“How ya doing?” Beau asked Catt.
“I’ve been better.” She sipped her wine.
“Did you hear back from the grooming customers?” He turned the kabobs over on the grill and finished his beer.
“No. I don’t understand it. I called each of them individually and offered a discount on their first grooming service, but no one responded. I even updated our website with discounts and announced it on social media. They either think I murdered Trey, or they don’t want to be associated with the negative publicity.”
Beau grabbed another beer and popped the top. He sat in the chair next to Catt. “How about finding new customers?”
“What do you mean?”
“Since the existing ones aren’t interested, look for new ones.”
“I don’t think that will happen until my name is cleared.”
“But you said yourself, you have to do something now. Reach out to neighbors and clients who are sticking with you.” Beau got up and opened the grill cover to check the shish kabobs.
Catt thought for a few minutes. “Okay. I’ll try it. But first I have a question for you.”
“What’s that?”
“Since you and Trey were close friends, Em thinks you may know the woman and man in the video. Plus, if you heard something the day of the murder.”
“Look. I don’t know what everyone’s problem is, but I called the detective and told him I don’t know anything.” He paused. “But I did remember something.”
“What’s that?”
“Trey had someone helping him with administrative work.”
“Who?”
“Trey mentioned he had hired someone to help him for a few weeks. Maybe she knew his schedule or something about his clients.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that before?” Catt asked.
“It didn’t seem like it had anything to do with his murder.”
Catt frowned. “Any information at this point might help.”
Beau grabbed a plate and placed the kabobs on it. The dogs moved by his side, sniffing the aroma.
Catt needed to find out who the woman and man were on the video and find new customers for the grooming business.
CHAPTER SEVEN
It had been a week since Trey had been found in the bath bin of the Woof-Pack Dog Walkers. It was also the day of his funeral.
Catt was nervous about attending the service, since Beau had told her that Trey’s sister Bella had questions about why Trey had been killed at her business.
Catt followed Beau into the funeral home. As she signed the guest book, Beau spotted Bella at the right side of the lobby. He walked over to talk to her. From the expression on the woman’s face, Catt sensed she was not welcome to join the conversation. She headed into the chapel and took a seat in the back row. A few minutes later Beau slipped in beside her.
“Why did you leave the lobby? I thought we were in this together,” Beau said.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to interrupt you,” she lied.
“I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
The seats began to fill up.
Catt overheard several people reminiscing about Trey. He was a lifelong resident of Virginia Beach with many friends.
Bella approached the end of the pew where Catt and Beau sat.
The woman stared sternly at Catt, then shifted her eyes toward Beau.
Catt took a deep breath and sat quietly, hoping to avoid confrontation.
“So, this is the woman who owns the dog walking business?” Bella asked.
Beau introduced them.
“This is Catt Ramsey. Catt, this is Bella, Trey’s sister.”
Catt nodded. “My condolences to you and your family.”
Bella folded her arms. “How did my brother end up dead in your bathtub?”
Catt’s eyes widened. “I’m sorry I don’t know.”
“Well, you should know. It’s your place of business.” Her voice raised an octave higher.
“I really don’t know. But the police are investigating.”
“Yes. And you’re their prime suspect.”
“I didn’t kill him,” Catt said.
“The police think otherwise.”
“I don’t know why.” Catt paused. “But I am curious about something?”
“What’s that?”
“Do you know the name of Trey’s new employee and if she was a blond woman?”
Bella placed her hands on her hips. “You’ve got a hell of a nerve questioning me about my brother’s business and his employee.”
The funeral director instructed everyone to take their seat.
Someone touched Bella’s arm and escorted her to the front row to sit with the rest of the family.
“I shouldn’t have come,” Catt whispered to Beau.
He patted her leg. “It’s okay.”
Catt viewed the guests as they solemnly headed to their seats. She wondered if the killer was one of them.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Two days later, Catt sat at her desk contacting potential clients for the dog grooming service. She hoped the new approach would work.
The screen door swung open. A woman entered. “Remember me? Bella. Trey’s sister.”
Surprised to see the woman, Catt titled her head to the side. “Yes, of course.”
“Listen. I realize we didn’t get off on the right foot the other day. Can we talk?”
Catt waved her hand toward the chair in front of her desk. “Have a seat. What can I do for you?”
“Um, during Trey’s funeral...” She grabbed a tissue from her purse and dabbed her eyes. “Sorry. It’s been difficult with my brother’s passing.”
Catt grabbed a bottled water from the fridge and placed it on the desk in front of Bella.
“Thank you.” She twisted the top and took a sip.
“I’m sorry about your brother,” Catt said. “I only knew him for a short while when he remodeled my office. But he was a wonderful person and carpenter.”
Bella starred at Catt with a long, uncomfortable stare.
Catt lowered her head.
“Trey loved building things. As a teenager, he helped our dad build a shed in the backyard. Then they remodeled the kitchen and living room, knocking out walls and such.” She smiled.
“Sounds like good memories and the start of his career,” Catt said.
“Yes. That’s how he became a handyman and then a contractor to build and remodel homes.”
“That must be why he and Beau have been friends for so long?” Catt asked.
“Yes. They both love carpentry work.”
Bella cleared her throat. “You asked about the blond with Trey before he died.”
“Pardon me?” Catt asked.
“At the funeral. You asked about a blond woman.”
Catt nodded.
“Her name is Catrina Murray. Trey hired her as his assistant a few weeks back.”
Catt accessed the video surveillance on her phone. She turned the phone toward Bella. “Is this Catrina?”
Bella put on her glasses and inched forward in her chair. “Yes. That’s her.”
“Do you know how I can contact her?”
“She moved to the Eastern Shore.”
The Eastern Shore of Virginia was a peninsula of land accessed from Virginia Beach via the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, a thirty-mile trek and a seventeen-dollar toll. “Why did she take the job in the first place if she knew she’d be moving?” Catt asked.
“Trey needed her help with administrative tasks since his business was growing. Maybe she did virtual work. I don’t know the details.”
“I see.”
“I told the detective this already.”
“Detective Harding?”
“Yes. He showed me the video last week.”
Catt realized the detective did not owe her any explanation as he had told her prior, but it would have been nice to have known about Catrina’s identity so she would not have to worry so much. “D
id either you or the detective talk to Catrina?”
“Yes, the detective did. He told me about their conversation.”
“Did she say what happened when they came here?”
She sniffed. “That was her last day at work. She said Trey had left a tool in your office earlier that morning, so she met him there to say goodbye and pick up her paycheck. That’s when he noticed a loose bolt on the shelf, so he stayed to fix it. Catrina said a few minutes later a man entered the office that Trey knew.”
“Did she mention his name?”
“No. Catrina never heard the man’s name. She said as he and Trey talked about the office remodel, she got her check, said goodbye, and headed straight for the Eastern Shore.”
Catt accessed the video again. “Do you recognize this man?”
Bella shook her head. “The detective showed this as well.”
“So, Catrina didn’t know anything about the murder?”
“No. The detective couldn’t hold her on any charges since they didn’t have any evidence. And she doesn’t have a criminal record.”
“Do you believe her?” Catt asked.
“I don’t know what to think, but everything checks out with her.”
Catt leaned back in her chair. “So, what do you want with me?”
“I want to hire you to find my brother’s killer. I’ve heard you have experience in solving murders.”
Catt’s eyebrows knitted together. “I run a dog walking service not a doggie detective agency. Plus, the police are investigating it.”
Bella waved her hand in the air. “Harding’s investigation skills are not worth two cents. But I have it on good authority that you’ve solved a few murders over the years.”
“That’s true. But it was to clear my name since I was a suspect in them.”
“And you are in this one as well.” Bella reached into her purse and pulled out an envelope. She sat the envelope on the desk and slid it toward Catt. “It contains a hefty fee. Cash that can’t be traced.”
Catt stared at Bella. “I can’t accept your offer. It’s illegal.”
“I’m also aware that your business is struggling with all the negative publicity.”
“I’m struggling, so what? That doesn’t mean I would jeopardize my business even further by accepting money to find the killer.”
Bella folded her arms. “It would solve your financial problems.”
CHAPTER NINE
Catt checked email to see if she had any responses from the potential clients. There were none. She had put Lexi on dog walking duty until the grooming service picked up. That freed up Catt to focus on the business of saving her business. She sat back in her office chair. Her mind raced to Bella’s request to find her brother’s killer. Since Catt had agreed to investigate with no promises, she needed to find Trey’s killer. She grabbed her phone and texted Em to help her solve the case.
A short while later, Cagney and Lacey barked as Em rushed through the screen door. She was dressed in all black, her official sleuthing attire. She sat on the corner of Catt’s desk. “I’m ready to start the investigation.” She rubbed her hands together. “Whatcha’ got?”
Catt smiled. Em did love a good murder investigation.
“As I said in my text, Trey’s sister Bella paid me a visit and wants me to find out who killed her brother.” Catt reached into her desk drawer and pulled out the envelope. She set it on the desk.
“What’s that?” Em asked.
“Five thousand dollars for finding Trey’s killer. It’s untraceable cash.”
“You’ve got to be kidding. Are you keeping it?” Em’s eyes widened.
“I don’t know yet.” Catt slipped the envelope back in the drawer and locked it. She went on to explain about Catrina Murray and the unknown man in the video.
“So, Catrina didn’t know anything about the murder?”
“Nope.”
“Does Bella believe her?”
“Obviously not, since she wants me to talk to her.”
Em rubbed her forehead. “Oh brother. What about the man? Does she know who he is?”
Catt shook her head.
“So, what do we do now?”
“I say we head to the Eastern Shore. Find out if there is anything she’d seen or heard while working for Trey, or anything about the man.”
“Sounds like a wild goose chase.”
“It won’t be our first. Plus, we need to do it for Trey and Bella.”
“Okay. I’ll pack my bags,” Em said. “You know.” She put her finger to her lip. “Jonathan Ray is on the Eastern Shore, metal detecting.”
“Oh really. Why aren’t you with him?”
“I wanted to stay here and support you through all of this.”
Catt mouthed thank you.
“We can stay with Jonathan Ray.”
“Sounds like a plan. I’ll text Darcey, Stacey, and Lexi to take over the dog walking schedule while we’re gone.”
“Great. I’ll see you in the morning,” Em said.
“I hope we don’t regret this,” Catt said.
CHAPTER TEN
After steering her black SUV across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, Catt entered the quaint town of Cape Charles. Em rode shotgun. Cagney and Lacey slept in the back seat.
“Pull into the parking lot on Mason Street.” Em pointed toward the main lot in the heart of Cape Charles. “Jonathan Ray’s truck is to the left.”
Catt entered the lot and parked next to the black Ford F-150.
She viewed the three-story Victorian homes located on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. They reminded Catt of her grandmother’s house in Virginia Beach, which had been torn down by the city after her death to make room for progress. Catt wished her family still owned the home with secret hiding places and a spooky basement that had been a part of her and Em’s childhood. She made a mental note to stop by the ice cream shop to get treats for the dogs.
“He’s down on Cape Charles beach metal detecting,” Em said.
“I’m going to let them take a potty break.” Catt slipped out of the driver’s seat and leashed the dogs. She took them to a grassy area.
Em walked to the beach to see Jonathan Ray. A few minutes later they returned to Catt’s vehicle.
“Any luck finding relics?” Catt asked Jonathan Ray.
“I found a diamond ring and a silver bracelet.” Jonathan Ray held up the items.
“Wow. Hopefully, they’re worth something,” Catt suggested.
“I found an 1899 Indian Head Penny and an 1830 flat button in a cotton field earlier this week with other relic and coin hunters.”
“Good job, honey.” Em kissed Jonathan Ray.
“So, another case, huh?” Jonathan Ray unlocked his truck and put the items in a wooden box. He set the metal detector on the floor of the backseat and covered it with an industrial moving blanket.
“Yep. We have to find a Catrina Murray,” Em said.
“It shouldn’t be hard to find her. I’d say start with the ice cream shop and coffee house. Everyone in Cape Charles goes there,” Jonathan Ray suggested.
The group walked toward the shops, Cagney and Lacey in tow.
“We’ll head into the stores to see if she’s in any of them,” Em said.
“You have the video of what she looks like?” Catt said.
“Got it right here.” She held up her phone. “Shouldn’t be hard to spot her with the blond hair and all.”
“If you go into the ice cream shop, can you pick up some dog treats?” Catt asked Em.
“Sure thing.”
“I’ll sit on the outdoor bench with the dogs.” Catt sat down and watched locals and tourists stroll the sidewalk and local shops. Some sauntered along while licking ice cream cones, others held shopping bags filled with special “finds” from the Eastern Shore, and some walked their dogs.
Catt’s phone alerted her to a text from Em. CATRINA IS CHECKING OUT AT THE REGISTER AT THE ICE CREAM SHOP. WE’LL FOLLOW HER OUT. LOOK FOR
HER AS SHE EXITS.
Catt kept her eye on the store entrance. A few minutes later, Catrina Murray exited the shop. She strode along the sidewalk, passing by Catt and the dogs. Em and Jonathan Ray trailed behind her. Em slipped Catt the bag of dog treats as they passed her on the bench. Catt reached into the bag and gave two treats to the dogs. She and the dogs got up from the bench and followed Em and Jonathan Ray.
Catrina stepped into a local shop. Ten minutes later she exited with shopping bags in hand. She crossed the main road and made her way to the parking lot. The same lot where Catt had parked her vehicle.
Em, Jonathan Ray, Catt and the pups followed behind her.
Catrina opened the passenger’s door on the driver’s side and set her bags on the back seat. As she shut the door, the group approached her.
“Catrina Murray?” Catt asked her.
The woman’s eyebrows knitted together. “Yes.”
“Are you a friend of Trey Duncan?”
“Who are you?” She stepped back toward her vehicle and gripped the door handle.
“I’m Catt Ramsey. This is my sister Em Ramsey and her boyfriend Jonathan Ray. I own the Woof-Pack Dog Walkers in Virginia Beach.”
“Look here. I didn’t kill Trey. I already told the detective.” She opened the driver’s door.
“I know. But we have a few questions for you. We don’t want to scare you, just talk to you. It’s important to Trey’s family.”
The woman took a deep breath. “Okay. But not here. Follow me to my house. It’s around the corner.”
Catt wasn’t sure if Catrina would try and make a run for it, but she had to take a chance. “Okay. We’ll follow you.”
After a few minutes, the group entered the small cottage two blocks from the downtown area. “Please excuse the mess. I’m still unpacking,” Catrina said. Boxes lined the wall of the living room. “Have a seat.” She waved her hand toward a blue sofa and a chair. “What can I help you with?”
“For starters, thanks for talking to us,” Catt said. She leaned forward. “I know this is difficult. But what we want to know is do you remember anything suspicious about the day you met Trey at my office when he retrieved his tool?”
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