The little dog yelped in pain, which drew Samuel's attention. He barreled to her side, forcing Madeline and Karen to raise their legs as he ran between the coffee table and sofa.
Jessica, who was unbalanced on her feet, fell on top of Madeline, who screamed.
“Woo! Woo!” Henry wagged his tail and ran around the other side of the sofa. Donna raised her legs to avoid being hit and clipped James on the shoulder. He cursed.
Lillian doubled over laughing.
Paw tilted his head as he observed the scene. As Shelbee and Jac waded in to calm Samuel and comfort Bitsy, Paw joined in to help. He pushed between Jac and Shelbee, causing them to stumble into Robert who was trying to help Jessica off Madeline. They all landed on the edge of the sofa in a heap.
Bruce grunted as he strode over and grasped Paw's collar, pulling him from the melee. As William tugged on Henry's collar, Bruce motioned for me to hold Paw.
William handed Henry to Patricia as I urged Paw back to my chair. Lillian rubbed Paw's back to calm and quieten him.
Bruce got a good grip on Samuel and offered a hand to help Shelbee up. Once righted, she bent and picked up Bitsy, soothing her.
The yipping and wooing subsided. William helped Jac up, and she took Samuel from Bruce.
Finally, everyone was settled.
Patricia voiced the question on my mind. “What caused all the commotion? And how did the dogs get out?”
A voice from the doorway spoke. “I can answer those questions.”
Chapter 14
I swiveled my head to where Mark Carter, our resident reporter stood, lounging in the doorway.
He shrugged. “I came in the back way, and the dogs pushed past me when I opened the door to the hall.”
“You!” Karen Taylor stood up with a growl. “Why won't you leave me alone?”
Donna, James, and Madeline turned to stare at her.
Mark shrugged again. “A murder has occurred. I want to talk to everybody.”
“Eavesdropping,” Lillian said to me. “That's why he came in the back way.”
I nodded in agreement.
“And I want to talk to you.” Jessica pointed to Donna and James. “There are your murderers.”
James jumped to his feet, fists balled at his sides. “Liar!”
Donna's voice held icy calm. “How dare you. Why would you accuse us?”
Mark pulled out his notebook as Jessica said, “Thomas didn't trust either one of you. He believed you were both criminals and said he had proof.”
James took a threatening step toward Jessica but was blocked by Robert.
Donna stood and placed a hand on her husband's arm. “We knew Cafferty in the past. He was the criminal, not us.”
Jessica glared at Donna. “He was not. You're just trying to throw suspicion off yourselves.”
Patricia clapped her hands. “Let's all sit down and discuss this calmly.”
Donna nodded and sat back down while James remained standing. She reached up, clasped his wrist, and pulled. James resisted, staring down at her, then grunted and sat down.
Robert stepped to the side while Jessica subsided into her chair. Mark moved closer, but before he could ask a question, Patricia spoke first.
“Jessica, do you know why Mr. Cafferty believed the Daytons were criminals?”
“No. He never said why. But I trusted him.”
In a deep voice, James said, “That was a mistake.”
Jessica glared at him. “What's that supposed to mean?”
“It means that Cafferty was a snake. Trusting him was my mistake.”
He glanced at Donna, who nodded for him to continue explaining. James bent his head then said, “I used to own a construction company. Built it from nothing to a profitable business. We did excellent work and the business grew. But I was too greedy. Refused to turn down work. So, when a huge job was available I bid on it. And won.”
He paused and scratched his head. “We didn't have the money to do the job. And the banks turned me down because the loans we had were late in payment. I approached Cafferty. He agreed to lend me the money except afterwards he demanded I give him a cut of the profits. He was a bank loan officer. It was illegal for him to get a cut. I refused so he went to the company who hired me and told them I was giving him kickback payments. They canceled the job. Without that job, I couldn't pay back the loans, and we went bankrupt.”
Mark scribbled in his notebook then asked, “Who was the company that hired you? And what was your construction company's name?”
“Dayton Construction. The Hillman Group hired me.”
“What bank was Cafferty working for?”
James didn't answer so Donna said, “First and Fifth National.”
Jessica crossed her legs and waved at Donna. “What about you? Were you part of the construction company?”
Donna shook her head. “No.”
“Then why did Thomas claim you were a criminal?”
Donna shot back. “Because he was an evil man.” “I worked as a teller at another bank in town.” She glanced at Mark. “Traders and Merchants Credit Union.”
Mark nodded as he wrote.
Donna shrugged. “Cafferty was cruel to the point that he decided to ruin my career after he ruined James's business. Cafferty was blackmailing my boss at the bank. Your dear Thomas,” she sneered at Jessica, “forced my boss to plant evidence that I stole bank funds. I lost my job and no bank would hire me.”
Jessica frowned. “I don't believe it.”
Karen Taylor spoke. “Believe it. Donna's right. He was a no-good you-know-what. My sister-in-law was engaged to him, and he dumped her for a richer woman. Then she killed herself. That was Cafferty’s fault. He was the criminal.” Venom dripped from her words.
“No. It wasn't.” Jessica glared at Karen.
Before she could continue, Mark spoke. “Sounds like you all knew Cafferty from the past. Did you know he was going to be here this weekend?”
Madeline shook her head. “I never met him before.”
Karen's loud voice overwhelmed Madeline's. “What are you implying?”
The Daytons raised their voices to compete with Karen.
“You—” James cursed.
Donna’s voice overrode her husband’s curses. “How could we know he was going to be here?”
The remainder of the conversation dissolved as Karen, James, and Jessica argued amongst themselves. Mark focused his attention on them but how he understood what they were saying was beyond me. Words melded and tangled as their voices competed to be heard over each other.
The dogs, agitated by the loud voices, barked and yipped.
A piercing whistle rent the room.
Momentarily stunned I stuck a finger in my ear to try to regain hearing as the whistle sounded right next to me. I turned my head as Lillian removed two fingers from her mouth.
Silence blanketed the room as the guests stared in shock at Lillian. The dogs tilted their heads and observed Lillian with respect.
“That's better,” she said. “Now as much as I love a good argument, your arguing is annoying. And pointless. Don't you know not to talk in front of a reporter?”
Mark scowled at her.
Lillian turned to him. “Mark Carter wipe that scowl from your face.”
She pointed to Robert. “Walk Mark to the door and make sure he leaves.”
“I have a right to be here, Ms. Lillian.” Mark's voice held a note of censure.
“No, you don't. You are on private property. Now go.” She pointed to the living room doorway.
Robert slapped Mark on the back. “Come on. You know you won't win an argument with her.”
Mark tapped his pen against his leg in agitation but walked out with Robert.
Donna linked arms with James. “We'll go up to bed now.”
“But—” James's fists remained clenched.
Donna leaned over and whispered in his ear.
James grunted with a curt nod, stood up, and stomped to
the door with his wife.
“What about the game?” Madeline addressed her question to William.
“We'll begin in the morning. Everyone will receive an extra clue as well.”
Robert groaned as he stepped back into the room. He would have to prepare those clues tonight.
Madeline grinned from ear to ear. “Excellent.” She grabbed Karen's arm and stood up. “Come on. I want to prepare for tomorrow.”
Karen allowed Madeline to lead her away.
“Hmph.” Jessica glared around the room. “Guess I'll go up too.”
Once the guests left, Lillian asked Robert, “Is he gone?”
“Yeah. I watched him get into his car and drive away.”
Lillian nodded. “Good. Now Clarissa and I are going to rescue Saber from the tree.” She motioned to Paw. “Leave him with Shelbee.”
I bristled at her autocratic demeanor. I was about to tell her she couldn't command me when Bruce said, “Good idea.”
He whispered in my ear. “Take Lillian home. Then come back. Please.” His eyes held a note of concern.
“Coward,” I mouthed to him.
He grinned.
I ruffled Paw's ears and spoke to him. “Be a good boy for Shelbee. I'll be back soon.”
He wagged his tail and stared at me with sad doggy eyes.
Bruce held his collar. “Come on, big guy. Let's find the kitchen. I could use another cup of coffee.”
He led Paw out with Shelbee and Samuel by his side. “More coffee?” Shelbee said as they left the room. “You'll never sleep tonight.”
Patricia rubbed Henry's ears. “You need to go to bed too.” She looked up at William.
“I'll walk with Lillian and Clarissa. If they don't mind?”
“That's fine,” Lillian said as she started for the door. “Just don't scare Saber.”
William shook his head and smiled at me.
We left Robert mumbling about clue writing as he helped Jac with Bitsy.
Crossing the foyer ahead of us, Lillian opened the front door. “Hello there.”
William hurried to her with a frown. Now, who showed up?
Lillian bent and picked up a black cat. Saber. “I knew my sweetkins would get down on his own,” she cooed to the cat, who wore a sparkling purple collar.
William exhaled. “Good thing we left Rascal asleep in our bedroom.”
“Nonsense,” Lillian said, “Saber loves other cats.”
I kept my mouth shut.
I shivered when I stepped outside. The temperature had dropped, reminding me colder weather would be here soon.
William draped a sweater around my shoulders. He helped Lillian put one on as she protested, “Don't treat me like an old woman.” However, she pulled the edges around and cuddled Saber in its folds.
“Thank you, William. It's colder than I thought it would be.”
“Your welcome, Clarissa. Patricia keeps extras around the house. She's always getting too warm and taking one off then getting too cool and searching for a sweater.” He smiled at the memory.
We walked in silence past the park. We passed a few people finishing their errands. “Hellos” and “isn't it chilly” were exchanged.
Saber purred in contentment in Lillian's arms.
When we arrived at Lillian's house, she asked, “What time does the game start tomorrow morning?”
My mouth gaped open. “You want to play?”
“Don't be ridiculous. I want to watch. Should be amusing.”
“Lillian,” William said as he followed her to her door, “it may not be safe.”
“Not safe?”
“We're playing a murder mystery with a possible murderer. He, or she, may use the game to kill again.”
“Well, of course, the murderer might react. Why do you think I want to be there? You lot need all the help you can get.”
William turned imploring eyes on me.
“Lillian—” I began.
She cut me off with a slash of her hand through the air. “Enough. No more 'Lillian.' I know it's dangerous, but the killer has no reason to harm me.”
“Not yet,” William whispered.
Lillian, who has sharp hearing for her age, said, “What harm could a little old lady pose?”
“And if the killer thinks you saw something during the game? Something that could identify him?”
“Or her.” Lillian reminded me. “I see your point, but it's not stopping me. I'm coming to the game.”
“Fine.” William huffed out a laugh. “How am I going to explain this to Patricia?”
Lillian patted William on the cheek. “Just tell her you listen to smart women like her.”
“Mreow.” Saber protested the sudden movement that rocked his comfortable bed in Lillian's arms.
William shook his head and stepped back out of claw reach. “The game will start at 8 am.”
He turned and stomped down the front steps to wait for me on the sidewalk.
Saber struggled and leaped to the ground, meowing to go inside.
Lillian opened her front door, and the cat walked in with tail held high. She patted my cheek. “I'll be fine. And then we'll question Dana. I know Joan Dever is up to something no good.”
She crossed through the door and shut it behind her.
I sighed. Now I had Lillian to worry about too.
I descended the steps, joined William, and together we turned back to the B&B. As we walked, I asked, “How could you be sure your fake bottle of wine would fool Cafferty?”
“Still thinking about that, are you? Do you think I'm the killer?”
“Don't be ridiculous. I believed what you told us. I'm just curious. How many people would recognize that wine?”
William smiled. “More than you would think. There are lots of wine aficionados in the world. They may not be able to afford the finest of wines, but they know of their existence. Although I must admit, if Devon hadn't verified the real bottle of wine, I would have assumed the empty bottle I found was a fake.”
“You said you found it at a flea market. Where?”
“Yes. Over in Merlot. Ironic isn't it? To find an empty wine bottle in a town named for wine and then find the same wine in our basement.”
I stopped and stared at him as we passed under a streetlight.
He raised his hand. “Scouts honor. Merlot has a huge flea market event every year. Vendors from across the country come to set up.”
“Cafferty recognized the wine. You said he was a connoisseur.”
“Yes. He was, but he wasn't the only one. Donna Dayton knew the wine. Do you remember her reaction?”
I nodded. “She knew the year too.”
William rubbed his chin. “Yes. She did. That indicates to me that she's well-versed in wines.”
“I wonder if James knew, as well,” I spoke my thoughts out loud.
William shrugged. “He drank plenty of the other wine we served. Doesn't mean he knew much about them, though he did want to see my makeshift wine cellar.”
We were near the B&B. Lights shone in the living room and two upstairs bedrooms.
“Woof! Woof!” Paw trotted down the front steps and ran to me. He stopped at a hand command I’d learned from Shelbee. We were trying to teach Paw to approach me at a slower pace, so he didn't knock me down in his enthusiasm.
Paw slowed some but bumped against me. His tail whacked my legs.
Bruce strode down the steps with a mug in his hand. He inclined his head to Paw. “Big guy needed a walk before bed.”
I scratched Paw under his collar. “He can go on our walk home.”
“No. He can't.” Bruce handed me the mug.
I took a sip. Mm. Hot chocolate.
Paw shook himself, sending drool everywhere.
Bruce put up an arm to shield his face while William stepped away from me. “I’ll check on Patricia.” He waved and left Bruce and me alone.
“I’ll finish this.” I held up my mug. “Then I'll take Paw home.”
“
No,” Bruce said. “We're staying here tonight.”
Chapter 15
I raised an eyebrow as my mouth was full of hot chocolate.
“I arranged everything with Patricia. You'll share with Jac and Shelbee, and I’ll share Robert’s room.”
I swallowed. “Why?”
“Because I want to be on the scene if the killer decides to strike again.”
“You believe Cafferty was murdered?”
Bruce rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah. I do.”
I smiled behind my cup of chocolate. “And you want me to stay.”
“Yeah, well, I figure you'd just come back if you knew that I was staying.”
I nudged him with my shoulder. “Irresistible, aren't you?”
“And you can't resist a mystery.”
“Woof!” Paw's tail slapped Bruce's leg.
“You too, big guy.”
I laughed at Paw's eager expression. “We're busted, buddy.”
Paw sat down and tilted his head to me.
“Let's go inside.” I shivered as I drew my sweater closer around me. “I need more hot chocolate.”
“You go. I'll take Paw for a quick walk.” Bruce tugged on Paw's leash.
Paw glanced between us then stood up with a sigh. He followed Bruce through the parking lot but glanced back at me every few steps.
I waved to him and hurried to the front door, shivering. I was enveloped in warmth as I entered the foyer, shut the door behind me, and listened. Distant voices conversed from the kitchen area. Otherwise, all was quiet.
I carried my empty mug back to the private kitchen where the voices were more distinct. I stepped through the door when I recognized Shelbee's voice say, “Whew! Dishes are done. I'm ready for bed.”
Jac threw the dish towel into the laundry hamper. “Me too.”
“Not so fast,” Robert said, as he hunched over the kitchen table. “I need more clues for tomorrow morning.”
Samuel lay on a rug in the corner with Bitsy curled up beside him.
Jac saw me enter. “More hot chocolate?”
“Please.”
She picked up a carafe sitting on the counter by a toaster. I met her halfway across the room.
As Jac filled my mug, Shelbee said, “I've put an air mattress on the floor in our room and one in Robert’s. Hope that's comfortable.”
Bassets and Blackmail (A Dog Detective Series Novel Book 2) Page 12
