The Fashion Hound Murders (28 page)

“Good night. Thank you,” Josie said. “Pet Chloe for me.”

“Wait! I’ll walk you to the door.”

“Gotta go. It’s a school night,” Josie said.

“When can I see you?” Jerry said.

“I’ll call you!” Josie said, and sprinted up the sidewalk. She was out of breath by the time she ran upstairs to her mother’s second-floor flat. She knocked gently and heard Jane whisper, “Come in.”

The scene on the other side of the door was Josie’s biggest shock that day: Harry was asleep in Jane’s lap. Her mother was scratching his huge ears.

“I thought you didn’t like cats,” Josie whispered.

“I don’t,” Jane said. “But this cat acts like a dog.”

Josie made sounds like a dog whining. Harry sat up and looked around.

“Why did you do that?” Jane asked. “He was perfectly happy.”

“I thought he’d want the company of his fellow dogs,” Josie said.

“Josie, you don’t have the sense God gave a goose. Your daughter is asleep in my bedroom.”

“I’ll wake her up and walk her downstairs,” Josie said. “Thanks for watching her.”

“Humph!” Jane said. “She should be babysitting you.”

The three made a peculiar procession down the back stairs: A sleepy Amelia carried her cat like a teddy bear. She was followed by Josie bearing the litter box, which was no longer pristine. Jane held Harry’s food and water bowls.

Amelia put on her pajamas and fell into her own bed with Harry beside her. By the time Jane had set down the bowls in the kitchen and Josie had planted the litter box, Amelia was asleep with her arm around Harry.

“Aren’t they adorable?” Josie whispered to her mother.

“You used to be that cute,” Jane said. “Don’t forget to wash your hands after carrying that litter box.”

A simple hand washing couldn’t wipe away the traces of her awful evening. Josie’s skin felt itchy from Bernie’s floating cat hair and crawly from Paul’s snakes. Even a long, hot shower didn’t make her feel better. She tried to sleep, but her mind replayed the horrible end of that poor rat. Paul claimed it was only natural for a snake to eat a rat. Josie thought Nature could be one mean mother.

I’ve wasted a whole evening at Bernie’s house, Josie thought, and learned nothing that could help Ted. Paul says he didn’t like Jonah, but he didn’t keep poisonous snakes—and Bernie wouldn’t let him. Maybe he had his treasures out of sight in his bedroom.

Someone must know something that could clear Ted’s name, someone familiar with dangerous snakes. She racked her brains. The name seemed tantalizingly close.

When the alarm went off at seven the next morning, Josie remembered the name.

Nedra!

Josie didn’t know how Nedra felt about snakes, but the woman was an animal activist. She belonged to People Are Animals, Too, an organization that Ted supported. Surely they protected snakes.

Josie found the PAT card with Ted’s name on it in her purse. On the back were printed NEDRA NEOSHO—PEOPLE ARE ANIMALS, TOO and a phone number. The PAT office was on Manchester Road, near Ted’s clinic. She’d call later this morning and set up an appointment.

Meanwhile, Josie needed a coffee transfusion and a shot of daily news.

She turned on the television and stared at Traci and Snowball for the second day in a row. Today, they both wore matching St. Louis Cardinals ball caps and warm-up jackets. Traci held her white puppy while she talked to the same blond announcer in a studio setting. With her red outfit and brilliant hair, Traci and her dog made a dramatic pair. The studio lights shone in Snowball’s bright eyes.

Seated beside Traci was a slender woman with short blond hair and a simple, blue striped shirt. She held two tiny black dogs. One looked like a fur muff. The other dog was smaller and had a round, domed head. His fur was short and velvety. The short-haired dog tried to snuggle in the crook of the woman’s arm. Compared to Snowball, who had more clothes than Paris Hilton, the two black dogs seemed naked.

The announcer looked professionally serious. “Yesterday, Traci shared the story of her puppy mill rescue dog, Snowball. Our viewers wanted more. This morning, we brought Traci back with a special guest, Karen Reibman. Traci, tell us what’s been happening.”

“Thank you for the hundreds of e-mails you sent,” Traci said. “I promise I’ll answer them all, but it will take time. Many of you also told your puppy mill rescue stories.” Traci seemed born to sit in front of the camera. “On my YouTube page, I have links to informational videos about puppy mills. Some of you said, ‘I can’t stand to look at those videos. Those poor little pups are too sad.’

“I’ll tell you what’s sad: what happens to those puppies. Every time we close our eyes, we allow people like Jonah Deerford to hurt more animals. It’s time to look at what’s going on. I want you to know that those stories can have happy endings. Today, you can meet Karen Reibman. She rescued two dogs several years ago. They’re now healthy and happy.”

The camera shifted to the blond woman. Now her dogs were leashed and sitting on the floor. One sniffed Karen’s shoes.

“Both these dogs are from Missouri puppy mills,” Karen said. “Some people think the littlest one is a puppy, but he’s really seventeen years old. He’s just extra small. His name is Joey and his hair is cut short.”

Joey was walking round and round.

“He’s walking in small, tight circles,” Traci said.

“That’s how some puppy mill dogs react when they’re nervous,” Karen said. “He’s pacing the dimensions of his cage like a prisoner. When I adopted Joey, he was filthy and disgusting. He’s a Pomeranian, but we had to cut his hair short. He had horrible teeth. Many puppy mill dogs do.”

Karen picked up Joey and hugged him. The dog barked.

“It’s okay,” she said, soothing him. She put Joey down and picked up the fluffy dark dog. “This is my black Pomeranian, Magic. She has a long name and the AKC papers to go with it. Magic is very possessive. Puppy mill dogs are like that. They love their families, but they don’t care about the rest of the world.

“When you adopt puppy mill dogs, you may have animals who are five or ten years old, but they’re still like puppies. They’ve been kept in cages and they know nothing about our world. They’re not housebroken. They walk into glass doors because they’ve never seen them. They don’t know how to play. If their food bowl is empty, they panic because they don’t think they’ll ever eat again. That’s how their lives used to be.

“It takes months just to calm them down. With lots and lots of love, you can start training them. Both my puppies are housebroken and leash trained. Magic still won’t accept my husband, David. He’s the kindest, gentlest man, but she’s frightened of him. She’s frightened of almost all people. It’s been a struggle to bring my dogs out of their shells. But Joey and Magic have given me more than I’ve given them.”

Traci was back, holding Snowball. “It takes a special person to adopt a puppy mill dog, but Karen has the patience to do it.”

She turned the subject artfully back to herself. “My little baby wants to help less fortunate puppies,” Traci said. “We bought her this baseball cap and warm-up jacket through the Humane Society of Missouri gift shop. The proceeds will help save more animals.”

“Yap!” Snowball said.

“I want you to go to my Web site and look at the animal rescue organizations,” Traci said. “Then make a donation of your time or money. Some organizations need food and medicine. Others could use old towels and newspapers. Everyone has those. Have the courage to help the helpless.”

Snowball and the two black dogs barked madly as Traci’s e-mail and YouTube addresses went on the screen.

Amelia appeared at Josie’s side. “That’s sweet, Mom. How come you aren’t barfing this morning?”

“Because Traci is sincere,” Josie said. “She wants to help. We’re meeting her for brunch at your aunt Alyce’s this morning.”

“Cool. Would you get her picture? All the kids at school were talking about her crusade.”

“I’d be glad to,” Josie said. “But you’d better get to school first. Today, we’re leaving on time.”

The sun was shining through a cold, lead gray sky as Josie dropped Amelia off at the Barrington School. She picked up some groceries, then drove to the People Are Animals, Too office. She arrived as Nedra unlocked the storefront. Once again, Josie was struck by the woman’s curious, old-fashioned appearance. The long skirt and flat, straight hair were from an antique folk singer’s album. Nedra had a pale martyr’s face. She seemed to want to suffer for a cause.

The PAT office was plain as a nun’s cell. The narrow room held only a lumpy brown futon, a dusty philodendron, and a desk that looked like it had been beaten with chains. The poster over the desk turned Josie’s stomach. A platter of human arms deep-fried like chicken wings was captioned, YOU DON’T HAVE TO KILL TO EAT. GO VEGETARIAN.

“I’ll be right with you.” Nedra settled herself behind the old desk. She checked the message machine, put more pamphlets on a rack, then said, “How may I help you?”

“You probably don’t remember me,” Josie began.

“I do, Josie,” Nedra said. “You were at the Humane Society when I was walking my Chihuahua.”

“Bruiser,” Josie said.

A smile lit Nedra’s pale face. “That’s right. You remembered.”

“You told me about Dr. Ted, a vet who makes house calls,” Josie said. “When a friend adopted a puppy mill dog, Dr. Ted took care of her.”

“That’s one of his specialties,” Nedra said. “We’ve referred many people with rescue animals to him.”

“Now that Dr. Ted is in jail, I wondered if you could help me rescue him.”

“How?” Nedra asked. “As you can see by this office, we’re not rich. I could spare maybe five dollars, but I can barely make the payments on my Dogtown home. You probably don’t know that Dr. Ted was distancing himself from PAT. He started supporting more conventional organizations. We think that distance is wise, in view of the circumstances.”

“But he’s accused of murder,” Josie said. “The police say he killed Jonah Deerford with a snake. I thought you might put us in touch with someone who knows poisonous snakes. Someone who could help Ted.”

“Ew!” Nedra gave a stagy shudder. “I hate snakes. I’ve pledged my life to saving animals, but I can’t make myself like reptiles. That’s a prejudice I can’t overcome.”

“Me, either,” Josie said. “Snakes give me the creeps.”

“Jonah Deerford deserved his horrible death!” Nedra said. “I’m glad a snake killed him. Sweets for the sweet . . .”

“Snakes for the snakes,” Josie finished.

Chapter 34

“Yap!”

Josie heard Snowball’s greeting when she walked into Alyce’s garage.

“Is that our star?” Josie asked outside the kitchen door.

“Come in,” Alyce said. “The door’s unlocked.”

Snowball was sitting on Traci’s lap at the breakfast room table. They both wore their red Cardinals outfits. Josie sniffed the kitchen air and caught the mouthwatering scent of warm cheese, fresh spices, and cinnamon.

“What’s for brunch?” Josie asked.

“Just something simple,” Alyce said. “A salad and crepes with goat cheese and plum tomatoes. We have cinnamon rolls for dessert.”

“I love your idea of simple,” Josie said. “It only takes a Cordon Bleu chef.”

“The crepes are simple. Even you—well, even Amelia could make them. Pour yourself some white wine.”

“Congratulations on your success,” Josie said, raising her glass in a toast to Traci. “I’d like to snap your picture for Amelia. You’re a hero at her school.”

Traci and her pup posed like pros.

“I have a present for Snowball,” Josie said.

Traci opened the tiara bag and said, “It’s perfect for my princess. She’s going to need it now that she’s being welcomed into Wood Winds society.”

“Let me guess,” Josie said. “Renata Upton Liverspot, the queen of Wood Winds, has stooped to invite you to Castle Dracula.”

“She says I can come for tea. She wants me to bring Snowball.”

“Are you going?” Josie said.

“Maybe I can talk her into making a contribution for the puppies.”

“She’ll throw parties if she can lord it over some volunteers,” Josie said. “But any cash will have to be pried out of her cold, dead hands.”

“Well, I’ve lived without her for thirty years,” Traci said. “I’m sure I can go on.”

“You don’t need her acceptance,” Alyce said.

Josie did not remind her friend that not too long ago, Alyce had been reduced to tears by Renata’s refusal to see her. Josie started to take her empty plate to the kitchen, but Alyce said, “No, stay seated. I’ll bring the rolls and hot coffee.”

Josie took a bite of a warm cinnamon roll. “These rolls are to die for,” Josie said.

“I hope not,” Alyce said. “I want you to enjoy my food for a long time. They have healthy ingredients like raisins, pecans, and cinnamon.”

“You sure can’t tell,” Josie said.

“Any luck helping Dr. Ted?” Alyce asked.

“None,” Josie said. “I’ve hit one dead end after the other. If I can’t help him, Ted will have to stay in jail until the trial. He can’t get bail. That could be at least a year.”

“There’s nothing you can do?” Traci asked.

“I have a few ideas. I’m going to visit my old boyfriend, Josh, at Has Beans. He may know some drug dealers who have pet snakes.”

“Is that wise, Josie?” Alyce asked, her voice serious with concern. “Josh was no fling. You really cared for him. You hurt for a long time after the breakup. Do you want to go back there?”

Traci and Snowball watched this drama. Both had their mouths hanging open.

“It’s a risk I’ll have to take,” Josie said. “I know you said you used to live in Florida, Traci, but didn’t you mention Arizona, as well?”

“My mom had cancer and I spent the last four months with her in Arizona. She died in October.”

“I’m sorry,” Josie said.

“I miss her every day, but I didn’t want her to live with that kind of pain.”

“What a good daughter you were to move out to Arizona,” Alyce said.

“That’s where I met my husband,” Traci said. “He was visiting his father at the hospital. It was love at first sight. We married while Mom was still alive. She loved Jonathan almost as much as I did. After Mom died, Jonathan got a good job offer in St. Louis. I was tired of the desert dryness and didn’t want to return to the Miami craziness. St. Louis seemed like a good place to start a family and have a normal life.”