On the porch, I found the key under the mat and let myself in. I didn’t linger in the living room but went straight to the kitchen to find Baxter’s medicine.
Back outside, I locked the door and turned to replace the key, then let out a small yelp and dropped it. Cecile Stark, Joe’s wife, who lived across the street, was standing right behind me. Petite, with blonde-highlighted, spiky hair, she reminded me of a scruffy terrier. Never one to make eye contact, Cecile darted glances toward Tish’s front door, my car, and her own house.
“Oh, I’m sorry I startled you, Clyde.” She tugged on her earring and glanced out at the street.
“I didn’t see you standing there.”
“I saw a car parked in the driveway and came to see if Tish had come back or if someone was looking for her. She’s been away since yesterday morning,” Cecile said, and did not back up. She had a habit of standing much too close.
“I just came to get some medicine for Baxter,” I said, stepping back. “I’m taking care of him until she returns.”
“Oh, that’s very nice of you. He’s quite a handful.” She gestured vaguely toward the car. She claimed Baxter was a menace and was always trying to cause trouble for Tish if he ever got outside without a leash. Cecile claimed Baxter terrorized her cats but that’s not the story Aunt Vi told. Vi said Cecile’s cats were antisocial and all the other cats in town were afraid of them. They just seemed like regular cats to me. She continued to block my way off the porch.
“Is there something I can do for you?”
“No . . . I just wondered if you knew when Tish would be back.” Cecile looked over my shoulder at the door. “She left in quite a hurry.”
“Hurry?” I thought she had gone to a conference, but she probably didn’t share her plans with Cecile.
“She looked like she was in a hurry when I saw her load up the car and take off before breakfast.” Cecile finally took a step back. “I was surprised, as I get up quite early and I never see Tish until my third cup of coffee.”
Tish hadn’t called me until after nine. She’d said she’d forgotten to arrange for Baxter, and could I take him on short notice? Where had she been all that time?
“Well, I’m sure she’ll be back soon. Do you want me to give her a message if I talk to her?”
“Oh no. No message.” Cecile backed away and stepped off the porch. “It would be better if you didn’t even tell her you spoke to me.”
She darted back across the street and disappeared through the gate to the privacy fence that surrounded her yard.
Baxter let out a low growl as I got into the car. He didn’t mean it for me. He was looking at Cecile’s house.
8
Seth grew somber as we drove back into town. We had a lighter load of dogs to walk on Tuesdays and finished quickly. Baxter and Tuffy seemed to pick up on his mood and slumped in the backseat with lowered ears and droopy stares. I knew he was worried about giving his interview at the station. He’d watched too much TV about questioning witnesses and perps. I suspected he didn’t want to have to relive and describe the events of the day before. He was probably trying very hard to forget them entirely. Grace had given her permission for Seth to be interviewed, as long as I acted as his guardian and stayed with him. She’d been very interested in whether or not I was buckling under our mother’s influence and resorting to psychic resources. My abilities had always been the only source of jealousy for her, whereas I had had an abundant list from which to choose. She had normal-color eyes, had gotten the normal name, and the only thing she saw in her dreams was money.
The crystal shop next to the police station always left a large bowl of water out for dogs. The shop owner had even set up a stake near the sidewalk to tie leashes. Seth hooked the leads to the post and told the dogs to behave. Baxter sighed loudly and sat with his back to us. Tuffy glowered from under his topknot.
The police station was quiet when we entered. Lisa was behind the desk again, flipping through a catalog that featured flak jackets. She pushed a button on her phone, and Tom Andrews came down the hall.
“Hi. Come on back,” he said.
After leading us into the large workroom, he offered chairs near his desk. Seth immediately slumped into one and allowed his hair to fall over his face. Tom asked if he wanted a soda. Seth never turns down an offer of free food or drink, so he perked up enough to mumble, “Sure.”
Tom signaled me to come with him to the vending machines. Seth plugged in his earbuds and began drumming on his knees.
“Is Charla in today?” I asked while surveying the workroom.
“She’s out on a call right now. She said she hasn’t seen you since you got back,” Tom said as we worked our way to the back of the room. “I wanted to let you know what we learned today.”