To Fetch a Killer

by Maria Hudgins

  The detective shook his head. “And the dog groomer, Lexi Stallings, didn’t go in the back after lunch?”

  “No. She stayed up front with me, making copies of the brochures and placing doggie bags on the counter. I gave an overview of the business to the first group of customers, and Lexi escorted them to the grooming area. That’s when we found Trey.”

  “And how did your dog...” he paused and looked at his notebook “...Cagney, get blood on her leash?”

  “I have no clue, unless she wandered into the back and jumped into the bin.”

  “Uh-huh. Tell me. Do you have surveillance video on your property?” the detective asked.

  Before Catt could respond, Em spoke up. “Yes, last year, my boyfriend Jonathan Ray added cameras along the property. I was the previous owner.”

  The detective turned and pointed his pen toward Catt. “Can you get me the video from the last week through today?”

  “Uh...she’s technologically challenged. I can pull it,” Em offered.

  Catt frowned.

  He handed her his card. “Email it to this address.” He closed his notebook. “That’s all the questions I have for now. I need you to stay close by in case I have further questions,” he said to Catt.

  “Am I a suspect?” Catt’s body shook.

  “Look. Right now, I must cover all bases. Since it’s your property, I might have additional questions.”

  Emma put her arm around Catt.

  Catt didn’t think she had any tears left, but she was wrong.

  _____________

  That evening after the police towed Trey’s truck off the street as evidence, Catt, Beau, Em, and Jonathan Ray sat on Catt’s back patio drinking cocktails and grilling steaks. They were all devastated about Trey’s death.

  “You know. There’s something I don’t understand.” Beau grabbed a beer from the cooler and popped the top. He sat in a patio chair next to Catt.

  “What’s that?” Catt asked.

  “How the hell did Trey end up dead in the bath bin?”

  Catt shrugged. “That’s the million-dollar question.” She sipped rosé from her wine glass.

  “What I don’t get is why didn’t Lexi, or anyone else for that matter, go to the grooming area after lunch?” He sipped his beer.

  “Because everything was stocked and in place,” Catt said. “Plus, Lexi helped with the brochures and doggie bags after lunch. I already explained all of this.”

  Em lifted the wine bottle from the patio table and refilled hers and Catt’s glasses.

  “Maybe it was a diversion from Lexi, so everyone would discover the body together,” Beau offered.

  “A diversion? What do you mean?” Catt asked.

  Beau got up and flipped the steaks on the grill.

  “Lexi did leave the property pretty quickly after the detective interviewed her,” Jonathan Ray added.

  “True,” Beau said. “You know...” He paused. “I just remembered something. Lexi placed the grooming shears by the bath bin this morning when Trey and I were showing you what we completed.”

  “Are you saying that Lexi killed Trey?” Catt asked.

  “I don’t know. But I find it odd that she did that and then later he was killed with them.” Beau closed the grill cover.

  “Not to change the subject, but was Trey married?” Em asked.

  Beau shook his head. “He has a sister, Bella, in Virginia Beach.” Beau’s eyes filled with tears. “We’d been best friends since we were kids. He worked hard to make something of himself.”

  “I’m really sorry, Beau,” Em said.

  “Yeah, me too,” Jonathan Ray added.

  After a long pause, Catt pressed her finger to her lips. “Tell me. Did Trey know Lexi?” she asked Beau.

  “Not that I know of.” He opened the grill and smoke wafted into the air.

  “Beau, didn’t you leave when Trey left the office this morning? I recall you walking out together,” Em said.

  “Uh yeah. But I had work to do on the shed, and he got in his truck and headed to his next job.”

  “Did he mention why he had to come back to the grooming area?” Em continued quizzing.

  Beau shook his head.

  “His truck was parked on the front street. You didn’t notice it when you were working?” Em asked Beau.

  “No. He usually parked it in the driveway during the remodel. Maybe because there were cars already in the drive, since y’all were getting ready for the event.”

  “Catt,” Em said, “You said earlier today that Trey was on the boardwalk talking to Darcey and Stacey.”

  “Yes. Stacey said his next job was at The Cafe after he left this morning. Why?”

  “I’m curious if Darcey and Stacey noticed anything suspicious,” Em said.

  “Don’t know. But I’m hoping once you pull the surveillance video, we’ll find out who killed him.”

  Cagney approached Catt. “Hi girl.” She petted the dog. “I sure wish you could tell us what happened and how you got blood on your leash.”

  CHAPTER THREE

  On Sunday morning, Catt rolled out of bed and turned on the television. The morning news anchor reported the murder of Trey Duncan at the Woof-Pack Dog Walkers, mentioning Catt had been interviewed by the police. “Oh. My. God! I wasn’t the only one interviewed by the police. There were others too!”

  Beau rolled over in bed. He coughed. “What’s wrong?” His morning voice was husky.

  “They think I killed Trey.”

  Beau sat up in bed and listened to the broadcast. “They don’t think you murdered him. They only said you were interviewed.”

  “Same thing. It puts suspicion in people’s minds and that can affect my business. Plus, I’m just getting over the murder of my next-door neighbor.” Catt referred to the murder of Richard Boykins last year. She rubbed her forehead, as if that could erase the memory of the horrible few days.

  “It’ll be okay.” Beau touched her arm.

  She grabbed her phone and viewed the dog walking schedule. She scrolled further down. Oh, no! All of her clients had canceled their grooming appointments for the entire month. She let out a heavy sigh.

  “Is everything okay?” Beau asked.

  “All the grooming appointments were canceled,” she frowned.

  “It’s okay. We’ll figure this out,” Beau offered.

  A short while later, Catt jumped on the treadmill and began her morning workout, followed by a quick shower. With Cagney and Lacey in hand, they headed to The Loft for their dog walking appointments.

  Pete, the security guard, waved her down as she entered the building. “Hey. I’m sorry to hear about your trouble with the murder. I caught it on the news this morning.”

  “Oh, thanks. It’s been a lot to deal with.” Catt held Cagney and Lacey by their leashes.

  “Do they have any suspects?” Pete asked curiously.

  “Besides me?” she said.

  “Yeah. I heard that as well. But hang in there. I’m sure they will find out who did it. Oh, by the way, the elevator is working again.”

  “Good to know. Well, thanks again.” She waved goodbye to Pete and made her way to Brock’s apartment.

  Catt was happy that her dog walking clients had stuck with her. She should contact the dog grooming clients to ask why they had canceled their appointments. After walking Grayson, they picked up the next customers Luke and Lena, two mixed German Shepherds. They walked to the King Neptune statue on 31st Street. Catt tugged the dog’s leashes to stop. She grabbed the buzzing phone from her pocket and read a text from Lexi. ALL THE GROOMING APPOINTMENTS ON THE SCHEDULE ARE CANCELED FOR THE NEXT MONTH. I HOPE THINGS WILL GET BACK ON TRACK SOON SINCE I REALLY NEED MY JOB.

  Catt texted back. HANG IN THERE. I’LL WORK IT OUT.

  Em approached Catt, escorting three poodles who belonged to a client in the Shore Side building. “You look like crap.”

  The dogs sniffed each other.

  “Oh, Em.” She explained about the
cancellations and Lexi’s text.

  “It’ll be okay. We’ve been through this before.”

  “I know. But with the expansion of the business and more employees, my overhead is different now. I’m worried, Em.”

  Em hugged Catt. “I’m here for you, sis.”

  “I’m glad you’re my sister.” Catt wiped a tear from her cheek and then reached down and petted the dogs. “Who’s who?”

  “Baily and Bonnie are sporting the pink bows. Beau’s wearing the blue bow,” Em said.

  “Hello cuties. Funny, his name is Beau.”

  “I know,” Em said. “And speaking of Beau. How’s everything going with y’all?”

  “So far, so good. He’s been helpful around the house and property and building the shed. It lets me focus on the business. Especially now.”

  “Nice to have a handyman around. And at least we got the extra clients from Shore Side,” Em pointed out.

  “Yeah. I appreciate everything you, Darcey, and Stacey are doing to help right now. How do you like living there anyway?”

  “Love it. I still can’t believe I’m living in a condo with an amazing ocean view and all the great restaurants nearby. And it’s only three blocks from your place. Plus, it’s a great location for metal detecting.”

  The dogs barked at other dogs on the boardwalk.

  “I’m happy for you, Em. It’s a beautiful building and location.” Catt paused. “By the way. I’m sorry your trip to the Eastern Shore was canceled because of the murder.”

  “It’s okay. Jonathan Ray plans to go before long and hopefully I can join him.”

  The dogs jumped up and down.

  “Oh, before I forget. I sent the detective the surveillance footage,” Em said.

  “Is there anything suspicious?” Catt asked.

  “Trey came back to the office around eleven. A blond woman was with him.”

  “Who is she?”

  “I don’t know. But after she and Trey walked up the stairs, a few minutes later a man came up behind them.”

  “Who?”

  “Don’t know that either. He wore a baseball cap that covered most of his face.”

  “Maybe the woman and man were his assistant and helper?”

  Em shrugged. “I’m hoping Beau might know.”

  “Why Beau?”

  “A couple of reasons. Beau was working in the yard when it happened. Plus, he and Trey are...I mean were friends. He might recognize the woman and the man.”

  “Then what happened?”

  “About ten minutes later the blond walked down the stairs alone, got into her car which was parked on the street, and drove off. The man in the ballcap left after that.”

  “That’s creepy.” Catt frowned.

  “And scary,” Em said.

  “Oh...while I’m thinking about it. Can you add the surveillance app to my phone? I would feel better having access so I can see the property,” Catt said.

  Em extended her hand. Catt handed her the phone.

  A few minutes later Em gave it back to her. “Here you go. Now you can see the house, property, garage, stairs, driveway, and some street angles.”

  “Great. In the meantime, send me the video. I’ll ask Beau about it,” Catt said.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  On Monday morning, Catt sat at her desk updating the Woof-Pack Dog Walkers website with promotional offers for the grooming services. She posted announcements to all of her social media platforms, hoping to bring in customers to help the business. After that was finished, she worked on payroll. Funds were slim from the recent office renovation and no revenue coming in for the new grooming services. Cagney and Lacey laid quietly in their beds. It had been two days since the murder. A noise outside caught her attention. She walked to the bay window. Beau was hammering on the shed. She poured a cup of coffee and sat back down. She viewed the dog walking schedule. Everything was on track with the dog walkers. The grooming service, not so much.

  The screen door swung open. Detective Harding entered carrying a briefcase. “Morning.”

  Catt faced the detective. “What can I do for you?”

  “I have additional questions. Mind if I take a seat?” He pointed toward the chair in front of Catt’s desk.

  Catt nodded. “Care for a cup of Joe?” She tried not to appear nervous.

  He raised his hand. “No thanks. I’m off the stuff.” He cleared his throat and pulled a notebook from his pocket. “Something is still puzzling me.”

  Catt’s eyebrows knitted together.

  “I’m trying to understand why you and the dog groomer, Lexi Stallings, didn’t check the grooming area after you arrived back during lunch?”

  Catt ran her hand through her hair. “As I already explained, I was getting things ready for the grand reopening before the guests arrived. Lexi helped me. Plus, we had everything stocked in the back that morning. Didn’t you interview Lexi?” She sipped her coffee.

  “Yes. She confirmed the same thing. What bothers me is there was a dead man in a bathtub just a few feet away, yet no one knew he was there.”

  “It does sound extraordinary when you say it like that. But that’s how it happened.”

  He reached for his briefcase and pulled out a laptop. He turned it on. “Recognize the person in this video?” He turned it toward Catt.

  Catt leaned forward and viewed the screen. Trey walked up the outdoor stairs with an attractive blond woman following behind him. Catt took a deep breath. It was eerie to know what lay ahead. “No. Who is she?”

  “I’m checking with Trey’s family to see if they can identify her.” He turned the laptop toward himself, clicked a few keys, and turned the screen back toward Catt.

  “How about this man. Recognize him?”

  A man climbed the stairs with a cap lowered over his face, just as Em had said. Catt looked closer. He seemed familiar but she couldn’t place him. “No. Who is he?”

  “I don’t know. But the woman drove up in a mid-sized black SUV and parked next to Trey’s truck on the street. The video angle caught that. The man was on foot. I’m running her plates now and checking with Trey’s family to see if they know either of them.”

  “Does this mean one of them was the killer?”

  The detective shook his head. “One thing I’ve learned from investigating homicides is never judge a book by its cover.” He turned off the laptop and placed it back in the case.

  “So, they are not the killers?”

  “Right now, both are persons of interest.”

  “Like me?”

  He nodded. “By the way. I need to talk to Beau Whitaker. Is he around?”

  “He’s in the backyard,” Catt said.

  The detective shook his head. “He’s not there. I checked before I came up the stairs.”

  “He was just there.” Catt walked to the window but didn’t see him in the yard. “He must have run an errand. Why do you need to talk to Beau?” She accessed her phone and checked the surveillance app. Beau was not on the property.

  “While I’m not in the habit of discussing with you or anyone else why I am questioning someone in a murder investigation, I need to ask him again if he remembers seeing or hearing anything suspicious when Trey came back onsite, since Beau was working on the shed.” He paused. “Have him call me. You have my number.”

  Catt nodded.

  “One more thing. I need to remove the crime scene tape. We’ve collected all of our evidence.”

  Catt waved her hand toward the grooming area. “Be my guest.”

  He pulled down the tape and tossed it in the trash. “That’s all I have for now. Don’t—”

  Before he could finish Catt interrupted him. “I know. Don’t leave the area.” Oh brother.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  That afternoon, Catt sent Em a text reminding her about the video. Even though Catt had seen it from the detective, she wanted a copy for herself.

  Thirty minutes later Beau entered the office. “I need some water.” He walked to
the fridge and grabbed a bottle. He twisted the top and guzzled it. “Ahh, that’s good.” He faced Catt. “What’s wrong?”

  She didn’t respond.

  “Is everything okay?”

  “The detective was here earlier.”

  “He was here?”

  “You didn’t see him?”

  Beau removed his hat and scratched his head. “No. Must have been when I left to pick up supplies for the shed. But honestly, I never see anyone when they pull up in the drive since I’m in the back working, unless the dogs bark.” He paused. “Come to think of it, Duke did bark, but I never saw any cars in the drive, except mine, yours and Em’s.”

  “The detective showed me the surveillance video.” She explained about the woman and the man in the video and about Trey and the woman’s cars parked on the street.

  Catt’s phone alerted her she had a message. The video from Em. Catt clicked the video and turned it toward Beau.

  “Do you recognize this woman and man?”

  Beau viewed it. “Uh...no.”

  “Are you sure?” Catt asked.

  Beau frowned. “I’m sure. Why?”

  “Since you and Trey were friends, I was hoping you might recognize them.”

  He drank more water. “What did the detective say about the video?”

  “He’s investigating it. But he wants you to call him to see if you remember seeing or hearing anything suspicious when Trey came back to the property.”

  “I already told him I don’t know anything.”

  “Give him a call and hopefully he’ll get the message.” Catt grabbed her phone. “I just texted you his number.”

  Beau threw the bottle in the recycle bin. “I have to get back to work.”

  Catt’s mouth twisted, and she chewed on her bottom lip. Was Beau hiding something? She needed to find out if he was telling the truth.

  CHAPTER SIX

  That evening, Beau cooked chicken shish kabobs on the grill while Catt sat on the patio drinking a glass of rosé. Cagney, Lacey, and Duke sat close by.