people and one dog sat in silence. It felt like an eternity, and Esteban checked his watch.
“What time is it?” Ru asked.
“It’s only 7:00.”
“It feels like it’s midnight already.”
“Well, someone should be talking to us soon. The crowd has thinned out a lot.”
“I wonder if anyone will be left to feed when we are told to continue with the dinner,” Ru said, just as the chief was making his way over to their table.
“I don’t think anyone has gone home,” Chief Putnam said. “They are all eager to get back to your delicious food.”
“I can’t believe anyone still would want to enjoy a party.”
“Well, from what I have heard, nobody really liked Mr. Washington anyway.”
“Still, it seems pretty disrespectful.”
“Like I said, nobody liked him,” the chief said. “Which brings me to you guys. Did any of you know Mr. Washington?”
“I can’t speak for anyone else, but I only knew OF him. I had never met the man before tonight,” Esteban said.
Ru replied, “Yeah, before tonight, I had only heard of him.”
Chief Putnam looked over at Griffin, Lorena and Julie, and they all shook their heads ‘no’.
“Did any of you eat any of the food yet? Specifically the fudge?”
“Esteban and Griffin ate a bunch, and I had one piece,” Ru answered.
“And you all feel okay?” In unison, Ru, Esteban and Griffin nodded their heads.
“Well, Mr. Washington will be brought in for an autopsy, but it looks like he may have just suffered a heart attack.”
Shocked, Ru said, “But he was in such good shape. Wasn’t he an athlete?”
“He used to be a baseball player, but he retired 10 years ago. I’m guessing he wasn’t as in shape as he used to be. Besides, as many times as he went to the buffet, I’m guessing his eating habits weren’t the greatest.”
Shortly after the chief questioned Ru, Esteban, Griffin, Lorena and Julie, and Seth was taken by the coroner, the party-goers all were invited back into the ballroom to continue the dinner. It felt a little odd and very wrong to be continuing the party, but the guests were eager to get back to the delicious food. So, the caterers went back to serving their food, and when the last guest finally left for the night, they cleaned up and headed home. Ru was still upset at the fact that people actually thought her food killed Seth.
Chapter 2
Before turning in for the night, Ru couldn’t keep her curiosity at bay any longer, and called the police station. She wasn’t surprised to find Chief Putnam was still there.
“Hi, Chief, it’s Ruby. Have you heard anything new about Seth Washington?”
“Funny you should call. I just heard from the coroner and was debating whether I should call you now or wait until the morning.”
He paused for a moment and then continued, “It seems Seth was poisoned with some slow acting stuff I’ve never even heard of.”
“Really? Poisoned?”
“That’s right, and since it was slow acting, you don’t have to worry any more. It wasn’t your food that did it. The coroner seems to think Seth was poisoned over a longer period of time; possibly months.”
“But he lived alone. How could someone poison him for months without him knowing?”
“According to the coroner, the poison used was administered by mouth, so it just needed to be added to Seth’s food or drink. He was always dining with people, you know, schmoozing for donations to his election fund.”
Even though she was relieved it wasn’t her food that killed Mr. Washington, Ru still was worried, “Than that means there is a killer out there, Chief. What’s not to be worried about?”
“Well, I have a ton of suspects. It seems that Seth Washington was disliked by most of the town. Heck, it could have been anyone that was at the charity event.”
“That doesn’t make me feel any better, and I don’t think it will put anyone else at ease. Dislike is one thing, Chief, murder is a whole other story.”
“I hear what you’re saying. We are on it, Ru. We will find out who did this.”
“Thanks for the information. Will it be released to the public, or do I need to keep quiet about it?”
“You have damage control to do. Feel free to let all those people who doubted your food tonight know that it wasn’t the food, and if they have any further doubts or questions they can call me.”
“Thanks, Chief. You try to get some sleep; I have a feeling this is going to be a long, hard ride.”
With half a chuckle, Chief Putnam replied, “You’re not kidding! Goodnight, Ru.”
When Ru hung up the phone, she sat on the edge of the bed, stunned that Seth Washington had been murdered. She knew Willow Crossing wasn’t immune to crime, but it was such a small community and it was shocking to think someone who liv
ed here actually could take another person’s life.
Esteban came out of the master bathroom and saw his wife, deep in thought. “What’s the matter Mama?”
“I just had a talk with Chief Putnam.”
“What did he have to say? Do they know what happened?”
“Seth Washington was murdered.”
“How? He was in front of all those people.”
“He was poisoned.”
“Poisoned? With our food?”
“No. Chief Putnam said the coroner told him it was some slow acting stuff. The chief had never even heard of the poison before. He said it happened before our food was served.”