It didn’t take Red as long as I thought it would to agree to my plan, probably because there wasn’t a whole lot to it and virtually nothing he could do to stop it. Once he was on board, he quickly set about trying to make sure the auction was surrounded by police and as safe as Fort Knox.
I spent Friday morning running errands in preparation for the auction and got so busy I almost missed my spa appointment. It wasn’t until Aggie scratched my leg in her efforts to extract a treat that I remembered. Stephanie was ecstatic when I told her that I made an appointment for her too.
We hurried to the salon and indulged in a few hours of pampering and indulgence. When our feet were soft as a baby’s bottom and my nails were dipped and painted a pale pink, I was ready to tackle just about anything.
We went home to shower and prepare for the big event. I thought Stephanie planned to wear the sexy red dress she bought, until she came out of the guest room wearing the beautiful navy-blue dress. She looked stunning.
I put on the dress I bought for the occasion and waited. Dixie and Beau arrived on time in the RV and Stephanie and I, along with Aggie, Rex and Lucky all climbed inside.
Dixie looked lovely and elegant. Only a close friend would notice the strained look in her eyes and the habit she had of twisting her wedding ring when she was nervous.
“Do you really think this will work?” She asked.
I shrugged. “I don’t know, but it’s worth a shot.”
She nodded. “You’re right.”
Beau eased the RV into the staff lot beside the museum and we unloaded our pack.
The two standards and Lucky were so well-behaved that there wasn’t much to worry about where they were concerned. Dixie had groomed the big dogs and placed red bows in their ears. They looked regal and smelled lovely.
One of my earlier errands involved dropping Rex and Aggie at the big box pet store for a bath and trim. Aggie had removed her ribbons in between leaving the pet store and our arrival home, but I had a fancy harness dress and a rhinestone leash, so she looked cute, despite her best efforts. Rex was fluffed to perfection. He had a bandana around his neck when I picked him up, but I had other plans for this little silver boy. I replaced the bandana with the jewel studded collar that Archibald Lowry gave him. I added a new electronic tracking square, which I bought with a matching rhinestone leash. Lucky’s coat was beautiful and when it was brushed out thoroughly, it glistened. Aggie had a fancy black rhinestone collar that shone like diamonds.
Inside, the museum was elegantly decorated, just as it had been one week ago today. However, in addition to the decorations, catering and string quartet, there was another section of the museum which was hosting the items up for auction. I spotted Linda Kay almost immediately. She was wearing a long black dress with a sheer overlay that was set off with rhinestones around the neck and the cuffs. She sat on her scooter near a table laden with champagne glasses. She and her husband both loved dogs, so getting her to agree to allow a few well-trained dogs in the museum hadn’t been hard. In fact, she and her husband brought their dog, Dingo, who was black and brown with a few white patches on his body and around his muzzle. He looked like a mix of beagle, hound and a little terrier thrown in for good measure. Dingo lay on his back, four paws in the air while Linda Kay scratched his exposed belly and talked to Jacob who was looking dapper, compression boot and all.
Monica Jill arrived wearing a stunning light blue dress with a diagonal ruffle that zig zagged the left side of the dress and made her look even slimmer and taller than she already was. The three-inch heels didn’t hurt either. Next to Monica Jill was Addison, in a simple yellow dress and ballet flats.
When she got a glimpse of our pack, she hurried to pet the dogs. “They look so cute and soft.” She leaned down and Aggie proceeded to lick every surface of her face.
“Addy, I’m so glad you were able to come and help us with the dogs.” Dixie reached down and gave the girl a hug.
“I love dogs and I was so excited with Miss Monica Jill asked me.” She looked over at Monica Jill. “I just wish you had brought Jac.” She pouted.
Monica Jill shook her head. “No. We are only bringing well-behaved dogs tonight.” She chuckled. “I love that dog, but…no way would I trust him in a place like this.” She glanced at Dixie. “Not yet, anyway.”
Dixie gave her a smile and then nudged me. “What a difference a week makes.”
I followed her glance and saw a confident Dr. Morgan arrive along with his German shepherd, Max. He was wearing a black suit and looked nice. However, the twinkle in his eyes was more than likely caused by the fact that on his arm was Mai Nguyen.
I spied Red and Joe standing in a corner. He must have felt my glance because he looked across at me. He whispered something to Joe and then sauntered over. When he arrived, he greeted everyone and then leaned down and gave me a quick kiss and whispered, “You look amazing.”
I smiled. “Thank you.” I had been confident of my plan yesterday. Now, I was filled with doubt. “Do you think this will work?”
He shrugged. “I hope so.”
Joe and Turbo stood near the door. Joe was dressed in jeans and a jacket and was clearly there for security rather than as a guest. Turbo was wearing his vest which indicated he was working.
After a few moments, Red beckoned for Joe to join us.
Reluctantly, he and Turbo joined our small group. “Hello.” He greeted each of us, but his eyes lingered the longest on Stephanie. “You look…beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
After a few seconds of uncomfortable silence, she turned to Red. “I know Joe’s working, but can I have a word with him?”
Red nodded his consent.
Joe looked worried.
“Come with me.” Stephanie and Lucky waltzed over to an empty corner while Joe and Turbo followed.
We shamelessly watched the two and after a few moments were all pleased to see a smile break out on Joe’s face followed by the two embracing and then sharing a passionate kiss. “Aww,” the women all said at the same time.
“Great. Now, my security is going to be distracted,” Red joked.
I gave him a playful elbow and he laughed.
At that moment, Mary and Fergus Kilpatrick approached our group. Fergus stared at Rex. “Well, hello there.” He reached out a hand to pet Rex and I forced myself to resist the impulse to pull him away.
Rex submitted to the petting, which I’m sure he felt was his due.
“Have you come to hand him over?” He reached for Rex and this time I did pull away.
Fergus gave a fake laugh. “My wife just loves that dog and it would break her heart to have to give him up, but I’m sure we can resolve this like civilized people and come to terms that will be agreeable to everyone, without involving the law.”
Mary Kilpatrick had been drinking champagne during the entire conversation and staring at Red with a come hither look in her eyes. At her husband’s words, she stopped staring long enough to glance in Rex’s direction. “Oh yes, I just love her. She’s so cute.”
Addison giggled. “Rex is a boy.”
Dixie mumbled. “Wisdom oft comes from the mouth of babes.”
I frowned. “I’m not familiar with that quote. That’s not Shakespeare, is it?”
She shook her head. “Game of Thrones.”
I nodded. “Fitting.”
Eli Goldstein, dressed fashionably in a black suit with his hair pulled back into a man bun, joined our group. “Ah…if it isn’t my favorite people.”
The dogs all growled and we each increased the hold we had on our animals.
He chuckled. “What is it about these dogs? They just don’t seem to like me.” He shook his head. “Is it my cologne?”
He reached out to pet Rex, but a rumble from the two standard poodles and Aggie made him withdraw his hand.
Fergus glanced at Eli. “I’ve just been explaining to Mrs. Echosby how attached Mary is to the little…guy. Maybe you can—”
Stephanie returned to the group, hand in hand with Joe and followed by Lucky and Turbo. “Mr. Kilpatrick, I’ve made it clear through your attorney,” she nodded toward Eli, “that my mom has no intention of giving up her dog. If you continue to harass her, then I’ll be forced to file a restraining order against you.”
Fergus Kilpatrick’s eyes flashed and his jaw hardened. He lifted a finger as though to point it in Stephanie’s direction and in less than a split second, Joe and Turbo were in front of Stephanie.
“I sure hope you weren’t about to point that finger toward the lady.” Joe gave the older man a cold hard stare. His body was tense and the edge in his voice made the hair on my arms stand up. He had flipped the switch and was one hundred percent cop.
Even Turbo sensed the change in his partner. His body shook from the pent-up nervous energy and it was clear that one word from Joe would send him flying at Fergus Kilpatrick’s throat.
After what felt like forever, but was only seconds, Fergus Kilpatrick lowered his hand.
Eli gave a nervous laugh. “I think my clients need a moment to cool down.” He guided Fergus and Mary away by the arm. Before he left, he turned to Stephanie and looked her up and down like a piece of meat. Then he grinned. “You look nice,” he said, then walked away.
After he left, I heard Dixie let out a sigh and only then did I release the breath I was holding.
Joe turned to Stephanie. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” She shivered. “I just can’t believe I ever thought that louse was attractive.”
I hadn’t even heard B.J.’s arrival until she spoke. “Isn’t it funny how someone can seem so attractive one minute and the next minute all you can see is the dirt on the inside.”
“What a jerk. Did you see the way he looked Stephanie up and down like a prized heifer at a 4-H fair?” Monica Jill put her hand on her hip.
“Yeah, I saw it,” Joe mumbled. “I should have let Turbo take that smile off his face.”
Red patted him on the back. “Alright, remember you’re working.”
Joe nodded. After a few moments, he turned to me. “What now?”
“It’s time for the auction.” Dixie glanced at her watch and then hurried off.
“It’s show time.” Beau took Chyna and Leia’s leashes.
I handed Rex and Aggie to Addison and Mai. Dr. Morgan took Lucky and Max and they all headed out back to the RV.
Part of my plan involved the dogs, specifically Rex, being left with minimal supervision. However, now that the time had come for implementation, I was having second thoughts. Stephanie must have noticed the fear in my eyes, because she hugged me and whispered, “It’ll be okay.”
I took a deep breath and nodded. Addison and Mai were to be seen taking the dogs to the RV but then would return to the auction. Beau and Dr. Morgan were to take turns watching the RV and being seen in the museum. Plus, I knew Red had police dispatched around the building watching the RV while he, Joe and a half-dozen plainclothes officers kept their eyes on Eli and Fergus Kilpatrick.
Once the auction began it went well. Periodically, I glanced around to make sure I knew exactly where Eli and Fergus Kilpatrick were. After a while, I got wrapped up in the bidding and almost forgot about the poodle trap. It wasn’t until I noticed Red talking to someone through a wireless Bluetooth audio device that I became concerned. One of the waiters approached Eli and grasped him by the arm and another guest escorted Fergus out back. It was all done quickly and with very little attention. I doubted that any of the guests even knew what was happening.
Red exchanged a few words with Joe and then they both rushed out the back.
One of the stipulations I made to get Red to agree to my plan was a promise to stay inside when I saw things start to go down. I tried to keep that promise, but things were not going the way I planned. Eli and Fergus hadn’t gone for the dogs.
Stephanie whispered in my ear. “What just happened?”
I looked around carefully. “It’s Fiona and Mary. They’re not here.” That’s when I broke my word and rushed outside.
Stephanie and I arrived at the RV to find Dr. Morgan and Beau on the ground, bound with dog leashes.
I hurried over to them. “Are you two okay?”
Both men nodded. There was a trickle of blood coming from Beau’s forehead, but otherwise he looked fine.
“Where are Addison and Mai?” I glanced around frantically.
Dr. Morgan coughed and spit blood. “Addison’s fine. She’s inside.” He inclined his head toward the museum.
Red had been standing nearby talking to one of the policemen. He came over and said, “They took Mai and Rex. We have the GPS tracker on the dog.” He pulled up his cell phone. “We’re tracking them and we’re going to get them both back. Now, go back inside and let me do my job.” He gave me a hard stare.
I nodded.
He gave me another look and then he, Joe and Turbo took off on foot.
Dr. Morgan was helping Beau into the RV to treat the cut on his forehead.
I stood outside for several minutes. This was my fault. This was my plan. Now, thanks to me two of my friends were injured. Rex and Mai were in danger. For several moments, I wallowed in guilt and self-doubt. Afterward, I heard the dogs barking in the RV and my mom Spidey sense kicked in. I recognized Aggie’s bark in the cacophony of barking dogs.
I went to the RV and opened the door.
Like a flash of lightning, Aggie raced down the steps and took off.
“Aggie. Come back.” I chased after her but in heels I knew I’d never catch her.
I removed my shoes and then hopped in the RV.
“Mom, what happened?” Stephanie asked.
“Aggie just took off and I think I know where she went.” I looked at the RV’s complex cockpit and for a few seconds, my courage faltered.
That’s when Stephanie hiked up her dress, kicked off her shoes and slid into the driver’s seat. She started the engine, took two seconds to find the right controls and then strapped her seat belt. “You better buckle up. This might be bumpy.”
I grabbed my seat belt and fastened it. Then I pulled out my cell phone. My hands shook and I struggled to enter my passcode. After a couple failed attempts, I used the fingerprint access instead. Once, I was in, I quickly found the GPS tracking app for the device on Rex’s collar. When I had the app up and running, I turned to Stephanie. “They’re headed to the river.”