Murder at Corgi Country Club

by Cindy Bell

  Nikki tugged on her shoes and headed out the door. Her cell phone rang before she even picked up the first dog.

  “Hi Sonia.” Nikki smiled as she heard her friend’s voice. “How are things this morning?”

  “Coming together. Really.” Sonia laughed, and then cleared her throat. “I’ve got quite a to-do list. Top on it was to touch base with you. I’m bringing Princess with me to the country club, so you won’t need to walk her this morning. Also, please try to get there early, because there are so many people I want you to meet.”

  “I’ll do my best.” Nikki quickened her pace in the direction of Coco’s house. “Do you need me to pick up anything?”

  “No, everything is under control, I think. I guess we’ll find out. Luckily, most of the donors were already going to be at the country club today. They recently opened a shooting range and today is the grand opening. I think there is going to be a huge turnout. After they’re finished at the shooting range, they can bid on some great things, especially from Daniel Barclay’s collection. He’s offering up so many great items for auction. He’s a world traveler and has collected so much over the years. I can’t wait to see the response we will get.” Sonia gasped. “Oh dear, is that the right time? Okay, I have to go. See you soon, Nikki.”

  “See you soon, Sonia.” Nikki laughed as she hung up the phone. She was glad to hear Sonia so excited, it gave her a buzz of excitement as well.

  After Nikki finished walking the dogs, she returned to her apartment, and picked up her car. On her way to the animal shelter she spotted a familiar car on the road beside her.

  Detective Quinn Grant gave a quick honk of his horn and waved to her through the driver’s side window of a Dahlia PD patrol car.

  “Are you on patrol today?” Since there was no one else on the road, Nikki slowed her car alongside his.

  “Yes, pounding the pavement.” Quinn grinned as he pointed to his uniform. “What do you think?”

  “I could get used to it.” Nikki winked at him.

  “Don’t.” Quinn tugged at the collar. “I think I put on some weight since I last wore it.”

  “You look amazing.” Nikki gazed at him for a long moment, then jumped at the sound of a horn.

  “Better get moving, or I’m going to have to pull you over.” Quinn chuckled as he drove off.

  Embarrassed, Nikki stepped on the gas. The person behind her sped up right behind her.

  Nikki looked in the rearview mirror and noticed the car was a sleek, bright blue coupe. It didn’t look familiar to her, and neither did the man in the driver’s seat, who seemed more than eager to let her know how irritated he was.

  Nikki sped up a little more but didn’t like to go above the speed limit, especially as people often walked, and rode bikes in the area. Despite the fact that she sped up, the car behind her remained right on her tail. Annoyed, she turned on her signal and turned off the main road to take the back way to the animal shelter.

  The blue coupe sped past, far beyond the speed limit.

  “There’s never a cop around when you need one.” Nikki rolled her eyes, then laughed at herself.

  Nikki pulled into the parking lot of the animal shelter, just as Petra closed the back door on her station wagon.

  “Morning Petra.” Nikki called out to her through her window. “Do you need any help?”

  “No, I think we’re all set. I have Bassie in her carrier, and Spots is sprawled out on the back seat. Thanks though. I thought it would be cute to choose a Corgi for an event at the Corgi Country Club.” Petra walked over to Nikki’s car. “Are you heading over?”

  “Yes, Sonia asked me to get there early. I’m glad you picked Spots and Bassie, I’m sure they will get a lot of attention.”

  Petra took a deep breath.

  “I hope so. My fingers are crossed.” She held up her hands to show Nikki. “And my toes, and everything else.” She grinned.

  “I’m sure it will be great.” Nikki waved to her. “I’ll see you there.”

  As Nikki turned back onto the road, she kept an eye out for the blue coupe. Luckily, she didn’t see it anywhere. She guessed that it had just blown through the town to the next one. After a few minutes she turned down the long driveway that led to the country club. When she saw the sign for the Corgi Country Club it always brought a smile to Nikki’s lips. The country club had been built by a very wealthy family who owned a lot of land in Dahlia. They had named it after their greatest love, Corgis. Their children had inherited their assets, and their love for Corgis, so the name stuck.

  Nikki hadn’t been to the country club very often. As a child, her family didn’t have anything to do with the country club, and as an adult she hadn’t had any reason to be there. However, she’d joined Sonia there for lunch a few times over the past year. It always felt a little strange to her, as if it was an entire world unto itself. While the city of Dahlia swirled all around it, the country club with all its vast grounds, luxury and quiet, felt like an island.

  Today however, it was no island. As she navigated the parking lot it surprised her to see so many spaces taken. More cars pulled in behind her as well. With an hour to go before the auction, she guessed that many more people had yet to arrive. Sonia was right, it was quite a turnout.

  Nikki stepped inside the country club and found staff members bustling in all directions. She managed to get a few directions from a passing waitress and found her way to one of the large banquet rooms. Inside, the room was nicely decorated with several tables and chairs, as well as rows of chairs in front of a small stage and podium. A few people milled about. Sonia finished giving instructions to one of the staff members, then caught sight of Nikki.

  “Nikki, I’m glad you’re here.” Sonia waved her over and smiled. “There’s someone that I’d like you to meet.”

  “Wonderful.” Nikki smoothed her hair back away from her face in an attempt to straighten it out. She could feel dampness against her palms. That morning’s walk had been a brisk one and with the warmth in the air she’d been left more sweaty than usual. She wished she’d taken a little extra time to freshen up. Now that she saw the way everyone was dressed, her flower-covered sundress left her feeling a little under-dressed. It seemed like a bad time to meet one of Sonia’s high-class friends, but Sonia didn’t seem to notice.

  “Daniel.” Sonia’s voice softened into a sing-song tone as she approached a man in a black suit who stood close to the stage in the front of the banquet room.

  “Sonia.” Daniel turned to face her. One hand slipped down the lapel of his suit jacket. “I heard that you might be here.” His lips framed by a thin, silver mustache eased into a smile. “Okay, maybe I had hoped that you would be here.”

  “When I heard that you offered some items from your collection for the auction, I just knew that this would be a success. Thanks to you, I’m sure that the animal shelter will have more than enough funding for the next few years.” Sonia smiled. “You have always been so very generous.”

  “I try.” Daniel gazed at her as his lips curved into a slow smile. “If you see something you like, be sure to bid on it, I’ll make sure you’re the winner.”

  “Oh you.” Sonia laughed and shook her head. “I’d better check on a few things, but please keep Nikki in mind if anyone you know needs a dog walker, she is amazing with animals.”

  “Perhaps she could help that poor woman out then.” Daniel clucked his tongue as he looked towards the door.

  Nikki turned to see Petra with both dogs on leashes heading in opposite directions.

  “Come back.” Petra huffed at Bassie who was quite curious about the buffet table. As she tugged Bassie close, Spots tried to weave his way between two chairs. His leash nearly knocked them both over. “Spots!” She groaned while she untangled him, Bassie inched her way towards the food. She almost made it to the edge of the table, when Petra gave her leash a firm tug. “Sit! Both of you just sit!”

  “Oh no.” Nikki rushed over to Petra and tried to hold in a lau
gh as she took Bassie’s leash from her. “I think they’re a little excited.”

  “You could say that.” Petra rolled her eyes as she patted Spots’ head. “I’m not sure this one is going to settle down.”

  “Let me take him for a quick run, that should help. You can walk Bassie around, she’s so friendly.” Nikki traded leashes with Petra. “We’ll be back soon.”

  “Thanks, Nikki.” Petra flashed a smile at her. “You are a lifesaver, as usual.”

  Nikki shrugged. “I don’t mind at all. I feel far more at home with my four-legged friends than I do with the members of this country club.”

  “I hear you there.” Petra smoothed down her skirt. “I’ll see what Sonia needs me to do.” She walked over to Sonia with Bassie in tow.

  Nikki led Spots outside for a run. As she guided him along the driveway towards the open grass, a man who she didn’t recognize rushed past her with his phone pressed to his ear.

  “I’ve told you already, I’ll have the money soon, you just have to be patient.” He frowned as a truck pulled up in front of him.

  “Miller, where do you want the rest of the stuff?” The driver of the truck leaned out the window and waved a well-worn hand at Miller. “Hello? If I don’t get this stuff inside soon, the boss is going to fire me.”

  “Just take it all in.” Miller huffed. “I’ll be right there.” He continued past the truck towards the front door of the country club. “Just a little more time,” he muttered into his phone, and then he shoved his phone into his pocket.

  Nikki did her best to ignore the tension. It wasn’t her business why Miller needed more time, or why the truck driver glared at Miller as if he’d like to murder him. Her business was Spots, and his need for some exercise.

  The hyper, happy dog was distracted by every flower and butterfly on the vast grounds of the country club. He wanted to sniff, and pounce on everything he saw. Nikki held him back as he tried to hunt down a squirrel.

  “All right, buddy, time to go show you off.” Nikki guided him back towards the entrance of the country club. As she neared it, she noticed a familiar car in the parking lot. It was easy to spot, not just because of its bright blue color, but because it wasn’t parked in a parking spot. Instead it was parked in the middle of the parking lot. Nikki rolled her eyes at the sight of it. He could have handed his keys over to the valet and the valet would have parked it for him, instead he had blocked several other cars in. She did her best to push the thought from her mind. The day had the potential to be great, and she wanted to do everything to encourage that.

  By the time Nikki managed to drag Spots back into the banquet room, the auction had already started. She walked Spots over to Petra.

  “I think he’s a little calmer now.” Nikki smiled.

  “Thanks so much, Nikki. This auction is amazing, the prices just keep going up.” Petra grinned.

  “Enjoy.” Nikki winked at her as a waitress brought over some glasses of wine.

  Nikki declined a glass, then looked for Sonia and Princess. After a few minutes she spotted Sonia and Daniel close to the stage, and close to each other. She couldn’t help but notice the way Daniel stood right next to Sonia with his arm around her waist. Princess appeared preoccupied with a shiny spot on the floor that kept moving around. Each time it shifted, Princess slapped a paw down on it. Nikki had to hold back her laughter as she watched. Sometimes she believed Princess might just be a cat trapped in a dog’s body.

  “Up next for auction we have this divine eighteenth century crystal vase. Now, I’ve been told this needs to be kept quiet, but I think I can trust all of you. Can’t I?” Gloria smiled as she leaned across the podium towards the audience. “We’re all friends here, after all.”

  A murmur carried through the crowd that inspired a smile on Nikki’s face. Yes, they all wanted to know the secret of the vase, and hopefully it would make them willing to pay a lot for it.

  “The story, as it was shared with me, is that this is a one of a kind handmade vase. It was given as a wedding gift to the artist Pableski. It resided within her house for quite some time.” Gloria looked over at the vase and shook her head. “Can you imagine the conversations it might have overheard? Let’s start the bidding at three thousand.” She smiled as several paddles shot up into the air. As the bidding heated up, the price tag increased. Nikki found herself caught up in the war, as she looked from bidder to bidder to see who would up the offer next. Finally, the price settled on fifteen thousand.

  “Going once, going twice, and sold!” Gloria slammed the gavel down onto the podium and let out a squeal of celebration.

  Gloria’s squeal of celebration turned into a shriek, as Daniel Barclay collapsed to his knees at the front of the crowd. His right hand reached out towards the stage, then he slumped forward. Gasps and murmurs filtered through the crowd as everyone attempted to understand what had happened. Nikki’s heart slammed against her chest. All she knew for certain was that something terrible had happened, and she wanted to get to Sonia, to offer her as much support as she could.

  “What’s wrong?” Nikki frowned as she hurried forward along with a few other people. “Is he having a heart attack?”

  “No.” Sonia crouched down beside him. Her eyes widened. “He’s been shot!”

  “Shot?” Nikki took a sharp breath. “How is that possible? I didn’t hear a gunshot. I’m sure an ambulance is on its way. I heard Gloria call for one.”

  Sonia shivered, then gazed down at Daniel.

  “It’s too late, Nikki.” Sonia tightened her grasp on his hand as she shook her head. “He’s already gone.”

  Nikki’s breath caught in her throat as she realized that Sonia was right. Daniel was dead!

  Chapter 3

  Two security guards rushed into the room and went straight for Daniel. After they had checked for a pulse, it was obvious that they reached the same conclusion that Nikki and Sonia had.

  “Please move towards the exits!” One of the guards gestured towards the exit.

  “You need to clear this area now, please.” The other guard gestured to Sonia and Nikki. Sonia didn’t respond.

  “Sonia.” Nikki wrapped her arm around her friend’s shoulders and tugged her gently away from Daniel. “We need to get out of here.”

  “Okay.” Sonia gave in to Nikki’s tugging.

  Nikki guided them both through a side door and down a hallway that led to the kitchen.

  Sonia suddenly stopped.

  “Wait, where’s Princess?” She gasped as she swept her gaze around the kitchen. “She was right next to me before Daniel was shot. She must have run off somewhere. Oh no. I was so distracted, I didn’t even think to look for her! How could I leave her in there all alone?” She lunged towards the door.

  “It’s okay.” Nikki stepped in front of her. “You stay here, right here. Sit on that chair.” She pointed to a stool at the counter behind Sonia. “I’ll go get her.”

  “Nikki, I can come with.” Sonia bit into her bottom lip but she swayed slightly.

  “Just sit.” Nikki guided Sonia into the chair. “I’ll just grab Princess, and we’ll all be on our way. Will you stay here please?” She looked into Sonia’s eyes.

  “Yes, I will.” Sonia sat down. Her hands fluttered nervously in her lap.

  “I won’t be long.” Nikki pushed open the door to the kitchen. She looked down the short hallway that led back to the banquet room. It was obvious that Daniel had been targeted. She wanted to have another look around the banquet room to see if there were any clues as to who pulled the trigger and why, but her priority was to get Princess. She couldn’t leave without Sonia’s beloved pet.

  Nikki quickly walked towards the door that opened into the banquet room. She heard shouts in the distance. Commands echoed between police officers.

  Nikki nudged the door open and peeked through the small space she created. She couldn’t see anyone else in the room. Daniel’s body remained near the stage. As she searched the room for any sign of Prince
ss, she didn’t notice anyone else. Everyone had cleared out, everyone but one Chihuahua.

  “Princess!” Nikki clapped her hands together and nudged the door open farther. “Princess, come here!” She clapped her hands again. The sound echoed through the mostly empty, large room. She pushed the door halfway open and put one foot inside the banquet room. “Princess! Come here!” She clapped her hands again.

  Sudden pressure against her back, and a strong grip on her arm as it twisted behind her back were the only warnings she received before her body slammed against the wall of the banquet room. She sucked in a breath in the same moment that she attempted to scream. The result was a strangled sound that made her head spin.

  “Against the wall! Be still!”

  Some relief washed over Nikki as she heard the familiar voice of one of the local Dahlia police officers. At least it wasn’t the murderer. At least, she didn’t think it was.

  “I’m sorry, I’m not armed, I didn’t do anything!” Nikki tried to sound calm, but her heart pounded so hard that it was hard to speak clearly.

  “Everyone else has vacated the area, and you’re sneaking in?” The officer snapped handcuffs closed on her wrists. “Would you like to explain that?” He turned her around to face him in the same moment that Princess bounded towards her, yapping loudly.

  “Princess!” Nikki blinked back tears of relief. “Please, Officer, that’s my friend’s dog. That’s why I came back, she got left behind in all of the chaos.”

  Princess jumped up against Nikki’s shins and tried to get behind her to lick her fingertips.

  “I see.” The officer frowned as he looked down at the dog.

  “What is going on here?” Quinn walked into the banquet room, followed by a few more officers. His eyes locked to Nikki’s, then dropped to the handcuffs on her wrists. “Get those off her right now.”

  “It’s okay, Quinn.” Nikki did her best to keep her voice steady. “It’s my fault, I walked in on the scene. I needed to get Princess.” She closed her eyes as the officer unlocked the handcuffs. “Thank you.” She scooped Princess up into her arms. The dog scrambled up her chest to lick her lips and cheeks. “I know, baby, I know.” She hugged Princess gently against her chest.