Dog-Gone Murder

by Marnette Falley

  Suddenly hot and cold with fear, Po dialed the clinic number. As it rang, she ran down to the spot where Kate had disappeared. By the time Angela answered, she was kneeling next to Hoover. He was trying to get to his feet, but when he managed it, he seemed to stumble and lose his balance. There was clearly something wrong with him.

  Po was just processing these symptoms when Angela answered the phone.

  “Oh, Angela,” Po knew the anxiety permeated her voice. “There’s something wrong with Hoover!”

  “Bring him in right away,” Angela said when Po described his behavior. “We’re officially closed, but I know Dr. Maggiewill want to see Hoover herself. I’ll give her a call to let her know that you’re coming in, and I’ll be watching for you.”

  Between them, Kate and Po managed to get a clearly distressed Hoover into Po’s car. They drove to the clinic as quickly as they could, and Angela came running out when they pulled up to help them into the practice. Maggie arrived when they were at the door, maneuvering Hoover onto a rolling treatment table. Maggie gave Po a small smile and wheeled the agitated dog back to the treatment area.

  In a few minutes she came back and led Po to her office.

  “What’s wrong with him?” Po asked, with worry thick in her voice and her insides tight with anxiety.

  “He’s showing the symptoms of ingesting antifreeze,” Maggie said. “Did you see him getting into anything?”

  “No,” Po said. “And he wasn’t out of the yard, or anything.” She turned to Kate. “You didn’t see him with anything, did you?”

  “No, but I wasn’t looking for that, I guess,” she said.

  “Well,” Maggie said. “That’s sure what it looks like. And the key is to keep him from metabolizing it, so it doesn’t hurt his kidneys.”

  “I see,” said Po, feeling a little dazed.

  “The first thing we did was give him something to make him vomit,” Maggie said. “And now we’re going to wash out his stomach. Then I’ll give him activated charcoal, which will bind with any of the poison that’s left.”

  “OK,” Po said, with a small nod to indicate her understanding.

  “We’re also giving Hoover intravenous fluids, to help wash out his kidneys,” Maggie said. She looked closely at Po and put her hand on her shoulder. “I think he’s going to be fine, Po.”

  Po’s eyes filled suddenly, and she nodded. “Thank you for helping him, Maggie,” she said. “You’re the best.”

  “We were lucky,” Maggie said. “I might not have guessed so quickly that that’s what was wrong with him except we saw a similar case just a couple of weeks ago.”

  “I do still want to keep him overnight,” Maggie said, “so we can keep him on the fluids and keep an eye on him.”

  “OK,” Po said.

  “It’s going to take us a little while to finish up with him,” Maggie said. “You could wait here, if you want. Or you could come back in an hour or so and check on him if you wanted.”

  “I think I’d like to just wait, if that’s OK,” Po said.

  “Of course,” Maggie said. “I’ll come out and get you when we’re done.” And she disappeared to take care of Hoover. Kate and Po settled into the chairs in Maggie’s office, and Po tried to read one of the magazines in the stack on the side table.

  “He’ll be OK,” Kate said gently when she looked over to see Po staring into space.

  “I know,” Po said. “Maggie is terrific, and she’ll do everything she can for him. But I can’t help feeling upset.” She smiled wanly at Kate. “This is my first emergency visit in years.”

  “Luckily that Angela knew where to find Maggie,” Kate said.

  “That’s for sure,” Po said. “This day seems so out-of-whack.

  Normally we’d all have gone to our Bees meeting this morning. And then I often run some errands. I might not have found him in time.”

  The two lapsed into silence as they waited. And it was with relief that they saw the smile on Maggie’s face when she came back an hour or so later.

  “I really think he’s going to be fine,” Maggie said, giving Po a hug.

  “Oh, I’m so relieved,” Po said, and she couldn’t have meant it more.

  “I’ve still got him on fluids,” Maggie said. “And we’ll keep a close eye on him, of course.”

  “Thank you so much,” Po said. “Can I go back and see him?”

  “Sure,” Maggie said.

  So Po and Kate went back and petted and cooed at Hoover, who really did look remarkably better than he had. “Thank goodness for Maggie,” Po said.

  “No doubt,” agreed Kate.

  Po didn’t want to tie up Maggie’s whole afternoon, so before too long she took her leave of Hoover and went to the front desk to pay her emergency bill.

  “I know the clinic is closed tomorrow,” Po said. “But do you think there’s any way I could pick Hoover up? I sure hate to have him gone an extra night. Unless he needs additional care, of course.”

  Angela smiled. “I know Dr. Maggie will want to see him in the morning. So maybe we can arrange something. I’ll talk to her about it and see what we can arrange.”

  “I’ll stick around at home,” Po said. “So you’ll be able to reach me anytime.”

  Kate looked at her with surprise. “But the fundraiser is tonight,” she said. “You’re not going to miss that, are you? Dr. Maggie’s been talking about it all week.”

  “Well, I may need to,” Po said gently.

  “Nonsense,” Angela said. “I know from Dr. Maggie how hard you’ve all been working on the quilt for that. I’ll be able to call in plenty of time before to let you know when you can pick Hoover up.”

  “But what if something happens later?” Po protested.

  “We have your cell phone right here in the file,” Angela assured her. “He will be fine, right here getting the care he needs. And if anything at all happens, I promise to call you.”

  “You really can’t miss this, Po,” Kate pleaded. “It just wouldn’t be the same without you.”

  “What time does it start?” Angela asked.

  “At 7:30,” Po said.

  Angela made a note in the file next to her number.

  “It will all be fine,” she said. “Go and have a wonderful time.”

  So, in the end Po conceded. Angela called later to say that Maggie would meet Po in the morning at 10 a.m. so she could pick up Hoover, assuming he continued to recover overnight. And so Po called Max to tell him about her traumatic day and to arrange her plans for the evening.

  “I know you’ve been planning this for ages,” he said apologetically. “But I’ve bumped into a problem. I think I’m going to need to meet you there.”

  “That’s fine,” Po said. “I’ll be watching for you.”

  “I can’t wait,” Max said.

  And Po decided everyone was right. It was best to go to the fundraiser and enjoy it, rather than sitting around and worrying. So she went and got ready. She picked out a deep amber-colored, feminine flared skirt and a tailored boiled wool jacket that set it off perfectly, a gift from her daughter. “It’s amazing how the people who know you best can pick something like this that’s just right,” Po thought as she put it on.

  And then with a glance at the empty dog bed where Hoover would normally be settling down to await her return, Po headed out.

  CHAPTER 24

  The fundraiser for the animal rescue league was being held at Adele Hartwick’s B&B, as she had promised almost a year before. They had decorated the house for fall, and it looked much as it had at the open house a year ago, with dozens of pots of mums in rusts and gold in the warm entryway. Po walked up the majestic staircase, sinking into the thick green carpet that lined the stairs, and ropes of garlands lit with tiny white lights were wound around the walnut railing. A harvest tree stood sentinel at the landing, decked out with gold and silver pinecones, some real, some antique glass ornaments. In a prominent spot against the back wall hung the quilts the queen Bees had made
for Adele, in tribute to her brother Ollie, an amateur astronomer. It was a brilliant galaxy, a swirl of golden and white star like strips, mixed into a background of midnight blue blocks. Po smiled, enjoying the final product of their combined effort in its place of honor.

  “Come on down, Po,” Adele called from the wide doorway to the dining room.

  Po obliged, and was joined in less than a minute by Eleanor, who’d just arrived. They were both quickly provided with a glass of chardonnay and an outline of the events to come.

  “This way,” called Adele over her shoulder.

  “Wow,” Po said softly.

  “You outdid yourself, Adele,” Eleanor concurred.

  Adele looked pleased. In fact, Po thought, she’d really never seen her look so happy. The first year of running a bed and breakfast had agreed with her.

  “Well, I wanted it to be perfect for you,” she said.

  They had moved the chairs out and carefully laid the table with the items that were available through the silent auction. And she’d hung the quilt the Bees had made behind the table, where it could be seen easily from every corner of the room.

  She smiled at their reactions. “I know how wonderful your work is, of course,” she said.

  Besides the galaxy quilt in the hall, the Queen Bees had made eight quilts for the bed and breakfast—a job Adele had commissioned—each one different. And this unique touch was one that guests rarely failed to mention to their hostess.

  Po moved closer to the table, to take a look at the many other items available for bidding. There were bidding formsand pens set out conveniently. And the array of items was impressive. Of course, there were many pet-themed options. Two giant gift baskets with gourmet treats from Three Dog Bakery caught her eye. Hoover was particularly fond of the drooly dream bars, peanut flavored bars with carob chips—a doggie confection that just couldn’t be beat. And he wouldn’t say no to a beagle bagel, she was certain.

  There was a similar cat treat basket with toy mice; catnip balls; a feather laced delicately to the end of a stick, for playful pouncing; and more, donated by one of the pet supply stores in town. The travel agency had arranged a cruise, and also a package for six to spend a week in the south of France.

  Po put in a bid on one of the treat baskets for Hoover, making a mental note to try not to overindulge him if she won it. She had been neglecting his walks, and really he could use extra exercises not less. But it would be hard. She had a strong urge to give him anything his little heart desired after what happened today.

  “They’re going to rake in the cash, huh, Po?” came a voice from her right, interrupting her reverie about pet fitness. She turned to see platinum haired Phoebe, her halo of hair glistening and her petite figure wound in a sari-inspired wrap of silvery gold that made her look like a fun-loving angel.

  “I sure hope so,” Po said with a smile. She stepped back from the table to admire Phoebe, decked out in evening finery. “You look just stunning.”

  Phoebe leaned in closer. “I wanted to attach a tail to the back, in the spirit of celebrating pets, but Jimmy said it justreally wouldn’t be appropriate.” She laughed, a pealing laugh that was full of fun, and seemed to bounce around the room. That was enough to make her husband turn around and smile, and in moments he was by her side, as tall and dark as she was petite and blond.

  Within 20 minutes, the bed and breakfast was bustling with guests for the event, and a subset of the Queen Bees found themselves in a corner. “A toast,” Po said, raising her glass. “To friendship.”

  “To friendship,” the group echoed, and more than one eye among them was clouded with a tear as they thought about the challenges of the last week.

  “I don’t know what I would every do without all of you,” Po said sincerely.

  “You’d have to find some other crazy friends to quilt on a deadline,” Phoebe laughed. And they turned to look at the playful quilt hanging over the table.

  “I peeked, and there seem to be a few bids already in the canister next to the quilt,” Kate said. “Hopefully our creation will really help.”

  “Food and cozy lodgings for the stray dogs and cats of the world,” Eleanor said. She tossed the end of her perfectly coordinated raw silk scarf back over her right shoulder. “Hopefully Maggie will be here soon to enjoy what will doubtless be a wonderfully successful evening. I’m a little surprised she’s late.”

  “She must have had an emergency,” Phoebe said knowingly. Just then, Po felt her phone start to vibrate inside her evening bag. That was an upside to leaving her various totes and backpacks at home in favor of a clutch—in this case one crusted in mother-of-pearl buttons. She could only fit a few things in, so it was clear when one was buzzing. She hurried off to a slightly quieter corner, her heart in her throat as she recognized the number from Maggie’s clinic.

  “Hello?” she said.

  “Hi, Mrs. Paltrow,” she heard Angela answer. “I know you’re at the Humane Society event, but I was sure you’d want me to call. I’m concerned about Hoover.”

  “What’s wrong?” Po asked, worry filling every bit of her mind and an instant knot of tension forming in her stomach. “I thought he was out of the woods.”

  “I think you’d better come in,” Angela said.

  “I’ll be right there,” Po assured her. And as soon as she’d hung up, she started working her way toward the entrance. The Bees were still busy talking over by the donations table. She collected her coat and headed out. On the way to the clinic she called and left Max a message letting him know where she’d gone. “I don’t want him showing up to find me missing and worry,” she thought. “He’s probably on his way now.”

  And that was her last thought except of worry about her four-legged companion.

  CHAPTER 25

  Po parked behind the building and let herself into the side door of the clinic, which was open, as Angela had promised. She rushed around the corner to the treatment area, and found Hoover in a run, looking just as he had when she left. Sleepy, but with a slow wag for her when she peered in at him.

  “I think he’s going to be OK after all,” Angela said. “But I’m not so sure about you.”

  Po stood up, and as she did some of the pieces of the puzzle that she’d been struggling with slid suddenly into place.

  “You just had to keep digging, didn’t you,” Angela said. “You couldn’t just let well enough alone.

  Angela kept moving toward her, and suddenly Po noticed the gun in her hand. In that moment, her brain seemed to be running on superspeed, and yet everything else seemed to be moving very slowly, like the whole world was stuck in molasses.

  “What happened, Angela?” she asked. “Why are you doing this?”

  If she could just keep her busy for a minute or two, Po thought. Angela shook her head. Po kept cataloging the contents of the room. Maybe there was a way out of this. Just keep talking, she thought.

  “You care so much for people. I don’t understand,” Po said, her eyes returning to Angela.

  Angela took a deep wavering breath.

  “How could you understand?” she said. “You have everything. That’s how it always is. I never get a break. The people with all the breaks never notice.”

  “You’ve been so successful here, though,” Po said. “I thought you were happy.”

  “I have practice putting a good face on things,” Angela said. “I deserve more.”

  Po’s mind was still scrambling. Looking for a way out of this trap. Hoping Maggie didn’t arrive too soon. With bad timing they could both wind up facing the wrong end of the gun. Or maybe she should be hoping Maggie did arrive soon. Maybe she could figure out a better plan than hers: stall and hope to not get shot.

  “Did you shoot Mercedes?” she asked, gesturing to the gun.

  “Oh, come on,” Angela said with a sneer that looked foreign to Po on her normally pleasant face. “Didn’t you figure it out? You have all the pieces; I’m sure of it.”

  She kept the weap
on trained on Po as she moved toward the drug safe. “Come on,” she taunted. “What’ve you got? I know you can put the pieces together. That’s why you’re here, after all.”

  “Because you thought I knew it was you?” Po asked.

  “Because I know you’d put it together eventually,” Angela clarified. She smiled grimly. “Lucky for me you didn’t get there before I’d put together a plan to get rid of you.”

  “So, you let Fitzgerald out? To get Aaron in trouble?”

  “No,” Angela said dismissively. “He’s not worth my time. I did it to get some leverage on Mercedes. And to keep her focused on someone besides me, if I decided I didn’t need the leverage.” She paused. “I have to admit, that didn’t work out the way I’d planned.”

  Angela leaned against the counter, the gun still trained on Po. From Po’s point of view, that was somehow an improvement. She seemed to be distracting Angela from the task at hand, which seemed to be killing her.

  “I thought I heard you arguing with someone on the phone one day when I was here,” Po said. “Who was that?”

  “You noticed that, did you,” Angela snarled. “See, you do have the pieces. That was Jack Francis. He wanted me to kill Fitz. But he’s just too special. There’s not another dog like him. Not anywhere.”

  “Why would he want Fitzgerald killed?” Po asked.

  “He hoped that Mercedes would be so heartbroken she’d quit showing dogs,” Angela said. She sniffed. “Shows what he knows. Mercedes would never have stopped. She’d find a new champion and spend all her money on the new dog instead. I bet it wouldn’t have taken her a month to move on.”

  “Why did you ever stop working with him?” Po asked. “You seem to care about him so much. You must have loved being his handler.”

  “I was the best,” Angela said. “And she replaced me in two weeks. That’s how she is.”

  “But why?” Po asked.

  “She didn’t appreciate me. She didn’t care that she didn’t pay me enough to live on. She didn’t care that she had me working every weekend. She didn’t see that Fitz would never have been the dog he is without me.”