Three Woofs for the Dead, White and Blue

by Laura Quinn

  Peggy, who had followed upstairs with 911 pre-dialed on the phone, was more wide-eyed than before. Claire explained that Traci was just letting off steam, and suggested the excitable employee help Barbara zone the aisles. Claire retrieved the donation bags from the safe and handed them to Larry. He set out his calculator and log sheet on a table in the far corner. Marti volunteered to oversee the counting of the cash and the equal splits between shelters, promising not to harm Larry, physically, at least.

  Nick walked down with Claire, having officially ended his escort duties. “How’s it going?”

  “The day sure started out much differently than I could have ever imagined, but everything turned out fine. Did you have a good time being Estelle’s eye candy?”

  “I don’t think anyone noticed me,” Nick said. “Everyone wanted to pet that sweet little girl. I would adopt her myself if I could.”

  “I’ll send you some photos of you both as a memento,” Claire said. “Thank you so much for spending your whole day off here, I really appreciate it.”

  “My pleasure, mam. I wish I could stay longer, but I volunteered to cover Ernie’s shift tonight.”

  “One of these days we’ll go for that drink, I promise. Things should settle down after this week.”

  “I’m not so sure about that, considering your other pursuit,” Nick said with a wink. “I talked with one of the paramedics at the scene. He didn’t smell bitter almonds…”

  “I’ve read that few people can detect that odor.”

  “Yes, that’s true, but what I wanted to tell you is that he said Kim’s skin did look suspiciously pink.”

  “Claire,” Emma called. “Can you come over here to answer a question?”

  “We’ll catch up later, over that drink,” Nick said.

  Claire helped Emma’s customer with questions about lower calorie options for an overweight chihuahua. After pointing out the peek-a-boo popsicles, Claire felt someone tapping her shoulder.

  “I wish that hunk would call me for a drink,” Agnes said. “I came to see how our products are selling.”

  “They’re flying out of here,” Claire said. “We sold out of the NoHa bandanas already. I’ll take another order whenever you have more ready.”

  “We’ll get right on it, though we may need to renegotiate terms considering their popularity. Demand dictates price.”

  “I’m at your mercy. You should teach business strategy classes.”

  “No time,” Agnes said. “Got more lucrative irons in the fire.” The crafty senior stopped to visit Baron before she left, check in hand.

  Traci was the first to pack up, her beagle carrying the remnants of the bone he gummed throughout the day. Before leaving, she told Claire that the accounting was done and that Larry sent an email with the complete breakdown of the totals. The other rescue groups followed soon after, all of which would be returning the next day. Claire tried to thank Larry as he came out of the elevator, but he just raised his hand in a half-wave and dashed out the back exit.

  With the crowds thinning, Claire told her staff to leave and try to get some rest. She gave each a bonus, stopping Peggy on the way out to commend her on her improved behavior. Barbara mounted a token dollar bill in the frame before she left, and wrote up a list of bakery treats that needed to be replenished. Marti showed the impressive donation totals to Claire, though complaining the cash was contaminated by Larry’s disgusting habit of licking his fingers before counting each bill.

  Bob arrived with three teriyaki shrimp bento boxes as well as an advance copy of the morning’s paper. The Lifestyles section featured the Posh Pup’s opening with an array of adorable shots of dogs and humans enjoying ice cream, plus a list of rescue groups who would be visiting Saturday.

  Marti filled them in about her interrogation of Larry during the cash tallying. She didn’t believe his claim that his relationship with Kim had been grossly exaggerated., but did believe his statement about Monday night. He said he was working all night, gladly having given up his ticket for the party cruise. Marti also learned that Traci gave up her ticket at the last minute, due to a migraine, and Kim snapped it up to give to Josh. Marti further impressed her friends by telling them about a conversation with Nurse Dill, confirming that a small dose of cyanide could kill a person very quickly. As the poison could be extracted from several stone fruits, just about anyone would have access. The trio decided to focus on motive as their best chance of solving the murderer.

  Claire proposed a walk after dinner, but Bob preferred to stay behind to catch up on reading the case notes. Marti offered to stay with him, ignoring Claire’s innuendos behind Bob’s back. On the way back from their mile loop, Claire noticed that the bakery light was still on and knocked on the window. Viktor was working on a last-minute wedding cake order, but unlocked the shop to allow Claire to pick out a dessert. Baron gladly accepted a vanilla cookie while his owner decided upon a fruit tart for her friends. While she was there, Claire asked Viktor if he had any photos of his multi-layered Fourth at North cake.

  “I could see the sparklers from our spot on the hill, but I never got a chance to look at it up-close,” Claire said.

  “It was one of the largest cakes we ever made, and the first with pyrotechnics.”

  “And the last,” his wife interjected. “I was terrified he was going to set himself on fire.”

  “Good thing I got plenty of photos, then,” Viktor said. Ann said she would email them.

  When Claire returned with dessert, Bob and Marti were frustrated at their lack of progress in identifying suspects. Larry was at the top of her list, though he seemed to have no opportunity. Bob liked Ester as the suspect, though Marti refused to tell him anything about the mystery woman except that there was no apparent motive. Carrie had exclusive opportunity and an extensive knowledge of homeopathy, but no real motive. They had to admit that the best suspect on paper was Traci, encouraging them to investigate more to clear their friend. Claire planned to go to Kim’s wake Saturday to circulate and listen for clues. Bob and Marti said they would go to the funeral Sunday, promising to be tactful.

  Chapter 11

  Saturday, July 9th

  Before the rescue fair began, Claire and Baron took a long walk. Along the way, they spotted Kyle’s Mobile Hive parked outside the Friar’s Fryer. Claire waved to get his attention, but he was loading the large yellow barrel of waste vegetable oil that would be converted to fuel. A call from the shop stopped her from crossing the street.

  “I’m sorry to interrupt your walk, but Lil Angels arrived with eight dogs instead of four,” Barbara said.

  “Oh boy, I know we’re already pretty tight upstairs. How about if we move the café tables outside to make room for them downstairs?” As Barbara relayed the plan to Zac, Claire noticed the beekeeper was about to step into his van. “Hold on,” she said to the phone, waving her arms to attract Kyle’s attention. “Hey, Kyle” He turned his head, then ducked into his van and drove off. “That guy is always in a hurry,” she said, returning to the call. “We’re on our way back now.”

  When Claire arrived, Zac was wheeling out the last table. Emma was packaging the latest batches of treats while Marti and Peggy worked with the shelters to set up their tables. Fifteen minutes before the store opened, the shop was ready for its second day of grand opening festivities. Claire and Barbara welcomed visitors as they entered, handing each a listing of the participating shelters and the day’s specials. With the press and social media coverage from the prior day’s ice cream social, it was a full house. One guest in particular caught Barbara’s full attention.

  “It’s so nice to see you,” she said, blushing slightly.

  “Lovely to see you too,” Claude said. He tucked his cap under his arm and smiled. “That’s a lovely scarf. It brings out your beautiful eyes.”

  Claire smiled as she watched the interaction, but was distracted at the sight of Simone, struggling through the door with a tri-panel screen. “What’s this?” Claire asked as sh
e helped her friend.

  “This is our pop-up dressing room for busy periods. Peggy said she needs it to set up some kind of interview room for the shelters, and I was glad to help.”

  “That’s news to me, but I love the idea.”

  “I hardly recognized her voice. She was so eager to surprise you.”

  “We had a long talk after her outburst yesterday,” Claire said. “When I told her that that her actions jeopardized the shelters’ fundraising, something clicked.”

  “Or she remembered the holiday she’s saving for,” Simone said. “Oh, that sounded terribly negative. Maybe she is starting to think of others. Well, I better get back to my shop, though it seems all of North Haven is here.”

  Claire looked at the stream of people coming in, noticing that Claude was pushed to the side by a woman wearing a large sun hat. Simone handed an envelope to Claire, to be given to Traci’s senior dog group.

  “They will appreciate this, thank you. And thank you for bringing this screen. I’ll drop it off tonight.”

  Claire texted Peggy about the delivery then walked over to rescue Barbara.

  “Lydia, this is Clarissa Noble.”

  “Hello Mrs. Langdon-Reeve,” Claire said, extending her hand. “The last time I saw you was at one of your famous parties.”

  “I’m afraid my memory isn’t what it used to be, but your name does sound familiar.”

  “Her mother, Lauren, served on the Langdon Hospital Voluntary Auxiliary with us,” Barbara reminded her.

  “Oh, yes, now I remember. We served on several charities together,” Lydia said. “We all must do our part, which is why I’m here. As I was telling Barbara, I’m soliciting donations for a silent auction I’m chairing next month. So important for new businesses to support the community, don’t you think?”

  “I’m happy to help,” Claire said. “Maybe next time you come to visit your niece you can pick out a basket.”

  “If you could just put something together while I’m here…”

  “We’ll put something together for you next week,” Barbara interrupted, “We’re very busy with our own fundraisers this weekend.”

  “That’s why I’m here,” Lydia said, drawing attention with her commanding stage voice. She pulled out a set of envelopes from her purse. “I read about these admirable shelters in the newspaper and have a donation for each. Those poor little creatures; people can be so cruel. I encouraged all my friends to stop by and contribute also.”

  “That’s very generous,” Claire said. “We have some groups over there and the rest are upstairs. The elevator is right over there.”

  When the older woman was safely out of earshot, Claire whispered to Barbara “What a showboat.”

  “She is the grand dame of North Haven; it’s her family legacy,” Barbara said, then lowered her voice. “When she gets too saintly, I remember a little secret from her past. Langdon Hospital used to be Ignatius Langdon Hospital, named after her grandfather. It was renamed after the board discovered some unethical experiments during the first Dr. Landon’s tenure as hospital president. Although Iggy’s name was removed, the family surname was retained in honor of his son’s contributions, as a doctor and benefactor.”

  “Scandalous,” Claire remarked.

  “Few people know the story; I learned about it from your mother, who learned about it when she was helping Doris Dill put together her first book on the town’s history. As chair of the North Haven Foundation, Lydia absolutely refused to authorize funding of the book until that narrative was removed.”

  “It’s good to be the Queen,” Claire said, just as her new employee walked up.

  “What did the queen bee want?” Peggy asked. “She’s always got to be the center of attention. Carrie says that karma works best with anonymous work.”

  “Peggy,” Claire shushed. “Let’s go over there and get the screen.”

  “Sorry. I said that too loudly, didn’t I?” Peggy asked.

  “It was my fault,” Claire admitted. “You can’t successfully run as many fundraising campaigns as she does by being mousy.” She walked with her employee and helped her carry the screen upstairs. “Thank you for your initiative. Simone told me about your idea and I think it’s great. Grab Marti and she’ll help you get it set up. Keep up the good work!”

  A group of customers slowed Claire’s progress back to Barbara, most asking to meet Baron. She explained that the shop’s star was holding court behind the counter, due to the number of visitors. Others stopped to congratulate her, ask if she was going to make treats for iguanas, hamsters or horses, and a few were confused as to why there were dogs in a bakery. The local deli arrived with the lunch orders, which were distributed to the staff and shelter volunteers.

  “How’s it going?” Claire asked Marti, taking a ten-minute lunch break.

  “It’s been fantastic. We’ve had applications put in for all of the adoptees here, plus plenty who scheduled visits to the shelters to meet others. The interview tent has been great, and the privacy allows me to ask a few extra questions.” Marti was interrupted by a baying bloodhound. “Columbo has attracted quite a fan base. What a ham!”

  “We should keep track of the success stories to add to the newsletter. I hear there have been quite a few donations too.”

  “Yes, the jars have been emptied several times. I tried to estimate the amounts, but most people like using your envelopes,” Marti said. She checked that no one was looking before adding “Claude dropped off Lana’s donations, and then he bought a bouquet of paper flowers from Daisy’s Doxie Rescue for Barbara.”

  “They’re so cute together, aren’t they? You should have seen her blush when he complimented her eyes.”

  One of the Labrador Rescue volunteers asked for Marti’s help with interviewing a potential furever family. Claire excused herself, finishing her sandwich with Baron during a walk behind the mall. She ran into Carrie, who was practicing tai chi behind her shop. Baron raised his paw to greet her.

  “What happened?” Claire asked, noticing the bandage-wrapped ankle.

  “It’s nothing, just a slight sprain. I’ve been drinking extra-strength turmeric ginger tea and massaging it with Arnica every night, so it’s much better.”

  “What’s arnica?”

  “It’s a yellow flower that grows in the mountains. The extract has been used for centuries to reduce inflammation, relive pain, moisturize skin and other remedies. I gave some to Kyle to use on his feet while he’s breaking in his new boots. I could tell they were bothering him, but he was putting on this bravado act for me. He’s so cute, in a dorky kind of way.”

  Claire smiled at her handiwork in action, already imagining a wedding. She debated whether she should give the spark a little tinder when she noticed that Carrie was staring at her, and decided not to push it. “And you say this is a tea?”

  “Oh no, you can’t ingest arnica, it’s toxic,” Carrie said. “You mix the extract with oil and apply it to your skin.”

  “You’re right,” Claire said to Baron as he nudged her. “We better get back to the shop, I only meant to take a quick walk with him.”

  “I better get back myself,” Carrie said. “Your opening weekend has been a huge boon to all of us. I’m going to send Lily over with donations as a thank you.”

  “They will be most grateful,” Claire said, running behind the leash.

  Claire returned Baron to the protective watch of Zac and Emma, and she circulated the floor. Sam stopped in to congratulate the new store owner, having missed the grand opening. They talked for a few minutes, catching up on each other’s busy lives. The contractor stepped aside to take a call and a flow of new customers took her place. Claire waved goodbye to her friend while she answered questions from the enthusiastic crowd.

  The afternoon passed quickly, and Claire was surprised when Barbara announced that the shop would be closing in thirty minutes. Marti left shortly afterwards to change for her latest blind date. By the time all the customers were checked
out and the rescue groups packed up, it was nearly six o’clock.

  Despite the ransacked displays and desolated bakery trays, Claire insisted that everyone go home after working so hard all week. She assured them she would have plenty of time to get the store in order before opening the next afternoon. Barbara took out the bowl of red-skinned potato salad she made for Kim’s wake, planning to go directly to the funeral home. Claire said she would meet her there, after she dropped off Baron and changed.

  By the time Claire arrived to the wake, the parking lot was full. She pulled up to the valet parking, feeling very self-conscious about the cheery paw-printed vehicle’s appearance at such a solemn occasion. She felt better when she saw Brendan Hughes’s cheesy grin on the advertising magnets plastered on both sides of his flashy red jaguar. Large gold letters announced his newly-earned title of Number One Agent.

  All three reception rooms of North Haven’s sole funeral home were filled, spilling out into the corridors and solace suites. The receiving line stretched out the door, under the ivy-covered canopies. Claire opted to circulate first, gathering intel as discreetly as she could. She began near the comfort room, and was yanked inside.

  “Thank God,” Traci said. “I need a friend in this snake pit.”

  “What are you doing here?” Claire asked. “I mean, given the circumstances.”

  “Because I hated the conniving, adulterous bitch, you mean? I suppose I felt obligated, considering our service together. Plus, I wanted to extend my condolences to Ken. I had no idea how spiteful people could be, though. How quickly everyone forgets that he and I are the victims.”

  “You know how gossip spreads. All people had to hear was that the police talked with you, and suddenly you’re a prime suspect in the court of public opinion.”