Death of a Coupon Clipper (20 page)
Read Death of a Coupon Clipper Online
Authors: Lee Hollis
“Okay, so if you are telling me the truth, how can you prove it? You two could be
in this together and lying to protect each other. You could have both left here together
and intercepted Candace on her front lawn after she arrived home from the supermarket.”
in this together and lying to protect each other. You could have both left here together
and intercepted Candace on her front lawn after she arrived home from the supermarket.”
“Do you know how much I make per episode, Hayley?” Drew scoffed. “I do not need to
commit murder for some kind of payday.”
commit murder for some kind of payday.”
“You could’ve been blinded by love, willing to go along with anything to make Cassidy
happy,” Hayley said.
happy,” Hayley said.
“‘Love’? Are you serious? I’m a married man. I love my wife!” Drew laughed.
“You’re
married
?” Cassidy gasped before picking up a pillow from the bed and whacking him in the
side of the head with it before turning back to Hayley. “Call the woman who works
in the kitchen here at the Captain’s Arms. After Candace left, Drew demanded room
service. The cook had left for the night, so there was no one here to prepare him
anything. Drew raised holy hell because he says sex always makes him hungry. Finally
they called the poor woman at home and had her drive back over here and prepare him
a turkey club sandwich and French fries. I’m sure she will remember. How can you forget
being called back into work after you’ve just finished a twelve-hour shift?”
married
?” Cassidy gasped before picking up a pillow from the bed and whacking him in the
side of the head with it before turning back to Hayley. “Call the woman who works
in the kitchen here at the Captain’s Arms. After Candace left, Drew demanded room
service. The cook had left for the night, so there was no one here to prepare him
anything. Drew raised holy hell because he says sex always makes him hungry. Finally
they called the poor woman at home and had her drive back over here and prepare him
a turkey club sandwich and French fries. I’m sure she will remember. How can you forget
being called back into work after you’ve just finished a twelve-hour shift?”
“I’ll be sure to talk to her,” Hayley said, turning to leave.
Hayley knew the cook at the Captain’s Arms. She was an honest woman with no reason
to lie. If she backed up their story, and Hayley suspected she would, then both Cassidy
and Drew would be in the clear.
to lie. If she backed up their story, and Hayley suspected she would, then both Cassidy
and Drew would be in the clear.
And Hayley would be back to square one.
Island Food & Spirits by Hayley Powell
Last night before I sat down to write this column, I was looking around for my cranberry-banana-oat
muffin recipe to share this week with you, because it’s a nifty way to use up a lot
of ripe bananas before they spoil (a budget-conscious cook never throws anything out).
This I know from experience because a couple of months ago someone in my house who
shall remain nameless, but whom I gave birth to sixteen years ago in an excruciatingly
painful delivery, which I like to remind her of when she acts up, begged me to buy
bananas and strawberries because she and her friends were going on an all-fruit cleanse
for two weeks. After two days of whining about how hungry she was and how desperately
she needed protein, she grabbed a couple of hot dogs out of the fridge. With all the
suspect ingredients in a hot dog, can you really call it protein?
muffin recipe to share this week with you, because it’s a nifty way to use up a lot
of ripe bananas before they spoil (a budget-conscious cook never throws anything out).
This I know from experience because a couple of months ago someone in my house who
shall remain nameless, but whom I gave birth to sixteen years ago in an excruciatingly
painful delivery, which I like to remind her of when she acts up, begged me to buy
bananas and strawberries because she and her friends were going on an all-fruit cleanse
for two weeks. After two days of whining about how hungry she was and how desperately
she needed protein, she grabbed a couple of hot dogs out of the fridge. With all the
suspect ingredients in a hot dog, can you really call it protein?
Anyway, this muffin recipe is extra special to me because I’ve been making them ever
since I was a kid. So every time I smell the muffins in the oven, a lot of high-school
memories come flooding back. Some good. Some bad. One really hard to forget.
since I was a kid. So every time I smell the muffins in the oven, a lot of high-school
memories come flooding back. Some good. Some bad. One really hard to forget.
I was a junior in high school and my girlfriends and I were sitting in the cafeteria
and complaining, as usual, about how boring and immature all the high-school boys
were, how they hadn’t really changed much since we met most of them in kindergarten,
and how none of them would ever be boyfriend material. Basically, we concluded that
the whole lot of us was fated to spend these critical years of our lives single and
doomed to loneliness. Well, all of a sudden, the most gorgeous-looking young man,
with wavy brown hair, rugged good looks, and the cheekbones of an Abercrombie & Fitch
model, strolled into the cafeteria, blinding us all with the most perfect pearly white
teeth I had ever seen! And don’t get me started on his mesmerizing deep brown eyes!
Who was this manly god from the heavens?
and complaining, as usual, about how boring and immature all the high-school boys
were, how they hadn’t really changed much since we met most of them in kindergarten,
and how none of them would ever be boyfriend material. Basically, we concluded that
the whole lot of us was fated to spend these critical years of our lives single and
doomed to loneliness. Well, all of a sudden, the most gorgeous-looking young man,
with wavy brown hair, rugged good looks, and the cheekbones of an Abercrombie & Fitch
model, strolled into the cafeteria, blinding us all with the most perfect pearly white
teeth I had ever seen! And don’t get me started on his mesmerizing deep brown eyes!
Who was this manly god from the heavens?
When you live on an island and know pretty much everyone, a tall, dark, handsome stranger
tends to stand out. And when it comes to cute boys, high-school girls are like CIA
agents digging up intel. We pulled together a complete dossier on him by fifth period.
His name was David Wilkins. Transfer student from San Bernardino, California. Six-two.
A Leo, with Virgo rising. Star basketball player, who was arriving just in time for
our upcoming season. And my new boyfriend. Although he didn’t know it yet.
tends to stand out. And when it comes to cute boys, high-school girls are like CIA
agents digging up intel. We pulled together a complete dossier on him by fifth period.
His name was David Wilkins. Transfer student from San Bernardino, California. Six-two.
A Leo, with Virgo rising. Star basketball player, who was arriving just in time for
our upcoming season. And my new boyfriend. Although he didn’t know it yet.
I wasn’t aware at the time that at the next table Sabrina Merryweather had set her
sights on him, too, and was saying the exact same thing to her friends. It was only
a matter of time before our competing plans to win David’s heart collided. During
the next couple of days, no matter how hard I tried to strike up a casual conversation
with David, Sabrina was always right there, butting in and adding her own two cents.
It was so annoying!
sights on him, too, and was saying the exact same thing to her friends. It was only
a matter of time before our competing plans to win David’s heart collided. During
the next couple of days, no matter how hard I tried to strike up a casual conversation
with David, Sabrina was always right there, butting in and adding her own two cents.
It was so annoying!
When I got up the nerve to sit next to him at lunch with a tin of my homemade chocolate
chip cookies, which I had prepared especially for David, Sabrina suddenly showed up.
She plopped herself down in between us and began grabbing cookies out of my tin and
shoveling them into her mouth, munching and chatting to the point where I couldn’t
get a word in edgewise (which is a miracle in itself, so I’ve been told).
chip cookies, which I had prepared especially for David, Sabrina suddenly showed up.
She plopped herself down in between us and began grabbing cookies out of my tin and
shoveling them into her mouth, munching and chatting to the point where I couldn’t
get a word in edgewise (which is a miracle in itself, so I’ve been told).
When Sabrina finally took a breath, David thanked me for the cookies and said he had
to get to class. Well, wouldn’t you know, Sabrina was heading in the same direction
for English lit, and even slipped her arm through his as they strolled out of the
cafeteria together. I had to do something. I was losing this war! Mona, who was sitting
across the table, had an idea.
to get to class. Well, wouldn’t you know, Sabrina was heading in the same direction
for English lit, and even slipped her arm through his as they strolled out of the
cafeteria together. I had to do something. I was losing this war! Mona, who was sitting
across the table, had an idea.
She said, “If Sabrina’s going to eat your cookies uninvited, then maybe you should
add a special ingredient just for her, like a little laxative. That would keep her
in the girls’ bathroom for the rest of the day, and you can spend time with David!”
add a special ingredient just for her, like a little laxative. That would keep her
in the girls’ bathroom for the rest of the day, and you can spend time with David!”
I couldn’t believe what Mona was suggesting. I could never do something so awful.
What a terrible idea. If anyone ever found out, I would be expelled! And then how
could David ever ask me to be his date at prom? But later that night, while I was
making my favorite cranberry-banana-oat muffin recipe to take to lunch the next day
to share with oh-so-hunky David, I kept thinking of Sabrina. Suddenly I found myself
searching my mother’s medicine cabinet for some powdered laxative and then sprinkling
it liberally into some extra batter I set aside for two special muffins for Sabrina.
What a terrible idea. If anyone ever found out, I would be expelled! And then how
could David ever ask me to be his date at prom? But later that night, while I was
making my favorite cranberry-banana-oat muffin recipe to take to lunch the next day
to share with oh-so-hunky David, I kept thinking of Sabrina. Suddenly I found myself
searching my mother’s medicine cabinet for some powdered laxative and then sprinkling
it liberally into some extra batter I set aside for two special muffins for Sabrina.
The next day at lunch, I was careful to hand David two of the “nontoxic” muffins.
When Sabrina sashayed into the cafeteria and squeezed her way in between us again,
I sweetly offered her my extra special muffins, which she accepted with a fake smile.
Mona was also at the table; she instantly knew I had taken her advice, because she
had never seen me being sweet to Sabrina Merryweather. It was a dead giveaway.
When Sabrina sashayed into the cafeteria and squeezed her way in between us again,
I sweetly offered her my extra special muffins, which she accepted with a fake smile.
Mona was also at the table; she instantly knew I had taken her advice, because she
had never seen me being sweet to Sabrina Merryweather. It was a dead giveaway.
That’s when I heard my name over the loudspeaker being called to report to the main
office because I had forgotten to hand in my permission slip for an upcoming field
trip to a museum. I raced down the hall to drop it off, because I didn’t want to miss
seeing my muffins doing their handiwork on Sabrina. But when I returned, Sabrina looked
perfectly fine. She was prattling on about how she was allergic to cranberries and
that’s why she had given her muffins to David, because he seemed to love them so much.
He was at that moment chewing and smiling. This was the biggest disaster of my life!
I had poisoned my future boyfriend! I immediately faked a migraine and got excused
from school for the rest of the day. Later I heard from Liddy that David did indeed
get sick and spent the whole afternoon in the boys’ bathroom and couldn’t even play
in the basketball game after school against our chief rival, Ellsworth High, and we
lost the game! I would be a pariah when everyone found out the truth!
office because I had forgotten to hand in my permission slip for an upcoming field
trip to a museum. I raced down the hall to drop it off, because I didn’t want to miss
seeing my muffins doing their handiwork on Sabrina. But when I returned, Sabrina looked
perfectly fine. She was prattling on about how she was allergic to cranberries and
that’s why she had given her muffins to David, because he seemed to love them so much.
He was at that moment chewing and smiling. This was the biggest disaster of my life!
I had poisoned my future boyfriend! I immediately faked a migraine and got excused
from school for the rest of the day. Later I heard from Liddy that David did indeed
get sick and spent the whole afternoon in the boys’ bathroom and couldn’t even play
in the basketball game after school against our chief rival, Ellsworth High, and we
lost the game! I would be a pariah when everyone found out the truth!
Just as I began researching boarding schools abroad, Mona showed up to let me know
she had saved my butt, and I owed her big-time. When Mona realized I had spiked the
muffins, she waited for David to guzzle down the three cartons of milk Sabrina bought
him to wash them down with. Then she slammed down her own milk and screamed, “Don’t
drink the milk! It’s curdled!” David made a funny face and dashed off to the toilet,
believing the milk Sabrina gave him was the culprit for his sudden need to go to the
bathroom. Poor Sabrina was traumatized, and I did feel bad about that, but at least
my reputation as a talented baker was still intact! Nobody was dissing my muffins!
she had saved my butt, and I owed her big-time. When Mona realized I had spiked the
muffins, she waited for David to guzzle down the three cartons of milk Sabrina bought
him to wash them down with. Then she slammed down her own milk and screamed, “Don’t
drink the milk! It’s curdled!” David made a funny face and dashed off to the toilet,
believing the milk Sabrina gave him was the culprit for his sudden need to go to the
bathroom. Poor Sabrina was traumatized, and I did feel bad about that, but at least
my reputation as a talented baker was still intact! Nobody was dissing my muffins!
Sadly, in the end, I didn’t win my man. And neither did Sabrina. That weekend Darcy
James, a sophomore, who was a candy striper at the local hospital, heard David wasn’t
feeling good and rushed right over to be at his bedside and cater to his every need.
By Monday morning they were roaming the halls, holding hands, and I was back to moaning
to my girlfriends how there were no good boys to be found.
James, a sophomore, who was a candy striper at the local hospital, heard David wasn’t
feeling good and rushed right over to be at his bedside and cater to his every need.
By Monday morning they were roaming the halls, holding hands, and I was back to moaning
to my girlfriends how there were no good boys to be found.
It’s always nice to relax with a cocktail before taking a trip down memory lane, and
there’s nothing more refreshing than a crantini.
there’s nothing more refreshing than a crantini.
Crantini
Ingredients
1½ ounce vodka
½ ounce triple sec
½ ounce vermouth
2 ounces cranberry juice
½ ounce triple sec
½ ounce vermouth
2 ounces cranberry juice
Mix all ingredients in shaker with ice, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass!
Cranberry-Banana-Oat Muffins
Ingredients
1¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup oats
cup granulated sugar
1½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 egg
2 cups mashed ripe bananas
(about 5 or 6)
cup butter, melted
1 cup cranberries
30 milligrams of your preferred powdered
laxative
(just kidding!)
1 cup oats
cup granulated sugar1½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 egg
2 cups mashed ripe bananas
(about 5 or 6)
cup butter, melted1 cup cranberries
30 milligrams of your preferred powdered
laxative
(just kidding!)
Combine your first six ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix well.
In a separate bowl beat together the egg, bananas and melted butter until smooth;
add to dry ingredients; stir to blend.
add to dry ingredients; stir to blend.
Stir in the cranberries, just until combined.
Spoon the batter into prepared muffin pans, filling almost to top.
Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until tops spring back
when lightly touched.
when lightly touched.
Then serve to your favorite man, ladies!
Chapter 32
As Hayley left the Captain’s Arms, it was starting to snow again. She hadn’t checked
the forecast, but the flakes were falling in droves and it looked like yet another
merciless storm was about to sweep over the island.
the forecast, but the flakes were falling in droves and it looked like yet another
merciless storm was about to sweep over the island.
As Hayley trudged through the slushy sidewalk back toward Randy’s house, her cell
phone chirped; she checked the screen to see who was calling.
phone chirped; she checked the screen to see who was calling.
The Bar Harbor Hospital.
She was almost afraid to answer. She worried it might be bad news about Edgar Hollingsworth,
and how that might affect Lex. Or what if something happened to Mrs. Tubbs? She could
be stuck with Blueberry forever.
and how that might affect Lex. Or what if something happened to Mrs. Tubbs? She could
be stuck with Blueberry forever.
Hayley took a deep breath and answered the call.
“Hi, this is Hayley.”
“Hello, Hayley, this is Evelyn Tate, over at the hospital. I’m calling because I have
some news for you.”
some news for you.”
“Okay, I’m ready. Go ahead.”
An agonizing silence followed as Hayley heard Nurse Evelyn shuffling through some
paperwork on the other end.
paperwork on the other end.
“We’re releasing Mrs. Tubbs tonight.”
Hallelujah!
She was finally getting rid of that damn cat.
Oh, and, of course, she was happy Mrs. Tubbs was healthy enough to go home.
That was cause to rejoice too.
But, more important, she was getting rid of that damn cat!
“That’s wonderful news, Evelyn.”
“I know. And not a moment too soon. There was a mutiny brewing at the nurses’ station.
Nobody wanted to be assigned to her room. Way-too-high maintenance. I had two nurses
call in sick yesterday when they found out they were going to have to take Mrs. Tubbs’s
blood pressure and dispense her medication during their shifts. And just tonight she
made poor Tilly McVety cry when she delivered her dinner of beef Stroganoff and vegetables.
Mrs. Tubbs called it pig slop and threw the tray against the wall!”
Nobody wanted to be assigned to her room. Way-too-high maintenance. I had two nurses
call in sick yesterday when they found out they were going to have to take Mrs. Tubbs’s
blood pressure and dispense her medication during their shifts. And just tonight she
made poor Tilly McVety cry when she delivered her dinner of beef Stroganoff and vegetables.
Mrs. Tubbs called it pig slop and threw the tray against the wall!”
“I don’t have a car right now, Evelyn, but let me call my brother and see if I can
borrow his. I don’t think he’s working tonight. Then I can drive right over and pick
her up and take her home.”
borrow his. I don’t think he’s working tonight. Then I can drive right over and pick
her up and take her home.”
“Don’t worry, Hayley, my shift ends in fifteen minutes. I’m going to finish the necessary
paperwork for her release and then I can drive her home myself and get her settled.
She’s been asking about her cat, so you can just bring him over to her tomorrow morning.”
paperwork for her release and then I can drive her home myself and get her settled.
She’s been asking about her cat, so you can just bring him over to her tomorrow morning.”
“No!” Hayley screamed, much too loud. “I’m sure Mrs. Tubbs wants her beloved cat to
be with her on her first night home. I’ll go to Randy’s house and get him and meet
you over there.”
be with her on her first night home. I’ll go to Randy’s house and get him and meet
you over there.”
“Suit yourself,” Evelyn said. “See you soon.”
Hayley was beyond ecstatic.
She picked up her pace, practically running through the streets to her brother’s house.
She found herself giggling to herself, giddy over the prospect that Leroy would no
longer have to quiver in fear and hide under a bed; that no more urine stains would
devalue Randy’s pricey rugs and furnishings, at least not more than they already had.
She found herself giggling to herself, giddy over the prospect that Leroy would no
longer have to quiver in fear and hide under a bed; that no more urine stains would
devalue Randy’s pricey rugs and furnishings, at least not more than they already had.
When Hayley arrived, Randy’s car wasn’t parked in the driveway. He was probably out
stocking up on food and supplies, given the fact that the storm just seemed to be
getting worse with every passing minute.
stocking up on food and supplies, given the fact that the storm just seemed to be
getting worse with every passing minute.
She raced up the steps of the front porch and inside.
As the sun descended, there was enough light left outside that she didn’t have to
switch on a lamp to find Blueberry. It was hard to miss him. He was a massive ball
of blue fur, with demon eyes. And at the present moment, he was on the couch, flapping
his tail, after having been awakened from a deep sleep by Hayley rudely slamming into
the house. And he was not amused.
switch on a lamp to find Blueberry. It was hard to miss him. He was a massive ball
of blue fur, with demon eyes. And at the present moment, he was on the couch, flapping
his tail, after having been awakened from a deep sleep by Hayley rudely slamming into
the house. And he was not amused.
“Don’t move! I’ll be right back,” Hayley said, not the slightest bit embarrassed to
be talking to an animal that couldn’t talk back. She was grateful for his silence,
because it was easy to assume if Blueberry could talk, there would be a lot of four-letter
words and constant judgment in the conversation.
be talking to an animal that couldn’t talk back. She was grateful for his silence,
because it was easy to assume if Blueberry could talk, there would be a lot of four-letter
words and constant judgment in the conversation.
Hayley found the plastic carrier in the kitchen and unhooked the cage’s metal door,
airing it out a bit before lining the bottom of the carrier with a ratty dish towel
she found in the pantry. The question now was, how the hell was she going to get Blueberry
inside the carrier? It wasn’t like he was going to just prance in there willingly.
No, she had to draw him in somehow.
airing it out a bit before lining the bottom of the carrier with a ratty dish towel
she found in the pantry. The question now was, how the hell was she going to get Blueberry
inside the carrier? It wasn’t like he was going to just prance in there willingly.
No, she had to draw him in somehow.
She had bought some catnip on the first day she agreed to look after him, but never
gave it to him because he was such a bitter, angry cat. She just didn’t want to be
around him much and had completely forgotten about it.
gave it to him because he was such a bitter, angry cat. She just didn’t want to be
around him much and had completely forgotten about it.
The plan was simple. Put the catnip in the corner of the carrier. The smell would
attract Blueberry. And once he was lured inside, she would slam the door behind him
and latch it and reunite him with his owner.
attract Blueberry. And once he was lured inside, she would slam the door behind him
and latch it and reunite him with his owner.
Well, you know what they say about the best-laid plans.
If you don’t know . . . they say they never work.
And this evening was no exception.
The second Hayley walked in with the large carrier, Blueberry’s eyes popped open in
horror. He flew off the couch, landing hard on the floor, and scurried for the stairs.
Hayley couldn’t let him get upstairs. He’d hide under a bed or a dresser, and then
she would never be able to reach him—let alone get him into the carrier.
horror. He flew off the couch, landing hard on the floor, and scurried for the stairs.
Hayley couldn’t let him get upstairs. He’d hide under a bed or a dresser, and then
she would never be able to reach him—let alone get him into the carrier.
The cat was moving at a clip, but he was also morbidly obese and not as fast as a
regular cat. Hayley had a few seconds to block his escape.
regular cat. Hayley had a few seconds to block his escape.
Blueberry darted to the right, in the hopes of running around Hayley. She hurled herself
to the floor, using her body as a barrier; the carrier clattered to the floor next
to her. Blueberry didn’t stop. He took a running leap over her face. Chunks of blue
fur flew up her nose and into her mouth and got into her eyes. She was blinded and
gagging, but she managed to grab Blueberry’s tail before his paws reached the landing.
to the floor, using her body as a barrier; the carrier clattered to the floor next
to her. Blueberry didn’t stop. He took a running leap over her face. Chunks of blue
fur flew up her nose and into her mouth and got into her eyes. She was blinded and
gagging, but she managed to grab Blueberry’s tail before his paws reached the landing.
Blueberry screeched and hissed and wriggled his body around. His claws scratched Hayley’s
hand, drawing blood, but she was not about to let go.
hand, drawing blood, but she was not about to let go.
This was ending right here.
Tonight.
The cat was going home.
Alerted by the commotion, Leroy cautiously deserted his hiding place and was peering
down from the upstairs railing to see just how this battle of wills was going to turn
out.
down from the upstairs railing to see just how this battle of wills was going to turn
out.
Hayley was on her side, still gripping Blueberry’s tail, now with both hands, determined
to hold on. Blueberry’s screeching and hissing just got louder and more intense. Hayley
knew if she let go, it would be over. Blueberry would win. And she was not about to
let that happen.
to hold on. Blueberry’s screeching and hissing just got louder and more intense. Hayley
knew if she let go, it would be over. Blueberry would win. And she was not about to
let that happen.
The carrier was on its side. The cage’s metal door was still open. She could see the
catnip wrapped in the dishrag. Hayley let go of Blueberry’s tail with one hand, while
she squeezed the tail even more tightly with the other. She extended her arm in the
opposite direction toward the carrier. She managed to stretch her fingers enough to
get inside the cage. She was just about an inch from the catnip.
catnip wrapped in the dishrag. Hayley let go of Blueberry’s tail with one hand, while
she squeezed the tail even more tightly with the other. She extended her arm in the
opposite direction toward the carrier. She managed to stretch her fingers enough to
get inside the cage. She was just about an inch from the catnip.
Meanwhile, Blueberry was scratching and biting Hayley’s hand, which still gripped
his tail. She was afraid if she didn’t do something soon, all that would be left of
her hand would be a bloody stump. Her index finger was touching the catnip sewn with
felt, which was in the shape of a tiny white mouse. She could feel the fabric, but
she just couldn’t get a good grip on it. She was stretching her fingers so far, they
were aching. She ignored the pain in her other hand from Blueberry’s wild scratching
and biting.
his tail. She was afraid if she didn’t do something soon, all that would be left of
her hand would be a bloody stump. Her index finger was touching the catnip sewn with
felt, which was in the shape of a tiny white mouse. She could feel the fabric, but
she just couldn’t get a good grip on it. She was stretching her fingers so far, they
were aching. She ignored the pain in her other hand from Blueberry’s wild scratching
and biting.
Finally her middle finger tapped the catnip mouse enough so it rolled half an inch
closer. Then she got it between her two fingers and slowly extracted it from the carrier.
Scooping it into her hand, she brought her arm back around and mashed it against Blueberry’s
wild, crazed face like it was a cloth doused in chloroform.
closer. Then she got it between her two fingers and slowly extracted it from the carrier.
Scooping it into her hand, she brought her arm back around and mashed it against Blueberry’s
wild, crazed face like it was a cloth doused in chloroform.
Blueberry fought at first, madly thumping his tail, violently jerking his fat body
around to wrestle away from the catnip, but Hayley had adrenaline on her side. It
had all come down to this: a fight to the finish. And she was not going to lose to
this four-legged Antichrist. She kept the catnip firmly clamped over Blueberry’s face
until his energy began waning. She knew it was working.
around to wrestle away from the catnip, but Hayley had adrenaline on her side. It
had all come down to this: a fight to the finish. And she was not going to lose to
this four-legged Antichrist. She kept the catnip firmly clamped over Blueberry’s face
until his energy began waning. She knew it was working.
The catnip didn’t cause him to pass out, of course, but he became disoriented, and
less aggressive, and intoxicated by the smell. He was still fighting, but he lost
his bearings, his sense of purpose. This was enough for Hayley to drag him by his
tail to the animal carrier, stuff him inside, and then slam the door shut, quickly
latching it. Blueberry was stunned at first, not used to losing a fight. He just peered
out through the cage door, not quite sure what had just happened.
less aggressive, and intoxicated by the smell. He was still fighting, but he lost
his bearings, his sense of purpose. This was enough for Hayley to drag him by his
tail to the animal carrier, stuff him inside, and then slam the door shut, quickly
latching it. Blueberry was stunned at first, not used to losing a fight. He just peered
out through the cage door, not quite sure what had just happened.
Hayley was still on her back, arms stretched out on the floor. She turned her head
away from the carrier and closed her eyes.
away from the carrier and closed her eyes.
It was over.
It was finally over.
She felt something wet on her face.
Opening her eyes, Hayley saw Leroy standing next to her, happily licking her right
cheek, anxious to show his love and appreciation for finally ridding his kingdom of
this wicked dragon.
cheek, anxious to show his love and appreciation for finally ridding his kingdom of
this wicked dragon.
Hayley took a moment to savor the victory and then she sprang to her feet. She found
some doggie treats in the cupboard and gave one to Leroy to celebrate. Then she picked
up the carrier by the handle and marched out the door, heading straight to Mrs. Tubbs’s
house, wiping the snowflakes out of her face.
some doggie treats in the cupboard and gave one to Leroy to celebrate. Then she picked
up the carrier by the handle and marched out the door, heading straight to Mrs. Tubbs’s
house, wiping the snowflakes out of her face.
By the time she got there, Blueberry was sound asleep in the carrier. All the lights
were on in the house, but Evelyn’s car was gone. Hayley knocked on the door and tried
the handle. It was unlocked. She opened it a crack and poked her head in.
were on in the house, but Evelyn’s car was gone. Hayley knocked on the door and tried
the handle. It was unlocked. She opened it a crack and poked her head in.
“Mrs. Tubbs, guess who’s come home to be with you?”
“I’m in the living room, dear. Please bring him to me.”
Hayley walked in and found Mrs. Tubbs sitting on her couch, looking remarkably healthy
and spry for an eighty-five-year-old woman just out of the hospital. She threw her
hands to her face and began to cry.
and spry for an eighty-five-year-old woman just out of the hospital. She threw her
hands to her face and began to cry.
“Oh, Blueberry, I’ve missed you so!”
Hayley unlatched the carrier, but Blueberry didn’t come out. He was still asleep,
so she upended the carrier, perhaps with a bit too much gusto. The big, fat, furry
blue blob tumbled out onto the floor. He opened one eye, stretched, and then groggily
climbed to his feet, looking around, sniffing, still completely disoriented.
so she upended the carrier, perhaps with a bit too much gusto. The big, fat, furry
blue blob tumbled out onto the floor. He opened one eye, stretched, and then groggily
climbed to his feet, looking around, sniffing, still completely disoriented.
“My baby, I’m so happy you’re home,” Mrs. Tubbs said, clapping for him to come to
her.
her.
He turned his head and stared at her; then he swayed from side to side as he stumbled
over to her and rubbed the side of his body against her leg.
over to her and rubbed the side of his body against her leg.
“Isn’t he a doll?”
“Yes. He sure is.”
A voodoo doll maybe.
“I can’t thank you enough for looking after him, Hayley.”
“My pleasure.”
“I hope he wasn’t too much trouble.”
“He was an angel.”
Why upset the woman?
“Now that you’re no longer cat sitting, I’m sure you’ll have more time to spend with
that handsome caretaker I’ve seen you out and about town with. What’s his name?”
that handsome caretaker I’ve seen you out and about town with. What’s his name?”
“Lex Bansfield.”
“That’s right. Handsome fella.”
“He is, but he’s been awfully busy lately. Ever since Edgar’s taken ill and his nephew,
Clark, has arrived on the scene with his own way of doing things, Lex has been working
crazy hours.”
Clark, has arrived on the scene with his own way of doing things, Lex has been working
crazy hours.”
“Oh, I’ve heard all about that one. The nephew,” Mrs. Tubbs spit out.
“What have you heard?”
Mrs. Tubbs stopped and had to think about it. “It was Candace. She was trash-talking
him. And she said she had some really juicy gossip about him. What’s his name again
. . . Clint?”
him. And she said she had some really juicy gossip about him. What’s his name again
. . . Clint?”
“No. Clark. Candace Culpepper told you she had dirt on him?”
“Yes, she did. Well, actually not to me directly. She was outside on her cell phone
and I was upstairs airing out my bedroom, because poor Blueberry had just eaten some
of my peach cobbler, which I had left out to cool, and had run upstairs and was having
a severe case of the squirts, if you know what I mean. . . .”
and I was upstairs airing out my bedroom, because poor Blueberry had just eaten some
of my peach cobbler, which I had left out to cool, and had run upstairs and was having
a severe case of the squirts, if you know what I mean. . . .”
Hayley closed her eyes, trying desperately to get that image out of her head.
“Anyway, I opened the window and saw Candace down there, and she was talking to someone
on her cordless phone. She was saying how she knew Clark’s secret, and she wasn’t
sure if she should go to the police. . . .”
on her cordless phone. She was saying how she knew Clark’s secret, and she wasn’t
sure if she should go to the police. . . .”
“What kind of secret?”
“I don’t know. I tried to listen, but my hearing’s not so good anymore. She was pacing
back and forth, so I was only picking up a few of the words. I poked my head out to
the side, so my good ear was pointing in her direction, but that’s when my damn windowpane
fell and almost cracked my skull open. Well, I guess I yelped loud enough, because
that’s when Candace looked up and saw me. She gave me this rude stare and went back
inside her house, like she thought I was eavesdropping or something.”
back and forth, so I was only picking up a few of the words. I poked my head out to
the side, so my good ear was pointing in her direction, but that’s when my damn windowpane
fell and almost cracked my skull open. Well, I guess I yelped loud enough, because
that’s when Candace looked up and saw me. She gave me this rude stare and went back
inside her house, like she thought I was eavesdropping or something.”
The nerve of her.
Candace knew Clark’s secret.
What secret?
And was it the kind of secret that ultimately got her killed?
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