Crime & Passion (4 page)

Madeline pushed that thought away. She
promised herself she wouldn’t think about Donovan anymore. She knew
his type. Chances were high he found himself a nice little hottie
to flirt with already today and forgot all about looking at
Madeline’s legs last night.

“Looks like we’re losing our overnight
guests,” Madeline said, gesturing to the white board and struggling
to get her mind on the right track. Two dogs had stayed at Woofy
Cuts’ doggie hotel all week, but they were on the grooming schedule
this morning.

“Yeah, their family will be in to pick them
up before noon. We’d better get to work.”

Lindsey stepped through the swinging doors to
the back end of the building and Madeline followed. An underlying
hint of wet dog infused Madeline’s senses, even though Lindsey
insisted they cleaned the back room religiously. It was impossible
to banish that scent.

“We’ll have a new boarder this afternoon,”
Lindsey told her as they stepped into the kennel area. “Mrs.
Stanfield is going to visit her sister. Your friend, big Brutus,
will be an overnight guest.”

Madeline smiled. “I do love that dog.”

“Well, I’m glad to hear that because I need a
favor.”

A tendril of dread filled the pit of her
stomach. Lindsey’s voice was far too bland and innocent. “What do
you need?”

“You don’t walk any dogs on Friday mornings,
right?” she asked with raised eyebrows.

Madeline groaned. “Oh, no! Can’t Maria come
in to work? You know I need that day.” It was the only day of the
week Madeline had completely free. She worked at the school or
Woofy Cuts all the other days, in addition to walking dogs every
morning and most evenings.

“Pretty please, Madeline. Just come in and
walk Brutus around seven o’clock and open the store. Marie said
she’d come in and take over at nine.” She bit her lip, looking
hopeful. “I have a dentist appointment in Eureka at eight. If I
cancel, it’ll be two months before I can get in.”

Madeline sighed, but nodded. Lindsey gave her
a job when no one else in this town had anything to offer. She also
suggested Madeline offer her services as a dog walker and helped
smooth the way so Madeline could obtain clients. Besides, it wasn’t
as though she’d be stuck the whole day. She could handle a few
hours, and taking care of Brutus was always a fun challenge.

“You’re a doll,” Lindsey said, flashing her
perfect smile. “Just be really careful tomorrow morning when you
come in."

Madeline opened the store herself on Monday
mornings each week. She found it a bit offensive that Lindsey still
didn’t completely trust her. “I know how to open the store by now.
It’ll be fine.”

“That’s not what I meant.” Lindsey patted her
shoulder. “Brandon said in the paper this morning that Frank had
only been dead minutes when the police arrived.”

Madeline thought once again of Frank’s vacant
eyes. Donovan said the guy was a creep, but did anyone deserve to
be murdered? “That’s true. I don’t understand why you’re
worried.”

Lindsey shook her head and sighed. “Sweetie,
whoever killed Frank knows who you are now. If he thinks you can
identify him, he might come after you next.”

***

Donovan parked the police cruiser, and he and
Eric hopped out. It had been a wasted day. They spent most of their
time reassuring frightened citizens they would catch the killer and
Pleasant View’s streets would be safe once again.

Donovan followed Eric into the station.
Tourist season quickly approached. Citizens worried that with news
of a killer on the loose, people would vacation elsewhere,
crippling the town’s revenue.

“Andrews, Sanders, get in here,” Chief Stone
bellowed from his office.

They stepped into the cramped office and
closed the door. Eric once again took the chair while Donovan stood
with his arms clasped behind his back.

“Please tell me you got a lead,” Chief Stone
said, leaning back in his chair and stacking his feet on the desk.
“I’ve been fielding phone calls all day from terrified mothers who
won’t let their children outside. I need this case solved.”

Donovan nodded. “We’ve been talking to scared
moms too. That’s mostly who we were able to interview today.”

Donovan didn’t blame them for being afraid.
Pleasant View was usually a safe town; a place people came to raise
a family. The worst thing that ever happened was an occasional
fight or a teenager pulling a dumb prank and ruining some property.
Well, except for jerks like Frank Johnson who abused their
wives.

He fished a notepad from his front pocket and
opened it. “Here are the three names we were given today of people
acting suspicious, but I don’t think this will lead anywhere.”

The names reported were people Donovan knew
had an ongoing problem with the person who reported them. He needed
real suspects to keep himself out of the line of fire. Personal
grudges would not help him.

Stone grunted and swung his feet to the
floor, taking the list from Donovan’s hand. “How many interviews
did you get through?”

“Fifteen, sir,” Eric answered.

“I’m thinking we should get some extra help,”
Donovan said. “I don’t know if six of us on the force are enough to
handle this.”

Stone ran his hand over his head. His gray
hair stuck up on end, as if he’d been pulling it all day. “Even if
we call in the six back-up cops that come in during the summer,
we’re not going to be able to interview everyone.” Stone looked at
the list. “Start with these names tomorrow, and I’ll see what I can
do about finding more help.”

Donovan took the notebook back. “Has anything
useful turned up?”

“Only something Stephanie Johnson said,”
Stone replied.

Donovan’s heart gave an extra squeeze.
“What’s that, sir?”

“Someone called Frank right before he left
the house yesterday.”

The band of tightness relaxed slightly and
Donovan tried to muffle his sigh of relief. “Who was it?”

“Don’t know yet. We’re working on getting
phone records.”

“Did Mrs. Johnson say anything about what
happened at her house that day?” Eric asked. “I mean, after Social
Services left?”

Donovan turned to Eric with narrowed eyes. He
was getting into dangerous territory, and Donovan wished he’d just
shut his mouth.

“The kids returned home this morning and
there didn’t seem to be any problems. She hasn’t said anything more
about the day they were taken away,” Stone said. “Why? You have
anything you want to add, rookie?”

Donovan cleared his throat. “Things were a
little tense in the house.” He couldn’t afford to have the Chief
hear everything that happened.

Stone looked at Eric. “Is that what you’re
referring to?”

“Yes, sir,” Eric mumbled, looking at the
floor. “It was very heated. Frank said some things that didn’t sit
too well with us, and Mrs. Johnson became upset.”

Donovan held his breath, wondering how Chief
would react to that news. Eric had mentioned once again today how
nervous he was about Stephanie saying something. Donovan had tried
his best to reassure him, but obviously it hadn’t worked.

Eric shrugged. “It just seems like a lot of
people didn’t like Frank.”

Stone gave Donovan a hard look, causing
Donovan’s stomach to twist with discomfort. He wondered if Stone
suspected what really happened after Social Services left with the
children. It wouldn’t be too big of an assumption for him to make,
since Frank had filed complaints in the past.

The Chief finally shook his head. “At least
we’ll have a lead when we find out who called him. You guys write
up your findings and go home.”

Donovan led the way out of the office. He sat
back in his desk and pulled up a form on the computer, pushing half
the hand-written notes across to Eric’s desk.

Madeline’s face once again filled his vision,
as it had so many times throughout the day. He’d wanted to go see
her, but given the past relationship he’d shared with Lindsey
Butters, she wouldn’t have been happy if he showed up at Woofy
Cuts. Besides, what excuse could he give? Madeline obviously told
him everything she knew.

Then again, he could casually stop by her
apartment this evening, find a new tea to take her. She seemed to
love tea. Maybe it would get him in the door.

Damn...he couldn’t do that tonight. Donovan
ground his teeth and punched a name into the form. He’d made
reservations at The Carriage House for him and Christy. What had he
been thinking, letting that girl talk him into the date? Christy
was twenty-three and in her last semester of college. He knew they
had nothing in common after the first date. When she’d begged to go
out again, Donovan agreed, feeling guilty only giving her one
chance.

Now having met Madeline—sophisticated,
sarcastic, tall Maddie—he wished he dared cancel. Donovan shook his
head. He’d have to go through with this one last date with Christy,
but he would find a way to see Maddie tomorrow.

***

Madeline glanced at the clock as she handed
change to Mrs. Duncan. She placed the dog toys and water dish into
a plastic bag and handed them over the counter. Although the store
had been slow as far as grooming appointments, it seemed everyone
in town needed pet supplies. Madeline was glad this hectic day
would soon end.

They all wanted to question her about finding
Frank’s body. Madeline had a suspicion that was the real reason
they swarmed to the shop today. She smiled and bid Mrs. Duncan a
good day, though the woman left angry, unable to get information
out of Madeline to fuel the gossip.

Thankful the store was finally empty of
customers, Madeline walked into the back room to look for
Lindsey.

Her boss poured food into an enormous bowl
and placed it in Brutus’ cage. “Finally got rid of her, did you?”
Lindsey asked. “I thought she’d never quit asking questions.”

“I don’t understand the people in this town.”
Madeline shuddered. “Why would you want to know all the details
about a dead body? I wish
I
didn’t have that memory.”

“I know, sweetie. It’s a horrible thing, but
you have to remember how boring life is around here. This is the
most excitement we’ve had in years.” Lindsey locked Brutus’ kennel
and led the way to the front of the store. “Face it—you’re an
overnight celebrity.”

Madeline sat on one of the styling stations
and closed her eyes. “Do you think that will keep me safe if the
killer thinks I know anything? Maybe I should let the townsfolk mob
me. Safety in numbers and all that.”

“Well...I know one man who wants to keep you
safe, and he’s headed to the door right now.”

Donovan? He’s here? I must look horrible
after practically bathing with the dog this morning!

Madeline opened her eyes, running her fingers
over her hair in an attempt to put it in some semblance of order.
She squinted into the sunlight shining through the door and tried
to make out the person on the other side.

The chime sounded as he walked inside.
Madeline’s eyes adjusted to the brightness and her heart sank a
little.

“Good afternoon, ladies,” Brandon Feldman
said, crossing the room to place a kiss on Lindsey’s cheek.
“Everything go okay today?”

Madeline bit her lip and looked into
Brandon’s tanned face. She knew Lindsey was right, Brandon did seem
to want to keep Madeline safe—or at least away from other men—but a
secret corner of her wished Donovan had come to check on her. After
last night, she really thought he’d at least casually show up, if
to do nothing more than remind her he wanted a date once the case
was closed.

“It’s been busy,” Lindsey told Brandon.
“People want to know more about Frank, and everyone wants a piece
of our Madeline.”

“I hope you’ve told them they can’t have
you,” Brandon said with a wink as he leaned down to kiss Madeline’s
cheek. “I have every intention of convincing you to be mine.”

Madeline tried to keep a straight face. Not a
very subtle pickup line. Still, Brandon was here, trying to use it
on her. Her earlier assessment about Donovan had to be right. He
forgot about her the second he left the apartment and now used his
charm to seduce some other unsuspecting woman.

She looked into Brandon’s startling green
eyes. Even though she wasn’t attracted to him, he was a handsome
man with his light-brown hair, deep tan, and large muscles. Brandon
fit the stereotypical, over-muscled idiot she had been thinking of
earlier. One of the beautiful people, she thought, grinning.

She stood from the styling table, which put
her eyes level with his. “You’re sweet, Brandon, but I told you I’m
not interested in dating right now.”

Brandon took a step back. “Really? The town’s
buzzing about Donovan Andrews leaving your apartment late last
night. They say he wasn’t in uniform and it seemed like a social
call.” He shrugged. “I’d hoped that meant your ban on dating was
over.”

People gossiped about her? Who did they think
they were, judging what she might be doing in her own home?

“Oh, no, sweetie.” Lindsey shook her head.
“You aren’t dating Donovan, are you? Please tell me they’re
wrong.”

“It’s nobody’s business who I choose to
date.” Madeline tried to keep her tone civil, but gossip irritated
her. She dealt with enough of that at home once she called off the
wedding.

Lindsey's mouth tightened and she put her
hand on her hip. “I thought we were friends, and you talk to me
like that? Donovan’s trouble, but don’t worry, I’ll stay out of
your private business.” She whirled around and marched to the back
of the store.

“Lindsey, wait,” Madeline called, taking a
step to follow her as Lindsey disappeared through the swinging
doors.

Brandon grabbed her hand, stopping her. “Let
her go. She needs time to cool off.”