I shook my head with a wink.
“You don’t get to ask the questions here Laney...how I know doesn’t matter. What does matter is the fact that they were there. Spill it.”
She looked for a second like she was going to try and back out of it but then thought better and relented, a heavy sigh falling from her lips as she dragged her hand down her face in defeat.
“I found the letters in Oliver’s office. I thought that if I took them home with me and studied them, I might be able to figure out who killed him.”
“Right, because you cared so much for him. Your affair with Terry really proved that.”
She pinched the bridge of her nose and shut her eyes for a second, and then she opened them and took a deep breath.
“Look I’ll admit that I don’t actually care too much about Oliver being gone, but I do care about Candy. She’s gone missing and I’m afraid that whoever killed him took Candy.”
Why did she care so much about the dog? It seemed like a lot of trouble to go through to win a dog show.
“Okay let’s say I believe that. What about when Oliver died, where were you?”
She shrugged her shoulders.
“I was with Terry. Look I know what you’re going to say and that I’m a terrible person for cheating. I’m not proud of what I did but it’s not just that I wasn’t happy. I was afraid. He had a wicked temper and I wanted to leave, but I wanted to prove that he was treating Candy poorly before I did so that I could take her with me. I love that dog and she didn’t deserve to have an owner like that.”
I squinted at her and sat back with my arms crossed over my chest, and tried to figure out if I believed her or not. I wanted to tell her to stop lying to me, but the fact of the matter was that I actually found myself believing her. Before I got a chance to say anything she was speaking again, almost pleading.
“Coco listen to me. I didn’t kill Oliver, I could never do that. I just want to know that Candy is safe.” She teared up and took a gasping breath, and buried her face into her hands. “I need to find her before it’s too late.”
I wasn’t expecting that at all and I sat back in my chair with a heavy sigh again, and shook my head in disbelief. It clearly wasn’t a matter of a jealous dog breeder at all, but what was it?
Chapter 26
I sat in my car for a moment after leaving Laney. It was a bust on the letters, in all likelihood and it seemed she had a reasonable alibi. Her affair with Terry wasn’t much of a secret anymore and perhaps was motivation in and of itself. If she wanted to leave but was afraid to, maybe Terry took matters into his own hands. I shook my head at the idea of that teddy bear of a man committing murder but it certainly wouldn’t be the oddest thing to happen in this town.
I needed to talk to him myself and get his side of the story. At least see if he and Laney could confirm each other’s alibis for the night of Oliver’s murder. As I pulled away from the curb, my cell phone rang. Scooter was on the line and my heart sank.
“Do I need to pull over for this?” I asked, nervously.
The kid’s voice came through clear, “What? Oh, no. It’s fine, I just wanted to tell you that we’ve gotten the pale flowers off and are getting ready to pipe the hot pink ones on. No disasters so far. Should we give it some dimension with different shades or just stick with the hot pink. I think it’d be really nice with a little more depth—”
“Scooter,” I cut him off, trying to keep my tone light. “I think with this one, we’ll just do what they want with it. We won’t have time to rush another fix if they don’t like our artistic vision.”
There was silence and then a sigh from the other end of the line, “Alright, Coco, you’re the boss. I’ll let you know when we’ve finished up. Will you be back soon?”
I shook my head and slowed at a yellow light. “Not yet, I’ve got one more stop to make. Thanks for handling this, Scooter, it means a lot.”
“No problem, happy to do it.” His voice was warmer and I knew the compliment had hit its mark. “See ya soon.”
I pulled into the small lot in front of Terry’s shop soon after hanging up and tried to figure out if I had any other angles to try. The letters had seemed so solid before I talked to Laney. Groaning, I left the car and went in to talk with Terry.
He greeted me a little warily and I gave a half thought to my reputation in this town but he gestured with his phone, “Laney said you might be stopping by.” His tone was cold and I stopped short, putting up my hands in peace.
“I know she’s upset and I know you care about her. I’m sorry. But I care about Rose and everyone has it out for her. I’m just trying to get some answers. Please.”
Terry gave me the stink eye a moment longer then sighed and seemed to deflate a little. “I know, Coco, I know. Laney’s a good lady and I just want her happy. With someone who treats her right.” His arms uncrossed and he leaned toward me. “We were together that night. When Oliver died. And maybe we shouldn’t have been but I don’t care. I love that woman and I have for years. Oliver wasn’t good enough for her. He was a nasty fellow and I’m glad she’s free of him.” Terry pounded a thick hand on the counter in front of him to punctuate his point. Then he shifted uncomfortablly and squinted a little shamefaced, shrugging. “Not glad he’s dead, of course, just that...Well. You know. After a couple of weeks, I figure Laney and I can get this all out in the open. I’ve got a good home and I’d like someone to share it with, if she’ll have me.”
His hopeful smile was clear even behind his large beard and I couldn’t help but smile back. “Thanks for your help, Terry. Hopefully we can all put this behind us soon.”
He waved me off and I turned away, the smile dropping off my face. That was all my leads, poof gone.
Back in my car, I leaned back, trying to think. I wanted to talk to Logan about what I had discovered but stopped my fingers mid-dial when I remembered that I had promised to wait for his go-ahead. The only other person I wanted to talk to was Rose, even though I didn't have any good news for her. Another moment’s consideration and I called her, hoping the safe house—wherever it was—had cell service.
“Hey Rose, how’s it going?”
She sounded tired but determined. “This whole place is a mess. It seems minimalistic when you first step in, but absolutely nothing is in any kind of order. How’s the sleuthing?”
I groaned dramatically to make her laugh and it worked. “Just got a couple more alibis. I mean, they’re each other’s alibis but...” I sighed and tipped my head against the steering wheel. “I trust them. Laney and Terry. I don’t think they killed Oliver.”
The other end of the line was quiet for so long that I checked my screen to make sure we were still connected. “Rose?”
“Yeah, I’m here. I just...hoped we would have something by now. Who else is left? Margaret? What about Sam? They were in the dog show, right?” Rose’s optimism bubbled up and it hurt my heart to know just how hard this was on her.
“Margaret won’t talk to me without at least three additional lawyers present and even then I couldn’t touch her with a ten-foot pole without getting a restraining order slapped on me. And Sam...” I made a face and hoped the sentiment came across in my voice. “Sam sucks. Sam hates me. He might know exactly who did it and he wouldn’t say anything just to spite us. I’m sorry, Rose. I’ll keep trying, I’m just not sure where to go next. But I’m not giving up and neither is Logan, alright?”
The reply was quiet and small and my heart broke again. “Yeah, alright. Be safe out there, Coco.”
“You too. See you soon.”
I disconnected the call and smacked at the steering wheel until I felt good enough to start driving again. It was time to feed Candy anyway. I could go home and regroup. Come up with something, anything else to do.
I didn’t notice something was off until I was nearly to the back door of my house. The partially open door to my house. My heart started thudding hard and I cautiously pushed the door open further. “I’ve got a weapon,” I li
ed, shouting into the house. There was no response, no sound at all and I stepped inside, ready to dial Logan. The living room was a mess. Dog toys scattered about, blankets shaken out, and Candy was nowhere to be found.
Chapter 27
I couldn’t believe this was happening. Candy was such a sweet little thing, and she deserved so much better from life than she had received so far. Who would want to kidnap her? And would they hurt her?
I called Logan with shaking hands. I closed my eyes as the phone rang, hoping that he would pick up.
“Hello? Coco?”
I breathed a sigh of relief. “Logan, something terrible has happened.”
His voice was immediately filled with concern. “What is it, what’s happened?”
“I just got home, and someone’s been here and Candy is gone. Someone came and kidnapped her, Logan, and I don’t understand who could have done this.” My tongue almost tripped over itself trying to explain, and I choked up as I said the words out loud.
“What? Candy? Who’s...wait...you don’t mean Oliver’s dog?”
I let out a wail. “Of course I mean Oliver’s dog, Logan, who else’s?”
“You kidnapped Oliver’s dog?”
“No. Well okay yes, but that was a while ago and now someone’s stolen her from me.”
Logan was silent for a few moments and I could feel his exasperation down the line. I had the sudden urge to giggle but bit my lip to restrain myself. Why did I want to laugh at inappropriate times. Ugh!
“Okay Coco. I’ve just gotten Rose all settled at the safe house. Stay where you are, and I’ll come over right now to take a look at things.”
“Okay. I’m sorry Logan.”
“You’re going to be the death of me, Coco. One day I’ll find out that you’ve broken into yet another murder victim’s homes and I’m just going to lay down and never get up again.”
I laughed feebly at his attempts at humor. At least I thought it was humor.
“Now I need you to make a list of anything that was taken from your apartment including Candy, can you do that for me?”
“I can,” I promised. “I’ll see you soon.” I hung up the phone and walked slowly around my apartment.
Candy’s food had been taken from the kitchen, along with her water bowl and leash. Some of my cupboards were open and a new packet of dog treats was missing.
I frowned as I walked back through the living room. A bunch of Candy’s favorite toys, as well as her best sweater, was gone. I was so confused.
Why would someone take half of her toys but not the rest? I sat down heavily on the couch and put my head in my hands. It was time to think.
Think, Coco. Who would do something like this? Was it someone I knew?
I paused. Was it someone who knew Candy? They took all her favorite things after all, like they knew what she enjoyed and wanted to make her happy.
The thought gave me a small sense of comfort. If the kidnapper loved Candy and wanted her to be happy, surely they wouldn’t harm her in any way? But I was still no closer to figuring out who it was.
I went over and over the suspects I hadn’t ruled out in my mind. The Barkskateers all hated Oliver and loved dogs. Could one of them really be behind all of this?
I stared at my dresser full of photos, trying desperately to work it all out. I combed my hands through my hair but froze when I noticed something. I jumped up and examined my collection of photos more closely until it hit me.
Some were missing. I had three huge photo frames full of photos of me, Masie and Rose. The one containing Rose’s photos was gone.
Now that was creepy.
A knock on the door made me jump. I ran to answer it, and Logan immediately put his arms around me.
“Hey Coco, it’s okay. Everything’s going to be alright.”
I sniffed on his shoulder and nodded. “I made that list you wanted. All of Candy’s favorite toys and treats are gone, as well as some photos of Rose.”
Logan frowned. “Rose? I don’t understand. Why would someone take photos?”
I didn’t reply. I was trying to figure out the same thing. But Rose didn’t have any secret admirers or anything, did she?
I strained my brain trying to think of all the people who had interacted with Rose or Candy recently. Logan took a look around my apartment and then stood in front of me, watching me closely. I knew he was also confused as to who could be doing this.
I suddenly stopped dead in front of him. I had it, a little sliver of conversation a few days ago had wormed its way back into my brain, and I knew who was behind all of this.
I also knew that Rose was in serious danger.
“Logan, we have to get to Rose. You have to take me to the safe house right now.”
“That’s not the point of a safe house, is it Coco? Rose is perfectly safe where she is, so we need to concentrate on who’s taken Candy.”
I shook my head violently. “No, we don’t have any more time to waste. Rose is in danger and we have to get to her right now.”
I turned and ran out of my apartment and towards Logan’s car. He followed and called for me to wait.
“Coco, what’s going on? What do you know?”
I was breathless with concern for my friend. “I think I know who’s behind all of this, and if I’m right then Rose isn’t safe. Not at the safe house, not anywhere. I don’t think she’s ever been safe.”
Logan frowned, confused. He tried to argue again but I pulled on the passenger side door until it opened and slid into the seat. Logan sighed and got into the driver’s side.
“I think Rose is fine,” he tried again to reassure me, but the gnawing feeling in my stomach wouldn’t quit.
“We have to go to her. Logan, please trust me.” I pleaded with him.
He looked at me for a long moment, before he sighed and started the engine. “We’ll quickly look in on her and then get back to business.”
“I promise,” I said, leaning over and pecking him on the cheek.
As Logan drove towards the safe house, I bit my nails. I hoped against hope that I was wrong, and Rose was perfectly fine.
Chapter 28
Logan was still trying to reassure me when we pulled up to a nondescript split-level several minutes later and I only really started paying attention when he stopped talking abruptly.
“That’s odd...” he said, in a tone of voice that sounded more concerned than confused.
“What is it?” I followed his gaze to the empty sidewalk, the quiet streets. I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.
“Just a second, I need to check something.” He held up a hand to stop me talking for a moment and grabbed his radio. “This is Deputy Owensby requesting information on the plainclothes officer dispatched to our safe house look out. Over.”
I could hardly make out what the response was but it seemed to upset him and Logan shifted forward in the driver’s seat. “What do you mean, recalled? By whose authority? Over.”
My heart beat kicked up a notch and I started to get out the vehicle. Logan stopped me with a hand on my arm and a stern look as he waited for the answer. This time, I could understand it as it came through.
“Uh, your authority Owensby? Order came in maybe a half hour ago with your credentials. Over.”
Logan swore under his breath and brought the radio to his mouth again. “I need officers at the safe house, now. Over and out.” He looked at me and a steadiness I had grown to know fell over him. “I need you to tell me what you think is happening in there and then I need you to do exactly what I say, when I say it. Can you do that, Colleen?”
I nodded and gave a rushed answer, “I think she’s being stalked, probably by Oliver’s murderer and I’m sure he’s in there, with her, right now. He was the one who got rid of the other officer. We have to go,” my voice choked off as emotion rose in my throat. “We can’t let him hurt her.”
He nodded and let go of my arm. Leaving the squad car and quietly shutting the doors, we moved to t
he back entrance of the safe house. Logan gestured for me to go behind him and pulled out his hand gun. The back door was already unlocked and Logan moved through it first and I followed.
A familiar male voice was talking loudly in the living room and I could hear my own heart pounding in my ears. Logan moved down the hallway and peeked around the corner quickly. I followed quietly and crouched next to him, worry written clearly on my face. He tipped his chin, letting me take my own look around the corner and confirm my fears.
Rose was sitting stiffly at the end of a small couch, eyes wide and afraid, with Candy next to her. Dogspeare was in the corner chewing on a toy and Charles stood in front of Rose, waving a large knife in hand.
“You don’t have to be afraid anymore, Rose! I’m telling you, now things will be great. Everything will be perfect for you and me. Just how it should be. Just how we deserve, right?” Charles’ normally steady tone seemed strained and tight, almost desperate.
Rose nodded, shook her head, tried to speak and let out a quiet cry instead.
In an instant, Charles was on his knees in front of her, hands on her shoulders, knife dangerously close to her neck. “No, no, no, Rose, dearest. My darling. You have to be happy. We’re together. Be. Happy. Rose.” He shook her shoulders between each word and Logan caught my arm before I could jump up to stop Charles.
Logan shook his head and pointed further down the hallway where it looped around to the other side of the living room. He gestured for me to follow but before he could, my phone rang.
Logan ducked around the opposite corner just before Charles stood and stalked toward me, brandishing his knife. “Who’s there? Show yourself!”
I blew out a shaky breath and stood, raising my hands. “It’s just me, Charles. I was worried about Rose so I came to see her.” I edged slowly around the corner so he wouldn’t come toward me and catch Logan. Trying an awkward smile, I sketched a wave as I listened to my phone ring again.
Charles’ face brightened and he relaxed somewhat. “Coco. So nice of you to stop by. Rose isn’t having a very good day and a friend is just what she needs.” He gestured for me to move toward the couch, which I did very slowly. “You’ll have to join us for dinner sometime soon. Once we get settled, you understand. We need to get settled down first.”
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