I walked over to a table where I’d first brush the dog to get the knots out of his hair, then dump him in the tub. Baby had a short coat, but it was caked in mud. Ellen stood beside me and gave the dog a rub under his chin.
“Baby’s new to the shelter. His owner was found dead on the beach last week. It was really sad. The dog never left his side.” Ellen sighed as Baby licked the side of her hand. “You miss your guy, don’t you?”
I glanced over at Greg. “I’m surprised you didn’t know about the death.”
“I knew about it. He was found closer to South Cove than Bakerstown.” Greg stroked the fur on what appeared to be a husky-poodle mix. “I was called in, but Doc Ames ruled it an unattended death. The guy had a heart attack.”
I rubbed Baby’s head. “It wasn’t unattended, was it, Baby? You were there for your master, weren’t you?”
The dog let out a small bark and a wiggle. He acted like he knew exactly what I was saying.
“He’s very good at social interaction. If he was younger, he would have been snatched up the first few days he was here. But I’m sure we’ll be able to place him soon.” Ellen moved on to another table.
I put the holding leash around the dog’s neck and realized he had on a collar. “Hey, buddy, let’s take this off.”
I found the buckle and loosened it. When the collar fell off, so did the backing. I picked it up. “You really need a new collar, Baby. This one’s falling apart.”
I looked at the two pieces. The front was blue with fake rhinestones and a medal that had a rabies number and last year on the tag. He’d been taken care of, even if his owner had been homeless.
When I went to set the collar down on the table, a key fell out of a rip in the side. The dog put his foot on it in what looked like an attempt to hide it. I gently moved his foot and he growled at me.
Quickly, I pulled out the key and stepped back out of the dog’s reach. Baby didn’t try to bite, but he was agitated. The key was small and had a number on it. Maybe the prior owner had put his valuables in the bank or a locker and hid the key with his dog. “Hey, Greg? Can you come here a minute?”
He hadn’t put his dog up on the table yet, so as he walked over, he carried the husky-poodle mix. Baby barked his disapproval at the other dog’s proximity. Greg’s dog just ignored the insult and curled closer into Greg’s neck. Greg adjusted the dog tighter into his arm. “What do you need?”
Holding up the key so he could see it, I asked, “Is this a safe-deposit key?”
He leaned closer and now Baby growled at the other dog. “Looks like it. Put that in your pocket and I’ll do some checking on Monday to see if it matches up with our beach guy. Maybe there’s more to his story than just passing away on a beach.”
“If he had something or someone, they should be told.” I glanced at Baby. “And maybe he’d have a home to go to.”
Greg stepped back, absentmindedly rubbing the ear of the dog in his arms. “If I remember, there was no next of kin. Opening the box may give us more information about the guy.”
As Greg left to start the bath process for the husky-poodle mix, I slipped the key into my jeans pocket and turned back to Baby. “Let’s get you all cleaned up. Maybe your guy had a relative who wants to take you in? You need to be all pretty and look your best, just in case, right?”
Baby barked his agreement.
For the next few hours, my life was a madhouse of one dog after another as we brushed and bathed, then turned the dogs over to the groomer the shelter had hired to cut their fur if needed. Aunt Jackie and Harrold were in charge of the final blow-dry and delivery back to a clean cage with fresh food and water. Thirty dogs later, we were done.
Ellen moved us into a conference room where there were cookies and drinks. I grabbed a bottle of water and motioned her to the side. “Hey, I wanted to tell you that Baby’s collar broke apart during the grooming.”
“One of the aides has already given him a new one. Don’t worry about it. A lot of times they come in with old collars and we just throw them away.” She patted me on the arm and started to turn away, but Greg stood on her other side.
“What Jill’s trying to say is she found a safe-deposit key in the collar.” He held out his hand, obviously expecting me to just hand over the key. While I dug it out of my pants pocket, he continued. “I’m taking it into evidence custody. Do you want a receipt for the key?”
“We wouldn’t have found it without you guys, so I guess it’s fine.” Ellen dropped her voice. “What do you think he had in the box?”
“Now, that is the question, isn’t it?” Greg smiled and slipped the key into his pocket. He led me back to the table where Amy was finishing her second cookie. “What’s on the schedule now? Anyone up for dinner at the Roundabout since we’re out of town anyway?”
“Harrold and I need to get back. We’re having dinner with Mary and Bill.” My aunt stood, and Harrold, holding a water bottle, joined her.
“Nice seeing you guys.” He nodded to the group. “I don’t think I’ve ever washed so many dogs before in my life.”
“Stick with us, you’ll have all kinds of new experiences.” Justin reached out and shook the older man’s hand. “See you around town.”
“He’ll be at the party.” Aunt Jackie shook her head. “You all act like we’re never going to see you again after we leave.”
Harrold leaned down and fake-whispered in Aunt Jackie’s ear. “They know we’re old and they might not see us again.”
Laughing, I gave my aunt and her boyfriend a hug. “What can I say? I guess you raised us to have manners and respect our elders.”
Harrold kissed me on the cheek. He turned to Aunt Jackie, but I saw the humor in his eyes. “See, she used the word elders. I told you they see us as old.”
“Stop teasing the children, Harrold.” Aunt Jackie gave me an air kiss. “I’ll talk to you on Monday. I’d like to finalize the last-minute preparation items for the party.”
“You know where to find me.” We hadn’t moved to winter hours but would after the Christmas party, which meant I’d be opening the store bright and early for my commuter customers.
After Aunt Jackie and Harrold left, Greg focused on Amy and Justin. “What about you two? Or are you going to hit the waves after this?”
Amy and Justin were crazy-dedicated surfers. It was one of the things that kept them together.
Justin grinned and grabbed another cookie. “You caught us on a break night. I’m taking Amy up the coast tomorrow to chase waves, but we don’t have plans tonight. What do you say, Amy? Want to grab some grub?”
She stood and came around the table to stand by Greg and me. “I’m in. But only if you tell us what you were talking to Ellen about.”
Greg put a hand on my arm and started leading me toward the doorway. “Sounds like a plan.”
We drove a couple of blocks to the restaurant and waited for Amy and Justin to arrive. Greg leaned his head back on the seat’s headrest and sighed. “I’m hoping that this only has the guy’s personal items. I’d hate for Bakerstown to have to reopen this case.”
“But if it leads us to who killed him?” I didn’t understand Greg’s reluctance.
He shook his head. “Doc Ames was very clear on this. The guy had a heart attack. We looked for another cause with no luck. It wasn’t murder.”
Amy and Justin parked and we all went into the restaurant together. As soon as we sat down, Amy turned to me.
“Aren’t you looking forward to the cookie exchange? I’ve been testing recipes all week. Do you know what you’re bringing?” My friend’s face was filled with hope and joy.
Greg coughed into his hand and I kicked him under the table.
“I hadn’t really thought about it. Maybe chocolate chip?” I studied the menu, not making eye contact.
“Oh, no, that won’t do. It has to be a special cookie. I’ll send you over some ideas as soon as I get home. Then you can bake a trial run tomorrow.” She keyed a note into her phone. “It’s no big deal, you’ll love the process.”
I already hated the process and was beginning to think that maybe I did have latent Scrooge tendencies in my DNA. My aunt had never been a big Christmas fan, so maybe I was just showing my heritage. I decided to grab a lifeline. “Greg and I are doing the baking on Tuesday night and he wanted to pick out the recipe together.”
Amy turned her laser focus from me to Greg and her face softened. “Well, isn’t that the most romantic thing I’ve heard of. I can’t even get Justin to talk about his Christmas memories and you two are starting your own traditions.”
I watched as my friend wiped a tear from her eye. “Yeah, we’re just so excited.”
This time the kick I aimed at him was a little lighter and more playful. He reached down and squeezed my thigh, just above the knee. Then he turned his charm on Amy. “We’re just two peas in a pod. You know how much Jill loves Christmas. I’m just glad I’m here to help her enjoy the celebrations. Hopefully there won’t be any emergencies on Tuesday night. But I’m sure she can muddle through without me if I get called out.”
Now I narrowed my eyes. Had he just threatened to leave me alone with all this cookie mess? “I’m sure Toby or Tim can handle any trouble that may occur. You know, everyone has to be good at Christmas or Santa won’t bring them presents.”
I thought I heard a hearty ho ho ho from the lobby and turned my head to check it out. A flash of red dashed across the hall. Blinking, I stared at the now-empty doorway. I felt Greg’s hand on my arm.
“Jill? What’s going on?” He leaned close and looked in the same direction, seeing nothing.
I shook my head and turned back toward the table and my friends. The waiter had joined us, and his gaze followed ours across the room, a questioning look on his face.
“Sorry, I just thought I saw something.” I faked a smile and focused on the menu. I really needed this Christmas thing to be over and done with before I had a nervous breakdown or something. “I’m starving, how about you?”
When we were in the truck on the way home, Greg turned down the music. When he glanced over, I could see the worry in his face. “So what really was going on tonight at the table? Did you see someone you thought you knew? An old friend, maybe?”
“No blasts from the past. I thought I heard a Santa coming into the restaurant, and saw a red coat go by.” I talked fast to get the words out.
“Jill,” Greg spoke slowly, which made me start to steam, just a bit. “There was no Santa in the restaurant. Maybe you’re just seeing Santas because you’re so busy with the Christmas party. I promise to make cookies with you on Tuesday. I was just kidding with Amy. Besides, my mom always said I was the best baker out of all her kids.”
“I’m sure you’re right.” But in my mind, I was sure he was wrong. For some reason, Santa was stalking me this Christmas, and I was going to find out why. Even if I had to be naughty to do it.