To Fetch a Killer

by Maria Hudgins

  “It’ll come to you eventually. It always does,” Em said. “Then we have Cagney with the blood on her leash.”

  “I wish I knew how that happened.” Catt added it to the board.

  “And the phone call from someone needing their shelf fixed but the number was unlisted,” Em offered. “And Lexi who told the detective you might know something about the missing trimmer.”

  “Yeah, that. I plan to talk to her about it.”

  “Plus, Darcey and Stacey who talked to Trey on the boardwalk the morning he was killed. Have you discussed that with them?”

  “Not yet.” Catt wrote down the information then stood back and viewed the board.

  “Plus, Beau not seeing or hearing anything the day of the murder,” Em added.

  “He said he was busy working on the shed and never heard anything.”

  “Right.” Em sounded sarcastic.

  “Em, don’t make it worse.” She paused. “I think that’s everything.”

  “You know what we’ve got here?” Em asked.

  “What?”

  “A hell of a mess.”

  Catt agreed.

  “What do we do with all of this?” Em asked.

  Catt pressed her finger against her lip. “Hear me out. We’ve got the boardwalk event tomorrow.”

  “Okay.”

  “We use that to lure the killer.”

  “How?”

  “Get the word out that we found another angle on the security camera that identifies the killer and are waiting for the detective to come pick it up. And that we feel confident that the killer will be behind bars by suppertime.”

  “Do we have time?”

  “Yes. But we must work fast. Here’s what we’ll do. In between the event, I’ll hang out at the office and wait for the killer to make his move.”

  “This could be dangerous,” Em suggested.

  “Yes. But we have no choice. I could lose the business. Plus, now that I have access to the surveillance cameras, I can view the property to see who enters.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  That afternoon, Catt checked the dog walking schedule and emails from her desk. She viewed an inquiry from someone new to Virginia Beach who needed grooming services for two dogs. After scheduling the appointments, she alerted Lexi. A few minutes later Darcey and Stacey entered the office.

  “Good afternoon,” Darcey greeted Catt with a wide smile.

  Cagney and Lacey barked from their beds. Lacey approached the women as Cagney lagged behind.

  “There’s fresh coffee brewing,” Catt offered.

  Stacey headed to the coffee stand and poured herself a cup. “Um. So good. Nothing like an afternoon cup of coffee.”

  “So, what are y’all up to?” Catt asked.

  “We heard it through the grapevine that you have new video surveillance of the killer?” Darcey sat in the chair in front of Catt’s desk.

  Bingo. It had worked. Information was coming in. “That’s true. But I’m waiting for the police to come by and pick it up,” Catt lied. “Why do you ask?”

  “As retired massage therapists, my sister and I developed good detective skills,” Darcey said.

  “Oh yeah?” Catt asked.

  “You would not believe the number of characters,” she put her fingers in air quotes, “who we had to deal with. Unsavory, really.”

  Catt leaned back in her chair. “Like?”

  “We had to play detective when some ran out without paying. Others wanting to date us and later finding out they were married. The list goes on and on.” She waved her hand in the air.

  “Plus, we watch true crime shows religiously.” Stacey walked toward Catt’s desk while sipping her coffee.

  “Okay. What are you thinking?” Catt asked.

  “First we’d like to search the grooming area to review it for fingerprints and perhaps other clues left behind by the killer,” Darcey suggested.

  “The detective did that.”

  “But he may have missed something. Maybe the killer dropped something on the floor, or an item rolled behind something.”

  “We’d be glad to do a thorough investigation of the area,” Stacey offered.

  “Okay. I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “Please do.”

  “I have a question for you,” Catt said.

  “What?” Darcey asked.

  “When you saw Trey on the boardwalk the morning of his murder, did he say anything about meeting someone at my office?”

  The twins looked at each other.

  “No,” they said in unison.

  “We only chatted about the weather and that he had a busy day,” Darcey said. “Why?”

  “I’m trying to understand how he ended up in the tub,” Catt said.

  “That is a puzzler.” Darcey paused. “Well, we’re off to walk the last dogs of the day. Don’t want to keep them waiting.”

  Stacey placed her cup in the sink. “In the meantime, we’ll keep our eyes and ears open and report back to you.”

  Did the twins know more about the murder than they are letting on? And why did they want to investigate the grooming area? Catt had a lot to think about.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Saturday arrived. The day of the Wine Down Festival. Catt awoke early, kissed Beau good morning and ran on the treadmill for her workout. She showered and dressed and was ready to tackle the day. She headed to the office and cleared the dog walking schedule, enabling she and her staff to focus on promoting the business at the festival. And finding Trey’s killer.

  Beau entered the office.

  “So, today’s the day.” He handed Catt a cup of coffee. “Thanks.” She took a long sip.

  “Sure thing.”

  “Did you get everything set up on the boardwalk?”

  “Yep. I set up the tent, table, and banner for the festival. Oh, I put the box of doggie toys behind the table and filled the cooler with bottled water.”

  “Thanks for doing that. I’m heading over there now with the brochures and doggie bags.”

  “What’s the schedule?” Beau asked.

  Catt filled him in on the times. “Of course, I’ll be here as well in case the killer stops by about the evidence.”

  “Do you really think that will work?”

  Catt shrugged. “It can’t hurt. I’m afraid I’ll lose my business if I don’t do something.”

  “I’ll be here most of the day in case something happens. But I plan to stop by the festival to check on things,” Beau added.

  “Ready to go?” Cagney and Lacey jumped from their beds. Catt leashed them. She grabbed the box of items, gave Beau a kiss, and headed down the stairs.

  While walking Cagney and Lacey to the boardwalk, Catt enjoyed the beautiful mid-June day with mild humidity. The walk gave her time to think about how she would react if faced with Trey’s killer.

  She shifted the box on her hip while holding both leashes. She turned the leash handles slightly to the right for better control of both dogs, a trick she’d learned from walking multiple dogs and carrying things.

  As Catt approached the boardwalk, she saw Em walking.

  “Hey, Em. I didn’t know you were out this morning?” Catt asked.

  “I’m taking a walk since we’re not walking the dogs today. You heading to the table?”

  “Yeah. I’ve got the brochures and doggie bags for Lexi.”

  “Give me the box. I’ll go with you.”

  Lexi stood behind the table talking to a man wearing shorts and a T-shirt as Catt and Em entered the area. The man had a miniature Australian Shepherd by his side.

  “Hi Catt, Em, and pups.” Lexi waved her hand.

  “Morning. Here’s the brochures and doggie bags.” Em set the box on the table.

  Cagney and Lacey sniffed the shepherd.

  “Perfect timing. Pete here is interested in our dog grooming service.”

  “Of course. I know Pete. I didn’t recognize you out of uniform,” Catt said.

  He smil
ed. “Everyone says that. They are so used to seeing me at The Loft Building in my security uniform.”

  “So, who do you have here?” Catt glanced at the dog.

  “This is Harlie,” Pete said.

  “May I pet her?” Catt asked.

  Em moved closer.

  “Of course.”

  Both Catt and Em knelt down to pet Harlie.

  Em slipped her a treat. “She’s adorable.”

  Harlie jumped into Em’s lap and licked her face.

  “She likes you, Em,” Catt said.

  “Aww, I like her too.” Em continued petting her.

  Catt stood and grabbed a brochure from the box. She handed it to Pete. “This is a full list of our services. You can access our website as well. We’re running some specials.”

  Pete read the brochure. “I was telling Lexi that I’d like to get Harlie groomed.”

  “Absolutely,” Catt said.

  “She mentioned she has availability after her shift here.”

  “Sure thing.”

  “By the way. How is the investigation going?” Pete asked.

  “We have new information from the security camera angle. I’m waiting for the detective to come by and pick it up. But I’ll be back at the office after my shift.”

  “Well, I hope everything gets resolved. Hang in there.”

  As Pete and Harlie headed down the boardwalk, Catt placed the rest of the items she’d brought on the table.

  “I’ll see y’all during my shift. I want to finish my walk.” Em waved goodbye.

  Catt turned toward Lexi. “So, we’ve got a few appointments today?”

  “Yes. I thought no time like the present.”

  “Great. I’m glad we’re picking up business today,” Catt said.

  Cagney and Lacey made their way behind the table to take a break on their portable beds.

  Catt checked the surveillance cameras from her phone. Beau was in the back yard working on the shed. Everything else appeared normal.

  Several people stopped by to grab a free toy and doggie bag. Others grabbed brochures to learn more about the Woof-Pack Dog Walkers and services.

  Catt had not planned to stay the entire hour, but it was so busy, Lexi had asked her to stay and help. When Em showed back up for the next shift, she and Catt stood at the back of the booth while Catt gave an update on the appointments and people who stopped by.

  “Was anyone suspicious?” Em asked.

  “No. Everyone seemed genuine about our services and they all had dogs with them.”

  “I’ll let you know if I come across anyone dubious,” Em offered.

  “Okay. I’m heading back to the office to see if anyone stops by.” Catt grabbed Cagney and Lacey’s leashes.

  “Please be careful,” Em said.

  “I will. Beau is on the property today. Plus, I checked the cameras from my phone earlier. Everything’s okay.”

  “Good to know.” Em moved to the table and began talking to potential clients.

  Since Beau was in the backyard putting the final touches on the shed as Catt and the pups arrived, she headed inside to handle billing invoices for dog walking services for her current clients before her shift at the festival. She would be glad when the invoices included more grooming services, which meant more revenue.

  She sat at her desk viewing next week’s schedule on her laptop. With the dog walking schedule booked, and a couple of grooming appointments, Catt could hopefully get business back on track.

  Lexi entered the office, taking Catt out of her thoughts.

  “Hi, Catt.”

  “Hi, Lex. Looks like you had a successful shift.”

  “Yeah. Thanks for helping me.”

  “Sure thing. I’m glad we had a lot of people stop by with their dogs.” Catt paused. “So, what brings you here?”

  “Since I have appointments this afternoon, I’m stopping by to make sure everything is stocked.”

  “I thought it was already stocked?”

  “Yeah. I’m just making sure.”

  Now seemed like a good time to talk to Lexi about the dog trimmer. “While you’re here, the detective came by and asked me about the dog trimmer. Why did you tell him I knew where it was?”

  “I assumed you knew the inventory. Is there a problem?”

  “No. It’s okay. But I am wondering what happened to it.”

  “I have no idea. Maybe the killer took it,” Lexi offered.

  “Maybe. Well hopefully, the detective will figure it out.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way.”

  Catt nodded.

  “I’ll need to buy a new trimmer. But for now, I better go check the rest of the supplies.” Lexi walked to the back.

  Catt swiveled her chair to complete the billing tasks while Cagney and Lacey sat in their beds.

  “Catt,” Lexi yelled. “Can you come back here?”

  “On my way.” She hurried down the hallway.

  “Get over in the corner.”

  Catt gasped.

  “Move it, bitch.” Pete waved a gun toward the back wall where Lexi stood frozen.

  Catt walked toward Lexi.

  “How did you get in here?” Catt remembered checking the cameras earlier and didn’t see anyone enter the office.

  “I snuck in and waited. Now, where’s the evidence you found?”

  Pete was the man in the ballcap from the video. Catt suddenly remembered his slow and steady gait on the stairs when he’d led her to the elevator in The Loft and then on the video. Why hadn’t she made the connection?

  Talk about cutting to the chase. “The detective has it.”

  “And what is it?” He moved toward the tub.

  “Video of you entering the office before Trey was murdered,” Catt lied.

  “Oh yeah. Well, why hasn’t he arrested me?”

  “He’s on his way now. That’s why I came back to the office since we figured you would show up.” Catt’s phone buzzed in her pocket.

  “Why?”

  “Because we put word on the street there is evidence.”

  “So now you’re Sherlock Holmes?”

  “Just trying to solve Trey’s murder. How did you know Trey anyway?” Catt looked around the grooming area for something to help her get away. Her phone continued buzzing in her pocket.

  “He dated my sister for two years then dumped her. Said he wanted to be single, yet he was dating a bevy of women the whole time he was with her. It broke her heart. I’d only planned to rough him up. You know, scare him.”

  Catt had to think of something fast and to keep him talking. “Did you call Trey to meet you here?”

  He grinned like a Cheshire cat. “Yep. That was genius on my part. I called him from a private phone to come here. Since you were walking Brock’s dog that morning, I figured that was a good time. It’s close by, so I changed clothes, slipped away from work and got back before anyone knew I was gone. But when I got here, there was a pretty blond with him. So, I waited and came up behind them.”

  “Yeah, she’s on video as well,” Catt said.

  “Obviously you didn’t know who I was.”

  Catt nodded. “What happened after the blond left?”

  “I jumped into action. Trey was surprised. Told me to get a life when I confronted him. Said I was a loser rent-a-cop. That’s when I grabbed him by the neck. We struggled. I grabbed a dog trimmer and killed him. When I put him in the tub, adrenaline kicked in, so I stabbed him in the chest with the shears. Kind of like a double death,” he chuckled.

  Catt cut her eyes toward Lexi, then nodded toward scissors on the table.

  Lexi nodded.

  Pete continued to ramble on.

  Catt moved quickly, grabbing the scissors.

  Pete stopped talking. “Put them down, or I’ll shoot you.”

  Catt kicked the boxes Jonathan Ray had left under the table.

  Pete growled.

  She twirled the scissors in her hand. With a quick move, she aimed at
Pete’s leg and tossed them with every ounce of strength she had.

  “Ouch. You bitch.” He fell towards the tub.

  “Get him, Lexi,” Catt yelled.

  Lexi came out of her trance and sprung into action. She grabbed the hose above the tub, turned on the water and sprayed Pete. He fell backwards into the tub. The same tub he had placed Trey in. Poetic justice.

  Catt gave him a swift kick, knocking the gun from his hand.

  Footsteps came running down the hall.

  Beau raced in. Duke, Cagney and Lacey trailed behind. “What the hell?”

  The dogs ran toward Pete, biting his legs.

  Pete tried to pull the scissors from his leg.

  Beau punched him.

  Detective Harding entered the room.

  “What are you doing here?” Catt asked.

  Beau answered before the detective could respond. “I called him when you didn’t answer your phone. I had gone back to the festival to refill the ice cooler after finishing the shed. I kept calling to tell you. That’s when I knew something was up.”

  “He killed Trey,” the detective said.

  “No kidding,” Catt said.

  Catt’s phone buzzed again. This time it was Darcey. WHERE ARE YOU? ARE YOU STILL DOING YOUR SHIFT? WE’RE BUSY!

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Two weeks had passed since the fiasco in the grooming area of the Woof-Pack Dog Walkers and Groomers. Catt stood by the tub. A lot had happened here in the past few weeks. She’d considered buying a new tub but decided to keep it after Beau pointed out it had also captured the killer. She did, however, buy Cagney a new leash, since hers was blood-stained.

  Catt walked to her desk and made a few notations on her laptop about her business and life, questioning why she kept getting pulled into murderous situations. Clearly known as someone who runs a dog walking business but also one who solves crime and murder, she continued making notes. Do I keep solving crimes? Or keep building my business? Or both? And now that Beau and Duke have officially moved into my house, where do we go from here?

  The screen door opened. Beau entered. “Hey, everyone is asking about you.” He stepped closer. “You okay?”

  “Yeah. I’m fine.” Catt closed her laptop and unlocked her drawer. She pulled the envelope out.

  Beau walked to the fridge and grabbed bottled waters.