Donally, Claire - Cat Nap (A SUNNY & SHADOW MYSTERY)

“It’s not for me—really,” Sunny insisted. “I just thought you must know more about this kind of financial stuff than anyone else I know.”

“If you think I hang out with loan sharks, that’s not much of a compliment,” Ollie complained. “I know some guys who got in bed with the sharks. Almost all of them ended up regretting it. These were guys who owned businesses, but because of what they owed, the sharks became their partners—and often, their bosses.” He harrumphed into the phone. “That said, it’s bad business to kill the golden goose. The problem is, not all the guys who go into the loan-sharking line are businessmen. Some of them—I guess you’d call them sadists. But they’re more likely to kidnap someone to get a little leverage when they put the squeeze on someone.”

“And . . . killing?” Sunny pressed.

“I guess it’s been known to happen,” Ollie said. “Usually when they really don’t expect to get their money back, and an example has to be made.”

“Thanks, Ollie. That’s what I thought.”

“Yeah. Make sure your ‘friend’ hears that. Oh, and I’m definitely counting the petty cash when I come in.” Ollie cut the connection, and Sunny went back to work, such as it was.

The phone rang yet again. This time it was an excited-sounding Jane Rigsdale.

“Two things,” she said. “First, I’m really sorry to hear about Shadow. Several of the people who came in mentioned that he’d taken off on you.”

“What can I say?” Sunny replied. “I’m sorry, too.”

“You know he’s a bit of a wanderer,” Jane pointed out. “He didn’t stay all the time with Ada Spruance.”

“Yeah,” Sunny recalled. “That’s the first thing she told me about him.”

“I was going to warn you when springtime came a little closer that he might develop a case of wanderlust,” Jane said. “I just didn’t think it was likely to happen when the weather was this cold.”

“He was kind of angry with us—with me,” Sunny confessed. “A neighbor had brought over a puppy, and he didn’t like it.”

Jane made a sort of noncommittal noise. “Maybe he felt threatened.”

“Jane, it was a puppy. He wasn’t in fear for his life. If it had caught up with him, it would have probably licked him.”

“I don’t think Shadow would have allowed that,” Jane said wryly. “But I wasn’t talking about a physical threat. Judging from the way he gets along with people, I’d say Shadow has had a lot of homes in his life. Some, like Ada’s, he might have left on his own, but others, it’s more likely that he was kicked out. He might have seen the puppy as taking over his place.”

For a moment, Sunny couldn’t talk because of the lump in her throat. “Now I feel horrible. Mrs. M.—Helena Martinson—was only bringing the puppy around because she’d just adopted him. I never thought that Shadow might see it that way.”

Jane tried to offer some hope. “He might turn back up after a couple of nights in the cold. Also, it’s mighty slim pickings out there, eating-wise. Shadow is a practical little critter. If you see him, you can convince him it was all a mistake.” She got a little more professional. “And if need be, I can help with some suggestions on helping the two animals get along. Pet psychology isn’t my specialty, but I’ve done a little bit of it.”

“If he appears on my doorstep, you’ll be the first to know,” Sunny assured her. “What’s the second thing you had to tell me?”

“I think I may have found out who Martin’s dark lady is.” Jane’s voice was back to full excitement now. “Martin has a sub in right now at his practice—like most medical practices, we arrange with other vets to substitute for us when we’re not available.”

“I see,” Sunny said. “Martin is definitely unavailable these days.”

“And in some cases, his substitute has ended up overbooked,” Jane picked up the story. “So he asked if I would take one of Martin’s cases. I should have gotten suspicious when the lady in question tried to cancel. I had to shame her into bringing her dog in, and when she did, I found myself examining a perfectly healthy animal who was booked for monthly appointments. And when I took a look at Martin’s notes, I found a whole lot of fancy language that boiled down to observation and administering the occasional supplement—dog vitamins. This is a nice animal—a purebred—but he’s not a show dog. There’s no need to be so obsessive about the dog’s health.”

“So either Martin was cheating this woman . . .” Sunny began.

“Or cheating with her,” Jane finished in a stage whisper. “This would cause a stink if it got out. The woman is Christine Venables.”

“Why does that name sound familiar?” Sunny asked.

“Because you have a dad who’s interested in local politics,” Jane told her. “State Representative Ralph Venables? This is his wife.”

“Oh, wonderful,” Sunny said. “It’s not messy enough, we have to add a political scandal.”

“Also, Tobe managed to track down the waitress you bumped into, and they’ve talked some more.”

“Tell him to skip the grilled cheese,” Sunny advised.

“He’s going to try and get a picture of Christine Venables and run it past this woman.” Jane sounded a lot less eager now. “I’d rather not use it—I know what it’s like to have a marriage blow up in my face. But it’s sort of an insurance policy if Trumbull really comes after me.”

“I’m glad it’s not a decision I’d have to make,” Sunny honestly said. “So, if you’ve been chatting with Tobe, any more news on his availability?”

“Unmarried,” Jane reported briefly. “He made partner because they wanted his skills.”

“Just be careful,” Sunny joked. “Lawyers are trained in persuasion.”

*

Sunny finished theday’s work and sat for a long moment in front of her computer, thinking. Then she called Helena Martinson. “Are you all set for milk and stuff?”

“You really shouldn’t bother,” Mrs. Martinson replied.

“I’m three stores away from a market,” Sunny pointed out. “How much of a bother is that?”

“Well, I suppose I could do with a quart of the one percent milk,” Mrs. M. said.

“Fine,” Sunny told her. “I’ll see you in a bit.”

She turned off her computer, got her parka, locked up the office, and headed over to Judson’s.

When she arrived at her neighbor’s house, Mrs. Martinson had coffee perking away. “I thought we might find a use for some of that milk,” she said with a smile. But when she took the sack, Sunny could see that she limped her way into the kitchen. And she had trouble negotiating the baby gate she had set up in the doorway, beyond which Toby the pup yipped in excitement to see a visitor in the house.

“Let me help with that.” Sunny hurried after her hostess.

“It’s not as bad as it looks,” Mrs. Martinson insisted. “I’ve got a bruise on my knee, and it slows me down walking.”

“Well, you should take it easy while it heals properly,” Sunny told her, taking the tray with the cups, saucers, milk pitcher, and sugar bowl. “Let’s sit down and enjoy this properly.”

They settled in the living room with Toby whining after them.

“So what would you like to talk about, dear?” Mrs. M. asked with a guileless smile.

“Oh, you’re good,” Sunny said, laughing. She took a sip of coffee. “What can you tell me about the Venables family?”

“Well, obviously, Ralph Venables is a state representative. He’s married to Christine, and they have a daughter, Kristi, who’s a year or two out of college. She’d been working in Boston, but lost her job and is home now.” Helena frowned, trying to bring up details. “They’re fairly well off. Ralph came from money and was involved in a real estate business, but got out before the bottom fell out of that. As far as I know, he hasn’t invested in anything foolish. Ralph got reelected last November and is starting his second two-year term. Christine’s people came from farther north, respectable but not rich. She actually helped to set up the 99 Elmet Ladies and would have liked to be more involved. But it might look too much like politics.”