The Pomeranian Always Barks Twice

by Alex Erickson

  It was strange how different the outside of Selena’s house appeared compared to the inside. Was it all for appearances sake? Did she simply spend more time out here, which in turn, caused her to take better care of it?

  I walked over to the edge of the pool, and then turned toward Timothy’s property. Because of how her house sat back, I couldn’t see much of anything in the front, though I could see the back door and patio clearly over the short hedges that served as a natural fence separating the properties. Police tape was strung across the front of the red barn where I assumed the body was found. No one was currently outside but the two of us.

  “Were you out here when the police arrived?” I asked. “By the pool, I mean?”

  “We were.” Selena crossed her arms over her middle and was standing near the back door. She looked nervous, and a little sick. “I was dozing there when it happened.” She nodded toward one of the chairs.

  “With Ben here?” I asked, surprised. Normally, when you had a guest, especially one you’d just met a few minutes prior, you didn’t up and take a nap with them sitting beside you.

  “Ben excused himself and went inside to use the restroom,” she said. “It took him longer than it should have, but I figured he might not be feeling too good. He’d seemed nervous, like he was afraid of something. I didn’t think anything of it until later.” She met my eye, looked frightened. “I think he went straight through the house, and over next door. I was sitting here the entire time and never suspected—or saw—a thing.” She shuddered.

  I fought back an urge to leap to Ben’s defense. She didn’t know he could never have done such a thing. She didn’t know him, not like I did. And with the murder happening so close to her home, it had to be hard to make sense of everything that had happened. Ben’s arrival probably seemed like he was trying to cover for something sinister.

  “Did you hear him leave the house?” I asked.

  “I didn’t,” she admitted. “But he must have. The police say he had blood on his shirt and Mr. Ellison across the street said he saw him, so it had to be him, right?”

  “Did you see the blood?” I asked. “I’m assuming you saw him when he came back over.” If indeed, he’d left.

  “No. It wasn’t like I was looking for it. And since I was sleeping right up until I heard the sirens, it wasn’t like I had time to notice it. After that, I was focused on what was happening next door.” She hugged herself. “Can we go back in now?”

  I glanced at Timothy’s house once more, and then nodded. “Yeah.”

  We returned to the dining room, a cloud seemingly hanging over the both of us. Jason was still sitting in his chair, fiddling with his phone. Selena resumed her place behind the table, as if wanting to keep it between us.

  No one spoke right away. I was at a loss. I knew Ben couldn’t have killed Timothy, yet everything kept pointing at him as the murderer. Why would he leave Selena to go next door? It made no sense; not unless he heard something and was concerned for Timothy’s health.

  Had Ben heard the murder taking place? If so, why hadn’t he simply called the police and let them deal with it? And if he had, did Detective Cavanaugh know? Did he even believe him?

  Jason shoved his phone into his pocket and broke the silence. “Is everything all worked out between you two?” he asked, sounding impatient for me to leave.

  Selena looked at me for an answer, one I didn’t have. I felt like she should know more, that she should be able to tell me something that would save Ben, but all she’d done is make things worse. If she told the police he’d left for a little while, right before Timothy was discovered, then that was one more witness against him.

  But what else could I do? It wasn’t like I could force her to tell me something that wasn’t true, just because I wanted to believe it. Maybe everything she said was the truth, at least the parts she knew for a fact. Ben might have gone to the bathroom, not because he wanted to use it, but because he was prepping himself to ask Selena out. It would be just like him to primp before making his move.

  But instead of a date, his absence caused him to end up in jail.

  A new thought came to me as I stood there, unsure what to say. I glanced around the room, noticed the absence of anything resembling a feline.

  “Where’s your cat?” I asked.

  “Her what?” Jason asked, seemingly amused by the question.

  “Outside.” Selena offered me a smile that was two parts nervous, one part embarrassed. “Jason doesn’t like cats, so I let her out when he’s here. He doesn’t even realize I still have her.”

  “Oh,” I said, noting Jason’s bewildered expression. The guy really was that clueless. “I was just wondering where she was. I’m a sucker for animals and was hoping to say hi.”

  Selena’s smile turned wooden. “Sorry,” she said, before Jason popped to his feet.

  “Well, if that’s all, we really need to get going. We’re meeting some friends in town and are already going to be late.”

  “I’m sorry to have kept you,” I said. “Thank you for your time. And I assure you, Ben had nothing to do with Timothy’s death. It’s all a big misunderstanding.”

  “I hope not,” Selena said. I couldn’t tell if she was just being nice, or if she sincerely hoped Ben was innocent. She seemed friendly enough. I don’t know if she was girlfriend material, at least, by my standards, but she was the type of woman I could see Ben going for.

  Selena and Jason followed me to the front door, but didn’t join me outside. They watched me as I got into my van, and even waved when I looked back at them.

  If they were hoping I’d drive away and they’d never see me again, they were mistaken. I wasn’t going away, not until Ben was free.

  But for now, it was time to leave them in peace. I started up the van, and backed out of Selena’s driveway. Instead of heading for home, I drove the short distance to Timothy Fuller’s driveway, and pulled in behind one of the cars there. Selena and Jason had stepped outside to watch where I was going, and continued to stare as I got out of the van.

  I waved at them once, earning myself another return wave. They looked perplexed, like they couldn’t figure out why I was still hanging around. A part of me was wondering the same thing. All I seemed to be doing was digging a deeper hole for Ben, one I was afraid he’d never be able to climb out of.

  Yet giving up wasn’t in my nature. And there was still a dog I could be helping.

  Putting Selena and her friend out of mind, I approached the front door. Steeling myself for the verbal abuse that was likely to come, I raised my fist to knock.

  Something crashed inside the house. It was followed by a woman’s scream and the frantic bark of a dog.

  Eschewing politeness, I pushed open the door, and forced my way inside.

  9

  Expecting another murder to be taking place, I was prepared for a fight.

  Instead, I found Junior standing, his back to me, arms out wide, as if trying to encircle a large ball. He was cursing under his breath as Stewie, who was backed into the corner Junior was facing, yapped at him. In the doorway leading to the kitchen, Alexis was using one hand to hold Meredith back, another was pressed to her mouth, as they both looked on.

  “What’s going on in here?” I asked, my immediate concern going to the dog. One of Timothy’s medical machines was lying on its side near Junior. It was likely the source of the crash I’d heard.

  “It’s none of your business,” Junior growled, not looking my way. He eased slowly forward. “Stop barking you mutt!”

  Stewie continued his yapping. Junior muttered under his breath, and then reached out to touch the agitated dog. Stewie growled and snapped at him, causing Junior to jerk back.

  “I’d leave him be if I were you,” I said.

  “You have no say in this,” Alexis said from across the room.

  “They’re trying to take Stewie when by all rights, he should stay with me,” Meredith said. She probably could have pushed Alexis away to help t
he dog, but she didn’t. Chances were, she was afraid of what Junior might do if she tried.

  I, on the other hand, had no qualms about stepping in when an animal was in danger. “Step away from the Pomeranian,” I said, voice hard. “Now.”

  “Leave us alone,” Junior said. He made another grab for Stewie, and nearly lost a finger for his trouble.

  “Is everyone okay?” Jason’s voice startled me as he and Selena appeared in the doorway behind me. “We heard shouting.”

  “We’re fine!” Junior practically roared it. “Alexis, get these people out of here.”

  Alexis took a step toward us, but stopped when I gave her my best glare. Meredith moved toward Junior, but Alexis held out a hand, choosing to resume her duties guarding the nurse, rather than risk my wrath.

  Stewie barked twice, seemed to notice the influx of new people at the door, and then, ears pinned back, he bolted.

  For an old dog, he moved pretty fast. He ducked under Junior’s lunge, and made straight for the stairs next to where Alexis and Meredith stood.

  “Grab him!” Junior shouted.

  Instead, Alexis squealed and leapt aside. Meredith tried to make a grab for the dog, but missed, nearly falling over as she did. Stewie whined as he vanished up the stairs, and out of sight.

  “Damn it!” Junior righted himself and then kicked the downed machine. He glared at it a moment before spinning on me. “No one told you to butt in.”

  “I wasn’t butting in,” I said. “I heard a crash and thought something might be wrong.”

  “What’s wrong is that everyone is trying to stop me from taking my property,” Junior said, before turning to his wife. “Go find the mutt.” He pointed at Meredith when she started to move. “You. Stay.”

  Meredith sucked in an angry breath. I didn’t blame her. Junior was treating her about as well as he was Stewie. If he pointed that finger at me, he was liable to lose it.

  Alexis hesitated, as if unsure she should leave Junior to the rest of us, before finally chasing after Stewie. She made clicking noises with her tongue as she went.

  “Does anyone care to explain what I just saw?” I asked. “Because if I even suspect you were going to harm that dog, I’m calling the cops.”

  Junior snorted. “Like they’d do anything.”

  “He’s trying to take Mr. Fuller’s dog,” Meredith said before I could tell him exactly what kind of trouble he’d be in if he was found to be abusing an animal. Most people didn’t realize how harsh the penalty could be. “I told him it wasn’t his place to decide what happens to him, but he won’t listen to me.”

  “You aren’t anyone,” Junior said. “And this is my place. Dad’s dead. Someone has to take care of the beast.”

  I took a step toward him, but refrained from slapping some sense into him. “You didn’t want the dog,” I said. “You said as much earlier today.”

  “I’ve had a change of heart.” The smile he gave me was condescending. “That dog is about the only thing in the place that meant anything to Dad. I’d like the memento.”

  “Stewie isn’t an object,” I said.

  “We’ll, uh, get out of the way,” Jason said from behind me, taking a step back with Selena. I’d completely forgotten they’d come over.

  “Sorry to intrude,” Selena said.

  And then the two of them scurried away, leaving me and Meredith to face off against Junior alone.

  “Mr. Fuller told me that you weren’t to have him,” Meredith said to Junior. “And I don’t think you should either. He didn’t believe you would be a fit pet owner.”

  I had to agree with that assessment.

  “He told you that, did he?” Junior said. “Is it in his will? Or did you record him when he said it? If so, I’d love to hear it. Well? Do you?”

  Meredith’s eyes narrowed and she took a threatening step forward. “Are you calling me a liar?” she asked in a low tone. “Because, if you are, I’m going to slap that smirk right off your face.”

  Junior paled. “No,” he said, taking a step away from the woman who was indeed bigger than him. “But I think it would be best if the dog stayed with me until we can sort everything out. No harm in that is there?” He looked to me, expression suddenly contrite and friendly.

  I wasn’t buying it.

  “I don’t think he wants to go with you,” I said.

  Junior’s teeth clenched, though he continued to smile. “If it turns out the best thing for the beast is for it to go with you, then I’ll turn him over, but not until we’re sure.”

  I didn’t like it, but there really wasn’t much I could do. I wasn’t sure if I still had any right to take Stewie, or if Timothy’s wishes were void the moment he died.

  “Stewie has an appointment with the vet today,” I said. “I could always take him to get checked out and we can go from there.” I hoped by the time Manny finished the exam, I’d find a way to keep the Pomeranian out of Junior’s hands legally.

  “Cancel it,” Junior said as Alexis returned, a squirming Stewie tucked under one arm. “He’s coming with me.” His fake friendliness was gone now that his wife had control of the dog. “Alexis, let’s go.”

  “I don’t think you should,” Meredith said.

  But there was no stopping him. Junior took Stewie from Alexis’s grasp—earning him a nip on his hand, I noticed with some satisfaction—and they bullied their way past me, and out the door.

  “Should we call the police?” Meredith asked, joining me as we watched Junior shove Stewie into a carrier he had in the back of his car. He shook his hand as if he’d gotten bitten again. Good. The man deserved it.

  “I’m not sure they’d help.” At least not yet. Once I could produce proof that Stewie was supposed to be in my control, then maybe I’d involve the cops.

  Junior paused getting into the driver’s seat so he could glare at us where we stood. I had a feeling he was considering whether or not to kick us out of the house, but must have decided it wouldn’t benefit him in any way. He climbed all the way into the car, started the engine, and a moment later, they were gone.

  “I don’t know what to do,” Meredith said, walking over to Timothy’s fallen machine and righting it. “Ever since Timothy died, I’ve been out of sorts.”

  “The police said you were here when it happened,” I said. “It had to have been hard on you finding him like that.”

  “It was.” She started for the kitchen, paused. “I need a drink. Care for some iced tea? I made it earlier today.”

  “Sure.”

  We went into the kitchen and gathered around a small floating island counter. The kitchen appeared dated. I don’t think any of the appliances were made after 1980, and the wallpaper hadn’t been popular for at least fifty years.

  Meredith opened the fridge, pulled out a container, and set it on the counter before grabbing two plastic cups from the cabinet. “Timothy always broke the glass ones,” she said, filling each with tea. “It got so bad, I bought him a plastic set, and that included bowls and plates. I think he broke them on purpose, just to watch me clean up the mess.”

  I took one of the cups and took a sip. “It sounds like it was hard working for him,” I said.

  “It was.” She leaned against the counter and held her cup in both hands. “Every morning, when I woke up, I dreaded coming here. I only live five minutes away, yet I always made it take thirty.”

  “Why’d you keep doing it?”

  She shrugged, took a drink. “Timothy might have been hard to work with, and he treated me like I was here for his entertainment most of the time, but I was still doing a good thing. He couldn’t take care of himself, and if I didn’t do it, I doubted anyone else would.”

  “I heard Mr. Fuller was pretty difficult,” I said, thinking back to what Clarence had told me. “It seems like you weren’t the only one he treated badly.”

  “That’s the truth.” She chuckled. “But it’s over now.” She seemed to realize how callous that sounded, so she added, “Not that
it’s good that he died the way he did. I still can hardly believe it.”

  “Did you see anything that day? Something that might make you suspect something like that might happen?”

  “No,” she said, looking into her tea and swirling it around as she thought. “There was the argument out back, but you were there for that. Afterward, Mr. Fuller got into a fight with his son, just a petty spat, and he and his wife left. I got Timothy settled then, and then went to deal with the laundry. Honestly, I went just so I wouldn’t have to listen to him. The man could complain when he really wanted to. I didn’t see or hear anything, other than Stewie barking, until I came out and found them both missing.”

  “Stewie was barking?” I asked, my mind immediately latching on to that. Barking like he had been to Junior just a few minutes ago?

  “He does that a lot,” she said with a fond smile. “The little rascal rarely stays quiet.” The smile faded. “But now, I’m beginning to wonder if I should have paid more attention to him. If I would have come out to check on him, then . . .”

  “Then you might have been killed too,” I said, not meaning to make it sound like a threat, or even a warning, but Meredith’s eyes widened and she placed a hand on the counter behind her as if to steady herself.

  “I never even thought of that before now,” she said.

  “Do you have any idea who might have wanted to harm Mr. Fuller?” I asked.

  “Anyone and everyone, I’m sure,” Meredith said, regaining some of her composure. “As I said, he didn’t treat anyone very nicely, and that included his own flesh and blood. Why, I wouldn’t put it past Junior to have come back and finished the old man off himself.”

  “Do you really think he’d kill his own father?” I asked. While I didn’t like Junior—or his wife for that matter—I found it difficult to believe he might murder his dad.

  “If he thought he’d get something out of it, sure,” Meredith said. She set her tea aside and leaned toward me. “There’s a rumor that Timothy had been secreting money away for years. He didn’t have a lot in the bank, and the property isn’t worth all that much, but the hidden bundle was supposed to be rather large.”