But there was no need to worry. Linda was smiling and shaking her head. "Actually, this is perfect. Rarely does an opportunity come up in a home visit where I can see how a person would react to the dog being mischievous. I can see you really care about Goldie, and you two already have a special bond. I have to say, I'm very surprised that she's so happy considering the trauma she's just been through."
My heart soared and I jumped up and took her by surprise with a hug. "Thank you. Does this mean you're approving the adoption?"
Linda reached down and scratched Goldie behind the ear, sending a puff of baby powder into the air. "Yes, I believe you'll give her the home and love she needs." She grinned. "But first, I suggest you give her a bath."
* * *
I locked the boutique door and turned the closed sign around. Heavens, it had been a long, emotional day. A knock on the glass startled me. I turned around to see a young, dark-haired woman waving. I glanced longingly at the tea before unlocking the door.
"I'm so sorry. We're closed up for the day." I hoped my tired cheeks formed a smile instead of a grimace.
Her face was tan and her eyes were glassy. "I know. I don't mean to bother you. My name is Josie Desoto... Victoria was my cousin. Eugene told me you adopted Goldie, and I was just wondering if I could see her?"
"Oh." I opened the door wider. "Sure. I'm sure she'd be happy to see a familiar face." I led her over to where Goldie was stretched out on her pillow behind the counter, her fur shining and smelling good from the bath Sylvia had given her. "I'm so sorry for your loss."
"Thanks. Hey there, sweet thing." Josie dropped to her knees, despite a tight leather skirt and sky high boots, and took Goldie's head in her hands. Goldie's tail flicked the floor and she licked Josie's hand. "Oh, you poor baby." She pressed a kiss between Goldie's eyes and rubbed her ears. "Goldie and Victoria were inseparable." She shook her head. "She looks good. Real good. You're a doll for taking care of her."
"I actually just got approval today to adopt her. She's a sweetheart. I was kind of shocked Eugene didn't want to keep her, until I saw him yesterday. I guess he's having a hard enough time taking care of himself."
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, he's not a real stable person, anyway. Goldie's better off here. He barely paid attention to Victoria, always holed up in that office writing. He'd probably forget to feed her." She ran her hand next to the shaved fur and examined the stitches. "That's gonna leave a scar. Looks like it's healing nicely though." She shook her head. "Glad Victoria can't see this. I think this scar would disqualify her from showing. She wanted Goldie here to be the first golden retriever to win the Westminster Dog Show. That's all she talked about."
Westminster? That's where Frankie said that white dog was poisoned. So, Victoria was shooting for the big win? Bigger stakes, more to lose. That makes it all the more plausible a rival would want Goldie out of the competition.
Just then Charlie came out of the back. Josie stood up as I introduced her to Charlie as Victoria's cousin.
"Nice to meet you. Like your tattoo. Looks fresh," Charlie said, admiring her forearm.
Josie twisted her arm, giving us a better view. It was a black and white sword, a skull with an eye patch and pirate hat overlaid on it and a ribbon with the word: Eternity. It did look red. "Yeah, just got this one." She adjusted her large bag on the other shoulder. "Have a few I wish I didn't but this one has meaning. It's in memory of my dad. Even if he could be a jerk, he was still my dad."
Charlie nodded and grew serious. "So sorry about your cousin. Were you two very close?"
"We were getting there. We've had our family issues plus... I've lived in Vegas for almost seven years now so we didn't see each other much anymore. I spent some time here last summer and we hung out. She was a good person, though. I always looked up to her. She took good care of my dad. We lost him recently, too. That's why I came here, for his funeral."
Well, good grief. She lost her dad and her cousin? How awful.
"I didn't realize you had lost your dad so recently, Josie. Let me fix you some hot tea." It was the only comfort I could think to give.
She planted one more kiss on Goldie's snout and then followed me over to the table. "I'm not sure what to do." She sighed. "I probably should just sell dad's house and stay in Vegas. It's where I'm me. If that makes sense." I nodded. She took the cup I offered her. "Thanks. Plus, God knows I need the money." Then she pulled a flask out of her bag and poured a generous dollop of something that smelled like whiskey into the tea. I pressed my lips together to keep my mouth from falling open. She took a swig and closed her eyes. "Mmm. That's good. Thanks."
"It's raspberry." After I spoke, I realized she probably couldn't taste the tea anyway. I glanced over at Charlie, who was straightening out a display shelf nearby and biting her lip, which meant she was trying not to laugh.
"Course, getting a fresh start in a new place would be good, too," Josie continued, glancing out the window. "Life gets so... complicated when you're in one place too long."
I sipped my tea, nodding. I had no idea what she was talking about but it seemed like she needed someone to talk to, so I listened.
"Now that dad's house is mine, I could stay. If he doesn't haunt me." She broke out into something like a laugh and then sniffed. "He didn't leave it to me, you know. The house?" She looked at me with one brow raised. "Isn't that something? He left it to Victoria, instead of his own daughter. But, jokes on him now cause it's mine anyways." She laughed again, but in a way that was painful to hear.
I blinked in surprise. Why would he leave his house to Victoria instead of his own daughter?
Josie drained half the cup and then said, "You don't believe in ghosts, do you? I mean when people die they die, right? Of course they do." She waved a hand at me and drained the rest of her cup. "Listen to me sitting here blabbering on." She looked at me and patted my hand. "You're real nice. I need to go but hey, I don't know many people here. Let's do drinks one night, all right?" She threw her oversized leather bag over her shoulder and tugged on her tight skirt.
"Sure, Josie. You know where to find me." I went to unlock the door for her.
"You take good care of Goldie now." She turned back to me. "You don't want Victoria coming back to give you hell." She snorted at her own joke and wiggled her fingers at me before making her way onto the sidewalk with a slight wobble to her walk.
I locked the door behind her and leaned against it, staring at Charlie.
"Just wow," Charlie said, shaking her head.
CHAPTER NINE
Will had a few hours free Saturday afternoon, so he picked me up and we headed to the dog show at Azalea Park. We were following up on my idea that Goldie may have been the real target. Will thought it was a solid idea, and it couldn't hurt to ask some questions. I understood that letting me tag along was a big concession on his part, and I was grateful. Usually he was telling me to mind my own business when it came to sleuthing.
My thumb played with the promise ring he had given me, twirling it around on my finger as I stared out the car window. I glanced over at him. He seemed more preoccupied than normal, biting the inside of his cheek.
"Penny for your thoughts," I said.
He threw me a soft smile and moved his hand from the steering wheel to my thigh. "I'm just a little worried about my dad. He hasn't been feeling good and is going in for some heart tests on Monday."
I placed my hand on top of his and squeezed. "I'm sure everything will be fine. Even if they find a problem, medicine really can work miracles these days." I stayed away from the word "magic".
"Yeah." He flipped his hand over and intertwined our fingers. "I'm sure you're right. Guess I feel guilty, too, because I haven't visited him in awhile."
"Can't you get some time off to go see him this week then?"
He shook his head and then shrugged. "Maybe." Steering the sedan into the park, he glanced in the back seat at Goldie stretched out with Gator between her paws. I glanced at her, too. She seemed
to have calmed down from the crazy reaction she had to the magick-infused water, thank heavens. "Let's split up. You walk Goldie around and see if anyone recognizes her and approaches you. That's all you do, understand?" I bit my lip and nodded. "Okay. I'll go ask some official questions."
Will now approved of my snooping? My eyebrows raised but I didn't say anything. I wasn't about to spoil the moment.
He parked, lingered over my mouth a bit longer than a "see you later" kiss warranted and told me he'd find me in a bit.
I grinned, all lit up inside from his touch and then tried to keep my mind on the task at hand. "Okay, focus, Darwin."
I lead Goldie into the park to the open soccer field where the AKC All-Breed dog show was rockin' under large white tents. I supposed the first thing I should do is try to find some other golden retrievers in the show. Their owners would most likely have known Victoria. If dog shows were like any other elite activity, it was a small community with lots of gossip. I just had to find the right person and ask the right questions.
As I approached the crowds, I began to feel a bit underdressed in my white cotton sweatsuit. Most of the women wore black skirts, blazers and sensible shoes with very serious expressions. A nod and a smile only got me a nod back.
After making our way past a few of the tents with no golden retrievers prancing around in the show rings, I led Goldie over to the backside of the tents, where tables had been set up and people in aprons were grooming their dogs.
Scanning the area, I finally spotted a few goldens getting their beauty treatment. I moseyed over to a teenager trimming the whiskers off a stunning golden standing on the table.
"That's a beauty of a dog you got there. How do you get her to stand so calm like that?"
The girl glanced my way and smiled down at Goldie. No recognition. She laughed before resuming her delicate procedure. "She's a diva, used to being fussed over. She loves it."
"What girl wouldn't, right?" I laughed. "So, how long have you been showing her?"
"Not long. I'm actually in the Junior Showmanship classes, so I'm the one getting judged, not Princess here." She pointed her comb over to a golden getting groomed three tables down. "Good thing cause that golden over there is Blackbeard's Bountiful Treasure. Impossible to beat right now."
Guess that would be someone I needed to talk to. "Well, good luck to you and Princess."
"Thanks."
I led Goldie over to the dog she had pointed out. "Beautiful golden," I said, standing to the side. "Is he yours?"
The lady in the apron didn't glance up from the dainty foot she was trimming invisible hairs off of. "Nope, I'm just the handler. Bo belongs to Tara Scarpetta." She lowered the dog's paw and rubbed her hand gently along his leg, finally looking up at me, pride evident in her smile. "He's a champion." Then she glanced down at Goldie, her gaze moving to the shaved area exposing her stitches. Her eyes widened. "Oh my god, is that Goldie?"
Bingo. A hit. "Yes."
She fell down in front of the dog, and took her face in her hands. "Oh, you poor thing." She kissed the space between her eyes. Goldie accepted the attention with grace and a few licks of her own. "Terrible, terrible, losing Victoria like that. I'm sure she's traumatized. Goldens are very sensitive creatures. Form strong bonds with their people." She motioned to the shaved area on her side with the stitches. "Is that from the car hitting them?"
"Yeah, doesn't seem to bother her too much. I was told it might hurt her show career, though."
"Probably would. I mean, even if it's not in the rules, some judges might not be willing to overlook such a big scar."
I nodded in understanding. So, whoever killed Victoria also probably ended Goldie's show career? That was convenient.
She sniffed as she gave Goldie one last scratch behind the ears and stood, shaking her head. "Poor thing."
"She seems to be a fighter. Getting better every day." I tried to give her thoughtful sadness the space it deserved, but after a moment of silence, I had to ask the question. "So, you knew Victoria?"
"Well, yeah, everybody on the show circuit did. Victoria and Goldie were a great team, giving Bo here a run for his money."
"I'm kind of new to this whole show world. Can I ask what kind of atmosphere these competitions have? Are they friendly rivalries?"
The woman snorted as she ran a comb through Bo's shiny fur. The dog shifted his curious gaze to me, and I noted the signature sparkle in his eyes.
"You remember high school? All the gossip, rumors, backstabbing?"
Not really. I never went to a public school, but to keep her talking I nodded.
"Well, it's like that but with more money, power, politics and teeth. And I'm not talking about the dog's teeth, either."
I crossed my arms. "That doesn't sound very friendly. So, Victoria and Bo's owner—this Tara Scarpetta—they didn't get along?"
She shook her head. "That's an understatement." She glanced around and lowered her voice. "They were always accusing each other of sabotaging the other's wins."
"How would they do that?"
"Well, you didn't hear this from me and no one could prove it, of course, but Bo got really bad diarrhea before his last show at the Boca Kennel Club and Tara swears Victoria poisoned him."
I stared at her. "That can't be true, can it? I mean, Victoria loved dogs, she wouldn't harm one."
She shrugged. "Victoria loved her dog. And winning." Then she sighed. "Tara can be a little dramatic, but I don't think she'd say something like that if she didn't believe it was true."
I glanced down at Goldie. Just how important was winning to Victoria? Important enough to make an enemy out of someone she didn't realize was dangerous? "Is Tara here today?"
"Yeah, she's around here somewhere."
I reached out and stroked Bo's soft fur. "Thanks for the help and good luck today."
She nodded and gave Goldie one last scratch before her attention was back on Bo.
I circled around the grounds looking for Will. It would probably be a better idea for him to talk to Tara officially, in case she turned out to be a suspect. I didn't want to mess anything up.
Finally spotting him talking to a couple of serious looking men in suits, I stood off to the side and waved to get his attention.
Ending his conversation with handshakes, he walked over. "What's up?"
"I found Victoria's rival. Probably be a good idea to have a chat with her if you can find her here. Apparently, she believes Victoria poisoned her dog, Bo, at a recent show."
He leaned back on his heels and smiled at me. "Good work. What's her name?"
I felt my cheeks warm at his compliment. "Tara Scarpetta."
Tara wasn't hard to find. Seemed everyone knew her. Will approached her as she was heavy in conversation with another woman, her hands on her slender hips, a scowl barely concealed behind dark glasses.
I stayed back with Goldie and watched the dogs prance around the ring in front of us. A playful collie caught my eye and made me smile. I was still close enough to listen in on Will's conversation, though. I wasn't eavesdropping, really. I was just saving him from having to repeat it over again.
He flashed his badge as he approached the women and asked to speak to Tara privately. The woman she was talking to skedaddled, seemingly relieved.
"Will you remove your glasses, please?"
I smiled to myself. Will believed people's eyes were windows to their souls. He said he liked to stare into mine because he could see right into my beautiful soul. I sighed and glanced over at them. Victoria had removed her glasses and now stood glaring at him with her arms crossed over her black blazer.
"What's this about, Detective?" Her voice held more than a hint of irritation.
It didn't seem to faze him. "I'm sure you've heard about Victoria Desoto-Roth's death?"
"Yes, of course."
"What was your relationship with her?"
Her snort of laughter was filled with spite. "We had no relationship, Detective."
&nbs
p; "Just a rivalry?"
"We were both competing in the same shows, so yes, a rivalry."
"A friendly one?"
I cut my eyes back their way and saw her move her hands to her hips.
"No. Not a particularly friendly one. What is this about?"
"What kind of car do you drive?"
She took a moment to answer. "A Mercedes."
"Color?"
More hesitation. "Black."
"Where were you last Saturday evening, around six o'clock?"
I watched as she stared into the show ring, her mouth set in a hard line. She turned back to Will. "This is starting to sound like you are accusing me of having something to do with Victoria's death. Are you?"
"Do you have something you'd like to tell me?"
She smiled then, but it wasn't a friendly smile. "If you have any more questions for me, Detective, I'd like my attorney present."
I glanced at Will. He nodded and pulled out a card from his pocket. "Call me to set up an interview this week with your attorney present then, Miss Scarpetta." He didn't say "or else" but his tone implied it nicely. "Have a good day."
He walked over to me. "I think we're done here."
I nodded and began to follow him back to the car. One last glance behind me sent a chill up my spine. Tara still stood in the spot Will left her, her arms crossed and her glare focused on Goldie.
I turned to Will. With the way Tara reacted, it couldn't hurt to ask. "You didn't happen to notice if Tara was wearing perfume, did you? Something that smelled like lilacs?"
He shook his head. "Didn't notice, sorry."
I glanced back one more time. She had her cell phone out, but was still staring at us.
CHAPTER TEN
Just before closing time on Friday, Frankie came in with a box of something trailing a lemon scent. "TGIF, gals!"
"You said it, Frankie." I collapsed in the chair and peeked in the box. Lemon tarts. Yum.
"Anything interesting today?" I asked, taking a sip of tea and smiling at Charlie as she patiently waited on a customer who was explaining he wasn't really yelling, his hearing aids were just on the fritz.
Silence Is Golden (A Pet Psychic Mystery No. 3) Page 5