Canines and Crime

by Sandra Baublitz

  Now, Charlotte was pointing a finger at Tammy. “And that’s another thing, you always wanted to sell that house of his. I wouldn’t be surprised you killed him thinking you could get it.”

  Tammy threw up her hands. “If anyone would kill him for the house, it would be you.” Charlotte balled her hand into a fist. Paw tensed beside me. I lay a gentle hand on his back, soothing him but ready to intervene should Charlotte take a swing at Tammy. “How dare you?” Charlotte spoke some profane words as she confronted Tammy. “I had nothing to do with my husband’s death.”

  “That’s not what I heard.” Tammy glared at Charlotte.

  “What do you mean?”

  Tammy shrugged. “I’m not going to tell you.”

  “Why you—” Charlotte raised her hand. Fist clenched.

  Paw tensed and jumped from the stage, barreling between the women

  “What the—” Charlotte yelled as Tammy said, “Get this mutt away from me.”

  I looked for steps to climb down from the stage, but before I could move, Bruce and Harry were with the women.

  “What’s going on here?” Harry demanded as he steadied Tammy.

  Charlotte raised a finger, pointing at Tammy.

  Bruce edged around Charlotte, prepared to restrain her if she tried to attack Tammy.

  Charlotte said, “She accused me of murder.”

  Tammy huffed, trying to throw off Bruce’s hand that was steadying her elbow. “If the shoe fits.”

  Charlotte lunged for Tammy, but Bruce placed his hands on her shoulders to restrain her while Paw stepped between the women again.

  “Woof!”

  Both women edged back from my St. Bernard whose fur bristled on his back.

  The commotion had drawn the attention of everyone in the theater.

  Samuel jumped off the stage and ran to help Paw.

  Charlotte shrank back from the mastiff while Tammy edged closer to Harry.

  Jon Kenyon joined their group as Mark stood back, scribbling in his notebook.

  Jon said, “You ladies must leave the theater. We don’t want this kind of confrontation here.”

  Tammy turned to argue with Jon then blanched when she caught sight of Mark. “Never mind. I’m leaving.” She threw one last glare at Charlotte and turned on her heel. As she neared Mark, she said to him, “I better not see any of this in your newspaper.”

  Mark shrugged. “Freedom of the press.”

  Tammy glared at him then stomped up the aisle and out of sight.

  Charlotte visibly shook herself of Bruce’s hold then straightened her spine, nodded regally at everyone, and started to follow Tammy out of the building.

  Harry neatly stepped into her path. “A word with you, Mrs. Tanner.”

  Charlotte halted. “Get out of my way,” she said through clenched teeth.

  “Not until I am sure you aren’t following Ms. Williams to continue your argument.”

  Charlotte huffed but stayed where she was.

  “Achoo.” Jon Kenyon huffed at the dogs. Turning to the stage, he said to me, “Please get these dogs out of here.”

  I raised my hands in supplication. “Okay.”

  I hurried back to the steps and out the side door. I stopped next to Bruce and grabbed Paw’s collar and leash, pulling him to stand beside me.

  Shelbee joined us with Bitsy curled in the crook of one arm and Samuel following behind. I glanced back at the stage then turned to look across the seats in the theater. Turning back to Bruce, I asked, “Where’s Lillian?”

  Chapter 9

  Bruce glanced over his shoulder in the direction of the theater’s vestibule, where Saber had landed on Bruce’s shoulders. “After Jac helped extricate Saber from my shoulders, Lillian was cuddling the cat and grumbling about her poor baby. Jac ran to help on stage, and I joined Mark and Harry as we entered the theater. I imagine she’s still in the vestibule.”

  I frowned. “I better go look for her. Tammy Williams went in that direction, and if I know Lillian, she’s going to question Tammy.”

  Shelbee caught up with me. “Do you think Lillian is going to get into a fight with Tammy now?”

  “With the mood that Tammy was in when she left? Yes. I think Lillian would still approach her.”

  As we neared the doorway to the vestibule, Bitsy’s ears pricked up. She jumped from Shelbee’s arms and ran through the doorway. Samuel tugged at his leash, dragging Shelbee forward as Paw lunged forward too, nearly pulling me to my knees.

  I stutter-stepped to regain my balance then followed him into the vestibule where two women stood nose to nose, or I should say, nose to chest. Since Lillian was so petite and Tammy tall, their face-off left Lillian staring up at Tammy. This in no way diminished the older lady.

  “Tammy Williams, I’ve known you since you were little, so don’t you mouth off at me. You had motive for wanting David Tanner dead. So, I’m asking you again, where were you the night of his death?”

  Saber, who was nestled in Lillian’s arms, was puffed up and emitting an occasional yowl at Tammy.

  The real estate agent eyed the cat warily, but she refused to step down and instead glared at Lillian as she said, “You are a nosy old woman. There is no reason I am going to answer your question. I could ask you where you were when David Tanner was killed.”

  Lillian smiled slyly. “Do you honestly think a little old lady could have killed David Tanner?”

  Tammy humphed. “Little old lady indeed. You are about as harmless as a snake, Lillian Hardcastle.”

  Bitsy ran between the two women, yipping excitedly. Saber, displeased to have the little Pomeranian yipping up at him, hissed long and loud, swiping the air with a claw-tipped paw.

  Paw ran to Lillian’s side and turned facing Tammy with a low growl in his throat. Samuel bookended Lillian on the other side. Tammy glared down at the dogs but took a little step back at the sight of the very large St. Bernard and mastiff. She threw a glance our way then turned back to Lillian and said, “This discussion is finished for now.” She turned on her heel and marched away just as Lillian took a step forward to follow her.

  Shelbee rushed in scooping up Bitsy who was dancing around Lillian’s feet.

  I walked up next to Paw and lay a gentle hand on Lillian’s shoulder, trying to stay out of Saber’s striking range. “She’s just had an argument with Charlotte Tanner. I think if we wait, we’ll get better answers at another time.”

  Lillian grumbled under her breath. “If we get better answers. She’s as sly as a weasel.”

  I raised an eyebrow at Lillian. I had only ever heard good things about Tammy Williams, but I wondered if there was more to the real estate agent than I knew.

  “Why don’t we go down and see what Harry found out from Charlotte Tanner?”

  Lillian tilted her head to the side, thinking about that for a moment. “All right. Maybe I’ll get a chance to question Charlotte too.”

  I refrained from saying that Harry wouldn’t like that and that Charlotte probably was not in the mood for answering more questions. I handed Paw’s leash to Shelbee who gathered the dogs together.

  “I’ll take them and wait at the car for you and Jac.”

  Lillian glanced after Shelbee, who ushered the dogs away. “Why is she leaving with the dogs?”

  “Because Jon Kenyon is allergic to dogs and he wants them out of the theater.” I looked down at Saber still nestled in Lillian’s arms. “How come Saber was at the theater? I wouldn’t have thought Jon Kenyon would allow the cat around.”

  “Saber does what he wants.” Lillian stroked her cat. “Jon Kenyon let’s Saber stay at the theater because my baby is such a good mouser. Who knew they had such a mouse and rat problem at the theater?”

  I glanced around the vestibule, wondering how much Jon Kenyon would want that piece of information getting out to the public. I imagined there were quite a few theatergoers who wouldn’t like the idea of a mouse or rat in the theater with them.

  I waved a hand at Lillian. “
Come on. Let’s go see what Harry and Bruce are doing.”

  Saber jumped out of Lillian’s arms as we entered the theater and sauntered off under the nearest row of plush seats. Down below I could see Jac on the stage helping to right the mess that the dogs had made. Harry stood with Charlotte Tanner, who had her hands on her hips and a scowl on her face. Bruce stood a way back from them, arms crossed over his chest.

  Lillian and I reached the foot of the stage and approached Harry and Charlotte Tanner, who glanced over at us.

  “I’m not speaking to you either.” She glanced back at Harry. “I’ve had enough questioning for one day. Unless you have a reason to detain me, I’m going home.”

  Harry raised his hands palms out and stepped back. “Nothing at this time. However, I will want to speak to you in the future.”

  Charlotte flipped her hair over her shoulder and walked away with a frown on her face.

  Lillian edged around me to follow Charlotte, but Harry detained her with a gentle hand on her elbow. “Let her go, Lillian.”

  Lillian shook off his hand. “Don’t tell me what to do, Harry. That woman knows something about David Tanner.”

  Harry stepped back. “I imagine she does, since she was married to him for several years.”

  I suppressed a smile at Harry’s remark, knowing Lillian would not find it amusing.

  Lillian pointed a finger at Harry. “That is not amusing. If you’re not going to take Charlotte Tanner as a suspect seriously, I will do the investigating.”

  Harry’s face darkened. “Lillian, I am the professional here. I will find David Tanner’s murderer, but you need to stay out of it. For your own safety as well as Clarissa’s.” He looked over to me. “And you, young lady, need to stay out of this investigation as well. I have it under control.”

  I knew when Harry used that tone that it was pointless to argue. Lillian, who I thought would argue, kept her mouth shut and crossed her arms.

  Harry glanced between the two of us. “I won’t ask for the two of you to promise me that you won’t investigate, because I guess you both would be lying. But I want you both to be extremely careful and I insist that wherever you go Bruce goes as well.”

  Lillian threw her hands up in the air. “I’m not going anywhere with him.” She pointed at Bruce then stomped away.

  “I’ll talk to her,” I said to Harry. “But you would get further if you didn’t try to tell her what to do.”

  Harry rubbed a hand down his face then shook his head. “You have a good point. Just keep her safe and yourself.”

  Harry turned on his heel and passed Lillian on his way out of the theater.

  Bruce turned to me and said, “Well, where’s our next stop?”

  I smiled at him. I knew there was a reason I loved him, and that was because even though he would complain about me investigating, he would always have my back.

  Bruce stopped beside me, rubbing my shoulders with his hand. “What’s next?”

  “I think it’s time we all get together and plan out a strategy. It’s too much back and forth between all of us showing up in the same area to question the same suspects. We’re getting in each other’s way.” I tugged on Paw’s collar. “We’ll go back to my house.”

  Mark stopped in front of me. “Does that include me too?”

  Bruce scowled and opened his mouth, no doubt to protest. I spoke first. “Yes. You’re invited too.”

  Mark smirked at Bruce then sauntered out with Jac.

  Bruce frowned at me. “Why did you invite him?”

  Lillian, her arms full of Saber, said, “Because he may have information we need.” She turned her back to us and headed to the front doors of the theater.

  I winked at Bruce. “Keep your friends close and nosy reporters even closer.”

  Bruce rubbed the back of his neck. “Just so long as that nosy reporter doesn’t put information in the newspaper about our activities.”

  “That’s a chance we’re going to have to take. He’s going to keep showing up and investigating just like us.”

  Bruce grunted but followed me out of the theater.

  Chapter 10

  My neighbors must’ve wondered what all was going on as I pulled into my driveway followed by Bruce and Mark. Normally my small driveway didn’t see that much traffic unless it was for a special occasion.

  Lillian hopped out of the car as soon as I turned off the engine. She was quite spry for her age. Saber jumped out of her arms and strolled up my front walk to my front porch as though it was his home. I opened the back door of my car for Paw, who jumped down and stood for a moment staring after the cat as though to say, “You’re not really going to let him in my house?”

  Paw liked the cat in his way. Or maybe I should say he tolerated the cat but sharing his home was not on Paw’s agenda.

  Lillian stomped after the cat with Jac right behind her, leading Bitsy. Samuel strolled along by Shelbee’s side as she conversed with Bruce. Mark brought up the rear and came to stand next to Paw and me. “Is it really safe for Lillian to be investigating?”

  “Is it really safe for you to be investigating?” I shot back. Paw slapped his tail against Mark’s leg.

  Mark looked down at the dog. “Well, I don’t have a St. Bernard bodyguard, but I think I can handle myself.”

  I nodded. “Don’t assume because Lillian is old she can’t handle herself.”

  Mark raised an eyebrow at me. “But you worry about her investigating too.”

  “Yes. I do. But I also know that she’s a lot tougher than she looks.”

  Mark mumbled to himself, “She sure can sound tough and grumpy at times.”

  I ignored his comment and followed Paw up our front walk. Bruce stood on the porch with his hands on his hips, staring back at Mark and me. I hoped he wasn’t feeling jealous as he tended to do. Mark was attractive, but he was not someone I was interested in.

  Saber sat on the porch railing looking down at Bitsy who stood on her back legs sniffing the cat. Jac hurried over and picked the dog up, cuddling her in her arms as Lillian swooped in to pick up Saber.

  “Saber, was that dog bothering you?”

  Shelbee started to say, “What,” but Jac shook her head from across the porch with Bitsy.

  I handed Paw’s leash to Shelbee, saying, “Bitsy’s fine. Let it go for now.” I knew Shelbee love the little dog and resented Lillian’s accusations.

  I climbed the porch steps, used my key to open the front door, and stepped inside as everyone followed me. After closing the door, I asked, “Would anyone like something to drink?”

  Lillian settled in one of the overstuffed chairs in my living room. “Tea.”

  Mark shook his head in the negative while Bruce went into the kitchen and returned with two straight-backed chairs.

  Paw headed to the kitchen, and a moment later, I heard the slurp slurp slurp of water sloshing as he drank from his water bowl.

  Shelbee patted Samuel’s back. “Nothing for me but I’m going to take the dogs into the kitchen and get them some water too.”

  Since Shelbee and Jac were at my house frequently, they knew where all the pet supplies were kept.

  Jac brushed past me. “I’ll go fix the tea.”

  “Thanks.”

  Bruce sat in one of the straight-backed chairs and Mark took the other one. I settled on the sofa closest to Lillian leaving room for Jac and Shelbee to sit down. Paw trotted in and jumped up on the sofa to stretch out, but I shoved him off and whispered, “That’s for Jac and Shelbee.”

  Paw rolled his eyes but got down and lay across my feet, squishing my toes, which I was used to as it was one of his favorite places to sit.

  Shelbee returned with Bitsy and Samuel and took the end of the sofa farthest from Lillian, with Bitsy sitting in her lap and Samuel stretching out on the rug on his side. Jac soon returned with a tray holding teacups, the teapot, sugar, and cream. She placed the tray on the coffee table in front of us and poured a cup for Lillian. “What do you want in
it, Lillian?”

  “One lump of sugar.”

  Jac fixed her cup and handed it across to her. Lillian accepted the cup and took a tentative sip then stirred her tea to cool it.

  Mark pulled out his notebook and pen, tapping the pen against his thigh. “So, what have you learned in regard to David Tanner’s murder?”

  I shook my head. “What have you learned?”

  Lillian laughed. “There you go, newspaperman. You’re not the only one who can ask questions.”

  Mark frowned at Lillian, but he turned to me and said, “Same deal as last time?”

  Bruce raised an eyebrow, but I ignored him. I knew that Mark was referring to a previous case in which Mark and I had exchanged information, agreeing to alternate our questions for each other.

  I nodded. Mark inclined his head, indicating I should answer his question first. I debated whether I should argue the point, but then decided that I might as well go ahead and answer his questions.

  “Charlotte Tanner was at the church this afternoon. She’s not a member, but she was asking questions about Tammy Williams and the Betterment Foundation.”

  “Why?”

  “That’s two questions.” I pointed out to him. Mark twirled his hand indicating I should continue. I hesitated, but once again relented. “Our guess is that Charlotte is going to contest the will.”

  Mark raised an eyebrow. “You know what David Tanner’s will contains?”

  “Unhuh,” Lillian said. She shook her finger at Mark. “Clarissa’s turn to ask you a question. However, I’m going to be the one to ask the question this time. What do you know about Tammy Williams and her real estate business?”

  Mark stopped scribbling in his notebook and glanced between Lillian and me. “Do you suspect Tammy Williams of murdering David Tanner?”

  Lillian set her teacup down. “Answer my question first, and I will answer yours.”

  “Tammy Williams owns several properties in town,” Mark said, choosing his words carefully.

  “What else do you know about her real estate business?” I asked.