by JL Simpson
Daisy smiled. “Dan, it's Daisy Dunlop. How are you?”
“What do you want?”
“Sorry?”
“No, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude .I'm in the middle of an investigation.”
“Into?”
“Nothing that concerns you.”
“Ouch, did you get out of the wrong side of bed?”
“I never got to bed.”
“I’ll be quick, then. I was doing some research in regard to a case, and the name of a policewoman came up.”
“And?”
“I wanted to know if you knew her. Her name's Mavis.”
“Mavis?”
“I know. It's unusual, isn't it?”
“Is that all you have? No last name?”
“Unfortunately not.”
“And you think I know her?”
“She works at your police station.”
“So go to the station, and talk to her.”
“Is she on duty?”
“Not today. She's on leave.”
“So you do know her.”
“Never said I didn't. What's this about, Daisy?”
“Nothing.”
“Did Solomon put you up to this?”
“Why would he?”
“No reason. Now if there's nothing else…”
Daisy frowned. Dan had told her nothing, but assumed Solomon was behind her questions. “One more thing.”
“What?”
“Are policemen allowed to have two jobs?”
“If they get permission, they are.”
“So if Mavis did some work when she was on leave, that would be fine?”
“If she cleared it.”
“How do you find out if a policeman has permission?”
“You don't. What Mavis Mills does inside and outside the police force is none of your concern.”
“Okay. Well I guess I'll see you at the boys’ soccer practice on Thursday, then.”
“You're not offering to assist with training again, are you?”
Daisy sighed. “As you are well aware, I am banned from stepping over the sidelines.”
Dan chuckled. “I guess mistaking the coach's nuts for the ball is an easy thing to do.”
Daisy snorted, and ended the call. She might not have gotten as much information as she’d wanted, but she did get a last name for Mavis. The door to the corridor opened, and Cliff appeared, wearing a pair of skinny jeans matched with a lime green T-shirt and a blue holey hoody. He seriously needed a makeover. He smiled, flashing a set of straight white teeth. Apparently they were now ready to face the day.
Daisy pushed to her feet. “At last. I was about to mount a full scale search of the building.”
“Sorry. I woke up late. I'm not used to sleeping in a real bed.”
Daisy took a deep breath. “Sorry. If you like, you can stay here and relax.”
“I'd rat’er be busy. Besides, don't we have a dog to rescue?”
“I'm not sure the dog is the main priority anymore.”
“What?”
Daisy switched off her computer, and grabbed her bag. She hated not knowing what Solomon was up to. He seemed very calm about the office being broken into, and why would he take on a policewoman to look after Molly? Unless she wasn't on holiday, and Solomon and Molly were in danger, and needed police protection. She shook her head. Stupid idea. Only an idiot would go after Solomon.
Chapter Eighteen
Solomon leaned back in his chair, and rested his feet on the table as he sipped a cup of black coffee. He needed to win Mavis's co-operation, without losing her as a babysitter. She could keep Molly safe, and his little angel was really taken with the policewoman. The wee mite didn't need more upheaval in her life.
Mavis wandered into the room, and he dropped his feet to the floor.
She smiled. “Cute.”
“So I’ve been told.”
“I was talking about Molly’s room.”
He flashed a smile. “So was I.”
She pointed at a cup on the other side of the table. “Is that for me?” When he nodded, she took a seat across from him. “Molly's playing with her doll's house. Her bedroom is lovely. Doesn’t it cramp your style, when single Solomon brings a date home, and they see a room filled with pink?” She glanced up at him through her lashes.
“The only bedroom my dates see has a full-size bed and much more adult décor. Feel free to take a look anytime.”
Mavis’s cheeks turned pink. She lifted her cup, and sipped her coffee. “God, that is so good.”
Solomon chuckled. “I bet you're a very vocal lover.”
“Are you flirting with me, Mr. Liffey?”
She licked her lips. Her thin T-shirt did little to cover her breasts, or her reaction to his comments.
Solomon raised an eyebrow. “I'll not pretend I'm not interested in you as a woman, but I thought this was purely a business deal.”
She leaned closer, giving him a whiff of her sweet flowery perfume. “What if I was willing for it to be more?”
He held back a smile, as his body heated with lust. Normally he’d have no objection to spending some adult time with Mavis, but right now the only thing he wanted to seduce from her was information, and she was making it all far too easy. “I'm not looking for a relationship with anyone.” Mavis shifted away from him, but he grabbed her hand, and drew her back. “I've Molly to consider, and this whole business with Lisa has me worried.”
“I know. You said. You’re worried about Molly’s safety.”
“Lisa said someone was trying to kill her, and now Dan Maloney tells me they found a dead man at her house. Whatever she's done is none of my concern, but if it puts Molly in danger, I'll never forgive myself. “
“I understand. I do.”
“And does that make babysitting for me more difficult?”
“I promised to look after Molly. Nothing’s changed.”
“Maybe once this whole mess is straightened out...”
Mavis smiled. “Maybe.”
“Although I've no idea how long it will take Detective Maloney to get to the bottom of it. I'd hate for you to wait for something that might never happen.”
“Do you really want it to happen? Us dating, I mean, not him solving the case.”
Solomon, lifted her hand to his mouth, and caressed her knuckles with his lips. “I'd like nothing more than to take you on a date.”
He let her hand go, and they sat in silence and drank their coffee. He’d be more than happy to reward her with a dinner at an expensive restaurant and an intimate tour of his bedroom, if she helped him find out exactly what Lisa was running from. Solomon had thrown out the bait, but would Mavis take it? If not, he would have to come up with a more direct route to gaining her assistance. He might even be forced to tell the truth.
* * * * *
Daisy sped through the forest, and swerved to avoid a pony that appeared hell-bent on suicide. Cliff squealed, and she glanced at him. “Sorry.”
“Where's the fire?”
She eased off the accelerator, and took a right hand turn. “No fire. We have a lot to cover today. I need to see another kennel owner and get back to collect Rosebud.”
“Does Solomon know about Rosebud?'
“Nope. I figured it would be better to let them meet, before he had a chance to say no. Once he looks into those big brown eyes, he won't be able to resist.”
Cliff snorted and shook his head. “I don’t t’ink he’s gonna like it.”
Daisy took another turn into a driveway, and slowed to a stop outside an imposing red brick house.
Cliff glanced out the window, slid down in his seat, and hunched his shoulders. “I'll stay here and have a nap.”
“I don't pay you to sleep.”
“You were gonna let me relax at the office before.”
Daisy stared at the building. “They're looking for someone to train as a kennel person.”
Cliff snorted with laughter. “You're scared of d
ogs.”
She smiled at him. “I figured you could do it.”
“What? Here? I can't.”
“Yes, you can. A couple of days working undercover. It'll be exciting. I'll bring you to work and pick you up. You can still stay at the office, and anything they pay you is yours to keep.”
“What if they won't hire me?”
“Word on the street is they've been looking for someone for a while. I bet they'd take anyone.”
“That’s good then.”
Daisy sighed. “This job could be perfect for you. Who knows? You might enjoy it so much, you decide to stay permanently.”
“Can't.”
“Why not?”
He shrugged. “I haven’t got any papers.”
“What?”
“No documents. No ID. I can't work for anyone who wants to pay me properly.”
“I can help you get some ID and documents if you really need them. Please. Can’t you at least give it a try? For me? For the missing dog?”
Cliff grumbled as he climbed out of the car and headed to the front door. She took a deep breath to slow her racing heart, before she jumped out and ran after him. She grabbed his arm, and kept a tight hold while she steered him toward the side of the house, where a sign pointed to the kennels.
The sound of barking heralded their arrival, and Daisy slowed her pace, keeping Cliff between her and the source of the noise. As they approached the large brick outbuilding, a white timber door slammed open, and a tall, skinny young blonde woman struggled out onto the path, wrestling a collection of buckets and bags. She glanced in their direction, and came to a sudden stop. The air filled with expletives, as a tub and bag she was carrying toppled out of her arms, spilling kibble on the concrete path.
Cliff fidgeted from foot to foot, and then shook Daisy off. She squealed and backed up, scanning the area, checking that none of the kennels’ inhabitants were on the loose. Cliff paused for a moment, and then jogged over and appeared to whisper something to the girl. Her eyes grew wide, and she glanced at Daisy and then back at Cliff before smiling at him. Daisy watched openmouthed, as he turned his attention to picking up the bowl the girl had dropped, and taking some of the bags from her. Way to go, Cliff. Not only could he charm the birds from the trees, but he played Prince Charming to pretty damsels in distress. Daisy smiled. Maybe he could find romance, while she found her missing dog.
The blonde turned, and grimaced at Daisy. “Oops, sorry. I didn't know we had company.”
Daisy bent down, and began to scoop the spilled kibble back into its packet. Once it was all picked up, she got to her feet and handed the bag to Cliff. The man was staring at the young girl like she was a mirage, and she was smiling at his obvious interest. Anyone would think he'd never seen a pretty woman before. And she was pretty. There weren't many girls in the world that could rock a pair of denim dungarees, gum boots, and a bright pink headscarf, but she could wear her outfit on the catwalks of Milan.
Daisy smiled. “Where would you like Cliff to take this stuff?”
“Cliff?”
He dropped his focus to the ground, and kicked at a stone. “That would be me.”
“I'm Poppy. You don't look like a Cliff.”
He glanced up at her. “I don’t?”
“If I had to choose a name for you, I'd have picked Noah or Elijah, or perhaps Evan.”
“I'm just Cliff.”
“Shame. I used to know an Evan. He was a great guy.”
“I might be a great guy.”
“Could you be as great as him, though?”
Cliff shrugged.
Daisy hung back, and let Cliff and the girl walk ahead before following them toward the rear of the house, happy to be moving further away from the kennels. Poppy smiled at Cliff, and he smiled back. She seemed to have taken a shine to him, and he appeared to have forgotten he didn’t want to be there.
Once they were inside and Cliff had deposited his items in the mud room as Poppy directed, the girl turned and gave his arm a quick squeeze. “Thank you. Now what can I do for you guys?”
Daisy nudged Cliff. “Cliff wants to ask you something.” When he didn't say anything, Daisy elbowed him in the ribs. “Don't you, Cliff?”
“Don't I what?”
“Want something.”
He glared at Daisy, and then flashed a nervous smile at the girl. “I wanted to apply for the job.”
She frowned at Daisy. “And you?”
“I’m a friend, who drove him here.”
Poppy glanced at Cliff. “A friend?”
Cliff nodded. “She’s my friend.”
She looked at Daisy and then back at Cliff. “Okay, Cliff. Why don’t you come through, and I’ll interview you.”
He glanced into the main part of the house. “In t’ere?”
“Mum’s away on a cruise for two weeks, so it’s down to me. Are you coming?”
She slipped through the door, and Daisy gave him a shove in the same direction. “Go on.”
He turned and glared at her. “Go away.”
“What?”
“If you want me to apply for t’is job, go away.”
“I thought I could help answer questions.”
He grabbed her elbow, and propelled her toward the outer door. “Go away. Wait in the car, and I'll come tell you when it's over.”
She tried to shake him off, but he was surprisingly strong for a skinny guy. “Have you ever done a job interview before? I could give you some tips.”
“I know how to do an interview. I have worked before. You're cramping my style.”
Daisy patted him on the back. “Good luck.”
She opened the door and stepped outside, keeping close to the house as she made her way back to the car. This could work out brilliantly. Poppy seemed intrigued by Cliff, and he was obviously smitten. Daisy grinned. She could have found him the perfect job and a girlfriend. Even if she never found the poodle, or lost her life being ripped limb from limb by rampaging dogs in the attempt, some good might come out of the investigation.
Daisy contemplated snooping around the kennels, but what was the point, if Cliff would be working there? Besides, she needed to check her emails, to see if the fake Christian Louboutin ankle boots she ordered last week were on their way. She hadn’t been able to check at the office, in case the computers had been hacked by the cops. She didn’t need a stint in jail for handling knock-off designer shoes.
She finished checking her emails, as Cliff walked back through the gate and strode toward the car with his hands in his pockets. A huge smile split his face.
She wound down the window. “When do you start?”
“Now. She’s given me a week’s trial.”
“Good work. Now remember why you're really here. Don't let Poppy distract you.”
He rolled his eyes and sighed. “I've somet'ing else to tell you.”
“You found Johnny already?”
“No. There's a big show in Bristol on the weekend. All the breeders will be there. Poppy says I can go.”
“Awesome. I could go too. Pretend to be something to do with dogs. You can snoop around behind the scenes, and I can casually ask questions as an interested member of the public, or even better, as a newspaper reporter.” Daisy rubbed her hands, as the idea took shape in her mind.
“How you gonna get in?”
“I need some fake ID.”
“Why can’t you just be yourself?”
“Some of the breeders already know I’m on the case. I’m going to need a disguise as well. It’ll be brilliant. Now go and play with the scary poodles. What time shall I collect you?”
“Poppy says we'll be done by five.”
“Five it is. Good luck.”
Daisy watched until Cliff disappeared through the gate, before switching on the engine and speeding away.
She had to collect Rosebud later, but first she might pop in to see Solomon. He'd know where you could buy fake ID's.
Chapter Nineteen
&n
bsp; Solomon handed Mavis a set of keys for the house and a card that automatically activated the gate. “You'll not forget how to use the security system, will you?”
She smiled. “Stop worrying. If we go out, I need to set it, and when we're in the house, I keep the gate locked and only buzz in people I know.”
“Sorry. I've faith in you.”
“But you're concerned about Molly. I know.”
“I need to go out for a few hours.”
“I thought I might take Molly to the park, to feed the ducks later, and then maybe stop by the library and borrow some books. If they have a story time, I'll sign her up. You don't mind her going out in public, do you?”
“I’m concerned about her safety, but I don’t want to stop her having a normal life.”
“I can see you’re a great dad.”
“I'll be an even better one when I’ve seen my solicitor next week, and sorted this mess out. I just want to do what’s best for Molly, and move on.”
“These things take time, and you've got the added difficulty of Lisa being in jail.”
“She’s not got the money to bail herself out, but that's not to say one of her cronies won't help.”
“If she's bailed, is she going to want to get Molly back?”
“She might, but she’ll have to get through me first.”
“What about childcare? You’re going to have to show you can look after Molly fulltime. I could give the place my sister uses a call, and tell them to expect you. You could take a look around, and see if they can fit Molly in when I have to go back to work.”
“I'll not put Molly somewhere where Lisa can get to her. She's safer with me.”
“What about a nanny, then? I assume you can afford a fulltime nanny?”
“I'll find the money, and I already have plans to call an agency today and start the ball rolling.”
“Are you that desperate to get rid of me?”
Solomon reached out, and brushed his knuckles across Mavis' cheek. “Are you that desperate to stay?”
Mavis shrugged. “It’s not the worst job I’ve been asked to do. Molly’s cute.”
“Just Molly?”
Mavis blushed, and Solomon stepped closer, crowding her against the kitchen bench. Mavis swallowed, and licked her lips. He dipped his head until their mouths were almost touching. She looked like she needed a good hard snog. He closed the gap, and pressed his lips against hers. Her soft whimper sent a shiver of desire up his spine. He pulled back, and cupped her face with his hands. She stared up at him, pupils dilated, her breath coming in soft puffs.
