Rising Storm (13 page)

"Hey Sheriff," Miss Daisy said sweetly as she poured him a cup of coffee. "How are you doing this morning?"

"I'm doing well, you?" he asked as he took a sip of his coffee and waited for the questions to begin.

"We heard you dropped off an orchid last night at the vet clinic," Miss Daisy said.

It was phrased as a statement, but it was really a question. He decided not to respond and just took another sip of his coffee. He knew better than to think that would be the end of it, but he thought he'd make them work for it a little.

"That's right, Daisy Mae. I heard they were beautiful. I also heard there was a note." Miss Violet poked her flour-covered nose out from the kitchen.

"Um-hm, I heard it wasn't just any note, but a handwritten note," Daisy added in.

"Did you hear that it took him a full fifteen minutes to write it when he was at the flower shop?"

"I didn't hear that, Violet Fae. I wonder what took him so long to write it."

Marshall hid his smile behind his cup and wondered how long they’d go on. As more people came in, more rumors floated around him. Nancy glided in looking fresh and all too perky in some kind of dressy thing.

"Good morning, Sheriff. So sorry about last night." She took a seat next to him and waved Miss Daisy over for a cup of coffee.

"Excuse me?"

"I heard that Katelyn didn't even care about that beautiful orchid you sent. I heard she said it was pathetic compared to the huge bouquets she’s used to receiving from her admirers."

The audible gasp from the patrons told him that Nancy was the first one to have this bit of gossip. He wanted to dismiss it as out of hand, but it still nagged at him. Katelyn was beautiful. She was a supermodel and he'd been insane to think she’d want to settle for a local sheriff. Maybe Nancy was right.

The door chimed and he instinctually looked to see who was walking in. Dressed in a similar brown uniform, Sheriff Nuggett came through the door and scanned the crowd until spotting him.

"Nuggett." He nodded. "Excuse us Nancy, would ya?"

"Of course! I understand - men's business. I hope I get to see you at the Belle Ball. You should be receiving your invitation soon. Have a good meeting gentlemen." Nancy got up from the table gave a little finger wave before taking a seat at a nearby table with Jasmine.

"What's up?" Marshall asked as soon as they were alone.

"We've had reports of two missing dogs."

"Like missing people?"

"Yes. Our local vet got a call from two of his clients frantic about their missing dogs. They were hoping they had been dropped off at the vet clinic. The humane society hadn't picked up any dogs of that description."

"Could they have just run away?"

"Unlikely. Both were house pets with no history of running away and the key fact was that both dogs were in yards with electric fences. Their collars had been removed and were left in the yard."

"Damn." Marshall rubbed his hand over his head. He couldn't imagine the fear those dogs and owners must be going through.

"Exactly. They’re escalating. I've looked at the map you sent over and found a couple of areas worth looking into."

"I have too. I also have a long list of suspects. I'll email my notes over to you." Marshall pulled out his phone and sent the notes to Nuggett right then. "You think we missed the fight already?"

"Unfortunately. But I’m going to do some driving around tonight and see what I can find."

"How about I ride along with you. There's some places here I'd like to check out right on the county line. It may be easier if we work on this together so there are no jurisdictional issues."

"Sounds good. I'll pick you up at nine tonight. And, if you don't mind, can I give you some advice?"

"Of course. I've been a sheriff for a couple months, you've been one for a decade. I’m always learning."

"My advice is about you and this gal. I heard you gave her flowers. Good move. The note was a good touch too. But, I'd make sure you get some face-to-face time this evening so you stay fresh in her mind and show her you're determined. I had to work for my wife, but it was worth it." Nuggett stood and put on his hat. "I'll see you tonight."

"See you then, and thanks for the advice."

Geez. His dating life was now gossip in multiple counties. What was next, the front page of the newspaper? Local television news coverage?

"Hi Sheriff," Jasmine's voice purred from behind him.

Oh great, both Nancy and Jasmine in the same day. Was it too much to hope she would’ve stayed at her own table? Were all the Belles going to pounce on him today? Whereas Nancy liked to show what a perfect political wife she’d be, Jasmine liked to show what an, um, attentive wife she’d be.

Jasmine fluffed her dyed red hair and pushed her very ample breasts forward after taking the seat Nuggett just vacated. Before he could tell her he was about to leave, her hand was on his thigh, gently moving up and down over his uniform.

"Oooh, Sheriff, I’m so sorry about things not working out with that girl. But, she’s a horrid, snooty, amazon of a woman. And so cold. Not warm, pliable, or responsive at all. I think you're lucky it didn't work out," she leaned in and whispered seductively into his ear, her warm breath dancing over his lobe.

"Jas," he stood up quickly from his chair and dropped a five on the table, "I appreciate your concern, but Katelyn is neither horrid nor cold or any of those other things you have said and I’d appreciate it if you kept your unwanted opinions to yourself."

He knew he had taken her to task, but he was tired of hearing the Belles trash Katelyn. He'd apologize for snapping at her eventually, but not today. He nodded to Miss Daisy and Miss Violet as they stood staring open-mouthed at his rude behavior. By tonight, his mother would be over having something to say about his manners.

Katelyn had never had so many clients in one day. Every pet owner in Keeneston found an excuse to stop by and they all stood huddled around the orchid next to Sally's desk. She had taken the note home with her. Some silly part of her had tucked it away in her keepsake box.

Each client asked about the note she had received as she examined their pet. Every person was trying to get the scoop, trying to find out what was in the note. It would’ve been humorous if it wasn't so invasive. However, in this one day she'd be able to make the monthly payment on all her new equipment!

"Did you hear Sheriff Nuggett had a meeting with Marshall this morning?" Shelly asked as Katelyn handed the last bit of paperwork to her.

"No. I didn't. All the talk I heard today was about the orchid and the note. More people wanting to know what was written in the note."

"So, what was in the note?" Shelly pried.

"I don't know why it matters, it's not like he actually wrote it."

"You don't know that. The word around town is he wrote it himself at the flower shop."

Katelyn ignored her friend's stare and thought about what she had said. She wondered if something else had happened. Why else would Sheriff Nuggett come meet with him?

"What did Sheriff Nuggett say? Did something happen?" Katelyn prayed that another dog wasn't found.

"I don’t know. They're staying pretty tight-lipped about it." Shelly looked at the clock on the wall and grimaced. "I better get going. Today flew by and I need to pick up a pizza on the way home. It's past seven so the husband and kids are probably fighting each other for the leftovers like wild animals by now. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Bye Shelly. Thanks for staying late. I really appreciate it." Katelyn waited for her best friend to leave and then grabbed her purse. She wanted to find out what that meeting was about.

Marshall and Bob were on the couch having some bonding time. Bob's copper-colored coat stuck out against the dark walnut furniture. His head was leaning against Marshall's shoulder as they watched Animal Planet. Bob growled and barked when the Turtleman dove under water and brought up a snapping turtle with his bare hands.

"We need to call him and have him get the snapping turtles in our pond, don't we?" Marshall asked his best friend.

Bob wagged his tail. He'd be up for anything that meant those turtles were gone. They had been tormenting him for months. The other week Bob was chasing some ducks down by the pond and Marshall had seen him run into the water just to turn around and run as fast as he could out of there with a big turtle chasing after him.

He rubbed Bob's belly and turned back to the show he’d only been half watching. The rest of the time, he was either thinking about the case or Katelyn. He was stuck with what to do next with her, but he was pretty sure he had a good place to start in the investigation. In sharing the information with Nuggett, it was interesting to see where the fights took place, but more interestingly where they did not take place.

He wanted to talk to Nuggett about it tonight. It seemed these people were cruel, but not stupid. They wouldn't have the fights on their property, so if they eliminated the areas where the known fights and dog thefts were, it would actually show them the area the criminals lived in. Then he'd pull the arrest records for that area and hopefully be able to narrow it down to a couple suspects.

Bob cocked his head at the sound of the doorbell, but decided Animal Planet was more interesting. Marshall glanced at the clock. Nuggett was over an hour early. He pushed himself off the couch to Bob's grunts and groans of dissatisfaction at his human pillow leaving.

"You're early," he said as he opened the door.

"I didn't know you were expecting me."

"Katelyn." He blinked and looked again making sure he wasn't dreaming. "I’m sorry, I thought you were Sheriff Nuggett. Please, come in."

Marshall opened the door wide and allowed her into his old farmhouse. Miles had gone for style while he had gone for comfort. His house was old and the antique furniture reflected that. His house had been the bachelor pad for the longest time, but one by one they had all moved out. Miles' house had been built and furnished, Cade had gotten married and renovated his house, and Cy was just never there.

Bob raised his head from the couch and stared at Katelyn for a minute before putting his head back down and turning back to the show. Katelyn smiled and shook her head.

"I guess I’m not worth the effort," Katelyn joked.

"I think you are," Marshall said softly.

"Thank you."

He liked the way Katelyn blushed at his compliment. Maybe the flowers had worked! He led her into the open living room and sat down with her on a loveseat.

"I hope you don't think I’m prying, but I wanted to ask you about the café this morning."

"Nothing happened with Nancy or Jasmine. I’m not interested in any other women and have made sure they know that. Actually, I‘m pretty sure Jasmine may not talk to me again. I was pretty rude when I made it known that I was interested in you, not her."

Katelyn's mouth turned into a pretty O shape as she batted her blue eyes a couple of time. He could see a range of emotions flash across her eyes.

"That's nice. I don't really know what to say to that."

"I just wanted you to know I’m serious about wanting a date with you. I won't be doing any of my playboy games where I date multiple women at once. You're all I want."

"This is embarrassing, but I was talking about your meeting with Sheriff Nuggett. Although," she added quickly, "it is very good to know that I won't be lost in your harem."

"Um, well, umm. I guess I really stepped in it, huh?" Marshall laughed.

He didn't know what else to do. He better just throw in the towel. There would be no way she'd agree to a date now.

"I guess that's a no to dinner then?" He shook his head. Wow, he had blown it.

"I didn't say that."

Her quiet voice reached his ears and he perked up. Was she saying yes?

"So you will go out on a date with me?"

"I didn't say that either." She smiled and he felt his insides go to mush at the same time he wanted to jump in the air and pump his fists. He wasn't out of the game yet!

"The reason I came was to find out what's going on with the dog-fighting ring. I was so worried Sheriff Nuggett had found another dog."

"Not exactly. Two dogs were reported missing. Stolen, actually. Their electric collars had been taken off and left in the yard. We're going out tonight to look into some of the areas that are suspicious to us."

"That's the trouble with below ground electrical fences. They keep your dog in, but they don't keep anything out. I hope they’re found, but I’m afraid they won't be. Good luck tonight and, please, do be careful."

"Come on Doc, don't tell me you’re starting to care about what happens to me," he winked. He was rewarded with a smile, but she didn't say anything more. "Katelyn, I…"

Marshall was interrupted by the knock on the door. He apologized for the interruption and went to open the door. His mother stood in all her glory at the door. Her hands were full of homemade goodies and she probably carried a couple of women’s numbers who wanted to settle down and get married in her pocket.

"Ma. What are you doing here?"

Marcy Davies pushed her way past him and headed into the house. There was no stopping his mother once she got a whiff of possible bride potential. Marcy made a beeline right for Katelyn who stood as soon as she saw his mother.

"Katelyn, dear, I didn't know you were here. I’m so sorry to interrupt. But, since I have you here, there’s something I wanted to ask you."

"Yes, ma'am?" Katelyn smiled. Marcy Davies was the mother she always wished she had. She was attentive, loving, caring, and never disappeared for months at a time.

"I wanted to invite you and your grandparents over to dinner next Sunday night. Please tell me ya'll can make it."

"I will check with my grandparents and let you know. Thank you so much for the offer. I know I’m free."

"Wonderful! I'll just put this in the kitchen. I don't want to be in the way." Marcy gave her a wink and headed to the kitchen as Marshall started grabbing food from her overladen arms.

Marshall walked his mother to the door and gave her a kiss on her cheek. Katelyn had promised to call her in the morning to let her know if her grandparents would be joining them for their weekly family dinner. He opened the door and walked out onto the porch and down the white wooden steps.