Cedar Bay Cozy Mysteries #3

by Dianne Harman

  “I love our dogs,” Mike said, “but murdering because of one? That seems like a very far stretch, but I’m beginning to think I’m wrong from what you’re telling me. Sounds like there’s a lot of money and ego tied up in these dog shows and champion dogs, and both of those things can sure be the basis for a murder.”

  “Have you gotten a coroner’s report yet?”

  “Glad you mentioned it. There was a call from the coroner when I was talking to you just before I got home. I’ll check it out after dinner, speaking of which, what are we having tonight?”

  “One time when I was in Portland I was really pressed for time, and I stopped at a fast food restaurant. You know they’re generally not my favorite kind of restaurant, but the hamburger I had there was hands down the best I’d ever had in my life. I told the young woman behind the counter that I’d like to speak to the manager, and I asked him if he could share the recipe. He told me it was a secret recipe, and he couldn’t give it to me. I’m not too proud about it, but I took a twenty-dollar bill out of my purse and told him I’d really appreciate it if he could give me the recipe, and he did.”

  “Kelly, that shocks me. That is so unlike you.”

  “Wait until you taste this burger. It was worth every penny of the twenty dollars I spent.”

  “Well, with an intro like that, bring it on!”

  When Mike finished the last bite of his burger he said, “I would gladly have given the manager fifty dollars for the recipe for that burger. Easily the best I’ve ever had, and you know how I love the special way you fix those beans. I think the first time I had them was at the coffee shop.”

  “It was, and as simple as they are, they’re still one of the best sellers, particularly on an overcast winter day. Why don’t you go listen to what the coroner has to say while I clean up the dishes? Actually, before you do that you might want to get Skyy off of the couch and take her outside. I have never allowed Rebel or Lady to get up on the furniture, other than our bed, and I sure don’t want to start now.”

  A few minutes later Mike walked into the kitchen, Skyy next to him, wagging her tail.

  Kelly put the last of the dishes in the dishwasher and turned to him. “What did the coroner have to say?”

  “Mary died from being hit on the head with a blunt instrument.”

  “Did he say what the instrument was?”

  “No, he couldn’t tell. He didn’t think it was from a gun handle, and he said it seemed to be more like from a hammer or something heavy like that. From where she was hit, he thinks she must have been facing her killer. There was nothing to indicate she was hit from behind.”

  “I wonder if when the dogs were let out she surprised the person who let them out, and she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

  “If that’s true, she really was in the wrong place at the wrong time. If that theory is correct, the person must have realized she’d seen him or her let the dogs out, and so that person killed Mary in order to conceal his or her identity.”

  “Mike, was there any indication of bad blood between the manager and Mary?”

  “Not that I could tell. She seemed to be genuinely devastated by Mary’s death. I really don’t think she knows anything. Why do you ask?”

  “I was just wondering if there was any resentment on her part for Mary allowing the Pit Bull Sanctuary group to rent from her, because remember, it was one of those pit bulls who severely injured her dog.”

  “No. I’d completely rule her out. From what she told me, it looks like someone didn’t shut the gate properly, and the dog got out.”

  “Well, it is strange that at the same time and at two different locations gates or doors weren’t securely closed.”

  “I see what you’re saying, but I honestly think it was just a coincidence and nothing more.”

  “Okay, but I know how you feel about coincidences. You always say you don’t believe in them. What are your plans for tomorrow? Sounds like you’ve pretty much found out all you can from the people at the kennel.”

  “It sounds naïve, but I’m hoping someone who knows something will call me with a lead. It’s been in the papers and on the news. The news people and the papers specifically said if anyone had information regarding the case to call my office, and they posted my phone number. I’m hoping it helps. There’s no point in going back to the kennel. I’ve interviewed everyone who works there. Plus, there are a couple of other cases that need my attention. Going to Cuba set me back a bit, and although I’ve got an increased workload right now, I don’t regret a moment of that trip.”

  “Good, because even with the murder we solved while we were in Cuba, it was a great vacation.”

  “Kelly,” Mike said as he raised his eyebrows, “just because things kind of fell in place in Cuba, and you helped a bit in solving a murder, don’t get any ideas about becoming involved in this one.”

  “Of course not, Mike, that’s your area. I’ve just been a little lucky.”

  “Well, I know it probably doesn’t do any good to ask, but it will make me feel better. Please promise me you won’t do anything else on my case.”

  “You’ve got it, Sheriff,” she said, mentally crossing her fingers behind her back.

  CHAPTER 15

  “See you this afternoon,” Kelly said to Mike the next morning as he left for his office. “I plan on being here most of the day playing dutiful housewife. There’s a pile of laundry I need to get to, and the house and yard need a little attention. Go get the bad guys.”

  “Can’t promise I’ll get them, but I’ll sure try. I’ll probably give you a call later on and see how this group is doing,” he said, bending down and petting Skyy who was intent on untying Mike’s shoe by pulling on his shoelace. “Good luck with this one.”

  Kelly spent the next few hours doing household work and watering the plants and potted flowers. She looked at her watch and thought surely Madison would be up by now. Kelly knew that Saturdays were usually sleep-in days for young people. Madison was in her late teens and in addition to being a student at the local cosmetology school, she worked part-time for Kelly at the coffee shop. Kelly well remembered when her son and daughter, Cash and Julia, were teen-agers. It was never a good idea for anyone to call the house before noon on the weekends. She picked up her cell phone and punched in Madison’s phone number. “Hi, Kelly,” the voice on the other end said.

  “Good morning, or early afternoon, Madison. Do you have a moment?”

  “I have plenty of time. I was just doing some homework, although now that I’m almost through with school, there’s not much of it. It’s more of a hands-on thing.”

  “This won’t take long. I’m wondering if you know a young man named Ricky Anderson. He’s about your age, and I thought you might have gone to high school with him.”

  Madison was quiet for a few moments. “Yes, I remember him. He was always kind of a loner and didn’t have many friends.” She laughed and said, “Not that I did either, but I’ve changed a lot in the last couple of years. From what I hear, I’m not so sure Ricky has.”

  “What do you mean by that?”

  “Well, he was expelled from high school. I guess his father was really angry about it. He didn’t work or do anything for a long time. I heard his father threatened to throw him out of the house if he didn’t go in the Army or get a job. I understand he’s working at the Doggie Love Kennel. Oh, Kelly, that’s where you boarded your dogs, and that’s where the owner was recently killed, right?”

  “Right on all accounts. Tell me a little more about him. Why was he expelled?”

  “Remember when Roxie’s son was buying marijuana from some guy out at Brandon’s dad’s ranch and selling it to some of the kids at school?”

  “Of course. How could I forget? There had been speculation for a long time that his father was growing it on his ranch. Why do you ask?”

  “Roxie’s son was small potatoes compared to Ricky. He was very involved in buying it and selling it to the students
. Problem was, he used most of his profits, if you know what I mean.”

  “I assume you mean he was actively smoking marijuana.”

  “That might be the understatement of the year. One day he showed up for class with bloodshot and dilated eyes and everyone knew he was stoned. Our history teacher called the principal’s office and then escorted him there. He didn’t trust Ricky to go there by himself. The principal expelled him that day. I guess he did a locker search, and it was jammed with the stuff. I’ve seen him around town a few times since he left school, but that’s about it. Actually Brandon and I were just talking about him the other day. Brandon told me he’d heard that Ricky’s father was going to give him $5,000 if he could stay on the job at Doggie Love for a year.”

  “That’s a lot of money to a young person or anyone else for that matter. Why do you think his father made a deal like that with him?”

  “Ricky’s a loser. He’s never been successful at anything he’s done. I think his father wanted him to try and understand the concept that if he stuck with something, he could be successful. You know, kind of a teaching lesson. I don’t think he even got his GED. He’s just a high-school dropout cleaning out dog kennels. I can ask Brandon about him if you’d like me to and see if he knows anything more. Brandon came home from college for the weekend.”

  “No, I think you’ve given me enough information about Ricky. One more question. Any chance he’s still doing drugs?”

  Madison was quiet for a long time. “Kelly, I really don’t like to spread rumors, but I have heard he’s moved up a step from marijuana, and now he’s doing heroin.”

  “In a sleepy little town like Cedar Bay? You’ve got to be kidding.”

  “I wish I was. It’s kind of the in drug now, and if you have the money, it’s available. Don’t pass that on. It was just a rumor I heard.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that about Ricky. I’ve never even met the kid, but it sounds like his life is over. If he’s involved with heroin, has no degree, and can’t get a job other than what his dad gets for him, doesn’t sound like he’s got much of a future.”

  “Trust me, he doesn’t.”

  “Thanks for taking the time to fill me in, Madison. Go back to your studies. I’ll see you Monday morning. Have a nice weekend,” Kelly said, ending the call.

  She stood for a moment with the phone in her hand, not quite sure what to do with the information Madison had given her. I wonder if the kennel manager, Sandy, knows about his drug use, or if Mary knew. Maybe she confronted Ricky, and he killed her. Okay, that’s a pretty far stretch based on a rumor. Guess I’ll have to go to the kennel and meet him. I can always say I can’t find Lady’s dog tag and wondered if it came loose when she was staying there. While I’m there I’d also like to meet Sandy. I always dealt with Mary when I boarded the dogs there.

  She walked into the bedroom to change clothes and noticed that Skyy was chewing on something. She walked over to the puppy, looked down and said, “Skyy, those are my reading glasses. How did you get them?”

  Skyy wagged her tail while Kelly took the glasses away from her. Kelly looked over at the nightstand and saw that the lamp had been moved, and a tissue was shredded on the floor next to the nightstand.

  She walked over to it and was sure that Skyy had jumped up on the nightstand, pulled the tissue and glasses off of it, and moved the lamp in the process. She said in a very firm voice, “No, No, Skyy. Bad dog.” She slapped the nightstand for emphasis. “No nightstand.” Skyy continued to wag her tail.

  I’d forgotten how curious puppies are about everything. Think she’s definitely a new soul. Lady never did anything like this, and Rebel was already grown when I got him. I hope her cuteness makes up for what I feel may be a few long months. Of course, that’s assuming that Mike says we can keep her, but I have a feeling she’s here to stay.

  CHAPTER 16

  Kelly parked her minivan in the kennel parking lot and walked over to the door marked “Office.” When she opened it she was immediately greeted by a young woman who asked, “May I help you?”

  “Yes, I’m Kelly Reynolds. I boarded my dogs, Lady and Rebel, here while my husband and I were in Cuba. I picked them up the day all the dogs had been let out of their kennels by someone. Lady’s dog tag is missing, and I’m wondering if you’ve found it.”

  “Of course, Mrs. Reynolds. Forgive me for not recognizing you. I’m Sandy Reston, the manager of Doggie Love Kennels. I know Mary usually took care of you. No one has turned in a dog tag, but I’ll certainly keep an eye out for it.”

  “By the way, Sandy, I heard you recently had a horrible experience when your dog was attacked by one of the pit bulls from the Pit Bull Sanctuary. How’s your dog doing?”

  “She’s doing as well as can be expected, but she’s still at Dr. Simpson’s. It was pretty scary. I still don’t understand how it happened. Someone evidently didn’t make sure the gate leading to the area where the pit bulls were located was secured. I had to rush Mickey to the vet, and she had emergency surgery. The person who saw what happened had the sense to turn on the hose we use to water the plants and squirt a stream of water on the pit bull to get him to let go of her leg. Dr. Simpson said if the dog hadn’t released Mickey’s leg, there was a good chance she would have lost it. It’s going to cost me a fortune.”

  “Doesn’t the kennel have insurance for things like that? I would think a dog fight among dogs staying at the kennel wouldn’t be a particularly uncommon occurrence.”

  “Yes and no. You see, the pit bulls were not really part of the kennel. They were actually on property that was being leased to the Pit Bull Sanctuary. The Doggie Love Kennel insurance didn’t apply to them. What happened was pretty awful, and Mary didn’t make it any easier.”

  “Why?” Kelly asked. “What happened?”

  “When I returned from the vet’s and told her what happened, the only thing she said was something like, ‘Gee, that’s too bad.’ She had a real soft spot in her heart for the pit bulls. We’d argued before about having pit bulls on the property. I told her our customers would be very angry if anything happened because pit bulls were on the premises.

  “I’m not a lawyer,” Kelly said, “but it does seem Mary would have had some exposure to liability if anything happened to dogs that were being kenneled here, and the owners weren’t made aware that pit bulls were on the premises. A lot of people don’t like the breed.”

  “I know. I asked her if the kennel would pay Mickey’s vet bill, and she told me no, that something like that wasn’t covered under the kennel’s insurance policy. Then I asked her if that was the case, would she personally pay the vet bill, because my dog had been attacked on her property.”

  “She told me no. Mary insinuated Mickey must have done something to aggravate the pit bull, and she told me she was not responsible for it. I told her how angry my husband was about the incident, because Mickey’s pretty much his dog. It didn’t help he was in New York on business when it happened, and I had to tell him what happened to Mickey over the phone. He took a red eye flight home that night.”

  “What a shame. I know how I’d feel if that had happened to one of my dogs.”

  “Not only was my husband mad,” Sandy continued, “he told me if I didn’t quit working here he was going to divorce me. I was hoping it was just a spur of the moment thing said in anger. My husband’s a lawyer, and he told me Mary was responsible for what happened. He said that if it had been a paying customer’s dog, the customer would have sued Mary because ultimately it was her responsibility to make sure that the pit bulls were separated from the dogs that were boarded at the kennel. He thought it was pretty fraudulent that she didn’t tell clients about the presence of pit bulls on the property. In her defense, Mary always thought she could keep the pit bulls separate from the paying customers’ dogs. It turned out she was wrong.”

  “Did you agree with your husband and quit?”

  “Yes, I gave my two weeks’ notice, and then Mary was murdered a couple o
f days later. My husband said since she’d gotten the pit bulls off the property he would give me a two-week grace period to leave the kennel. I was in the process of finding a replacement when she was killed. Now, everything’s up in the air. I don’t even know if the kennel will remain in business.”

  “How did Mary take it when you gave your notice to her?”

  “Not well. She said my husband was overreacting and being ridiculous about the whole thing. Mary said he was just some neurotic lawyer, which I have to tell you, didn’t sit well with me. She said it was bad enough she had to get rid of the pit bulls that needed foster homes, but I was really adding insult to injury by quitting. She was very angry and yelled at me, saying there was absolutely no reason for me to quit. She told me she didn’t have time to train someone new.”

  “Well, I don’t agree with how she handled everything, but I suppose there is some sense to what she said about there not being a reason to quit once the pit bulls were gone.”

  “They may be gone, and she may be dead, but I have a huge vet bill I still have to pay. My husband has no idea how much it is. He’s going to be even angrier than he has been when he finds out. He felt it was kind of rightful justice that someone murdered Mary. I know how he feels. Because of her, I nearly lost our dog and my husband. And people thought she was such a nice person. I wonder what they’d think if I told them the real truth about her. At least the people who presently have their dogs here won’t have to worry about something terrible happening to their dogs like what happened to mine.”

  “Thanks for taking the time to tell me all of this,” Kelly said. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to walk through the building and see if I can spot Lady’s tag. I know it’s a long shot, but I’m kind of sentimental about it. My husband gave it to me as a present, and its real silver. Probably doesn’t have any value since it’s engraved with Lady’s name and our address and phone number, but it has value to me.”