Running late, I thundered down the stairs to Tail Waggin’ with Sheba so close on my heels she almost knocked me down. The mastiff darted to the front window and stared out.
“That’s rude.” I glared and booted up my computer.
Sheba glanced over her shoulder at me, then back out the window. When I didn’t respond, she turned and stared.
“Give me five minutes, then I’ll take you out.”
Her big dark eyes stayed glued on me.
“Fine.” I’d already taken her out to do her business not an hour ago. But, it looked as if emails and reservations would have to wait. I grabbed her leash, clipped it to her collar, and unlocked the door.
An unearthly howl raised the hair on the back of my neck, and I stumbled back. Once I’d gained control of my senses, I noticed a beagle was tied to the light pole. I glanced around for its owner. Not seeing anyone, and since none of the shops in the strip mall were open, I approached the dog and knelt down. “Did someone dump you off, sweetie? You poor thing.” A piece of paper stuck out from under its collar.
I pulled it free and read, “Barney is a thief. Six months old. Good luck.” I scrunched up my mouth. “What in the world could a dog possibly steal that would warrant this type of behavior from its owner?”
Barney leaped up and licked my face.
“What’s that, Trinity?” Shar, my friend and the shop’s dog groomer, arrived for work.
“A beagle.” I climbed to my feet. “Someone dumped him off. Called him a thief.” I waved the paper in front of her.
“That breed just digs and howls.”
“He’s cute.” I untied him from the post.
“Yeah? Well, so are Honey and Prince, and your parents are still working with a trainer to teach them to behave.” She held the door open for me and the dogs to enter. “You need to buy a farm the way you take in animals.”
“I’m a pet store. I’ll find him a new home.” I put the beagle in the dog pen and tossed in a chew toy.
Sheba planted herself next to the pen and rested her head on her paws. Her brow furrowed, no doubt resigned to yet another animal stealing my attention away from her. Not a chance. Nothing could take the place of my big fur baby.
Barney opened and closed his mouth repeatedly causing the toy I’d given him to squeak without ceasing. “I should have given him something quieter.”
“I could hear the noise outside,” Heather said, setting her purse behind the counter. “He’s cute.”
“What’s making all that racket?” Brad entered, coffees in hand, a tradition he carried on after someone murdered his father. “Oh. A beagle. I’ve always wanted one.”
“You can have him.” A pounding started in my temples. “Someone left him outside with a note that said he’s a thief. Brad, meet six-month-old Barney.”
He set the coffees on the counter, gave me a quick kiss, then picked up the puppy. “Hello. Want to me my fur friend?”
“Definitely need a farm,” Shar said. “Between the two of you, you own three cats and two dogs.”
Brad laughed. “Maybe I’ll buy a hobby farm. How would I look in overalls?”
“Sexy.” I chuckled, picturing the image of my wealthy businessman in dirt-covered overalls and tall rubber boots.
“If you get a chance today, call that gal who trained Sheba. I have a feeling my little buddy can use her.” Brad set Barney back in the pen.
“I sure will.” I agreed. The beagle puppy could definitely use some training, at least for the howling if nothing else. “Want to take the dogs to the lake this evening?”
“Sounds like a date.” He came and gave me another kiss, then headed across the parking lot to his office in the theater.
“Why doesn’t he have a normal office in a building complex somewhere?” Shar asked.
“He likes the theater.” I shrugged. “Says he doesn’t need to pay for another office when that one works fine.”
After confirming reservations for boarding, I headed to the pens in back to feed and water the animals staying with us. When it was outside play time, I let Barney run with the boarded animals, and cleaned the cages. It would make sense to hire another worker to do this part of the job, but I liked being surrounded by cats and dogs more than I enjoyed people. Also, Heather managed the customers better than I did.
Barney barked and bit at the water spraying from the house while Sheba watched. When the puppy jumped her, she held him to the ground with a massive paw.
“Be nice, girl. He’s just a baby. Remember, you were a handful not too long ago.” I turned off the water and put everyone back where they belonged. Sheba still got into trouble on occasion.
Brad returned a little after five and purchased everything he’d need for Barney before we headed to the lake. The beagle barked out the window at every car we passed. “He definitely needs training. Hush, boy.”
The dog kept barking, bringing back my headache. “Why do people leave me with troublesome pets?”
“Lucky, I guess.” Brad pulled into an empty parking spot. “Let’s tire him out.”
A few other people strolled the path around the lake. A few picnicked next to the water despite the autumn chill. A couple of men sat in folding chairs. The sun sprinkled the water with diamonds and kissed the top of the trees with gold. The lake had to be one of my favorite places ever, despite Sheba having dug up a dead body a few months ago.
Leashes in one hand, and the other hand entwined in Brad’s, I strolled with my knight down the path. “How was work?” I asked.
“Good. I’m going to have to head to New York in a few days to look over some property, but I won’t be gone but a day or two.”
“Good. I like it when you’re here.” Funny that I’d once thought him guilty of killing his father. Brad didn’t have a bad bone in his body. Instead, he’d updated and renovated the strip mall in order to increase business for all his tenants rather than raise our rents as he’d first intended. He’d then built the theater to make up for the income he lost by not raising rents. A decision he says he’s never regretted.
“Was the pet shop busy?”
“Not very. We’re out of kittens and puppies to sell. Have a few boarders and our daily daycare animals. I ordered some supplies. It was nice to have a slow day.” Without having been involved in a mystery lately, no one came in just to ask questions.
Barney strained against his leash, making himself gag. I shook my head. We should have brought a choke collar.
Brad pulled the leash in so the dog would have to walk closer to his side. “Were you able to schedule a training session?”
“Yes. Next Tuesday at ten.”
“Good.” Brad stopped and put a hand on the puppy’s head. “Settle down, buddy. You’re only hurting yourself.”
Barney licked his hand, then promptly glanced toward a squirrel. He barked, shrugged out of his collar, and took off after the fluffy red tail.
“Barney!” Brad released my hand and gave chase.
My well-behaved girl and I followed at a slower pace. “Hopefully, Barney’s training will be as effective as yours was.” How would the dog behave in Brad’s penthouse? I had a feeling the puppy would be staying with me at Tail Waggin’ every day.
Continuing along the path that circled the lake, I grinned every time Barney’s bark or Brad’s yell reached me. Yep, it hadn’t been too long ago that Sheba acted just as rowdy. “Brad’s neighbors won’t be happy with his new dog.”
Sheba glanced up at me, wagging her tail, as if expressing her agreement. Her ears rose as she returned her attention to the path in front of us.
All barking ceased. I increased my pace fearing something was wrong. Seconds later, Brad called my name, and I changed from a fast walk to a sprint. Thankfully, having joined the gym primarily as a way to keep an eye on suspects, I was now in better shape than a year ago. I reached Brad before I panted like a fat man running after a hot dog. “What is it?” I kept a firm grip on Sheba’s leash.
“I can’t find him. Barney stopped barking. That’s suspicious, right?” Worry creased Brad’s face.
“Could be.” Or something far more serious. “Have you tried calling him?”
“Of course. Multiple times.”
I released Sheba. “Find that rowdy pup, girl.”
Nose to the ground, she took off. Brad and I followed at a run.
An excited bark alerted me to the fact we closed in on our prey. I stopped and studied the area around us. Not a lot of trees, but plenty of people lounged or strolled by the lake. Barney had to be with one of them.
A man’s shout rang out above the other voices. I whirled to see Barney, ears flapping, racing toward us. A burly man gave chase.
Barney dropped a watch at Brad’s feet.
“Is that a Rolex?” I asked. “A real one?”
“Yep.” Brad turned it over in his hands. “There’s an inscription. To the only man I’ll ever love. Margie.”
“Do you think it belongs to him?” I motioned to the man quickly approaching.
“We’re about to find out.” Brad kept a pleasant expression on his face.
“That your dog?” The red-faced man stopped in front of us. Anger flashed in his eyes.
“Yes, sir.” Brad’s smile didn’t waver.
“He’s a menace. Got into our picnic supper and stole my watch.” He held out his hand.
“I’m very sorry about that. I just got him today, and he hasn’t been trained.”
“Ought to take him to the pound. If you can’t control your dog, you shouldn’t have one.”
Sheba, hackles raised, stepped between me and that man. Trusting my dog’s instincts, I figured something wasn’t quite right about the guy. “There’s an inscription on that watch. What does it say?”
“Mind your own business, nosy woman.” His eyes narrowed and he wiggled his fingers for the watch.
Brad placed the watch in his palm.
“I know who you are. You’re the pet store owner. The one who sticks her nose where it doesn’t belong. Be careful, or you’ll stick it somewhere and won’t get it back.” The stranger turned and marched away.
“That sounded a lot like a threat to me.” I glanced at Brad.
“I agree. Makes you wonder whether someone is missing an expensive watch. And not the man I just handed it to.”
- Publisher : Winged Publications
- Publication date : May 13, 2021
- Language : English
- Print length : 235 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1952661838
- ISBN-13 : 978-1952661839