Till Death Do Us Bark (Happy Tails Dog Walking Mysteries Book 2)

by Stella St. Claire

  Jackie pursed her lips. "I don't think so."

  "She's a few years younger than we are. It looks like she probably just graduated from college. Apparently, she was Lacy's intern a few years ago—and let me tell you, she seems to hate Lacy. I guess Lacy didn't treat her very well and then refused to hire her when the internship was over."

  "That sounds like a motive for murder."

  "Yeah, but like I said, Tina is doing well. The only reason I interviewed Fannie over Tina in the beginning was because I thought Candlelight Farms would be too busy to take me on. If Tina's doing well, there's no reason for Rachel to be upset, is there?"

  "That's true. Employees hate their bosses all the time, but it doesn't usually end in murder. Who else do you have?"

  "Nobody." Olivia shrugged. "I need to get a look at her client list. There's probably some disgruntled brides or grooms that I could look into. I mean, Lacy managed to upset Andrew, and he's as mild-mannered as it gets."

  Jackie eyed her. "Just Lacy?"

  "Fine. I guess I played a part in it, too." Olivia sighed. "Do you really think this whole thing is about money?"

  "Your reaction to this wedding planning is surprising," Jackie said carefully. "Thrusting yourself into a new situation is not usually how you react to a momentous change in your life."

  "What are you talking about?"

  "Olivia, you risked your life to solve the murder of a woman you didn't even really like in order to avoid Andrew's proposal."

  "I liked Yvette," she argued.

  "You liked Yvette's coffee," Jackie pointed out. "When Janelle got married and you were supposed to plan the bachelorette party, you tried to convince us all that a summer-long backpacking trip through Europe was exactly what she wanted."

  Olivia liked Patrick well enough, but she had been certain that her sister was ruining her life by getting married so young. "That was just a joke," she said weakly. "But I don't see how that has anything to do with my enthusiastic wedding planning. I want to marry Andrew. Quickly. I would think that would make him happy."

  "You're right," Jackie said with arched eyebrows. "I'm sure it's all about the money."

  "You're lying, but I'm tired of talking about it. I need your help."

  Her friend spread her arms. "At your disposal."

  "First I need you to persuade Nick to give you Lacy's client list because I'm pretty sure he's not going to give it to me, and then I need you to call Andrew's mother and figure out the perfect wedding present for me to give him."

  For a few silent seconds, Jackie just stared at her. "You're serious."

  "Why would I joke about that?"

  "Why would your fiancé’s mother, who has never met me, tell me—a perfect stranger—anything private about her son? And if Nick isn't going to give you any information, why would he give it to me?"

  "I don't think that Nick's going to give it to you," Olivia admitted. "But Detective Jameson is feeling a little lonely these days since I've accepted Andrew's proposal."

  "No."

  "I mean, come on. He went out with Sarah Callahan. I don't believe in the idea of the crazy cat lady, but she's crazy. And she has nine cats."

  "That's because he's crazy about you! If you want information, why don't you use your womanly wiles to get it out of him."

  "I'm a taken woman," Olivia said as if it was obvious. "And you're still single."

  "Oh, no." Jackie shook her head vehemently as she slid down off the counter. "Just because I'm the last woman standing does not mean that you can use me whenever you need to get information out of someone."

  "You should be flattered that I think you're the perfect femme fatale. I'm letting Tucker out tonight for Nick and Mary because they're having dinner with Mary’s mother, so I know for a fact that Nick won't be there. Come on, Jackie. What will it take for you to do this for me?"

  A slow smile spread across Jackie's face. "Okay. We'll go as soon as I close up tonight, but you're going to call Andrew's mother right now and put it on speaker so I can hear firsthand why you seem so terrified of the woman. Then, when we're done, you're treating me to dinner. I want spinach artichoke dip, a double cheeseburger with loaded fries, a slice of chocolate cake, and at least two beers from End Game."

  Olivia stared at Jackie's slender figure. "I don't understand where you put it all."

  "Do we have a deal?"

  The thought of calling Andrew's mother was enough to make her break out into a cold sweat, but Olivia needed to solve Lacy's murder—and fast. "Fine," she said sullenly. "But you can't make a sound."

  Jackie's eyes lit up with glee. Running over to the door, she threw up the “temporarily closed” sign and locked the door.

  Olivia pulled out her phone and stared at it. "It's not like Andrew's mother hates me," she muttered.

  "She just doesn't think you're good enough."

  "No," Olivia said weakly. "It's just that Andrew's ex-girlfriend was a doctor. She was gorgeous, and smart, and perfect. His whole family assumed that they'd get married."

  "And she left him," Jackie pointed out. "Moved to pursue her career and didn't even really give him a chance to come to terms with her decision before she picked up and left. They should hate her."

  "That's true, but I'm a dog walker, and according to Andrew's mother, I wear my hair too long, my clothes are inappropriate, and my dog is a mongrel."

  "You're getting ready to purchase half a brownstone in a prime real-estate location, and you were instrumental in taking down a murderer."

  Olivia stared at Jackie. "You're right," she said, straightening. "Tabitha Patterson is going to be my mother-in-law, and she is going to see that I'm going to make her son a very happy man."

  Feeling more confident, Olivia dialed Tabitha's cell number and held her breath. Andrew's father had his own dentist practice, and when Olivia had heard that Tabitha worked for her husband, she’d thought they might get along well. Instead, she discovered that Tabitha was fiercely protective of her children. Olivia suspected that part of the reason Andrew's mother didn't like her was because she blamed Olivia for Andrew not returning home.

  "Olivia," Tabitha answered in a low voice. "I suppose you're calling to tell your side of the story."

  Exchanging a puzzled look with Jackie, Olivia frowned. "Mrs. Patterson. I'm afraid that I don't know what you're talking about."

  "You don't? My son has told me that you two are fighting about the wedding. Apparently, you're about to bankrupt him with some ridiculous idea about fireworks and horse-drawn carriages."

  Andrew had told his mother about their fight? Embarrassment burned her cheeks. "We are still working out the details. I did initially like the idea of fireworks, but in the end, I didn't include it in the final plans. And we are splitting the cost of the wedding."

  "Really? You are about to invest a large sum of money in some sort of office for your business. You’re going to have money left over for a wedding?"

  Olivia narrowed her eyes. Her money situation was no business of Tabitha's. Still, she knew that Andrew's mother only had his best interest at heart, and she couldn't fault the woman who had raised such a spectacular son. "Mrs. Patterson, I did not call regarding the finances of the wedding. I was actually hoping that you would help me. I have been racking my brains for the perfect wedding present, and I was hoping that you might share some ideas or perhaps tell me something that Andrew truly loved or wanted when he was younger."

  "I thought that racy boutique photos were all the rage for wedding presents," Tabitha said sharply.

  Jackie slapped her hands over her mouth and stifled a laugh. "That's one idea," Olivia said slowly. "I was hoping to maybe surprise him with something more meaningful. Something that conveys my love for him."

  "I see," Tabitha said, her voice gone suddenly softer. "I'll think on it and get back to you."

  Relief swept over Olivia. Maybe she was finally winning her future mother-in-law over. "I appreciate that, Mrs. Patterson. Thank you."

  Han
ging up, she faced Jackie. "Start closing up shop. When you're done, we're going to the sheriff's station."

  Giggling, Jackie waved her hands. "Maybe you should go lingerie shopping while you wait so we can get ready to take those racy boutique photos."

  Olivia rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help but join Jackie in laughing. There were some conversations that she'd never expected to have with her future mother-in-law.

  10

  Olivia parked a few blocks down from the station so Derek wouldn't see her car. "What excuse am I supposed to give for asking for Lacy's client list?" Jackie asked with a frown.

  "Tell him that because the wedding planners are shunning me, you've volunteered to help me out. You're hoping that Lacy's previous clients will give you vendor recommendations."

  Jackie turned her head and stared at Olivia. "It's a little creepy that you're so quick at lying."

  "A few months ago, you were breaking into an apartment with me. Now you're weirded out because I can come up with a good story?"

  "Good point." Jackie took a deep breath. "If he asks me out on a date, I will never forgive you for this."

  "Derek is a good guy. He's cute, and he's got a good job. Why wouldn't you want to go on a date with him?"

  "Because in my head, I will always remember that he picked you first. Wish me luck."

  Before Jackie got out of the car, Olivia reached over and undid one more button on her friend's shirt. "You won't need luck because you are just that good."

  "One more button and I'll think that you want to get lucky tonight," Jackie said wryly.

  "I am buying you dinner."

  "Please." Jackie winked. "It takes more than a cheeseburger to get lucky with this girl." She opened the door and climbed out. Within a few minutes, she was out of view.

  While she waited, Olivia texted Andrew to let him know about her plans for later. I promised Jackie that I'd buy her dinner at End Game tonight.

  Andrew's response was immediate. That was definitely one thing he was good at. If he wasn't busy, he responded at once. Brett and I were talking about going to get drinks there later. We could eat together?

  Sure. I'll buy. I do have your wallet. As she was waiting for his response, her phone started to ring. She didn't recognize the number, but her clients freely gave away her number to anyone looking for a dog walker.

  "Olivia Rickard," she answered in a bright voice.

  "Ms. Rickard, this is Lexi from Petals and Bows."

  Her heart skipped a beat. Petals and Bows was the flower vendor that was supposed to stock her wedding. "Lexi," she said hesitantly. "Hi. Is there a problem?"

  "Word has just reached us about the death of Lacy McBride. Unfortunately, since our contract is through her rather than through you, it's no longer valid."

  "I'm more than happy to come up with a new contract," Olivia said quickly. Please don't shun me. Please!

  "Upon review of you wedding date, I'm not sure that's going to be possible."

  "Oh, but I'm planning on changing dates. My fiancé would prefer a longer engagement, so we're thinking late summer or fall."

  The woman on the other end of the line cleared her throat. "I'm sorry. I'm afraid that's not going to work for us, either. Good luck."

  "Wait!" Olivia cried, but the line was already dead. Frustrated, she slapped her hand on the steering wheel. Her wedding was unraveling faster than her dogs' favorite rope toys. Glancing down, she saw that Andrew had answered her.

  Cute. We'll be there at seven. See you there. The heart emoji at the end made her feel marginally better, but she was starting to think that her she should just toss her phone. Every time it rang, it brought her nothing but bad news.

  The door opened, and Jackie slid back in the car. She didn't say a word, and Olivia stared at her expectantly. "Well?"

  "I have what you want," Jackie said with a sly smile. "But I'm not giving away the goods until we've ordered dinner."

  At least one thing was going to go well today. "Andrew and Brett are joining us. Did Derek suspect that I was involved?"

  "Of course he did. He expressed his displeasure about the curse and wanted to help in any way that he can."

  "You know that's not what I meant." Olivia started the car and headed toward End Game.

  "Relax. He also mentioned that he was glad you were busy with the wedding so you weren't getting involved in the case." Jackie pulled out the list and studied it. "I know some of these names. I would even wager that one or two of them might commit murder if their wedding wasn't perfect."

  "Are you planning on sharing?"

  "Dinner first," Jackie said firmly with a wide grin. "Then we'll chat. What does Andrew think of you investigating?"

  "He didn't say that I couldn't investigate, but then, he also was pretty sure that Matthew was the killer. I doubt he's going to be pleased that I put you up to this."

  "He may not be happy about it, but he won't be surprised. He knows what he's marrying into."

  Olivia grimaced. "That's if there is a wedding. Petals and Bows just called me. I guess rumor of my curse reached their ears, and now they're pulling out."

  "Really? They outright told you it was because of the curse?"

  Putting on her blinker, Olivia pulled into the parking garage. End Game was on Main Street, and although they had a small parking lot in the back of the restaurant, it was almost always full. Either people got there before happy hour, or the cars were still there from when people had left them the night before. "Of course not. They're a place of business, so they would never admit to turning down clients for some curse. First, they told me that my original contract dissolved with Lacy's death. Then they told me that they were busy that weekend and couldn't cater my wedding. Finally, when I let them know that I'm having a later wedding, and we haven't set a new date, they informed me that it didn't matter. She actually hung up on me!"

  "Olivia, I'm sorry," Jackie said quietly. "What are you going to do if you can't solve Lacy's murder?"

  "Elope. At least the courts can't deny us because of a curse."

  Jackie gave a sudden guffaw. "Maybe Andrew killed Lacy to get out of the big wedding," she joked.

  Olivia laughed. "I can assure you that, if he did, he wouldn't use a wedding cake to do it. If I remember, when it came to choosing a wedding cake, Andrew told me that he liked the tasty one."

  A few minutes later, they were entering the restaurant and bar. As usual, the bar was filled. Olivia spied Andrew and his best friend, Brett, at a corner booth. Brett was a good man, and a good friend, but he was also a womanizer. Olivia wanted him to settle down with someone so he didn't try to use Andrew as his wingman every weekend. There had been a time when she’d entertained the idea of setting Brett up with Jackie, but privately, she thought that Jackie might be too much woman for Brett.

  "Hello, sweetheart," Andrew said, standing up to kiss her on the cheek. "Jackie, this is my friend, Brett. I'm actually surprised that you two haven't met yet."

  Olivia stifled a chuckle when Brett reached out and took Jackie's hand. Lifting it to his lips, he gave her a slow and sexy grin. "Obviously, he's been hiding you away because you are clearly too good for me."

  "Really?" Jackie asked with an arched eyebrow. "I think it might be so that he didn't have to awkwardly watch a situation like this."

  Brett just laughed and shook his head. "I can admit that it wasn't my best first line. Hopefully I'll redeem myself before the night is over."

  Jackie looked at him as though she didn't believe such a thing was possible, but then she shrugged and slid into the booth next to him. "I'd say that you could redeem yourself with a drink, but Olivia owes me dinner and drinks."

  "Why is that?" Andrew asked.

  Olivia sat next to him. "She did me a favor today," she said hastily. Jackie shot her a pointed look, and Olivia sighed. "I asked her to get some information for me from Deputy Jameson."

  Andrew held out his hand. "My wallet. If you owe her a dinner, I want to make sure that
my credit cards are in my possession."

  "I'm doing this for us," she insisted, but she handed the wallet over. "You never said that I couldn't investigate, and our flower vendor pulled out of our wedding today."

  "Does that mean we're eloping?"

  "It means that, no matter what happens, this town is going to continue to think that I don't love you!"

  Andrew kissed the top of her head. "I know that you love me. Isn't that enough?"

  "No. It's not!"

  "Jackie, can you at least try to make sure that she stays out of trouble?" Andrew asked as he picked up the menu. Olivia didn't even know why he bothered. They ate here so often that they practically had the menu memorized.

  "Mind if we join you?"

  Olivia looked to see Janelle and her husband Patrick approaching them. "Sure," Olivia said slowly. "But I thought this was date night."

  "We had reservations at Danaldi's, but someone was a little late leaving the bakery today," Patrick said. "We missed our reservations."

  Olivia was surprised. Janelle usually adored their date nights.

  They scooted over in the booth to let Janelle and Patrick sit down, and Olivia asked casually, "Did something happen at the bakery?"

  Janelle avoided her gaze. "No, no. I just lost track of time. Have you guys ordered yet?"

  Her sister was a horrible liar. "Not yet," Jackie said and passed the menu over. "Here you go. I already know what I want."

  After the waiter, a young man with shaggy blond hair and a stubbled chin, stopped by and took their order, Olivia leaned over and tapped her fingers on the table. "Okay, you've ordered. Give it up!"

  Jackie slid the paper over, and Janelle watched them curiously. "What is that?"

  "These are the names of Lacy's former clients." Olivia scanned through the list and shook her head. "I don't recognize any of these names."

  "Olivia! You are supposed to be planning a wedding. Not investigating a murder!" Janelle said scornfully.

  "Haven't you heard? I'm cursed. No one will work with me. There is going to be no wedding until someone proves that Lacy was killed for reasons other than some ridiculous curse that's following me." Quickly, Olivia caught her sister up on what she knew so far. "I figured that Matthew had the strongest motive, but that's rapidly falling apart. I'm hoping the killer is on this list."