Silence Is Golden (A Pet Psychic Mystery No. 3) (6 page)

"Oh I live across from the Pinellas Point Indian Mound. Bernice here is my neighbor."

"Oh, okay. I haven't visited that place yet."

Bernice shook her head. "Yeah, well. Now's probably not the time to go. Some crazy has been digging up the Mound lately. The neighborhood started doing nightly patrols to curb the vandalism. We've
put a lot of effort in through the years to stop the erosion, planting native plants and getting the fence put up.
But we'll have to stop the patrols now. Our neighbor's husband got attacked there last night and is in the hospital with a concussion. It's getting too dangerous."

My hand poised over the mouse, I stared at Bernice. "What in heaven's name happened?"

"Don't know. He just said someone hit him in the head from behind when he went to check on a noise. He was surprised but managed to grab their legs and got in a bit of a scuffle. It ended when he said the guy hit him in the head again with a shovel."

Bandit's owner cleared her throat and leaned closer to us. "His wife told me he thought it was actually a woman. But, he's too embarrassed to tell the police that he got knocked out by a woman."

I stared at her, thinking about the woman who killed Victoria. Could it be the same person? Surely, that would be too much of a coincidence. On the other hand, how many psychotic women are running around St. Pete right now? "That's kind of important information for him to keep to himself," I said.

"I know." She nodded, stroking Bandit's head. "But, he's already insecure about being short. If he did get knocked out by a woman, he'll take that to his grave."

If it was the same woman who killed Victoria, why would she be digging up the Mound? Victoria was delivering an artifact to Jade. Could an artifact have something to do with the attack at the Mound, too?

I tore off the pink customer copy of her order and handed it to her. "Do you think someone is digging illegally for artifacts there? Maybe to sell? Money is always a viable motive for violence."

She shrugged. "I don't think there's anything of value buried there. I know they've found some shell tools, stuff like that. But, if someone were digging up artifacts illegally, wouldn't be too hard to find a buyer. I've heard rumors about the guy who owns Treasure Coast Artifacts, Barnie something. People say he'll buy anything and has even been arrested for poaching artifacts himself."

"Maybe they're not trying to dig something up," Bernice lowered her voice with a touch of humor. "Maybe they are trying to bury something... or someone. After all, it is a burial Mound."

Her friend shot her an amused look. "What? In pieces?"

They shared a laugh as they waved and Bernice held the door open for a customer to enter.

I stared after them, their words stirring something inside me that was making me nauseous. Shaking my head, I forced a smile when the customer, a middle-aged woman with her long blonde ponytail sticking through a baseball cap, approached me.

 "Hi, can I help you with something today?"

"Yes, I'm looking for Darwin Winters." Despite the baseball cap and jeans, she had a business-like air about her.

"I'm Darwin."

"Oh good." She glanced around the boutique and then offered me her hand. "I'm Linda from Baywater Kennel. I was in the neighborhood and thought we could get the home visit for Goldie's adoption out of the way."

"Oh!" My heart did a funky little beat against my chest. "Of course. She's usually by my side here all day, but I let her sleep in this morning. She was really restless last night."
So, I gave her some love and peace-infused water this morning but no need to mention that.
"I was planning on going up to fetch her soon."
Heavens, why did she have to come the one time I left Goldie alone?
I rubbed the back of my neck where beads of sweat had broken out under my hairline. "Let me just go see if my partner can watch the boutique for a few minutes while we run up. I live above the boutique."

*     *     *

"Goldie," I called as we entered the townhouse. "Here, girl."

"This is a very nice place. Plenty of room for a dog." Linda walked to the French doors and peered out.

There was a thump upstairs. "She must still be in bed." I laughed nervously. "Come on up."

The sight that greeted us left me speechless. I could only stare at Goldie, who trotted out of the bathroom, her tail wagging, her face covered in baby powder and one of my bras stuck around her neck by the arm strap. There was also a trail of toilet paper around the room, over the bed and shredded magazines littering the carpet.

I lifted my hands and covered my face, stealing a glance at Linda. Her mouth had dropped open as she took in the damage. Goldie came over and sat in front of us, her dark eyes shining, her tail swooshing, making the magazine bits beneath her tumble across the carpet.

She let out a sharp bark and we both jumped.

"Oh, girl." I kneeled down and gently removed my bra from around Goldie's neck. My humiliation was complete. "I don't know what got into her," I stuttered.
Was this a reaction to the magick-infused water?
"She hasn't done anything like this before." I picked up some of the toilet paper and tried to wipe off the baby powder from her eyes and snout. She sneezed a few times and then play bowed. I couldn't help it. I started to laugh. Hysterically. Like, holding my stomach, tears flowing down my face, trying to catch my breath kind of laughter. Goldie seemed pleased with her redecorating skills and my reaction. She pounced on me and licked the tears from my face with vigor.

"I'm... so... sorry," I tried to get out between snorts and giggles and licks. "I know this looks really bad." I tilted my head back and looked up at Linda, ready to throw myself at her mercy.
At this moment, I knew I really wanted this. I really wanted this sweet creature in my life.

But there was no need to worry. Linda was smiling and shaking her head. "Actually, this is perfect. Rarely does an opportunity come up in a home visit where I can see how a person would react to the dog being mischievous. I can see you really care about Goldie, and you two already have a special bond. I have to say, I'm very surprised that she's so happy considering the trauma she's just been through."

My heart soared and I jumped up and took her by surprise with a hug. "Thank you. Does this mean you're approving the adoption?"

Linda reached down and scratched Goldie behind the ear, sending a puff of baby powder into the air. "Yes, I believe you'll give her the home and love she needs." She grinned. "But first, I suggest you give her a bath."

*     *     *

I locked the boutique door and turned the closed sign around. Heavens, it had been a long, emotional day. A knock on the glass startled me. I turned around to see a young, dark-haired woman waving. I glanced longingly at the tea before unlocking the door.

"I'm so sorry. We're closed up for the day." I hoped my tired cheeks formed a smile instead of a grimace.

Her face was tan and her eyes were glassy. "I know. I don't mean to bother you. My name is Josie Desoto... Victoria was my cousin. Eugene told me you adopted Goldie, and I was just wondering if I could see her?"

"Oh." I opened the door wider. "Sure. I'm sure she'd be happy to see a familiar face." I led her over to where Goldie was stretched out on her pillow behind the counter, her fur shining and smelling good from the bath Sylvia had given her. "I'm so sorry for your loss."

"Thanks. Hey there, sweet thing." Josie dropped to her knees, despite a tight leather skirt and sky high boots, and took Goldie's head in her hands. Goldie's tail flicked the floor and she licked Josie's hand. "Oh, you poor baby." She pressed a kiss between Goldie's eyes and rubbed her ears. "Goldie and Victoria were inseparable." She shook her head. "She looks good. Real good. You're a doll for taking care of her."

 "I actually just got approval today to adopt her. She's a sweetheart. I was kind of shocked Eugene didn't want to keep her, until I saw him yesterday. I guess he's having a hard enough time taking care of himself."

She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, he's not a real stable person, anyway. Goldie's better off here. He barely paid attention to Victoria, always holed up in that office writing. He'd probably forget to feed her." She ran her hand next to the shaved fur and examined the stitches. "That's gonna leave a scar. Looks like it's healing nicely though." She shook her head. "Glad Victoria can't see this. I think this scar would disqualify her from showing. She wanted Goldie here to be the first golden retriever to win the Westminster Dog Show. That's all she talked about."

Westminster?
That's where Frankie said that white dog was poisoned. So, Victoria was shooting for the big win? Bigger stakes, more to lose. That makes it all the more plausible a rival would want Goldie out of the competition.

  Just then Charlie came out of the back. Josie stood up as I introduced her to Charlie as Victoria's cousin. 

"Nice to meet you. Like your tattoo. Looks fresh," Charlie said, admiring her forearm.

Josie twisted her arm, giving us a better view. It was a black and white sword, a skull with an eye patch and pirate hat overlaid on it and a ribbon with the word: Eternity. It did look red. "Yeah, just got this one." She adjusted her large bag on the other shoulder. "Have a few I wish I didn't but this one has meaning. It's in memory of my dad. Even if he could be a jerk, he was still my dad."

Charlie nodded and grew serious. "So sorry about your cousin. Were you two very close?"

"We were getting there. We've had our family issues plus... I've lived in Vegas for almost seven years now so we didn't see each other much anymore. I spent some time here last summer and we hung out. She was a good person, though. I always looked up to her. She took good care of my dad. We lost him recently, too. That's why I came here, for his funeral."

Well, good grief. She lost her dad and her cousin? How awful.

"I didn't realize you had lost your dad so recently, Josie. Let me fix you some hot tea." It was the only comfort I could think to give.

She planted one more kiss on Goldie's snout and then followed me over to the table. "I'm not sure what to do." She sighed. "I probably should just sell dad's house and stay in Vegas. It's where I'm me. If that makes sense." I nodded. She took the cup I offered her. "Thanks. Plus, God knows I need the money." Then she pulled a flask out of her bag and poured a generous dollop of something that smelled like whiskey into the tea. I pressed my lips together to keep my mouth from falling open. She took a swig and closed her eyes. "Mmm. That's good. Thanks."

"It's raspberry." After I spoke, I realized she probably couldn't taste the tea anyway. I glanced over at Charlie, who was straightening out a display shelf nearby and biting her lip, which meant she was trying not to laugh.

"Course, getting a fresh start in a new place would be good, too," Josie continued, glancing out the window. "Life gets so... complicated when you're in one place too long."

I sipped my tea, nodding. I had no idea what she was talking about but it seemed like she needed someone to talk to, so I listened.

"Now that dad's house is mine, I could stay. If he doesn't haunt me." She broke out into something like a laugh and then sniffed. "He didn't leave it to me, you know. The house?" She looked at me with one brow raised. "Isn't that something? He left it to Victoria, instead of his own daughter. But, jokes on him now cause it's mine anyways." She laughed again, but in a way that was painful to hear.

I blinked in surprise.
Why would he leave his house to Victoria instead of his own daughter?

Josie drained half the cup and then said, "You don't believe in ghosts, do you? I mean when people die they die, right? Of course they do." She waved a hand at me and drained the rest of her cup. "Listen to me sitting here blabbering on." She looked at me and patted my hand. "You're real nice. I need to go but hey, I don't know many people here. Let's do drinks one night, all right?" She threw her oversized leather bag over her shoulder and tugged on her tight skirt.

"Sure, Josie. You know where to find me." I went to unlock the door for her.

"You take good care of Goldie now." She turned back to me. "You don't want Victoria coming back to give you hell." She snorted at her own joke and wiggled her fingers at me before making her way onto the sidewalk with a slight wobble to her walk.

I locked the door behind her and leaned against it, staring at Charlie.

"Just wow," Charlie said, shaking her head.

CHAPTER NINE

 Will had a few hours free Saturday afternoon, so he picked me up and we headed to the dog show at Azalea Park. We were following up on my idea that Goldie may have been the real target. Will thought it was a solid idea, and it couldn't hurt to ask some questions. I understood that letting me tag along was a big concession on his part, and I was grateful. Usually he was telling me to mind my own business when it came to sleuthing.

My thumb played with the promise ring he had given me, twirling it around on my finger as I stared out the car window. I glanced over at him. He seemed more preoccupied than normal, biting the inside of his cheek.