Silver Springs Cozy: Pawsitively Lethal Part 6

Maggies breath stops. When she recovers, she asks, "Hes here? Youve talked to him?"

"Hes here, yes. No, I havent talked to him. I just got word that he was spotted walking on Main Street this morning. Check him out. Ill send you a photo of him. Well keep looking at forensics. Keep me posted on what you find."

"Of course. Sorry I havent given you anything yet. Unfortunately I dont really have anything to give." Maggie considers the conversation about the keys and time travel but keeps her mouth shut. She doesnt need Daniel thinking shes crazy like she thinks Ginger Rae, Winona and Erline are.

"Not all leads go anywhere," Daniel says, the most friendly hes sounded throughout their entire conversation. "Well talk when we have to."

"Thanks for calling." Maggie hangs up and walks into The Coffee Bean, a text coming through just as she sits down. She glances at the screen and is staring back at a man with curly dark hair, brown eyes, and a very noticeable scar on his chin.

"Who was that? An early morning call from Drew?" Erline teases as soon as the front door closes behind Maggie and shes sitting with the three women.

Maggie feels her face heat up but she cant conceal the smile that spontaneously erupts at the sound of Drews name. She shakes her head, still no coffee in her hand. "No, it was Daniel. He wanted to update me on the forensics from Claras murder."

All three pairs of eyes look at her expectantly, waiting for Maggie to divulge the information she just acquired.

Maggie looks around but no one is listening to their conversation. "But first I need a coffee. Ill be right back. Everyone good?"

Winona stands and refills her mug while Maggie orders and Erline launches into a story about her husband, Jeff, that only Ginger Rae hears. Maggie is handed a plain white mug, the least unique one shes ever received at The Coffee Bean.

Back on the couch, the women make more room for Maggie in the center so everyone can easily hear her. Maggie launches into the information Daniel told her, including the blood on the windowsill, Jessie no longer being a possible suspect, and Stewarts sighting in Silver Springs. The women gasp at all the right places, but Ginger Raes face goes pale by the end.

"Are you all right?" Winona asks Ginger Rae, putting her arm around her friends shoulder.

"I know how hard this can be," Erline says. "Its far too close to home." Having survived the murder of a friend in her own home last month, Erline can offer empathy the other women cannot.

"Its not that. Well, it is," Ginger Rae mumbles. "Its that the police are focusing on the wrong places. I know in my heart that this has to do with the keys. We have to figure it out before whoever killed Clara comes back again." The fear in her eyes grows.

"You know you can stay with me as long as you need to," Winona offers.

Ginger Rae looks at her. "Youll probably be next. Think about it. Maggies parents in April; Erline last month. Now me. When are they going to come for you?"

Color drains from Winonas face. "Youre right." She turns her attention to Maggie. "What can we do to help solve this and put an end to our danger?"

Maggie nods slowly. "I agree. We have to solve this. But I think we have to cover all our bases too. I want to learn more about Stewart Cole and I know who I have to talk to about him. I want to talk to Marla and David." She looks to Ginger Rae for confirmation, who nods in agreement. "And we need to address Karl Jacobs."

Erlines hands slap her thighs. "I forgot all about him as soon as you walked in with news from Daniel. That Karl Jacobs . . ." Her voice grows angry and her eyes cloud over in frustration.

"And what about Valerie Hunt?" Maggie asks. "If she was willing to talk to Karl, maybe sh.e.l.l be willing to talk to me, too."

The women nod. "Its worth a try," Ginger Rae agrees. "I just cant introduce you to her because I dont know her myself."

Theres a short pause in the conversation before Maggie says, "So, Karl Jacobs. What can we do about his article? We have to let him know that it was unacceptable and restore Claras reputation."

"I think we write an editorial," Winona suggests first.

"Dont we have to be an editor to do that?" Erline asks.

Winona chuckles. "I never really thought about that. What about an opinion piece?"

"Thats more like it," Ginger Rae agrees. "Focusing on Claras untimely death and the struggles she faced when she was alive."

"But what about Karl? We cant just let him get away with the article he published yesterday. Has anyone seen a paper today? Is there anything else in it about Claras murder?" Winona asks.

The women all shrug. No one has picked up a paper. Maggie walks to the nearest table where a newspaper has been abandoned by an earlier customer and brings it back to the couch.

The older women all lean in and look over her shoulders as Maggie flips through the pages. "At least nothing is on the front page," Erline says. Any victory is a good sign.

Stuffed in the back of the paper, nearly at the very end, they finally find Karl Jacobs contribution to the days news. Its short and to the point, focusing on Valerie Hunt. All four women read it silently.

One by one, everyone leans back into the cus.h.i.+ons. "That slimy . . ." Ginger Rae starts, but shes unable to find the words to finish her insult. "I cant believe we let him into your house yesterday, Winona."

The article claims that Ginger Rae never wanted her niece living with her but couldnt turn her away, as quoted by Valerie Hunt.

"And Valerie too," Maggie adds. "They seem to be in on this together. What could Valerie be getting out of it?"

Ginger Rae shakes her head. "Whats Karl even getting out of it?"

"Sensationalism. News that sells," Winona explains quietly. She doesnt want to appear to defend the weasel.

"But its not even news!" Ginger Rae jumps up as quickly as her large body allows and stares down at the women. She runs a hand through her wild orange hair and pushes her round gla.s.ses back up her nose, having fallen forward with her faster than normal movement. "I need to go give him a piece of my mind."

Erline stands and blocks Ginger Rae from leaving, Erlines small body not even half of Ginger Raes heft. But she manages to do the trick, blocking Ginger Rae in her tracks. "Do you really think thats the best course of action? Youre upset right now. We all are, but especially you. Lets have another cup of coffee and think about it before you do anything rash."

"Rash? Its way past the time for ras.h.!.+" Ginger Raes face turns red as a lobster.

No one has a response.

"But youre right." Ginger Rae sits down and hands Erline her mug, covered in black cat silhouettes. "Medium roast. Cream, no sugar. Thanks."

Maggie keeps her eye on Ginger Rae. She would probably react the same way if a relative was being bashed publicly by people who didnt even know her. But losing her cool wont help the situation any; it will only give Karl more fuel for his fire.

Ginger Rae takes the offered mug and starts the brainstorming session. "What if we got some teens to egg his house?" The other women laugh but Ginger Rae doesnt join in. "I was mostly serious," she says sheepishly.

"That wont teach him anything," Maggie objects. "Do we know anyone else who might have a connection to the Silver Times? Its right around the corner, isnt it?"

The women all nod.

"What about Drew? He knows everyone," Erline suggests.

Maggie pulls her phone from her handbag in front of her. "Ill ask him." She sends him a quick text and hopes that she hears back soon. "But just in case he doesnt know anyone there, who else might?"

"Daniel would," Ginger Rae finally offers. "Call him back."

Maggie grimaces toward her lap so none of the women see her look of pain. She doesnt want to talk to him again already. "I dont think his relations.h.i.+p with a reporter would be the in we need," she says, the first excuse she can come up with.

It does its job. Everyone agrees.

Maggies phone rings with a new message. Drew wrote, Ellen Furst, senior editor. Shes the wife of one of my colleagues. I can introduce you in 10 minutes before I head to work.

Maggie shares the news and everyone is ecstatic. She responds, Meet you there, and they all finish their coffees and head out the door.

The building that houses the Silver Times is just behind The Coffee Bean, on First Avenue. The four women stand outside the front door, basking in the sun because the shade is still too chilly on a mid-October morning. Theyre all facing Main Street when they hear Drews voice behind them.

"Morning, ladies," he says and everyone turns. Maggies smile is the biggest.

"Morning handsome," Ginger Rae teases, pus.h.i.+ng Maggie toward him.

Maggie doesnt resist. She accepts the kiss on her cheek and a quick hug. "So, Ellen Furst," she says, making sure they get back on track. Maggie turns around and all three women are beaming at her.

Drew coughs, catching sight of the women staring at them. "Yeah. I work with her husband. Come on inside. I called her to let her know we were coming. Whats this about anyway?" He holds the door open for everyone to enter the building.

"One of their reporters didnt do any favors to my niece," Ginger Rae answers angrily, turning around so shes facing Drew.

Drew nods. "I read that. Im glad I can help clear things up. Any leads on what happened?"

"Not really," Maggie says vaguely before anyone else can answer.

They walk in silence, letting Drew pa.s.s everyone and lead the way to an office he seems to know. A woman wearing a dress suit and heels-an uncommon sight in Silver Springs-approaches them from down the hall and breaks into a smile.

"Drew, thanks for letting me know you were coming. Why dont we chat here?" She opens a door to a small conference room and all six of them sit around a table meant for more. "What can I do for you all?"

Ginger Rae opens her mouth to explain their desire to get even with Karl Jacobs but Drew raises his hand to let him do the talking. "You heard about Clara Speeds death on Sat.u.r.day night, Im sure." He pauses to let Ellen nod. "This is her aunt, who Clara was living with at the time." He introduces Ginger Rae first. "And some of her friends." And then he introduces everyone else. "Theyre upset about Karls piece yesterday that wasnt quite all factual and would like to know how the situation can be remedied."

Maggie is impressed with his calm demeanor and tactful choice of words.

"First, Ginger Rae, Im so sorry for your loss," Ellen starts. "And I apologize for anything Karl reported that wasnt true. How about I work with you to release an article that explains who Clara was?"

Ginger Rae nods but doesnt smile. Theres no way to undo the article that was already published, but this seems like the best they could have hoped for.

"Thank you Ellen. I appreciate that," Ginger Rae says coldly.

"I imagine everyone else has things to do today, so why dont you come to my office and well get started." Ellen stands, dismissing everyone at once.

Ginger Rae follows her out of the conference room and Drew leads Maggie, Erline and Winona back out to the street.

CHAPTER 15.

Suzie had an early start this morning. Immediately after finis.h.i.+ng her kibble, she told her golden retriever housemate, Oscar, to keep both of his eyes on the spot in the yard where the cat collar is buried and she loped off toward the dog park. Shes been waiting for hours, the sun now past the midpoint of the sky.

Today is unusual for Suzie. Shes hoping to find Barney at the park. His person was at her house last night and she wants to report to Barney what was talked about. The object Oscar is watching may be desired by their people, but their intentions were not clear.

While she waits, Suzie skirts the edges of the fence around the whole dog park. Except for the side on the busy street through the center of town. She knows enough to keep her distance from people when shes off the leash. Shes heard of dogs being caught by unfriendly individuals and she doesnt want any part of that.

Two sides of the dog park are along the woods. There are plenty of pine and aspen trees for her to take cover in. The third side that she explores is along a less busy street and she decides to take her chances when she hears a familiar voice.

Yogis owner, Leah Scott, can be heard through the open window of a shop. Thanks to Suzies keen senses of smell and hearing, she easily identifies her.

But its not Leahs voice that ultimately brings Suzie into dangerous proximity with people who might not be pleased with her presence in town off a leash. Its that of an angry woman.

"What do you mean, theres nothing you can do?" the woman shouts into her phone. "This is my daughter were talking about."

The hair on Suzies neck bristles. She doesnt know who the woman is or what shes talking about, but she senses great anger.

"My daughter is dead and youre telling me that the life insurance policy weve had on her since the day she was adopted is null?"

Theres a pause in the shouting so Suzie sits down behind a bench to wait.

"I dont care what the policy say. Weve been paying into this for over thirty years and now you tell me because she was killed the policy is void. Youll be hearing from my lawyer."

Suzie notices the finality of the womans tone who quickly stashes her phone in her pocket and disappears into the building across the street.

"What are you doing over here?" a voice behind Suzie growls, making her turn quickly and nearly jump out of her fur.

"Barney, you scared me. Dont do that again." Suzie approaches the fence hesitantly, checking for any people who might not want her there.

"But what are you doing here?" he asks again. "You know what happens too dogs caught off leashes in town."

"I heard someone shouting and wanted to know what was going on. Meet me at our usual spot," Suzie instructs him before taking off at a gallop to the other side of the park where she can hide in the trees while they talk.

Suzie makes it to the other side before Barney, whose short Bulldog legs dont allow for as quick movements as her agile Australian Shepherd build. She pants and watches him make his way slowly to her, sniffing plenty of dogs, shrubs and rocks on his way.

"Anything interesting happening inside?" she asks him. Its unusual for her to visit the other side of the fence since Clem gives her freedom instead of taking her to the dog park.

"A racc.o.o.n family visited overnight, but nothing else."

"I have news," Suzie blurts out, proud of herself for bringing news rather than only receiving updates from Barney.

Barneys eyes widen. "About the shouting person?"

Suzie lowers the front of her body toward the ground in an invitation to play. "No." She jumps up, excitement taking over her body. "About the cat collar that Oscar keeps watch over. Winona was at our house last night with her other friends and they had all the keys. They want the final object, and only Oscar and I know where it is."

Barney yips in excitement, sounding more like a poodle than a bulldog. "We have to give it to them then."

Suzie shakes her head before answering. "I dont know. It sounds like they cant decide if they want to use it or destroy it."

Barney growls. "We know they can be trusted. They will use it, and only for good. Well help to make sure they see the full potential it can offer them. Like the stories of our predecessors, when Eleanor and Charles Boothe used it, they benefitted greatly but for the good of the world. These are people of the same mindset. We can trust them," he says again.

Suzie isnt sure hes right but she gives in.