by Carol Cox
“I second,” called the woman sitting next to him.
“Very well, we’ll put it to a vote. All in favor of Mrs. Hanlon’s suggestion say aye.”
A chorus of ayes rang out.
“Any opposed?”
No one spoke.
Wilbur looked mildly stunned but soldiered on. “Let it be noted that we will offer a contest for unpedigreed classes of dogs as stated. Is there any other business?”
Kate put her hand up again.
Wilbur eyed her with a haunted expression. “Yes, Mrs. Hanlon?”
“Just one more thought on the subject, if the club officers don’t mind.”
“You may proceed,” Wilbur said, his face reddening.
“Thank you. In the spirit of fostering enthusiasm throughout the community and improving public relations, as Arlo pointed out, I would like to suggest creating some special awards that would be open to all dogs, pedigreed or not.”
Wilbur frowned. “We already have ribbons and a Best in Show trophy. Mixed breeds would certainly not be eligible for those.”
“That isn’t the kind of award I mean,” Kate said. “I was thinking about an Exhibitors’ Choice Award that would be open to all dogs, whether they’re of show quality or not.”
That one got a smile from Lucy Mae.
The corners of Wilbur’s lips pinched together. “Mrs. Hanlon, you must understand that this is a meeting of dog-club members. As a visitor—”
“And the head of our hospitality committee,” Lucy Mae whispered forcefully. “A position which, may I remind you, was very difficult to fill...”
Wilbur sighed. “—your comments are much appreciated. Is there any discussion?”
Arlo chuckled. “In for a penny, in for a pound. I move we go along with the new awards too.”
“Second,” Velma said.
Wilbur Dodson rolled his eyes and bowed to the inevitable. “All in favor?”
“Aye!”
“Opposed?”
No one responded. “Fine,” Wilbur said. “The motion passes. Since you are the one who initiated this, Mrs. Hanlon, I hereby delegate you to order these new awards. Put that in the minutes, Lucy Mae.”
“I have one more question,” Kate said. “Do you have any more information for me on what I’m supposed to be doing with regard to hospitality? I really haven’t had much direction.”
Wilbur’s nostrils pinched. “It isn’t difficult. Just greet the exhibitors as they arrive. Make sure the judges feel welcome and have everything they need. And be available to help the show committee or any of the exhibitors deal with minor problems that may arise. Matters of a more significant nature should, of course, be directed to me. Is that clear enough?”
It wasn’t, but Kate nodded her head, knowing that was all she was likely to find out. “One more thing,” she ventured. “Who else is on this committee I’m chairing? I need names so we can get together and make plans.”
The corner of Wilbur’s mouth twitched again. “The term committee may be something of a misnomer. Our shows are fairly small ones, and we haven’t found it necessary to overstaff.”
Kate’s suspicions crystallized. “Are you saying—”
Wilbur nodded. “Mrs. Hanlon, you are the committee.” He looked down at his agenda, then rapped on the table. “We have one more item to address, and then we’re done for the day. The chair would like to ask the membership to authorize the purchase of a gavel.”
The motion was made, seconded, and carried in a matter of seconds.
“Motion passed.” Wilbur rapped on the table, then rubbed his knuckles. “And thank you very much. This meeting is adjourned.”
When the meeting was over, Kate went in search of Livvy and found her at the front counter trying to resolve a dispute with a patron over a sizable overdue fine. Kate lingered a moment, then waggled her fingers in a silent farewell.
Livvy met her eyes over the perturbed man’s shoulder and gave Kate a faint smile. They would have to talk another time.
Kate stepped outside and saw Kisses’ likeness staring back at her from a nearby lamppost. Her stomach tightened. The first batch of flyers had been up for four days and had produced no results. Kate’s thoughts drifted back to Renee’s remark about the importance of solving a kidnapping within the first forty-eight hours.
Surely someone knew what had happened to Kisses. Why hadn’t anyone called? Was the little Chihuahua all right? Was he even in Copper Mill?
Kate watched as a long pink Oldsmobile turned onto Main Street and came to a stop a few feet from where Kate stood. She walked over to the car.
Renee lowered the passenger window, and Kate leaned her arms on the edge. The diagram of Copper Mill lay open on the seat usually occupied by Kisses.
“I know there was a meeting this morning,” Renee said in a crisp tone. “But I’ve been making my rounds, checking to make sure all the flyers are still in place. Anything to report?”
Kate shook her head. “I’m afraid not. They spent most of the time discussing the show. Wilbur and Lucy Mae are still upstairs going over some last-minute details.”
Renee sniffed and looked down the street. “I’m glad they can go on with their lives. I’m sure everyone is thrilled that my precious Kisses is out of the running for the time being. Well, I suppose the show must go on.” She paused, and her shoulders sagged. “I really thought something would have turned up by now.”
Kate felt a wave of sympathy for Renee, despite her sarcastic remarks.
“I don’t know what’s gotten into people these days,” said a voice even raspier than Renee’s from the backseat of the Olds.
Kate leaned inside the car and nodded to Caroline, who was wearing one of her favorite flowered hats. Kate wondered how much of a struggle it was for the older woman to communicate with her daughter while seated in the rear.
Kate spoke carefully. “I see you’re keeping Kisses’ seat vacant.”
“Of course.” Renee looked startled. “Doing otherwise would be like saying we’ve given up on finding him.”
Her lips tightened. “I’ve been doing some research. It seems that dognapping is on the rise nationwide. Did you realize there are bands of professional thieves who specialize in stealing dogs? Sometimes they even sell them to foreigners and ship them out of the country!”
Kate had read a short article about the increase in dognappings in her new magazine, and it had only confirmed her suspicions that Kisses’ disappearance wasn’t an accident.
“But there are often happy endings as well.”
Renee’s optimism seemed forced to Kate.
“Yes, there are.” Kate gave Renee a reassuring smile.
Renee blinked back tears and drew in a deep breath. “I must be on my way. I don’t want to leave any stone unturned.”
Kate stepped back and watched her drive away, then turned purposefully and strode back inside the library. Seeing that Livvy was free again, she stepped up to the counter to talk to her friend.
“Would you like to do a little sleuthing for me?”
Livvy’s eyes sparkled. “Sure, what do you need?”
Kate leaned over the counter and lowered her voice. “Renee is worried about the possibility of Kisses being stolen by professional dognappers. Is there any way you can check into that on the Internet?”
Livvy gave a quick nod. “I’ll give it a shot. Any suggestions on where to start?”
“How about looking for Chihuahuas for sale in Tennessee? See if you can find anything that might indicate a notice that doesn’t come from a legitimate breeder.”
Livvy jotted a note on a slip of paper. “Okay, that’ll give me enough to get started. Maybe I’ll pick up on something along that way that will lead us in even more directions.”
Kate smiled. “That’s what I’m counting on.”
She stepped back outside and headed toward her Honda. Lord, I know You don’t want us to worry, but I have to admit I’m very concerned for Renee. And Kisses, for that matter. Please
help me find some answers so Renee can have a happy ending too.
Chapter Eleven
After the worship service the following morning, people stood around and chatted in small clusters as usual. But instead of the typical discussions about the sermon or upcoming church events, the buzz was centered on the recent happenings around town.
Kate moved from group to group, smiling and greeting church members, pleased to see several who hadn’t been to Faith Briar in a while. Strange how anything out of the norm often made people feel the need to reconnect with the Lord.
Near the rear of the sanctuary, Kate spotted a dark head and recognized Brenna Phillips. So Thursday’s visit with Skip hadn’t kept her from coming to church.
Kate waved to catch Brenna’s eye and smiled. The girl only looked at her with a wounded expression and turned away.
Kate threaded her way through the crowd, but Brenna ducked out the door and was gone before she could reach her. Kate sighed and turned back toward the sanctuary.
Light streamed in through the stained-glass window at the front of the sanctuary, scattering shards of color across the pews and the floor.
Abby Pippins stepped over and looped her arm through Kate’s. “Phoebe and I still can’t get over how well things went at last week’s Friendship Club meeting. We can’t wait to see who shows up tomorrow. Will you be able to come?”
“I’ve been looking forward to it.” Kate couldn’t help but smile at the way Abby’s whole face lit up. How could anyone say no to that kind of enthusiasm?
Abby squeezed Kate’s arm and excused herself to go extend an invitation to several retired ladies she spotted in a group on the opposite side of the room.
Kate continued to circulate through the congregation, this time paying more attention to the snatches of conversation she heard.
“What would anybody want with one of those little dogs, anyway?” Old Man Parsons wheezed. “I know Renee’s crazy about him, but I don’t take much stock in something so small you have to be careful where you’re going to step.”
A scrawny, gray-haired man standing beside Mr. Parsons snickered. “Maybe someone needed a lab animal and thought it was a rat.”
Kate flinched and looked toward the front pews, hoping Renee hadn’t heard. She saw Livvy talking to Renee and moved forward to join them. Before she reached Renee’s pew, her attention was caught by another voice.
“I hear you had a close call over at your place the other day, Lester.”
Kate stopped in the middle of the aisle, then moved over to join the group. The last time she had seen Skip, he’d been on his way to answer a call at the Philpott residence.
“That’s right.” Lester rubbed his hand across the top of his head. “I’d just gotten home from work. LeRoy and I were going to take my rottweiler, Maximillian, to a new groomer in Pine Ridge. She says she can groom him like nobody’s business, but we wanted to see what she could do before we allow her to get him ready for the dog show. I heard a noise that sounded like somebody monkeyin’ around in the carport, so I hollered and went out to see.
“Must have scared whoever it was away when I yelled. When I got out there, the prowler was gone.”
“Do you think it was just your imagination?” Jeff Turner asked.
Lester shook his head. “When I started lookin’ around, there was an open bag of sugar sitting next to my truck.”
Jeff stared at him. “Do you think someone was going to pour it in the gas tank?”
“That’s what it looked like to me.” Lester’s face was grim. “Don’t know who would do somethin’ like that.”
“Whoa! Good thing you chased the culprit off first. That would have done a number on your engine.”
Joe Tucker chimed in. “What in the world is going on? First, Renee’s dog is stolen, then the Wilsons’ house is TP’d. Now this. Toilet paper is one thing, but sugar in the gas tank—that’s steppin’ things up a notch.”
Lester shook his head mournfully. “This is getting out of hand. I keep wondering who’s going to be the next victim and what’s going to happen to them.”
A shiver ran up Kate’s arms. What, indeed?
She glanced toward the front pews, where Livvy and Renee stood, deep in conversation. Kate hurried to join them.
“I was so sure the flyers Kate put up would have done the trick by now,” Renee was saying. “But today’s the fifth day they’ve been up. Wait until the Chronicle comes out next Thursday, though. I’ve taken out a half-page ad there, and in the Pine Ridge paper as well. That ought to get some action.”
Livvy’s eyes shone with sympathy. “I know this must be terribly difficult for you. If I can—”
“Oh, believe me, I already have a job for you.”
Kate caught sight of a tag sticking up from the neck of Renee’s patterned silk blouse. She reached over and tucked it in discreetly, knowing how embarrassed Renee would feel to have missed such a detail.
Renee tugged at her left earring—a plain gold hoop—in a nervous gesture, but didn’t seem to realize that Kate was smoothing her blouse collar back in place.
“I want you to do some research on the Internet,” she told Livvy. “You’re much better at it than I am. If these villains are trying to sell my Little Umpkins, maybe you can find some trace of it online.”
She turned her head, and Kate saw the silver earring dangling from Renee’s right ear.
Kate’s eyes met Livvy’s, and she realized that her friend had noticed the mismatched earrings too. She knew the same thought must have been running through both their minds: only under extreme circumstances would Renee ever make such a fashion faux pas.
Livvy reached out and squeezed Renee’s hand. “I’m already working on that. Kate asked me yesterday. I want to do anything I can to help bring Kisses home.”
Kate opened her arms and enveloped both women in a hug. “That’s what we all want.”
KATE SPENT MONDAY MORNING in her studio working on several projects—a small lamp and three sun catchers she hoped to deliver to Smith Street Gifts later in the week.
A thunderstorm hit at noon, precluding the lunchtime walk she and Livvy often took. Paul had already told her he had a premarital counseling session with a young couple who could only come in during their lunch hour, so Kate made a simple tuna salad for her meal.
After cleaning up the kitchen, she pulled out the phone book and opened it to the pages listing numbers for Pine Ridge. Livvy was handling the Internet research, but a good sleuth didn’t depend on a single source.
She ran her finger along the listings under D: Dixon...Dobbins...Dodson. There it was.
She repeated the number to herself while she punched it in on the kitchen phone. Renee had given her the impression that Wilbur Dodson was a retiree, but she had no idea what he did with his time, or whether he might be home during the day.
Kate listened to the soft brrr...brrr...brrr through the handset and was about to hang up when she heard a click on the other end, followed by Wilbur’s voice saying, “Hello?”
“Mr. Dodson? This is Kate Hanlon. I’m glad I caught you at home. Do you have time to talk? I have a few questions to ask you.”
Wilbur clicked his tongue. “Really, Mrs. Hanlon, if you have any other suggestions for the show, they will have to be brought up at the next meeting.”
Kate laughed. “I’m not trying to stir anything up this time. I just needed to draw on your expertise as a knowledgeable dog owner.”
“Oh!” The relief in Wilbur’s voice was obvious, even in that short syllable. “That’s a different matter, of course,” he continued. “I’d be glad to help you. Were you thinking of purchasing a pet for yourself?”
“No,” Kate said quickly, then added, “at least, not at this point. I’m just interested in gathering some information.”
“I see.” Wilbur’s tone made it clear that he didn’t.
“I’m looking for any information that might help me locate Renee Lambert’s dog, Kisses.”
&n
bsp; “A terrible thing, that. A tragedy for any dog owner. I’ll be glad to help, Mrs. Hanlon. What would you like to know?”
Kate paused a moment, trying to put her thoughts into words. “There are people who buy and sell stolen property. And I’ve heard that some people even sell stolen animals. Do you think it’s likely that Kisses may have been taken for resale?”
“Oh my, yes. Sad to say, there is a thriving black market for stolen dogs. The smaller breeds are particularly vulnerable to this.”
“How much do you think a dognapper could expect to get on the black market?”
“It would be possible to get five hundred dollars or more, maybe even as much as four figures for a particularly desirable animal.”
“But that would be for a dog with papers, wouldn’t it?” Kate said. “How would they get around that?”
Wilbur gave a dry chuckle. “If someone is willing to go to criminal lengths to acquire a dog for illicit sale, do you really think a little thing like lack of documentation would stop them? Counterfeit documents are produced all the time, everything from passports down to—”
“Dog registration papers,” Kate finished. “Of course. Thank you so much, Mr. Dodson. You’ve been a great help. Oh, one more thing. Do you know if one of these black-market operations is working in this area?”
“Unfortunately, they don’t advertise.” Wilbur’s voice held a note of sarcasm. “But it’s quite likely that there is, since the practice is so widespread. If I knew the people responsible for this, however, I would have picked up the phone and told them to return Renee’s dog the moment he went missing.”
“Of course.” Kate felt thoroughly chastened. “Thank you again. I appreciate your help.”
With time to spare before she needed to leave for the next Friendship Club meeting, Kate mulled over what she’d learned while she took out a dust cloth and some furniture polish and rubbed the oak dining table until the wood gleamed.
What if the motive for stealing Kisses had been purely one of profit, not a malicious act against Renee or an attempt to prevent Kisses from winning a trophy at the dog show?
