Downton Tabby Read online

  “She’s tied up right now talking to a customer who wants to adopt.”

  “That’s great.” Before heading back to look at the pups, I went through to the front desk to let Chelley know I was there. Big-boned, boisterous, and all heart, Chelley was a favorite with the other volunteers and with customers. Her bottle-blond hair pulled back in a ponytail, she was also attired in jeans and a PUPS T-shirt. She generally kept the administrative side of things running, but like Don, she also pitched in wherever she was needed. A man stood at the desk with her.

  “Hey, Chelley, I hear we have some new residents.”

  “Hi, Caro.” She looked up with a broad smile. “I’ll be there in just a few minutes. This gentleman is looking to adopt a dog.”

  The customer looked familiar. I tried to place him. Where did I know him from? Then it came to me: he was the man who’d had car trouble the other day and had used the phone at the office.

  “Hi, there.” I laid my hand on his arm. “Did you get your car trouble taken care of?”

  He jumped and shook my hand off.

  “Oh, I’m sorry.” I hadn’t meant to startle him. “You probably don’t remember me.”

  He continued to stare at me. Apparently I wasn’t too memorable. Or maybe the pulled-back hair didn’t help.

  “I’m Caro, the pet therapist,” I reminded him. “You used the phone at our office a couple of days ago.”

  “Oh, right, right,” he stuttered. “You work here, too?”

  “I volunteer at least once a week. Our shelter, like many others, is underfunded and understaffed, so we rely on volunteers to fill the gap.”

  “Thank you for your time,” he said to Chelley. “I appreciate it.”

  “Did you find a dog you’re interested in?” I asked.

  “Mr. Kemper is interested in a basset hound,” she explained. “And currently we don’t have any bassets in our ready-to-adopt group.”

  “Ah.” Sometimes, but not always, people came in with a particular breed in mind.

  “You might think about the black Lab if you have the space,” Chelley encouraged. “Even though Pharaoh is a little bigger dog, Labs are very social like basset hounds. And he’s a sweetheart.”

  “Thank you, ma’am.” He glanced toward the cages. “I’ll think about it. I really like the basset hound.”

  Once the man was gone, Chelley showed me the puppies. After they were cleared by Dr. Daniel, spayed and neutered, and given a clean bill of health, they would be available for adoption. Puppies are adopted much more quickly than adult dogs, so I didn’t imagine they’d be around long. After a few minutes for cuddles and snuggles, we rolled up our sleeves and began the task of cleaning out the cages. The big dogs had already been done so we concentrated on the smaller dogs, cats, and bunnies.

  “Did you know the guy who was here looking for a basset hound?” she asked.

  “He’d had car trouble near my office a few days ago and borrowed the phone to call his auto club, but I’d not met him before that.”

  “I didn’t want to push, but I never understand it when people get hung up on a certain breed. The Lab would be a great dog for him.”

  “Pharaoh is a great dog and will make someone a wonderful companion.” I glanced over at Chelley. “Maybe he’s just not the right match for—” I paused. “I’m sorry what was the man’s name?”

  “Wayne,” she answered. “Wayne Kemper. He has his own hedge-trimming and tree service, ‘The Cutting Hedge.’”

  We snickered at the name. The man sure hadn’t seemed like he had much of a sense of humor, but the business name was clever. Maybe he just took a while to warm up to people.

  “Do we have a basset hound?” I thought I’d seen one come in.

  We do our cat enclosure cleaning leaving the cats in place, and so it didn’t take us long to finish that area. We moved on to the visiting rooms.

  “Yes, but we’re still holding him in hopes his owner will come for him.” Chelley wiped down the walls making short work of the first room. “He was hungry and tired when City Animal Control found him but didn’t look like he’d been out in the elements very long. We’ve posted information both online and in local stores because the dog looked well cared for. But so far no owners have shown up.”

  “That’s too bad. No microchip?” I followed behind her, finishing the walls with a clean rinse.

  “Unfortunately, no, he didn’t have a chip.”

  The biggest problem we had with lost pets was tracing their owners. Sadly, only about fifteen to twenty percent are reunited with their families. But thankfully more and more pets now are microchipped. This is where a little device is inserted just under their skin. The chips are very small, but each has a unique number that can be read by a scanner and matched with owner information. Our veterinarian makes sure each animal we adopt out has the identifying chip, and we make sure the new pet parents are registered.

  Once Chelley and I were done with the visiting rooms, I went to say good-bye to Don Furry. He was exercising a couple of the bigger dogs in the large workout room we’d set up, throwing tennis balls for them to chase down.

  “I’ll stop by in the next couple of days and take Pharaoh to the dog park for a run if you like. Chelley doesn’t think he’s getting enough fresh air and exercise.”

  “That would be a great idea. I try to get them out when I can, but this week we’re short-handed so I’d sure appreciate the help.” He took the ball Pharaoh had brought back to him and threw it again. The happy Lab chased after it racing the length of the canine corral.

  “No problem. I’ll see you later then.” I waved good-bye and went to pick up my things. I planned to stop back by my house to change out of my cage-cleaning clothes.

  As I walked to my car, I checked my phone and happily noted I had a voice mail from my friend Diana. Hopefully we could set a lunch date.

  After I saw the story about Jake’s murder on the news, I’d called and left her a message that I was okay, but I was looking forward to chatting with her in person. Diana always helped put things in perspective for me. I had no idea how old Diana was, not that it mattered, but she’d been the perky star of many romantic comedies a few decades ago. Though retired from the silver screen, she hadn’t lost her classic beauty or her feisty personality. We’d met as volunteers at the ARL, worked on a couple of rescue fundraisers together, and, united by our love of fashion and pets, had become fast friends.

  I listened to her voice mail message. She asked me to call her back, but she also mentioned she’d sprained her ankle. I dialed her number before getting in my car.

  “My word, Diana, what did you do?” I settled into the car seat but left the door open.

  “It’s nothing serious, just a nuisance.” I noted she hadn’t really answered my question about how she’d injured herself. “I wondered, if it wouldn’t be too much trouble, if you could help me out with a couple of things?”

  “I’d love to. What can I do?” Without a doubt Diana was doing more than she was supposed to be. Like the dog park, the shelter was on Laguna Canyon Road, and I watched cars buzz by on the busy roadway as I listened. There’d been no sign of being followed today, and I was, in this case, pleased to be wrong.

  “I had a special necklace made at Baubles, that new shop downtown, and they’ve called to say it’s ready.” I was sure a special order for Diana was a really extraordinary creation. “I wouldn’t rush to pick it up, but they’re going to be closed for a few days, so if I don’t get it today, it will be a while.”

  “Super. I haven’t been in there yet.” I swung my legs in and shut the car door. “It’ll give me a chance to look around.” And seeing Diana would allow me an opportunity to get her take on all that had transpired the last couple of days.

  “Oh, thank you.” I could hear barking in the background which was the usual ambient noise at Diana’s. “And”—she hesitated—“I hate to ask for another favor, but Bella’s got her hands full with me and the crew.”

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bsp; “Ask away.” It had to be driving her crazy to not be able to operate at her usual jack-rabbit pace.

  “I have some boxes of supplies that need to be dropped off at the shelter.”

  “No problem, sugar,” I assured her. I didn’t tell her I was at the shelter already or she’d fuss about a second trip. “I am happy to do it.”

  “Thanks so much, Caro.” There was a sharp bark, and she shushed Mr. Wiggles, her puggle, who I pictured sitting on her lap. “And if you can come by around noon, you must plan to stay for lunch.”

  “You’ve got it. But only if you promise not go to any trouble.” It took very little to twist my arm about lunch, but I thought the whole purpose of my running the errands was so that she could be resting her ankle. “In fact, why don’t I bring lunch?”

  “No, I’ve already got it covered,” she insisted. I could picture her wide smile. “See you soon.”

  Starting my car, I felt myself relax as I turned onto the roadway and drove back toward town. It wouldn’t take me but a few minutes to stop by home, grab a quick shower, and change clothes before picking up Diana’s necklace. I looked forward to visiting the new shop, and even more I loved the idea of lunch and a chat.

  A dose of Diana Knight was just what I needed.

  Chapter Eight

  BAUBLES, THE SHOP where I was to pick up Diana’s necklace, was just off of Pacific Coast Highway, PCH to the locals, and nestled between a row of art galleries. What a great location for both local customers and tourists, and the cases and shelves of the new shop were packed with one-of-a-kind pieces.

  As I waited for Neeley, the designer and proprietor, to locate Diana’s special order, I walked around the shop. The walls were painted a soothing taupe, and the windows were unadorned to let in plenty of daylight. The jewelry and other trinkets were all made with natural stones and gems. I was drawn to an ocean-themed display in the back and went for a closer look.

  I’d knelt down to look at a shell-shaped paperweight made from some sort of white stone when the bell on the door dinged, signaling a new customer. Heidi Sussman walked in with another girl I didn’t recognize. I could see them clearly from my place on the floor, but they didn’t notice me.

  “I’ll be right with you,” Neeley called out from the back.

  The two girls continued their conversation. They were dressed in yoga pants and crop tops. Heidi in her signature pink and the other girl in vivid purple.

  “Morgan, look at this.” Heidi stretched out a strong tanned arm and held up a sparkly strand of pink stones. Pink topaz or tourmaline would be my guess. It was too clear for quartz.

  “Oh, that’s so you.” The other girl giggled.

  “It is, isn’t it.” Heidi draped it against her chest.

  They moved on to another case with rings, bracelets, and hair accessories. “So what do the police think happened with Jake?” the girl Heidi had called Morgan asked in a low voice.

  “They aren’t telling me.” Heidi flipped a blond lock over her shoulder and reached for a mirror that sat on the counter top. She slipped off a hair clip she wore and tried on a sparkling headband encrusted with stones.

  “Do you think it had anything to do with the argument they got into at Mozambique last Friday?”

  “Who knows?” Heidi didn’t sound all that interested.

  “What do you think Jake was going to tell everyone about Cash?” The other girl picked up a shiny bracelet and slid it onto her wrist.

  “I dunno. Something about his past maybe.” Heidi put the headband back on the counter and reached for a trio of stack rings.

  “Must have been something big. I’ve never seen Cash lose it like that. He’s always so calm. So stiff-upper-lip British.”

  “I guess.” Heidi didn’t sound too concerned about the disagreement, but I still couldn’t believe she hadn’t mentioned the fight before.

  Had I been had? On the phone, Cash had sounded like maybe he was in trouble, but how well did I know him? Was it possible he was really the killer? Had he killed Jake to keep him from revealing a secret? Just because he was a great cat dad didn’t mean the guy didn’t have other problems.

  The two girls had moved to the other side of the store.

  I stood just as Neeley came from the back with a box.

  “Here we go, Caro.” She slid the box on the counter. “Did Diana tell you what she ordered?”

  “No,” I answered. “I know she was really excited about it.”

  “The piece is an exquisite pearl, citrine, green amethyst, and white topaz necklace. I had so much fun making it.”

  I could see out of the corner of my eye, Heidi and her friend had spotted me.

  “Hello, Caro,” she said quietly. She looked uncomfortable, and I guessed she might be wondering just how much I’d heard.

  “Would you like to take a look?” I motioned Heidi and her friend over.

  “Sure,” the friend answered.

  The two leaned in beside me as Neeley lifted the necklace from where it nested in the velvet box.

  “Wow, Caro. Is it for you?” Heidi asked.

  “No, I’m picking it up for a friend,” I answered.

  “It’s so beautiful.” Morgan reached out and touched the stones which were attached to the delicate chain in a waterfall fashion. The stones made a tinkling sound as she ran her finger along them.

  It was a stunning piece of jewelry and uniquely perfect for Diana Knight.

  Neeley gently wrapped the necklace, placed it back in the box, and handed it to me. “Diana has already settled up with me and so you’re good to go. Tell her I hope she enjoys it.”

  She turned to the two girls. “Can I help you ladies with anything?”

  “We were just killing time before our hot yoga class starts,” Morgan admitted.

  “You have some really pretty things,” Heidi added.

  “I’m sure Diana will be pleased with her necklace.” I smiled at Neeley. “And I’ll be back to look at some of the rest of your collections.”

  The two exited the store with me. As we stepped out into the sunshine, we all three reached for our sunglasses.

  “Heidi.” I stopped her with a hand on her arm. “What’s this about an argument Jake and Cash had?”

  “It was no big deal.” She shrugged my hand loose. “Don’t make it into one.” She walked away.

  Heidi and Morgan hopped in Heidi’s Escalade which was parked at the curb and took off. I watched them pull away, bothered by how dismissive Heidi had been of the disagreement. Was she protecting Cash? What was the secret? And most importantly, had he been angry enough to strangle his friend and partner?

  Maybe she was right and it wasn’t a big deal. Friends disagree. But one friend was dead, and the other was missing. And the missing one was someone she supposedly cared for. Wouldn’t you think she’d be sharing everything, big deal or not, with the police?

  I had started walking in the other direction up the street to where my car was parked when Neeley came rushing out of her shop.

  “Oh no.” She stopped. “Caro, do you know those girls?”

  “I know one of them.”

  “They left this on the counter.” She held up a sparkly hair clip.

  It was Heidi’s. The one she’d taken off to try the headband on. She must have forgotten to pick it up and put it back on.

  “Oh, that’s Heidi’s. I’ll return it to her, if you like.”

  “Would you?” Neeley handed the hair clip to me. “I’d really appreciate it if you could. I’m off to a jewelry show and am closing the shop for a couple of days.”

  “No problem.” It would give me another chance to talk to Heidi and to see if I could find out more information about this argument between Jake and Cash. And maybe I could find out what she knew about Jake’s fight with the next-door neighbor that Callum MacAvoy had mentioned.

  DIANA KNIGHT lived in Ruby Point, an exclusive gated community just off of PCH. Top-notch security, gorgeous homes, and to-die-for views.
/>   The guard checked me through, and I followed the winding street to Diana’s. Pulling my sporty silver car into the flower-lined driveway, I glanced up at the house. It was one of the larger ones on the street and, though not that old, had an old world feel. The front was lush with flower beds filled with elegant roses and feathery lavender. As I got out, I stretched and inhaled the fragrant combination.

  Bella, her housekeeper and companion, answered the door surrounded by a few of the members of what I fondly refer to as Diana’s zoo.

  “Please, come in.” The dark-haired Bella’s lilting voice was a bit breathless, and she angled her small body to block the doorway, making sure no one escaped. “She is so looking forward to your visit.”

  Diana had a blended family of rescues: a gorgeous Maine Coon cat, Gypsy; Mr. Wiggles, her lop-eared puggle; Barbary, her grumpy one-eyed basset hound; and Abe, her goat. At one point, there’d also been a rooster, Walter. From time to time there were also foster animals, the difficult-to-adopt ones, who stayed with Diana until forever homes could be found. Sometimes the lucky fosters became permanent members of the household.

  I slipped through the door quickly. “How is she doing?”

  “Bien, good, but she is bored. And impossible to keep down.” Bella lifted her hands in a gesture of helplessness. “Thank you for coming.”

  Diana was in her sunny-yellow kitchen which was state of the art. She’d laid out a sumptuous lunch and was in the process of carrying the food out to the terrace. Her foot was wrapped, and she limped a little, but it didn’t seem to be slowing her down much.

  “Caro, lovely as always.” Diana put down the platter to hug me. Then she kissed my cheek and looked me over head to toe. “Stella McCartney always looks good on you.”

  She’d nailed it as usual. I’d worn a sleeveless silk paisley crepe-de-chine dress with a racer back. I loved the comfort and the classic lines as well as the softness of the crepe. The dark-blue and deep-burgundy contrasting colors gave it a casual feel.

  “You’re the one who’s good.” I swear the woman could pick out most any designer at sixty paces. I had the ones I liked (and some that left me cold), but this lady was a clothes horse of the first order.