Nonstop Spaniels (Novella) by Linda O. Johnston Read Free Book Online

name.
    Then, back in my office with Zoey lying, as usual, at my feet, I called Antonio Bautrel to see what he could tell me about the cops’ current take on suspects.
    “Hi, Lauren,” the detective said. “I was wondering when I’d hear from you next.” We chatted for a minute about how he was doing, how I was doing, how Brooke was doing—and then we got down to the purpose of my call. “I can’t tell you much,” he said, not surprising me. “But here’s some general information.” He told me that the detectives on the case were in fact looking at the ex-girlfriend, but she was just a person of interest without being much of a suspect, at least not yet. “That guy Bartt? He was at the shelter when our guys were there asking the volunteers and staff some questions. His attitude sucked, so he was interrogated. He’s more than a person of interest, but they’re still checking him out.”
    Good,
I thought. And yet . . . well, despite what I’d initially thought of him, I almost felt sorry for Warren Bartt, and how Ideman had apparently strung him along. After all, I could understand how someone would do virtually anything after falling in love with a dog and wanting to adopt it no matter how many hurdles he had to overcome.
    I purposely knelt on the floor and hugged Zoey, who nuzzled me. Then I spoke to Antonio again over my cell phone. “Is Ellie Hankley a suspect?”
    “The volunteer whose grandfather founded PetForYou? Our guys on the case are aware there was some ill will there. So, yes, she’s being considered. But, Lauren, you won’t be surprised to know that Ricki’s still the most likely suspect. She and Ideman were arguing the day he was killed. You were there. You saw it.”
    “But I also know Ricki, and so do you. She was angry because Ideman wouldn’t commit to a no-kill policy, just gave lip-service to it. I wouldn’t kill a human being over that, and neither would she. But I can understand her anger—and maybe even an urge to strangle him.”
    “Then should I have them put you on their list, too?”
    I knew he was joking but said, “Don’t you dare!”
    “Okay.” He paused. “I know that when you get involved in these situations, you worry the case like a hunting dog with a stuffed animal in its mouth, till you kill it. The case, I mean, not any animal, stuffed or not. What’s your take on this one so far?”
    I smiled. I didn’t like getting involved in homicide cases, but I was somewhat glad that this real cop recognized that I’d had a bit of success in determining who actually committed some murders. But of course this was Antonio, my friend and Brooke’s significant other.
    “Still working on it,” I admitted. “But just so you know, I’ve asked Dante to make a contribution to the shelter to ensure the animals have enough to eat. Apparently it has some money problems.”
    “Even with its connection to the veterinary clinic? I’m sure the guys on the case are aware of it, but it still sounds strange.”
    “I agree. A condition of Dante’s contributing anything, money or supplies, will be an audit of the books.”
    “And you’ll supply a copy to the authorities.” It wasn’t a question, nor did it need to be.
    “Of course I’ll cooperate, and I’m sure Dante will, too.”

Chapter 7
    Three more days had passed since Dr. Dan Ideman’s murder. The media remained full of speculation, but so far there had been no arrests.
    I hated that the speculation still focused on Ricki.
    The poor girl was on hiatus from her internship, so she spent a bunch of time at HotRescues, volunteering. And that meant she talked a lot with me.
    She also helped me bring the animals I’d saved from PetForYou from Carlie’s, all with their healthiness confirmed. Even so, they’d remain in quarantine for our standard week.
    “This Ivo really is cute,” Ricki said. She and I were in the quarantine building, and I’d told her about the rampage his potential adopter, Warren Bartt, had