“How can you tell you’re buying these products?”
“DNA tests. Forensic analysis can determine the origin. Otherwise, you have no way of knowing. The cleaning and dying process makes cat fur look like it comes from a rabbit. Scuttlebutt says that a government minister in China said he would label it anything we wanted. Consumers should ask for a statement of origin if they buy these things.”
“Yuck.” She felt a surge of sympathy for rabbits and goats. They weren’t on anyone’s forbidden list.
“We’ve been concerned a cottage industry may be operating in the area, meaning dogs and cats are being used for this purpose. That’s one reason why I’d like to get hold of your pal Goat.”
“Goat loves animals. He wouldn’t harm them.”
“How do you know? Just because he keeps a few pets?”
“He took care of that goat that was in his yard.”
“A scrawny thing it was, too. Maybe he kept it for a supply of milk.”
She shoved her mug away. “Bless my bones, you’re convicting him before he’s proven guilty. If Goat was involved in this pet-fur trade, he wouldn’t have left his bag of cash behind.”
“Murderers don’t think clearly. His only goal might have been to escape. I found some receipts in his place, too. From an exotic bird breeder made out to a local pet store.”
“Maybe Goat buys his grooming supplies at the store. I’m sure when you find him, you’ll learn the truth. I think he’s running scared because he knows who killed Yani. He may have witnessed the crime.”
“All the more reason to find him quickly.” Vail rolled his shoulders forward, then pushed himself out of his chair.
Marla washed their mugs at the sink as an awkward silence descended. “When do you plan to talk to Cutter?”
“I’ll get to him tomorrow. I want to finish interviewing your neighbors first. They may have something to add after your episode tonight. It also occurred to me that Yani may not have been the prime target.”
Wiping her hands on a towel, she turned around. “How so?”
“If you’re right, and Goat didn’t do it, then either he was the intended victim or else he’s being framed. You see,” he said, grinning smugly, “I do consider all the angles.”
Her heart flipped as his smile transformed his face. “That means you need to check into Goat’s background along with the victim’s. You’ll be busy.”
He folded his arms across his chest. “So will you, with your work at the salon. You’re not to play sleuth anymore, understand?”
She gave him a sly glance. “You make your opinion very clear. Are you sure you don’t need help with Brianna’s party next week?”
“No thanks, we’re all set. That reminds me, I have a gift for her. I’d appreciate it if you’d wrap it for me. I’m not good at that sort of thing. I’ve been carrying it around in the trunk of my car for the past week. Wait here.”
Marla was surprised when he presented her with a hand-carved wooden chess set. She’d expected something more personal or a new electronic gadget. “Does Brianna play chess?” she asked uncertainly. The girl hadn’t struck her as the competitive type.
“Brie will after I teach her. Pam and I bought this on a trip to Switzerland,” he explained, referring to his deceased wife. “Pam picked it out. I think it’ll mean a lot to our daughter.”
“Oh. Well, I’ll do my best to wrap it up real nice.” As she set the box on a side table in the living room, the diamonds sparkled on her amethyst ring. Gads, I hope this didn’t belong to his dead wife, too. Shoving aside the uncomfortable notion, she thought about what she should buy for Brianna. Marla would rather buy the girl some hot designer duds, a Kate Spade bag, or the latest CDs. Something a teen could use, not a gift to store away as a sentimental treasure. She hoped Brie was going to appreciate Vail’s gesture.
“About this Saturday night, I don’t think I’m going to make our date,” she said, facing him in her foyer. “Family obligations,” she offered as a feeble excuse.
He stared into her eyes as though he could pierce her mental armor. “All right.”
She shuffled her feet. “Brianna-”
“Is my daughter. I make the rules where she’s concerned.”
You make the rules for everyone. “Will you tell me if you learn anything new about Goat?”
“I may, if you stick to your business and let me do mine.”
Marla fumed, curling her fingers. First Cutter had told her to mind her own business. Then Giorgio cautioned her to steer clear of trouble. Dalton had added salt to her wounds.
“Keep in touch,” she said coolly. “Thanks for the assistance tonight.” Not that he’d done much except drink her coffee and accuse her neighbor of wrongdoing.
He opened his mouth to say something, then apparently changed his mind. Nodding curtly, he left.
Marla performed her nightly preparations in a daze. Still traumatized by the evening’s events, she armed her newly activated security system after making sure all doors were locked. Then she allowed herself the luxury of a hot, soaking shower. While she was towel-drying her hair, the phone rang.
“What’s up?” her friend Tally said at the other end.
Marla, fastening the sash of a terry-cloth robe around her waist, sank onto her bed. “Do I have things to tell you!” She proceeded to relate the day’s events.
“Wow, you’re just not content to stay put behind the salon chair, are you?”
“You sound like Cutter. I wonder if Dalton will find out any more when he interviews him tomorrow.”
“Will the detective tell you what he learns?”
Marla gave a rueful chuckle. “I doubt it. I canceled our date Saturday night. We had a disagreement over Brianna.”
“Oh no. What now?”
“Brianna wants to shave her legs and use makeup. Dalton won’t allow it. He’s afraid she’ll start attracting men.”
“Wait until she’s older.” Tally laughed. “So what’s his beef with you?”
“I defended her right to make herself look pretty. Dalton can’t face the fact that she’s growing up. She told me she wants to go shopping and then her face got all red. I think she’s approaching puberty and needs advice, not to mention intimate apparel and other feminine supplies.”
“Why doesn’t she ask Carmen, their housekeeper?”
Marla shrugged. “I don’t know. Beauty is my business, so maybe she felt more inclined to seek my advice. Brie has a beautiful face without any cosmetics, but you know how teenagers are. They have to fit in with the crowd.”
“It doesn’t sound as though Dalton understands.”
“He’s too protective, and he won’t listen to me. If he doesn’t consider my opinions to be of any value, then there’s no point in pursuing our relationship.”
“You’re overreacting.”
“Maybe I was just rushing forward with my hormones instead of my head. It’s time to reevaluate. At any rate, I’ll see him next week at Brianna’s party.”
“How’s your mom?”
Marla grimaced. “She invited Roger and Barry to join us for services Friday night. I wouldn’t be surprised if Roger pushed himself to be included.”
“He cares for Anita. Are you sure you’re not jealous of the attention she pays him?”
“Of course not. I’d like her to be more cautious, that’s all.”
“Look in the mirror, friend. Were you cautious with David, or Dalton?”
“David wormed himself into my life. As for Dalton, I didn’t jump into bed with him right away. It took a while.”
“Uh-huh. Are you sure you’re not getting cantankerous in your old age?”
“Ha! I’m only a few months older than you.”
“Maybe we should rejoin Perfect Fit Sports Club. You need to work out that tension.”
“No way. Besides, you’d be tense, too, after someone assaulted you. I’m too nervous to go to sleep.”
“Maybe the guy was after Goat’s envelope rather t
han you.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“Did you see who sent it? You could try to track them down and ask about Goat.”
Marla straightened her shoulders. “Tally, you’re brilliant. I remember the sender’s name and town on the return address. After we hang up, I’ll call information.”
“Be careful, will you?” Tally said, a note of alarm in her voice.
“A phone call can’t harm me. When can we get together?”
“Ken will be out of town this weekend. Want to catch a movie on Saturday night? Unless you change your mind about seeing Detective Vail.”
“Sounds good to me. Let’s grab a bite to eat first, okay? I have a craving for clam chowder at Legal Sea Foods. Then we can go to the theater at Sawgrass.”
A few seconds later, Marla dialed four-one-one.
“What city?” an impersonal voice responded.
“Mount Dora. The person’s name is Jenny Stanislaw.” She waited breathlessly for the answer.
“Here’s the number.”
She scribbled down the code before touching the flash button and keypad.
“Hello,” a woman’s sleepy voice answered.
“I’m so sorry. Did I wake you?” She glanced at the clock. It was only ten, early for her.
“It’s all right. Who is this?”
“I’m a close friend of Goat’s.” Marla felt foolish that she didn’t know his last name. “He, uh, mentioned your name to me on a couple of occasions,” she lied.
“And you are?” The woman’s voice sharpened.
“Marla Shore, his neighbor. I haven’t seen him around for a few days, and I’m concerned about his absence. I was hoping you might know where he is.”
“The police have already questioned me.”
Marla’s mouth dropped open. Vail had said nothing about Goat’s connections. Apparently, he’d been one step ahead of her. Recovering her composure, she said, “I’m speaking to you as his friend. I’m worried about him, and I don’t believe he’s done anything wrong. I want to help him.”
“What makes you think I know anything?”
“You sent him articles about Harperites. Why did he want them?”
“Look, Miss Shore, it’s late, and I don’t feel like talking about my brother right now.”
Chapter Five
“Your brother!” Marla repeated in surprise.
“His real name is Kyle Stanislaw. He got the nickname of Goat because he could never grow more than a scraggly beard. I don’t know where he is, but I can tell you one thing. Kyle may be involved in another of his scrapes, but he isn’t a murderer.”
“Why did Goat want you to send him those articles about Harperites?”
“I’m a librarian, so I assume that’s why he asked me to research the topic. I thought it was odd, but I didn’t question him. He’s very bright in some respects, although he lacks common sense.”
“We’ve been really concerned about him. I collected his mail, and while I was walking home, someone attacked me. Whoever it was stole the envelope you sent him.”
A moment of silence followed, terminated by a sigh. “We have a place on Siesta Key. I’d hoped Kyle might be there, but no one answers the telephone.”
Hope flared in her chest. “Is it possible for you to give me the address?”
“I already gave that information to the police. I trust they’ve already checked it out and didn’t find any sign of him.”
“I’ve helped the police solve cases before. I don’t know if Goat told you or not, but I’m a hairstylist. People tell me things they won’t admit to anyone else.”
“So?”
“So maybe if I ask around Siesta Key, someone might have spotted Goat, especially if you think he stopped off there.”
“If you’re who you say you are, come visit me. There are things about Kyle you should know if you truly want to help him.”
Marla tapped her foot, mentally reviewing her schedule. “I’m not free until Sunday. Is this something we could discuss now? Your brother is in trouble, and he needs to be found.”
Jenny’s voice hardened. “You have it reversed. The person who killed that man in his house needs to be found. Only then will Kyle be safe.”
“I pray that he’s all right. I believe he took his pet snake with him. Its container was empty. Either that, or the creature is slithering around our neighborhood.”
“I’d be careful if I were you,” Jenny warned. “Kyle told me about the run-in he’d had with that guy next door. You don’t know who you can trust.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ll tell you when I see you.”
“Did he say anything about…selling dog or cat fur?”
“What? Why on earth would Kyle mention such a thing?”
“Detective Vail believes he might be engaged in the pet-fur trade. He found an animal with…patches of skin showing.” That was putting it mildly.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. If you’re going to discuss such foolery with me when you come, then don’t bother.”
“I’m sorry,” Marla hastily replied. “I didn’t mean to imply Goat was involved in anything disreputable. It’s just an angle the detective is checking, which may prove useful.”
“We’ll talk more when you’re here,” Jenny said. “Bye now.”
After Marla hung up, she mulled over their conversation. Goat’s real name was Kyle Stanislaw. His sister, Jenny, worked as a librarian. He’d requested articles about Martha Matilda Harper’s followers, but Jenny didn’t know the reason why he wanted them. Nor had Jenny heard any mention of his involvement in a pet-fur scheme. Perhaps he’d said something relevant, but his sister hadn’t realized its importance at the time, Marla thought. She’d have to conduct a more thorough interview in person. Possibly Jenny didn’t realize how strong the police’s suspicions were concerning her brother.
Jenny warned me to be careful. What did she mean about Goat having a run-in with a neighbor? Which neighbor? Was there someone here to fear, in addition to Yani Verkovich’s killer? Were they linked, and was Goat their patsy? What else could be at stake besides a shady business, not quite illegal, involving dogs and cats? That’s a question Cutter might be able to answer. He’s mixed up in this-I know it.
She got up to change into her nightshirt. Too many possibilities crowded her brain, so she took solace in routine actions. Nonetheless, her mind remained in hyperdrive. At this rate, she’d never relax enough to fall asleep.
A cup of coffee might help. She padded toward the kitchen, wondering if she had any sweets tucked away in the refrigerator. Passing the living room, her gaze zeroed in on Vail’s chess set. It had fallen onto the carpet, cracked open, and some of the pieces had spilled out.
“Spooks!” she yelled, certain her poodle was guilty of a misdemeanor. Her heart sank after she replaced the carved chessmen into their felt-lined impressions. An open spot leered at her like an empty eye socket. “Oh, this is just great.”
Charging into the kitchen where Spooks had his bed, she spotted him cowering under the table. As soon as he saw her, he dropped whatever was in his mouth. Marla stooped to pick it up, ready to scold the pooch. Instead, she gasped with dismay. The knight had been chewed to the extent that the varnish had come off, and teeth marks were visible.
Dear Lord, what would Vail say? “Spooks, what have you done? You’ve ruined his gift. Bad dog!”
Spooks whimpered. His tail down, he hung his head.
Vail had bought the chess set in Europe, many years ago. She’d have to find a replacement, but where? Marla opened her mouth to chastise Spooks again, but then recalled what Vail had told her about dogs being killed for their fur. Reaching for Spooks, she scooped him into her arms and snuggled her face against his soft, fluffy coat. No one better hurt you, pal. I’ll just deal with this new problem later.
Easier said than done. Work consumed the next few days, and she was forced to push aside personal concerns. On Friday morning sh
e arrived early at the salon to take inventory and place orders for supplies. That task accomplished, she set up the coffeemaker. So much to do, so little time. “I’m going to Bagel Busters,” she told the receptionist, a temporary hire.
Hastening along the shopping strip, she approached the restaurant, already full with the breakfast crowd. “Hi, Arnie,” she said to the man behind the cash register.
“Here’s my shayna maidel.” Arnie beamed widely as he rounded the bend to embrace her in a bear hug.
“What are you so happy about?” she asked her old friend, whose dark hair increasingly showed traces of silver.
“Jill has decided to take Judaism lessons. I never suggested it to her; she made the decision completely on her own. Needless to say, I’m thrilled.”
She smiled, touching his forearm. “That’s wonderful. Did you tell Josh and Lisa?”
His eyes twinkled. “They think it’s cool.”
“We’ll have to double-date again. I’ll talk to Dalton.”
Arnie, a widower with two children, had courted Marla before he started dating Jill. While Marla held a special fondness for him, she’d made it clear friendship was on her slate, nothing more. She didn’t want to be burdened with children, although now she’d gotten involved with Dalton Vail and his daughter, Brianna. How far their relationship would go, she’d yet to find out. Marla doubted the staid detective would ever consider converting to her religion. But it wasn’t an issue for her.
Ma still hopes I’ll marry someone Jewish. After divorcing Stan, Marla had felt less inclined to honor her family’s wishes. She’d learned to follow her own heart, more or less.
“Is my order ready?” she asked Arnie, aware of his perceptive gaze on her face.
“Yep. Here you go.” He retrieved a large bag from behind the counter. “Everything okay? Any word on your missing neighbor?”
“I haven’t spoken to Dalton lately, nor have I had a chance to look into Goat’s disappearing act myself. It’s been a busy week.”
“No further unpleasantness?”
Highlights to Heaven Page 5
