To Fetch a Killer

by Maria Hudgins

  “And luckily, Kim’s passion for digging stuff up brought it to light,” Jessica said.

  “Do your dogs like prime rib?” Sophie asked. “I’m going to make them a meal they will never forget! Atlas included.”

  THE END

  A NEW LEASH ON DEATH By Teresa Inge

  When Catt Ramsey, owner of the Woof-Pack Dog Walkers, remodels her office space and adds a dog grooming service over the garage of the cottage that she purchased from her sister Em, she has three things on her mind. Give a tour of the new space during the grand opening to expand her business, move her boyfriend Beau and his dog Duke in with her and pups Cagney and Lacey to start a new life, and redecorate her new house. But when Catt discovers a dead body in the dog grooming bathtub during the opening, she’s recruited by the dead man’s sister to find the killer. That’s when Catt and pups Cagney and Lacey and sister Em go looking, only to discover a trail that leads them to the Eastern Shore of Virginia, suspicion of her boyfriend Beau, and bad publicity for her business.

  _____________

  TERESA INGE grew up reading Nancy Drew mysteries. Combining her love of reading mysteries and writing professional articles led to writing short fiction and novellas.

  Today, she doesn't carry a rod like her idol but she hot rods. She juggles assisting two busy executives at a financial firm and is president of the Sisters in Crime, Mystery by the Sea chapter. Teresa is a contributing author to the Virginia is for Mysteries series, 50 Shades of Cabernet, Mutt Mysteries series, Coastal Crimes, and Murder by the Glass, Cocktail Mysteries.

  She resides in Southeastern Virginia with her husband and two dogs. She can be reached on all social media or by posting a comment on her website.

  Website and Blog: http://www.teresainge.com

  CHAPTER ONE

  Here you go, dear sister.” Emma Ramsey pushed her foot against the screen door while balancing a large sheet cake in her hands.

  Catt Ramsey, owner of the Woof-Pack Dog Walkers, looked up from her computer screen and swiveled her desk chair toward the door. “Let me take that.” She walked toward Em and grabbed the cake. While setting it on the newly built front check-in counter, Catt read the writing on the cake. “Woof-Pack Dog Walkers Grand Re-Opening.”

  Darcey and Stacey Moretti, twin sisters and recently retired massage therapists and Catt’s newest dog walkers, gathered around the front of the counter.

  Lexi Stallings the new dog groomer stood at the opposite end with Catt’s Yorkshire Terriers, Cagney and Lacey close by.

  “Love the doggie paw images on the cake,” Darcey said.

  “How many people are coming to the opening this afternoon?” Stacey asked.

  “Around fifty,” Catt said. “When customers arrive, you two can hand out the doggie bags on the front counter as I give an overview of our services. Lexi will provide a tour of our new dog grooming space. After that, customers can enjoy cake, finger foods, and beverages on the refreshment table in the kitchen.” Catt moved the cake to the kitchen table.

  “The office remodel and new dog grooming space looks great,” Em said.

  Beau Whitaker, Catt’s rugged but handsome handyman and boyfriend, entered the office with Duke, his German Shepherd. Trey Duncan, the remodel contractor trailed behind him.

  “Everything okay?” Catt asked.

  Trey wiped his forehead with his shirt sleeve. “We finished installing the last cabinet and touched up the paint on the back wall.”

  “So, you’re all done?” Catt asked.

  Trey nodded. “Just in time for the big reveal today.”

  “Wanna take a look?” Beau asked.

  The women and dogs walked down the hallway into the grooming area.

  “Wow! I love the cubicles underneath the kennel island,” Stacey said.

  “Beau thought of that.” Catt knelt down and straightened a doggie bed in one of the cubes. Once the dogs are groomed, they can hang out in the cozy kennels, along with a toy and a treat.

  Lexi walked to the large bath bin in the back of the room and placed a pair of grooming shears next to the shampoo bottles and towels on a shelf above the tub. “Ready for business.”

  By the bath bin, Cagney and Lacey sniffed the treat jars, full of their favorite peanut butter treats, rawhide chews, and dog biscuits.

  Stacey headed to a clothing rack against the entry wall. “Look at the cute doggie clothes.” She clutched a pink and white sweater with paw prints from the rack and held it up.

  “A-dor-a-ble.” Darcey turned her head to view the sweater before delving through a wicker basket filled with bows. “Love the cute doggie bones and hearts on the bows. Are these for sale?”

  “Yes. That’s our new accessory line,” Catt said. “They’re also available on our website with various varieties. Em is managing the clothing line for the business. So hopefully, that will bring in additional revenue.”

  “Lots of changes for the Woof-Pack Dog Walkers,” Darcey added.

  “And to think this area used to be your bedroom and workout space.” Em smiled.

  “That’s right. How does it feel to be a new homeowner?” Lexi asked.

  “It’s great not to be in one cramped area, thanks to my sis for selling me her house. I love having my living quarters separate from the business in the carriage house over the garage.”

  Catt had rented the room over Em’s garage for years. She had lived and worked there, running her dog walking business. She’d started Woof-Pack after losing her corporate event planning job in a downsize around the same time she found her cheating husband with a neighbor. Time for a change. And the opportunity to walk dogs along the Virginia Beach boardwalk was too good of an opportunity to pass up.

  After Catt had moved into the house with Cagney and Lacey, she expanded her business with a dog grooming service and office remodel. Further adding to the mix, her boyfriend Beau and his dog Duke had moved in with her and the pups last weekend.

  “I know this was a big project,” Lexi said.

  “Yeah. And after today’s event, I plan to finish unboxing my things and start decorating my house, which is the next big project on my list,” Catt added.

  The group headed to the front office.

  “I have another job I need to get to.” Trey waved his dark hand in the air and headed out the screen door and down the steps. “But if you need anything, call me.”

  Beau followed behind him.

  Em walked toward the coffee station across from the front counter and poured herself a cup of coffee. She leaned against the counter.

  “How’s the unpacking going in your condo?” Catt asked Em.

  “Jonathan Ray is unpacking the last boxes today.” Jonathan Ray was Em’s long-term boyfriend. “Then we’re off to the Eastern Shore for a metal detecting trip.”

  “Sounds like fun. Hey. Can you save a couple of boxes for me?”

  “I’ll ask Jonathan Ray to bring them by today.”

  “Thanks. I’m always in need of extra boxes around here.” Catt glanced at her watch. “But right now, we have dogs to walk.” She grabbed her cell phone and viewed the schedule app which connected all of her employees to all of their assignments.

  “Since the grand opening starts at two, I need everyone back here by one.”

  “You got it,” Darcey said.

  “The new clients from Shore Side are working out great, thanks to both of you.” Catt faced Darcey and Stacey who also lived in the building where Em had recently moved after selling her house to Catt.

  The women nodded.

  Em rinsed her cup and placed it in the sink. “Are you walking Grayson this morning?” she asked Catt.

  “Yeah. Grayson and a few others from The Loft building.” Grayson, a well-groomed, miniature gray poodle with a pom-pom tail belonged to Brock Randall, one of Catt’s first clients.

  “I’ll see you at one. Oh. I’m leaving my car in the driveway since I’m in and out all day.” Em headed out the screen door and down the stairs.

 
“We’re heading out too,” Stacey said.

  Darcey waved her hand. “Too-da-loo.” She and her sister exited the office.

  “I have to finish stocking the dog grooming supplies in the back, but I’ll see you before the opening,” Lexi added.

  Catt pulled two leashes from the wall. “Ready to see Grayson?”

  The dogs wagged their tails in excitement.

  Catt headed to The Loft, two blocks over from the cottage. Most of her clients lived in the brick, contemporary building and were among Virginia Beaches wealthiest residents.

  Each apartment in the six-story building offered spectacular views of the boardwalk and Atlantic Ocean. It never failed to impress her when she first caught sight of it.

  She swiped her key and entered the building.

  “Morning, Catt and pups.” Pete, the security guard stood in the u-shaped counter in the lobby.

  “Morning, Pete. We’re heading up to get Grayson.”

  “Yes, ma’am. Brock mentioned that on his way out earlier. But there’s an issue with the first-floor elevator. You’ll have to take the stairs to the second floor then catch the maintenance elevator. I’m sorry for the inconvenience.”

  “Uh...okay. Where is it?”

  “Follow me. I’ll walk you over.” Pete walked toward a side door and opened it. His gait, slow and steady.

  Catt and the pups trailed behind him.

  “There’s the maintenance elevator.” He pointed to a side elevator. “Take the same route coming down when you’re done.”

  Catt waved goodbye to Pete and rode the maintenance elevator to the sixth floor with Cagney and Lacey. They headed down the soft blue painted hallway. She used her passkey to enter Brock’s apartment. Grayson jumped up and down as they entered the foyer. “Hi boy.” Cagney and Lacey sniffed their friend and ran into the living room. Catt followed.

  The luxurious apartment was decorated in a coastal chic design of soft blue hues, linen fabrics, distressed woods, nautical prints, and coral shells. The luminous finishes gave a calm tranquility to the space. That’s the kind of tranquility that money can buy.

  She walked to the large bay window to catch a view of the boardwalk below. It was packed with tourists, bikers, joggers, runners, and dog walkers. A closer look at the dog walkers revealed Darcey and Stacey talking with Trey.

  The dogs approached her at the window, taking her out of her thoughts. “Ready to walk?” she asked.

  After Catt walked Grayson and three other dogs from The Loft, she headed back to the office. It was close to noon when she arrived. As she placed the leashes on the wall rack, she faced the packing boxes on her desk. Jonathan Ray must have dropped them off. She lifted the boxes and stuck them under the grooming table in the back area. They would come in handy for something. She washed her hands and pulled the food and beverages from the refrigerator and placed them on the refreshment table.

  After straightening the festive balloons and putting doggie bags and treats on the counter, she walked to her desk and sat on the edge. She crossed her arms and smiled. Catt was proud of the recent expansion of her business, the purchase of the cottage, and her relationship with Beau. Unsure of where it would lead, she was willing to take a chance on a new life with him. But right now, she looked forward to seeing her clients and showing them the expansion.

  Her stomach growled, reminding her what time it was.

  Beau entered the office. “Got anything that I can eat?” He rubbed his stomach. “Building the shed is making me hungry.”

  “I was thinking the same thing. I’ll get some sandwiches and snacks from the table.”

  After fixing two lunch plates, Catt sat in the small settee by the bay window, eating her sandwich while Beau sat in the office chair by her desk.

  “How is the shed coming along?” Catt asked.

  “The floor is framed, and window headers are done. After lunch, I’ll install the siding.”

  “I must confess, I peeked out the window earlier. It looks great.”

  “Thanks, babe.” Beau chewed his sandwich. “So, good things are happening. I mean with the business expansion and moving into Em’s cottage...I mean your cottage.”

  “And now the shed to house all of our supplies. It’s coming full circle.” Catt sipped her water.

  Beau twisted the top on his bottled water and took a gulp. “Plus, us.”

  Catt grabbed a few chips from her plate. “Life’s good.”

  “How about we grill out tonight after the grand opening. Sort of christen the new place with the opening and all?”

  “Sounds great.”

  “I’ll buy some steaks from the grocery store.”

  “Food!” Em’s eyes widened when she glanced at Catt and Beau’s sandwiches. She trudged in the office with Lexi, Darcey, and Stacey on her heels.

  “Grab some from the table. We should all eat before the guests arrive,” Catt said.

  The women piled sandwiches and chips onto their plates. They gathered around the counter to eat.

  Catt finished the last bite of her sandwich and threw her plate in the trash bin. She brushed the breadcrumbs off of her hands and walked to the counter. “How did everything go with walking the dogs today?”

  “Good,” Stacey mumbled with food in her mouth.

  “I have a funny story to share.”

  The group turned toward Darcey.

  “When we walked two labs earlier, a woman stopped us on the boardwalk and asked if her son could pet them since they also owned labs. When the little boy offered each of them a potato chip, one dog ate his but the other gave his chip back to the boy when he decided he did not like it.” Darcey laughed.

  “Too funny. I actually caught a glimpse of you walking them while talking to Trey on the boardwalk,” Catt said. “His next job must have been close by?”

  “Not too far. He’s remodeling The Cafe on the boardwalk,” Stacey said.

  “Since we’re sharing dog stories. I walked three feisty, male Bichon Frise who wanted to hump everything in sight,” Em added. “Every time we approached a female dog, they almost knocked me down to get to her.”

  “Sounds like it’s time to get neutered.” Catt glanced at the time on her phone. “Our guests will be here soon. We better get ready.”

  “Do you need help?” Lexi threw her plate in the trash.

  “Can you make more copies of our brochure and place them on the counter?” Catt picked up a brochure and handed it to Lexi. “And can you place more treats on the counter?”

  “Sure thing.”

  “I’ll fill the cooler with ice,” Beau offered.

  “We’ll double check the food and utensils,” Stacey added.

  A short while later, Catt greeted the first group of guests and their dogs at the door. A black poodle, named Monty was dressed in a red bow tie and holding a soggy toy in his mouth. A lab named Finn was busy searching for treats and wagging his tail.

  Brock Randall and Grayson approached Catt. “Hey boy.” Catt gave Grayson a treat.

  “The place looks great.” Brock looked around the office.

  Catt hugged Brock. She remembered the first time they had met. He’d come to her office to hire her to find a necklace missing from his apartment. She had firmly told him she did not run a doggie detective agency but she eventually took the case. That innocuous search ended with a murder, and Catt had solved both crimes. It had been her first case and Brock had become her good friend and best customer.

  Lexi stood by Catt’s side while Darcey and Stacey handed out doggie bags from behind the counter. After Catt gave an overview of the business, services, and expansion, Lexi led the group to the grooming area with Catt following behind.

  “Please gather around.” Lexi stood in the doorway and waved her hand as guests entered the room. “This is the dog grooming area. Just find a spot to stand anywhere. There’s plenty of room.”

  As guests started aligning against the walls, a woman placed her hand over her mouth and shouted, “Oh-mi-god.
”

  “Someone is in the bathtub.” Another woman pointed her index finger toward the tub.

  “There’s a dog too,” a man said.

  “What the hell?” Brock scooped Grayson into his arms.

  Catt pushed past the crowd and walked toward the bath bin against the far back wall. Cagney stood by the tub with a bloody leash in her mouth. Catt stifled a scream and looked closer. Her glance darted toward a man slumped down in the large tub. Grooming shears protruded from his chest. It was her contractor, Trey. Catt screamed.

  CHAPTER TWO

  After the medical examiner removed Trey’s body, Detective Jacob Harding from the Virginia Beach Police Department gathered statements from Catt, her guests, and staff. Afterwards, they were all permitted to leave the premises, but Catt, Em, Beau, and Jonathan Ray stayed onsite.

  The detective approached Catt. “Ms. Ramsey. I’d like to ask you a few more questions.”

  Catt nodded.

  He pulled a small notepad and pen from his shirt pocket. “How did you know Mr. Duncan?”

  “I hired him to remodel my office and grooming area.” Catt sniffed, her nose still clogged from crying.

  “I see. And do you know how he got in the bathtub?”

  “No. He had finished a few tasks earlier this morning and then left for another job.”

  The detective viewed his notebook. “I understand you and your staff left after that to walk dogs on the boardwalk and then gathered in the office at one o’clock for the grand reopening?”

  “That’s correct.” Catt sniffed again.

  Em handed Catt a tissue.

  The detective flipped through his notebook. “But what I don’t understand is how did you not know he was dead in the back room?”

  “I never went to the grooming area after arriving back in the office. I had to finish getting everything ready in the front.”