Get Fluffy (18 page)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

“Melinda?” Tricia wailed over the phone. “I need your help.”

I headed to the great room and plopped on one of the two couches. Grey and the dogs followed.

She’s crying, I mouthed to Grey. He looked mildly curious. I just shrugged.

“This is a little awkward, Tricia. I don’t normally discuss business after hours.” I picked up a decorative pillow and tossed it aside, making room for Grey. I flashed him an inviting smile.

He sat next to me, and Missy immediately curled up at his feet. Fluffy stayed back and watched.

“This isn’t about the clothing line,” she simpered. “I don’t know what to do. I’m scared.”

I rolled my eyes in disbelief. “Scared of what?”

“Not what. Who,” her tone sharp. “Jo came at me like a mafia wife in the Whole Food’s parking lot tonight.”

I choked back laughter. “What are you talking about?” I put her on speaker phone so Grey could hear.

“She was waiting for me at my car. She yelled obscenities at me. Can you believe it? Then she said I’d be sorry if I didn’t help her.”

A big piece of the puzzle was missing. “Does this have to do with what you two were arguing about in the bathroom?”

Grey quietly got up and left the room. Fluffy tagged along. Missy readjusted until she was lying on my foot and resumed snoring.

“Yes.” She sniffed. “She lost something in Mona’s car and wanted to know if I could retrieve it for her.”

Why would Tricia do anything out of the goodness of her heart for Jo? Unless she owed Jo a favor. “What did she lose?”

Grey came back to the room with a pad of paper. He’d scribbled one word. Blackmail.

I looked at him and nodded, impressed. Damn, he was smart.

“I-I can’t tell you,” she hedged.

“Is Jo blackmailing you?” I tried to sound caring, but I think it came across as almost an accusation. I needed to work on my delivery.

There was a moment of silence. “Yes.”

Ding, ding, ding. We have ourselves a winner. Grey’s eyes widened in triumph. We shared an air fist bump.

“Is this about your ‘date’ the night Mona was murdered?” I asked.

“What?”

Clearly Tricia wasn’t the brainy type. “Are you dating a married man? Is that what Jo’s blackmailing you with?”

A sigh of annoyance rushed across the phone. “Apparently, you’ve never been blackmailed before. Part of the instructions are don’t go to the police and don’t talk to anyone.”

“Tricia, you’re smarter than this. You can’t possibly take Jo seriously?”

“What if she killed Mona?”

“I thought you believed Cliff or his brother, Ted, killed her?”

“I’ve changed my mind. I think it was Jo. I didn’t tell you this, but Mona fired her.”

I sat up abruptly, accidently kicking Missy. She didn’t move. “When?

“The day of the Fur Ball,” she announced dramatically.

She enjoyed piecing out her information bit by bit.

“Tricia, I have to go. You’re going to be fine. First thing tomorrow, visit Malone. Tell him everything you just told me. He’ll help you.”

I disconnected before she could protest.

“If she actually goes to see Malone tomorrow, that should help Darby, right?” I asked Grey.

“Possibly,” he replied cautiously. “Don’t be surprised if she doesn’t go. If Jo really is holding something over her, the shame of being exposed can outweigh the fear toward the blackmailer.”

“Well, that’s dumb. Tricia shouldn’t have been carrying on with some married man.”

Grey was reflective. “She never said that’s what Jo was holding over her head. You assumed that’s what it was.”

Really? I thought about it for a second, and he was right. I’d actually suggested it. “If not that, then what?”

Grey dropped down next to me and held out his palm. “Let me see those pictures before your phone rings again.”

I quickly pulled up the photos and showed Grey. “Aren’t those the same ones that were at Mona’s?”

He didn’t say anything as he flipped back and forth between the pictures. I watched him send copies to his personal email. “Where’d you find these?” he asked.

“On Cliff’s yacht in his closet.” I rubbed Missy’s back with my foot. “Where’s Fluffy?”

“She went upstairs,” he answered absently.

Great. Probably looking for an escape route.

“How can they both have the same painting?” I asked, looking over his shoulder.

He handed the phone back to me. “Either they’re both copies or one’s the original, and the other is a copy.”

“How do we find which one it is?

“We don’t. I will. You talk to Jo and find out if Tricia was telling the truth.”

“You think Tricia’s lying?”

“I think Tricia was groomed by Mona. Tricia has an agenda, and I want to find out what it is.”

That made sense. First she said she was looking for a contract, then she claimed Jo was blackmailing her. Supposedly for dating a married man. Not to sound callous, but unless that married man is either a celebrity or politician, no one cared.

Tomorrow would be an interesting day.

Chapter Thirty

I’d overslept. While I showered, Grey walked the dogs. Even though he’d poked fun at the weight of my bag, I really hadn’t brought a lot of clothing choices. The weight came from my boots.

I pulled on my jeans and a tunic sweater. After running a wide-tooth comb through my wet hair, I secured the thick mess in a bun. I grabbed my boots and scurried downstairs inhaling the smell of coffee and burned eggs.

I found Grey and the dogs in the kitchen. Grey reading the paper, Missy eating her food, and Fluffy
 . . .
well, I wasn’t sure what she was doing. It looked like she was gazing longingly out the patio door.

“She’s tracking the neighbor’s cat,” Grey said from behind the paper.

“Good to know. Got any hot water?” I pulled a travel mug from the cupboard.

“I left a mug for you in the microwave. Lemons in the fridge.”

I found my hot water where he’d left it. Some day I’d learn to like coffee like the other grown-ups. “Did any eggs survive?” The non-stick pan in the sink hadn’t lived up to its reputation. Grey had killed it.

“Nope. I got distracted,” he offered as an explanation for the black mess in the sink. “You wanna grab something in town?”

I heard the paper rustle behind me. I checked my watch. It was after nine, and I wanted to talk to Jo as soon as possible. “I’m good. I’ll probably just grab a drink at the Koffee Klatch. Dinner?”

“Are you offering to cook?” He dropped the paper on the glass table.

He hadn’t overslept. He looked refreshed, clean shaven and dressed for the gallery.

“Nope. I’m offering to eat with you.”

He chuckled. “It’s a date.”

I gave him a big smooch and agreed to call him later. “Let’s go, dogs.”

The three of us loaded into the Jeep and sped off to my place to drop off my furry passengers. Then I was off to Caro’s. It was time to get my brooch back.

Unlike my cousin,
I didn’t have to break into her home. I’d taken the liberty of having a copy of her key made. (Now, don’t act so shocked. If we were on speaking terms, you know I’d be the first person she’d entrust with a spare.)

Once I was certain she wasn’t home, I walked the half block to her place. (I wasn’t so bold that I’d park in her driveway; the goal was to get in and out without being caught.) I unlocked the door and walked inside.

Dogbert, a rescue mixed-breed, barked his welcome. His bark was definitely terrier. It had that sharp tone that said he was boss. I got down on one knee and pulled out the bacon flavored treats I’d brought just for Dog.

“Here you go, boy.” I fed him one. Once he’d finished it, he immediately rolled over for a belly rub. I willingly obliged.

As I gave Dog his rub down, I casually looked around. Her open floor plan was both a blessing and a curse when looking for my brooch.

Thelma and Louise, her cats, were stretched out along the top of the overstuffed couch sunbathing. Where would Caro have hid it this time? It was possible she had it with her. Probably not. She’d be worried about the gems coming loose.

I stood and walked into the kitchen.

Her organized cupboards were stocked with health food. Where’s the sugar, Sugar? I opened the fridge and was equally disappointed.

“Well, I’m glad you haven’t invited me over for dinner. Yikes. I’m not sure I’d survive on tuna and organic veggies.”

Thelma and Louise meandered through the kitchen, swishing between my feet checking out what I was doing.

“Ladies, I brought a little something for you too.”

I pulled out at pouch of Kitty Kat Kibbles and poured out two small piles on the counter, one for each of them.

Maybe she hid the pin in her bedroom.

As I was passing through the living room, I noticed her overstuffed bookcase was even more overstuffed than the last time I’d visited. I didn’t normally notice that type of stuff, but Caro always had interesting books. And a wide variety. Fiction, non-fiction, reference, and her favorite biographies. She loved to read.

There were two new books shoved on top of the other books that had caught my attention. They looked like text books. Being the nosy cousin, I helped myself to see what she’d bought this time.
Relational Diagnosis and Dysfunctional Family Patterns
and
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Obviously she was researching our family tree.

I pulled the fancy burgundy leather book off the shelf. It looked like it was from her therapy days. Not when she was in therapy, but when she was paid to give out advice. It smelled kinda musty. Eew.

I ran my hand over the leather. It was soft and in decent shape. I opened the cover thinking I might find something to help me deal with Mama and almost dropped it.

“Oh, no, you didn’t.”

Caro had defaced a book.

My cousin, the lover of all things bookish had ripped out a handful of pages and taped something wrapped in a monogrammed hankie (CAL) to the inside cover. That something was the exact size as Grandma Tillie’s brooch. My snoopiness paid off big time.

My heart surged with excitement.

Very carefully, I removed my prized possession and unwrapped it. Not a loose gem on it. Perfectly garish. And all mine. I gave it an appreciative smooch.

It was back where it belonged.

“You are one sneaky gal, Carolina Alexis Lamont.”

Chapter Thirty-One

This time I wasn’t taking any chances. I headed home to hide my loot in a secure place. Fluffy’s safe. I tucked away the pin next to Fluffy’s own prized treasures. I have to admit I felt a little cocky for once again being on top. It was going to be a great day.

Mitch and Nikki had left a note letting me know they were out for a morning stroll on the beach. I was about to call the dogs, but realized they were crashed out in their beds. I scribbled a note to the newlyweds that I’d check on the furry kids after noon and scrammed.

With an enormous smile on my face, I sped down PCH toward the shop. I spied Cliff’s Land Rover at Nick’s restaurant. Without a second thought, I cranked the steering wheel to the left and parked.

As soon as I climbed out of the Jeep, the powerful aroma of fried chicken and coffee assaulted my sensibilities. My stomach growled, demanding to be fed. Nick’s was one of the few restaurants in town where you’d find an entree of fried chicken and gravy with waffles on the menu.

It was a nice place with trendy deco and good food. At times a long wait to get into for dinner. Especially during tourist season.

I walked inside and spotted Cliff sitting at the bar, no breakfast. Unless you considered a Bloody Mary the breakfast of champions. I claimed the barstool next to him.

“What the hell do you want?” he growled.

Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. I took in his mussed hair and scruffy face. He was wearing the same bowling shirt he’d worn yesterday. Correction. Someone still needed to go to bed.

“Long night?” I asked.

“Whada you care?” He drank deeply, almost stabbing himself in the eye with the celery stick sticking out of his glass.

“I hear you’re in trouble.”

“What do you know about it?” he snapped.

I waved the bartender over and asked for an iced tea. His gaze shifted between Cliff and me but wisely kept his opinion to himself.

“I guess you’re the last to know. It’s well known around town you’ve got a gambling problem.”

An awkward moment passed. The bartender brought my tea, then vanished.

Cliff shrugged. “So I gamble. What’s the big deal?”

“I’d say borrowing money from Batty is a big deal,” I whispered.

His glass slid from his hand, landing upright on the bar. He whipped around and glared at me. “Are you trying to get us killed?”

Lord, he could get angry fast. Imagine how angry he could be at someone he hated. I moved him to the top of my suspect list. “If you’re that afraid of him, why on God’s green earth would you take money from him?”

“I didn’t.”

It took me a second, but I got it. “Ted.”

“This is all Mona’s fault. If she hadn’t gone back on her word, I wouldn’t be in the mess.”

“What part did she go back on?” Fluffy or paying him off in cash?

He motioned for the bartender to bring him another Bloody Mary. “Up until a month ago, she was giving me money.”

“That doesn’t sound like Mona.”

“I had a little leverage.” He leered at me as if I should be impressed with the revelation. “She was leading a fictional lifestyle. You know what I mean?”

Her and sixty percent of the US population. Way too many people living beyond what they could afford. “So you were blackmailing her?”

“Not at all. We had an agreement. Then she stopped paying me.”

“Why? Because you were sleeping with her best friend?”

He blinked, then laughed. Loudly. You know that annoying drunk-guy laugh? Only I don’t think he was drunk. Yet.

“Whoever told you I was boffing Tricia is crazy. I had the real deal, and I couldn’t stand her. Why would I want a cheap imitation?”

Wow. That was harsh. Accurate, but harsh nonetheless.

“So you threatened Mona?” I asked.

A rather charming smile appeared, and, for a moment, I caught a glimpse of what Mona may have seen in him. Then he opened his mouth. “I explained the situation. And out of the goodness of her heart she started paying me again.”

He was so lying. He was trying too hard to convince me.

“How’d she find the money?”

“How should I know? I didn’t care as long as I was getting what she owed me. She still owes me that dog.”

“You’re not getting Fluffy.”

“I’ll sue you,” he tossed out his empty threat.

We both knew he didn’t have the resources to take me on. “What’s stopping you?” I asked.

He glared at me and chugged the rest of his drink. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

“What about her art?” I asked.

“What about it?” he asked warily.

“Why’d she leave it to you? You live on a yacht.”

He sneered, “She had a twisted sense of humor.” He slid off the stool and threw a handful of bills on the bar.

“Is that why you killed her?” I asked before he could get away.

He didn’t bother to even look at me. “She was my cash cow. Why would I kill her?”

That was a very good question. “Maybe you weren’t planning on it. It just happened.”

He looked at me in complete seriousness. “Nothing just happened with Mona.”

And with that he waltzed out of Nick’s as if he didn’t have a care in the world. If the mob was after me, I’d be changing zip codes faster than you could say lily-livered pond sucker.

I’d just stepped outside
when I heard someone call my name. It was Darby strolling down the PCH sidewalk with Fluffy.

I watched the two come toward me. Apparently Darby woke up this morning thinking she was impersonating Annie Hall in her wide legged trousers, white long-sleeved t-shirt and brown scarf tied around her neck like a tie.

For all their differences, Fluffy and Darby fit together. Her Highness was in go mode, prancing along side Darby. I had to give Fluffy credit for not tugging on the lead. Impressive. It also gave me an idea.

“Why in the world do you have her?” I asked as soon as Darby was within ear shot.

“I stopped by your place when Bow Wow never opened. I was worried.” Her face was flush from the brisk walk. For a moment she looked like the Darby I met two years ago. Fresh from the midwest without a care.

“And then what? Her Highness raced out the front door, hopped into your little Fiesta, and demanded that you take her for a walk?” I laughed, thinking about Fluffy riding around Laguna in a Ford. So different than her Jag.

“Not exactly,” she hedged. “She doesn’t seem to like your brother.”

I greeted Snob Dog with a pat. She shook off my show of affection.

“Did he guilt you into taking her?” I asked, offended on my friend’s behalf.

“I offered. I’m getting used to her. Was that Cliff driving off?”

“Sure was. He freely admitted he had a gambling problem and was indebted to a certain group of unsavory characters.” We fell into step. The Koffee Klatch was behind us, but there was a Starbucks up the street. I could still get my chai.

“Did he explain about the paintings?” she asked.

“No. But Grey’s working on that angle for us.”

“Grey?” she asked, surprised.

I filled her in on last night. She was also impressed I’d gotten Tova to drop the lawsuit, even if I had to pay her off in the process.

We were standing in line waiting on our Starbucks order when I asked, “How about the three of us visit a certain pet psychic? Mona’s last call was to Jo. I want to know what they talked about.”

“What if she won’t tell you?” Darby asked.

“Then I’ll ask her why she’s blackmailing Tricia.”