“Then how did it get in here?”
“I don't know.”
“Mreow!”
Bruce wheeled around toward the sound, brushing against my shoulder. I peered around him at the doorway. Rascal strolled in with head held high and tail erect. He stopped and sniffed the air with mouth open. “Chuff.”
“Did he sneeze?” Bruce asked as the cat twined around his legs.
“Yes.”
“What's he doing here?” Bruce bent to pick up the cat who evaded his grasp.
“He must have run away from Jac.” I wiggled my fingers to get Rascal's attention.
He ignored me and slipped into the closet.
Bruce cursed. “Get him out of there. He'll contaminate the crime scene.”
I thrust the gun into Bruce's hands. “Here. Put this back under the clothes.”
I pushed open the closet door and knelt on the floor, pushing aside two suitcases and three shopping bags stuffed with items.
No Rascal.
“Mreow?”
I looked up to where Rascal perched on the empty shelf above the clothes rail. He sat hunched over with his tail curled around his body staring down at me. A quizzical expression filled his eyes.
“Rascal. Get down here.”
The cat purred but didn't move.
I jumped up and lifted my arms to grab him.
He edged back out of my reach.
“Here,” Bruce said as he stepped in front of me. “I'll get him.”
Rascal watched Bruce's hands rise and then sidled to the side.
Bruce followed.
The cat sidled too, in the opposite direction.
Bruce grunted and made a lunge for the cat.
Rascal leaped from the shelf.
And landed on me.
Darkness enveloped us as Rascal’s back feet caught the rail, pulling down clothes on top of him and me, and knocking me to the floor.
Rascal wriggled out from under the clothes and ran a short distance away shaking himself off.
Jac skidded around the room door. “There you are,” she said to the cat. “What happened?” she asked as she saw the mess.
Bruce pointed to the cat. “He happened.”
Jac picked up Rascal, who purred in contentment. “Oh no. Rascal, you bad boy.”
“Watch the door while we clean up,” Bruce said as he uncovered me and helped me to stand.
Together we sorted and hung up the clothes.
As I shook out the last article of clothing, a coat, I heard a crinkling sound from one of the pockets. “Found something.”
Bruce extracted a piece of paper from the pocket.
“What is it?” I asked as I peeked over Bruce's arm to read.
“I'm not sure.”
Sirens shrieked close by.
Bruce cocked his head at the sound. “Hang up that coat.”
I ignored his command in favor of reading the paper. “She said she had no idea he was going to be here.”
Jac asked from the doorway, “She who? He who?”
“Karen,” I answered as I continued to scan the paper. “This is a letter with her name at the top. Demanding she meet with Cafferty here. It's signed by him.”
Bruce turned the paper over to reveal a blank side. “If that's Cafferty's signature.”
Jac tightened her hold on Rascal who wiggled to get down. “That's all it says?”
“Yes. Cafferty threatens to expose her secret if she doesn't show up.” I checked the pockets of the coat I held. Nothing.
Sirens shrieked right outside then stopped. Uncle Harry was here.
Bruce folded the paper and shoved it into the coat pocket. “Hang it up.”
I did, as he turned to Jac. “Better get downstairs.”
Jac hesitated. “Did you find Robert?”
“Yes,” I said. “He took Pedro home.”
Jac’s breath whooshed out, and she swept out the door with Rascal in her arms, the cat's tail twitching back and forth.
“You're leaving the evidence? How will we determine if the letter is from Cafferty without keeping it?”
Bruce stripped off his gloves and motioned for me to do the same. “I'll make sure Harry compares the signature to the registration book. William has one, right?”
I removed my gloves and handed them to Bruce. “I have no idea. He may check guests in with a computer, but there should be some record of a signature. Jac will know though.”
Downstairs Harry's commanding voice boomed. “Where is everyone?”
William's voice was too low for me to hear his reply.
“Heldman, stay with the guests. Where's the body?”
Harry's heavy tread mounted the stairs. He wasn't alone by the sound of the footsteps.
Bruce and I stepped into the hall to wait. Bruce hid the latex gloves in his pants pockets.
Harry topped the stairs with two officers behind him and turned toward us, his long steps striding down the hall. He stopped by us and glanced into the room. With a grimace, he motioned for the other two men to enter the room.
“What happened?” Harry adjusted the volume of his radio on his belt. The police chatter quieted.
“Madeline Wells is dead.” Bruce pointed to the bed. “We believe she was smothered with a pillow.”
Harry raised his eyebrows. “Show me.”
Bruce stepped into the room and pointed to the pillow.
Harry stripped on gloves and examined the pillow. “Bag it,” he said to Officer Barnes.
“Where were the guests when Ms. Taylor found the body?”
“Most were sleeping as far as we know. Except for Karen Taylor. She was outside.”
Harry jerked his head up to stare at Bruce. “How do you know that?”
“I was patrolling outside when Paw alerted me to her.” Bruce explained his encounter with Karen and how he met Patricia and me in the kitchen.
Harry glared at me. “What were you doing here?”
“Bruce suggested we stay the night in hopes of preventing the killer from attacking.”
Bruce grimaced as he glanced at Madeline. “I failed.”
“You can't blame yourself.” I touched his arm, but he jerked away.
“She's right,” Harry said as he pulled latex gloves from his pocket and handed them to Bruce. “Now. What did you find when you searched the room?”
My eyes widened. Before I could deny anything, Harry held up a hand. “I know you two. It'll save me time if you point out what you found.”
I accepted a pair of gloves from Officer Barnes and showed Harry the fake gun. As he examined it, I explained, “It's a prop for the murder mystery game we planned to play this weekend. Hans Greble carved weapons to use as clues for the game. Shelbee hid them around the B&B for the players to find.”
“How did it get here?”
I shrugged.
Harry grunted. “Anything else?”
I directed him to the closet and showed him the paper in the coat pocket, explaining how Rascal knocked the clothes down.
Harry unfolded the letter and scrunched his brow as he read. “Barnes, go find out if Innsman has a register the guests sign or a sample of Cafferty’s signature. If so, bring it up here.”
“Yes, sir.”
Officer Barnes strode away.
“I'll be back in a minute,” Harry said to Officer Banks, who was documenting the scene.
The officer nodded as he continued his work.
Harry waved us out of the room and halfway down the hall. He stopped and said to Bruce, “What did you find out?”
“Nothing yet. I'm waiting for my sources to return my calls.”
I crossed my arms. “Sources?”
“Informants. I sent out inquiries about our victim's and suspect's pasts.”
My voice edged with anger. “When were you going to tell me?”
Bruce scowled. “As soon as I learned anything.”
Harry put a hand on each of our shoulders. “Easy you two. Let's—”
> Crash!
Chapter 17
Loud, angry voices followed the sound of the something breaking downstairs.
Harry bolted down the hall.
“Boss?” The officer documenting Madeline's room stepped into the hall.
Harry waved, calling over his shoulder, “Keep working. I'll handle this.”
Bruce sprinted past Harry and took the stairs two at a time, Harry right behind him.
I rushed down the stairs and skidded into Jac, who ran in from the kitchen hall.
We hurried to the living room door, stopping short of entering the packed room.
James stood, arm raised, threatening Jessica with a chair leg, the broken chair smashed at his feet.
Officers Heldman and Barnes faced James, their guns trained on him.
Harry stood between his officers attempting to reason with James. “Put down the weapon, Mr. Dayton. Step away from Ms. St. Clair.”
“No way. She's been spreading lies about me. Insinuating that I killed Cafferty and now that woman.” He raised the chair leg higher.
William and Patricia struggled to hold Donna back, as she cursed her husband. “Stop this nonsense, James. You're acting like a brute.”
James ignored her, jerking his attention between Jessica and Harry.
From the corner of my left eye, I caught movement. A slight shift of my head and I saw Bruce edging around the room to get behind James.
Suddenly the dogs ran past us into the living room.
“Woof!”
“Growl!”
“Yip. Yip.”
“Woo-woo.”
“Rats!” Jac said low enough that only I could hear. “I forgot to shut the door.”
Paw forced his way between Harry and the officer on his right while Samuel ran behind the sofa.
Paw slammed into James's chest as Samuel clamped onto the chair leg, ripping it from James's hand.
James landed on his back with an “oomph.” Paw pinned him to the floor, lying across the man’s chest.
Samuel lay down and chewed on the chair leg.
Henry walked around James and lifted his leg.
“No!” Patricia and William yelled as James turned his head to avoid a stream of urine in his face.
Shelbee stifled a giggle as she knelt by Samuel, coaxing him to release the weapon he chewed on.
I held a hand to my chest, my heart beating rapidly. I was thankful both officers had maintained control of their weapons when Paw pushed through them.
Harry took charge. “Clarissa, call off Paw.”
“Paw, come here!”
Paw leaped up and trotted to me, tail waving.
Harry pointed at James. “Get him up and cuff him.”
The officers obeyed, warily watching Henry and Bitsy, who sniffed James’s shoes.
Shelbee retrieved the chair leg from Samuel and handed it to Harry, who shook drool off his hand.
Jac picked up Bitsy as she cavorted past her.
Donna wrenched from William and Patricia's hold, hurried to James, and slapped him. “You idiot. What were you thinking?”
“She's a liar!”
“Yes, she is, but you can't threaten people.”
“No. You can't.” Harry motioned to his officers. “Take him down to the station.”
“I'm coming too.” Donna glared at Harry as if challenging him to contradict her.
“Fine.” Harry clenched his jaw.
The front door clicked as someone opened it then again as it was closed.
“Woof!” Paw's bark was joyous.
I peeked out of the living room and smiled.
Hal was back. His fierce scowl softened when he saw me. “At least I'm not the only one Harry called out at this hour.”
Donna spoke behind me. “We need to dress. We're still in our pajamas.”
I turned to face the room while Paw greeted Hal, who stroked my dog's back.
Harry grumbled to himself then said, “Alright. My officers will escort you upstairs and stay while you change clothes.”
“No way.” Donna fisted her hands on her hips. “I'm not undressing in front of one of them.” She nodded to the officers.
“Then you're going in the clothes you're wearing.”
I cleared my throat. “Why don't I stay with Donna as she changes?” Before Harry protested, I added, “Heldman and Barnes can go in the Daytons’ room while James changes then they can stand outside the door as I go in while Donna changes.”
Patricia touched Harry's arm for his attention. “It's too chilly for them to go in their nightclothes. I'll accompany Clarissa to help Donna.”
Harry scanned the room. “Alright. Bruce, you stay here. No conversing amongst yourselves. We'll be conducting interviews soon.”
He motioned to his men. “Take them upstairs.”
Jac and I stepped back to let the officers and James through the door. Donna followed, pulling her robe tighter around her.
Harry nodded to us as he passed and waved for Hal to follow.
Patricia stopped next to me. “Are you bringing Paw?”
I smiled at my dog as he stared up with a hopeful expression. “Yes.”
Behind us, Bruce said, “Everybody, sit back down. We'll wait in silence until the Chief returns.”
Jessica, who had remained subdued during James's threat, complained, “He's the troublemaker. I bet he killed that woman. Why do we have to sit and wait?”
Karen sobbed. “You're horrible. ‘That woman,’ as you call her, was my friend. And she was a kind and caring person.”
“I just bet.”
“Why you-”
“Ladies,” Bruce spoke in exasperation. “No talking.”
The room fell silent.
Patricia and I climbed the stairs behind Harry and Hal, who headed down the hall and turned into Madeline's room.
Directly across the hall, Donna waited by her door as the officers led James into the Daytons’ room.
Paw sniffed a trail along the hall as Patricia and I walked to Donna's side.
Donna, who was leaning forward to glance in Madeline's room, asked, “How did she die?”
“I don't know.” I lied hoping Karen wouldn't reveal the truth until Harry released the information.
I peeked into the room. Hal stood by Madeline's body, examining her.
Harry peered around the door at us, scowled, and slammed the door.
“How rude.” Donna hugged herself.
Paw sniffed the bottom of Madeline's door and across to Donna's. Satisfied, he flopped down in front of her door.
Patricia smiled at Paw but spoke to Donna. “The Chief conducts his investigations with utmost discretion.”
Donna shivered. “What if the killer had chosen our room instead? James and I could be dead.”
“You're assuming a random killer is on the loose?” Patricia sounded affronted. “I assure you our inn is a safe place.”
“Doesn't look like it.” Donna sniped back.
“Perhaps it is connected to Cafferty's death,” I said as I tightened the sash of my robe.
“Cafferty.” Donna glowered. “That vile man. He deserved to die.”
She saw our shocked faces and amended her words. “Never mind me. I'm tired and worried about James.”
I nodded. “Understandable.”
The door opened, and Officer Heldman stopped short when he encountered Paw at his feet.
I grabbed Paw's collar and urged him to stand.
He got up and we stepped back.
The officer led James out of the room.
Barnes followed and stepped next to the door frame. “I'll wait here for you.”
Heldman escorted James down the hall and descended the stairs.
Donna and Patricia entered the room, and I followed with Paw.
I closed the door behind me with a click.
Paw trailed a scent around the room as Donna selected a pair of pants and a sweater from the closet.
A full-size bed dominated th
e room. Nightstands bookended the bed with a lamp on each. The lamp closest to the door was lit. A dresser stood to the right of the door, on it a profusion of lotions, discarded jewelry, and a handbag. Across from the bed, the closet door stood ajar. It was packed with clothing, most of which appeared to be Donna's.
I preferred to travel light with a bag or two. Donna must have brought six suitcases to carry all her clothes.
She sat on the lone chair in the room that was centered between the closet and one of two windows. Both windows faced the street in front of the house.
I scanned the room. There was no sign of James's habitation.
Donna sighed. “That feels better. I hated wearing my nightclothes with those men around.”
I assumed she meant the officers.
Patricia sat on the bed. “They are good men. They wouldn't harm you.”
“They arrested James.”
“He shouldn't have threatened Jessica,” Patricia reminded her.
Donna crossed her arms. “Jessica is a liar. She's accusing us of murder. Yet no one questions her past. She's not innocent you know.”
Paw tracked a scent past Patricia back toward me.
“What do you mean?” I asked Donna.
“You should ask Jessica about her past. It wasn't only Cafferty she knew before this weekend.”
“Who did she know? Madeline?”
Donna pursed her mouth. “That's for you to find out. I won't cast aspersions like she's doing.”
I thought she already was but refrained from commenting.
Crash!
I jumped and jerked my head to the right as Donna screamed, “Bad dog!”
Behind me, Officer Barnes knocked on the door. “Everything all right?”
Donna ran across the room where Paw stood with his head shoved into a handbag. The same handbag that he had pulled off the dresser. The contents were scattered around Paw's feet.
The officer knocked louder. “I'm coming in!”
The door bumped into my back as Barnes opened it.
Donna crouched next to Paw frantically gathering her spilled possessions. “Get your mangy mutt away from my things.”
“He's not mangy!”
Patricia knelt by Donna, picking up a hairbrush and lipstick. She glanced at me and nodded her head to Paw with a scowl.
“Best get him out of here,” Officer Barnes said to me.
I walked over and grabbed Paw's collar using my free hand to detach the purse. Paw was wedged so tightly the purse wouldn't budge.
Bassets and Blackmail (A Dog Detective Series Novel Book 2) Page 14
