Shepherded To Death: A Dog Lover's Cozy Mystery (Barkview Mysteries Book 3) by C.B. Wilson

Author:C.B. Wilson [Wilson, C.B.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2022-05-31T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Sandy’s words resonated as I parked in front of the yellow-and-white-gabled Victorian. I swear the curtain above the daffodils and early tulips peeking through variegated coleus swished as Gem paused at the stone walkway, sniffing, I wish I knew what. To know who had been here before me would be helpful. I needed to shake off my predisposition fast or risk tipping off the arguably all-knowing woman.

I nudged Gem through the bright yellow door. We paused mid-step in the doorway. The whole experience surprised me. From my mother’s stories, I’d expected a venue out of the Arabian Knights, with colorful wall hangings and apotropaic symbols. The rich Agarwood scent coupled with the gray-and-navy wallpaper and the polished wood floors brought a chic parlor to mind. A round, café-sized wood table separated two comfy wing-back chairs upholstered in beige. No crystal ball in sight, but that deck of oversize celestial tarot cards on the tabletop might as well have been neon.

I gritted my teeth. A card reading. Gem sensed my anxiety right away. She positioned herself between me and Madame Orr, advancing only as I did, her stance ready-to-defend. Oddly, the dog’s presence calmed me. Whatever happened next, I knew she’d defend me to the end. Come to think of it, I’d been sleeping better than I ever had with her on guard. Hmmm.

I focused on Madame Orr. Dressed in a shimmering, flowing robe, the large-boned woman seemed to float across the area rug. “Welcome, Catalina.”

I inclined my head, avoiding her heavily charcoaled, dark-as-night eyes. There was something unsettling about the contrast her plaited black hair and pale skin created alongside that white I-can’t-believe-it’s-not-a-lamb dog at her feet. Even Gem took a second look.

“You have something for Danior?” It didn’t take a mind reader to figure out who the Bow Wow Boutique bag belonged to.

I removed the fluffy white sheep from the bag. With a quick head shake, the odd dog took the toy from my hand. Three squeaks later, both paws held the toy to the floor while his teeth dug into the fur.

“Thank you. Danior enjoys the hunt,” Madame Orr said.

More like disembowelment. That toy wouldn’t last the hour.

“You have questions for me?” Her singsong voice gave me the creeps.

“I expect you know.”

“Contrary to popular belief, I am not a mind reader, nor can I predict the future. Though knowing the winning lottery numbers would be helpful.” Her smile seemed genuine as she motioned for me to sit at the table. “I will show you what I do know.”

Gem blocked the offered chair until she had thoroughly sniffed the area. I waited until she tossed her head and stepped aside. Madame Orr’s perceptive gaze never wavered. She allowed me to be seated before taking her own, in what seemed like an ever-so-slightly more elevated chair. No doubt designed to intimidate. She shuffled the blue and gold cards and laid the first five on the tabletop.

I added card shark to her list of talents when the first card revealed a dog.

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