Cedar Bay Cozy Mysteries #3

by Dianne Harman

  “I spoke with Sandy Reston the other day. I understand that it was her husband's dog, and he was quite upset about it.”

  “That's putting it mildly. He's kind of a strange guy.”

  “I don't know him. Tell me about him.”

  CHAPTER 23

  “Kelly, I really don't like to talk about my patients or their owners. I hope you can understand that. Why do you want to know?”

  “Doctor, we go back a long way. You know I'm married to the Beaver County Sheriff, and I think you know that I've helped him solve some of the murder cases that have occurred in and around Cedar Bay. The death of Mary Barnes is a very strange case. It seems like there are a lot of people who might have a motive for murdering her. Several of them involve dogs which are probably patients of yours.”

  “That very thought has been keeping me awake the last few nights.”

  “If I made a promise to you that I would never tell anyone about any conversation we might have, could you trust me enough to give me your thoughts? I think you could really help us with this investigation.”

  Dr. Simpson was quiet for several moments, obviously deep in thought. “Kelly, I've known you a long time, and I trust you. I probably would feel better getting this off my chest, but I must insist my name be kept entirely out of anything that might come about as a result of this conversation.”

  “If it would make you feel better, I won't even tell Mike.”

  “He seems like a good man, although I've only met him a couple of times. Go ahead and tell him whatever you feel is relevant, but please don't say you heard it from me.”

  “That's more than fair. I won't use your name as being a source.”

  “Since I'm the only veterinarian in town, I pretty much know all the dog owners. You know my feelings about Lisa. She was in shock and very, very angry when I confirmed that Duchess was pregnant. Do I think she qualifies as a suspect? I honestly don't know. I suppose she might have been angry enough to commit murder, but I have a hard time seeing her as a killer. I also have a hard time seeing her as the person who let the dogs loose at the kennel.”

  “That was pretty much my impression as well,” Kelly said, “but I have learned that sometimes the one person you don't think is capable of committing murder is actually the one who has committed the murder.”

  “I'm sure that's true, and you would know more about that than me. I don't know if you know Jack Powell. He's the head of a group called the Pit Bull Sanctuary. He pays me a retainer and brings in various different pit bulls from time to time. He’s passionate about the breed, and while I've never known him to be violent, he was furious he had to find another place for the pit bulls after one of them attacked Sandy Reston's dog. He felt he was very lucky to find foster homes for the dogs with almost no notice.”

  “Actually, I had a long talk with him at the dog show,” Kelly said, “and he told me about the incident. He seemed really angry that Mary had made such a quick decision. He felt what she did was unfair to him and the dogs, because it didn't allow him enough time to rent space for them somewhere else.”

  “Yes, that's true. Now that brings me to the Restons. Evidently Sandy and Mary had disagreed for a long time about the pit bulls being on the premises. When one of the pit bulls savagely attacked Mickey, the Reston's dog, the situation came to a head. Sandy was furious when she brought her in to me for emergency treatment and ultimately surgery. She told me she was going to have to call her husband and tell him, because the dog was his baby. Sandy said her husband was in New York and would not be happy about it.”

  “I guess she was lucky the dog didn't lose its leg.”

  “Very. It was one of the worst injuries I've ever seen. In fact, the dog is still here, even though it happened several days ago. I don't know if he'll ever regain full use of that leg. Her husband comes in daily to see the dog. Sandy might have gotten over it, but her husband definitely hasn't. Quite frankly, if I were to pick one person that might qualify as a leading suspect, I would probably pick Hank.”

  “I don't know him. Why do you say that?”

  “There's not much I can tell you. He's a lawyer for a lumber company, and he travels a lot. When he's gone, I understand Sandy takes their dog with her when she goes to work at Doggie Love Kennel. There's nothing specific I can tell you about him, it's more of a sense that I have about him. He seems to have anger issues.”

  “Can you give me an example?”

  “The one that comes to mind is something that happened several months ago. It was time for his dog to be given her annual Bordetella vaccine. I don't know if you've noticed, but when this building was built, the way to open the front door was inadvertently reversed.”

  “What do you mean, reversed?”

  “Usually the right side of a door swings open. When the contractor built ours, somehow it got reversed, and the left side of the door is the side that swings open.”

  “I've never noticed it,” Kelly said, “but I will on the way out. I'm still a little unclear what this has to do with Mary Barnes' death.”

  “Sandy and her husband moved here about a year ago, and he brought his dog in to meet me and talk to me about shots, etc. When he opened the door and came in he was furious about the way the door opened. He was so angry he was shaking and told me I should have that door reversed. It seemed overkill to me. What's interesting is that he still gets just as angry over that door every time he comes here. That's what I mean when I say I think he has some anger issues. Seems to me the situation with the front door shouldn't merit that amount of anger.”

  “I agree. I suppose he could have a motive to commit murder in that his dog was severely injured while she was staying at Doggie Love Kennel, but I do have a problem seeing a young lawyer risking everything by doing something like that.”

  “Yes, I've considered the same thing, but if someone has severe anger issues, I'm not so sure they think that far ahead. Often it’s simply reacting to whatever is in the moment.”

  “Let me ask you something, Doctor. What's your impression of Sandy Reston?”

  “I like Sandy, but I do think she's intimidated by her husband. I told you she was panicked when she brought the dog in after it had been attacked. She seemed to be far more worried about what her husband was going to say than she was about the dog's injury. I found that to be very unusual.”

  “Doctor Simpson, I just thought of something. I know this is really a leap, but I noticed a big bruise on Sandy's jaw when I talked to her the other day. She was wearing a lot of make-up, and I had a fleeting thought that maybe someone had hit her, and she was trying to cover the bruise up. I have absolutely nothing to base it on.”

  He was quiet for several moments, and then he said, “I've never put it together, but now that I think about it, I've seen bruises on her several times. One time I commented on a bruise, and she told me she'd tripped on the stairs and fallen. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?”

  “Let's put it this way, Doctor. I don't like what I'm thinking.”

  “Kelly, I'm going to have to go. I'm running late. I feel better after talking to you, but I'm not too sure how valid anything I’ve said is, or if it will be of any help to you and Sheriff Mike.”

  “Thanks, Doctor. When I find out something, I'll let you know. Glad you approve of the new little girl.”

  “I think she's going to be a beauty. Mary was thrilled to get that dog, and with good reason. She’d spent a lot of time researching where to get a dog that she felt could be a champion. Are you planning on showing her or breeding her?”

  “I don’t think I’d feel very comfortable in that world. We love our dogs, but as pets, not as commodities. Thanks for spending so much time with me. I’ll be in touch.”

  CHAPTER 24

  Kelly felt unsettled when she left Dr. Simpson’s office. She couldn’t get the thought out of her mind that Sandy Renton was being abused by her husband. Since Sandy and Hank had only moved to the Cedar Bay area within the past year, she doubted if Sa
ndy had any close friends she could confide in.

  Maybe this whole thing is in my mind. I’d like to clear it up once and for all. I need to talk to her and see if there’s anything I can do to help her if she’s a victim of spousal abuse. Of course, it may be nothing, and if that’s the case, the worst that can happen is she’ll never talk to me again. Seem to remember some old saying about nothing ventured, nothing gained. I think I’ll go out to the kennel right now and talk to her. If she is being abused and something happens to her, I’ll never forgive myself if I don’t at least try to help.

  Kelly drove out to the kennel, pulled the minivan into the kennel parking lot, and partially rolled down the windows so the dogs could get some fresh air. She took a deep breath, swallowed hard, walked over to the office, and opened the door. It was somewhat dark inside, but she was able to make out Sandy sitting at her desk in front of a computer.

  Sandy looked up when the door opened. “Kelly, how are you?” she asked in a voice that sounded like she’d been crying. “Sorry, but I don’t have anything to report. Nothing more has happened since we last talked.” As she spoke she tried to keep her face turned away from Kelly.

  Kelly could see why the lights in the room were dimmed and why Sandy was trying to avoid looking directly at her. There were two large bruises on Sandy’s cheek and the skin around her left eye was black and blue. Even though it was a warm day, she had a sweater on over a blouse which was buttoned up to her neck.

  “Sandy, I’m not here about the dog tag,” she said in a soft voice. “When I was here yesterday, you moved into the sunlight, and I noticed a large bruise on your cheek, and it looked to me like you’d tried to cover it up with pancake makeup. Today I can see several new bruises, and those are only the ones I can see. The clothes you’re wearing could be covering more. As you know, my husband’s the Beaver County Sheriff, and he’s had to deal with a number of spousal abuse cases. Over the course of our conversations about it, I’ve learned what to look for when a spouse is being abused. Your bruises look like classic cases of spousal abuse. Please, let me help you,” Kelly said as she reached out and put her hand on Sandy’s shoulder in a comforting gesture.

  “Kelly, please, I beg of you to just forget what you saw. If Hank knew you suspected anything, he’d kill me.”

  “I sincerely hope that’s an exaggeration. I think I need to call my husband. Spousal abuse is a felony in this state.”

  Kelly saw the terror in Sandy’s eyes. “No, no, please don’t call him. Hank promised me when he left this morning it would never happen again. He’s going to get some help when he gets back from his business trip. I know he loves me. Sometimes he just can’t help himself. He was crying when he left. After it happens, he’s always so sorry about it. He doesn’t mean to hurt me. It’s like there’s another person in him that comes out. Anyway, it was all my fault. I asked for it.”

  “What do you mean you asked for it?”

  “I noticed how you looked at me yesterday, and I was pretty sure you could see the bruise. I figured since you were married to a sheriff you’d know what the bruise was from. I told Hank about it last night when we went out to dinner.”

  “What did he say?”

  “He said it was my fault for not putting on enough makeup. On the way home from dinner he got angrier and angrier about it. I apologized and told him it would never happen again. When we got home he yelled at me that he’d make sure it didn’t. He punched and kicked me so many times I finally collapsed and fell on the floor. I kept telling him the baby could get hurt if he didn’t stop.”

  “The baby? What are you talking about? Oh no, Sandy, are you pregnant?”

  “Yes. I’m two months along, and I was worried something would happen to the baby. That’s when Hank stopped hitting me. He told me he was glad Mary was dead, so she couldn’t poison my mind with all the bad things she was telling me about Hank.”

  “Sandy, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “One time I told Hank that even though Mary never said anything, I was pretty sure she’d noticed my bruises. When I told her I was pregnant, she sat me down and told me Hank needed to get some help, and that I should get some counselling too. When I told him what Mary had said he was furious.”

  “How long ago was that?”

  “Probably about a week or so. I just found out two weeks ago I was pregnant, and I told Mary because I knew she’d have to get a replacement for me at Doggie Love.”

  “Sandy, let me help you. A good friend of mine is a psychologist. Her name is Liz, and she’s married to a doctor who’s also a good friend of mine. They’re both very discreet, and no one will ever know about this. I’m sure they can also help your husband. When do you expect him to return from his business trip?”

  “He’s coming home tomorrow evening,” she said, trying to keep the tears that had welled up in her eyes from flowing down her cheeks. “I want to talk to him first before I see anyone. He promised it would never happen again, and I know how much he wants our baby.”

  “Sandy, I hate to say this, but from what my husband has told me, every man who’s involved in a spousal abuse case says the same thing. You can’t put your baby’s life at risk.”

  “Kelly, I’m sure Hank means it this time. I’m going to give him another chance. You can’t make either one of us see a psychologist.”

  “That’s true, but you might tell your husband if it ever happens again I’ll make sure he’s arrested for spousal abuse and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

  “You don’t know him. He’s a wonderful man. Anyway, I have to go. It’s late, and I need to eat something. You know how fragile we newly pregnant women are.”

  “Yes, Sandy, I’m well aware how very fragile you are right now. Take care of yourself. I want to give you my cell phone number and the number at the coffee shop. If you feel you need to talk to someone, please call me.”

  “Thanks, I will. Now go on, I have to turn off my computer and lock up.”

  As Kelly walked back to her minivan, she felt sick thinking about the conversation that had just taken place. I know it’s going to happen again. His anger is classic and so is her response to it. I just hope the baby will be all right. The little innocent had no part in this. Life sometimes isn’t fair, particularly to those who have no voice, such as unborn children and animals.

  CHAPTER 25

  When she got home Kelly pulled her minivan into the driveway next to Mike’s county sheriff’s car. She pressed the garage door opener and drove into the garage. Although she didn’t think Skyy would run away, she didn’t want to take any chances, so she closed the garage door before opening the minivan’s rear door for the dogs.

  “In you go, kids. Mike’s already home and that means Lady is too. I’ll get your dinner in a minute.” She walked into the house as the two dogs scampered in front of her. “Mike, we’re home. Sorry we’re late. Hope you didn’t worry.”

  “Are you kidding?” he said, coming out of the kitchen. “I always worry when you’re not where you’re supposed to be, but I felt better knowing you had Rebel with you. Thought you might be able to use this,” he said, handing her a glass of wine.

  “You’re right about that. The last couple of hours have been very challenging. Let me get the dogs fed, and then I’ll tell you all about it, but first this little one needs to go outside.” She opened the patio door for Skyy who was whimpering in front of the door.

  A few minutes later she said, “Mike, if you believe in miracles, I think one just took place. Skyy whimpered and then ran outside when I opened the door. I can see that she’s communing with nature at this very moment. This is definitely a good omen for the young pup.”

  “Couldn’t agree more. Now if we can just teach her to stop running around the house with a roll of toilet paper in her mouth or from chewing on our glasses, she might just get my vote to stay.”

  “I’ll see what I can do,” Kelly said grinning. “But right now I really need to talk to you
. I’m troubled by some things I learned today.”

  “Yeah, I can hear it in your voice. Let’s go sit down in the great room, and we can talk.” After they sat down on the large couch that faced the windows which looked out onto the bay Mike turned to her and said, “What’s wrong?”

  She told him she’d talked to someone earlier in the day who mentioned that Hank Reston had a very bad temper, or as the person had said, he had anger issues. Then she went on to tell Mike about her visit to the kennel and her conversation with Sandy.

  “What do you think?” she asked.

  “Exactly what you’re thinking. It sounds like a classic case of spousal abuse, but I’m not sure how it fits into Mary’s murder.”

  “Just listen to me for a minute. I need to talk this out and see if I can make something fit. I’ve had a lot of thoughts floating around in my head since my conversation with her. What if Hank got really angry when Sandy told him Mary had said they needed to seek counselling concerning his anger issues because she was pregnant? Maybe he wasn’t planning on murdering Mary, but instead he wanted to damage her reputation with her customers by letting the dogs loose. Let’s say Mary saw him do it and confronted him. He saw red, became violent, and killed her. That’s one scenario that might work.”

  “Kelly, from what you’re telling me that’s entirely possible, but how can anyone prove it?”

  “Maybe Sandy knows and isn’t saying anything because she doesn’t want her husband to go to prison. Maybe you could arrest him for spousal abuse and see if he’ll admit to anything else once you start questioning him down at the jail.”

  “Sounds good on paper, Kelly, but it doesn’t work that way. First of all, if a wife is unwilling to accuse her husband of spousal abuse and no one else can attest to it happening, he can’t be arrested. That’s the major problem with cases like that. Typically, the wife lives in fear of her husband and won’t cooperate by testifying against him. That’s the first thing that presents a problem.”