CHAPTER
twenty-nine 
IN THE EARLY morning, I brought over a pink bakery box of doughnuts to the police station. An assorted mix of a dozen scrumptious flavors: sprinkled, jelly, chocolate, and more unique, delectable toppings, like salted caramel.
I’d expected the police station to be extra exciting. Maybe some flashing sirens and criminals being led around in handcuffs. Perhaps I’d come at a quiet hour.
Even Detective Brown’s desk seemed ordinary when compared with my overactive imaginings. No bags of evidence littered the top of it. Only boring paperwork cluttered the surface, and old coffee rings stained the wood.
Detective Brown rubbed his bloodshot eyes and said, “Why are you bothering me at work, Miss Lee?”
“I’ve brought you a peace offering.” I placed the doughnuts down and opened the box a crack to let the smell of maple flavor the air.
“Do you think I’m a walking cliché?” He pointed at his taut stomach. “I like to work out.”
“No, Detective. I thought it’d be a nice gestu—”
“Spit it out, Miss Lee. What’s the point of your unexpected visit?”
I pulled out a Ziploc bag with the plastic cap look-alike secured inside. “I have new evidence.”
Detective Brown stared at the item. A glimmer of recognition seemed to light up his eyes, but then he shook his head. “You think this is somehow connected to the Russ Nolan case?”
“I do. I found it buried in his backyard.”
He coughed. “And what were you doing at his house?”
“Um. You see, my cat escaped, and I had to chase him into the yard.”
He shook his head. “Why do you think that little piece of plastic is so vital?”
“The dog I had with me—one of Russ Nolan’s puppies—started barking like mad when he saw it.”
Detective Brown blinked his weary eyes at me. “You’re basing your theory on some noises from an animal? And you haven’t told me why you were in that neighborhood to begin with. I know you don’t live around there.”
I closed the lid of the doughnut box to stifle its distracting heavenly scent. If I didn’t, I might be tempted to snatch one before any of the cops did. “I happened to be visiting my friend Shirl. She’s the neighbor.”
He gave me a hard stare. “The same old lady who gave me a receipt incriminating you as the killer?”
“It’s a complicated relationship.”
He rapped his fist against his cluttered desk. “You two must be somewhat on polite terms, though, because she ended up retracting her statement.”
I couldn’t help smiling.
Detective Brown continued, “The old lady wasn’t certain of her memory anymore. Blamed it on her age. Said maybe she’d found the slip of paper after the murder, perhaps around the time you took your rental tour.”
“That’s more like the truth. So does this mean you’re looking elsewhere for suspects now? You can start with this.” I wiggled the baggie in my hand.
A deep frown stretched across his face. “Your piece of trash doesn’t prove anything. Maybe it’s a pen cap.”
It did sort of look like one. However, it was too wide and long for a typical ballpoint. “Can’t you get the lab to examine it just in case it proves helpful?”
Detective Brown sighed. “You told me you got it from the yard, and I assume you handled it plenty. Even if it is connected to the crime, which is doubtful, you’ve contaminated things, so it can’t be used as evidence.”
Ugh. It’s not like I’d expected to make a discovery that day. So what if I’d held it? It’s not like a normal citizen carried around a pair of tweezers and gloves with them everywhere they went.
Seeing the frustrated look on my face, Detective Brown said, “Tough luck, Miss Lee.”
His phone started ringing, and he moved to answer it. He waved me away with one hand. If he wouldn’t appreciate the baked goods I’d brought, then I’d keep them myself. When I inched toward the doughnuts, he placed his palm down on the pink box in a possessive manner.
I left the station in slow motion. I knew Detective Brown wasn’t in my corner. Glancing at him speaking on the phone, though, I realized he looked swamped with other matters to move against me—for now.
I went to Hollywoof to open up shop and found Indira standing outside waiting for me. She lifted the giant cardboard box in her hands. “The puppy pouches are all done,” she said. “I’m here to drop them off.”
We went inside the store, and she showed me her hard work. Even Marshmallow seemed impressed by the beautiful designs she’d made.
“Though I wouldn’t be caught dead being carried in a sling,” he said. “The indignity.”
I marveled at the designs done in various shades, ranging from psychedelic colors to calming pastel tones. “Great job, Indira.”
She beamed at me. “I’ve already sold a few. Last week, the Downward Doggie moms were only too happy to purchase some.”
“Are you still going to that doga class?” I said. “I remember you and the instructor didn’t see eye to eye on you selling your bags there.”
Indira’s mouth twitched. “Fortunately for me, they let her go. Too many complaints from the students.”
Marshmallow caught my eye. “Remember to not get on Indira’s bad side.”
I placed her bags on the hooks in the wall. “Did people like the carriers?”
Indira said, “The women at yoga gushed about the ability to carry their prized pooches around town, into stores, and at the airport using my fabulous holders.”
I checked the price tag on one of them and had to stifle a gasp. For the amount they’d paid, they’d better be gushing with excitement.
Indira smoothed the fabric of the bags, making them hang just so. She tucked all the price tags out of sight and continued, “Actually, I’m surprised Tammy didn’t buy one. Her poor dog practically swept the floor when she was walking in. Really, she should’ve stayed home with the poor pup, but she insisted on peddling candy bars. Chocolate is a horrible choice for an exercise and dog class.”
“I feel for Kale,” I said. “I bet your carrier could help her.”
Indira sniffed. “Tammy made sorry excuses for not buying. Said she’d hold off because the surgery would be happening soon. Odd story about that, by the way. She said someone had impersonated her over the phone with the surgical center.”
I gulped. “Well, thanks for coming, Indira. Make sure to say hi to Ash for me.”