To Fetch a Killer

by Maria Hudgins

  “Like I told the detective, there was nothing unusual when we entered the office.”

  “How about the man that entered the office after you?” Catt said.

  “I didn’t know him. But Trey recognized him, and they talked casually about your office renovation.”

  “Did you catch the man’s name?”

  “No. Trey never said his name. After he gave me my check, I said goodbye and left.”

  Catt accessed the video on her phone and showed it to Catrina. “Is this the man?”

  “Uh, yeah.”

  “Do you remember if any clients said or did anything unusual while you worked for Trey?” Catt leaned back in the armchair.

  The woman raised her index finger. “I forgot about this. But Trey got a phone call on his phone that there was an issue with a shelf he had worked on. I can’t believe I forgot that.”

  “Was it someone from the Woof-Pack Dog Walkers?” Em asked.

  “I have no idea. But Trey noticed a loose bolt on a shelf in your renovated grooming area, and he stayed to fix it.”

  “Does Trey have any enemies?” Catt asked.

  “Not that I know of.”

  “Why did you park on the street by my house?”

  “Uh...I saw Trey’s truck there, so I parked next to it. Plus, when I walked up the driveway there were cars in it. Why?”

  “Just curious since Trey usually parked in the driveway.” Catt glanced around the room.

  “How did you know Trey?”

  “Through a mutual friend.”

  “What type of work did you do for him?”

  “Proposals, contracts, and estimates. But I was only there for a couple of weeks.”

  “We appreciate you letting us stop by.” Catt stood and handed Catrina a business card. “Call me if you think of anything else.” Catt nodded toward Em and Jonathan Ray that it was time to leave.

  Catrina escorted the group to the door.

  “By the way. Who was the mutual friend that introduced you to Trey?” Catt asked.

  “Beau Whitaker.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  That evening, Catt, Em, Jonathan Ray and the pups sat in colorful Adirondack beach chairs on the back deck of the cottage Jonathan Ray had rented. Catt had decided to stay the night. It felt good to get away from the shadow of murder that followed her around Virginia Beach.

  “Glass of wine?” Em stood by Catt holding a glass of rosé.

  “Sure.” Catt grabbed the glass. “Thanks, sis.”

  Jonathan Ray cooked burgers on the grill.

  Em sat in her chair and sipped her wine. “Interesting piece of information that Catrina gave you. About Beau, I mean. Especially since he said he didn’t know her. Have you talked to him about it?”

  Catt sipped her wine then set it on the table by her chair. She took a deep breath. “No.”

  “You’re going to ask him about it?” Em stressed.

  “Of course. I’m waiting until we get back. I would rather talk to him in person.”

  “To see if he’s lying or not?”

  Catt sighed.

  “Burgers are ready,” Jonathan Ray interrupted.

  “There is one thing,” Catt said.

  “What’s that?” Em asked.

  “I texted Bella. She has access to Trey’s phone records since she’s on the account. She’s checking to see who called him prior to his death since the police still have his phone.”

  “You think they might be the killer?” Em asked.

  “I’m not sure. But I hope it’s a lead.”

  “I hope so,” Em said.

  “Let’s forget about murder for a while and eat dinner,” Jonathan Ray suggested.

  _____________

  Catt awoke early the next morning. She had planned to leave the Eastern Shore at seven to head home and talk to Beau. But Jonathan Ray and Em had left for a quick metal detecting trip this morning, which would delay resolving why Beau had lied to her.

  Since they would not be back until ten-thirty, Catt used the extra time to eat a good breakfast and check the schedule to make sure things were on track. After that, Catt accessed the surveillance app. Beau was in the backyard working on the shed. He’d made a lot of progress. It was almost done. Everything else appeared quiet on the property.

  She leashed Cagney and Lacey and took them for a walk along the mile-long beach. Her phone alerted her to an incoming text. She stopped walking the dogs and read the text from Bella. The number that had called her brother was unlisted. Great. Dead end. But who had called Trey to come to the Woof-Pack Dog Walkers?

  Catt glanced at her watch. The morning had flown by. Jonathan Ray and Em should be back soon. She tugged at Cagney and Lacey’s leashes and steered them back to the cottage to put her bags in the truck and head home.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  How did everything go?” Beau asked Catt as she and the pups pulled into the driveway. “I didn’t hear much from you while you were gone.” He opened the back door and pulled the bags out of the SUV.

  “Pretty good. We found the blond.” Catt shut her car door then let the pups out. They hightailed it to the backyard to take a long-awaited potty break.

  “Oh really?” Beau’s eyes darted away from Catt.

  She looked at Beau. Nervous to respond to his question. “Actually, the woman’s name is Catrina Murray. Said you referred her to Trey. Is that true?”

  Beau bit his lip. “Look. I’m sorry I lied to you. There’s a history with Catrina and me, and I didn’t know how you would react. Plus, you must remember that I am a convict, and it always makes me the prime suspect which is why the detective wanted to continue questioning me.”

  Beau referred to his time spent in prison after driving a getaway car during a robbery. Catt had hired him after he responded to the handyman ad she’d posted to a job site. His references stated that he was rehabilitated and needed a job. Catt gave him a second chance.

  She slipped her purse onto her shoulder. “You made it worse by lying.”

  “I don’t want to do anything to mess up our relationship. It’s important to me. You’re important to me.” He moved closer and kissed her lips.

  Catt continued her questioning. “I have to know. What type of relationship?”

  Beau let out a sigh. “We dated for about two years before I went to prison.”

  “Is that why you broke up?”

  “Yeah.” Beau lowered his head.

  “So, it wasn’t resolved?” Catt asked.

  “No. I mean yes. She moved on, and so did I. Trust me.”

  I did. Once. “How did it come about that you referred her to Trey?”

  “By accident. He had posted the job to an online employment site and was scrolling through the applicant’s responses one night while we were having a beer. He showed me her photo and asked if we were on good terms since we hadn’t spoken since my arrest.”

  “So, he knew Catrina?”

  “Yes. Since Trey and I were friends, he knew Catrina from when I dated her.”

  “Did Trey’s sister Bella know her?”

  “I don’t think they ever met.”

  “Go on.” Catt folded her arms.

  “I told him I’m not on good or bad terms with her since it’s really no terms. But that I would still recommend her for the job.”

  “Oh really?”

  “It’s not what you think. It’s because she has good administrative skills.”

  “I see.” Catt changed the subject. “How has everything been here?”

  “Great. I trimmed the bushes on the property and mowed the grass while I was waiting to pick up additional materials for the shed. I also fixed a couple of broken boards on the house. And other things around the property.”

  “You’ve been busy.”

  “Want to take a look at the shed?”

  They walked toward the back of the property.

  Catt was amazed at the barn-like building structure as Beau explained the details. He was proud of his carp
entry work and Catt was proud of him, despite his lying to her.

  “I love it. Thank you so much.” Catt smiled.

  “It’s nice to see you smile again.” Beau rubbed her arm.

  Catt took a deep breath. “Once this is all done, I need to finish unboxing things and decorate the house. It was top on my list, until the murder happened,” Catt said.

  “I know. Maybe once this is resolved, we can start,” Beau suggested.

  Catt had a lot on her mind. But right now, she needed to unpack, check the dog walking schedule, find clients for the grooming service, determine if Beau was still lying to her, and find Trey’s killer. The list was long.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Catt met with her dog walking team the next morning to discuss the current business situation of the Woof-Pack Dog Walkers.

  She sat at her desk while the group chatted about the recent trip to the Eastern Shore. Em told how she had found two rings and a necklace. “It was a good metal detecting day,” she said. “I plan to take the items to a pawn shop to get them appraised.”

  “Very cool,” Stacey said.

  Catt leaned back in her desk chair. “So, we’re all aware that business is down due to Trey’s murder.”

  The group nodded their heads in unison.

  “Although we still have the dog walking appointments, thanks to those customers who stuck with us, which includes the new clients from the Shore Side Building. But the grooming service not so much.”

  “Are we getting laid off?” Darcey asked.

  “No,” Catt said. “We have just enough business to keep us going. But the reason I called the staff meeting is because I need your help.”

  They each raised their eyebrows.

  “Here’s the situation. The promoter of the Wine Down Festival contacted me. They had a last-minute cancellation and asked if the Woof-Pack Dog Walkers wanted the spot. It would be comped since they’d like to give it to a business owner involved with animals. Plus, they don’t have time to promote a new vendor. But here’s where I need your help. It will be on the boardwalk from eight to noon this Saturday. And since we still have brochures and doggie bags leftover from our grand reopening event. I’m proposing that we each take a one-hour shift on Saturday to hand out brochures and bags and promote our services.”

  “What about the dog walking schedule on Saturday?” Lexi asked.

  “I’ll modify around the times they gave us,” Catt offered.

  “Do you think this will help the business?” Darcey asked.

  “It can’t hurt. And we need to do something to drum up more business, especially after the negative publicity,” Catt said.

  “Sounds like an offer we can’t refuse,” Em said. “Count me in.”

  “Me too. I’ll take the eight o’clock shift,” Lexi said.

  “I’ll take the nine o’clock shift,” Em said.

  “Give us the ten-a.m. shift.” Darcey nodded to her sister.

  “Great. I’ll take eleven and rearrange Saturday’s schedule,” Catt said. “I really appreciate everyone’s willingness to help.”

  _____________

  Catt was scheduled to walk Grayson with Cagney and Lacey.

  As she picked up Grayson, Brock stood at the door.

  “I thought you were out?” Catt asked.

  “Not yet. I wanted to see how you’re doing.”

  “Not so great. Still trying to solve Trey’s murder and keep appointments for my business and staff.”

  “You can count on me to stick with you,” Brock said.

  Catt smiled. Then cried. Her emotions got to her. She’d always been a strong woman in handling any life altering changes that had come her way. But now with Beau lying to her, her business in jeopardy, and the new home she wanted so badly to unbox her things and decorate, but could not, due to the murder and investigation. She was torn inside and had a lot at risk.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  On Friday morning, Catt had returned from walking several dogs from The Loft Building. She stood at the front counter placing brochures and doggie treat bags into boxes for Saturday’s Wine Down Festival. The festival had been a staple in Virginia Beach for the past six years. Unfortunately, Catt had never been able to participate with her business due to the high vendor fee. She reached for the TV remote on a table and clicked on the local news as she stuffed the box.

  The weather forecaster announced it would be mid-eighties with mild humidity tomorrow. Catt made a mental note to include bottled water at the vendor table to keep her staff hydrated. She turned her focus back to the news. The next segment announced a new development in Trey Duncan’s murder case. Catt clicked the volume. The newscaster revealed that although Trey had been stabbed with the grooming shears, he was actually killed with a razor like instrument to the back of the head, per the autopsy report.

  “What?” Catt yelled.

  Her phone rang. She glanced at the screen.

  “What razor like instrument?” Em yelled through the phone.

  “I don’t know. How could that be?” Catt sighed.

  “Let’s think this through. Why don’t you contact the detective to get an update on the case since the police probably released that information?”

  “You’re always the voice of reason,” Catt added.

  Detective Harding unexpectedly entered through the screen door.

  Catt’s eyes widened. “Em, I have to go. The detective is here.”

  “Call me back.”

  “Gotta few minutes for additional questions?” he asked Catt.

  “Sure.”

  “What cha’ doing?” He pointed to the brochures and bags.

  “Placing some items into a box.” She grabbed the last goody bags, dropped them in the box, then shoved it under the counter. “What can I help you with?”

  “For starters, I need to recheck the grooming room.”

  “Okay. Follow me.” She waved her hand for him to follow her to the back. “Is there something specific you need to check?” She turned on the light as they entered the room.

  The detective cleared his throat. “Actually, I have an update about Trey’s murder.”

  “Yeah. I caught the news. They said he was killed with a razor-like object.”

  “He was killed with an electric dog hair trimmer to the back of the head.”

  He pulled his phone from his pocket and accessed a photo. “After he was killed with the trimmer, the killer stabbed him with the shears. And since we found ridges on the back of Trey’s head, we compared it to an electric dog hair trimmer, which matched the tip of a large trimmer.”

  “What does that have to do with our grooming?”

  “Do you know where your dog trimmer is? We never found one in your grooming area the day of the murder.” He glanced around the room.

  “I didn’t realize it was missing.” Catt looked in the drawer where it should be. It was not there, nor was it anywhere else in the room. “I don’t understand.”

  “That makes three of us. You, me, and your dog groomer, Lexi Stallings.”

  Catt frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “I interviewed Lexi this morning. She thinks you might know.”

  “Me?” Catt placed her hand against her chest. “I don’t know.” Why would Lexi say that?

  “Anything you can tell me at this point will help the case.”

  “There is one thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I spoke to Catrina Murray.”

  “Why did you do that?”

  “Because Trey’s sister Bella asked me to help solve the murder.”

  “Why?”

  “She doesn’t have much confidence in you.”

  He frowned. “Go on.”

  “When I met with Catrina, she said you had already interviewed her.” Catt paused. “But she also told me she remembered Trey had received a call from someone prior to his death. That someone needed a shelf fixed.”

  “She didn’t tell me that?”

&nbs
p; He pulled a notepad from his pocket and jotted down notes. “And...”

  “I asked Bella to check his phone records, and she said someone had called Trey, but the number was unlisted.”

  He wrote more notes, clicked the pen, and put the notepad in his pocket. “As much as I appreciate you trying to help, I need you to stop investigating. It hinders the case. Understand?”

  Catt nodded.

  “I’ll be in touch.” He slammed the screen door on his way out.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Em sat in the chair in front of Catt’s desk as Catt explained the detective’s visit.

  “You’ve got to be kidding. Death by dog clippers?” Em asked.

  “Yes.”

  “What’s our next move?”

  “I’m torn between helping Bella and following Detective Harding’s order to stop investigating. He was mad when he left.”

  “I say we keep at it and ask for forgiveness later,” Em suggested.

  “Agree. We’ve come too far to stop now. But let’s review what we have.” She walked to the white board and grabbed a marker. “First, we have Trey in the tub.”

  “Dead as a doornail.”

  Catt raised her eyebrows. “Be serious, Em.”

  “Sorry.”

  “So, we have Trey who was killed by a dog trimmer, and ours is nowhere to be found.” She wrote on the board.

  “Plus, grooming shears in his chest,” Em added.

  “Right. And the blond, Catrina Murray.” Catt continued writing.

  “Who I don’t trust.” Em cleared her throat. “And Beau lying about knowing her makes things messier.”

  Catt lowered her hand with the marker.

  “Look we have to include everything,” Em suggested.

  “Okay. Then there’s the man with the ball cap covering his face.” Catt added it to the board.

  “Now that’s a mystery,” Em said.

  “True.” Catt gave a puzzled look.

  “What are you thinking?”

  “There’s something familiar about him,” Catt said.

  “What is it?”

  “I can’t put my finger on it, but his look is throwing me off.”