Bow Wow Big House

by Addison Moore

  “Georgie, this isn’t the part where you ask me to help you hide a body, is it?” I’m not entirely sure I wouldn’t do it.

  “Nope. This is the part where I tell you he requested avocado and kimchi for breakfast.”

  “What?” My stomach does a roll just thinking about it.

  “Oh, it’s his granddaughter’s fault.” She scowls when she says granddaughter. “She’s a vegan who is convinced she can cure his digestive issues. And go figure—it’s working. Did you know you could ferment your own sauerkraut? He’s already teaching me so many interesting things. Who says all the good ones are dead?”

  “I believe the saying goes, all the good ones are taken. And word to the sauerkraut-loving wise? Don’t put anything fermented he has to offer in your mouth.” I’m about to start in on the next tier of my lecture when a couple of men in sharp-looking suits head this way and I freeze solid.

  The two of them share the same dark hair and dark eyes, and yet I doubt they’re related other than the fact they belong to the same dark government agency. One of them introduced himself to me on Christmas Eve as R.C. Kellogg, and everything about the two of them has been giving me nightmares ever since.

  “What is it, Bizzy?” Georgie whispers. “Is it the mob? Have you taken out a dicey loan and now their henchmen are here to break your legs?”

  “I’d be lucky if that’s all it was.”

  Sherlock perks up and takes a quick look in their direction. They’re back, Bizzy! Don’t let them lock you up and throw away the key. Jasper will be miserable without you. Oh, I knew you should have told Jasper your secret. He wouldn’t judge you, Bizzy. He could help. He helps people for a living.

  I give a slight nod, acknowledging his kind thought. The truth is, Jasper is a homicide detective. He helps the dead—after the fact. And I have a feeling he’ll be helping me after the fact as well.

  The men take a look around the lobby and Georgie steals a moment to pull me in by the elbow.

  “Spill it, missy. If you’ve got the mob after you, I want to know about it. I’ve got history with a couple of wise guys myself.”

  “They’re not wise guys,” I whisper, trying my hardest not to look their way. “They’re feds.”

  Georgie spins in a circle and flaps her arms like wings. “Are you insane?” She grabs me by the shoulders and gives me a quick rattle. “You don’t mess with the feds, Bizzy. What do they want you for? Tax evasion? Wire fraud? Money laundering? Walking into the bank and taking off your kaftan?”

  My mouth opens and closes as she lifts her chin.

  “It was once,” she’s quick to clarify. “And in my defense, it was almost triple digits outside.”

  “None of the above,” I say before leaning in close. “It’s supernatural deviance.”

  Her mouth falls open. “You mean they know?”

  I give a curt little nod.

  Her mouth rounds out as she cranes her neck past me. “It looks like they’re headed to the café.”

  I glance back to affirm this. “Thank God.”

  She swats me on the arm. “Spill it right now. Who, what, where, when, and how in the world did you land in this government-issued pile of doo-doo?”

  “I didn’t land in it on my own. Jasper’s ex pushed me. She figured out that her ex, Leo, could read minds, and once she saw us engaging in a little nonverbal comunicado, she figured it out. Anyhow, I don’t care about that part. I care about this part.” I hitch my head in the direction those men went in. “They’re onto me, Georgie, and I’d do anything to get those men out of my telesensual hair.”

  Telesensual is exactly what I am, according to Leo. We’re a part of a unique group of people with supernatural talents called transmundane, further classified as telesensual—people who can read the minds of others. I don’t know how people come to be this way, but Leo believes some of us are simply predisposed. And after the jarring event of almost drowning in a whiskey barrel at the hands of Mack Woods, my supernatural journey began shortly thereafter. But I’m in no mood to explain any of that to the people of the badge. In fact, I’m not too thrilled that they’re probably noshing on the café’s rocky road brownies, either.

  Georgie eyes something at the front door, and I look that way to see deputy Leo Granger headed this way with Fish snuggled in his arms. Leo is tall with dark, wavy hair, deep olive skin, and the look of mischief embedded in his eyes. It’s hard to believe he was Jasper’s best friend once upon a time. I’d love for them to reconnect on that level, but for now I’d take an amicable conversation between the two.

  “Speak of the devil,” I say.

  Georgie purrs like a feline herself. “And what a handsome devil he is.”

  “Come here,” I say as he hands me Fish.

  “Found her outside.” Leo’s features harden. “Right after I followed them in. Where did they go?”

  Georgie gasps. “You know? Oh, they’re after her, Leo. You need to save her. You need to pull your gun out and blow them away.”

  Leo sheds a dark smile, “I knew we’d get along well, Georgie. I just didn’t know how well.” He turns to leave.

  I pull him back by the hand. “Where are you going?”

  “I’m going to blow away a couple of feds. Don’t worry, Bizzy. I have a plan and it very much involves Camila.”

  Before I can protest or threaten him from pulling us deeper into the governmental rabbit hole, a pair of familiar silver eyes flash this way and they trace down my arm, right down to the hand I’ve currently conjoined with Leo’s.

  I pull my arm back and slap my chest with it.

  “Jasper!” I brighten unnaturally as both Sherlock and Pickles vie for his attention.

  Oh, Bizzy. Fish hides her face with her paws and, believe me, I’m tempted to do the same. Jasper looks fit to kill. I’d steer clear of Leo if I were you. The man practically has a target on his back. And the one pulling out his gun will be Jasper.

  Leo takes off for the café, and Georgie picks up Pickles and makes a run for it herself.

  “Everything okay?” Jasper ticks his head to the side, still stymied by the curious sight. I knew Leo wasn’t done with her, but to find him putting the moves on her like that? He’s got to know he’s a dead man.

  “Everything is fine.” I give a quick glance toward the café, hoping it’s the truth. “You’re home early. What’s going on?”

  “I thought I’d head over to the Bow Wow Rescue House and check things out.”

  Sherlock darts back behind the counter. Count me out.

  Fish hops from my arms and follows suit. I’m in need of a nap.

  “I’m in,” I say, hiking up on my toes and dotting a kiss to his lips.

  Jasper’s brows pinch together. “I’m glad.”

  But his expression suggests anything but.

  We’re off to the Bow Wow Rescue House, to pet a cute little pooch or two—and hopefully solve a murder.

  Chapter 5

  Jasper moans as I feed him a bite of a decadent rocky road brownie. We’re parked in front of the Bow Wow Rescue House, still seated in the cab of Jasper’s truck, indulging in a little sugary satisfaction before we head on in.

  Pickles sighs from the back seat. That wouldn’t have bacon in it, would it?

  I shake my head his way.

  “I’d give you a bite, Pickles, but it would be your last bite. Chocolate can be lethal to dogs.”

  I’ll hold out for the bacon. Sherlock has introduced me to the finer things in life. Any chance I’ll see you again, Bizzy?

  I reach over and give him a quick scratch. “If I have my way, we’ll be seeing each other often.”

  Before we left the inn, I tiptoed to the kitchen of the Country Cottage Café, citing I needed a tray of these yummy treats to give to the poor grieving employees of the Bow Wow Rescue House—which is totally true by the way. And another thing that was totally true? I needed to take a peek at Leo while he attempted to wrangle those two busybodies from the Metaphysical Research Dep
artment.

  Jasper lets out a hearty moan while looking at me from slotted lids.

  “That’s amazing.” He brushes his finger over my cheek. There’s a drugged look in his eyes that tells me he’s hungry for more than brownies. “I think we need some serious alone time.”

  “Ohh, a date night?”

  His cheek rises on one side. “Call it what you like. It’s happening very, very soon.”

  “The sooner, the better.” I lean in dangerously close. “Why do I get the feeling we’re moments away from abandoning the task at hand?”

  Jasper growls as the smile glides off his face, “Unfortunately, I’m on the clock. This is one effort I can’t abandon.”

  “Does that mean the coroner determined Siena Thompson was pushed?”

  I think she was pushed, Bizzy. Pickles pipes up from the back seat. She had a way of speaking to people that didn’t settle well with anyone. You’ll be lucky to find a single soul who didn’t want to push her. That is, of the souls that truly knew her.

  Jasper gives a wistful shake of the head. “Judging by the fact the railing on the second level would have taken some effort for her to hike over on her own, and you heard voices escalating, I’ve decided it’s a real possibility.”

  “And the ring in her hair? How do you think that got there?”

  He glances out at the rescue facility. “I don’t know. It wasn’t caught up in her hair. It was just lying there, almost as if it didn’t belong.”

  “I’m telling you, it wasn’t hers. Winnie Capris had one on just like it earlier in the night and I was admiring it. And then, just a little before the accident, Winnie was dashing by me, visibly upset, and her ring got caught in the bow on the back of my dress.”

  His lips flex a moment. “That was quite a bow. If I forgot to mention it, you looked stunning.”

  “I looked ridiculous, but thank you. Are you ready to head in and see if our number one suspect is in that building?” I cast a scrutinizing look to the facility with its cheery oversized sign. The façade of the building is made of white siding with cute French paned windows. A bright blue front door sits festooned with a wreath made from dog bones. There’s a cozy, homey appeal about the place, and it definitely looks like a place that takes very good care of dogs without homes.

  “I’m ready.”

  Jasper and I hustle to the door as our breath plumes in white icy tails. It’s so cold on this end of town the snow is sticking, blanketing the ground, and turning it into a winter wonderland.

  There’s a small sign tacked next to the doorbell that says step on in, so we do just that.

  It’s clean and spacious inside and looks every bit like a dollhouse with its blue and pink walls laden with framed pictures of dogs dressed up in sweaters. Some are wearing dress shirts with ties. Each one of them looks comically adorable.

  The scent of cedar and dog treats permeates the air and it reminds me a lot of Critter Corner. Just past the entry there’s a series of rooms with half-walls and the sound of barking, yapping, and over all chatty happy dogs echoe throughout the place. A number of staff members roam around, a few with puppies in their arms.

  “Can I help you?” A petite brunette heads this way with her long, dark hair pulled back into a ponytail, large dark circles under her eyes. It’s Winnie. “Pickles!” Her affect brightens as soon as she spots the adorable pup in Jasper’s arms.

  “I’ve brought him back,” I say. “Along with a little treat for the staff.” I extend the box of chocolaty goodness in front of me. “This is just a little something from the Country Cottage Inn. We’re sorry about everything that happened last night.”

  “Oh”—she takes the box from me and peeks inside—“these are wonderful.” Winnie pulls a brownie out and takes a quick bite before closing her eyes in silent ecstasy. “I had a few last night and these were amazing. In fact, it’s safe to say they were the highlight of my night.” Right up there with Siena being silenced forever. She makes a face as she sets the box of treats down on the reception counter.

  If ever there was a time I wished Jasper shared my strange gift, it was now.

  Why would Winnie think something like that if she weren’t the killer?

  “Hey, little guy.” She takes Pickles from Jasper and cradles him. “I’m so sorry I all but abandoned you.” She looks my way. “I was so frazzled last night, the last thing I wanted to do was head back here, alone. I went home and pulled the covers over my head. It’s so hard to believe she’s gone. We’re all just in shock.”

  I nod. “Last night, you mentioned she was drinking all day. I guess it caught up with her in a terrible way.”

  “I’ll say,” a woman pipes up from behind and I recognize her from last night as the girl who showed up with her brother. Her hair is still perfectly wavy—the way it was last night—and her large dark eyes are so expressive.

  “Hi, Molly.” I give a slight wave. “We met last night.” I wince. “But it was such a jumble. I’m Bizzy and this is my boyfriend Jasper.”

  “That’s right. Hello, Bizzy.” She shakes Jasper’s hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  A part of that conversation we had last night comes back to me.

  I clear my throat. “Were you able to reach Siena’s father? I think you mentioned he was in Italy.”

  Her mouth opens then closes as she nods. “He’s devastated. And he’s already on his way back. Siena was his daughter from his first marriage. He has two boys—men at this point—from his second wife. Or third. I can’t keep track of his relationships. The boys live in New York with their mother. The older one runs the casinos out that way. I manage the one in Edison.”

  “That’s impressive,” I say. “I manage the Country Cottage Inn and it’s a handful. I can’t imagine an entire casino.”

  Jasper tips his head her way. “It’s a hotel as well, isn’t it?”

  Molly bleats out a tiny laugh. My God, he is gorgeous. Too bad he’s taken. But then again, I can always say I didn’t hear that part and throw out an invite. Who knows? Maybe he’ll bite. I can always plead insanity. After all, Siena is dead and that’s clearly taken any soundness of mind away from me.

  A part of me feels sorry for her. She did just lose a friend. I learned long ago not to judge anyone by their errant thoughts. It’s not fair that I get to pry. And I can’t argue with the fact Jasper is hotter than a kitchen fire.

  Of course, women are going to wish they could take him home. But they’ll have to get through me first or die trying.

  Winnie swats her. “He asked if it was a hotel.”

  Molly blinks back to life. “Yes, right. It’s a hotel, too.” She shakes her head frantically. “I’m so sorry. I’ve been all over the place today.” She glances to Pickles before scooping him out of Winnie’s arms. “Here, let me take him. I don’t usually work at the rescue. I’ve just done a few volunteer days here and there, mostly to hang out with Siena. We were pretty close. But I couldn’t work the casino today. I just knew I had to be here.” Poor Siena. Her features crumble as she stalks off with Pickles.

  Bizzy! he cries out.

  “Pickles!” I shout after him in a panic. On second thought, bringing him here was a lousy idea.

  Jasper nods in that direction. “You mind if we take a look?”

  “Not at all.” Winnie is quick to wave us along as she navigates us back to a large room where dogs of every shape and size roam freely. There are a couple of golden retrievers, a dachshund, a corgi, a couple of mixed breeds like Sherlock, a terrier, and an English bulldog. They’re each contently playing with a toy or with each other, and their minds are buzzing with nothing but pure and happy thoughts that mostly revolve around food.

  Winnie waves over at the employees milling around. “Everyone, this is Bizzy and her boyfriend Jasper,” she announces. “Bizzy runs the Country Cottage Inn, and that’s where we’ll be having the fashion show this year.”

  Molly wrinkles her nose while rocking Pickles as if he were a baby. “It’s so much
better than having it in the alley here.”

  Several of the employees agree.

  Winnie nods. “Plus, that way the focus will solely be on getting these angels adopted.”

  I stride over to one of the golden retrievers and give him a quick pat on the back.

  Pickles belts out a sharp bark. This is Bizzy and she can understand your thoughts! Keep it clean, not mean. She’s going to help us all find good homes.

  Another golden retriever strides right up to me, and I offer him a scratch between the ears.

  Is it true? He looks up at me with his big brown eyes. Is Siena gone?

  I wince down at him and nod, and he lets out a mournful howl. Soon, the rest of them are following suit and it’s a choir of anguish throughout the facility.

  Winnie shudders. “They’ve been doing that all afternoon. It’s as if they sense Siena has passed.”

  Jasper takes a breath. “Animals are intuitive.” And so is Bizzy. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she could communicate with them.

  I offer him a simple smile. If he only knew the half of it. And if Camila gets her way, he’ll know all of it.

  “I’d better say goodbye to Pickles.” I head over and take him from Molly. “It’s just goodbye for now. We have a lot of planning for the fashion show, and I have a feeling you’ll play an integral part.” I look to Winnie. “Let me know if you’ll need the catering services from the café at the inn. We have an amazing menu and the baked goods are to die for.” I cringe at my word choice. “Let’s just say they’re delicious.”

  “We know that firsthand,” she says. “How about we order a few platters of those rocky road brownies? And I agree they are very much to die for.”

  Molly gives a hard blink. My God, Winnie is truly clueless. At least Bizzy looked regretful for the error. But then, Winnie is the last to realize when things are going awry. Siena just might still be alive if things were different.

  Jasper takes a step forward and examines Winnie’s hands. She’s not wearing any rings. Maybe Bizzy is right. Maybe it was her ring. Maybe she pushed the girl. I’ve been around enough killers to know there is no way to tell whether or not someone is guilty. Sometimes, even the most seemingly innocent people can put up a good front.