Trouble at the Animal Shelter: A Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery

by Dianne Harman

  She looked down at her hands and then up at Jonas. “Missy, please, tell the sheriff what you know. Why don’t you start with when you sold the treats to him?” Jonas said.

  “Well, it was last Saturday. I remember because I was going out on my first date with Lenny. He’s a big deal at my school. That’s how I know it was Saturday. It was late in the afternoon, and this man had a shopping cart with three big bags of dog treats in it. I asked him how many dogs he had, and he said he didn’t have any, but his friend had a lot. That’s about it. He paid and left.”

  “What did he look like?” Mike asked

  She thought for several moments and then said, “I’d say he was about your height. He had a medium build, you know kinda normal, like he wasn’t real buff or anything. He had dark hair. He was dressed in casual clothes, jeans, and a shirt. I don’t remember what color his eyes were.”

  “Thanks,” Mike said, “that helps. Do you remember if he was young or old?”

  Again, she was quiet while she thought. “I’d say he was about my dad’s age. He’s forty-four.”

  “Do you think you’d recognize him if you saw a picture of him?”

  “Probably, because I’ve thought about him a lot. It was weird that anyone would buy that many dog treats.”

  Mike opened the file he’d brought with him. “Missy, do you recognize either of these two men? Did one of them buy the dog treats from you?”

  Mike had copied a photo Reverend Barnes had posted on the church’s website, and he’d brought that photograph and the one of Jimmy Richards that the district superintendent had faxed to Mike earlier that afternoon. Missy examined both photographs carefully and then looked up at Mike and said, “Yes, that’s the man who bought them. I’m positive.” She pointed to one of the photographs.

  “Thank you, Missy. I really appreciate you taking the time to talk to me,” Mike said as he put the photographs back in his file.

  “Sheriff, can you tell me anything more about this?”

  “I’d rather not say right now, Missy. If I find out something, I’ll be in touch with you. Again, thanks for your help.”

  “Missy, you can go back to work now,” Jonas said. She stood up and he closed the door behind her. “Well, Sheriff, what do you think?”

  “I think your time reading those mystery novels, particularly the ones with dogs in them, might help to break this case. While I still can’t prove that the man who bought the dog treats killed Maggie Ryan, it’s a good start. Thanks for calling me. I’m sure you were a little nervous I might discount your instincts.”

  “You got that right, Sheriff. I figured I didn’t have much to lose other than you laughing when I told you. Glad you found it worth your while.”

  “I certainly did. Jonas, I’d like you to keep this quiet. Would you ask Missy to do the same? I have a feeling I’m getting close to solving this case, and I don’t want any problems with it.”

  “No problem. Consider it done. Anything else I can do for you?”

  “Yes. My wife would never forgive me if I was in a pet store and didn’t get something for our three dogs. Anything you particularly recommend?”

  “We just got a new product in last week. I bought one for my dog, and it’s now her favorite thing. She goes to her toy box first thing in the morning to get it. Let me get three of them for you.”

  He stood up and walked out the door with Mike following him. He turned down an aisle marked “Chew Items” and stopped before a bin with what looked like some type of animal horns in it.

  “What are these?” Mike asked as Jonas handed him three of them.

  “These are small pieces of elk horns, and for some reason dogs love them. Please take them as a thank you for the service you do for our community. A gift from me to you. Missy’s at the cash register. I’ll tell her it’s on me and walk you to the door.”

  “Thanks, Jonas. You’ve just made three dogs very happy.”

  Mike got in his car and started the engine, then took a moment to see if there were any messages for him on his phone. He was surprised to see that Shannon Lewis had called him and said she’d remembered something from the night of the murder.

  He turned off his engine and pressed her number into his phone. It was answered almost immediately by her. “This is Shannon Lewis, is that you. Sheriff?”

  “It is, but how did you know it was me?” he asked.

  “I don’t get many calls, so jes’ figured you was returnin’ my call. You told me to call ya’ if I thought of somethin’. Well, I did. Remember how I tol’ ya’ I’d seen what looked like a man walkin’ down the street? I remembered it ‘cuz I thought it was pretty strange that he’d be pullin’ a cart, but in all the excitement I forgot to tell you the part ‘bout him pullin’ some little cart behind him.”

  “I agree. That’s pretty strange. What kind of a cart was it, Shannon?”

  “I don’t exactly know what they’re called, but ya’ ever been to the Sunday swap meet over in Portland?”

  “No, I haven’t. Why?”

  “Cuz you woulda seen all kinds of carts like the one he had at the swap meet. People put the treasures they buy in the carts and pull the carts behind them. They’re made outta some kind of a fencin’ like material.”

  “Do you mean mesh?”

  “Yeah, but it’s not a fine mesh. More like a fence, if ya’ know what I mean. ‘Scuse me fer a minute. Ralphie’s jabberin’ at me.” A moment later she came back on the phone and said, “Ralphie says to tell ya’ it’s a wire cart. Now ya’ know what I’m talkin’ ‘bout?”

  “I think so. Shannon, I have a couple of photos I’d like to show you. Do you think you could identify the man you saw in the street if you saw a photo of him?”

  “Save the taxpayer’s dollar on gas, Sheriff. Ain’t no way I could identify him. We ain’t got no streetlights here, and it was dark. It was a new moon kind of night. All I saw was what looked like a man pullin’ a cart behind him. Got any thoughts why someone would do that?”

  “No, I need to think about it. All right, Shannon, if you’re certain you can’t identify anyone, I won’t bother to come over. I really appreciate you calling me. I’m not sure how the cart figures into all of this. Often it’s a matter of just accumulating a lot of information and then it becomes very clear. Tell Ralph hello and again, thanks.”

  A cart. That’s interesting. I don’t quite see the nexus if the guy she saw was the killer. I’ll tell Kelly tonight. Maybe she’ll have some ideas.

  CHAPTER 25

  Kelly parked her minivan in front of the Cedar Bay Animal Shelter and walked in. The door to Jenna’s office was open, and she waved for Kelly to come into her office. “Sanyu’s all ready for you to take him. I’ve been out to see him several times since you called, and he’s a love. I’d feel better if you’d tell me what you have planned, but knowing you’re a dog lover, I’m certain it’s nothing that will cause a problem for Sanyu.”

  “No. I just want to take him a couple of places and see what his reaction is to some people. I promise that nothing will happen to him. Do I need anything?”

  “No, here’s his leash. He was fed this morning, and I personally took him on a walk just a little while ago. I can assure you that you won’t have to worry about him going to the bathroom while you have him unless you’re going to be gone longer than a couple of hours.”

  “I think we’ll be back before then. I do have kind of a strange request, though. Do you have any therapy dog wraps? You know, the kind that goes around their middle and says ‘Therapy Dog in Training’ or ‘Therapy Dog’ on it?”

  “I don’t think I want to know anything about this, Kelly, but yes, I do have one. I’m assuming you want it for Sanyu, would I be right?” She opened the drawer of a nearby file cabinet and handed a therapy dog wrap to Kelly.

  “Yes, I want it for him. Since he knows you, would you mind putting it on him? Thanks, Jenna, and when I come back I’ll tell you all about this.”

  “I’m going to ho
ld you to that, because my curiosity is really aroused.”

  Jenna stood up and walked around her desk. “Sanyu knows me by now, so I’ll introduce you to him. Follow me.” She led Kelly out of the main building and down a long walkway with covered small kennel-like rooms on each side. Halfway down the walkway she stopped and said, “This is where Sanyu’s staying. I’ll go in and put him on the leash.” Kelly watched while Jenna easily slipped the leash catch into the metal clip on his collar, attached the therapy dog wrap around him, and walked him to the door. “Sanyu, meet Kelly. She’s going to take you for a ride.”

  Sanyu was a beautiful specimen of the Akita dog breed. He was fawn and white with intelligent eyes that seemed to size up Kelly as she held her hand out to him, palm down. After a few moments of examining her, he sniffed her hand and evidently decided she’d passed whatever test he had silently given her. What it had consisted of, she had no idea, as he stood in front of her and looked up.

  During a lull at the coffee shop earlier that afternoon, Kelly had done a little research on the coffee shop computer about the Akita breed and learned they automatically assumed the dominant role in any relationship unless a dog or person had more of an alpha personality than they did. She stood at her full height and said in a very firm voice, “Sit, Sanyu,” as she took the leash Jenna handed to her. The big dog immediately sat down, and she reached down and patted him on the head.

  “Come, Sanyu,” she said waving to Jenna as she walked to her minivan with him next to her. Since there were no records as to where he’d come from, she could only assume that whoever had owned him prior to Maggie Ryan had spent a lot of time training him. She wondered why anyone would have given him up and decided it was probably not a decision the previous owner had much choice in. When they got to the minivan he sat and waited while Kelly opened the car door. “In, Sanyu,” she said. He jumped into the minivan and sat down in the passenger seat.

  When she put her seatbelt on, the big dog began to nose his seatbelt and talk to her in a dog growl. “Sanyu, do you want me to put the seatbelt on you?” she asked, feeling stupid.

  He yipped, and she fastened it around his middle. He immediately looked out the windshield, obviously ready for the ride. It was a short trip to the Church of Loving Grace. Kelly wanted to see what Sanyu’s reaction would be to Reverend Barnes. She just hoped he’d be at the church. She got out of her minivan and walked around to the passenger side, opened the door, and unhooked Sanyu’s seatbelt. She lightly pulled on his leash and said, “Come, Sanyu.”

  She entered the church building and walked down the hall leading to Mary’s office. The door was open to Reverend Barnes’ office, and she saw him sitting at his desk.

  “Hi, Reverend Barnes. How are you?”

  “Fine, Kelly. What brings you to our church? And who is this guy?” he asked as he walked around his desk. “I see he’s a therapy dog. Are you working with an organization that trains therapy dogs? And is it okay if I pet him?”

  “Sure, you can pet him, and no, I’m not working with any organization. I’m just helping a friend. Sanyu, sit.”

  Kelly watched intently to see what the dog’s reaction would be to Reverend Barnes. She was ready to yank on the leash if the dog became hostile towards the reverend. He put his hand down and let Sanyu smell it. A moment later he petted the dog, who sat quietly. There was no reaction from Sanyu, positive or negative, other than sniffing the reverend’s hand. Kelly was certain the reverend wasn’t the one who had given dog treats to Maggie Ryan’s dogs.

  “Sweet dog, isn’t he, Reverend? To answer your earlier question, I ran into Mary yesterday at the market, and she mentioned she had a great stew recipe. I forgot to ask her for it, so I thought we’d stop by and see if I could get it. Is she in?”

  “That’s a very nice dog. I’m not familiar with that breed, and in answer to your questions about Mary, she is here. She’s getting us some coffee and should be back any minute.”

  “Hi, Kelly. What a nice surprise to have you stop by the church. Here’s your coffee, Reverend. Kelly, come on into my office, and who is this beautiful boy?”

  “Well, I don’t know if you can call a male dog beautiful,” Kelly said. “Maybe handsome would be a little better,” she said laughing. “We came to get that stew recipe you mentioned yesterday. Winter’s coming, and I think a stew would work well at the coffee shop.” They went into Mary’s office, and she closed the door.

  “I wanted to tell you that the Reverend said he wants to talk to me, and he’s coming over for dinner tonight. Kelly, I’m so nervous. I don’t know what to expect.”

  “Mary, I think I can assure you he isn’t the murderer. He may have some gambling problems, but you can work with that if you want to. Do you?”

  “Yes, I’ve made up my mind that if he wants me to help him, I will, but I don’t have any frame of reference for this.”

  Kelly put her hand on Mary’s shoulder. “Mary, just do whatever your heart tells you. It usually knows a lot better than we do what the answer is, and keep in mind that even though we don’t see each other that often, I’d be happy to listen if you ever want to talk about it.”

  “I’ll send you the recipe and give you a call tomorrow. I just have to get through tonight, and then I’ll probably know where this is going to lead, if anywhere. He may be coming over to tell me he’s firing me, and he never wants to see me again.”

  “Somehow I don’t think that’s it. Sanyu and I need to leave. We have two other stops to make before I have to take him back, and Mary, the reverend looks a lot better than what I thought he’d look like, given our conversation of yesterday.”

  “I know, he does look a little better today, but I just wish I knew more.”

  CHAPTER 26

  Kelly parked her minivan a block down the street from Shannon Lewis’ house, looked at her watch, and smiled. Her timing was perfect. It was 3:28 and from what Mike had said after he interviewed her, Shannon Lewis always went out to her mailbox at exactly 3:30 in the afternoon to get her mail when the mailman delivered it.

  “Okay, Sanyu, I’ll release your seatbelt, put you on a leash, and then let’s see how this one goes. Come on, boy.”

  Kelly and Sanyu began walking on the sidewalk towards Shannon Lewis’ house. Come on, Shannon. Open the front door and walk out to your mailbox. If I have to turn around at the end of the street and come back this way, we’re going to look very suspicious. Come on.

  When they were thirty feet from the Lewis mailbox, Kelly saw the front door of the Lewis house open and a portly grey-haired woman walked out of it and headed towards her mailbox. Ten feet from where the woman was getting her mail out of the mailbox Kelly said, “Sanyu, sit.” The dog sat looking up at Kelly. The woman turned towards Kelly and said, “That’s a mighty big dog. What’s up with that funny tail?”

  “He’s an Akita, and that’s just the way their tails are. I didn’t want him to frighten you, so I gave him the command to sit.”

  The woman walked over to where Kelly was standing and said, “I’m not much on dogs, but he’s a purty one. Old woman who died across the street used to have a bunch of ‘em. You may have read about it in the paper or seen it on TV. Dogs were barkin’ night and day. Darn near drove me crazy, but yours hasn’t made a peep. Mind if I pet him?”

  “No, he’s friendly. Just put your hand in front of him, palm down, so he can smell you first. If he licks your hand it means he’d love to be petted.” Kelly held her breath while Shannon Lewis put out her hand, and Sanyu licked it.

  That’s the second of the three suspects I have in mind that have passed the test. Don’t know if it would hold up in a court of law, but I’m convinced she isn’t the murderer. Time to visit the third suspect and see if he passes the test.

  “Nice dog. I’ve read a lot about therapy dogs like him. Guess they do a lotta good. Mind you I ain’t getting’ a dog, but he might be first if I ever did. Got some stock market information here I need to read. Nice talkin’ to ya’.” S
he turned and went back into her house. Kelly and Sanyu turned around and walked back to the minivan.

  “Nice job, Sanyu. Here’s a treat for you,” she said as she opened her glove compartment and pulled out a dog cookie. “Good boy.”

  She drove to the freeway and headed south, pulling off on Chapman Avenue. She’d looked up the address of AAA Hardware Store on the computer at the coffee shop earlier that afternoon and easily drove to it.

  “Okay, Sanyu, let’s see how you do with this one. If nothing happens here, I’ll never again act on one of my ‘off the wall’ crazy theories.” She took a deep breath and walked through the door of the hardware store.

  “May I help you?” the dark-haired man wearing jeans asked. Sanyu immediately moved closer to Kelly and sat down, refusing to move, as a low deep growl came out of his throat. “Some therapy dog, Miss, if he growls at a stranger. Have you been training him for very long?”

  “No. He was one of the dogs that belonged to a woman who was murdered a couple of days ago,” she said, carefully watching his reaction to that statement.

  Sanyu continued to growl. “Easy, boy, easy,” Kelly said gently petting him. An angry yet fearful look quickly passed over the man’s face as he concentrated his attention on Sanyu. He looked up from Sanyu to Kelly as if he was trying to place her. Now that she’d seen Jimmy Richards in person she remembered he’d been in the coffee shop several times, and she wondered if he recognized her.

  “I need a new watering can for my plants. My old one sprang a leak, but I think I better come back another time, without him. We’re just starting his therapy dog training, and obviously, it’s not going well. See you later,” Kelly said brightly. “Sanyu, come.” The big dog stood up but suddenly snarled and leaped forward towards the man. Kelly yanked on his leash and held it tightly as she struggled with some difficulty to keep him in check while they made their way out of the hardware store and back to her minivan.