Dog Gone

by Shannon Esposito

  There was a smattering of applause. Devon and I shared an amused grin. Seriously, do they come into your house and count your fish? Just the logistics of trying to count a bunch of moving targets struck me as ridiculous.

  My mind drifted in and out during the next hour as they talked about things like landscaping and repairing the guest dock. I’d narrowed the blackmailee down to either Nell Barnwell or Sunny Spillman. Jata and Priya both had distinguishable accents. Devon squeezed my knee when I got fidgety. Maybe coming here wasn’t the best idea. We should be out canvasing the island for Ginger. But then, the discussion about November’s controversial minutes erupted.

  “You know darn well we never approved Gold Holiday Lights’s exorbitant raise in fees to decorate this year, Eva,” Nell Barnwell said. “They’ve almost doubled.”

  Someone in the audience shouted behind us. “We should be getting estimates from other companies.”

  “Yeah ... ridiculous!” The audience rumbled, throwing out words like, “Need other estimates ... favoritism ... your brother.”

  Eva held up a hand, her dark eyes glittering with barely disguised anger. “Okay, everyone.” She waited for them to calm down, her forearms resting on the table in front of her. “Can I speak?” Eventually everyone quieted down, but the tension was still thick as molasses in the room. “Listen, I realize you all think because it’s my brother, Georgy, who owns Gold Holiday Lights that I’m giving them the contract no questions asked on their prices. But, I assure you, I have looked into other companies and, for what they are giving us, their price is more than fair.”

  She stood and walked over to the framed articles hanging on the wall beside the doorway. Sweeping her hand over the ones on the left, she said, “Besides, look what they do for us. These are ten years worth of Tampa Bay Times and Clearwater Gazette articles praising Moon Key for our contribution to the Christmas boat parade every year. Gushing about how much we add to the Christmas spirit of the community, how people drive for hours to bring their kids to the boat parade and witness Moon Key’s spectacular Christmas show. I, for one, can’t put a price on that kind of joy ... can you?”

  I glanced around. Some people still had their arms folded, unconvinced. But others had dropped their eyes and softened their shoulders.

  Eva took her seat again. “Now, Sterling, I know you think you remember the vote going the other way ...”

  Beth Anne leaned in and whispered, “It did. Someone definitely changed the meeting minutes.”

  “So,” Eva continued, “what I propose is we take another vote right now in front of the community so there’s no confusion. All in favor of a public vote?” She glanced at the board.

  Everyone raised their hand.

  “Good. All in favor of Gold Lights keeping the contract to decorate Moon Key for Christmas?”

  Priya and Jackson raised their hands in solidarity with Eva immediately. No surprise. That was three. They just needed one more for the majority. I scanned the table. Who would it be? Sterling had sat back in his chair and crossed his arms. Definitely not him. Jata and Nell didn’t budge either. But then ... Sunny Spillman sighed and raised her hand.

  A small smile of victory twitched on Eva’s lips. “Let the record show the majority has voted to renew Gold Holiday Lights’s contract.”

  Sterling leaned forward and glared at Sunny. “Leave it up to a woman to change her mind.”

  So, it was her, Sunny Spillman, who Eva was blackmailing.

  What does Eva have on her?

  Sunny ignored Sterling. In fact her attention was on someone in the audience.

  I followed her gaze to a handsome younger guy, probably in his late twenties. Her son? Had to be, though he didn’t look much like her. He had thick, wavy black hair and a much larger frame. He offered her a sympathetic smile.

  Eva cleared her throat loudly. “All right, now that that’s settled, is there any business from the audience?”

  “There is.” Devon stood up and held up the flyer. “In case you haven’t heard, Talia Hill’s dog nanny was killed last night and her dog’s gone missing. This is Ginger. She’s a West Highland white terrier, about twenty pounds and was wearing a pink collar at the time of her disappearance. We’d like everyone to keep an eye out for her. If you have any information or spot the dog, please contact Clearwater police immediately. Thanks.”

  There was some murmuring that began to escalate in volume and energy. I glanced around to see if anyone was acting nervous or suspicious, but no one was that I could see.

  Eva got the audience back under control to officially end the meeting. We waited as people began to gather by the door, some pairing up into smaller knots for private discussions.

  Beth Anne shrugged. “I thought there’d be more arguing. Oh well.”

  “You seem disappointed,” I teased her. “Don’t worry, it was still worth it. I learned some interesting things. Like, they can limit the number of fish you own.”

  She rolled her eyes, reaching up to rub the tiny diamond snowflake necklace nestled at her throat. “Yeah, all pets are limited. You can have three domestic pets like cats or dogs or a combination of the two, two birds and one exotic pet like a lizard, hedgehog or a snake. God only knows why someone would want a snake as a pet, though.”

  Violet leaned over. “That reminds me. Before Nell Barnwell was voted on the board last year, she had a big fight with them about her two peacocks, because the board decided they should be classified as exotic pets instead of birds, allowing her only one. Eventually one of the birds disappeared which, as we know, she blamed on Talia dogs.”

  Beth Anne nodded. “The feathers were scattered all over Talia’s front yard. Talia insisted someone set her dogs up. If that’s true, I’d bet on Eva. She’s the kind of person that gets what she wants at all costs. I wouldn’t put it past her to get rid of Nell’s peacock herself.”

  “Really?” I scanned the room, finding Nell easily. She was a tall, strong-looking woman that towered above the group of people she was in conversation with. “Talia did mention that Nell hated her dogs. You think Eva set them up, huh?”

  Violet tucked the empty popcorn bag into her Louis Vuitton purse. “I just wouldn’t be shocked, that’s all.”

  We stood up. The room had cleared enough to leave without feeling like we were part of a herd of sheep. That’s when I noticed Sunny and the young, dark-haired man standing by the window chatting. He sure was a snazzy dresser in his black dress slacks and mint green button-down shirt.

  She had her forehead resting on his chest, her shoulders slumped, her fists clutching the opening of his taylored blazer. She looked upset. Probably about Eva blackmailing her into changing her vote.

  He leaned down and whispered something in her ear. Then he raised her chin with an index finger and kissed her. Full on the mouth.

  Definitely not her son.

  Violet saw my mouth drop and followed my gaze. Then she chuckled. “I really need to get the name of that dating site Sunny uses. The older she gets, the younger her male companions get.”

  I shook off the images that Violet’s comment sent racing through my mind. “Hey, guys, come here.” I waved Violet, Beth Anne and Whitley into a tighter circle. “So, I overheard a conversation between Eva and Sunny in the restroom. At least, I’m pretty sure it was Sunny. Eva was blackmailing Sunny, which I believe is why she changed her vote so Eva’s brother could keep the decorating contract. Do any of you know what that could’ve been about?”

  The three women glanced at each other.

  Beth Anne was the one that spoke up. “Nope, but it’ll sure be fun to try and find out.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  I left the house early Tuesday morning so I could stop by and check on Talia before my morning doga class. I was really uncomfortable with the fact I’d left her with her ex. When I pulled up, I was surprised to see a security golf cart parked in her driveway.

  Did something else happen? Did Sammy hurt her? Is that why she didn’t answer her
phone yesterday?

  By the time I got Buddha to jump down from the passenger’s seat and rushed to the front door, my pulse was racing like a jackrabbit and I was furious with myself. The door opened, and I stammered at Marcel. “Is she okay? I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have just left like that.”

  He stared at me for a moment in confusion and then opened the door further to let me in. “She’s in the great room. I’m sure she’d like to see you.”

  I hurried Buddha through the house to find Talia in tears on the sofa and Alex Harwick seated stiffly in the chair, looking very uncomfortable. He lifted a hand in greeting.

  Ignoring him, I rushed over to sit beside Talia, releasing Buddha’s leash. “Talia? What happened?”

  Her eyes were wide with shock and her face was drained of color. She opened her mouth to speak but a sudden sob choked her. She held out her hand instead.

  “Oh no,” I whispered. There, clutched in her hand, was Ginger’s pink collar. “What ... what does this mean? Is she ...” I couldn’t even finish the thought. “Where did you get it?”

  Buddha snuck his nose in the collar’s direction, sniffing hard. He tilted his head toward me, his brown eyes full of questions. I rested a hand on his back to comfort us both.

  Still sniffling, Talia pointed to a white sheet of paper lying on top of a yellow envelope. “Someone put it in my mailbox.”

  I went to reach for it but Alex stopped me. “Don’t touch it, Elle. It might have fingerprints or something on it. We’re waiting for the Clearwater police.”

  I nodded and slid down in front of the table, so I could read it without touching it. It was a plain white piece of typing paper with a computer printed message:

  I have Ginger. A boat with a yellow flag will be waiting at the guest dock at midnight on Friday. Hand over one million dollars in unmarked bills to the driver. He will know nothing and receive instructions only after he is safely on his way without police interference. If he is followed, I will know and she will die. If he doesn’t make it to his drop off spot, she will die. Once I have the money, I will return her safely. You have my word.

  I slowly pushed myself back up onto the sofa, running through what this meant in my mind. Buddha rested his bulk against my shin with a huff, probably sensing the tension and anxiety in the room.

  So, someone did dognap Ginger. For a million dollars? Is it the same person who killed Diggs? Or did Ginger run away and someone found her and decided to use the opportunity to extort Talia?

  “Do you think this person is feeding her?” Talia choked out on a sob. “She must be so worried about her puppies.”

  I grabbed her hands. They were ice cold and still had a death-grip on the collar. Was she in shock? “Let’s concentrate on the fact that she’s alive. The good thing about dogs is they live in the moment, right? So, once this is all over, and she’s back home safe and sound, she won’t even remember it. She’ll bounce back and be her happy self in no time.” I paused, and then asked softly. “I assume you want to pay the ransom?”

  Her eyes widened. “Of course. I would give him every bit of money I have to get her back.”

  I nodded. “And whoever took her knows that.” I thought about the two suspects we had so far, Sammy and Nell. They were already weathly, so it wouldn’t make sense for either of them to ask for ransom money. Unless it was a ploy to throw the police off their trail.

  The doorbell chimed. Alex stood up as Detective Vargas and a uniformed officer strolled into the great room, looking none too happy. She took in me and Talia on the sofa and then glanced down at the ransom note. “This it?”

  Talia nodded.

  Salma turned to the officer. “Bag it. The envelope and collar, too.”

  Talia clutched the collar to her chest.

  Salma softened her voice. “Ms. Hill, we may be able to pull prints or DNA off that and get her home faster.”

  Talia reluctantly handed the officer Ginger’s collar, which he deposited in a separate bag while sneaking a few glances at her, his fair skin reddening. I’d all but forgotten she was a movie star, until I saw other people’s reactions to her like that.

  “Get a cheek swab from Miss Hill so we can separate her DNA from any we find on the collar.” Then Salma turned to Alex. “Thanks, Mr. Harwick. We’ll take it from here.”

  Alex seemed more than happy to duck out, but as he passed he said, “Elle, can I talk to you for a sec.”

  I cringed inwardly. Having a conversation with Alex Harwick was the last thing on earth I wanted to do. “Sure.”

  Glancing back, as I followed Alex out, I saw the officer hand Salma the letter safely encased in plastic.

  I folded my arms as I stood in front of him, keeping my distance. “What’s up?”

  He took a card out of his pocket, looking sheepish, which was very unlike him. Usually over-confidence oozed from him like a poisonous gas. “You don’t have to answer right now. But, I have two tickets to the HOA Christmas party next week and would like you to come with me.” He handed me the card. “Just give me a call and let me know.”

  I took it reluctantly, shoving it into my jacket pocket. There was no way I wanted to spend an evening with Alex Harwick, but I remembered my plan to get close to him, since he could help in putting Devon’s parents’ murderers behind bars. Alex had overheard one of the hitmen bragging at a bar right before Devon’s parents were killed, but he’d recanted his testimony.

  Besides, the HOA? If I could learn what information Eva Gold had used to blackmail Sunny with, or talk to Nell Barnwell, that would be a bonus. Still, I couldn’t bring myself to say yes. “I’ll let you know.”

  I quickly made my way back to Talia’s side.

  Salma was just handing the ransom note back to the officer with a neutral expression. “Ms. Hill, I know you’ve probably already decided to pay the ransom demand, but I feel it’s my duty to inform you that paying the ransom doesn’t mean you’ll get Ginger back. In fact, in most kidnappings the victim is not recovered alive. And that’s a human. For an animal ...” she let the unfinished thought hang in the air.

  I glanced at Talia. Her eyes widened in horror but then determination replaced that. “I have to take the chance, no matter how small, that he’ll release her unharmed.”

  Salma pursed her lips and shifted on her feet. “I also have to inform you that, while I can justify a print and DNA request on these items, the State Attorney’s office most likely won’t authorize the use of much larger resources to help with the exchange of money for Ginger. Unless, perhaps we can convince them that the ransom demand is definitively coming from Diggs’s assailant, but even then ... ” She shook her head.

  “But, the dognapper killed Diggs to get Ginger ... isn’t that obvious?” Talia asked.

  “Unfortunately, no.” Salma hesitated and then continued to explain. “Ginger could’ve been scared off by the altercation between Diggs and his assailant. Someone could’ve found her and decided to make you pay to get her back. A crime of opportunity. Seems like it’d be someone who knows you and your passion for your dogs. Otherwise, I think they would’ve asked for a much more reasonable ransom amount for an animal.”

  I watched Talia grow defensive at Salma’s use of the word “animal” or “reasonable” and then deflate. Salma walked over and took a seat in the chair that Alex had vacated. “Ms. Hill, you mentioned before that you and your ex-husband had a custody battle over the dogs, correct?” Talia nodded. “What about over money? Did he want more money than he received in the divorce settlement?”

  Talia shook her head. “No, he has his own money. There were no issues around that. Why?”

  “Well, we’ve gone over the security tapes from the ferry, and it seems he arrived on Moon Key Saturday ... the same evening Mr. Diggs was killed.” She paused and let that sink in.

  Talia looked confused. “But, that’s not possible. He showed up at my door Sunday evening. Said he’d just arrived ... he lied?” An angry burst of energy colored her cheeks.


  “That’s true. I was here and I heard him say he’d just arrived,” I agreed.

  “Well, we weren’t able to figure out where he’s staying on the island. No one has a record of him checking in, and there’s no sign of him leaving on the security tapes. Is there an alias he uses that you know of?”

  Anger had stiffened her spine. “Yes, Chuck Lee.”

  Salma wrote that down in her notebook. “Okay, we’ll check the hotels again with that name. Meanwhile, you call me if he shows up here. He’s the number one suspect in my book. He’s obviously strong enough to kill Diggs with one blow to the head and shatter the statue. Plus he has motive to take Ginger. And now that we know he lied about when he arrived on Moon Key, well that just adds to my suspicion.”

  Talia pulled out her cell phone. “Hang on. Let me try to call him.” She dialed and we all waited. After a few rings she shook her head in disappointment then left a message. “Sammy, call me as soon as you get this.” She looked like she wanted to say more, but she gritted her teeth and hung up.

  I thought about the ransom note. “But Salma, the ransom note says he’ll know if the boat is being followed. Wouldn’t that require an accomplice?”

  “If he’s telling the truth, yes. Most likely it’s an empty threat, though. Most likely the person who shows up for the ransom will be the one who has Ginger. Why would he risk getting anyone else involved? He’d have to split the money.”

  I bit the inside of my lip. “True. But if it was Sammy who took Ginger, and he does have an accomplice, maybe that’s who he’s staying with on Moon Key.”

  “I can’t take that chance with Ginger’s life,” Talia said. “I’ll follow his instructions. I’ll give him the money and no one will follow the boat, as he requested. If you arrest him, he may never tell us where Ginger is.”

  Salma looked like she was about to disagree but changed her mind. “That’s your prerogative. We’ll let you know if we find your ex on the island. Meanwhile, you let us know if he contacts you again and stay alert.” She rose to go.