The Case of the Caged Cockers

by B R Snow

  “What is it?” Detective Abrams.

  “I have no idea,” Josie said. “But it made her drop her sandwich, so I’m betting it’s something big.”

  I made a face at Josie, then fell silent.

  “The guy in Albany at the security company,” I said.

  “Yeah, Fullerton,” Josie said. “What about him?”

  “He promised to call us when he figured out why Jerome’s cell phone had never been turned off.”

  “That’s right,” Josie said. “He did.”

  “But he never called,” I said.

  “No, he didn’t.”

  “Maybe he just forgot,” I said.

  “Or maybe he thought we’d just forget all about it,” Josie said.

  “We did,” I said.

  “At least until this moment,” Josie said.

  “Yeah,” I said. “Didn’t Fullerton say that his ex-wife was a well-known expert and consultant to a bunch of technology companies in Tech Valley?”

  “He certainly did,” Josie said.

  “And you guys are now thinking that these people in Albany are using dogs to smuggle computer secrets across the border?” Jackson said, wiping mustard off his face.

  I looked at Josie who thought about Jackson’s question, before nodding at me.

  “Yes,” I said. “I guess that’s exactly what we’re saying.”

  “I doubt if that microchip is filled with their favorite recipes,” Josie said.

  Detective Abrams sighed loudly and tossed what was left of his sandwich onto his plate.

  “I knew a quiet Christmas with the family was too much to ask for,” he said.

  He stood up and headed for the door.

  “Where are you going?” Jackson said.

  “I need to make a few calls,” he said, then glanced back and forth at us. “Nice job, ladies. Now please do everyone a favor and extricate yourselves from the process. Thanks for lunch.”

  “No problem, Detective Abrams,” I said. “And I’m sorry we ruined your Christmas.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” he said on his way out the door. “It was bound to happen.”

  “Extricate?” I said.

  “Yeah,” Jackson said. “It means to remove or untangle.”

  “I know what it means, Jackson,” I said, frowning. “I just can’t believe he felt the need to mention it.”

  “Because you’ve already decided to let this thing go? Or he was just wasting his breath when he said it?” Jackson said.

  “That second thing you said,” Josie said, laughing.

  “I don’t know, folks,” he said. “If this involves corporate espionage, there’s a lot of money at stake. And things could turn ugly in a hurry.”

  “We’re sorry, Jackson,” I said. “But who knows what else they might be doing to dogs? You saw the condition of the ones we rescued from that puppy mill were in. For us, this one is personal.”

  Jackson, deep in thought, sat back in his chair and munched on a pickle. He glanced over at Josie who continued rubbing the now sleeping puppy’s stomach.

  “Look at the size of the paws on that guy,” Jackson said. “How big is he going to get?”

  “He’ll probably top out near a hundred and fifty when he’s full grown,” Josie said.

  “Big dog,” he said. “Nobody is going to be messing with you, right?”

  “Nobody messes with me now, Jackson,” Josie said, flashing him a smile.

  “I think we should pay Dr. Perry Long a visit,” I said.

  “You know, I was thinking exactly the same thing,” Josie said.

  “Okay, guys,” Jackson said. “You’ve done more than enough. I’m sure Detective Abrams appreciates all your help. But you need to back off. I have to say it again. This could get dangerous for you two in a hurry.”

  “Jackson, you know perfectly well that most of the work the cops do is going to focus on the theft of computer secrets. They won’t spend five minutes on what, for them, is a small-time dog smuggling operation.”

  “Maybe,” Jackson said. “But how is this vet, Dr. Long, going to help you?”

  “It looks like he’s on the receiving end of all the smuggled dogs,” Josie said. “And he’s probably the one who’s removing the computer chips. But maybe he’s an innocent player in all of this. We’re just going to have a little chat with him.”

  “Gee, Josie,” Jackson said. “Why don’t I believe you?”

  “Easy,” I said. “Shared history.”

  We all laughed.

  “Okay, but I need to go along with you,” Jackson said.

  “No, Jackson,” I said. “That would be too much of a red flag.”

  “Then I’ll wait in the car while you talk to him,” he said. “I’m sorry, but this one isn’t up for negotiation.”

  Josie and I glanced at each other before nodding our agreement.

  “Thanks for not fighting me on this one,” Jackson said. “Now for the hard part, what excuse are you going to use for dropping in on him?”

  That was a good question.

  Man, these cases always wear me out. There are too many questions and so many details to sort out.

  The way things are going, I’ll never get my Christmas shopping finished.

  “I guess I could ask him for some advice on a medical problem with one of our dogs,” Josie said.

  “That would be a hard sell, Josie. He knows how good a vet you are, and we don’t want to do anything to make him suspicious,” I said.

  “Maybe you could take Captain into his office and see what sort of reaction the guy has. You know, confront him with some direct evidence, turn up the heat, and try to smoke him out.”

  Josie and I both stared at him like he was from another planet.

  “We just got Captain away from those monsters, and now you want me to put him right back in the middle of it?” Josie snapped.

  “What is wrong with you, Jackson?” I said, my eyes flaring.

  “Geez, guys. Relax. I’m just spitballing here,” he said, polishing off the last of his sandwich.

  “Well, don’t,” Josie said.

  “What she said.”

  We sat quietly for several moments before Josie snapped her fingers.

  “I’ve got it,” she said. “I’ll call Dr. Long and ask him if he’d be willing to take a look at our expansion plans and offer some input.”

  “Perfect,” I said.

  In the spring, we’d be breaking ground on a project that would more than double the capacity of our rescue program. And while we were both delighted with the final architectural plans, asking a renowned vet for his advice was the perfect cover story.

  “And what makes you think that he will open up to you?” Jackson said.

  “Because I’m going to flatter his enormous ego and use every ounce of charm and guile I can manage to summon without throwing up in his office,” Josie said.

  Jackson nodded.

  “Speaking from personal experience, the poor guy doesn’t stand a chance.”

  Chapter 22

  “If we keep crossing the border like this, pretty soon Canadian Immigration is going to make us honorary citizens,” Josie said.

  “Or get suspicious and start asking you a lot of questions,” Jackson said from the back seat.

  “Who invited him?” Josie said, laughing.

  “I invited myself,” Jackson said. “Somebody has to keep you two out of trouble.”

  Very familiar with the route to Ottawa, I set the cruise control to seventy and stretched my legs out. I noticed the odometer was about to pass another major milestone and realized a new car was definitely in my future.

  “Two hundred thousand miles,” I said, nodding at the odometer.

  “Wow,” Josie said. “We were both a lot younger when you got this.”

  “And I was a lot lighter,” I said, glancing over at her. “I gained another pound.”

  “Relax,” Josie said. “It’s the holidays. And you look great.”

&nbs
p; “At this rate, I’m going to need a new wardrobe,” I said. “I need to do something.”

  “I’d tell Santa,” Josie said. “I hear he’s good handling things like that.”

  “Funny.”

  We left the highway and followed the directions on Josie’s phone to Dr. Perry Long’s clinic that was located in an upscale suburb not far from the city. We pulled into the crowded parking lot and found a spot near the entrance. Jackson handed Josie a small metal object.

  “What’s this?” she said, examining the object.

  “It’s a transmitter,” Jackson said. “If I can’t go inside with you, I’m at least going to listen in on the conversation.”

  “Jackson, nothing is going to happen inside his clinic,” Josie said.

  “I’m glad to hear that,” he said. “Then just consider me extremely nosy. Pin it somewhere on the collar of your coat where it won’t be easy to see.”

  Josie did as Jackson instructed and we got out of the car, stretched our backs, and looked around. Judging from the size of the clinic and the parking lot that resembled a foreign car dealership, Dr. Long was doing very well.

  “Why would he risk everything to get involved with a smuggling ring?” I said, heading toward the front door.

  “Well, people usually do stupid stuff for money, power, or sex,” Josie said.

  “It looks like he’s got plenty of money,” I said.

  “It sure does,” she said. “He’s got quite a set up here.”

  “I like our place better,” I said, holding the door open for her.

  “Me too,” she said as she headed for the receptionist.

  We confirmed our appointment and sat waiting for the famous Dr. Long. But he was everywhere we looked. A couple of dozen framed posters of him posing with various dogs adorned all four walls of the waiting area. He soon appeared in a doorway and posed with his hands on his hips, beaming at Josie.

  “Josie!” he called from the other side of the room. Then he strode toward us and pulled Josie in for a hug.

  It wasn’t a bone-crusher, but probably hard enough to dislodge the transmitter and I scanned the floor just in case. Josie freed herself from his clutches and smiled at him. He was very good looking, a fact he was well aware of, tall, and in great shape. Beneath his monogrammed white lab coat, he wore a periwinkle sweater, jeans and a pair of running shoes that matched his sweater. I doubted it was a coincidence and decided he probably had a closet full of matching sweaters and sneakers.

  “This is my business partner, Suzy Chandler,” Josie said.

  “Of course,” he said, grasping my hand. “The other half of the infamous Doggy Inn I’ve heard so much about.”

  “Nice to meet you, Dr. Long,” I said.

  “Oh, call me Perry,” he said, flashing me a wide smile before refocusing on Josie. “You look fantastic.”

  “Thanks, Perry,” Josie said. “And we appreciate you taking the time to review our expansion plans.”

  “I’m honored that you asked, and I’m delighted to help,” he said. “It sounds like an exciting project. Let’s go to my office.”

  We followed him into a massive office that contained an ornate wooden desk, floor to ceiling bookshelves, and two leather couches. We sat down on one, and he settled in behind his desk and beamed at us. More photos of him with people I assumed I should recognize filled one of the walls. Then I saw the photo on his desk and nudged Josie with my foot. She glanced at the photo of Perry and a woman with their arms around each other on the 18th tee at Pebble Beach.

  “Isn’t that Fullerton’s ex-wife?” Josie whispered.

  “Yup,” I whispered as I pulled the architectural plans from my bag.

  I spread the plans out on Perry’s desk, and he stood up to study them.

  “Okay, I see what you’re doing,” he said. “My, your dogs must certainly be happy there. Look at the size of those individual living areas.”

  “We call them condos,” I said.

  “I can see why,” he said, laughing.

  I had no idea if this guy’s interest was genuine or if he was a total con artist, but I found myself warming up to him.

  “Okay,” he said, running a finger across the plan. “You’re going to tie into the existing structure right here, and come off at a ninety-degree angle and run the new section along the back edge of your play area.” He glanced up at me. “How big is your play area?”

  “Two acres,” Josie said.

  “I’m envious,” he said. “I’d kill for that much room. I have to make do with half an acre.”

  “It doesn’t look like your dogs are suffering, Perry,” Josie said, leaning in close to him.

  “No, they’re not,” he said, placing a hand on top of Josie’s.

  Josie patted his hand with her other one, then smoothly slipped away to take in the office.

  “This is nice,” she said. “Suzy, we should think about doing something like this in our offices.”

  “Let me know if you do,” Perry said. “I’ll give you the contact info for the guy who does all my work.”

  “Thanks, Perry,” Josie said, beaming at him. “You’re so sweet.”

  “Don’t tell anybody,” he said, winking at her. “You’ll ruin my reputation.”

  We both forced a laugh. Josie’s sounded a lot more natural than mine.

  “Business must be good if you’re doing a renovation this size,” he said, glancing down at the plans.

  “Yeah, we stay pretty busy,” Josie said. “And we’re constantly chasing our tails trying to keep up.” She flashed him a coy smile. “Get it? Chasing our tails?”

  “Oooh, good one,” Perry said, reaching out to touch Josie’s forearm. “I forgot how funny you were.”

  “And don’t even get me started on the number of rescues we’re trying to deal with,” she said, shaking her head.

  “Tell me about it,” Perry said. “It’s tragic what some people do with their dogs.”

  “I know,” Josie said. “Just the other day, somebody dropped off the most beautiful Newfoundland puppy on our doorstep.”

  “You don’t say,” Perry said, trying too hard to sound casual.

  “Yeah, the poor little guy,” Josie said.

  “Is he okay?” Perry said, sitting down and staring at Josie.

  “Yeah, he’s fine,” Josie said, sitting back down on the couch and crossing her legs. “But I can’t figure out why he’s constantly trying to rub and scratch the back of his neck.”

  “Really?” Perry said.

  “It’s odd,” Josie said. “I’ve checked the area out, but I can’t feel anything. If he keeps it up, I’m afraid I’m going to have to do some x-rays on Captain to see what’s going on.”

  “Captain?”

  “Yeah, that’s his name,” Josie said. “He had a tag on his collar with his name, but that was it. There wasn’t any contact information anywhere.” She shook her head. “Some people, huh?”

  “Yeah, some people,” Perry said, frowning. “You say the dog was just dropped off at your front door?”

  “Yes. One of our staff heard whimpering, and when she opened the door, there he was.”

  “And you didn’t see who dropped him off?” Perry said.

  “No. Why?” Josie said, casually leaning back on the couch and playing with her hair.

  Perry couldn’t miss her overt flirting, but he seemed preoccupied with other thoughts at the moment. He fidgeted with his pen, then managed to make eye contact with Josie.

  “Well, because whoever did something like that should be in jail. Don’t you agree?”

  “Oh, I agree completely, Perry,” Josie said. “So what do you think about our plans?”

  “Uh, they’re great,” he said, rolling them up and handing them to me. “I wouldn’t change a thing. Remember to invite me to the grand opening.”

  “Oh, I do hope you’ll be able to make it,” Josie said, getting up off the couch.

  “Say, I have an idea,” he said. “Maybe I’ll sw
ing by before you start the renovation.”

  “Perry, you know you’re welcome to visit anytime,” Josie said. “But why would you want to do that?”

  “Well, and bear with me while I try to think and talk at the same time, but I have a lot of contacts in the publishing industry, and I think a lot of people would enjoy reading a feature article on your rescue program.”

  “You really think so?” Josie said breathlessly as she took a step toward him.

  She sat down on the edge of the desk and stared down at him.

  “You would do something like that for us?” Josie said.

  “Of course,” he whispered. “Anything for you, Josie.”

  “I’m going to owe you big time for this, Perry,” she said, bordering on the edge of saccharine.

  Jackson had been right; the guy didn’t have a chance.

  “I think we should do a before and after feature. I can swing by with my photographer and take some shots now. Then we’ll come back once the renovation has started, and again when the project is finished. It’ll make a great article and the publicity you’ll get couldn’t hurt.”

  “That sounds wonderful,” Josie said. “Doesn’t that sound wonderful, Suzy?”

  “Wonderful,” I said, nodding.

  “That’s great,” he said. “Let me check with my photographer, but this time of year he shouldn’t have too much going on.”

  “You’re far too kind, Perry,” Josie said. “What did I ever do to deserve this?”

  “Don’t mention it,” he said, studying his phone. “How’s tomorrow work for you? My schedule is pretty clear.”

  “Tomorrow?” Josie said, glancing at me. “Tomorrow probably doesn’t work, Perry. We’re planning on spending the night in the city and doing some Christmas shopping tomorrow before we head home. Isn’t that right, Suzy?”

  “What? Oh, yeah, that’s right,” I said, nodding my head vigorously at Perry.

  “Well, then how about the day after tomorrow?” he said. “I’ve heard so much about your Inn, I can’t wait to see it. And I can’t think of a reason to put it off until after the holidays.”

  “That sounds wonderful. Does that work for you, Suzy?”

  “Wonderful,” I said, nodding again.

  “Great,” he said. “I’ll swing by sometime in the morning. And if you like, I’ll even give you a hand taking a look at the Newfie puppy. Poor little guy.”