The Devil Wore Sneakers

by Nora LeDuc

  “I’m sure the event would have been memorable, Bella.”

  “After we married, Ryan was going to set up a tea room for me. I’ve dreamed about owning one. I collect teacups. Ryan told me you drink tea.”

  “Uh, yes, I do, but I’m not particular about the brand or whether it’s loose leaf. A tea bag is fine with me.” Feeling uneasy, Lucy grabbed a cookie. “Let’s eat.”

  “I ate breakfast. Hank woke up starving and cooked pancakes and bacon.”

  “He’s a good roommate.”

  “I live a floor above him.” Bella looked over Lucy’s head. “At night I talk to Ryan. He comes to me.”

  The cookie fell from Lucy’s fingers and hit the dish. “Oops.” She gave Bella a weak smile.

  “He’s at peace. He wanted me to tell you not to cry for him.”

  “Did he say—” Lucy’s voice wavered; it was a dumb question, but she had to ask.

  “—who shot him?” Her guest shook her head. “No, he doesn’t bring it up because he doesn’t want to trouble me.”

  Bella had said it was a dream, but she spoke as if he’d dropped by for a visit. How could Lucy end this discussion? “At least you said goodbye to him.”

  “He can’t leave until you and I stop stressing about him.”

  “I’ll do my best.” Bella couldn’t know she’d dreamed about Ryan that night at the Barley House. The whole conversation bordered on bizarre. But lots of people believed in after-death experiences, didn’t they?

  “I told Hank because he’s upset about Ryan, too. He said not to talk to anyone about my speaking to Ryan. Hank’s afraid people will whisper something is wrong with me. You understand, don’t you?”

  What should she say? Should she confess she’d seen her brother? No, she’d seen him in a nightmare, not reality.

  Lucy searched for the words. “I’m glad he’s not hurting. We all want peace for Ryan after his traumatic death.”

  Bella’s straight mouth eased. “He’s fine, Lucy. Maybe he will speak to you.”

  Instead of reassuring her, her visitor’s low, wispy voice sent shivers up Lucy’s arms. “Thank you for coming.” She pushed away from the table and stood. “I’m sorry to rush you, but I’m going to my brother’s house and need to get ready.”

  “Oh, I wish I didn’t have to work. I’d like to go. Are you cleaning his bedroom? I left my gold locket on the bureau. It’s a heart with a B. Would you mind bringing it to me?”

  “Of course, Bella.” She’d give her the silverware, too, if she’d leave.

  The girl slipped on her jacket. Lucy walked to the door with her guest trailing behind her. Bella was in no hurry.

  “If I dream about Ryan again, I’ll tell him you’re doing well.”

  “If he can hear us, then he knows.”

  “I guess. I hope he visits you. You’ll feel better if he does.”

  Lucy averted her gaze. “Thanks for the cookies. Take care.” She followed the other woman downstairs, held the door open, and shut it as soon as Bella crossed the threshold. Once the sound of her footsteps faded away, Lucy sagged against the wall. The girl was very strange. What had attracted Ryan to her? Her vulnerability or her gullibility?

  Lucy locked up and went upstairs into the kitchen. Bella’s goodies sat on the table. Good thing she hadn’t eaten any. I bet she has a special ingredient.

  Her phone rang.

  She flinched. Bella? No, she didn’t have her newest number. Though Matt always figured out a way to find it. Most likely one of his former tech-savvy parishioners had taught him a few tricks. Lucy checked her cell screen.

  Liam

  Had something happened? “Hello, Liam?”

  “The one and only. Can I come up?”

  “Uh, sure.”

  In seconds, the sound of his footsteps filled her hallway. Dressed in a green flannel shirt and hiking boots, he greeted her with his crooked smile. The pull of attraction hit her. Not good. She inched away from him.

  “Morning. Are you up for a ride? I’ve put plastic over the broken window, and my heater will blast heat. You’ll swear we’re in Florida. And I borrowed a humane animal trap to set up at Ryan’s. What do you say?”

  “You plan to catch Target?”

  “I’m hoping. If we spot dog prints in the snow near the house, we’ll use it.”

  “Give me two minutes. I have a picture of Target to use for lost posters to tack up around town.”

  “I’ll run off the flyers in my office for you.”

  “Great. Thanks.” She ran into the bedroom, scooped up the framed picture Chief Sullivan had given her, and returned to hand it to Ryan.

  “I’ll get the posters ready for you.” He grabbed a cookie off the plate on the table.

  “Don’t.” She snatched the treat from him and then threw all the sweets in the trash.

  “O-kay.” He raised his brows. “I wasn’t going to critique your cooking. Did you confuse the salt and sugar or something?”

  “Sorry. Bella baked them.”

  “And the cookies are bad? She’s usually a good cook. She’s brought in a dessert or two for me and the rest of the crew.”

  “Bella visited this morning, and we had a strange conversation. She said Ryan was fine, and he talked to her at night.”

  “Aw, that must have been hard for you to hear.”

  “It was spooky. I dreamed of Ryan, too. He was alive and had returned to get it right.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “It’s like he’s visiting his friends and relatives.”

  “I’m sorry you’re upset, Lucy, but dreams about people we loved and who’ve passed away aren’t unusual.”

  “Ryan’s…stopover felt real until I woke up.” The stupid tears were starting again. She scooped up the cookie plate and walked to the counter. With her back to Liam, she ran a hand over her eyes. Get a grip. Today’s a new day that could lead to finding Target.

  “I’m free until lunch,” he said. “Or if you want, I can head out alone. With luck, Ryan’s dog will be sitting at the door, waiting for his breakfast.”

  The image of the animal lying on the front step with his white fur stained blood-red flashed in her mind.

  “You okay, Luce?”

  She forced the mental scene out of her consciousness. “Give me a five minutes.” She got ready in three and climbed into Liam’s truck half in anticipation, half in dread.

  * * *

  Black ice coated spots on the road. For once, Liam drove the speed limit and set his heater on high. The plastic window jiggled along the way.

  “That metal contraption is the trap?” Lucy asked, tossing a skeptical glance over her shoulder into the vehicle’s bed. “Are we putting food in it?”

  “Dog treats, and we’ll pick up a piece of Ryan’s clothing from his closet and leave it inside the cage, too.”

  “I wish I’d bought sponges and disinfectant to scrub his place.”

  “Ryan might have supplies at the house.” Dang. He should have gotten the clothes himself. He threw her a glance. “You realize whoever shot Ryan could have hurt Target.”

  “I’m aware. Liam, I’m going to contact a specialty cleaning company like Chief Sullivan suggested. He told me few of that type of company exist up here.”

  “Excellent idea, especially for Sullivan. You shouldn’t stress over cleaning.”

  “I agree. Once they sterilize the hall floor and walls, I’ll wash the rest and put the house up for sale. I better empty the fridge today. I don’t need the odors driving out potential buyers.”

  Sell? Once the place sold, she’d never return to Barley. Panic rippled through him. “Why don’t you rent out Ryan’s home?”

  “I’ll be lucky to afford one residence, Liam.”

  She was determined to put Ryan’s on the market. Not good news. “Ryan was my friend. Let me get in touch with the cleaner for you.”

  “Liam, you’ve already helped too much. You provided lunch after the funeral. You brought the trap for Target, and you gave me an a
partment.”

  “There’s always food at the Moose, and I’ve plenty of room. The trap was no big deal. Really, Ryan would do the same for me.”

  “Liam.” She looked down at her hands locked together in her lap before turning to him. “Last night, I thought someone was on the sidewalk, staring up at me.”

  He jerked his attention from the road. “When did this happen?”

  “About an hour after closing. He stood near the streetlight across the street, just out of sight, almost as if he was taunting me.”

  “Was it Matt?” The bastard wouldn’t leave her alone.

  “The snow was falling, and the visibility was poor.”

  She sounded like she was trying to talk herself out of believing Matt had been outside her window.

  “I left to grab my phone to take a picture of him. When I returned, he’d vanished. If he was ever there.”

  “Why didn’t you call me, Luce?”

  “I wasn’t sure if anyone was out there.”

  “Remember, I’m downstairs in the office. Besides, I’m awake late. I’ve been up taking inventory. I count each straw, each napkin.”

  “Sounds like a perfect job for an insomniac. Let me do it.”

  “Okay.” She’d called his bluff. Guess he was for real doing inventory. At least it was better than what he’d been doing— staying up and thinking how he could raise money to pay his next Moose payment.

  He turned down Ryan’s long drive. Beside him, Lucy braced herself.

  “I hope we find Target,” she said. “He can be the guard dog.”

  “Luce. Next time, give a shout if you see someone suspicious.”

  She nodded and stared straight ahead. Her thoughts were probably on Ryan. Liam parked in the driveway. The property looked quiet and pure in the new snow. No footprints or paw prints. “If you’ve changed your mind, I’ll hit reverse.”

  “Not a chance.”

  “We’ll compromise. Let’s go in together.”

  Once at the door, she paused, raised her shoulders, and inhaled a deep breath. The seconds ticked past, but she remained rooted in her spot.

  The ring of her phone broke the strain. She dug it out of her pocket and sidestepped away for privacy. Liam sent a searching gaze over the yard. No visible tracks in the snow. He hated to admit it, but Target was most likely as dead as Ryan. Even if the killer had scared him, he would have returned to the house after the danger was gone. If he was alive. This was his home.

  “Liam!” Lucy’s eyes glowed with happiness as she returned to him. “The Conway Animal Control found Target, thirty miles south of Barley.” Lucy waved her hand in the air. “He’s alive.” She jumped forward, kissed him, and whirled around to walk toward the truck. “C’mon. We have to drive to Conway and back before lunch. Maybe Target’s location is a clue that will lead us to Ryan’s killer.”

  “Let’s go.” He headed for his pickup.

  Chapter 14

  The middle-aged animal control officer led Target into the tiled lobby where Lucy and Liam waited. Lucy’s heart sped up. Would the dog recognize her?

  The white husky’s tail and muzzle pointed downward. His sad eyes looked up as if to say, “Don’t hurt me.”

  Lucy crouched down and offered him a dog biscuit from the box they’d detoured to buy, along with a collar and leash.

  Target’s head snapped up, and he sniffed the treat.

  “Go ahead,” she said.

  Target ate his biscuit and lapped her cheek.

  A small thrill lifted Lucy’s spirits. “You’re a good boy, Target. We’ll take you home and give you goodies until you’re too full to wave your tail.”

  “I heard the story about your brother on the news, Miss Watson.” The balding officer shoved up his black-framed glasses while keeping his hold on the animal. “I’m sorry. I hope the police arrest someone soon.”

  “Thank you, and thanks for phoning me about Target.” She straightened. “He might not recognize me, but I know him. He’s Ryan’s best friend. Aren’t you?”

  The dog sniffed at her, searching for another dog yummy. She dug one out of her pocket and gave it to him.

  “Some folks noticed him wandering their street and reported him,” the animal control officer said. “Your email with the dog’s information saved us a search for his owner, Miss Watson. He wasn’t wearing his tags. We checked for a microchip, but when we scanned him, he wasn’t chipped.”

  “My brother assumed he’d never get lost because Target was always with him or in the house waiting for him.”

  Liam scratched the dog’s ear and was rewarded with a kiss.

  The animal control officer smiled. “He’s decided you’re both his friends.”

  “His best ones,” Lucy said.

  “He’s in good shape for an animal that wandered miles.” Liam ran his hand over the dog’s back.

  The balding officer shrugged. “I agree. Neither his paws nor his coat looks like he’s been traveling on his own. He was hungry, but otherwise, I’d say it’s more likely someone abandoned him in our town than he walked to it. The residents noticed him yesterday and thought at first he belonged to the new family on the street.”

  Lucy skimmed her gaze over Target. His fur was clean, although he seemed a little lean. The dog didn’t look like a lead to Ryan’s killer. “Why would anyone abandon him? Why not drop him at a pound or put an ad in a lost and found column?”

  The control officer shrugged. “Most likely teens picked him up and then realized Mom or Dad didn’t want a dog and dumped him. People do strange things with their animals. You would understand if you worked my job. If pets talked, we’d hear a lot of sad stories.”

  “Well, no more gloomy tales for Target.” Lucy had what mattered most to Ryan. “Will you send a report to Chief Sullivan in Barley? He’s working my brother’s case and collects every piece connected to his death. Now I have to ask my landlord if I can keep him. How about it, Liam?”

  “I guess I got myself a guard dog for the Moose. What do you say, Target?”

  The dog barked twice and pawed Liam’s leg.

  Lucy smiled. “He wants to shake on it.”

  “He’s a business animal at heart. Sit, Target. Watch this trick Ryan taught him.” Liam bent and held up his palm. Target raised his paw and high-fived him.

  “He remembers.” Part of the shadow hovering over her lifted.

  “I’ll take him to your car,” the control officer offered, “but first, there are papers to fill out and file. If you come with me, we can take care of the business end, and then he’s yours.”

  “I’ll wait in the lobby.” Liam gestured to the plastic chair by the wall.

  As soon as Lucy completed the forms and made a donation, they hit the road. Target sat upright between Liam and Lucy and peered out the front window.

  They arrived at the Moose before noon, and Liam cut the engine.

  “I’ll walk Target before I show off our detective skills to Sullivan.” She jumped out and Target followed.

  “Do me a favor and stay around the Moose.” Liam climbed out and gave her his keys. “Take the truck to the station. It’s safer and easier than trying to carry Target’s food and walk a dog at the same time.”

  “I accept your offer and owe you Target’s firstborn pup for all your help today.”

  “No thanks needed. If you lend me the keys to Ryan’s place, I’ll get the dog chow before the Moose opens tomorrow.”

  “Hey, boss.” Hank hovered in the side entryway. “You bought a guard dog?” He crossed the lot to the truck to stare at Target, who was sniffing the breeze. “He looks like he could scare a few people.” Hank stepped closer and narrowed his eyes. “Is that Ryan’s husky?”

  His question raised Lucy’s suspicions. “How do you know my brother’s pet?”

  “Your brother used to invite me in for a drink when I drove Bella to his house. Target would bark when I came up the drive, but once Ryan let me inside, he was friendly. He’ll scare trespassers away
from the Moose.”

  As if on cue, Target let out a woof at a cat running across the lot.

  Liam shrugged. “If we have cat burglars, we’re all set.”

  Lucy smiled. She was too happy to groan over his weak jokes.

  After Hank left, she asked Target, “Ready for your walk?”

  He yipped and tugged Lucy toward the street. She waved to Liam and yelled, “We’ll stay near the Moose.”

  She kept her word, and after a few minutes, she put the dog in the pickup and drove the short two blocks to the police station. Once she’d parked in front of the gray building, she pocketed Liam’s keys. “How about we visit Chief Sullivan, Target?”

  He waved his tail and jumped out of the truck when she opened the door.

  “Well, well, are you telling the cops about all the people who were mean to your brother?” Clarissa appeared from out of nowhere on the sidewalk. She wore a violet jacket, black leggings and sneakers.

  “Clarissa, I didn’t see you.” Where had she come from?

  “The word is you’ve moved into the Mad Moose. Must be convenient staying with your ex-boyfriend.”

  “Nothing is convenient in a murder.” Was she hinting that Lucy was sleeping with Liam?

  “You found Ryan’s dog?” Clarissa’s gaze ran over the animal. She wrinkled her nose and glanced at the building. “Forget bringing him to the station. The cops won’t take him to the pound for you.”

  “I’m keeping him.”

  “Well, he actually belongs to me. Ryan and I were married when we bought him. Come here, Target.”

  The dog looked up at Clarissa, growled, and ducked behind Lucy’s legs.

  Clarissa taking care of a pet? “You like dogs?”

  “My new boyfriend was talking about getting a puppy for his son, but they bite and chew furniture. Worse, you have to train them to go on a piece of paper or pad on your floor, which is disgusting. Target is past those problems.”

  The dog was pulling on the leash. He clearly wanted to head in the opposite direction, away from Lucy’s ex-sister-in-law.