Felix charged inside and Addison ran in after him. She didn’t know what she’d expected once they’d found Naia, but whatever it was, it wasn’t the scene before her.
Naia was perched in the middle of a striped settee with a bowl of chips in her lap and cookies on a gold filigree plate. In front of her, Toy Story played on a big-screen TV.
She stared wide-eyed at the door, startled by the noise. As soon as she saw who it was, she cried out, “Daddy!”
If Felix was surprised by the manner in which Penny had kept Naia, he didn’t show it. Without faltering, he ran to her and plucked her off the cushion. He crushed her against his chest. “Peanut. Oh, peanut, I thought I’d lost you.”
She laughed. “I was in Oliver’s house the whole time. I was playing hide-and-seek with Charlotte. She never found me.” Naia beamed with pride. The fact that she’d won the game seemed to overshadow everything else.
Penny might have been as mad as the Joker in The Dark Knight, but it was clear she’d treated the child well. Addison leaned against the busted doorframe and sunk to the floor in relief and fatigue. The fight was over.
“Well, we found you now.” Felix held Naia tight and kissed her hair. “We found you.”
31
Publicity Hound
Addison stepped out of Alistair’s Seacliff mansion and allowed the cool night air and silence to soothe her frazzled nerves. She shivered slightly from the dewy chill, but she made no move to reenter the house; she was done with answering questions that night. But neither did she head back to her car. She wasn’t about to leave until she talked to Felix and Naia again.
Seconds after they’d found Naia, the place was suddenly bursting with cops. Shortly after that, the EMTs arrived, followed by investigators, an identification unit, and animal control. The huge mansion quickly became overcrowded and noisy, filled with so many questions that Addison was suddenly too tired to answer. Felix and Naia had been swallowed up in the frenzy, and she hadn’t seen them since.
Drawing up the hood on her sweatshirt, she snuggled Princess’s warm little body to her. Together they watched animal control workers reunite the found dogs with their owners at the property gates.
Word about what had happened got around the Belle quickly. The moment it docked and the initial questions were asked, it seemed that all the guests had rushed to Alistair’s home, led by none other than Holly Hart.
Addison wondered who her sources were, since Zoe would never have given the reporter the scoop. Maybe she had an insider at the precinct.
As Addison watched from afar, EMTs guided a stretcher out the front door and down the sweeping stone stairs. She stepped out of the way and watched it roll past. The supine figure beneath the blanket shifted, and the head rolled to face her. It was Penny.
The famous dog whisperer’s hair was matted with her own blood. Claw scratches marred her face, neck, shoulders, and probably everywhere else. She was a mess.
Penny’s eyes widened when she saw Addison. “Tell them.” Her hoarse voice sounded hollow beneath the oxygen mask. “I wasn’t going to hurt the girl. Really. Tell them.”
She held out a hand to Addison as she was wheeled past. Addison stepped away from her in disgust, holding Princess closer as if Penny might do something to her even now, while lying on a stretcher and in front of the police coming and going from the house.
But Penny’s reach came up short. She looked down and seemed to notice for the first time that she was handcuffed to the stretcher.
Penny was sick and twisted and going away, hopefully for a very, very long time. No hot-tubbing with Judge Walter Boyd, no more dog shows for her. No dogs at all. After what she did, she didn’t deserve them.
Addison turned away, scanning the crowd of personnel. She and Felix had saved the day—well, mostly Princess had. Their names had been cleared, and the missing dogs were being returned to their owners. But all she could think of was finding Felix and Naia. To see that they were okay.
A police officer walked out of the front door and down the steps. As he passed beneath the lights, Addison noticed Naia’s stuffed bunny in his hands.
Addison grabbed his sleeve. “Excuse me. Have you seen Felix Vaughn and his daughter?”
He shook his head. “Not for a while. I think someone called them a taxi. They might still be here.” He pointed to a crowd of well-dressed lookie-loos clustered outside the wrought-iron gates.
“Thanks,” she said. “Do you mind if I return that to his daughter?” She indicated the stuffed animal.
“Of course not.” He handed it over.
Princess sniffed eagerly at the bunny, but Addison tucked it under her other arm for safekeeping. “Playtime is over, Princess. You did good. You deserve a treat.”
Princess barked happily, like it’s about time.
Addison headed for the property gates. Over the excited chatter, she recognized a high-pitched voice arguing with the officers standing guard. At the front of the crowd, practically trying to squeeze her stick figure through the bars, was the Holly Hart.
When one of the officers moved to let Addison out, Holly spotted her.
“Addison! Addison!” She waved her microphone in the air furiously, as though Addison might not see the reporter—as if anyone could miss her. In her other hand, she held the Chinese crested Addison had mistaken for a rat in Alistair’s cellar.
Addison did a double take. Holly hadn’t been lying. She really did own a dog.
The cops unlocked the gate and cracked it open just enough to let Addison squeeze through. Once she was on the other side, Holly practically tackled her. She winced as Holly bumped her sore shoulder.
Princess grumbled at Holly in warning and she backed off, holding her microphone and hairless dog up in surrender.
“Addison,” Holly breathed. “I’m so glad you’re all right.”
Addison gaped at her in surprise. She could hear the sheer relief in the reporter’s voice and see the worry in her Botox-stiffened face. After how she’d treated her the last time, it didn’t make sense. “Holly, I—”
“I was so worried I wouldn’t be able to get the exclusive.” She flashed her bleached teeth.
Addison let out a grunt and rolled her eyes. That figured. She wanted to tell Holly to … well, to do a lot of things she normally wouldn’t say. But as tired and as desperate to find Felix as she was right then, she said, “All right. I’ll give you an exclusive.”
Holly’s eyes widened in shock, then settled into their normal conniving slits. “Great. Let’s get started.”
“But it’s not for you,” she said. “It’s for me. You got that?”
She was only half-listening as she snapped her fingers in the air. “Of course. Of course.”
A second later, Hey, You materialized with his camera. As though reading her mind, he placed it on his shoulder and held his eye to the viewer.
Holly held her microphone in one hand and her Chinese crested in the other. By the way she held it, Addison thought Holly might actually have grown attached to the thing. And here she thought Holly was heartless.
Addison tried to rub away some of the blood on Princess’s face as Hey, You counted down on his fingers. Princess wasn’t exactly camera-ready. Neither of them were, really, but Addison just couldn’t seem to care at the moment. For the first time, her hair was the last thing on her mind.
Hey, You’s fingers counted to one and Holly beamed, radiant in her evening gown.
“This is Holly Hart for Channel Five news reporting live from an undisclosed Seacliff mansion for a dramatic show dog showdown,” she said, like it was the latest gossip and not a life-threatening event.
“The San Francisco dognappings came to a head tonight on the eve of the Western Dog Show when the infamous puppy pincher struck again. This time, they plucked the pups right off the San Francisco Belle, the beloved local paddle wheel boat, while it was cruising the bay. What was worse, they took my own precious Jasmine.” Holly kissed her dog’s bald, shaking hea
d.
“Thankfully, a dog lover and local fido fashionista was on the exclusive guest list, along with yours truly, and saw the crime in progress. Addison Turner, how were you involved in tonight’s events?”
Addison leaned into the mic. “I was attending the gala on the Belle when Felix Vaughn and I discovered the dogs were being stolen.”
“My sources tell me there was also a little girl taken.”
Addison thought it best not to mention Naia’s name or the fact that she was Felix’s daughter. “The girl was hiding in one of the dog kennels at the time of the theft. All the dogs were then locked in the kennels and loaded onto a lifeboat to get away from the party unseen.”
“And you were the only ones who witnessed it?”
“Yes, everyone else was distracted by another boat we’d collided with.”
“Coincidence? I think not.” Holly cocked an overplucked eyebrow at the camera. “So what did you do then?” When Holly leaned toward her eagerly, Addison realized she probably didn’t know. This was the first time Holly was hearing this part of the story.
“We knew that if we waited for the police, they would get away, so we followed them using a tracking device.”
“A tracking device? Did you anticipate this happening?”
“No. My dog, Princess, was wearing a valuable necklace that I’ve created especially for my Fido Fashion line. Some of the more expensive designs have GPS locators inserted into them, including this one.” She held Princess higher so Hey, You could zoom in on the morganite collar.
“You’re kidding? That’s amazing.” Holly actually seemed impressed. Real drama that she didn’t have to invent. “So you tracked them down across the city to this Seacliff home using fashion. And they say you have to choose between fashion and function.” She gave the camera a cheesy wink.
“When we got here,” Addison continued, “we found all the dogs that had been taken over the last couple of weeks. They were being held in the cellar. Before we could free them, however, we were held at gunpoint.”
“Oh, that must have been frightening. Was anyone hurt? How did you get away?”
“My”—she hesitated—“friend was injured.” It hurt to use the word, but that’s all Felix was. All he’d ever be. “But the dogs attacked the dognapper to protect us.”
“So the dogs are safe, the child has been rescued, and the dog show is still on, all thanks to Addison Turner of Pampered Puppies.” Holly summed up with a dazzling smile. “Make sure to come out and catch the Western Dog Show championships this weekend.”
Addison grabbed the mic, resisting Holly’s tugs to take it back. “And don’t miss the launch of Fido Fashion on Sunday after the Best in Show is announced.”
Holly wrenched the mic back, smiling into the lens. “This is Holly Hart, reporting live for Channel Five news.”
“And cut,” Hey, You said, and lowered the camera. He opened his mouth to say something else, but Holly snapped her fingers and he shut it again.
“Get some shots of the house through the gate and get a close-up of the owners being reunited with their dogs. Some sweet, tear-jerking crap. Got it?”
Addison could practically hear Hey, You’s teeth clench. How he put up with her, she’d never understand. Rolling his eyes, he trudged off to do her bidding.
Holly turned back to Addison. “Thanks for the interview.”
Addison’s fake TV smile vanished and she glared at the reporter. “Trust me, it wasn’t for you. You owed me some positive promotion after the damage you did to my reputation.”
Holly gasped as she held a scandalized hand to her chest. “It’s my duty to report the news, and you were a suspect.”
“Not the only one by far.”
Holly held her hands out like Oh, well. “But it all turned out for the better. Good guys win, bad guys lose. Your name has been cleared. It’s the perfect story. I couldn’t have written it better myself.” Her mouth puckered as she reconsidered that. “Well, the ratings might have been better if you’d been maimed or killed. But better luck next time, I suppose,” she said cheerily.
Addison crossed her arms. “Well, you’d better hope people actually show up for my fashion show on Sunday. Or I’ll be calling your producer. I’m guessing this isn’t the first story you’ve embellished on.”
Addison turned away, but Holly gripped her arm. “Hold on. Hold on.” The reporter laughed, light and clear. Addison imagined she could be quite charming—if you didn’t know her.
Holly slid her arm through Addison’s chummily. “Well, as a favor to my favorite dog stylist, I will personally host your fashion show. We can call it Holly Hart’s Hounds presents Fido Fashion.” She ran a palm through the air like she could see the sign now.
Addison yanked her arm away. “How about Addison Turner presents Fido Fashion, as hosted by Holly Hart.”
Holly’s lips pursed. “It doesn’t sound quite as catchy, but I’ll do it.”
Addison thought the offer was most likely so Holly could boost her ratings on the heels of the breaking story. However, she thought that having a local sort-of celeb host the fashion show could garner a bit of attention.
“Thanks,” Addison said.
Something over Addison’s shoulder caught Holly’s attention. “Oh, there’s the detective. I’d better go get an official statement.” She waved her microphone in the air. “Yoo-hoo! Detective!?”
Addison watched Holly chase her story through the crowd of onlookers still dressed in their tuxes and ball gowns. Above their heads she could see a mop of ebony hair bob along. She recognized those thick locks instantly.
Her heart clenched at the sight of Felix and her legs automatically moved toward him. She weaved through bodies, both human and furry, standing on her tiptoes to see where he went. When she broke through to the other side of the congregation, she saw Felix headed for a cab parked between a BMW and a Bentley.
His one arm rested in a sling, while the other held Naia. She sagged over his good shoulder, passed out after her long evening. It must have been way past her bedtime. Heck, it felt past Addison’s bedtime.
She raised her arm to get his attention, but then she spotted Charlotte following close behind. The server must have come to meet them. She hovered close to Felix, checking on Naia, fussing over her in a motherly way.
Addison found herself slinking back into the crowd. Since the police had arrived, she’d thought of nothing but finding Felix. However, seeing him with Charlotte and Naia, a little reunited family, she suddenly realized that maybe Felix didn’t want to see her. That she might be intruding on their reunion.
As Felix turned to say something to Charlotte, his focus locked on Addison like he’d somehow sensed she was there.
Addison waved awkwardly, as though that could encompass Hey, we nearly died together, but we’re still alive. And thanks for saving my life, BTW.
The hand peeking out of the sling moved in a half-wave, but then it froze and his face suddenly fell. A second later, a hand landed on her shoulder. She jumped and spun, her body geared up from all the action that night. Princess growled, understandably on edge too.
“Phillip,” Addison said in surprise. Not surprised to see him there. He’d come to pick up Baxter, after all. She was surprised because she’d nearly forgotten about him altogether in the last few hours.
“Addison, hi.”
“Hello,” she said distractedly. She glanced back to the road to catch Felix’s eye again, but he’d already turned away.
“I’m glad to see you’re all right,” Phillip was saying. “I just wanted to thank you for rescuing Baxter here.”
Addison finally gave up trying to get Felix’s attention. He was purposely ignoring her. She looked back at Phillip. “What? Oh. You’re welcome.” She bent down and gave Baxter a pat on the head. “I’m glad he’s all right.”
“I became worried when I couldn’t find you anywhere after we ran into that boat.”
Addison rubbed a hand over her face. Right. Th
e gala. Her date with Phillip. Had that been the same night?
“I’m so sorry. There was no time to explain.”
He held up a hand. “Don’t apologize. Maybe you can tell me all about it tomorrow over dinner?”
Addison’s mouth turned down.
“Coffee then?”
But she shook her head, mostly at herself. Phillip was honestly a great catch. And yay, he wasn’t the dognapper—always a bonus. But he just wasn’t the guy for her.
“Sorry,” she said, pulling a face. “It’s a busy weekend and all. I had a great time getting to know you.”
He nodded, his perfect lips curling into a sad smile as he took the hint. “Me too.”
“Good luck with the conformation tomorrow.”
“And good luck with your fashion show.” He drew her hand toward his lips and kissed the top. “Good-bye Addison.”
As Addison watched the second guy walk away from her that night, yet another hand landed on her shoulder. She squealed in surprise and spun around. Princess growled again before she saw the friendly faces of Zoe, Piper, and Aiden.
Zoe threw her hands up in surrender. “Whoa. Are you two jumpy or what?”
Addison sighed, rubbing Princess’s raised hackles comfortingly. “Sorry. It’s been that kind of a night.”
“I can only imagine.” Zoe leaned in for a hug. “Are you okay?”
Piper grabbed Addison the moment she was free and hugged her too—a little awkwardly since she was holding Colin as close as Addison held Princess.
Aiden ducked in for a hug too and Addison received a kiss on the cheek from Sophie who was cradled in his arms. “Zoe said you stole a life raft from the Belle and chased after the dogs?”
“What’s going on?” Zoe asked. “That brunette, Charlotte I think her name was, said they’d taken Naia.”
Addison opened her mouth to explain, but she shut it again. “Everything’s okay now. But it’s a long story. I’ll tell you guys all about it later.”
“Ice cream sleepover?” Piper asked with a grin.
Addison batted her eyelashes. “You know the way to my heart.”
A wall of snow-white hair bobbed above the crowd, headed in their direction. Kitty Carlisle emerged and came at Addison with a wild look in her bulging eyes. Nestled in her arms, Elvis mirrored her dark, unreadable look.
Beauty and the Wiener Page 32
