“Nope. Not yet.” I clicked on one of the Myspace links. Maybe her mom had an account and mentioned her.
“Kat was extra nervous today, didn’t want her feet handled. You might want to sell Mrs. Berry some flower essence.”
“Okay.” I smiled to myself. Sylvia had come a long way in accepting the flower essence.
“You are still looking for the little girl?”
“Yeah.”
“Maybe she should not know her father has died.”
I peered up into Sylvia’s concerned eyes. “I know. I’m not bringing her good news. But, imagine when she’s grown up and wonders why her father abandoned her? Wouldn’t that be harder to live with?”
“Ah, yes. Maybe.” The bells jingled as Mrs. Berry entered with a cheery wave.
Sylvia patted my arm. “I will pray you find her.” Then took Mrs. Berry in the back to get Kat.
This one looked promising. It was a Tampa Daily News article about a 4H program. It mentioned a Mariah Fowler, though no age. 4H was for kids, right? She had to be young. It would make sense that if Mad Dog had a daughter, he would stick pretty close to where she lived when he came back from the war. Why didn’t he go back to her? No use speculating on that question. There could be all kinds of issues with her mother. I opened up a new tab and searched the Tampa white pages for Fowler. My heart sank. There were five pages of them. I might have to solicit some help from my friends on this one—split up the list. It was a long shot, but what else could I do?
When Mrs. Berry left with Kat—and a bottle of aspen and cherry plum mixture—Sylvia smacked a hand on the counter. “You need a night to relax! We will have dinner at Landon’s show tonight, some drinks, some laughs. Deal?”
I was about to say no, I’d rather spend the evening calling strangers named “Fowler” out of the phone book, but then I remembered Landon’s assistant going into the townhouse. Maybe I could talk to the girls, do some digging. I put on my best excited face.
“Okay. Deal.”
Sylvia blinked and her shoulders relaxed. “Well. Okay.”
I think she was expecting a fight. This made me smile. She was turning out to be a good friend. My first real girlfriend outside my family. The trouble was, she didn’t really know me. How much would it damage our friendship if she did know everything? And how much was I damaging it by keeping things from her?
“Thanks, Sylvia.”
She nodded, tilting her head. “Hey, you invite Will, too?”
“Oh, I don’t know.”
“Listen,” her hand went to her hip, “you have nothing to be scared of with him. He’s a good guy.”
Yeah, but am I good for him? It would be nice to see him again. “Alright.”
Turns out Will had to work but he did sound happy that I finally called him. Guess that was worth something.
***
So, Sylvia and I sat at the front table again, watching the spectacular show Landon put on. We really tried to figure out how he did some of his tricks and I was beginning to think Frankie may have been on to something. Maybe he did use real magic. He still seemed dark and secretive to me but were my suspicions fueled by his assistants showing up at the townhouse? Or maybe he just reminded me of my father—the most dark and secretive man in the world.
I shrugged off that thought with a shiver as Sylvia leaned in to whisper something to me.
By the time the show was over and Landon and Mage joined us at the table, I was full and relaxed. Sylvia had kept the table full of appetizers and our glasses full of a cold, white wine.
“Great show as always, Landon.” I leaned over and stroked Mage’s head. No zap. His dark eyes squinted in pleasure at the attention. “Though, I think Mage here stole the show with that fire trick.”
“Oh!” Sylvia rested her hand on her chest. “That was very dangerous, no?”
“I wouldn’t put Mage in danger.” Landon took a seat and smiled at Sylvia. “You, on the other hand, I think you would enjoy the danger.”
Sylvia gave a deep little laugh as they kissed.
I eyed Landon. Was he capable of being involved in Mad Dog’s death? “Speaking of danger, Landon, have your assistants ever gotten hurt? They do some amazing tricks up there themselves?”
“Only once. Ah, speak of the devils.” Landon waved the girls over as they exited the back stage, dressed in their street cloths. “Tammy, Tonya, this is my friend Darwin.”
“Nice to meet you,” I shook their hands. They looked similar but not identical. Tammy’s face was rounder, her eyes a deeper blue than her sister’s.
“Darwin was asking if you girls have ever gotten hurt during a show. Go on, Tonya, I know how much you love to tell that story.”
Tonya gave him a little smirk. “Well, last year, we had this really awesome tank trick. Where Tammy got in the tank, I raised a curtain, then after a minute, me and Landon acted like we forgot about her. We were trying out some comedy.”
Tammy jumped in. “What was supposed to happen was when Tonya raised the curtain, I would get out and would be sitting on top of the tank when the curtain finally dropped. But, my dear sister here thought it would be funny to really lock me in. I almost drowned.”
Tonya laughed. “Oh, come on, are you still sore about that? I told you, I wouldn’t have let you drown.”
Landon winked at Tonya, “Well, I wouldn’t have let you drown. The jury’s still out on your sister.”
“Ha ha, Mr. Comedian.” Tonya crossed her arms. “Stick to magic. Anyways, we gotta split. Nice to meet you, Darwin.”
“Charmed.” I watched them leave together. I couldn’t imagine putting my sisters in danger like that. Maybe it was a twin thing? They were still young, too. We all think we’re invincible in our teens. I turned to Landon. “What’s the story with those two?”
“You know, they’ve worked with me for three years—since they were sixteen—and I still can’t really say.” He leaned back in his chair and stroked Mage’s head. “They never talk about their home life. Last year, they moved into an apartment together, that’s about all I know. Fearless, though. They’ll try whatever trick I think up without a second thought.”
Fearless or careless? “That trick with the spinning ropes is pretty impressive. So, are they gymnasts?”
“Nope. They are certified personal trainers and Tonya teaches a kickboxing class at the gym. But, like I said, they’re up for anything.”
“I can see where that would be necessary in a world of magic.” I felt my mouth twitch. In a world where nothing…and no one is what it seems.
***
It was late when I got back. Karma was waiting for me at the door.
“You need to go out, boy?” His tail swished back and forth once. A yes in doggie language.
We walked across the road to the park. The air was still and thick and I had to keep swatting at the mosquitoes. I let Karma off the lead since the park was empty. “Hurry up, boy, before we get eaten alive out here.”
He started sniffing the ground and then suddenly lifted his head, ears up and nose in the air. I thought it might be a squirrel when he trotted over to the big banyan tree. But as I moved to follow him, the shadow sitting on the ground was way bigger than a squirrel. Karma stopped for a second, then continued toward the shadow, ears down, tail wagging.
“Hello?” I called out.
“Hi, nice cookie lady!”
“Oh, hi, G.” I stared down at him. He was rubbing Karma’s chest. “What are you doing out here? You all right? You hungry?”
He gave Karma one last pat and then stood up. The familiar shoebox was tucked under his arm. “Had a muffin. And soup.” He mumbled something else I couldn’t understand as he reached into the box and pulled out a thick black sketch book. “Here.” He lowered his head. “Mad Dog was your friend. Minnie says you should have what I found in the tent.” He lifted his head. “It’s all right if I keep the socks Minnie said.”
I reached out and took the book. “Of course, G. You can keep t
he socks. Thank you for bringing this to me.” I felt hope soar. This belonged to Mad Dog? There could be something important in here. I clutched it to my chest. “Hey, G?” He turned back to me. “You know I’m your friend, too, right?”
“Yep.” He grinned, then ambled back through the park.
“Let’s go see what Mad Dog can tell us, Karma.”
***
Throwing my keys on the marble counter, I flipped opened the sketch book. A folded paper fluttered to the ground. Absentmindedly, I reached down and picked it up while still staring at the first page. It was a pencil drawing. A silhouette of a woman’s face; long hair cascading over her bare shoulder, her lip turned up in a soft smile. Wow. Did Mad Dog sketch this? I flipped through the pages.
The first half was full of sketches of the same woman and also a little girl with large, dark eyes and wisps of dark hair around her ears. Some pages were just their eyes. One was of the woman’s hand with a wedding band. One in particular struck me in the heart: the woman cradling the child, her eyes closed. Could this be his wife and daughter? I was awe struck and now more determined than ever to find Mariah. If only he had written the woman’s name somewhere in the book. It would have made it easier to find them. I flipped through it again to make sure I hadn’t missed anything. The last few pages made me sad. There were dark drawings of monsters with guns. Taped to the back cover was an envelope with “Mariah” written on it. I opened it to find a hundred dollars in twenties. I shoved the money back in the envelope and then unfolded the paper that had dropped out.
At the top in big black letters were the words: Release of Liability
The name, Frat Boys Inc., caught my eye. The corporation that owned the townhouse? I skimmed over it. It basically released the corporation from any claims, losses or damages due to injuries, permanent disabilities or…death. Participant acknowledges he/she is over the age of eighteen and understands the risks involved. I glanced down at the bottom signature line. It was blank.
Is this why Mad Dog said the injuries were his fault? Had he been involved in something he knew was dangerous? Something he was being paid for? I folded the paper back up. Tomorrow I would take it to Will and see what he thought.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
“How do you look so cheerful and awake this morning?” I shook my head as Sylvia bounced through the boutique door, heels clicking gaily, her smile blinding me.
“It’s a beautiful day, no?” She scratched Karma’s head and began humming some tune as she tossed her keys and bag under the counter. I had a feeling someone hadn't slept alone last night. My cheeks grew warm with the thought.
“It’s going to be a busy day, that’s for sure. Landry Morrison is due any minute with her trio of terriers.” I walked over to make a cup of green tea. I needed comfort.
“They are good babies. Oooo, and she brought cinnamon rolls last time.”
How did Sylvia keep her figure with such a sweet tooth? As I moved back to the counter, the bells jangled. I was expecting Landry, but it was Will who strolled in.
“Oh, good morning.” Wow. He was positively beaming. What was it with everyone this morning?
“These are for you.” A bouquet of daisies appeared from behind his back. “Hi, Sylvia.”
She waved and headed to the back, still humming.
“Awe, thanks.” I pressed my nose into them. Sweet. “What’s the occasion?”
“I have some good news.”
“Good news? Great, I could use some of that. Want some tea?”
“No thanks.” He followed me back to the counter.
“So, what’s up?” I rested the daisies beside the computer. I’d take them upstairs and put them in a vase when I could.
“Mr. Fowler’s murderer turned himself in last night. We got a full confession.”
“What?” I couldn’t have been more shocked if Mad Dog himself had walked through the door. I was not expecting this turn of events. “Who? I mean, that’s great I guess but…” I was fumbling for the words. It just didn’t make sense.
“You look like you just saw a ghost. You should be happy.”
“Well. Yes. I guess I’m just shocked.” I leaned against the counter for support. “Why would someone do that though? Turn themselves in? And why now?”
“I’ve learned not to try to figure out why people do what they do, Darwin. I just stick to facts. Otherwise, it’ll drive you crazy.”
“So, who was it?”
“A man named Richard Stranton. He knew Mr. Fowler from Pirate City. Seems there was an argument about money that resulted in a physical altercation. Says he didn’t mean to kill him, he panicked when he realized Mr. Fowler wasn’t breathing and pulled him into the lake to wash off any evidence and make it look like he drowned.”
I crossed my arms. “A fight about money? And you believed him?”
“Well, the man confessed, Darwin. I thought you would be relieved.”
Yeah, except there’s no way that’s what happened. “What about the bottle of expensive rum?”
“What about it? It obviously had nothing to do with Mr. Fowler after all. Someone just left it there.”
Yeah, left it there to try and make it look like a drunk just fell in the lake and drowned. Only they didn’t know Mad Dog. Besides, it was expensive rum. There’s no way someone would just abandon it. I shook my head and glanced down at Karma stretched out on his pillow. His head was up and he was staring at us with those alert eyes.
“What about the fact there is no way Karma would stand by and let someone kill Mad Dog? He would have defended him. There would have been injuries on the man, on Karma or both.”
Will eyed Karma and then looked back at me, smiling. “He doesn’t have any teeth.” I raised an eyebrow. He moved closer and rested a warm hand on each of my shoulders. “All right, look, Darwin, I know this a big chunk of news. I have to go, but I want you to process it, think about it and you’ll see everything has worked out. It’s the closure you’ve been after. You can let go.”
Let go? “Oh wait,” I gently released myself from his grip and went to dig in the drawer beneath the counter. “Before you go, can you tell me what this is?” I unfolded the paper from Mad Dog’s notebook and handed it to Will. He read it over and nodded.
“Sure. It’s a release of liability.”
“Why would someone sign one?”
“Most places make you sign one if you’re playing a sport on their property, or doing something dangerous like bungee jumping. Where did you get this?”
“From one of the guys at Pirate City. He found Mad Dog’s sketch book and this was inside.”
He handed the paper back. “Maybe this corporation was starting a sports company or something. I wouldn’t worry about it. Besides,” he put a finger under my chin and made me look up at him. “The person responsible for his death is in custody. You can stop playing detective now.” He leaned down and kissed me. “I think we should celebrate tonight. Dinner?”
The door jangled again and Landry came in with three pink leashes in one hand and a bakery box in the other.
“Hello!”
Great, another cheerful soul. I was grateful for the interruption, though.
“Hi, Landry. Go on back. Sylvia’s expecting you.” I turned back to Will and gave him my best attempt at a smile. “I’ll call you later.”
“Promise?”
“Yes.”
His phone vibrated, he kissed my cheek before answering it and heading out the door. My thoughts were whirling like a hurricane. Who was this person who confessed? Why would someone confess to a murder they didn’t commit? How was I supposed to sit across from Will at dinner knowing what I knew about that night—that Mad Dog had been killed in the townhouse, not at the lake—and keep silent? I had to talk to this Richard Stranton person. Had I seen him at Pirate City before? It seemed they all go by nicknames so I had no idea who he was.
In between helping customers, I hatched a plan to visit Richard at the jail and confront him
. I also began to work my way through the list of Fowlers in the Tampa area. I made it to listing number eight with no luck before Frankie came through the door with Itty and Bitty.
“Hey, Frankie.” I felt disorientated. “I don’t have you in the appointment book today?”
“No, no,” she waved. “I just came by for some of those doggie truffles and to say hi. How’s everything going?” She led the two pups over to the counter.
“Well, Will just stopped by with a shocking bit of news.”
“Really? What’s that?”
“Seems a man by the name of Richard Stranton turned himself in last night and confessed to killing Mad Dog.”
“Well, I’ll be a son of a sailor! That’s great news!” Her hand was on her hip. “Right?”
“Sure.” I tried to muster up her level of enthusiasm. “Will said the guy knew Mad Dog from Pirate City. You know anyone there by that name?”
She thought for a minute then shook her head. “No, sorry. But, I don’t know if I actually know anybody’s real name anyway.”
“Yeah, that’s why I’m going to go visit him at the jail and find out who he is and why he confessed.”
“You don’t believe he did it?”
“No.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
It took twenty minutes to get to the Pinellas County Jail in a taxi that smelled like mold and feet. I had to make an appointment and, apparently, would only be allowed to speak with Mr. Stranton via video phone but that was probably for the best anyway. This way I wouldn’t be arrested for strangling the man for lying.
After showing my ID, I was led to a row of visiting booths. I took a seat in a black plastic chair in front of a flat screen. There was a phone attached to the right side of the screen and it was bordered by a short privacy wall. My hands were damp and I rubbed them roughly on my shorts. I tried not to glance around at the other people visiting, but there really wasn’t anywhere else to look. It seemed like forever before the screen flickered on and I was staring into the face of Richard Stranton. He had that same beaten down expression as when I had seen him last--sad eyes, droopy head.
Karma's A Bitch (A Pet Psychic Mystery) Page 12
