Begging for Trouble (9 page)

Standing, she started the microwave to heat their food. It was possible Sam wouldn’t show, which was fine. There was plenty of time to quiz him about Rob’s supposed crime, and she still had a lot to go over with Rob in order to lend him a hand. Then she would come up with a plan.

Sam would understand her need to help a friend. Once she convinced him.

Ellie and Vivian sat in the living room drinking wine while Dr. Dave gave Bitsy an exam. In the course of their chat, Ellie discreetly checked out, as she usually did, the regal decor of her best friend’s apartment. Viv had been born into wealth—not a huge amount, but certainly more than the median income level of most Americans. Ellie had been here a thousand times and Vivian’s sense of style always impressed her. Though this apartment wasn’t the moneyed display that Ellie’s ex had insisted upon, it was more elegance than she wanted in her own home.

Their condo layouts were identical, but Ellie had done everything imaginable to avoid her ex’s opulent taste. Since being granted her unit in the divorce settlement, she had completely erased the dickhead’s presence. After receiving a loan from her mother, she’d painted the entire place, added hand-painted borders, hung her favorite artwork, purchased new area rugs, and changed out every stick of furniture. Instead of screaming upscale, expensive, and snooty, it now shouted “come in, kick your shoes off, and stay a while,” something she thought all homes should profess.

Sitting in “wait” mode, she’d watched Rudy accompany the poohuahua and vet to the spare bedroom in order to keep Bitsy calm. Ellie was more than ready to hear Dave’s take on Bitsy’s odd actions since the stabbing, but what she really needed was Rudy’s observations. Her yorkiepoo was a sharp little guy, very in tune with the dogs they walked. He would notice things the vet missed, and he’d be sure to inform her if Bitsy said anything important.

“Why are you fidgeting?” asked Vivian, who was perched on the sofa. “It’s just a normal checkup, and Bitsy seemed okay to me.”

“You call sitting like a statue and refusing a treat
okay
for a dog who’s usually upbeat and playful?” She snorted. “That only proves you know squat about man’s best friend.”

“I never proclaimed to be a canine expert, but I do care. Bitsy isn’t puking or whining, and she still wants to be held and scratched. For me, those are all positive signs in a dog.”

Ellie twined her fingers in her lap. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to jump down your throat. It’s just that ...” She shrugged. “I can only imagine what Bitsy saw from underneath that makeup table, and I’m positive it wasn’t a pretty sight. Remember what happened to Gary when he witnessed his parents’ murders? It ruined his life.”

“But Gary was a teenage human, not a puppy,” Viv said, her tone that of a kindergarten teacher explaining the meaning of life to one of her pupils. “Death hits all of us in one way or another, and we have to accept it.”

“People, yes, but dogs—” Ellie stopped her tirade before she was in too deep. “The deaths most of us experience aren’t violent or shocking. Bitsy’s a puppy who loves her owner, which means she feels with Rob. And she shares a bond with him that’s stronger than the one many humans share.”

Viv grinned. “You mean like you and the exterminator?”

“Don’t be a smart-ass. Georgette and I have a bond, when she chooses to be motherly.” Ellie sipped her second glass of wine, then set it on the side table. “If I wanted to be snide, I could compare it to the bond you and your sisters have.”

“One of these days I’m going to take you to the Island to meet Arlene. Then you’ll understand what I’ve been talking about.” Viv drained her glass of Merlot, then glanced at her watch. “I wonder what’s taking so long.”

The comment shook Ellie to her core. Was it possible Dave had found something serious? A skin condition or a tumor that flagged a more frightening problem? Maybe Bitsy wasn’t suffering from PTSD, but was physically ill and it simply hadn’t come to light until now.

“Should we send Mr. T in to take a look?” She gave a weak smile. “He might report back to us.”

“Say what?”
T gruffed from his spot on the floor. Still engrossed in Animal Planet, he hadn’t said a word since Rudy left with the vet and poohuahua.

“I doubt T has any idea what’s going on,” Viv offered.

“Oh, yes, I do, fool,”
the Jack Russell insisted.
“You just don’t know it.”

“I was only joking,” said Ellie, hoping to defuse T’s temper. Unless absolutely necessary, he was not the kind of canine to show a soft spot for any dog or human. If something bad happened to his mistress, she was certain he’d be upset, and it might bother him if she or Rudy was in trouble, but that was about it. “Besides, he’s too fascinated with
Dogs 101
to pay attention to whatever’s going on in Bitsy’s life.”

“He does seem self-absorbed,” Viv agreed. “Maybe if I—”

Rudy took that moment to trot into the room with Bitsy at his side. When he reached Ellie, he jumped onto the chair and nuzzled her ear.
“Talk about a nail-biter. You were right. Bitsy’s body is fine, but her mind is confused and hurting.”

“Is it serious?” Ellie murmured.

“What the heck are you whispering about?” Viv interrupted.

Ellie settled Rudy on her lap, then picked Bitsy up and let her get comfy next to him. “I just praised him for staying with his bitty buddy.”

Dave walked in carrying his black bag and took a seat alongside Viv, who then stood and went into the kitchen. “I’ve done all I can without running blood tests and X-rays.” His expression remained firm. “But you were right to be worried.”

“What’s wrong? What happened to her?” Ellie ran a trembling hand across Bitsy’s spine. “Is it serious?”

The vet continued to frown. “On a scale of one to ten, I’d rate her condition a six. She’s definitely not the Bitsy I’m used to treating, but she isn’t totally lost or out of normal range.”

Ellie gazed at the petite pooch, who was now sleeping on her thigh. “What the heck is that supposed to mean?”

He accepted the beer Vivian handed him and moved over to give her room. “I’ve seen it before in patients, but not very often. Normally, dogs live for the moment. Once the danger or traumatic event passes they perk up and, with a bit of kindness and the return to a regular routine, go back to being their usual happy and trusting selves.”

“I know dogs are resilient. I also believe they have a very forgiving nature and react to the vibes given off by their owners,” Ellie added.

“Where canines are concerned, you and I see things the same way, but not everyone agrees.” He gave Viv a look and smiled. “Vivian and I had this very discussion just a couple of months ago, if I remember correctly.”

“We talked over T’s inability to understand why I didn’t want him wearing that stupid sweater he got at Flora’s.” Viv sat closer to the vet and snuggled into his side. “Dave said Mr. T wanted—no, he
needed
—to wear that outrageous garment, and I said T didn’t know the first thing about style. He liked the coat because it was loaded with feathers, and since it’s natural for dogs to chase birds, that’s what drew him to it.”

Ellie had heard a few of their talks, and most had fallen just short of an argument, so she’d tuned them out. When she took T for a walk, she let him wear the silly sweater. It was no skin off her nose if he looked outrageous, and it made the Jack Russell feel good. Who cared if people pointed and giggled when they saw him?

“All I know is Mr. T enjoys that outfit,” said Ellie. “His step is quick, he holds his head high, and his attitude is that of a Best in Show winner when he has it on. It you ask me, that’s reason enough to give in to his demand.”

“Okay, okay. I let him wear it, don’t I? But that doesn’t mean I can’t wait for spring to arrive so I can toss it onto the top shelf of my closet. It’s not my fault I can’t talk to dogs the way you two can.”

“Now, babe—” Dave held her free hand. “I never said I could
talk
to dogs.”

Ellie suppressed a grin. One day she was going to tell her best friend that
she
could. Viv’s reaction was sure to be priceless.

Dave went on. “It’s more an inborn understanding, and I don’t expect everyone to have it. Just because you don’t doesn’t mean we’re poking fun or thinking any less of you.”

Viv stuck out her lower lip. “Yeah, right.”

“So, Dave,” Ellie continued, “what did you find when you examined our little girl?”

“She’s definitely in a funk. I don’t know if it has something to do with Rob and the murder, or if it’s simply because she’s away from him. All I’m sure of is that Bitsy is not the carefree dog I’m used to treating.” Dave upended his beer bottle and took a long swallow. “When do you think you’ll be taking her home?”

“Tomorrow. Rob’s sister is supposed to arrive sometime in the afternoon and I’m fairly certain he has an appointment with his attorney, so it’s better if Bitsy’s with us for the day.” Ellie rested her head on the chair back. “I was planning to drop her off after my last round of walks.”

“I think that’s best. In the meantime, do what you’ve been doing. Keep her calm, see that she eats, and let her rest. If she really was a witness to what went on in that dressing room, it might have caused a shock to her system. Let’s wait a while before I start her on a drug.”

“A drug?” Viv exclaimed. “You’re kidding, right?”

“Nope. There are mood enhancers for dogs just as there are for people, but they’re usually given in only the most serious cases,” explained the vet. “Or we can go the holistic route, maybe try some valerian or another calming herb, but I think that with time and care Bitsy will come around.”

 

Ellie said good-bye to Viv and Dave and left them making nice on the love seat while Mr. T kept his eyes on Animal Planet. Her best friend and the vet could walk the Jack Russell on their own, but her charges needed to go out before they settled in for the night.

Thoughts of Sam’s no-show for dinner filled her head as she led Rudy and Bitsy down the front steps and onto the sidewalk. When Sam was on a case, everything else in his life took a backseat, and she figured that was the reason he hadn’t stopped by or called. Though dedication to his profession was one of the things she admired about him, it was also a concern. Did she want to spend the rest of her life with another man who put his career first and her second?

No need to worry about it now, she decided. They were just starting to get comfortable with each other. Sam had yet to say he loved her, and she hadn’t said it to him. The only future plans he’d mentioned were in reference to next year’s Valentine’s Day, which had been more a joke than an invitation. But she was headover-heels crazy about him, and she suspected he knew it. They’d both been through the wringer in their first serious relationships, so it made sense for them to wait a while before committing fully to another person.

As they neared the corner, Ellie’s cell rang and she retrieved it from her tote. Though it was nearly ten, she answered when she read the display. “Hey, Joy. I was wondering if I’d ever hear from you again.”

“Ellie, hi—uh—it’s me.”

“I hope you’re calling to tell me you’re ready to come back to work.”

“Um—no. I mean, I’d like to come back, but I ... can’t.”

“Is something wrong, Joy? Something you need to discuss? Because you know I’m more than happy to help.” Ellie waited while Rudy and Bitsy did their business. “I don’t mind.”

When Joy didn’t answer, she headed back to the apartment. Finally, as she approached the steps, her exassistant said, “Ellie, this is nothing personal, but you have to stop calling me.”

The statement took her by surprise. Had she been that much of a pest? “Okay, if you don’t want to hear from me, you won’t, and I apologize if I’ve overstepped my bounds.”

“It’s not me that—I mean—” The girl heaved a sigh. “I can’t explain. Just don’t phone me anymore. I’ll get hold of you if I need you, but until then . . .”

“Okay, sure, but—” She stopped talking when Joy disconnected the call. After dropping the phone in her tote, she opened the inside door to the condo and headed up the steps.

“So what did Joy want?”
Rudy asked as they climbed the two flights to their floor.

“She asked me to stop phoning her.”

“Do you think I’ve been that much of a bother?”

“Maybe twice a month is all. I thought I was simply keeping in touch, but I guess not.” She unlocked her apartment and the trio continued down the hall. “Let me change and we can talk about you-know-who.”

In the bedroom, she set Bitsy on the bed while Rudy jumped up and plunked onto his pillow. Then Ellie changed into a sleep shirt, took care of business in the bathroom, and returned. After pulling down the covers, she settled in while Bitsy curled up in the center of the bed. Snuggling nearer to her boy, she asked, “Okay, let’s hear what went down in Viv’s spare room.”