For a Good Paws

by Linda O. Johnston

  He gave me another kiss, still appearing concerned, and I gave him another hug. Soon Biscuit and I were on the road, driving to the shops.

  With my mind continuing to swirl.

  As I started the baking, I considered the best approach to take. I’d keep it casual, and just observe the reactions of the person I’d zoomed in on.

  We opened the shops at seven, as usual. Since it was Saturday, my assistants were Dinah and Frida. Dinah kept shooting me strange glances as I worked with her in the kitchen and then the Barkery, as if she could tell something was going on in my mind.

  Reed had noticed too, of course. I directed myself to remain calm and normal, and hoped that I was succeeding.

  At just as little after nine, I went into my office and called Billi. “When is that wonderful family who’s adopting Prince and Duke coming in?” I asked.

  “The Lesiters? They’re really eager. I told them they could come in at eleven. I’ve got a few more questions for them but nothing momentous. I’ve got a feeling this one will work out.”

  “Wonderful,” I said. “I’ll try to be there. And I’m hoping to get Mountaintop Rescue some additional publicity about this amazing situation.”

  “Great!” Billi said. “See you then.”

  Hopefully she would continue to consider it great. I made my next call to Silas Perring. It apparently wasn’t too early for the news anchor to be at work today, since he answered right away. “Yes, Carrie?” He apparently had my number programmed into his phone, though I’d had to look his up.

  I told him that the wonderful result of yesterday’s adoption event was most likely coming to its conclusion today. “I saw your story on TV last night and thought you might like to do a follow-up. You spoke with the Lesiters and maybe already know they’ve put in an application to adopt Prince and Duke. The adoption will be finalized at eleven this morning, at Mountaintop Rescue, and I’m going to be there. Not sure about Francine Metz. I’ve talked to her but haven’t let her know this timing yet.”

  “I’ll be there,” Silas said. “No need to tell Francine. She’ll do her own follow-up later.”

  “Maybe.” I planned to stay in touch with Francine about the autobiographical story she was thinking of writing, about adopting a pet. If she wanted to get in touch with the family adopting Prince and Duke, for a story on them, she could always check with Billi.

  I had one more call to make, a different kind of follow-up with my detective friends. And then I hurried through the kitchen to my shops to keep busy till it was time to go.

  I left for Mountaintop Rescue about ten thirty. I had every intention of getting there early. I left Biscuit in the Barkery in the care of my assistants.

  “My fingers are crossed that all goes well in Prince and Duke’s adoption,” Dinah said as I left.

  “Me too,” I responded, not mentioning the other, related matter that was making me head to the shelter.

  I drove, since I wanted to get there quickly. Mimi let Billi know of my arrival, then sent me up to her boss’s office.

  “I’m delighted you’re here,” Billi said. She wore one of her frilly tops over jeans and, as always, looked very pretty despite not being dressed formally. “I know you care about what happens with Prince and Duke. I think the adoption will work out fine.”

  “I hope so.” I paused. “Have you heard any more from Tula Schulzer? Is she still trying to get her brother’s dogs?”

  “No. I’m not sure what that little squabble was about in your store, but I think I made it clear that she’d have to qualify like anyone else to adopt them—and that it was doubtful I’d approve her. And with this wonderful family so interested, I know where those dogs should go.”

  “I agree,” I said. “I’m looking forward to the pups going home with their new owners—especially those cute twin girls.”

  We chatted for a little while longer, then headed downstairs. This time, Billi wouldn’t take the cockers into one of the usual adoption rooms decorated like nice, though small, living rooms. I’d been in some before, but not often. They were good locations for potential adopters to get to know their new family members a bit better. But too many people were going to be present for this.

  “Would you like to wait in there anyway?” Billi asked me once we were on the ground floor.

  “No, I’ll wait in the reception area.” I’d already told her I had invited Silas to film the situation—and also the detectives because I had some questions for them.

  Billi seemed puzzled about the latter, but I didn’t explain. I could tell her more later, depending on how things worked out.

  I’d asked Silas to arrive a little early so he could film when the Lesiters arrived and their likely cute emotions when they saw Prince and Duke again. Sure enough, he soon walked into the reception area with Wilbur close behind him.

  “Hiya, Carrie,” Silas said, standing next to the tall reception counter where Mimi watched us. As always, the nice-looking news anchor was impeccably dressed. But once more, he had overdone his cologne. “So this is supposed to be an emotional human interest story I’m here for, right?”

  “That’s right. The family who was at my stores yesterday is hopefully getting approval to adopt the two dogs owned by Henry Schulzer. Their kids are cute, and so are the dogs.”

  “I prefer real news, but the story on your adoption get-together yesterday got a lot of views and comments, so this should, too.”

  “Great.” I hoped it would have another result, as well—assuming I wasn’t trying too hard to solve the murder by making up odd scenarios in my mind.

  Well, I’d see.

  I saw the door open behind Wilbur and heard some excited kid squeals. They’d arrived! I moved around Silas to greet the Lesiters, all four of them.

  Little Cate and Candy’s matching brown hair was pulled back into ponytails, and they wore T-shirts that said Dog Love over their denim capri pants. Cute—of course.

  Their parents appeared somewhat frazzled. Because of the girls’ behavior—or because they worried about whether this adoption would go through? Maybe both.

  Billi came into the waiting room then. “Hi,” she said to the Lesiters. “Please come upstairs to my office so we can go over a few things, and then we’ll bring the dogs out for you. I think everything’s looking good.”

  “We certainly hope so,” said Mrs. Lesiter.

  “And once we bring them out and this gang gets together with them, that’ll be a great time to film it,” Billi said to Silas, who just nodded.

  Billi directed the Lesiters to precede her up the stairs. At the top, she turned to look down at me, her expression somewhat quizzical. I still hadn’t told her all that was on my mind. Well, she’d find out soon, one way or another.

  I just smiled and nodded at her. Then, hearing a noise, I turned to see Detective Bridget enter the reception area door. “Good morning,” she said to Mimi first, then to the rest of us. Her face, too, appeared quizzical—and not particularly happy. She didn’t know what I was anticipating here, either.

  But at least one of the detectives had come.

  “Hi, Detective Morana,” Silas said, holding his microphone out to her, Wilbur filming beside him. “What brings you here today?”

  “Just a short visit to the area’s only pet rescue facility. We check things out here often.” That was what Bridget said into the camera, but the next look she aimed at me, once the camera pointed downward, was less pleased.

  If I was wrong, I’d have to apologize for wasting her time. But if I was right … well, we’d just have to see.

  We chatted a bit about nothing. Well, not entirely nothing, since the topic was mostly rescue animals. All of us seemed to support the adoption, even Bridget and Wilbur the Wise. Or at least it appeared that way, as the news crew and detective seemed eager to find something to talk about while we waited.

 
; Soon, Billi came down the steps with the Lesiters behind her. One parent held the hand of each of the girls, which was a good thing on that somewhat steep stairway.

  “So how are we doing?” I asked Billi, meeting her at the bottom.

  “We have a go, here.” Pleasure radiated from her smile, and I grinned back.

  “Fantastic. Are we going into a meeting room then after all?”

  “No, let’s go outside to the patio.”

  I let the others follow Billi more closely, observing everyone’s attitude. The Lesiters all appeared thrilled. Silas looked determined, and Wilbur amused. Detective Bridget’s face was unreadable, but I still didn’t get the sense she was particularly happy.

  The patio area was just outside the back door, near the enclosures where the residents were housed. The ground was an easily cleanable cement, and someone had brought out a few folding chairs.

  I remained standing, and so did the others with me. Billi hurried to the other side of the patio and into the kennel area. Soon she returned with Prince and Duke, and the little girls squealed and hugged them. Their parents, arms around each other, just watched with huge grins on their faces.

  “Are you filming this?” I asked Silas.

  “Sure. I’ll interview them in a minute.”

  I watched as Wilbur maneuvered in a circle around the clearly thrilled family, keeping his camera aimed at them. Silas remained a short distance away, just watching.

  “Everything looks great,” Billi said, joining me.

  “I’m so glad to hear that.” I waited for a few minutes, then approached Silas, who still hadn’t begun his interview. “Why don’t you get down on the ground with those kids and their new dogs?” I asked. “That would be a really moving scene on the news.”

  “That’s okay. I’m not dressed for getting on the ground. I can dub in some background info later.”

  Interesting. And maybe a bit corroborative of what I was thinking. But it wasn’t enough. I doubted Silas would hold back from getting on the ground, no matter what he was wearing, if the story was titillating enough. He’d gotten on the ground for the dachshund, after all.

  Of course, this story was a cute human interest one, nothing dark and dirty, or real news. Silas could actually hold that attitude—no particular taste for the fun stuff, but anything for a hard-tuned story.

  Still … I couldn’t let this end there.

  “I understand,” I said, then hurried over to where the two little girls were hugging their new pets. “May I borrow Prince for just a minute?” I asked. “I want to make sure he gets his picture taken.”

  “Okay,” said the child holding Prince—Cate?—as she released him from her hug. I immediately picked the small golden dog up and carried him directly to Silas. I held him out toward the reporter, noting that Wilbur was filming this.

  Immediately, as Prince neared Silas and came within sniffing range, he growled, then barked.

  “Oh my,” I said. “It’ll be hard to interview him this way.”

  “Get him away,” Silas spat. “I don’t like dogs, and they don’t like me.”

  I glanced over his shoulder. Good. Bridget stood there, observing. An expression of interest lit her face. Did she understand what I was doing? I figured she did. She was one smart detective.

  “But you were holding the other dogs up for adoption at the Barkery on your film segment last night. That little dachshund and the basset hound mix and you seemed to get along just fine. You were even hugging them.”

  I glanced up again to make sure Bridget was listening to this. Did she get what I was attempting to point out?

  Both of Henry’s dogs had growled when they were near Silas during the adoption event, although I hadn’t attributed it to Silas at the time. But now … now Prince was doing it again.

  Did that prove Silas was the killer? No, but it was something to check out.

  People at the resort had said they’d heard Henry’s dogs barking. At the killer?

  At Silas?

  “Some dogs and I get along okay,” Silas amended. “But not all. And I was trying to get good footage before. I definitely don’t like dogs.”

  Especially when they identified you as a killer?

  At least the groundwork had been laid for an investigation into Silas.

  Twenty-Six

  Claiming he had another story brewing that he needed to follow up on, Silas left soon thereafter, Wilbur trailing behind him.

  That was okay. I’d made my point—sort of. Bridget had seen it.

  “We’ve already checked out the Lesiters’ home,” Billi told me, coming over to stand by my side. “It’s great for dogs. So are the family, with their attitude and lovingness. They’re good to go.”

  “Great!” I said. “If you do any follow-ups, let me know. I’d love to see them again, particularly in their new environment. And hopefully to make sure I see them again—” I reached into my purse and pulled out a plastic bag full of Barkery treats. I approached Mrs. Lesiter with them. “These are for your new family members,” I said. “And please bring them often to my Barkery for more.” Visits to my shop could be part of their new environment, after all.

  “That’s wonderful. Thanks so much.” The beaming woman gave me a hug, then knelt on the pavement and handed her daughters each a treat from the bag. “Now, you give Prince and Duke a treat,” she told them, and they did.

  The dogs both appeared delighted, wagging their tails, and they both begged a bit on Mr. Lesiter’s command.

  So maybe Henry had trained his dogs. It would be interesting for the Lesiters to see how much they knew.

  But I’d stay out of that. All that was important to me was that they were getting a good home.

  They soon left—the humans and their new canine family members. I couldn’t help smiling a lot as they walked off the patio and through the reception area, dogs leashed beside the adults, who also each held a daughter’s hand. I then gave Billi a big hug.

  “Good job, Councilwoman.”

  “Thanks. I think we both deserve some kudos here.”

  “Yay, us,” I said. “And yay adoption events at the Barkery.”

  We hugged again—but I saw Detective Bridget over Billi’s shoulder.

  She caught my gaze as well. “All right, what was this all about—although I think I can guess why you invited me here.”

  I stepped back from Billi and faced Bridget. “Have you considered Silas Perring as a possible suspect in Henry Schulzer’s murder?” I hadn’t … before.

  “No, and I still see no reason to. What would his motive be?”

  “That I don’t know—yet. But you saw how the dog growled at him. Both of Henry’s dogs growled a bit at Silas during the adoption event—nothing really nasty, so it might mean nothing. But I’ve spent a little time with Prince and Duke, and I haven’t heard them growl at anyone else. And you’re aware that Henry’s body was discovered because his dogs were barking.”

  “Yes, I am. So … well, I suppose if you stretch things, there could be a little connection. Or not. But I’ll have someone in our office do a little research.” She glared at me. “And you keep Dinah away from it. Yourself, too.”

  Okay, I’d try—as long as I believed they were actually looking into the possibility that Silas was involved.

  Although … well, I might not physically place myself in any situation of nosiness, but I could certainly do a bit of online searching about Silas’s background, any stories he might have done about Henry, whatever made sense. But I wouldn’t tell Bridget that.

  “Of course,” I said. “I would appreciate it if you’d keep me informed about your progress. Nothing that’s confidential to the police, of course, but just general updates on what you’re doing and if you’re finding anything helpful.”

  “We’ll see,” she said, not sounding helpful at all.
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  Which indicated I’d have to follow up with her. Nicely, of course. And not be too assertive when asking for status information.

  I’d figured Bridget wouldn’t be too forthcoming. Maybe I could ask for Wayne when I called in. He seemed more friendly, at least a little bit. Or maybe, in the interest of not seeming too pushy, I could alternate between them—although I figured they’d trade that kind of information.

  Well, I’d just have to do whatever seemed appropriate to make sure they were at least looking into Silas as a possible suspect, like they’d done with so many people who knew Henry.

  And I had to admit to myself that the possibility did seem remote. What would Silas’s motive have been?

  “Okay, I’m leaving,” Bridget said to Billi. “I have to say that the adoption you just did was really cute. I didn’t adopt my Butterball cat from Mountaintop Rescue, but if I were ever going to take in another pet, I’d definitely start at your facility.” We followed Bridget to the reception area. “Keep it up, Billi,” she said near the door.

  “You can be sure I will,” Billi responded.

  “And you, Carrie …”

  She stopped talking, so I encouraged her. “Yes?”

  “Just because you figured some things out in past situations doesn’t mean you’re now a walking, talking, skilled investigator. Leave it to those who really are.”

  “I’d love to,” I said. “But you’ve zeroed in a lot on people who were completely innocent, and I suspect that’s what’s been happening recently.” Like with poor Dinah. “I never promise that my ideas are helpful—but they’ve proven so in the past, so it really won’t hurt for you to check my latest hunch out.”

  I didn’t try to contact either Bridget or Wayne for the next couple of days. Not that I figured they’d get in touch with me, but I didn’t want to seem too forward about my idea. Still, Bridget had seen Silas’s reaction to Prince. But everything on TV and otherwise appeared normal, with Silas on a lot of news stories but with only one other brief segment about the adoption event, and nothing else particularly interesting.