The Bakers and Bulldogs Mysteries Collection: 20 Book Box Set

by Rosie Sams

  “I… I don’t know. In the excitement, I must have let it slip.” Panic-stricken, she spun around, her eyes searched for Smudge. It only took a second to spot her, though, and Melody’s heart rate instantly returned to normal. There, back at Winston’s roulette table, he reached across the board, placing chips across a variety of numbers. The wheel was already spinning fast, and Marty held his hand over the board, signaling he was about to close the betting window. As Winston reached to drop a few black chips onto number 33, Marty started to move his hand across the board, signaling no more bets. As if in slow motion, Marty’s hand approached the final rows of the roulette board, Winston started to loosen his grip on the black $100 chips, placing his ultimate last-minute bet and Smudge slapped her butt against his chair. The move was perfectly timed and just enough to distract Winston, catching him off guard. He shifted to see what hit his chair and dropped his chips on 36 instead of 33.

  “Damn, dog! Why does a casino let dogs on the floor?”

  “No more bets!”

  Smudge ran back to Melody, her tongue happily lolling out the side of her mouth as she ran. Score: Winston 0, Smudge 1.

  “33! No winners!” Marty pulled the stack of losing black chips from number 36.

  “$1,000 gone!” Winston said as he cursed wildly into the air.

  Make that score: Winston 0, Smudge 1,000.

  Chapter One Hundred Eighty-Three

  Alvin knocked on the door. Melody watched him inhale deeply, but not exhale.

  “Are you holding your breath until someone answers?” she asked.

  “I am. But you’ve gone and made me speak, so now I need to inhale, again.”

  Melody stifled a giggle as they heard footsteps from inside the room. They moved toward the door.

  “Sheriff! Melody!” Pauline said as she swung the door open. "I’m so sorry I haven’t updated you. My father just returned a little while ago. I know I should have called you as soon as he returned, but I was so focused on getting him safely into bed.”

  There was a silent pause as Melody, Alvin, and Smudge stared at Pauline, then Alvin finally exhaled, and Smudge huffed.

  These two are spending too much time together, Melody thought.

  Melody was the one to speak first. “We are relieved to hear he’s back. May we see him? I think we would feel better if we saw him. It would put our minds at ease. Right, Alvin?”

  Alvin nodded.

  “Yes, I’d like to see how he’s doing.”

  “Well, he’s sleeping, so I’d rather not disturb...”

  “Ma’am, I’m going to need to see Mr. Thayer before we leave,” Alvin used his sheriff’s tone to impress the importance of his request.

  Pauline locked eyes with him for a moment. Melody presumed she was testing his level of seriousness, but he was not backing down. Finally, she stepped back, welcoming them inside, but then held up a hand to pause them. As Smudge went to enter after Melody, Pauline blocked her. “Please have Smudge wait outside.”

  “Why is that? Abraham likes Smudge. I’m sure he would be happy to see her.”

  “Yes, he adores her, but I’d like to not have him excited, right now. She can come to visit him tomorrow when he’s well-rested. I think they would both enjoy that, don’t you?”

  Melody patted Smudge on the head. “Stay, girl. When he’s feeling better, you can have a nice long visit.”

  Smudge laid down in the hallway near the door obediently. She put her chin on her paws and waited.

  “Please try not to disturb him. It’s been an extremely long night,” Pauline said in a whisper.

  It’s been a long night? We’re the ones running around the casino tracking people down, Melody thought.

  Alvin stepped further into the room. It was dark. The curtains were closed, and the lights were off. He squinted, trying to adjust his eyes. Melody watched from afar with Pauline.

  “Do you know where he was?” Melody asked quietly.

  “He wandered in the direction of another casino. I think he forgot where he was staying. He really should have been smarter than to go off on his own. He never minds his limits, the old f… well, he still thinks he’s 21.”

  “I imagine it must be difficult to be at the top of your game for so long and then have to deal with the limits of the body and the mind growing older.”

  “Yes, but he needs to recognize that he needs help now. The time for pandering to his ego is long past.”

  In the dark, Alvin made out Abraham’s shape on the bed. He was covered with a blanket up to his ears. His signature messy mop of white hair stuck out from the top. When Alvin stepped a bit closer, Abraham stirred. Satisfied that the man was alive, but not wanting to disturb his rest, Alvin headed back to the women. He motioned for them to reconvene in the hall.

  “Everything looks to be in order. If there are any more issues, please let us know. We’ll come by later to check on him after he’s had a good rest.”

  “Thank you all so much, I don’t know how I can repay you for your kindness… I’m sure my father would want to thank you as well… let us pick up the tab for your room?”

  “That’s very kind but unnecessary. Please keep us posted about Abraham and get some rest yourself.”

  They bid their farewells and headed down the hall to their own room.

  Lying in bed, Melody stared at the ceiling. Alvin lay next to her, doing the same. Smudge was on the bed between them, her chin on her paws, but her eyes also wide open.

  “Alvin.”

  “Yeah, Mel?”

  “Something isn’t right.”

  “I know. Let’s try to get some rest ourselves and then go back this afternoon.”

  Chapter One Hundred Eighty-Four

  A knock at the door roused them from their sleep. Melody’s rest had been a dreamless one. Alvin had tossed and turned, as was evident by the blankets wrapped all around him. With one eye open, Melody checked the peephole then opened the door.

  “Rise and shine! Dinner time!” Kerry said in an all too chipper voice.

  “If you two are still in bed,” Bradford said with a wink, “don’t let us interrupt.” Kerry smacked his arm.

  “We had a rough 24 hours.” Melody shrugged. “Abraham went missing. Pauline had us trying to track him down, only to find out he was back in his room.” Melody waved a hand as she flopped into one of the room’s armchairs.

  Alvin stirred and sat up. He offered them a wave as he got his bearings.

  “The old man gets around still, huh?” Bradford said in jest. Kerry gave him another smack. “Ow!”

  “What has gotten into you? I swear you have honeymoon brain, and we’re not even newlyweds, yet,” she teased him.

  “Pauline was making it out to be like the guy is half senile,” Melody said as Smudge came over and curled up on her knee. “He probably just went to gamble at another hotel. I don’t think he’s as out of it as she suggests, but he is her father… I guess she probably knows best.”

  “We’re pretty sure something is fishy,” Alvin said as he swung his legs off the side of the bed.

  “Bradford and I will take a walk and give you two some time to get ready. We’ll come back in thirty. Why don’t we pass by Abraham’s on the way to dinner? Maybe he’ll want to join us," Kerry said, offering them some personal space.

  “Great! We’ll be quick. I’m starved!” Melody said. “I just need a few minutes to get Smudge sorted too.”

  Thirty minutes later, the group headed for Abraham’s room. Melody knocked. After a few minutes, she knocked again.

  “I guess they are up and out already. We can come back later.”

  “Let’s go eat, and actually, later, I’d like us to go to the pool,” Alvin said a bit grouchy.

  “You want to go to the pool? What’s gotten into you?” Melody said, noting his change of heart. “You hated the thought of going in any one of the four pools.”

  “Nothing,” Alvin said with a heavy sigh. “I just feel like we’re spending a lot of our tri
p time on Abraham and his family, and even though I’m not the best traveler, we’re still here for Kerry and Bradford, and it’s still our vacation.” His tone was more pleading than grumpy as he looked at Melody. He rubbed her arms with his palms. “I just want you to have a good time and not spend the entire trip worried about this guy.”

  “Yeah, Mel. You and Alvin have done a lot for the Thayers already. Maybe it’s time to enjoy yourself a bit,” Kerry said, encouraging Alvin’s point of view.

  “I get it, and you guys are right. I’m sure everything is fine. We’ll see him when we see him.” Smudge whined softly.

  As they made their way toward the restaurant, they passed the banquet room. The doors were open, and there, at one of the tables, were Abraham, his daughter, and his shareholders. It was Bradford that spotted them.

  “Hey, Mel, isn’t that Abraham?” Bradford hitched a thumb toward the doorway.

  Abraham’s back faced the door as he sat addressing the group. Pauline stood by his side.

  “I’m glad to see him up and about!” she said. The rest of the group gathered in the doorway to watch Abraham address the shareholders.

  “After a dark night of the soul,” he said with great contemplation in his voice, “I’ve decided that the best thing to do for this company is to step down and put my daughter, Pauline Thayer, in charge. I will not wait until my demise. I will retire, this action will be effective immediately.”

  The shareholders went into an uproar! Melody’s eyes went right to Felicity Carruthers. The crestfallen Felicity clenched her fists and pursed her lips but tried to maintain her composure.

  “I think you may be making a mistake, Abraham,” Felicity said, trying hard to keep her tone even and calm.

  “Making a mistake? This is a bigger blunder than when he made you his next-in-charge!” Winston Garner said, snarling as he gnashed his teeth. He held none of his ire back and laid it all out there for the shareholders to see. “I call for the shareholders to remove Abraham Thayer from his position at once and redact his decision to make Pauline Thayer his replacement. Abraham, you are clearly unfit to maintain your position at this time.”

  “These are the strangest business meetings I’ve ever seen,” Bradford said under his breath. Smudge huffed in agreement as Melody held her in her arms while she wriggled to get free. “Maybe he thinks his daughter is the only one he can trust?”

  “Allow me to explain, please,” Abraham said as he motioned for them to settle down. After the din quieted, he continued. “I chose Pauline because...”

  “Smudge!” Melody yelled as she jumped from her arms and raced toward Abraham and immediately leaped into his lap! Abraham petted her tentatively, his touch lacking any enthusiasm. Melody stopped in her tracks, watching, confused. Abraham adored Smudge. Each time he saw her, he accepted her affection enthusiastically and offered her cuddles and kisses in return. Now, it was as if he was afraid that he would catch a disease if he touched her.

  As Smudge started to kiss his face, Pauline shoved her from his lap.

  “Get away from him! He needs his rest!” She turned and glared at Melody. “You do understand we are in a meeting, do you not? Control your mangy dog!”

  Melody was speechless. However, as she attempted to collect Smudge, the little dog leaped onto Abraham again. When Pauline tried to chase her away, she growled.

  “Get this dog off me!” Abraham wouldn’t even touch Smudge now. Instead, he threw his hands up to keep them away from her and tried to lean back in his chair to create space between him and the dog. Just his fingers tried to shoo her without touching her.

  Why is he acting like he’s scared of her? Melody thought. But something inside her held her back from commanding Smudge away from him. She hadn’t realized just how close she was to figuring it all out.

  Melody watched as Smudge put her paws on Abraham’s shoulders. Then, with her teeth, she pried a very realistic-looking white wig from Abraham’s head.

  Chapter One Hundred Eighty-Five

  It all happened so fast! The entire room gasped in unison as Smudge pulled the wig from Abraham’s head. In his attempt to get away from the canine detective, the chair fell backward, and now she stood, on his chest, holding the wig. She dropped the fake hair then hopped down to the floor.

  “Smudge!” Melody called to her, but Smudge wasn’t done yet. She moved quickly to the man’s face and nipped at his cheek again, and again.

  “Melody, what is she doing?” Alvin asked nervously. “She’s never attacked anyone in her life!”

  Smudge pulled and pulled, but Melody realized what she was doing!

  “She’s not attacking! Look!” She pointed at Abraham’s cheek. It was pulling away from his face. “It’s a mask!”

  “Call security! This dog is attacking my father!” Pauline said, crying out!

  That’s when Smudge got a good grip on the mask and pulled it right off to reveal Benji Marx! Another round of gasps filled the room as the con artist was revealed.

  “You!” Winston said. He snarled as he came from around his table. “And you!” He pointed at Pauline, realizing she had to be in on the scam. Caught red-handed, Pauline made a break for it! She ran right for the double doors, but Alvin blocked her way and grabbed her arm.

  “You’re not going anywhere! You’ve got some serious explaining to do!” he said as he hauled her back to the shareholder’s table.

  Felicity stepped up to Pauline. They were nearly nose to nose.

  “I want answers, Pauline! What have you done with your father?” Felicity demanded to know.

  “You felt passed over more than anyone else,” Melody said as she approached Smudge. Smudge stayed close to Benji. The actor's aversion to dogs was keeping him still. The terror alone from her nipping at his face was enough to nearly paralyze him with fear. He didn’t dare move.

  The rest of the room had fallen silent.

  Melody left Smudge guarding Benji and turned to Pauline. “When we heard noises in the middle of the night, you were fighting with your father. Slamming doors, just as a little girl would do when she wasn’t getting her way.” She continued to theorize.

  Pauline’s face streamed with tears as she glared at Melody, but she neither confirmed nor denied the statement.

  “Maybe you planned to incapacitate your father, or maybe it happened by accident. We know you enjoy throwing things when you have a tantrum. Either way, it’s lucky for you that you had Benji Marx on your side. In Benji’s own words, he’s a master of disguise. He had experience using prosthetics from his one show, Multiple Personalities.”

  “I remember that show! It was terrible,” Bradford said to Kerry.

  “Needing to buy time, you sent Alvin, Smudge, and me on a wild goose chase. You weren’t expecting us to show up at your door at 3am.”

  “Fine!” Pauline balled her hands into fists and yanked her arm away from Alvin. “Some of what you’re saying is true, but I did not hurt my father, and this was not my plan. Yes, I felt overlooked. I’ve worked for this company since I was 16 years old. It’s in my blood. Who is my father to give my legacy to her?” She pointed at Felicity. “So, yes, we had a fight that night, and you three meddlers walked in on it. But, I had no idea Benji was going to do this! I’m just as shocked as you!” Then, she really spilled her guts. “Benji and I were going to be married. I don’t doubt that he kidnapped my father or worse. I just went along with this master of disguise plan so I could get him to tell me what he did with my father!” She ran over to Benji and kicked him in the leg.

  “Ow! You lying b…!” Smudge growled, cutting off the expletive, and Benji leaped to his feet. “This was all your idea!” he said, pointing at Pauline.

  “Your acting career was going nowhere, Benji! You concocted this whole scheme to get my father’s money!” Pauline accused him right back.

  “Acting in Vegas? You want to be an actor; you go to LA or NY. Vegas is when you’re washed up,” Kerry whispered to Bradford as they watched the plot thicke
n.

  “I am not taking the blame for this, Pauline!” He faced Melody and told his side of the story. Alvin motioned to Bradford. Bradford nodded, understanding, he summoned security who called the police.

  “Pauline did feel bad, she was overlooked, but she still gets her allowance, so I didn’t care if she was the boss or not. I have no real motive to hurt Abraham. I know what it’s like to starve. I’m an actor! I just helped her because she promised to help me get back to LA and get my career back on track!”

  Hotel security ran into the room. Alvin motioned them over. “Detain these two until the police arrive.” He showed them his sheriff’s badge.

  “Thanks, Sheriff. They’ll be here any minute. Let’s go, you two. You can sort out your lover’s quarrel in ‘the pen.’ It’s a lovely little intimate space,” one security guard said as they hauled away both.

  Melody scooped up Smudge and snuggled her close, rubbing her face against her soft fur.

  “Well done, Smudge. Well done.” Smudge snuggled right back then gave Melody a big kiss on her cheek.

  “I have to give it to you small-town hicks, I underestimated your investigative abilities,” Winston said, somewhat sheepishly.

  “We accept your apology. Don’t we, Smudge?” Smudge yipped in agreement. “But, we still have one more mystery to solve.”

  “Where’s Abraham?” Alvin asked.

  Chapter One Hundred Eighty-Six

  “We’re locking down the hotel and casino now,” the Chief of LVPD said to Sheriff Hennessey and the hotel manager. They were standing outside Abraham’s room as one group of officers searched the room while another group secured the hallway. “The LVPD appreciates your assistance with this matter, Sheriff Hennessey. It looks like the three of you make a fine trio.” The chief inclined his head toward Melody and Smudge, including them in his recognition.

  “I hope we find Mr. Thayer quickly,” the hotel manager said. “We’re losing a fortune for every minute of business interruption.”