Bassets and Blackmail Read online

  “No.”

  Bruce grunted. “Why not?”

  “I don't trust Cheryl.”

  I extended my hand. “Can I see it?”

  Lillian stared at my outstretched hand for so long that I figured she didn't have it with her. Then she stuck her hand in her pocket, pulled it out, and placed it on my palm.

  The tennis bracelet had a single strand of sparkling stones. The diamonds, if indeed they were diamonds, twinkled and refracted the light from the chandelier. I examined the lobster claw clasp and ring. They were in excellent condition. No marks marred the bracelet, except for a tiny flower shape etched on the back side of the claw clasp.

  “We need to give this to Harry.”

  Lillian snatched it from my hands. “You're not giving it to Cheryl.”

  “I wasn't going to.”

  Lillian put the bracelet in her pocket. “Since Harry is busy, I'll find who did this.”

  Lillian marched to the front door.

  Bruce nodded in her direction. “Go with her. I'll call Harry and catch up to you. Perhaps he'll know of a missing bracelet or similar incident.”

  I gave him a quick kiss and hurried after Lillian who was striding down the front steps with Saber in her arms. For a little woman, she moved fast.

  I caught up with her at the end of the drive. I thought of Paw, but he would only upset Saber with his presence. For now, it was best to let him stay with Samuel.

  “Where in the park do you want to start?” I asked as I trudged next to her.

  Lillian frowned in thought. “Hard to tell. Saber could have gotten the bracelet anywhere.”

  “Why don't we begin where we found him last night.”

  We walked in silence out of the B&B and down along Park Lane. Three tourists bicycled past us. Saber tensed as they struggled uphill but resumed purring when Lillian stroked his back.

  Lillian led the way through the park gates and headed toward the area where we had found Saber last night.

  Once we reached our destination, I looked around with hands on my hips. “How do you track a cat?”

  “You don't. Cats are stealthy.”

  “I should have brought Paw. He could have sniffed her trail.”

  I didn't realize I spoke aloud until Lillian grumbled, “Big galoot. He scares my baby.”

  I doubted anything scared Saber.

  As we stood there, a young voice called, “Here, Kitty, Kitty.”

  Saber turned his head in the direction of the sound with his ears perked up. Saber jumped from Lillian's arms in a graceful leap.

  “Saber!” Lillian cried, but the cat raced across a stretch of grass and disappeared into the bushes.

  “Come back here. Saber! Here kitty!” Lillian barreled after the cat at a speed I didn't think she could manage.

  I ran after her as she disappeared through the bushes.

  I heard the young voice, a girl, say, “Hi, Kitty.”

  “Meow.”

  Leafy branches pulled at my sweater and stuck in my hair as I navigated through the shrubs. I stumbled out to see Lillian standing with arms crossed as a little girl sat on the ground, hugging Saber. Behind them, a young woman wearing polka-dotted scrubs ran to them.

  “Kara!” the young woman called, “Leave that cat alone!”

  I caught up with Lillian and the little girl at the same time the woman did.

  Puffing for breath, the woman bent over and spoke to the girl. “Kara, don't run off from Mommy like that.” She placed her hand on the girl's shoulder. Saber hissed, the woman jumped back, then bent down again to protect her child. “Let go of the cat this instant, Kara! It's not safe to pet strange animals.”

  She glared up at Lillian and me. “Do something!”

  Lillian huffed out a breath and glared right back. “Saber won't hurt her.” Softly, she mumbled, “He only ever likes me.”

  Which was true. Lillian was jealous of the cat's affection for Kara, but it wasn't helping the situation.

  “Saber has all his shots,” I said to the woman. “He appears to like your daughter's attention. Perhaps they could cuddle a while.”

  Both Mom and Lillian glared at my suggestion.

  Kara broke the tension by saying, “Saber lost his new collar.”

  “No, he hasn't. He doesn't wear one.” Lillian's toe tapped with impatience.

  New collar?

  “Kara,” I knelt next to the girl. Saber eyed me with disfavor but continued to purr to the girl. “What did his new collar look like?”

  “It was beautiful. Pretty sparkly stones. I put it on him last evening.” Her mouth rounded in an “O” of surprise.

  “Last night?” Her mother put her hands on her hips. “When were you out last night?”

  Kara stared down at Saber, reluctant to look at her mother. She shrugged but didn't answer.

  “Kara!”

  “It was when you and Dad went outside to talk to Mr. Griffin.”

  To me, she explained, “He's our neighbor.”

  Her mom demanded, “Where was Tommy?”

  Kara singsonged, “He was on the phone with his girlfriend.”

  Kara's mom rolled her eyes. “Your brother is supposed to be watching you.” In a stern voice, she asked, “Did you slip out without telling him?”

  Kara shrugged.

  “Kara Amelia Jones! You know you don't go out by yourself. You're only six years old.”

  To us, she said, “I'm so sorry. I'm not a bad mom, honest.”

  Lillian pursed her lips, no doubt ready to dispute that, but I waved her comment away. “It can happen. What I would like is for Kara to tell me what happened last night and where she got Saber's new collar?”

  Kara looked up at her mom who nodded her consent. The girl bent her head but began to speak, “Tommy was ignoring me, so I went out in our backyard. I was sitting on the back-porch step when Saber poked his head through some bushes at the edge of our garden.” She paused to stroke Saber's neck. “I love Saber. He's nice.”

  I glanced at Lillian whose expression softened at the girl's words.

  Saber angled his head for Kara to scratch under his chin.

  “He meowed, so I went over to him, but when I tried to touch him, he backed away.” The girl's brow wrinkled. “He never does that. He backed up some more, meowing.” She looked up at me. “He wanted me to follow him.”

  I nodded.

  Kara looked down at Saber. “I followed him through the Perch's and Cullison's backyards and into the park. There's a gate at the back of the park where you can enter.”

  I knew the gate she meant. As far as I knew, it was never locked.

  “Saber ran through and waited for me to follow. Then he led me to the gazebo.”

  Everybody who grew up in Tranquil Valley had visited the gazebo. According to Uncle Harry, the gazebo was there when he was a child. A beautiful wooden structure with open-air sides. Its white paint was peeling, and several of the floorboards creaked ominously when stepped on. The park board in charge of upkeep had a fundraiser planned to raise money for the gazebo's restoration.

  Kara's mom shifted on her feet. “I told you not to go into the gazebo.” Worry lines creased her brow.

  “I didn't Mom. I swear. Saber led me to the flowerbeds around the gazebo where those pink flowers are blooming. Dirt was on the walk and a hole was in between two of the plants. He stood by the hole and meowed. The bracelet was in there. I picked it up and brushed it off. Saber butted his head against my hand.”

  She looked up at us. “He wanted me to put it on him.”

  So Saber dug up the bracelet. But who buried it?

  Before Lillian or Kara's mom could dispute her explanation, I asked, “Kara, can you show me where Saber dug up the bracelet?”

  “Of course.” She jumped up, calling, “Come on Saber,” as she headed toward the gazebo.

  “Kara,” her mom said as she trailed after her daughter, “slow down. Wait for us.”

  Kara ignored her mom.

  Sabe
r trotted along beside the girl, tail erect and ears forward.

  I turned to Lillian, expecting to find a frown on her face. Instead, she wore a wistful expression.

  Kara's mom spoke to Lillian. “That cat shouldn't run loose.”

  Lillian pursed her lips. “Neither should Kara.”

  They glared at each other.

  I increased my speed and left them to their argument. Kara and Saber waited by the side of the gazebo. Kara hopped from foot to foot while Saber sat tall with his tail curled around him. As I neared them, Kara pointed to a small mound of dirt between two Impatiens plants. The lovely annuals on either side of the mound had dirt speckled leaves and scattered blossoms. Stems were bent, broken, or flattened on the ground.

  I stepped into the flowerbed and crouched by the hole, careful to avoid disturbing the area. The hole, about four inches round and three inches deep, comprised the middle of the mound. Saber had dug with gusto for soil lie on the sidewalk as well as the surrounding plants.

  “Thank you, Kara,” I said as I stood up. “I have two more questions.”

  She squinted up at me and nodded.

  “Did you put the bracelet on Saber as soon as you found it?”

  “He wanted me to. He kept butting his head against my hand.”

  I patted her shoulder. “I understand, but it can be dangerous for a cat to wear a collar when he's outside. Saber needs a collar that will break away. Do you understand?”

  “If he gets his collar caught on a tree limb, it will break open and free him?”

  I smiled. “That's exactly right.”

  She hung her head. “Saber can't keep the sparkly collar, can he?”

  “No.” I glanced at Lillian. “But he should wear a collar.”

  “A breakable one,” Kara added.

  “Yes. Perhaps you and Lillian can pick one out at the pet store.”

  Kara turned to Lillian. “Can we?”

  Kara's mom spoke before Lillian could answer. “Kara! We don't beg other people for things.”

  Kara’s smile drooped.

  Lillian cleared her throat and sniffed. “Of course, we can get Saber a new, safe collar.”

  I dropped my head to cover a huge grin. Lillian had a soft heart after all.

  “Yippee!” Kara cried. She scooped up Saber whose eyes bugged out, however, he purred as well.

  Kara danced in place. “Can we go now?”

  Lillian shook her head. “Clarissa has one more question for you.”

  Kara turned to me.

  “Did you tell anyone that you found the bracelet?”

  “No. Now can we go?”

  “One more question.”

  Kara scowled. “That's three questions, not two.”

  Lillian laughed while Kara's mother blushed at her daughter's forthrightness.

  “Sorry. I can't count I guess. Last question. I promise.” I raised my hand in a pledge. “Was anyone around when you found the bracelet?”

  Kara scrunched up her nose. “No. I don't think so.”

  I crouched down to her. “Then do me a favor, okay? Don't tell anyone about the bracelet until Chief Harry investigates.”

  Kara's mom covered her mouth with her hand, no doubt catching the implication behind my request.

  Kara frowned. “You mean Saber can't keep it?”

  “No, dear,” her mom placed an arm around her.

  Lillian stepped up beside them. “Saber will be happier with a breakaway collar. We'll find a sparkly one. Let's go.” She discreetly slipped the bracelet from her pocket to mine.

  I accompanied them out of the park and over to Main Street to the pet store. I left them at the entrance to the store and walked in the direction of the police station. Bruce must have been delayed for he had failed to catch up with us in the park.

  No sooner had I thought of Bruce than I saw him stepping out of the coffee shop. He held a brown paper bag and paper coffee cup tray in one hand and Paw's leash in the other.

  Paw turned his head in my direction. “Woof!”

  Tail waving, he dragged Bruce to me.

  Chapter 9

  “Paw! Slow down!” Bruce tried to juggle the drink tray without spilling but to no success. By the time he stopped coffee and tea dripped from his hand. The same one with the scratches.

  As I hugged Paw, Bruce cursed as he transferred the tray to his other hand and shook his wet hand to dry his bandages.

  Paw ignored Bruce's profanity and sat at my feet, leaning against my leg.

  I took the paper bag from Bruce and pulled out a napkin then handed it to him while taking the drink tray. Half cups of coffee and tea remained.

  Bruce scowled at Paw. “I love you, big guy, but sometimes…”

  “You're not having a good day, are you honey?”

  He grunted.

  “Let's find a bench, and I'll tell you about Saber.”

  We found an empty bench close to where we stood. Part of Main Street's beautification program included benches placed at intervals to create a hometown feel even though the town was already small. Mr. Cooper, who developed the idea, had lived in large cities all his life. He had a tough time accepting that he was in a small town now. Still it was pleasant to have the benches available.

  Bruce took back the bag and opened it. He handed me a cruller while he pulled out a chocolate donut for himself.

  Paw sat in front of us with big, pleading eyes.

  “No chocolate for you, buddy,” Bruce reminded him.

  “Here, sweetheart.” I broke off half my cruller and handed it to him. He wolfed it down in one bite. With a last pleading look at Bruce who didn't relent, Paw lay at our feet. Chocolate wasn't safe for dogs, but I suspected Bruce chose it so he wouldn't have to share.

  “Saber?” Bruce prompted me before he took a huge bite of donut.

  I raised one eyebrow as I bit into my cruller. Bruce could wait for a recap until I had a little sugar too.

  Mm. I savored the bite then swallowed. “A six-year-old put the bracelet on Saber.”

  “You're kidding!”

  “Nope. Her name is Kara, and Saber loves her. He dug up the bracelet from the flower bed by the gazebo.” I recounted my encounter with Kara and her mom. “Lillian took the little girl to the pet shop to get Saber a new collar.”

  Bruce took a long swig of coffee while he thought. “So, who buried the bracelet?”

  “I don't know, but I have the bracelet and plan to drop it off at the police station.” I finished my cruller and licked my fingers.

  “I haven't heard of any jewel thefts. You?”

  “No, and as far as I know, no one has lost a bracelet. I can ask Alma though. The church ladies usually know all the gossip.”

  “Diamonds,” Bruce mused as he swigged more coffee. “If they're real.”

  “Harry can have Seth Hammond examine them.” Seth was our local jeweler.

  Paw's ears perked up and he swiveled his head to our left.

  “No comment!” Karen Taylor said over her shoulder as she shoved through the door of the shop nearest our bench.

  Right behind her Mark Carter followed saying, “But you did know the deceased.”

  Paw jumped up at their loud voices.

  “Woof! Woof!”

  I shushed him.

  Carter, our local reporter, was tenacious when he followed a story. With the police response to the death at the inn, it didn't surprise me that Mark was on the story.

  “I'm not the only one!” Karen spotted me and marched over.

  Paw moved in front of me.

  Carter followed, asking, “What do you mean, not the only one?”

  Karen stopped a few feet away when she saw Paw, and said, “Shelbee told me you investigate suspicious deaths. Maybe you better ask your dear William about his past with Cafferty.”

  She flipped her hair over her shoulder and strode off.

  Mark jerked his head between Karen and me, trying to decide who to pursue. He gave me a nod and hurried after Karen.
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br />   “What did she mean? Did she know Cafferty? Did William?” Bruce stuck his empty cup into the paper bag.

  “I don't know, but I want to find out before Mark does. Let's get back to the B&B and talk with William.”

  Bruce threw our trash in one of the new trash cans positioned at intervals along the sidewalk. He set a brisk pace out of town, along Curzon Street, and up the hill to the B&B. Paw trotted by his side without pausing to sniff out interesting scents. My pooch was on the case too.

  I huffed and puffed the last way up the hill and into the driveway. Uncle Harry stood on the porch with his arm raised to knock.

  “Hey, Harry!” Bruce called out to him.

  Harry turned in our direction and waited until we joined him on the porch. “What are you doing here?”

  “Hello, Uncle, good to see you too.” I panted as I sat on the top step. Paw flopped down next to me after he greeted Harry and sniffed my uncle’s shoes.

  “We need to talk,” Bruce told Harry as he wiggled his fingers at me.

  I gave him a “what-do-you-want” look.

  “Bracelet.”

  I pulled the diamond bracelet from my pocket and handed it to him.

  He handed it to Harry who asked, “What's this?”

  Bruce explained about Saber and the buried bracelet.

  Harry turned it over in his hands. “You think it's real diamonds?”

  I stood up. “One way to find out. Ask Seth.”

  Harry nodded. “Good idea. I'll drop the bracelet off to him later. But now I have business here. You never did say what you two are doing here.”

  Bruce's attempt at distraction hadn't worked, so he opted for the direct approach. “Clarissa and I were eating donuts on a bench on Main Street when Karen Taylor stormed out of a shop with Mark Carter on her heels.”

  Harry cursed. “Mark is a pest.”

  Bruce shrugged. “True. Karen saw us, marched over, and suggested we talk with William She claims he knew Cafferty in the past. We came here to find out.”

  Harry scowled. “I want Clarissa out of this investigation.”

  “I know,” Bruce said. “But she always gets involved.”

  “Hello!” I waved my arms. “I'm standing right here.”

  Both men ignored me.

  “Better we keep her involved where we can protect her,” Bruce said to Harry.