Paw and Order

by V. M. Burns

  We were so engrossed in our discussion of arsenic that we completely forgot about our food. When the server arrived with our plates, we were all a bit hesitant to begin eating.

  After a moment of hesitation, we laughed and shook off the creepy arsenic fog that had descended over our table.

  We set aside discussions of arsenic and poison while we ate and enjoyed friendly conversation. Afterward, Dr. Morgan and Mai left to go get the sheep and make the long trek up the mountain.

  Joe walked back to the RV where he found Turbo asleep and surrounded by poodles. Joe smiled, shook his head and then gave a whistle which caused the dog to bound toward him like a rocket. The two left and headed back to Chattanooga.

  Dixie and I let the poodles take care of their business and then we headed for the dog club.

  The East Tennessee Dog Club was a long, low building with a metal roof. It wasn’t fancy, but it was located on over three acres of land which was mostly fenced and provided a great venue for dog shows. The building also offered tons of parking, another must have for dog shows and training facilities.

  When we pulled up to the building, the poodles immediately stood and started their stretches.

  B.J. and Monica Jill were inside getting in a few minutes of last-minute practice before class.

  Without Dr. Morgan and his German shepherd, Max, class went relatively quickly but lacked a certain something which I couldn’t put my finger on. Nevertheless, we all put our best foot forward as we worked on heeling with our dogs on leash. Dixie brought out several telephone books. Then she took her standard poodle Chyna and demonstrated what she wanted us to do.

  “First, let me demonstrate heeling off leash for you.” She stood very still with Chyna on her left. “The dog is always on your left side and you can have your hand by your leg or across your stomach. I recommend your stomach.” She placed her arm across her stomach, looked down and said, “Chyna heel.”

  Chyna walked beside Dixie and appeared to be glued to her leg. She was careful not to get too far in front or behind Dixie and her eyes never left Dixie’s face.

  Dixie said, “Fast.” Then she trotted and Chyna picked up her pace to keep up. “Slow.” She slowed her pace and the dog adjusted. “Normal.” She maintained a normal pace. When she got close to the wall, she said, “Left turn.” Chyna practically pivoted in place to execute the left-hand turn, but she did it without leaving Dixie’s side. Dixie executed a right turn, an about turn and finally halted. When they were done, she said, “Finish.” She did a flourish with the arm on her stomach and Chyna did a small jump, kicked her butt into place and sat. Chyna didn’t move until Dixie said, “Free.” Then she received a lot of praise and a jackpot from the bait bag Dixie wore around her waist. “Good girl.”

  We applauded. We’d seen Dixie demonstrate heeling with Chyna and Leia before and it was always a thing of beauty.

  “Tonight we’re going to work on the pivot which will be helpful for the turns and for finishes.”

  Dixie handed each of us a telephone book which we placed on the floor. Standing next to the book, the first challenge was getting our dogs to place both front feet on it. Initially, we gave a treat for one paw. Then we only treated for two paws. I was proud to see Aggie seemed to pick up what I was asking her to do the quickest. On the opposite extreme was Jac who thought the telephone book was a toy. When Monica Jill moved beside him, he grabbed the book in his mouth and took off. A game of chase ensued until Dixie told Monica Jill not to play and suggested she sit down and wait. When Jac saw his owner wasn’t going to pursue him, he ripped the telephone book to shreds. When he was done with his fun, he returned to his owner who sat with her head in her hands.

  Snoball, the West Highland Terrier, was terrified of the telephone book and took a lot of coaxing to put even one paw on the book. By the time she finally got a paw on the book, Dixie told B.J. to give her a treat and then stop. “No point in getting her stressed out.”

  B.J. wiped sweat from her forehead. “Stress her out? I’m sweating like a hooker at a Baptist revival.”

  Monica Jill was still avoiding making eye contact with Jac who was doing his best to shove his ball in her hands.

  Dixie patted her on the shoulder. “Look, this isn’t easy for dogs. He doesn’t know what you want, yet.”

  “I’m pretty sure he knows I didn’t want that telephone book shredded.”

  Dixie chuckled. “Really? I’m not so sure. Look at him.” She waited until Monica Jill lifted her head. “He thinks he just saved your life from that scary book.”

  Jac stared so lovingly at Monica Jill that she eventually shook her head and gave her dog a hug.

  “Remember, he’s still a puppy and has a lot of energy. Have you found another place to take him for doggie daycare?”

  Monica Jill shook her head. “I’ve been meaning to find another place, since Pet Haven closed. I’ve been struggling to find another place I liked as much.”

  “I’ll give you the names of a couple of places you can try, but he really needs to get rid of some of his energy.”

  “Actually, I was thinking about hiring Addison to help him burn off some energy. She’s great with dogs. She runs track and would be able to run with him and, hopefully, tire him out on the weekends and when school is out during the summer.”

  Dixie smiled. “I think that’s an excellent idea.” She glanced over at me. “I talked to Mai a little today and she might be another good resource. Now that Archibald Lowry’s dead, she’s looking for another position. A doggie daycare with boarding might be just the place.”

  Monica Jill perked up. “That would be great.”

  Dixie smiled down at Jac. “He’s a great dog and he just wants to please you.”

  Monica Jill sighed. “Thank you for reminding me.” She patted her dog and then picked up his ball and tossed it across the room.

  Jac sped off to get the ball and bring it back.

  We let all of the dogs, except Rex, go outside into the fenced area to play while we cleaned up the room. Rex was just a puppy and I was afraid he’d get trampled. When we were done, we sat down outside and watched the dogs. I let Rex play with the other dogs while I could keep an eye on him. However, I needn’t have worried. Aggie was a good big sister and gave Jac a nip when he ran too fast and barreled into Rex. He didn’t make that mistake again.

  While we sat and watched our dogs, Dixie and I shared the information we’d learned from both Red and Dr. Morgan. When B.J. and Monica Jill heard about Archibald Lowry’s will, they were dumbstruck. Monica Jill recovered first.

  “That’s wonderful, Dixie. Just think of all the poodles you’ll be able to save with half a billion dollars.”

  Dixie shook her head. “I’m not going to count my poodles before they’re rescued. A lot can happen, and I have a feeling Archibald Lowry’s relatives will have something to say about that will.”

  B.J. nodded. “You got that right. Those two were definitely expecting to inherit their cousin’s money. They’ll contest the will and keep that money tied up until you’re too old or too broke to fight anymore.”

  “Can they do that?” Monica Jill asked.

  “I can ask Stephanie tonight, but I’m pretty sure they can.”

  B.J. smiled. “How are Stephanie and that handsome hunk?”

  “I have no idea.” I watched to make sure Rex was okay and then continued, “Honestly, I know he’s handsome and—”

  “And he’s a lawyer, so he should have plenty of money,” B.J. added.

  Monica Jill tiled her head. “She doesn’t need his money. She’s a lawyer herself. I’m sure she has plenty of money.”

  B.J. gave Monica Jill a you poor pitiful fool look, “Honey, you can never have too much money.”

  Monica Jill returned the look. “Now, you know there are more important things in a relationship than money. Don’t pretend you�
�re that mercenary.”

  “You got me.” B.J. laughed. “There are more important things than money in a relationship. However, money definitely helps. Besides, that Eli is nice eye candy.”

  “He’s very handsome, but that policeman was handsome too,” Monica Jill added.

  “Hmm. Yes, he was.” B.J. nodded. “What ever happened to him?”

  I gave a brief outline of his surprise visit.

  “That’s so romantic,” Monica Jill said.

  “As much as I like to look at Eli, you tell Stephanie she should go with the policeman. He sounds like the kind of man who’ll be around for the tough times as well as the good times.” B.J. gave me a serious look. “Besides, I don’t trust a man that don’t like dogs.”

  “I never trust a man that doesn’t like dogs.” Dixie smiled. “But I always trust a dog who doesn’t like a man.”

  “Amen, sister,” Monica Jill said.

  We talked about Joe and Eli and I was pleased that the group all seemed to be pulling for Joe. When we’d exhausted conversation on my daughter’s love life, we returned to the matter at hand.

  “Well, I called Fiona Darling and hired her to investigate a few claims I have…excuse me.” B.J. got up and went to clean up after Snoball. When she returned, she asked, “Where was I?”

  “You hired Fiona Darling,” Dixie reminded her.

  “I asked for references first, of course, and called her last employer.”

  I frowned. “I thought she was self-employed.”

  B.J. nodded. “She is, now, but she used to work for NKC Holdings and Trust.”

  I frowned. “What’s NKC?”

  “Norman, King and Croy. It’s one of the biggest insurance companies in the world. They’re almost as big as Lloyd’s of London.”

  “Why’d she leave?” I asked.

  “Well, officially they aren’t supposed to share anything except the years she worked, but I talked to this really nice man who told me that she was fired.” She gave us a knowing stare.

  Monica Jill leaned forward. “Why’d they fire her?”

  “He said she was obsessed with a case.” B.J. paused for a moment. “Do y’all remember that bank robbery that happened about…oh, it must have been twenty years ago now. One of the bank tellers was murdered. The police got one of the men, but the money was never recovered.”

  A light bulb flashed in my head. “Wait, I think that’s the bank that Ivan Bradington, the butler, served time for.”

  She nodded and pulled up her cell phone. “I looked it up after I talked to Timmy.”

  “Timmy?” Monica Jill asked.

  B.J. nodded. “He was my contact.” She scrolled on her phone until she found the item. “Yes, Ivan Bradington served twenty years for the murder of a bank teller. There were two other men, but they got away.”

  “Well, well. So, Fiona Darling was investigating the robbery that Ivan Bradington committed. Coincidence?” I stared at Dixie. “I think not.”

  The only other information we learned was that Archibald Lowry was planning to sell his estate. Monica Jill was playing telephone tag with the listing agent but hoped to get more information before we met again on Thursday.

  Finished with our updates, we called for our dogs, locked up the building and left. Just as Dixie was pulling out of the parking lot, I got a call on my cell phone. I didn’t recognize the number but answered anyway.

  “Hello.”

  “Is this Mrs. Echosby?”

  When I recognized Mrs. Huntington’s voice, I took a deep breath. “Yes, hello Mrs. Huntington. I’ve been meaning to call you, but—”

  “Listen, I don’t have much time.” She paused for a brief moment and then hurried on. “Were you able to talk to your friend about a position?”

  I put the phone on speaker and took a deep breath. “Yes, I did, however I’m afraid we won’t be able to help.”

  “I’m a good cook and housekeeper. I’ve always managed to give satisfactory service.” She hurried on with a panicked edge to her voice. “Maybe, they’d be willing to try a trial period. I’m sure given a chance I can—”

  Hearing the desperation in her voice was hard, but I decided to rip the bandage off and get it over with. “Mrs. Huntington, I’m sure you’re an excellent cook and housekeeper, it’s just that…well, we have concerns that you have a drinking problem and—”

  “Ahhh, that’s it, well I ain’t denying that I had a problem, but I’ve paid…I’m still paying. Every time I close my eyes. I know what I’ve done and I see it, every night.” There was a catch in her voice. “I ain’t had a drop of liquor in over twenty-years. Not since…well, as God is my witness, I ain’t had a drink since… I’m a desperate woman.” She sobbed. “I can’t stay here. It’s just not safe.”

  “What do you mean? Mrs. Huntington, what’s going on?” I asked.

  Mrs. Huntington whispered. “I can’t talk now. I just need to go.”

  Dixie exchanged a glance with me and then said. “Mrs. Huntington, this is Dixie Jefferson, Lilly’s friend. You can come and work for me. We can pick you up first thing tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow will be too late.” She whispered, “Oh no, did you hear something?”

  “Mrs. Huntington, maybe you should call the police.”

  The line went dead.

  “Mrs. Huntington…” I yelled into the cell phone as though the increased volume would generate a response.

  I looked at Dixie as she bypassed the exit which would take me to my house and headed up Signal Mountain. I dialed Red and prayed we’d make it in time.

  Chapter 17

  “Red, I just got a weird call from Mrs. Huntington. I think she’s in danger.”

  “Did you call 9-1-1?”

  “No, I called you.”

  “What do you mean by weird?”

  I quickly explained what happened.

  “It could be that her phone lost power. Did you try calling her back?”

  His logic was getting on my nerves, especially since he could very well be right. I took a deep breath. “Listen, I can’t explain it, but that woman was terrified. Dixie and I are on our way and—”

  “What? No, leave this to the professionals. If there is something wrong, they’ll handle it.”

  “The professionals don’t believe there’s a problem.”

  He was silent for several moments. “Point taken.” He sighed. “I’ll call the police and ask them to stop by the house, but if there is a problem, there’s nothing that you and Dixie can do except make matters worse and possibly get yourselves killed.” I heard rustling and then a door close. “Joe and I are on our way, but I need you and Dixie to go home and wait.”

  In the background I heard dogs barking and the sound of a car door slam. Joe asked a question which I didn’t hear and then Red asked, “Is Stephanie with you?”

  “No.”

  He relayed the message and then I heard the sound of his truck starting. “I’m going to hang up and call 9-1-1. Will you and Dixie please STAND DOWN. We’ll take it from here.”

  I glanced at Dixie who had pulled the RV over. She nodded. “Okay, but call me and let me know what happened.”

  He gave me his word and hung up.

  It was too dark for Dixie to see my face, so she must have sensed the anguish in my voice. “He’s right you know. There’s not really anything we can do. We need to leave it to the professionals.” She reached across the seat and squeezed my hand. “Although, we do have four poodles and I’m sure Beau has a Glock in the glovebox.” She gave me a mischievous grin. “We can storm the place like Thelma and Louise on steroids.”

  I smiled. “Maybe not. Things didn’t end so well for them.”

  “Good point.”

  I couldn’t help but stare at the glovebox after that. I knew Dixie was an excellent shot and both she and
Beau carried concealed weapons. In fact, practically everyone I knew in Chattanooga carried a weapon except me. I glanced at my friend. “Aren’t you afraid you’ll hurt someone with that gun?”

  Dixie chuckled. “That’s the intent.”

  “You know what I mean.”

  She laughed. “I’ve been around guns my entire life so I’m comfortable with them. Besides, I had to go through a lot of classes to get my concealed carry permit.” She sighed. “Now, that Glock isn’t my favorite gun. I prefer my little Smith and Wesson. The Glock is light-weight and the safety is different. I have to manually take the safety off of my revolver, but the Glock you just have to squeeze the trigger.”

  “That sounds dangerous.”

  “My daddy always said, you don’t squeeze that trigger unless you want to shoot someone. If you want to shoot someone, then you better squeeze that trigger.”

  I shivered at the thought. My husband, Albert, used to have a gun, but I was never comfortable with them. I forced myself to focus on something other than the glovebox.

  Dixie found a driveway where she turned around the RV and we headed back down the mountain.

  When I got home, I was happy to see the lights on and I knew Stephanie was safe. It was late and Dixie wasn’t staying, so I took the poodles inside after promising to text her as soon as I heard from Red.

  Stephanie and Lucky were pacing the floor. When we entered, she flew at me. “What on earth have you been up to?”

  I was taken aback. “We went to the dog demonstration and then dog club.”

  “Why is Joe insisting that I send him a text the moment you get home?” She pulled up her cell phone and punched a few letters.

  “It’s a long story. I’m going to need some wine. Why don’t you pour us both glasses while I let the dogs out?”

  Stephanie took a bottle of Moscato from the wine rack and waited for me on the sofa while I let all three of the dogs out back.

  When they were done, I let them back inside and gave each of them treats which I knew would keep them occupied while Stephanie and I talked.

  It didn’t take long to tell her about Mrs. Huntington, although glancing at my cell phone every thirty seconds didn’t make it ring any faster. I filled in the time by updating her on what we’d learned from Dr. Morgan, B.J. and Monica Jill. By the time I finished, my phone rang and Stephanie’s dinged indicating she had a text message.