Bassets and Blackmail (A Dog Detective Series Novel Book 2)

by Sandra Baublitz

  Barnes knelt by me and pulled the purse off Paw. My dog's head freed from the purse with a pop.

  Drool coated Barnes's hands and the inside of Donna's handbag.

  “Yuck!” Donna said as she cradled her belongings. A wallet, glasses, and scarf were clutched in her hands.

  Paw shook his head sending more drool flying. Donna sat back on her heels to avoid it, but she got hit as did the rest of us.

  “That dog is a menace. Now I have to change again.” She stood up and dropped her things on the chair by the closet. She turned to the officer with hands on hips and stared pointedly at the door.

  Patricia gathered up the rest of her things and retrieved the bag. “Clarissa, why don't you and Officer Barnes wait outside with Paw?”

  I sighed, stood up, and tugged Paw’s collar. I turned to Donna. “My apologies. I'll pay to replace anything damaged.”

  Donna glared but nodded with a quick jerk.

  I guided Paw out with Barnes behind me.

  He closed the door with a huge grin on his face. In a whisper, he said, “It's always fun when Paw's around.” Apparently, Barnes wasn't bothered by the drool stuck to his uniform.

  I knelt by Paw who dropped an object at my feet.

  Big, brown eyes stared at me in anticipation of praise.

  I reached out to pick up the object. A pen. It was gold-colored with a dull metallic sheen from the hall lights reflecting off it.

  “Wait!” Barnes commanded me as he removed a plastic glove from his belt pouch. “The drool.”

  He pulled on the latex glove and bent to retrieve the pen.

  Paw issued a querying, “Woof,” as Barnes stood up. The pen dripped drool onto the hall carpet.

  I rubbed Paw's chest. “Let Officer Barnes have it.”

  Barnes examined the pen as I considered how to reprimand Paw.

  Before I could say anything, Donna opened the door and stepped out. Patricia followed close behind.

  Donna gazed at us with a curious expression.

  “Ma'am? Does this pen belong to you?” The officer held it up for her to see.

  Donna shrank back from the drool-coated pen. “Yuck!”

  Patricia spoke in an amused voice, “Perhaps you should wipe it off first, Officer.”

  Paw watched with his head tilted on the side.

  Barnes wiped off as much drool as he could with his glove. He held the pen up for Donna's inspection.

  “Woof!” Paw stepped forward, reluctant to see his prize returned.

  Donna peered at the pen and paled. “That's not mine.” She took a step back but had to stop retreating, for Patricia stood at her back.

  A commotion on the stairs drew our attention, and we swiveled in that direction. All except Paw, whose gaze remained fixed on the pen.

  Bruce, who had remained with the guests in the living room, ordered,” Ms. St. Clair, come back here.”

  “No. I'm going to put on clothes.”

  Light footsteps tapped up the stairs followed by heavy footfalls.

  Jessica topped the stairs, nightgown swishing around her, and swiveled to speak to her pursuer. She stopped in mid-turn as she caught sight of us.

  Gesturing to Donna, Jessica said, “She changed clothes.” Jessica flitted down the hall toward us as the door to Madeline's room opened.

  Harry stepped out behind me. “What's going on here?”

  “Harry,” Bruce said as he topped the stairs, pointing at Jessica, “She refused to stay with the others.”

  Jessica continued toward us, saying, “I won't sit around in my nightclothes waiting for you.” She glowered at Harry then turned to Donna.

  “She,” Jessica pointed to Donna and gasped. “That's Thomas's pen.”

  Chapter 18

  Harry's voice rumbled behind me. “What pen?”

  Officer Barnes held up the pen. “This, sir.” He nodded to Paw and gestured to Donna. “He found it in her purse.”

  “Impossible. I've never seen that pen before now.”

  Jessica planted her fists on her hips. “Then how did it get in your purse?”

  “You can't prove it was in my purse.” She flung a hand toward Paw. “He could have found it somewhere else.”

  I huffed. “Not true!”

  Harry placed a firm hand on my shoulder. “Let me see that pen.”

  Barnes handed it to Harry, who wore plastic gloves from his search of Madeline's room. As Harry raised it to the light to examine it, I saw an inscription down the pen's length. Thomas Cafferty.

  Hal stepped out of Madeline's room. “I'm ready to move her.”

  Harry grunted and handed the pen back to his officer. “Bag it.”

  Hal shook his head. “What kind of arrogant idiot has their name engraved on a pen?” Obviously, he, too, had seen the inscription as Harry held the pen.

  Jessica glared at Hal, but Harry spoke before she could chastise the coroner. “I want a full explanation of how Paw found the pen.” He turned to Jessica. “Are you willing to swear that pen was Cafferty's?”

  She lifted her chin. “Yes.”

  Harry nodded with a jerk of his head. “Fine. Go get dressed. Patricia, go with her, then I want to talk to you. Don't discuss the pen or how it was found.”

  Jessica huffed. “I'll dress alone.”

  “No. You won't. Once you're done, you'll go to the police station with the Daytons.” He turned to Donna. “You're going to the station. Consider yourself a person of interest.”

  Donna crossed her arms. “And if I refuse?”

  “I'll detain you for suspected theft.”

  Donna scoffed. “You can't do that.”

  “Try me.”

  Donna flounced away saying, “I'm calling my lawyer.” She brushed past Jessica and Bruce.

  Officer Barnes followed her.

  Patricia gestured to Jessica. “Let's go, dear.”

  “I'm not your dear.” Jessica turned on her heel and headed to her room. Once both women were ensconced in Jessica's room, Harry said, “Bruce go back to the other guests.”

  Bruce nodded to Harry and smiled at me. He walked down the hall and disappeared down the steps.

  Hal scratched Paw's back. “Good boy. You're a better detective than Harry.”

  Harry grunted. “He'd make a better coroner too.”

  “You ready for me to move the body?”

  “Yeah.”

  Hal returned to the room.

  Harry took my arm and led me downstairs.

  Paw trotted along beside us.

  As we walked, he said, “I'm going down to the station. Tell Bruce to keep everyone in the living room until I send an officer back. Banks will finish upstairs.”

  He paused at the bottom of the stairs and directed me to the dining room.

  Once inside he pulled out a chair for me. “Now tell me what happened in Mrs. Dayton's room.”

  I sat down, and Paw settled at my feet. I recounted how he stuck his head in Donna's purse, spilling the contents.

  Harry shook his head. “That dog is a better detective. He gets away with unruly behavior.”

  “Woof!” It sounded like a protest to me.

  “Uncle, we're fortunate he found the pen.”

  “Maybe.” Harry scratched his stubble-coated jaw. “Maybe not. The pen may have no connection to the murders.”

  “So you believe Cafferty’s death was murder.”

  Harry nodded.

  Voices in the foyer drew Harry's attention.

  “Stop following me,” Jessica sharp voice complained.

  Patricia's soothing voice was too low for me to hear the words she spoke.

  Harry stood up. “I'll talk with you later.”

  He left the dining room and spoke to Jessica. “Come with me, Ms. St. Clair.”

  “Why do I have to go anywhere?”

  “Because I need your statement regarding the pen. Besides, if you want to press charges against Mr. Dayton, I need you to come to the station.”

  “Fine,” she huf
fed.

  High heels clicked across the floor as Harry opened the front door. Through the dining room door, I glimpsed Jessica step out, followed by Harry.

  “Come on, boy.” I stood up.

  Paw sighed and got to his feet.

  We crossed the foyer to the living room.

  Above, I heard sounds of movement. Hal must be bringing down Madeline's body.

  I shuddered. I didn't wish to see them, so I closed the living room door behind me. Everyone stared at me.

  “They’re moving her.”

  Karen sobbed quietly, and I mentally kicked myself for upsetting her.

  Patricia sat beside William with Henry nestled at their feet.

  Shelbee sat on one sofa with a comforting arm around Karen’s shoulders.

  Jac sat on the floor between Samuel and Henry while Bruce paced by the windows.

  Bitsy curled up next to Shelbee on the sofa cushion.

  Paw joined Samuel. I approached Bruce. Quietly I said, “Harry wants you to keep everyone here until he sends an officer.”

  Bruce nodded curtly then hugged me. He whispered in my ear, “You okay?”

  I whispered back. “Yes, but I wish I knew who the murderer is.”

  Bruce kissed my forehead. “Me too. We'll figure it out.”

  Clattering sounded in the foyer.

  I sensed the tension rise in the room.

  Bruce squeezed me then strode to the door and slipped out, closing it behind him.

  I sat on the sofa across from Shelbee and Karen and stared at the abandoned tea tray. “Would anyone like some fresh tea or coffee?”

  Karen shook her head, declining my offer, but Shelbee said, “Bring hot tea with sugar.” She nodded to Karen.

  I stood up, lifting the tray of now cold beverages. “Anyone else?”

  William coughed. “I'll have coffee.”

  “Me too,” Patricia said. “Can I help you prepare it?”

  “No. I'll get it.” As I turned the doorknob, Paw brushed against me. He wasn't letting me out of his sight.

  “Okay boy, you can come too.”

  I planned to prepare the tea in the commercial kitchen. As we neared the door to the family's private kitchen, Paw stuck his head through the gap in the door. I followed Paw inside planning to give him a treat. The dogs' biscuit tin sat on the counter.

  I grabbed the tin, prying off the top when a rapping sound startled me. I jerked, and biscuits flew everywhere.

  Paw greeted this sudden good fortune with a woof and a dash to eat as many as he could.

  I rushed around, grabbing up as many biscuits as I could while calling, “Just a minute,” toward the outer door.

  Fortunately, most of the treats landed on the counter. I swept them into the tin and corralled the remaining treats on the floor.

  Paw stood over three more biscuits, so I let him have them and hurried to the kitchen door. I paused before opening it. “Who is it?”

  “Well for goodness’ sakes, do you think the killer would knock?” Lillian asked through the door.

  “Now Lillian,” Mark Carter's voice admonished.

  “Don't now Lillian me, young man.”

  I pulled open the door and stepped back.

  Lillian hustled in with Mark on her heels. Robert followed, shaking his head at his two companions.

  “What are you all doing here?” I asked with hands on hips.

  “What do you think?” Lillian groused. “I came for the mystery game, but this one,” she pointed to Mark, “says there's been another murder.”

  I opened my mouth to ask Mark how he knew someone had been killed then shook my head. “The sirens.”

  “Yep.” Mark pulled out his notebook and pen. “Not often our police force uses their sirens. Twice in two days. Had to be something big. So, who died?”

  “Mark,” Robert placed a hand on the other man's shoulder, “give her a minute. You don't have to push so hard.”

  I expected our resident reporter to bristle at Robert's advice, but he merely shrugged, saying, “Someone has to find out the truth.”

  Paw finished his snack and sniffed Lillian's shoes. She peered at him. “Saber isn't with me, you big galoot.” Her tone was affectionate.

  Paw sat down and gazed up at her, his head tilted to the side.

  “He's sleeping at my house,” Lillian informed Paw.

  I stifled a smile for I knew Lillian wouldn't appreciate my amusement at her conversation with Paw. I glanced over to Robert, whose eyes twinkled in mischief.

  I turned to the door to cross into the commercial kitchen and start the tea.

  Mark was missing.

  “Drat that man! Where did he go?”

  Robert strode to the door, saying, “I'll find him.”

  I followed but stopped when Lillian said, “Where are you going?”

  “To the other kitchen to prepare tea. Would you like some?”

  “Tell me what happened. Who's dead?” Lillian followed me, as did Paw.

  “Sorry boy. You're not allowed in the other kitchen. Wait here and I'll let you out as soon as I've finished the tea.”

  I placed my hands on his chest and urged him to stay back. He stared at me with sad eyes as I slipped out the door with Lillian.

  In the kitchen, I boiled water as Lillian fixed a tray with cups, spoons, and sugar. I turned from the stove to find Lillian standing with arms crossed.

  “Madeline Wells died. Smothered with a bed pillow.”

  “Hmm. Wouldn't have expected that although she did seem a nosy person.”

  “Nosy?” I asked as I searched the cupboard for cookies.

  “She wanted Cafferty's clues.”

  “His clues?”

  “Yes,” Lillian said, throwing her hands in the air. “Last night when you all voted on continuing the mystery game. Madeline wanted Cafferty's clues.”

  “She did. Maybe she's just competitive.”

  “That too, but I think she was nosy as well.”

  Shelbee pushed through the door. “Mark is a pain in the you-know-what. But Officer Heldman is back and ordered him to shut up and wait until we're interviewed.” She poured hot water into the teapot then turned to me. “He says you are free to do what you want. Harry's orders are for you to stay out of it.”

  I frowned.

  “If I were you,” Shelbee said,” I’d go out the back to avoid Mark. He's waiting to ask you questions since you’re the only one released.”

  Lillian stood up and pushed in her chair. “Let's go.”

  “Go where?” I asked.

  “To talk to Dana.”

  Lillian hadn't forgotten about the missing bracelet.

  “All right. We'll take Paw.”

  “Samuel's in the there too.” Shelbee lifted the tray. “Take him along.”

  I opened the door for her to pass by me then Lillian and I crossed into the private kitchen. Paw and Samuel greeted us with wagging tails.

  I grabbed Jac's coat off a hook since mine was upstairs. “We'll stop at my house first, so I can change out of my nightclothes.” It would be chilly with my pajamas on, but it was a short drive to my house. Jac's car keys were in the pocket of her coat, and I knew she wouldn't mind me driving her car.

  “Lillian, how did you get here? You didn't walk, did you?”

  She shrugged. “I started walking, but Robert stopped and picked me up. Don't frown at me. I may be old, but I'm fit.” She poked my side. “Fitter than you.”

  I refrained from arguing, partly because she was right. I snapped on Paw and Samuel's leashes. “Let's go.”

  I drove to my house, changed clothes, and drove out of town to the hiking trails. Samuel and Paw shared the back seat to Paw's displeasure. He usually rode in the front seat.

  According to Lillian, Dana Harford jogged the hiking trail through Cotter's Woods every day. Cotter's Woods was owned by Daniel Winter, our local taxidermist. Odd to think a taxidermist would have a deep respect for nature but he did. Cotter's Woods was as much a nature pr
eserve as a hiking trail. It was open to the public if people didn't litter or harm the animals and woods.

  I passed the development where Robert lived and turned down a two-lane dirt road. The road wound uphill to the woods. Once I crested the hill, a graded parking lot spread out. A few cars sat in the lot, and I parked next to a red Toyota.

  Lillian pointed to the red car. “That's Dana's.”

  I gazed at the woods where the main trail led into the trees and wondered how we were going to find Dana in there.

  Lillian glanced at her watch. “Perfect timing. Dana should be just nearing the fairy house. If we take the trail to the right a short distance, we can wait by the first bench. She should jog past in five minutes.”

  I marveled at Lillian's knowledge. “Have you spied on her?”

  Lillian waved a hand, dismissing my question. “Of course not. Terry Wilkes volunteers up here. He patrols the trails and clears dead wood. That type of thing. He knows all the regulars and their schedules.”

  I shook my head at the silent spy network. Tranquil Valley had more secrets than I ever knew.

  We climbed out of the car, and the dogs and I followed Lillian to the bench she indicated.

  Paw and Samuel sniffed around the bench. A squirrel in a tree branch overhead chattered at us.

  “Grr.” Samuel bristled at the squirrel’s rude remarks.

  I placed a hand on his head. “Ignore him.”

  Samuel whined and sat down, watching his furry tormenter.

  Paw trailed a scent around the bench then sighed and sat down on my other side.

  The fairy house wasn't visible from here, but I thought of how beautiful it looked last Christmas.

  It was named because of its tiny size and resembled the cottage the dwarfs lived in in the Snow White stories. Only two people could fit in the house at a time though. Kids loved to explore it and the town paid to decorate it each year for the holidays. Someone had figured out how to run the white lights it was decorated with by battery.

  As I mused a tall, thin woman wearing a red sweat suit jogged into view.

  Lillian stepped onto the trail blocking the path.

  The woman pulled up in surprise. “Mrs. Hardcastle. What are you doing here?”

  Chapter 19

  She glanced over at the dogs and me. Her mouth pinched as Paw and Samuel stood up.