A Strange Case of Pretty Puppies and Petty Theft: Curly Bay Animal Rescue Cozy Mystery Book 11 by Doyle Donna

Author:Doyle, Donna
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: PureRead
Published: 2021-09-05T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

“Did you have much luck getting any of the grooming appointments rebooked?” Courtney asked. “I’d ask Dora, but I’m a little worried about her right now.”

Jessi, who was working diligently with Bullseye in the big field behind the Curly Bay Pet Hotel and Rescue, shook her head. Her earrings today were tiny little clay mushrooms that dangled from her lobes. “Not really. It’s not as though I don’t have plenty to do without worrying about the grooming appointments, but I can tell that Dora is really upset by all this.”

“Come on, Kathy. That’s a good girl.” Courtney gave a gentle tug to the little dog’s leash, encouraging her to come along and explore instead of running back to the building. “I know. I was just hoping that the disaster at Zara’s studio day would bring a few people running back to us.”

“Have you heard anything about the missing tool set?” Jessi asked. “I didn’t see anything in the news, but I know Detective Fletcher sometimes tells you things the rest of us aren’t privy to yet.”

“True, but I haven’t heard anything. I still can’t believe he questioned Dora.” Courtney squatted down and held her hand out to the little dog, trying to assure her that she really was okay out here in the grass instead of huddled in the corner of a cage. “I mean, I know she’s been visibly upset about Zara coming to town. In that sense, it makes sense for them to suspect her, and I’m sure he’s under a lot of pressure from Zara to find the thief. Still, I know Dora wouldn’t do such a thing.”

Jessi let Bullseye run a few circles around her to wear himself out. “No, I don’t think she would, either. But she did make it pretty obvious that she doesn’t like Zara, and she’s one of the few professional groomers in town.”

“I’ve been thinking about that a lot. Even if the case isn’t ever found, people might think Dora did it regardless. That won’t be good for her, nor for the business.” It was an interesting and frustrating conundrum. People were supposed to be innocent until proven guilty, but Courtney knew it didn’t always really work that way. Dog owners in Curly Bay had been relying on Dora for years, and they’d forsaken her in favor of Zara. That made for quite the motive.

“That’s true. And I’m guessing you have some other ideas of who might’ve done it? I know you, and I don’t think you’ve just been leaving this up to the police.”

Courtney had to laugh a little about that. “Actually, you’re right. I think there are quite a few people in Curly Bay who don’t like Zara, which makes it hard to narrow down the list. Still, the first person that comes to mind is Ryan Holmes.”

“The guy with the Yorkie? No, Bullseye. Heel. Good boy.” Jessi tried to gently guide the dog into behaving, although he was going to take a lot of time.

“That’s the one.” Courtney told Jessi of how upset their client had been with the haircut Zara had given Gracie.

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