Abbey Sparkle - Get Fluffy

detectiveAbbeyFluffy

"A mystery worth barking about." – Linda O JohnstonTexas beauty queen, Melinda (Mel) Langston, owns Laguna Beach's Bow Wow Boutique. Mona Michaels, Mel's most despised client, owns a star dog, Fluffy, who's worth millions. When Mona is found whacked in the head with Fluffy's Daytime Emmy, everyone wants Fluffy, but someone won't stop at murder to get the pooch.. Blackmail. Mel tackles the case like a dog with a bone. But can she dig up the truth before the killer buries her?stumbled through the doorway into a mini-palace fit for a movie star. Fluffy's palace. A white sheepskin rug in front of her personal fireplace, a king-sized sleigh bed and a dressing screen (why a dog needed a dressing screen was beyond me). Fresh, filtered water dripped into her Wedgewood doggie bowl.room looked like it had been ransacked.was sprawled on the floor as if posing for a men's magazine. It was almost picture-perfect, except for the blood matting her five-hundred-dollar haircut and the gold statue stuck in her head.hesitantly moved closer. Fluffy nuzzled Mona's cheek. When she didn't move, Fluffy pawed her shoulder, still whining.

"I don't think she's getting up, girl," I said softly.was deader than a stuffed Poodle.AbbeyFluffysecond book in the Pampered Pets Mystery series, 2012book is dedicated to Team Sparkle Abbey. An amazing group of friends and family, who enthusiastically attend book signings, handout bookmarks, master our website and ask perfect strangers what they’re reading. Thank-you will never be enough.Oneam nothing like my cousin, Caro, the “pet shrink.”’s a redhead, I’m a brunette. She’s kept her Texas twang, I busted my butt to lose mine. (Except when I’m honked off, then my southern drawl can strike like a Gulf coast hurricane.) She’s calm and direct. I’m equally direct. As for calm, I have to admit, sometimes my emotions tend to overrule my better judgment.who would have thought I’d end up in the middle of a Laguna Beach murder investigation, just like Caro?my very first breath, Mama had groomed me to be Miss America, just like her and her sister, Katherine. Or a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader, which in Texas was the more prestigious of the two. By my twenty-first birthday, I’d gathered ten first-place pageant crowns like Fourth of July parade candy. That’s when my beauty queen career had been dethroned in public scandal.believed she “encouraged” a male judge to cast his vote for me. As for what I thought, well, no daughter wants to believe her mama is a hustler. To this day, Mama still won’t talk about The Incident above a whisper.the battle for the top crown over, I’d traded in my tiaras, sashes and hair spray for Swarovski crystal collars, cashmere dog sweaters and botanical flea dip. I left Texas and moved to Laguna Beach, California, a community known for its art, wealth and love of dogs. I opened Bow Wow Boutique and catered to the canine who had everything.loved Laguna. Loved running my own business. I even loved the quirky folks whose lives revolved around their pooches. But sometimes I longed for Texas-wide open spaces, cowboy boots and big-big hair. Who wouldn’t?was mid-October. The tourists had packed up and headed home. The locals ventured out of their gated communities to enjoy all the beachside town had to offer. Most importantly, there was available parking downtown. At least until next May.annual Fur Ball had finally arrived-a community event to raise money for the Laguna Beach Animal Rescue League. The balmy weather was perfect for an outdoor fundraiser.always at these shindigs, the humans coughed up large chunks of dough for a worthy cause. Breezy air kisses and alcohol flowed freely, while we all pretended to be best friends. Trust me, we were one society catfight away from a hell of an entertaining evening.looked down at Missy, my English Bulldog, who waited patiently at my feet. Her crystal-studded tiara sat lopsided on the top of her head, and a small puddle of drool had collected between her paws.straightened her crown and whispered, “We’re up, girl. Let’s show them what we’ve got.”our heads held high, Missy and I strutted our stuff down the red carpet. The pup-a-razzi cameras flashed, and the crowd cheered. One reporter asked who’d made my strapless leather gown (Michael Kors) and another wanted to know how Missy had won her tiara (she’d placed first in Laguna Beach’s Ugliest Bulldog contest last year).we reached the end of the walkway, I leaned down to dab the drool from Missy’s chin. “You did great.” I kissed the top of her head. “Let’s go find our friends.”gave my hand a slobbery kiss, and then we made our way into the main event. Under an extravagant white tent and glittering lights, two hundred wealthy dog lovers and their four-legged friends paraded around in designer rags, both human and canine dripped with diamonds.quickly spotted Kimber Shores and her pug Noodles making their way in our direction. Kimber oozed understated glamour in her mauve jumpsuit. She’d definitely make Laguna’s Best-Dressed List.

“Mel, I’m so glad I found you,” she declared.we air kissed, the low-cut back of her outfit offered a glimpse of her many tattoos.

“Noodles looks amazing,” she continued in her melodious voice. “I’m so glad you talked me out of the velvet jacket.”and her pug had stopped by the shop earlier. Noodles had been in desperate need of a wardrobe update. I’d managed to wrangle him out of his Hugh Hefner smoking jacket and into a modest white tux and tails. Noodles sat in front of Missy, his marble eyes watching the slobber slide down the corners of her mouth.smiled affectionately. “He really isn’t a velvet kinda guy. I love the top hat. Nice choice.”of the corner of my eye I could see Grey Donovan, my fiancé of two years, heading in our direction. Kimber must have noticed, too; she immediately looked uncomfortable.the outside world, Grey’s and my relationship was seen as a tad unorthodox. We were the on-again, off-again type. Presently, we were “on.”

“Ah, I see you’re not alone. Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks.” She grabbed my hand and squeezed.

“You’re welcome. Stop by Bow Wow when you get a chance. I have the perfect sweater-vest for Noodles.”and her pug disappeared into the crowd just as Grey arrived.

“Caro and Diana organized a great event.” He handed me a glass of pinot noir. He looked amazing in his black tux. But then, he always looked good.sniffed his pant leg, double-checking he hadn’t stepped out on her. He bent down and gave her some love. She snorted happily, lapping up Grey’s affection. I knew exactly how she felt.took a sip of wine, appreciating the black-pepper finish. I snagged us each a tomato and goat cheese tart from a passing waiter (he was out of pigs-in-a-blanket, Missy’s favorite).

“I hate to break it to you, but it’s the Dallas upbringing. Every society girl knows how to throw a successful charity fundraiser by her eighteenth birthday.” I took a bite of the tart and sighed. Delicious. “But you’re right. It’s a fabulous evening.”, an undercover FBI agent, worked white-collar crime-mostly art theft. He could be gone for two days or two months without a whisper of his well-being. I never knew if he was sipping espresso in Paris or being held hostage in a deserted warehouse in East LA.decision to keep me completely in the dark of his activities-his way of protecting me-had finally pushed me to the breaking point. I’d realized if I had trouble dating Grey, our marriage could end up a disaster. So I’d called off the wedding (two months before the big day), causing a swirl of rumors and speculation.swear, I’d tried to return the six-carat sapphire engagement ring that had belonged to his great-grandmother, but Grey had refused to accept it. He believed we could work it out. I really wanted him to be right.

“To Caro and Diana. May the evening continue to be a howling success.” Grey lifted his glass, and I followed suit.mingled with the other guests and made our way to the table of auction items. I spotted my cousin next to the open bar, schmoozing with a celebrity dog trainer who currently judged a TV reality pet show. I didn’t have to hear her southern drawl to know she’d used it to her advantage.fooled a lot of people at first glance. She looked as soft as a hothouse wildflower, but inside she was all iron and grit.the moment, Caro and I weren’t exactly speaking. Since our childhood, Caro had always saved something or someone. A few years ago that had included her ex-husband who deserved to rot behind prison walls instead.this day, she continued to analyze how her marriage had fallen apart. I’d expressed my opinion (truth be told, it was unsolicited at the time, but that hadn’t stopped me), and Caro got her feelings hurt. We had words.know I’m the one who should apologize first but, knowing me, my smartass mouth would probably make matters worse. Sometimes I’m better with dogs than people., I’d broken my vow of silence. Caro’s best friend, Diana Knight, a former movie star and one of Laguna’s resident celebrities, had been arrested for murder. In my experience, who better to deliver bad news than family?for Diana, she was one of Caro’s success stories. Caro had helped clear Diana of a bogus murder wrap and in the process had almost gotten herself killed. Thankfully, the police-and her quick thinking-had saved her.slow smile tugged the corners of my mouth as I waited for my cousin to turn in my direction.runs deep in the Montgomery blood, our mothers’ side of the family tree. Over the years, Caro had managed to intermittently suppress her competitiveness. I, on the other hand, let mine run free. Electrified with the sudden possibility of getting the best of my cousin, I grabbed Grey’s arm. “Let’s go say hi to Caro.”

“No.” He didn’t even take his eye off the list of silent auction items.

“Come on. You just said she did a great job.”

“I’m not going to be a vehicle for you to flaunt that thing.” He flicked his auction list toward the gaudy, but sentimental, brooch pinned strategically to my gown.pin was a family heirloom, a twenty-two karat gold basket filled with fruit made of precious gems. Rubies, diamonds, emeralds and topaz. You’d never know by looking at the garish thing that it was insured for more money than all four years of my Stanford college tuition.adjusted the brooch. “It gives my little black dress something extra.”’s green eyes softened. His gaze traveled from the bottom of my floor length, strapless, leather gown and ended at the gaudy heirloom.felt the heat flood my checks and pretended his blatant appraisal didn’t make my knees weak.

“Little is one description. Leave your cousin alone,” he said on a sigh.Grey. He was my fiancé, but he was also Caro’s friend.

“Grandma Tillie left the pin to me. I only retrieved what was rightfully mine.” Grandma was very specific in her will. The brooch was to go to her “favorite granddaughter.” That was me. Then again, Caro was just as convinced it was her.

“You broke into Caro’s house and stole it,” he said.

“Only after she’d marched into Bow Wow Boutique, in the middle of the day, and stole it from my purse in front of God and my customers.”looked at me as if I’d lost my mind. “So that makes breaking into her private safe okay?”grimaced. There was a tingle of regret about my actions that day. It had taken a few tries to figure out the combination, but I had.hadn’t used an easy-to-hack combination. No. She’d used something much more personal that only I could truly understand the significance of.I thought about that, I felt like a traitor who deserved to be shot at twenty paces. So, I tried not to think about it.was sure I’d pay for my transgression at some point.

“Mel, do you want the brooch, or to make Carolina squirm?” Grey asked.

“Is there a right or wrong answer?”

“Yes.”took another sip of wine, letting the warmth from the alcohol seep through me. I know it’s selfish, but I wanted both. Hey, at least I’m honest.finally turned and caught my eye. I held back the urge to jump up and down. Instead, I lifted my wine glass in salute, making sure she could see I had on the brooch.hesitated for a second, aware we were gossip prey. Like the southern lady she was, she returned the salute with an amused smile. We both knew she was plotting revenge. Game on, cousin. I’d have to find a better hiding place than my cookie jar.shook his head in defeat and directed my attention to the banquet tables of donated items for the silent auction. There was one item that had me seriously contemplating going home for my credit card. An African safari. I sighed, knowing I was about to spend too much money, and I wasn’t even buzzed.

“You’re doing the right thing,” Grey said.

“I’ve always wanted to go on an African safari.”

“I was talking about Caro.”

“I do have some self-control.” I set my glass on the table and adjusted his bow tie. Not because it needed it. But because it was our first public appearance since the almost-wedding.

“I just wanted her to see I had it,” I explained.

“I don’t always understand you two. Or why your friends encourage your harebrained competition.”retrieved my glass with a shrug. “Because it’s harmless fun.”scribbled an obscene dollar amount alongside my bidding number on the safari listing, knowing I’d bumped the mayor out of the playing field.whistled softly. “Playing to win?”

“Why else would I play?”

“If I could have your attention,” Amelia Hudges, the ARL director, spoke into the microphone.turned expectantly in Amelia’s direction. I almost choked on my wine. Amelia looked like an over-the-top Bette Midler with her frizzed-out orange hair and heavily beaded gown. Good God. Had someone died and covered the mirrors in her house?

“We’ve made some quick calculations after a few passes around the room.” She paced the stage in excitement. “Due to your generosity, the silent auction has already grossed an estimated two hundred fifty thousand dollars.” Amelia’s high-pitched twitter competed with resounding applause and excited barking.

“Now it’s time to get serious.” She raised a freckled hand for silence. “We’re more than halfway to our goal of three hundred fifty thousand dollars. Listen to your heart, not your accountant. Open your wallets, and let’s start the live auction! Find your seats, everyone.”, Missy and I ping-ponged through the noisy crowd and were the last of our group to arrive. We were about to sit when Tova Randall, a highly successful lingerie model who had just moved to town, called out my name.at our table watched as Tova bounced closer. It wasn’t her perfect pale complexion or her luxurious auburn hair that drew our attention. It was her blush-pink, silk-taffeta gown hugging her famous curves. Those same curves had paid for her thirteen million dollar home in the hills, down the street from Grey’s place.

“Melinda Langston, you owe me fifteen hundred dollars,” she announced in a not-so-conversational tone.

“I beg your pardon?”was drunk. It was the only plausible explanation. I looked at our tablemates and shook my head apologetically.Tova, her Yorkiepoo loved me. And I loved Kiki in return. Her pink, mini-taffeta dress rustled as her tiny five-pound body wiggled in excitement. I reached down to pet the adorable dog. Kiki immediately rewarded me with enthusiastic kisses.sniffed Tova’s pocket puppy in the universal dog greeting. Unimpressed, Missy crawled under the table, looking for a spot to nap.gripped the diamond encrusted leash tighter, pulling Kiki closer to her. “You gave my baby fleas,” she huffed.bells. What was she talking about?Twoloud murmur rippled over our table. All eyes were on us, waiting for my reaction to Tova’s outrageous claim.set my half-empty glass of pinot noir next to my plate. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”lifted her chin higher. “Kiki and I got kicked out of Mommy and Doggie Yoga because she had fleas.”, how was that my fault? Besides, it wasn’t the end of the world. It happens to the best of dogs (although Missy’s never been afflicted with them). I’m sure even Rin Tin Tin had a case of fleas. Once.

“That must have been embarrassing for you,” I said to the crazy lady.sucked in her cheeks, producing a well-practiced pout. “She obviously got them from Bow Wow.”the? I leaned forward, invading her personal bubble. She stepped back and had the presence of mind to look worried. “I don’t think so. Have you considered she caught them from a dog at yoga?” I kept my tone sweet and non-confrontational.glance at Grey told me I wasn’t as successful as I’d thought.cleared his throat. “Ladies, can’t this wait?”picked up Kiki and pressed her wiggly body against her not-so-natural cleavage. “I was assured it didn’t happen there.”was assured it didn’t happen there, I mimicked silently. “Well, I just assured you it didn’t happen at Bow Wow.”now we had an audience. Not just our small table of people. Oh no, half the room leaned in our direction, waiting for me to knock Tova on her beautiful butt.walked a fine line. Fleas aren’t deadly, but no one would knowingly expose their pet or themselves. I clenched and unclenched my fists. What to do, what to do…

“Melinda, what’s going on?” Mona Michaels and her Afghan Hound, Fluffy, paraded to our table.. Trouble on six legs.ruled the rich and famous of Laguna Beach with the wave of her aristocratic hand and her elite American Express Black Card. She had her plastic surgeon on speed dial, injectable Botox in her purse and her private chef on a short leash.simple black Valentino gown was most likely the envy of every woman at the ball. She was what the gated community housewives dreamed of being when they grew up.for me, Mona and my mother were childhood friends. Mona thought that meant she could dictate, and I’d blindly follow. Not likely. I wasn’t a Mona fan.behind, Fluffy looked exactly like her human. A mistake I’d made more than once. Awkward., Fluffy seemed more haughty than normal. Her jeweled collar with a diamond-crusted, heart-shaped pendant sparkled like a mirror ball, and I’m guessing was equally as heavy. She looked like she couldn’t be bothered mingling with us average humans.bad Mona didn’t feel the same indifference. She narrowed her assessing blue eyes at me and waited for an explanation.she thought she’d get one was beyond me.

“Go back to your posse, Mona. Everything here’s just hunky-dory.”motioned to the crowd; her shocking white hair flowed softly around her razor-sharp cheekbones. “It is plain to everyone you do not have this situation under control, otherwise Amelia wouldn’t be cowering in the corner of the stage waiting for you to finish.”always, Mona’s condescending clipped voice raised my hackles.

“You may want to consider keeping your voice down,” Grey warned under his breath.late. All eyes had followed Mona. Once she’d insinuated herself into my business, I had my reputation to protect. I turned my attention back to Tova.

“You still haven’t explained why I owe you money?”

“Well, I had to get Kiki groomed,” Tova stammered. Mona’s presence loomed over us, and Tova was beginning to crack. Amateur. If she wanted to make it here, she’d have to develop a thicker skin.

“And?” I could feel the weight of the room shift towards us waiting to hear the answer. Who knew dogs could be so quiet?

“My lawyer says you have to reimburse me for it.”

“Oh, hell no.”rolled through the room like Main Beach waves crashing against the rocks.stood her ground. “She got them while on your property. You have to pay,” she insisted.hiked up my gown, which pooled around my three-inch heels. I wished I was wearing my motorcycle boots. “You’re the only one with fleas.” I took a breath and tried to control my rising voice and cover the Texas accent that was threatening to make an appearance. “If this was a Bow Wow issue, someone else would have said something.”

“They’re afraid of you,” Tova whined.

“You’re ridiculous,” Mona pronounced with the wave of her hand.

“You’re out of control,” I said at the same time.don’t know if Mona was talking to me or Tova. I was talking about both of them.shook her head. “You don’t know what kind of nightmare I’ve been through. Kiki’s wardrobe had to be dry-cleaned, my carpet steamed, her travel bag replaced, and she had to be groomed a second time after her botanical dip.”’d had enough. “I do not have fleas!” I turned to the room, hands on hips and asked, “Did I give any of you fleas?”was a lot of throat clearing and minimal eye contact. No one said a word. It would have been comical if I hadn’t been so honked off.narrowed my eyes on Tova. “Looks like it’s just you.”

“Enough.” Mona pointed at Tova. “Take your dog and sit.”

“This isn’t over.” Tova looked between Mona and me like a confused puppy; her shoulders sagged, and her bottom lip quivered slightly. “You’ll regret pushing me around.”

“Does this mean you and Kiki won’t be by tomorrow to pick up the barrettes you special-ordered?”

“Melinda,” Mona said, “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll sit and stop causing a scene.”

“Don’t. As much as you like to worm your way into my life, and everyone else’s for that matter, you’re not my mother.”turned toward me. A glint of fire danced in her eyes. A chill of warning rolled down my back.

“True,” she said. “Fluffy earned her crown. I didn’t need to act like a dog in heat for the judges to see her true talent.”was it. The woman insulted me and my Mama.emotion churned until it turned into a roar of fury. I yanked my wine glass from the table and tossed the deep ruby contents on Mona’s dress. Immediately, I knew I’d crossed the line. The fat was in the fire now.groaned in disappointment. Missy jumped out from under the table and barked, her crown rolling under my chair.else was deathly silent.stood frozen, her hands in the air.suddenly she hissed. “You fool.”tossed her pale tresses from her eyes and snarled.room erupted into chaos. People jumped up from their seats. They talked over each other, shocked, yet lapping up the juicy gossip of my behavior.dogs barked, Missy included. Canines turned on each other and their humans. Leashes wrapped around chairs, tables, and human legs, dragging everything behind them in their excitement.

“Don’t touch me,” Mona ordered to a handful of dimwits who thought they’d get into her good graces by mopping the wine from her dress.dropped to my knees to retrieve Missy’s crown.

“If you’d like to use the ladies room, I’d be happy to keep an eye on Fluffy,” Grey offered, his calm voice sounding out-of-place amidst the pandemonium.got to my feet, Missy’s leash in one hand her crown in the other.yanked the white cloth napkin Grey held out for her. She patted her dress as if taking a public wine bath was an everyday occurrence. “If you don’t leave now, I’ll call the police and have you arrested.” She quickly found her normal condescending voice.couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “Are you kidding me? You deserved it. Everyone knows it.” I gestured toward the group of gawkers.

“Melinda, you’ve done enough.” Grey’s tone was tense and didn’t hold room for disagreement.whipped around. “You’re taking her side?” I felt like I’d been stabbed in the heart.

“No, I’m trying to keep you from going to jail,” he muttered.snagged my gold clutch from the table and shoved Missy’s crown on my head. Tears burned my eyes. “I’m sorry I’ve embarrassed you.”meant it. I was sorry. Of course, that didn’t change the fact that I’d just acted like an idiot. My snap judgment was in full throttle. Once in gear, it was difficult to apply the brakes.grabbed my arm and stopped my dramatic exit. “This isn’t about me.” He jerked his head toward the back of the room.looked like I’d just kicked her dog, Dogbert. Her face had turned the same color as the vintage red satin gown she wore. Her tightened lips formed a straight line and her snappy green eyes had narrowed into angry slits. Sam Gallanos, her date, stood silently at her side, his dark eyes studying me.’d forgotten all about Caro. I’d blindly embraced my anger and had completely lost sight of the fundraising goal for the Fur Ball.self-reproach latched onto my heart and squeezed. I wish I could say it was an unfamiliar feeling. But I couldn’t.guided Missy through the mayhem with only one purpose in mind-to confront the only thing standing between me and a hasty exit so I could berate my lack of judgment in private.

“I didn’t plan on making a scene,” I said to my cousin. It was as close to an apology as I could manage at the moment.eyed the crown. Then the brooch.else would have looked away and ignored me, casting me to social purgatory. Instead, her eyes locked onto mine, and she said, “You never do, sugar.”couldn’t argue. I’d left her one hell of a mess to clean up.

“You’ll need to call Nigel,” Caro’s soft southern accent hung on the family lawyer’s name.covered the brooch protectively with my hand.

“Are you fixin’ to sue me, cousin?” I asked, unable to keep the Texas out of my voice.shook her head and looked at me like I’d hopped on the crazy train, which apparently I had.

“Geeze Louise, Mel. You just humiliated Mona in public. You know she won’t let you get away with it.”Threemy outrageous behavior last night (yes, I admit I behaved badly), my shop was the place to be seen. It was crazy., the lead you sold me clashes with Chopper’s new outfit. I must have a new one. Melinda, why didn’t you tell me gold leather carriers are all the rage? Melinda, do you have more diamond-crusted collars? Can I special-order a pink mink snuggie?on it went. My clients were addicted to their dogs (and gossip). It was obvious their lives revolved around their pooches and their accessories. I loved the business, but it was exhausting.someone with significant height on the society ladder showed an interest in an accessory, I suddenly couldn’t keep it in stock. Everyone wanted what someone else had. The Oprah effect for pampered pet bling.

“Melinda, do you have the Prada collar in cantaloupe? Orange makes Diesel sad,” a newer customer asked.glanced at Diesel, a deaf Dalmatian. He looked outlandish in his Swarovski crystal sport coat and star-shaped sunglasses. He sparkled, shimmered and reflected with every shake. Trust me, the orange leather studded collar was the least of his worries. Diesel and his human needed some beauty queen intervention.

“Sorry, no cantaloupe. Try this.” I grabbed a flat-gold leather Prada collar instead. “Gold makes everyone happy.”

“Perfect.” She clapped her hands in delight, then deftly fastened the collar around Diesel’s skinny neck. “I’ll take two.”smiled at her enthusiasm. “Great.”door opened, and Mona Michaels strolled inside. Dark sunglasses, cream Chanel pantsuit, and a cloud of expensive perfume. No Fluffy.the chaos of the day, I’d forgotten all about Mona and the inevitable wrath I’d experience. Caro had hit it on the nose; Mona would extract revenge.Edwards, Mona’s best friend and business partner, followed behind, carrying a sample case. The two were thick as fleas on a coonhound and just as irritating.designed dog wear, but didn’t own a dog because they were messy. (That didn’t make sense to me, either.) Mona was the money behind Tricia’s label. The two had been badgering me for months to carry Tricia’s couture dog dresses. I’d finally agreed to meet with them next week to look at the inventory. I wasn’t holding out much hope.

“Melinda, I have a new selection of samples for you.” Tricia’s frosty voice cut through the fevered shopping chatter.

“Bring them to the meeting next week,” I said without giving either of them my full attention.gently wrapped Diesel’s second collar and rang up the sale. I slipped a couple of dog treats in the bag before handing it over. “I hope Diesel enjoys his new bling.”owner smiled broadly. “We will. Thanks. You’re still coming to Diesel’s Bark-mitzvah, right?”

“Absolutely. I wouldn’t miss it,” I promised.

“I’ll see you then.” Her smile faltered slightly as she brushed past Tricia and Mona.

“Mona’s unexpectedly free today,” Tricia pressed, setting her case on the counter. “You’re going to love them.” Her pushy excitement rang hollow in my ears.

“I’m swamped. Next week.”grabbed a box from behind the counter and headed for the front display case. I pulled out a handful of pink Juicy Couture collars with rhinestone charms from the packing material and restocked the shelves, keeping my back to the self-appointed mayors of Laguna Beach.

“Melinda, what are you wearing?” Mona’s haughty voice hung in the air like a guilty verdict thrust on an innocent man.took inventory of my typical work outfit. Black leather vest over my “Paws off!” t-shirt, motorcycle boots and, my most recent splurge, a pair of True Religion jeans. Even my hair was pulled back into a long sleek ponytail and out of my face.

“You have something against Yorkies?” I asked as I turned around.

“You’ve embroidered them on your…” Mona waved her sunglasses at my butt.

“You’d have preferred them somewhere else?”

“It’s silly,” she said.

“Not everyone’s bound by what others deem inappropriate.” Darby Beckett, my best friend for the last two years, closed in ranks behind me.last night’s crowd, Darby represented the small faction of Laguna residents who don’t have piles of money. Originally from Nebraska, she didn’t always relate to the west coast shenanigans.owned Paw Prints, the pet photography shop next door. She’d had a last minute cancellation, and she’d graciously offered to pop over and help me with the mad crush of customers. God love her. Darby had the same Mona-chip on her shoulder as I did. Maybe even bigger.looked right past Darby. “Melinda, your mother would be appalled to see you dressed in secondhand throwaways.”sighed. Mona had me on that one. Mama would be aghast at my typical attire. “Where’s Fluffy?” I asked.

“Cliff has her,” Tricia said.Michaels was Mona’s fourth ex-husband. They shared custody of Fluffy.wasn’t your average Afghan. She was a dog actor. In the past few years, she’d won two Daytime Emmys for a guest role on a soap opera. She’d played a Lassie type, saving the resident drama queen from drowning. Maybe the soap would still be on the air today if they’d have killed her off. The drama queen, not Fluffy. Never kill the dog., on the other hand, seemed like a nice enough guy, but after two years of marriage he’d had enough of Mona and had left their multi-million dollar mansion for a “modest” yacht he’d named Ruthless (Mona’s middle name was Ruth). Last I’d heard he’d docked the boat at Dana Point Marina, about twenty minutes south.

“Melinda, we have business to attend to. I don’t have all day,” Mona insisted.took a deep breath, well aware I couldn’t afford a repeat of last night.

“Mona, I have customers to assist. I will meet with you next week. Like we agreed.” One look around the shop, and anyone could see that my customers weren’t blazin’ a trail to pay up and leave behind the free entertainment.

“You don’t really want to cross me. Do you?” Mona tilted her head. Not much. Just enough to make her face look more intimidating than normal.

“We’re not afraid of you.” Darby’s bouncy blond curls slapped the side of her face. She stood next to me in an attempt to give the illusion of a united front.’s shrewd eyes locked on her. “You should be my little rabbit.”sucked in a sharp breath. She opened and closed her mouth, but no words came out. Her small frame vibrated in what I assumed was panic and anger. I squeezed my best friend’s hand.

“Mona, leave Darby out of this.” I kept my voice low, trying my darnedest to not make a scene. “If you have something to say to me, say it. Otherwise, get out.”wagged her finger at Mona, not willing to back down. “Some day, you’ll get what what’s coming to you.”could have sworn Mona stiffened, but it was hard to tell since she was already so unyielding.stuffed her phone inside her Marc Jacobs bag and looked at Mona for their next move. We all waited.didn’t disappoint.

“When you continue to humiliate people in public, the only way for them to save face is to sue,” Mona slipped her sunglasses into the protective case.

“Sounds like you’re speaking from experience.” Sue for what? Geez Louise. I didn’t have patience for mind games.casually adjusted her purse strap, and then thrust the figurative dagger into my back and twisted. “I called your mother last night. Babs and I had a wonderful time catching up. I talked her into coming out for a visit.”wasn’t afraid of Mona, but I was absolutely avoiding my mother (for the record, no one called Barbara Langston “Babs” to her face). I love my Mama, but she left me dog-tired.

“I’m sure you left out the part where you called her a prostitute,” I said. I had every right to be upset at my Mama, but for an outsider to insult her (and anyone who’s not family is just that, an outsider), was unacceptable.heard a soft gasp. I looked around the shop. There were at least five customers pretending to study the merchandise.shrugged. “I did no such thing. Besides, Barbara has moved past that.”because Mama didn’t talk about The Incident, didn’t mean she was over it. She was southern. One didn’t air their dirty laundry in private. Let alone in public. Mona, on the other hand, didn’t have a problem dressing-down anyone in front of an audience. The bigger the scandal, the happier she seemed.had zero southern manners.

“We agreed. You owe me an apology. A public apology,” Mona continued, condemning me with every word and savoring every second.

“I hope you didn’t get your stone-heart set on that apology,” I said.

“You wouldn’t want to damage her reputation any more than you already have, would you, dear?”arrogant tone choked me like a Texas heat wave in the middle of August. It took all the resolve I possessed to control my temper. “Get. Out.”’s eyes widened in shock. “You can’t kick us out.” Her voice trembled.

“I just did.”’s eyebrow rose in warning. “You’ll regret this.”anger oozed through my body and settled in all the wrong places, making me say and do all the wrong things. Again. Some day I’d figure it out. But that wasn’t today. Mona had crossed the line.

“You’re a bitter selfish woman. I don’t cotton to threats against my family or my friends. The only thing I regret is that I didn’t take y’all down last night when I had the chance.”FourI find myself on the brink of trouble without trying. It was doubtful I’d “regret” ordering Mona and her lap dog, Tricia, out of Bow Wow. Although I had to admit, I hadn’t thought through what I’d meant by “take you down.” That was an unfortunate choice of words.’d like to report Mona and Tricia had immediately skedaddled, but that’s not how it played out. They’d split on their terms-right after Mona had received an “urgent” call from the pet psychic, Josephine “Jo” O’Malley.loyal customers had been all abuzz about how I’d stood up to Mona-half proud, the other half worried about the repercussions. Their concern was unexpected, touching and probably warranted.bless Darby, she’d had my back the whole time and stuck around until the last customers had toted their purchases out the door. Darby was top dog in my book.was three o’clock, and I was starving. I locked the shop to woof down a late lunch. I’d just swallowed a mouthful of turkey and avocado sandwich when Darby pounded on Bow Wow’s front door. I dropped my food on the counter and scrambled to let her in, my boots squeaking on the hardwood floor.swung the door open, and the salty ocean breeze rushed inside. “I wasn’t expecting to see you again.”swept past me, looking very Annie Leibovitz in her black button-up shirt and jeans.

“I’m not alone,” she said.pounds of sleek muscle trailed behind her. Fluffy.

“Where in Sam Hill did she come from?” I choked out, shutting the door behind them.paused next to the Louis Vuitton dog carriers and shook. Stray fur and a handful of leaves landed on the throw rug. She blithely scanned the empty shop, nose and tail in the air.dog had more attitude than an Orange County teenager.

“I was propping my ‘I’m next door’ sign in the window, when Cliff’s Land Rover sped by. That’s when I noticed Fluffy.”, this wasn’t the first time Cliff had ditched Fluffy at my boutique. A while back, he’d petitioned the court for a neutral meeting point, arguing Mona’s mansion was a hostile environment. The judge had decided that, for the welfare of the dog, the hand-over had to happen at a place familiar to Fluffy, but not at either residence. I don’t think the judge meant Bow Wow.

“Come here, girl,” I called out.’s dark almond-shaped eyes regarded me skeptically. The aloof expression she carried so effortlessly was firmly in place. With a shake of her head, she strutted to my office in the back. If history was an indicator, she was headed for Missy’s dog bed.

“Good thing Missy’s home.” Unsure of how the day’s events would unfold, I’d left her at the house where she could sleep in peace.and I plopped onto the stools behind the counter. She tossed her keys next to my water bottle and snagged a salt ‘n vinegar chip. She popped it in her mouth and immediately made a sour face. I slid the bag closer to her. The sound of our crunching chips filled the silence.

“I thought Cliff only had Fluffy on Wednesdays and every other weekend?” Darby asked. “It’s Monday.”

“That’s what I thought, too. Hey, about earlier. Mona got a little crazy. Are you okay?” I asked.shrugged. “I’m fine. What about you?” Concern shadowed her delicate features.

“I’m relieved they finally left. Thanks for sticking around. You didn’t need to, but I really appreciate it.”bumped her shoulder against mine. “That’s what best friends do. So… guess who my last-minute client is.” Darby’s blue eyes sparkled with mischief.

“Male or female?” I loved this game. Darby’s popularity was growing, and in a tight-knit community like Laguna, that translated into loyal customers.she could answer, the door flew open and Jo O’Malley, pet psychic extraordinaire, burst inside. The smell of motorcycle exhaust and burnt dog treats trailed behind her.tangled red hair whipped her face, causing her to look like she’d just gone ten rounds with a paddle brush and can of hair spray. And lost.

“Her?” I asked under my breath while giving Darby the what-were-you-thinking look. “You’re a pet photographer.”

“She talks to animals.” Darby wiped her salt-covered fingers on her jeans and then hopped off the stool. “Close enough for me.”didn’t exactly fit the stereotypical idea of what a pet psychic looked like. You know, they were either all-business or bohemian gypsy. She was one hundred percent a motorcycle chick.wrinkled black tank top was partially tucked into the front of her torn jeans. And not the kind of jeans you’d buy torn. She’d come by those rips honestly.couldn’t badmouth her motorcycle boots since I was currently wearing the same ones. But the humongous Lassie tattoo on her upper left arm… well, that just made me smile.

“Do you think Lassie barks when there’s trouble?” I asked, quietly.coughed back a giggle and shot me a look meant to keep me quiet. She snatched the keys to her studio, then met Jo next to the display of small dog sweaters and dresses.

“Thanks for getting me in at the last minute,” Jo’s raspy voice reverberated throughout the quiet shop. “I normally get those free ones online. I thought I’d go for a more professional look. You know, now that business has picked up.”. My. Lord. It took all my will power not to roll my eyes. She wouldn’t know professional if it was a Doberman Pinscher and it bit her in the butt.

“No problem,” Darby said. “There’s a dressing room at Paw Prints if you’d like to change.”looked herself over. “Change into what?”had her hands full with this one. I slid off the stool and joined them, curious about the emergency call earlier this afternoon.

“Congratulations. I couldn’t help but overhear that your business is doing well,” I said to Jo.frowned, making her look much older than her thirty-years. “You sound surprised. Doesn’t everyone want to understand their pet?”was hard pressed to take her seriously. In my humble opinion, she was nuttier than a fruitcake. Once, she’d told me Missy chewed a pair of strappy Marc Jacobs heels because she didn’t feel pretty. Missy (her papered name is Miss Congeniality) has won her share of ugliest bulldog contests and is well aware she’s “unattractive.” Let’s not even bring up her hideous under bite. It didn’t take a pet psychic to know Missy had chewed my heels because I’d left them on the bedroom floor, and she was bored.

“I’m not surprised,” I said, “but I am curious as to what constitutes an emergency pet reading?”blinked twice, then narrowed her eyes and assessed me. I’d spent enough time around “users” and “haters” to recognize that gleam in her eyes. She was looking for my weaknesses.

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“I’m sure Mel didn’t mean anything,” Darby said quickly, her eyes sending me a silent message.automatically produced my beauty pageant smile meant to inspire trust and reassurance. Darby shook her head. She wasn’t voting for me.returned my attention to Jo. “Mona was here when you called. I didn’t realize you could have a reading without the pet.”face softened and became almost ethereal. “They don’t need to be present in order for me to have an accurate reading. I tune into the animals’ energy.”wondered if she was tuning into my energy. It screamed phony. Fluffy currently snoozed away in my backroom, and Jo The Magnificent hadn’t picked up on a thing.

“So you’d be able to tune into Fluffy’s ‘energy’ from here, no matter where she was?”tilted her head to the side, her eyelids flittering as she spoke. “Fluffy’s energy is very dynamic. If she wanted to tell me something, I would know.”

“Like this afternoon?” I asked.

“My appointments are confidential. I will tell you this much. Fluffy came to me in a dream. To warn me. I was obligated to tell Mona. Any decent person would have done the same.” Gone was the light airy tone. Her foghorn voice was back in control, and the Lassie tattoo growled., okay then.turned and slithered toward the door. “Let’s go, Darby. I have an appointment this evening.”had more questions than answers. That wasn’t going to change anytime soon.Fivewas missing.kidnapped missing. Missing as in, the boutique closed in ten minutes, and you-know-who was still roaming through the shop. I’d left two voicemails for Mona and hadn’t heard a word. I didn’t like where this was heading.had decided to grace me with her presence and was shoving her pointy nose in my merchandise and sniffing loudly.

“Come on, Fluffy. Give it a rest. Wanna Bowser Treat?” I pulled a biscuit out of the jar by the register and waved it in her direction. She scrutinized me in her regal disposition, unimpressed.front door opened and Don Furry, an ARL volunteer, entered.

“Hey, Don,” I greeted. “How’s it going?”waved hello. “Fine. Just fine. I thought I’d stop in and see if you had-” He stopped in his tracks. “Th-that’s Mona’s dog.”

“Sure is.” I dropped the treat back into the jar.

“Is she here?” he asked in a nervous whisper.shook my head, slightly amused at his odd reaction. “Nope. Fluffy’s officially a stray.”blinked, puzzled. “Fluffy’s not a stray.”

“Okay, she’s been abandoned.” Fluffy casually sauntered over to Don and me. She sniffed Don’s pants and then sneezed twice. She looked up at me and, I swear, if she had an eyebrow, it’d be arched.’s eyes practically popped out of his head.really wanted to laugh, but I could see Don was not amused at Fluffy’s antics. “She’s an actor. Those were probably fake sneezes. What can I do for you?”

“I, ah, I stopped by to pick up the towels you said you’d set aside for the ARL.” He hadn’t taken his eyes off Fluffy.’d forgotten all about the donation. “I’ve got the box in the backroom. I’ll be right back. Would you keep an eye on the dog? She’s been sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong.”was gone about a minute and returned with a large cardboard box filled with linens. “I threw in some sheets and blankets, too.”

“Thanks, Mel. So, what are you going to do with…” He nodded toward Fluffy.shrugged. “I don’t know. You want to take her back to the ARL with you?” I teased.held up his hands, his clean shaven face pale. “We don’t have room.”

“Since when?”

“Today.” His bald head glistened with beads of sweat.

“Okay, spill it. What’s going on?”

“We really are full. Did you hear about the puppy mill raid? We took in twenty-six dogs a couple of days ago.”wasn’t the whole story. I’d never heard Don turn away a dog. “What aren’t you saying?”checked his watch, then looked around as if he was about to disclose a national secret. “Mona’s our biggest benefactor. Every year, following the Fur Ball, she makes her largest contribution. If I take Fluffy, it could cost the ARL millions. MILLIONS. I can’t take that chance.”was right. Mona was spiteful enough to punish the ARL because of some perceived slight. “It’s okay, Don. I was just teasing you,” I said. “I’ll take care of Her Highness. Don’t worry about a thing. I’ve got it all under control.”Sixonly thing I had under control was my wardrobe.’d left Mona a third voicemail. Still no callback. I’d called Darby, asking her to drop by my place to let Missy out while I dealt with Fluffy. You guessed it-I got her voicemail, too. I left a message and crossed my fingers that she’d hear it sooner rather than later.could have picked up Missy myself, but I didn’t want to subject her to a Mona tirade for drooling on the marble foyer. There were some hygiene problems a girl just couldn’t help.Fluffy into the Jeep was easier in theory than action. She’s one stubborn dog, but we finally came to an understanding.pointed the Jeep south on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH to the locals). With the top off, every once in a while I could hear the crashing waves. I lowered the visor, blocking the glare of blushing pink swirls and the blaze of brilliant orange streaking the sky. I sighed in contentment. Another spectacular evening in paradise.made my way to the prestigious gated community, Sapphire Bay. Being rich wasn’t enough to live on the other side of the iron gate. You had to be vetted, sponsored and have more money than God.rolled to a stop next to the security shack. Mr. Rent-A-Cop stuck his head out the window. He was on the downhill side of middle-aged with a bushy gray mustache. Faded green eyes scrutinized us through his bifocals. He recognized Fluffy right away. I, on the other hand, got a complete once over, including a raised unibrow.

“Name,” he asked, completely unimpressed I had Mona’s dog.

“Melinda Langston.”reviewed the clipboard in his hand. Non-residents didn’t just waltz thought the hallowed entrance. Someone had to authorize your visit. I was ninety-nine percent sure I wasn’t on “the list.”slid him a beauty queen smile and fibbed like a five-year-old. “Mona had an unexpected emergency and asked me to bring Fluffy home. She assured me she’d let someone know I was coming.”tucked his clipboard under his arm. “Sorry.”eyed him, considering my next move. “I guess you’re right. I certainly wouldn’t want you to do anything that might get you into trouble.” I put the Jeep in neutral and pulled up the emergency brake. “I’ll just leave Fluffy with you. I’ll let Mona know where to pick her up.”grunted. Looking past his skepticism and the community rules, he let us through the gate.followed the smattering of wispy palm trees to Mona’s oceanfront mansion. I pulled into the circular drive and parked next to the fountain.

“Let me refresh your memory on the Mel-Rules. I’m the human. No gloating. No dragging. Got it?”pawed at the door and whined.

“Good grief. Let me grab my bag and cell.”the dog, I wasn’t in a big hurry. The last person I wanted to see was Mona. If I was lucky, the housekeeper, Camilla, would open the door and take Fluffy off my hands.went around to the passenger side and opened the door. I attached the leash to Fluffy’s diamond-studded collar and released her from the safety belt. The second I stepped back, the crazy dog jumped out and dragged me toward the multi-story Mediterranean-style home.much for the rules. Fluffy could use a visit from a pet therapist I knew. Once we reached the front door, Fluffy stopped and looked at me expectantly.

“Hello? I’m the human. I thought we had an agreement?” I could tell from her expression she didn’t care about what I was saying. She wanted in. I wanted to go home. I rang the bell.style bells filled the inside of the house. Okay, it wasn’t really church bells, but it could have been. I looked down at Fluffy, who didn’t seem at all bothered by the flamboyance.

“Really? This is what you come home to every day?”waited. No one came.rang the bell again.. Bong. Bong. Bong. Bong.shoot me now. Please.continued to wait.grew more restless with each passing second, which made me equally antsy. Having the dog was a perfectly legitimate reason to walk inside, but my southern manners dictated I wait for someone to invite me in. Well, that and the security system.pounded on the door. Fluffy continued to whine and paw. Still, no one came. Forget manners. Forget the alarm. I tried the door., it swung open. And there was no screeching alarm.

“Wow.” I glanced behind me before I took a couple of steps. As soon as my foot hit the marble entryway, Fluffy lunged forward, taking me for another drag. She stopped in the middle of an ornate foyer bigger than my entire living room and kitchen combined.

“Hello? Anyone home?” My voice echoed in the empty silence.expected the housekeeper to appear any second. “Camilla? Mona?”strained against the leash as she edged her way toward the stairs. The moment I unhooked her, she charged up the curved oak staircase leading to what I assumed was her wing of the house. I waited for Mona to make her trademark entrance, descending the staircase like a classic Hollywood actress ready for her close-up, but she was a no-show.it hit me, Mona was probably at Bow Wow. Her Jag wasn’t in the drive, although it could be in the garage. It would be just like Mona to come when it was convenient for her.quickly pulled my cell from my purse and punched in her number. Within seconds a cell phone rang behind me. I spun around. Mona’s phone was on the hall table.grabbed it. “That’s not good.”ended the call, absently dumping the phones in my purse, and then dropping it on the hall table.

“Mona,” I called out louder. Where the heck was she? I couldn’t leave Fluffy behind until I knew Mona was home. Good grief, she better not have taken a spontaneous trip to the Caymans.climbed the stairs two at a time. “Mona. I’ve delivered your dog.”poked her head around the corner and barked as I reached the top of the stairs.jumped back. It was the first time I’d heard her bark without a cue. Or a camera.

“What’s gotten into you?”planted her feet and barked again.

“I’m not allowed up here?”dark eyes bored into mine, then she quickly turned and trotted down the hallway.

“Oh, now I speak dog,” I muttered.bought her Lassie act and followed. We zigged through hallways, zagged past a half dozen rooms, and I wondered if I should’ve left a trail of bread crumbs. Finally Fluffy stopped in front of a closed door, looking more exasperated than usual.rolled my eyes. Lord, she was demanding. “All that barking because you can’t get to your throne?”opened the door. She pushed past me and sniffed around. I took a quick peek and realized it was Mona’s bedroom.more than a little curious, I left my southern manners in the hallway and allowed myself a quick look. I was immediately drawn to the beautiful oil canvas of an Italian river sunset hanging at the head of her king sized bed. The blush colored duvet cost more than my brand new Jeep.too much white, gold and fringe for my taste, but it fit Mona perfectly. A beautiful tall armless chair was precisely positioned in the corner. I could easily imagine Mona lounging aristocratically, Fluffy at her feet. It was all very old Hollywood.eye was drawn to the dozens of framed photos of Fluffy. On the beach, at a dog show, on the set of The Guiding Lighthouse, Fluffy with Julia Roberts. (Okay, I had to do a double take on that one. I swear to the Lord Almighty, Fluffy’s hair was styled exactly like Julia’s. They were twins.)turned to leave and stopped in my tracks. Right above the fireplace hung a life-sized gilded-framed painting of the dynamic duo-side-by-side, matching hair color and aristocratic expressions, with Mona’s arm draped over Fluffy’s back. The adoration on Mona’s face was obvious. The painting was beautiful and, at the same time, a little creepy.loved Fluffy. No, Mona worshipped Fluffy. She’d never abandon her dog.was wrong. Why would Mona leave her front door unlocked, the alarm off and her cell phone behind?shoved me out of her way and trotted down the hallway to the next room. Once again, I followed. Certainly, whatever was behind door number two would be equally draped in luxurious excess and might give a clue to Mona’s whereabouts.’d barely turned the knob when Fluffy barged past me, head-butting the door against the wall with a loud bang.stumbled through the doorway. It wasn’t a room. It was a mini-palace fit for a movie star. Fluffy’s palace. A white sheepskin rug in front of her personal fireplace, a king-sized sleigh bed and a dressing screen (why a dog needed a dressing screen was beyond me). Fresh filtered water dripped into her Wedgewood doggie bowl.was also a disaster.’s wardrobe was strewn throughout the room, draped precariously on the bed, and hanging out of open drawers. While Mona had an obscene amount of photos, Fluffy had her own slew of trophies and ribbons. All of them haphazardly tossed about.room looked like it had been ransacked.disappeared behind the disheveled bed. Her tail stopped wagging and she whined softly.’s when I saw her.first, I wasn’t certain what I was looking at. Then it became clear. Mona was sprawled on the floor as if posing for a men’s magazine. It was almost picture perfect, except for the blood matting her five hundred dollar haircut and the gold statue stuck in her head.hesitantly moved closer. Fluffy nuzzled Mona’s cheek. When she didn’t move, Fluffy pawed her shoulder, still whining.

“I don’t think she’s getting up, girl,” I said softly.was dead. Deader than a stuffed Poodle.Sevenafter I’d dialed 9-1-1, I called the one person I trusted to tell me what to do next.

“Someone whacked Mona with Fluffy’s Emmy.” The words tumbled out of my mouth the second Grey had said hello.

“Are you injured?” he asked, voice thick with concern.

“No, just wigged out.”

“Where are you?”paced the length of the hallway between Fluffy and Mona’s room. “I’m still at Mona’s. This is my first dead body, and I have to tell you, it’s not like what you see on TV. I think I’m going to puke.”

“Hold on, I’m on my way.” He was in his secret FBI mode. Gone was the art dealer persona he carried for cover. His normal teasing tone had transformed into solid, calm and controlled.

“Mona would die if she knew people were going to see her like this.” I cringed at my bad choice of words, but it was true.could hear Mona’s bored monotone voice ordering me to pull the statue out of her head and clean up the mess before it stained her one-of-a-kind hardwood floor. Once the room had been cleaned to her satisfaction, she’d demand her hair and makeup touched-up before any crime scene photos were snapped.was the God’s honest truth. That was just Mona’s way.after what I’d seen, I can’t say I’d blame her. Speaking of cleaning up, where was Camilla?

“Mona’s one bloody mess,” I said.rustled on the other end of the line as Grey cleared his desk. “Don’t touch her,” he said. His deep timber instilled a calmness I needed.

“I didn’t.” I poked my head into the room. I cupped the bottom of the phone and whispered, “The dog’s covered in blood and won’t leave Mona.”

“If you need help, call Caro.”

“I can handle Fluffy.” The sick smell of blood was a different matter. I breathed through my mouth and willed my stomach to stop churning. I heard a car door slam and an engine start over the phone. He was on his way.

“Don’t move. Better yet, wait outside for the police. Don’t touch anything. Don’t talk to anyone. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”that mess, I doubted the cops would notice if I touched anything. Outside sirens screamed through the dignified gated community.

“You’d better hurry. The cavalry’s almost here,” I said.ended our call, and I realized I was shaking so badly I looked like I’d downed a case of energy drinks.shook my head trying to erase the scene on the other side of the wall. But Mona’s image was branded in my mind.methodically inched through the hallway maze, really wishing for those bread crumbs. By the time I’d made it down the stairs, I’d stopped shaking and was once again a nose breather.opened the front door and inhaled the fresh air. The Pacific had never smelled so good. After a minute of gathering myself, I made my way back inside, leaving the door open, an invitation for the police. I sank to the bottom step of the staircase and waited for the troops.didn’t rush inside guns drawn like on the TV dramas, but they didn’t stroll in like it was a Saturday open house either. Brawny and carrying an air of authority that wouldn’t be overlooked, four uniformed officers entered. Two paused directly in front of me, while the other pair searched the downstairs.’t four cops a little overkill? The police must have been on high alert after Kevin Blackstone’s murder.

“Are you injured?” Cop Number One asked.of the day.shook my head. I was having a difficult time finding my voice. I wasn’t as together as I’d thought.blue eyes assessed me and our immediate surroundings. His short cropped brown hair reminded me of my cousin, Wyatt, on my daddy’s side. Wyatt didn’t think girls could do anything but cook, have babies, and look pretty. I didn’t like Wyatt.had no idea what Cop Number One thought as he processed my typical attire of motorcycle boots, faded jeans, and t-shirt.mumbled into the radio he wore like a tie. Someone squawked back something that only a fellow police officer, or a fast food employee, could decipher.

“Is there anyone else in the house?” Cop Number Two, who couldn’t be a day over twenty-one asked. I pegged him as the “good cop.” Dark hair, dark eyes, strong jaw line and plenty of who-gives-a-crap-what-you-think attitude. To say he was “nice” was an exaggeration, but he didn’t look at me as if I was already the prime suspect.

“No. She’s upstairs, to the right. I don’t remember which room but you can’t miss it. It’s a mess. I think I left the door open. Watch out for the dog. She’s standing guard.” Once I’d found my voice I rambled, offering random details.a nod of acknowledgment, the third and fourth cops walked past us and headed upstairs.

“What kind of dog?” Cop Number One was back.had to be kidding. There was someone in Laguna who didn’t know Mona and her four-legged sidekick? “I thought everyone knew Mona and Fluffy.”

“Which one’s the dog?” Cop Number One pulled out his black notebook.wasn’t a completely brainless question. There were many women named “Fluffy” in Orange County. But the fact that he didn’t know who Mona Michaels or Fluffy were made him Dumbo Cop.

“Fluffy.”

“Call the vet,” Dumbo Cop said to his partner. “I’m not going to get bit by some diva dog.” He jammed his notebook in his front shirt pocket.

“What are you going to do?” I hopped up from the stairs, slightly blocking his path.

“Who are you?” he asked, clearly annoyed.

“Melinda Langston. I’m the one who found Mona and called 9-1-1. Why do you need a vet?”

“We may need to tranquilize the dog if he-”

“She.”

“What?” He pinned me down with a stare meant to shake my confidence.

“Fluffy’s a she. And you can’t drug her. I’ll call my cousin, she’s a pet shrink.”

“You,” he pointed at me, “won’t call anyone.”

“Caro wouldn’t like being referred to as ‘anyone’.”muscle in his cheek twitched. “Who’s your cousin?” His tone suggested he already knew the answer.

“Carolina Lamont. She recently solved Kevin Blackstone’s murder. You’ve probably met her.”face turned red, like he popped an artery. “Sit down.” He jabbed his finger at the bottom stair and then mumbled into his radio tie again. His words were incoherent, but his tone was unmistakably pissed off., I wasn’t happy I’d coughed up her name either, but she had solved Kevin’s murder and cleared Diana’s name in the process. More importantly, she knew dogs.’s when Grey showed up, dressed in his dark-blue Tom Ford suit surrounded by his own air of authority. Our eyes met, and a spark of intense understanding flashed between us, striking me to the core.of reassurance and strength washed over me; I struggled to keep back the tears.

“Are you okay?” he asked as I rushed across the foyer and into his open arms.nodded into his chest, hiding my weakness from him. “Better than Mona. I forgot I wasn’t supposed to talk to anyone.”felt his chest rumble with a strained laugh. “I’m not surprised.”allowed myself to soak up everything he offered before I pulled away and led him to the French doors that opened to the sunroom.squeezed my shoulders and quickly took in the scene. I knew he was doing his own assessment of the situation. He was on full alert, FBI stance, absorbing and analyzing details. My chest tightened with pride. This was why I had called him. If only it didn’t scare the bejeezus out of me at the same time.’s green eyes fixed on the police officers talking in hushed tones. “They’re not happy.”followed his gaze. It would only be seconds before they interrogated Grey.

“A hundred bucks they think you’re my attorney.” I smiled as I hugged the truth. I had my very own James Bond.studied Dumbo Cop. “What did you say to him?”shrugged my shoulders, totally baffled at the question. “What makes you think I said anything?”

“I recognize the pained look.”had no idea what he was talking about. When I looked at the police, all I could read on their faces was cagey suspicion.

“I offered to call Caro. Like you suggested,” I reminded him.

“And…?”

“And nothing.” I crossed my arms and looked up into his rugged face. I was no match for his six-foot-three-inches. “I’m totally offended by what you’re implying.”didn’t say anything with words. He let the I-know-you-better-than-that look do his talking. It was annoying.

“He didn’t recognize Caro’s name so I ever so gently reminded him that she’d solved Kevin’s murder,” I explained in the same tone I’d used to recite the grocery list to Missy as we’d walk to Whole Foods.actually smiled and the laugh lines around his mouth deepened into mini craters. His eyes warmed and instantly drew me in.

“You named dropped,” he whispered and reached for my left hand, fingering my engagement ring. “Then you rubbed it in his face that a civilian was a major contributor in solving a murder.”

“I did no such thing.”truth of Grey’s words sank in. I pulled back and narrowed my eyes. “If you tell Caro, I’ll deny it.”hugged me quickly and chuckled into my hair. “There’s nothing wrong with being proud of your cousin.”

“So you’ve told me.”police joined us, notebooks at the ready, expressions aiming for neutral but missing the mark and landing closer to distrust. “Who are you?” Dumbo Cop asked.

“Grey Donovan. I’m Melinda’s fiancé. She phoned me after calling you. I’m just making sure she’s okay.” He held out his hand in that boy’s club way, insinuating he was only there because of me.could see the suspicion behind their eyes battle the desire to believe they could take Grey at face value. It was clear they didn’t trust him. They shouldn’t., on the other hand, remained relaxed and at ease, patiently waiting, drawing them into his web of trust. Damn, he was good., Dumbo Cop accepted Grey’s outstretched hand. Maybe instinct told him Grey was one of the good guys. Maybe they

Date: 2015-04-20; view: 738