Begging for Trouble (33 page)

“We are, but when there are decisions to be made about your welfare, then I’m in charge.” She moved toward the door. “I’m going to do some scouting, but I don’t want to cut you off from the world, so I’ll leave the door ajar. Why don’t you take a nap? Better still, sit tight and I’ll see if I can get one of the attendants to take you for a quick walk.”

She slipped out of the library and into the hall, where she ran into a group of women standing in line near the restroom.

“Ellie. I was wondering when you’d turn up,” said Mariette Lowenstein. “The judge and I have been here for at least thirty minutes. Georgette said you were occupied, but she wouldn’t say what you were doing.”

“That’s because I’ve been babysitting Rudy and another dog in Stanley’s study. She doesn’t approve of them being here, so I doubt she’d say anything to a guest.”

“Too bad I didn’t know Rudy was going to be here. Sampson hates staying home alone.” Mariette moved up in line when a guest left the restroom. “He could have kept your boy company.”

“Uh, well . . . I don’t think Mother wanted anyone to bring a dog. The way I understand it, Stanley issued the invitations.”

“Are you saying Georgette isn’t a dog lover? That’s hard to believe, knowing you’re in the business and all.”

A regal-looking woman wearing a full-length purple gown and a mass of diamonds turned before Ellie could comment. “Excuse me, but I couldn’t help overhearing. So you’re Georgette’s daughter.” She held out her hand. “I’m Nadine Spencer. Martin and I got an adorable little mini Schnauzer for Christmas from our daughter. We’ve been looking for a dog walker since the first of the year.”

“Mother told you about my profession?” Ellie asked, grateful she’d remembered to put on the three-diamond pendant that Sam had given her for Christmas. Most of the women in attendance were wearing enough gems to stock Tiffany’s. “She said I walked dogs?”

“Not Georgette, but Judge Frye was happy to talk about you. Martin and I have been sharing walk duty with our housekeeper, but Ziggy is still learning the ins and outs of potty training. I’m sure you realize how difficult that is when one lives in a high-rise. We’ve interviewed a few walkers, but none of them seems as caring as we’d like. When Stanley told us about you, we thought maybe we could talk you into stopping by.”

Ellie gave her schedule a mental once-over and decided there was no way she could add another dog. “I’m sorry. My client list is booked at the moment. Unless you live in one of the four buildings I already service, I don’t think I can help.” She opened her bag and took out a card. “Of course, there are times when someone moves away and a slot opens up, and I am looking for a helper. Give me a call so we can discuss where you live and we’ll see.”

Mrs. Spencer took the card with a rueful smile. “Fine, and thank you. Oops, looks like it’s my turn.” She ducked into the just-vacated bathroom, leaving Mariette and Ellie alone.

“Judge Frye is supposed to make an announcement in the next ten minutes or so, introducing Norm and the other nominees,” said Mariette. “It wouldn’t look good if I missed our big moment.”

“Great. I’ll wait and walk out with you. I want to see your husband’s big moment, too.” She leaned against the wall and heaved a sigh. Good thing Mariette hadn’t found out about Rudy and Buddy being here before tonight. Georgette would have thrown a fit if her special event had ended up being a dog-sitting party. Luckily, Stanley had used common sense and kept the invitation to only two canines.

Just then she heard the conversation level in the living room fall to a drone of voices. Mariette stepped out and Ellie said, “I think Judge Frye is about to do his thing. Let’s go in.”

Mariette turned in place, then stumbled. “My feet are killing me. Bunions, you see. I’m so nervous. What do you think?”

Mrs. Lowenstein had played down her rather masculine appearance with a softer hairstyle and a triple strand of dime-sized pearls. Her flattering full-length black sheath gave some shape to her broad frame and pooled elegantly at the floor.

“You look fine. Now smile and be ready to applaud.”

When they entered the crowded living room, Mariette squeezed Ellie’s hand. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long. I only hope our appointment goes through.”

She swept off to find her husband, leaving Ellie a bit confused by her parting comments.
Our big moment? Our appointment?
Which of the Lowensteins was up for this judgeship, anyway?

She scanned the room and found Sam standing in a corner, watching Judge Lowenstein stalk off. Then he sidled to the other side of the room and began a discussion with a distinguished-looking gentleman. By the time Stanley called Judge Lowenstein’s name a second time, Norm and Mariette were beside him.

Ellie frowned. What were Sam and Norm Lowenstein talking about? And why did the judge look angry enough to spit nails? And who was the second man Sam had cornered?

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Stanley began, commanding her attention. “Georgette and I would like to welcome you to our gathering. We’re here, of course, to celebrate the appointment of one of these three judges to a premier position in our nation’s judicial system.”

His blue eyes twinkled. “Now some of you might ask why we didn’t wait to celebrate until after the official announcement, but I thought that all three men should be lauded, since it is a great honor to even be considered for such a prestigious post. Besides, the lousy weather gives us all the more reason to hold a party. Don’t you agree?”

Suddenly Sam was at Ellie’s side. “Taking a break from dog duty?” he asked, his expression grim.

“For a while,” she answered in a hushed tone. “What have you been up to?”

His coffee-dark eyes inspected the room. “Me? Not much.”

“I saw you talking to Judge Lowenstein. What was that all about?”

Before Sam answered, the group applauded, and Ellie felt obligated to listen to Stanley’s introduction of each appointee. In the first two instances, when he announced Judge Arnold Simpson and Judge Henry Wilde, the wives took a backseat and let their husbands bask in the limelight. But when he named Norm Lowenstein, Mariette appeared center stage, right beside the judge, beaming as if she were the nominee.

“Well, that’s interesting.”

“Interesting how?” asked Sam.

“What? Oh.” She didn’t realize she’d spoken out loud. “Ah, just Mariette.”

“Judge Lowenstein’s wife?”

“Yes. She’s acting—Never mind. It’s not important.”

Sam narrowed his eyes. “If you think so, then it is. Let me in on your thoughts.”

“You never did say why you were talking to the judge,” she said, sidestepping the question.

“What judge?” He surveyed the crowd. “There are only about a dozen in attendance tonight.”

Ellie gave an eye roll. “You know exactly who I mean. One of the guests of honor. Norman Lowenstein. And that other man on the opposite side of the room. Who’s he?”

“Funny how you’re stewing over Mrs. Lowenstein, while I have issues with her husband, isn’t it?”

“Issues? You have issues with Judge Lowenstein?”

He raised an eyebrow. “You’re avoiding my question.”

“And you’re avoiding mine,” she said, mimicking his annoyed expression.

Sam grabbed her elbow, led her into the library, and sat her on the sofa. “You’ve walked the Lowensteins’ dog for what, a year now?”

“Just about. Why?”

“What kind of people are they?”

Ellie cocked her head, thinking. “I haven’t spoken to them very often. Mariette is hardly ever home when I pick up her Pug. Seems she’s a health nut, works out at a gym every day, does weight training, that sort of thing. And the judge is rarely there when I arrive.”

He closed the door and sat next to her. “Have you ever seen them interact?”

“With each other?”

“Yes, with each other. Do they seem loving? Involved? Polite? Or are they more like roommates?”

Ellie blinked. What the heck was Sam getting at? The one time she’d seen the Lowensteins interact was last week, and it hadn’t been a pleasant scene.

“I’m not sure. I’ve only—” Just then, she felt a paw on her knee, and she dropped her gaze. “Hey, little man. How are you?”

Buddy whimpered.
“I’m okay, but where did Rudy go?”

She glanced around the library, then stared at Sam. “Do you see Rudy anywhere?”

Sam rested his elbows on his knees. “What does your dog have to do with the Lowensteins?”

“I just realized that I left two pups in this room, but only one is here now. I can’t think of anything else until I find my dog.”

“Oh, for—” Sam muttered a not-so-nice phrase under his breath. “Stay here. I’ll scout the place.”

The second he left, she reconnected with the Bichon. “How long has Rudy been gone? Did he say where he was going?”

“Okay, you stand watch. I’ll be back in a minute.” She peered into the hall, made sure Sam was nowhere in sight, and headed into the crowd. She doubted Sam would do much in the way of hunting for her boy, but she could see him getting into another heated discussion with Judge Lowenstein. Maybe even Mariette.

Before she got a foot into the living room, her mother approached, a scowl gracing her face. “Do something about your dog.”

“I’m trying to find him. Where is he?”

Georgette heaved a sigh. “He strolled into the middle of the three guests of honor right after Stanley introduced them. They were accepting congratulations from a group of well-wishers, including two reporters. The next thing I knew, he’d jumped onto Stanley’s lap and become the center of attention.”

Oy. “I’m sorry. Where is he now?”

“How should I know? The judges went to have their pictures taken near the fireplace. I tried to tell you having that dog here would be a disaster. If only you’d—”

Ellie left her mother sputtering and took off. Things were going to hell in a handbasket. Next thing, Rudy and Sam would get into it somehow. She could see the headlines now: LOCAL DETECTIVE AND CANINE BRAWL AT JUDICIAL FESTIVITIES.

Weaving through the guests, she made her way to the fireplace and its brightly blazing electric logs. Stanley and the three nominees were giving an interview, but there was no sign of Rudy.

She edged past the invitees sitting at small tables the caterers had brought in, and slipped by guests clustered in groups, holding drinks and chatting. When she arrived in the foyer she heard a shriek and stopped in her tracks.

The powder room door flew open and a woman raced out, her face the same color as her red dress. “There’s a dog in the bathroom,” she shouted to anyone who would listen. “A real, live dog.”

Great.

Georgette took that moment to rush to the woman’s side. “Mrs. Thachette, I’m so sorry. Let me get an attendant and have him removed.” Her mother put an arm around the woman’s quaking shoulders. Searching the foyer, she glared at a young man wearing a white jacket and a grin. “You. Go in and get that canine out of there.”

Then Georgette focused on Ellie. “I swear, Ellen Elizabeth, if that animal isn’t out of here . . .”

“Mother, it’ll be fine. Why don’t you take Mrs. Thacker—”

“That’s Thachette,” the woman said, correcting Ellie as her lips quivered. “And I’m highly allergic.” She put a hand on her barely there chest and fingered a ruby necklace. “I’ve never been so frightened in my life.”

“Take Mrs. Thachette to your private suite and help her get settled,” she said to her mother, Then she opened the bathroom door and stared at Rudy.

Ellie stepped inside and closed the door. “Where have you been?”

“XYZ?”

“Examine your zipper.”
He snickered.
“Most of those guys are incapable of lockin’ up their privates.”

She shook her head. “You are the most—” Opening the door, she called the still-smiling attendant over. “Please follow me. I need a favor.” Spinning around, she hoisted Rudy in her arms and headed for the library.

 

Sam’s head was growing heavy. He’d watched Ellie pace for a good ten minutes, and had to admit it was as tiring, and about as boring, as watching a Ping-Pong match on ESPN. Worse still, when she paced she didn’t walk in a straight line, but went in whatever direction struck her. His neck ached from following her erratic lines and looping turns.

“Will you stop?” he finally said, stepping in her way.

She raised her gaze to meet his. “I can’t. Something tells me I’ve made a stupid mistake. That attendant told me he was familiar with dogs, but what did that mean?” Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears. “He’s been gone for close to thirty minutes. What if he walked into traffic and got smacked by a cab? Or maybe one of the dogs slipped its leash and took off running. Rudy knew I was annoyed. What if he decided to go home on his own, and that attendant is chasing him down Sixty-sixth with no clue to where he’s going?”

“Listen to what you’re saying. There’s no trick to walking a couple of dogs—”

“Oh, really.” She gave him the look. “Remember who you’re talking to, fella.”

Sam groaned. “Okay, okay. What I meant was there’s no trick to walking a pair of well-behaved dogs who know this area and are familiar with city streets. Is that better?”

She sniffed. “I guess so.”

“And how would Rudy know you were annoyed with him? What did he do—tell you?”

“Yes. No.” She ran her fingers through her curls. “But Mother’s furious. The judge thinks she’s blowing what happened to Mrs. Thachette out of proportion, and that’s only making her madder. In the end, I’ll be blamed for everything and anything that went wrong tonight, no matter what I say or do.”