The Girl With the Dachshund Tattoo (13 page)

“I’ll take my chances elsewhere. Daniel, thanks for the help. I have to set up the booth.” I spun around and marched out of the tent.

Chapter Fifteen

I BARGED OUT OF Dr. Daniel’s tent and smacked into a frazzled petite brunette, knocking her off her feet. The contents of my backpack spilled onto the grass like candy from a busted piñata.

“I’m so sorry. Are you okay?” I offered her a hand.

The woman looked up. Dark eyes peeked through limp locks of hair. It was Fallon Keller, the protester who’d been arguing with Richard before he died. The day was turning around.

“I’m fine,” she replied through gritted teeth, refusing my offer.

I dropped to my hands and knees and gathered my personal items. I scooped up my keys, the dog antidepressant brochure, lip balm, and wallet. Fallon handed me my cell phone.

“Thanks. I think I’ve seen you before. Weren’t you protesting yesterday?” I kept my head down and aimed for a nonchalant tone of voice.

She scrambled to her feet. “Maybe.”

I gathered the last few items out of the thick grass, cramming everything inside my bag as quickly as possible before jumping to my feet. We each took a moment to brush ourselves off. I wasn’t very meticulous since I was wearing yesterday’s jeans and T-shirt. Fallon, on the other hand, had worn a trendy, long maxi-dress with a white jean jacket. A little dirt and grass stains would be noticeable.

As she continued to inspect herself, I pressed for a little chat. “I have to admit, I was surprised to see picketers. I had no idea there was any type of controversy around wiener racing.”

Her small face tightened with passionate disapproval. “These races promote animal exploitation, cheating, and gambling. Our organization would rather encourage competitions which demonstrate doxies’ natural agility and field-tracking skills. Did you know there are Dachshund Dashes held on ice rinks? That’s extremely dangerous. The lack of traction has led to horrible spinal injuries.”

I didn’t know. As fanatical as she sounded, she made valid points. About ice races anyway. “But we’re racing in the grass. At a dog park.”

“You have no idea what these owners are willing to do behind the scenes. It’s appalling.” She pointed at a sheet of paper lying in the grass behind me. “You missed something.”

It was the photo of Fallon and Richard. My breath caught. This could be bad.

“Thanks,” I said, as we reached for it at the same time.

She snatched it from my grip. “Where’d you get this?” Her voice rose in what sounded like panic.

I grabbed it back. “The event photographer took it yesterday.” No use beating around the bush now. “How do you know Richard?”

She hesitated. “Everyone knows Zippy and the Eriksens.”

“But not everyone wants to beat Mr. Eriksen with a picket sign. What were you two fighting about?”

“We weren’t fighting. We hardly knew each other.”

I looked at the photo. I wasn’t buying it. People who didn’t know each other, didn’t glare at one another with that much emotion. I held up the paper. “Really? Looks like you were about to whack him with your sign.”

“That’s not what happened,” she denied, stepping back.

“What was it then?”

“I was surprised. I lost my grip on the wooden handle. That’s all.”

My eyes narrowed in skepticism. “Surprised about what?”

She pressed her lips together. “That’s not really any of your business.”

“You’re absolutely right. But the police have a copy of this photo.” I shook the paper. “It’s only a matter of time before they talk to you. Whatever you’re hiding will come out. Think of this as an opportunity to hone your answer.”

“Was he upset that you’d tipped off the filmmaker about Zippy’s retirement?” MacAvoy asked from behind me.

I spun around to face Mr. TV. Damn him. Why didn’t I hear him creep up on us? How much had he overheard?

“How did you know about that?” Fallon’s eyes darted around like a runaway bride looking for an escape route.

It was true? Well that could be a real game-changer.

“Yeah, how
did
you know about that?” I didn’t want to be impressed, but I felt a temporary crack in my disdain for Mr.TV. Maybe he was better at research than I had given him credit for. Or more likely, he had real sources.

“Isn’t that what you told the filmmaker yesterday? That Richard Eriksen had confided in you about retiring Zippy after this weekend’s race?” he asked Fallon.

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He pulled out the same small notebook he’d held just minutes earlier and flipped through it. “I saw her interviewing the protesters for her dogumentary. You were there.”

“That doesn’t prove anything,” she snapped.

She was right. But I was finally starting to push past my distrust of Callum MacAvoy and decode his insistence that he had something I wanted—the girl with the dachshund tattoo. “It does if the filmmaker told MacAvoy.”

He smiled. “You’re starting to pay attention.”

“Well, you did try and tell me you had something I wanted. I just didn’t realize ‘something’ meant ‘someone’,” I conceded reluctantly. “This doesn’t mean we’re friends. I’m angry that you talked about Betty on the air.”

He grinned. “You saw that?”

“Don’t sound so impressed. I’m not signing up for your fan club.” I switched my focus back to Fallon who trembled like a frightened Chihuahua. In the words of Grandma Tillie, she was “as antsy as a Baptist at a poker table.”

“Why would Richard confide in you? He didn’t seem like someone who spilled secrets to random strangers or acquaintances,” I said.

Her amber eyes darkened with emotion. “We weren’t random strangers.”

“So you have some type of history? I heard there was an altercation last year between a protester and a racer. Was that you and Richard?”

“You heard wrong. Lenny Santucci argued with a judge. He thought she was playing favorites. There were no problems between anyone in our organization and a racer.

“So you and Richard were what?
Friends
?” As in friends with benefits?

Fallon started to answer, but Hagan Stone suddenly called out my name, stopping her cold. The three of us turned in his direction as he bounded our way. MacAvoy cursed under his breath. I had to agree, Hagan had horrible timing.

“Hello, Ms. Langston. I wasn’t sure you were here.” Hagan sounded out of breath. What was so important that he felt the need to run?

“I’m definitely here.” Oh, dang. The booth. I still needed to unpack the merchandise.

Hagan sucked in one last deep breath, then let it out in a rush. “I won’t need you as a judge after all. Thank you for your willingness to help. I do so appreciate it.”

While I was distracted with Hagan, Fallon seized the opportunity to slink off without a word. Darn. I had more questions for her.

“I’m glad it all worked out.” Because my promise to judge had completely slipped my mind. I was about to excuse myself so I could chase after Fallon until I noticed Hagan’s gaze collide with MacAvoy.

The intensity was palpable. Hagan’s expression morphed from gratitude into a mixture of surprise and then worry. I would have thought he’d be happy to know the event was being covered by the media. Even if it was by the noon reporter. Everyone knows, beggars can’t be choosers.

“It’s nice to see you again, Mr. MacAvoy,” Hagan said. His normally charming tone lacked sincerity.

“Stone. I hear congratulations are in order.” MacAvoy’s smile was anything but happy for Hagan. “I heard you bought a bar in the Florida Keys.”

Hagan’s face became unreadable. “My, it’s a small world. That’s not public knowledge.” His words came out stilted, forced, as if suppressing the urge to lose his temper. “Who told you?”

MacAvoy held out his hands, palms up. “As a reporter, I can’t reveal my sources.”

The words were innocuous. An excuse you’d expect from reporter. But there was underlying meaning floating over my head that only they understood. By the glares they shared, I got the feeling they didn’t just dislike each other, but they didn’t trust one another either.

I was clearly at a disadvantage in this conversation. But that didn’t stop me from jumping in with both feet.

“Hagan, I was curious. There’s a filmmaker at the event. She’s shooting a dogumentary about wiener racing. Have you talked to her?”

He shifted a fixed gaze in my direction, body stiff. “I met with her yesterday. I believe I was one of the first people she interviewed. Fascinating young woman.” His tone suggested she wasn’t a good kind of fascinating.

“Have you seen her today?”

“I can’t say that I have. Did you need to speak with her?”

I’d wanted Betty’s gun back, but I kept that to myself. “I’d like to talk to her about the alleged doping and gambling operation.”

“Pardon?” His eyebrows lifted in surprise. “You must be confused.”

“No, not at all. In fact, I’ve talked to enough people that I know it’s all true.”

“As the Chairman of the Board, the doping allegations shouldn’t be a shock to you,” MacAvoy piped up.

For a second I thought Hagan’s strained smile was because of what I’d said, until I realized he was looking at MacAvoy. I shot Mr. TV a “back off” look. Why did he have such a difficult time staying out of my Q&A session?

“She might have mentioned the possibility of some contestants using supplements of some kind,” Hagan conceded.

“I’m not trying to get anyone in trouble.” I held up my hands in an effort to ease the building tension. “There are a lot of rumors floating around about doping. Today I heard about an underground gambling group. And another thing I’ve been wondering. Does anyone know why her company, Bright Eyes, decided to film our race? Was it luck of the draw or does she have information the rest of us don’t? Is this supposed dogumentary really an exposé and we’re going to get caught up in it?”

MacAvoy jerked his head around. Had I actually thought of a scenario he hadn’t?

“I know nothing about gambling. Perhaps you’ve been hanging around the wrong crowd.” Hagan quickly shot a hostile look at MacAvoy before managing to look at me with concern. I wasn’t convinced of his sincerity. About being concerned, that is. I believed his hostility. I was prone to feel it myself when it came to the handsome reporter.

“I have numerous tasks to attend to before race time. And I do believe your booth has yet to be unpacked, Ms. Langston.” Hagan turned on his heel and charged off, effectively dismissing us.

I’d just been served.

Hagan was hiding something. Just like Fallon. I’d get to the bottom of it, sooner or later.

MacAvoy continued to watch Hagan walk away. “You gave me some advice yesterday. Let me return the favor. Don’t get too comfortable around him.”

“Hagan Stone?”

He nodded.

I shrugged, unconcerned. “He’s harmless.”

“He’s dangerous.”

His flat tone made me turn and look at him.

“O-kay. Dangerous as in he’ll turn a blind eye to potentially harmful conditions for the dogs? Or dangerous as in he’ll kill me?”

MacAvoy aimed his intense green eyes on me. “If you keep him from getting what he wants most, he’ll remove you.”

Hells bells. Getting in the way was my forte.

Chapter Sixteen

I RUSHED TO THE booth, ignoring my growling stomach as I passed the food trucks. The delicious aroma of fish tacos, chicken alfredo pizza, and gourmet hot dogs begged me to take a minute for lunch. But I was strong. Okay, let’s be honest. I was in complete panic mode. Any other day, I’d have stopped for a fish taco. Maybe even a hot dog with grilled onions, cheddar cheese, and bacon. My mouth watered thinking about all the delicious food options at my fingertips.

All the other vendors in my row had their merchandise arranged and ready to sell. Fans started to trickle in. The second I reached Bow Wow Boutique’s booth, I tossed aside my backpack and went to work.

Dog bowls and boxes of treats. Collars and leads. Paw-wear and outerwear. Key chains and dog toys. I was a stacking, folding, and hanging maniac. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Darby heading my way.

Without a word, she stashed her camera and messenger bag under the table. She grabbed the last plastic tote and immediately started to unload.

“You are a godsend. How much time do we have?” I asked.

“First race starts in an hour.”

I scooped up an armful of grooming supplies. I hung the soft bristled brushes as quickly as possible. “I got sidetracked with Doctor Daniel. Then I literally ran into Fallon Keller.” Once the brushes were displayed, I started on the combs.

“I still haven’t heard from, nor seen, Betty since yesterday. Who knows what she’s up to?” I continued to rattle off the morning activities at warp speed. “Get this, Valerie showed up at the boutique today, begging me to talk to Betty and get her to confess all of her dirty little secrets. And to top it all off, Callum MacAvoy knows Stephanie.”

Darby pushed back the hair from her eyes. “I’m not even sure where to start. The only person you didn’t mention was Grey.”

“That’s because his was the only name you were listening for.” I stacked the last metal grooming comb next to the other four on the table. “We’re having dinner tonight. To talk.” Anticipation and anxiety knotted in my stomach.

After I hung the last pup sweater, we stepped back to survey our handiwork. It wasn’t Betty-Beautiful, but we were ready for business.

I hugged Darby. “I couldn’t have done it without you. You’re the best.”

She tilted her head. “I’ve always got your back. Mel, I know it’s none of my business, but if you need to talk about whatever is going on between you and Grey, I’m here.”

I nodded. I desperately wanted to confide in her. I needed a sounding board and levelheaded advice. But in order to do that, I’d have to divulge the truth about Grey’s FBI job, and that option was off the table.

“I know. I appreciate it. There’s not a lot to tell. I crossed a line and he has every right to be mad. We’re working it out. I promise.”