The Sierra Files Box Set: Books 1-3: Plus a bonus Christmas novella!

by Christy Barritt

  As we got closer to the Lennoxes’, I quickened my steps to catch up with her. “Mom, do you know what you’re going to say?”

  “I’ll figure it out.” She looked straight ahead, nearly militant in the way she held herself.

  I felt like I should talk some sense into her, but I didn’t. My mom was intelligent, educated, and successful. Certainly she had this. She didn’t need me giving her advice.

  And, for a moment, I saw myself. I’d never, ever seen any part of myself in my parents. But today I did.

  Did my mom actually have emotions at one time in her life? Had she had passion? Spontaneity?

  I found it hard to comprehend. I needed to sleep on this. The thoughts were almost too much.

  As we hurried down the soppy sidewalk, voices drifted out from the Lennoxes’ open windows. “I really think this new fur will take us over the top in sales,” a woman said.

  I cringed. New fur? What were they talking about?

  “I agree. Fur collectors everywhere will be in line to get their hands on this,” a man said.

  The idea of 101 Dalmatians floated through my mind again. I shook my head. No, they didn’t have Big Boy for the sole purpose of breeding him and making fur out of his pups. That was morbid, the stuff that only happened in . . . uh, children’s stories?

  Without any hesitation, my mom marched up to the Lennoxes’ front door and rang the bell. The rain pounded us as we stood there, with no stoop to cover our heads. I was sure we were a sight to behold.

  The door opened and Mrs. Lennox appeared. Her face went from annoyed to surprised when she spotted us. “What in the world . . . ?”

  “Your dog has ruined my recommitment ceremony. It’s ruined! And it’s all that dog’s fault!”

  “What?” Mrs. Lennox pulled her black sweater tighter across her shoulders.

  I couldn’t blame her. The accusation might throw anyone off, especially coming from my mother.

  “That dog of yours! He just tromped all over my backyard. The ceremony has been canceled. Are you happy now?”

  “Mai, would you like to come inside?” Mrs. Lennox asked. “Maybe out of the rain for a moment?”

  My mom did just that, and I followed suit. Instantly, I remembered finding the blood here. I remembered sneaking into the house with Chad.

  Was I in the house of a killer?

  “Now, if you’d slow down, maybe we can talk things over,” Mrs. Lennox started.

  Reggie, wearing a headset phone and holding a yellow legal pad, joined us as we stood in a circle in the grand foyer. He didn’t appear to be as annoyed today. Had I caught him on a bad day before?

  My mom poured out the whole story, and to my surprise, the Lennoxes listened to everything. And I did mean everything.

  Mother ended with “My first ceremony was ruined by a dog, too. My roommate had an Akita. He jumped on me the morning of the wedding and left a horrible scratch across my cheek. All the makeup in the world wouldn’t cover it up. There was nothing perfect about that day. I wanted this one to be different. I wanted to make things right.”

  The ice around my heart cracked a little.

  “I’m so sorry,” Mrs. Lennox finally said. She slipped an arm around my mother. “Let me get you some hot tea before you get sick.”

  She led her off into the kitchen.

  And I stood there with Reggie.

  Favor was on my side.

  He stared at me before finally saying, “Sorry about the ceremony.”

  I nodded. “It happens.”

  “Do you happen to know where my dog went?”

  He actually sounded like he cared, I mused. Interesting. Was that because he wanted the dog’s fur?

  “He scampered off into the woods.”

  He grunted. “I have filed a complaint about the police department for losing him in the first place.”

  “I thought you didn’t even like him.”

  “Whatever gave you that impression?” He looked at me like I’d grown a tail and two floppy ears.

  “You didn’t even notice him that day after your supposed nosebleed. You left him outside with strangers.”

  He sighed and rubbed his mustache. “I’d just come home to a house surrounded by police cars. I was slightly distracted, and later I felt terrible about it.”

  I was going to go for it and put one of my theories out there. “Rumor has it that you hired a dog walker because you despised having to take care of the dog yourself.”

  “What? Who told you that?” His voice climbed in pitch.

  I shrugged. “I have my sources.”

  “Mrs. Jericho,” he growled. “I hired a dog walker because the girl looked like she needed a hand, you know what I mean? Plus, I like Dr. Moto.”

  “What about the argument you got into with her?”

  He dropped his yellow pad onto a nearby table and used his hands like a preacher might to drive home a point in his sermon. “It was because of her boyfriend. I didn’t mind her coming. But she brought her boyfriend with her. He looked unsavory, if you know what I mean. I didn’t approve, and I told her in no uncertain terms that if she brought him again, she was done.”

  Interesting. “How did she respond to that?”

  “Her face went white and she nodded, saying it wouldn’t happen again. Of course, that was the last time I saw her. I have to say Horace really liked her.”

  “Horace?”

  “My dog.” Now he really stared at me like I was crazy.

  “Oh.” He’d become Big Boy in my mind, and I couldn’t imagine him as a Horace.

  My mom came back into the room with Mrs. Lennox, and she looked considerably calmer now. I was considering the possibility that she’d been poisoned, or some other nefarious reason for her change in behavior.

  That’s when I noticed a speckle of blood on the floor.

  It was fresh.

  I looked up just as Reggie reached for his nose.

  Sure enough, he had a nosebleed.

  He’d been telling the truth after all.

  Chapter Seventeen

  After her talk with Mrs. Lennox, my mom decided the ceremony would go on. A Catholic church down the street had been reserved as a backup, and all the details were being worked out by Reina and Sharo at the moment.

  Sharo hung up the phone and turned to address the rest of us as we stood in the living room, each afraid in our own way of saying anything that would set my mom off. At least, that was the vibe I got.

  Sharo frowned, and I braced myself for whatever she was about to say. It wasn’t going to be good. “Mr. and Mrs. Nakamura, can I speak with you?”

  “Just go ahead and say whatever it is. We’re all in this together,” my mom said.

  She rubbed her hands nervously. “I’m afraid there was a misunderstanding. The church is being used tonight for another wedding.”

  “What? I thought you reserved it!” My mom’s nostrils flared.

  Sharo looked away nervously. “I actually thought that you had reserved it. Isn’t the priest’s wife your patient?”

  “Priests are celibate!” Veins bulged at my mom’s neck. “You were supposed to be on top of this. I thought you were the best?”

  Sharo stepped closer, her gaze apologetic. “I know. I’m so very sorry. They said we could use the church tomorrow evening after mass.”

  “This is a sign. None of this was supposed to happen. I don’t know what I was thinking.” With that, my mom stormed off.

  My dad followed after her.

  The rest of us stood there, a sea of awkwardness between us. Finally, my sister cleared her throat. “I need to make some phone calls. Would anyone like to help?”

  Sharo, Greg, and Aunt Yori volunteered. Meanwhile, I volunteered to take some food out for people to eat. At least it was something to keep me occupied. I disappeared into my thoughts for a moment as I pulled out bread and condiments.

  Something just seemed a little different about my parents, and I wasn’t sure what. This whole ceremony see
med strange and unlike something they’d want to do. My mom was much more emotional than I was used to. I knew things changed with time, but it was hard for me to think about my parents changing also.

  Chad shimmied up beside me. “You okay?”

  I nodded. “I am. I’m just thinking about how strange it is to come home.”

  “I think we all experience that to some degree, Sierra.”

  I turned as I heard someone coming down the stairs. My dad stood there, and he was looking at me. There was a look in his eyes that I couldn’t quite identify.

  “Is Mom okay?”

  He nodded curtly. “She’ll be fine. She’s resting at the moment. May I have a moment, Sierra?”

  Great. What had I done now? I didn’t ask that, but instead I nodded. “Sure.”

  “You come, too.” He pointed to Chad.

  This really wasn’t good. Had he found out I was married? Did he blame me for this whole ceremony being ruined? A feeling of impending doom continued to grow inside me.

  We followed him upstairs to a room located above the garage. I hadn’t come in here in years. Last I knew, it was an office.

  But when my dad opened the door now, I sucked in a deep breath. Lights—like those that might be found on a fashion week runway—lined the edges of the room. The walls were painted a deep blue with silver stars randomly placed. Even the carpet was new, red, and lush.

  But the most striking aspect of the room was the mannequins that stood like a horror-movie-inspired army against one wall. One wore a gaudy sequined gown. Another wore a postman outfit. One wore nothing except a cowboy hat. Little spotlights coming from the ceiling highlighted each.

  “What?” I whispered.

  My dad smiled. “Your mother and I have taken up a new hobby.”

  I stepped inside and walked on autopilot toward one of the outfits. It was a leather number with a plunging neckline and a naughty-looking slit going up the front.

  “What is this?” I felt like I’d stepped into The Twilight Zone.

  My dad grinned again, looking almost like a little boy. “Your mother and I have taken up a new hobby. We’re collecting iconic outfits worn by famous celebrities.”

  “Are you serious?” I certainly hadn’t heard him correctly. Next he would tell me that it was okay to run with scissors.

  He nodded and walked toward the leather gown. “It’s true. This one was worn by Dolly Parton. It went for more than ten thousand at auction.”

  “You paid ten thousand for this dress?” My mouth sagged open. Didn’t he know how much good that money could do in this world? It could help feed and clothe the homeless!

  “I really wanted your mother to have something to look forward to. She was talking about how our wedding was ruined by that Akita, and that’s when I suggested renewing our vows. I knew she loved Princess Di, and I found a handkerchief from the royal wedding at an auction. Don’t worry—all the proceeds went to a children’s charity. Anyway, after we won the handkerchief, we found bidding to be quite addicting. We haven’t been able to stop.”

  “Mother is not this irrational.” I stiffened, certain I was being tricked here.

  My father’s smile slipped, and what almost looked like a touch of sadness swept over his gaze. “It’s a new hobby. Life is different now, Sierra, and we are looking for things to do together. We discovered auctions and playing bridge fit both of us well.”

  “Mom plays bridge?”

  Dad nodded. “I do also. Every Wednesday night, like clockwork.”

  I had to recalculate my thoughts here before I said something disrespectful. “Where did you say you got these outfits?”

  “At auction. We usually go into the Big Apple about once a month. It’s something fun to do, and we can always get a good return on our investment later.”

  “These are considered investments?” Chad sounded just as surprised as I felt.

  My dad nodded. “Yes. Take this Elvis outfit from his 1958 movie where he played a postman. They’re remaking the movie now, so it’s expected this clothing may even double in value when the movie is released.”

  “Elvis, huh?”

  He nodded and moved on to the black leather dress. “Marilyn Monroe wore the sequined gown and even signed it.”

  “Very interesting,” I muttered. What else could I say?

  My dad turned toward us, the same unreadable expression in his eyes. “This isn’t the real reason I asked for you to come up here. There’s something I need to tell you, Sierra. The real reason I called you up here is because—”

  Before he could finish his sentence, a commotion sounded downstairs.

  We all looked at each other and rushed toward the sound.

  What had happened now?

  “Aunt Yori is gone!” my sister whispered to me as everyone gathered in the kitchen. Dr. Moto took over the crisis intervention and stood in the center of the circle sending out search parties.

  “What do you mean, gone?” I asked, keeping one ear on Dr. Moto as he directed people to double-check various parts of the house.

  “She was here an hour ago, and now no one can find her.”

  “Did anyone consider maybe she went upstairs to lie down? Or, as crazy as this may sound, maybe she just went to the bathroom?”

  My sister rolled her eyes. “Of course we did. We checked those places, and she’s not there. We’re checking again. If you haven’t been able to tell, she has a bit of a drinking problem. Mom is afraid she’ll wander off and get herself in trouble.”

  “Wander off?”

  “Like into the woods behind the house.”

  That made sense. The last thing we needed was another disaster this weekend. My sister was right: we had to find Aunt Yori now.

  “Chad and I can go outside,” I spoke up. “We’ll search the backyard and the guesthouse.”

  “Thank you,” Dr. Moto said. “Who wants to cover the street?”

  Chad and I hurried outside into the dreary, getting-colder-by-the-hour day. At the edge of the deck, I yelled for my aunt. As I expected, there was no response.

  We’d check the backyard and the guesthouse. If we didn’t find her, we’d search the woods behind the property. I hoped it didn’t come to that, because if my aunt was lost in the woods, there was a greater chance of her getting hurt.

  As we walked around the perimeter of the backyard, I whispered, “I think my parents are going crazy. They’re losing their minds, Chad. What else would explain that celebrity memorabilia upstairs?”

  “People can change, Sierra.”

  “Not my parents!” He didn’t know them like I did. They were seriously losing their minds or something. That was the only explanation I could think of.

  “I think it’s kind of funny. You’re right; they don’t seem like the type to be starstruck about celebrities.”

  I peered behind a bush. “And another thought. What do you think about 101 Dalmatians?”

  “I really liked the part where the dogs started eating spaghetti and ended up kissing—”

  “No, that’s Lady and the Tramp.”

  “That’s right.” He nodded as everything appeared to come back to him. “101 is the one with all the puppies, and the mean lady is trying to capture them.”

  “Right. What do you think about it playing out in real life?”

  “What?” He searched behind some shrubs.

  I considered not telling him my theory. But I’d come this far. As crazy as it might sound, I needed to just spill everything. “I wonder if the Lennoxes are planning on making fur out of Big Boy.”

  His expression made it clear that Aunt Yori and I were definitely related. Maybe we both had the crazy gene. “They certainly wouldn’t have let the dog slip away that easily and without that much concern if he was going to become a coat.”

  I peered behind the shed where many of the larger pool supplies were stored. “He could just be the stud. Maybe they’re already done with him, so they don’t care anymore.”

  “You
really think someone’s trying to make clothing out of dogs?”

  “I know it sounds crazy, but I overheard the Lennoxes talking about a new fur they’re going to introduce. Then I thought about Big Boy and how pretty his coat is.”

  Chad slowly swung his head back and forth, almost as if he was trying to figure out how to break bad news to me. “They’d be taking it pretty far if they did that, Sierra. Aren’t there laws against that? Certainly animal cruelty, if nothing else.”

  I pulled my glasses off, wiping the droplets of rain from the lenses. “I don’t know. People do crazy things. Kill elephants for their tusks. Murder tigers and drink their blood thinking they’ll live longer. There’s no end to what people might do to further advance their own agendas.”

  “History can’t dispute that.”

  “Maybe the dog walker discovered their scheme, and they killed her for it. That would be motive for murder.”

  “I wouldn’t get too hung up on that theory. It’s pretty out there. Right now, we should just concentrate on finding your aunt.”

  I nodded. “You’re right. Let’s keep looking.”

  Aunt Yori was nowhere in the backyard. But I noticed the door to the guesthouse was cracked open. Chad and I exchanged that married-couple look, the one where we didn’t have to say a word to know what the other was thinking.

  With a nod, we approached the door, ready to find out what was going on inside.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chad stepped inside first. He glanced around and then motioned me to follow. He put a finger over his lips to signal to stay quiet.

  The guesthouse appeared to be undisturbed. Still, we moved with amazing stealth across the tile floor.

  The kitchen and living room were clear. Chad started toward the bedroom. He threw the door open, scanned the interior, and then shrugged. I followed him inside, calculating each move.

  The last thing I needed was for a killer to be hanging out here and for us to stumble into his lair. I had too much on the line to be killed by a psycho.

  Alas, the bedroom was empty, though.

  “Where else can we check?” I asked.