“Did you see that painting in Mona’s room? The one above her bed?”
He nodded. “Thomas Cole. She has, had, a lot of valuable art.”
“If you find something by Cole, I want one.”
“He’s not cheap.” He changed the subject. “Now what?”
I looked at Fluffy-dejected and wet-cocooned in a red plaid blanket. I sighed, thinking of everything I needed to do. “I’ve got to get home to Missy. I called Darby and asked her to stop by the house, but I got her voicemail.”
“I can pick up Missy.”
“Thanks. Because of Malone, we’ve got you-know-who to account for also.” I nodded toward Mona’s pride and joy. “Fluffy’s not so fluffy anymore. Jade offered to make a house call but Malone nixed that idea.”
“I’m sure he did. Drop off Fluffy. While they fix her, we’ll grab a bite from Gina’s.”
My stomach growled thinking about my favorite pizza-pepperoni, meatballs, Italian sausage, and bacon. “The Godfather and Ricotta sticks.”
Grey grabbed my shoulders and kissed me hard on the lips. “It’s a date. I’m glad you called.”
I shrugged, surprised at the sincerity in his voice. “Who else would I call?”
“With you, I never know.” Grey climbed into his SUV and drove off.
I loaded Fluffy and myself into the Jeep. I grabbed a snood from the glove box and pulled it over her head, but it was little protection. I tightened the blanket around her and fastened it with an old plastic hair clip I’d found with the hood.
I called Jade and gave her a heads up that we were on our way. I shot a sideways glance at Her Highness. Her hair was going to be tangled beyond repair. If Jade was smart, she’d call in reinforcements.
As we weaved our way out of the neighborhood, I noticed that other than the police vehicles the streets were empty. It was unusual for this time of evening. I swear I caught a few nosey bodies peeking out their mansion windows with binoculars.
I rolled to a stop at the security gate. The guard who’d waved me in earlier was still manning his station.
“I’m sure you’ve heard about Mona by now,” I said, squeezing the steering wheel. I wasn’t sure what to say.
He nodded.
“I’ve got Fluffy for the night.” I motioned in her direction.
He looked around me. His unibrow rose when he saw Fluffy’s sad hound dog expression on her regal face.
He pushed up his bifocals. “Ms. Michaels would appreciate knowing her Fluffy is with someone who cares so much.”
I wrinkled my nose. I wouldn’t go so far as to categorize myself as someone who cared, but I wasn’t about to argue with him. His eyes were red rimmed, like he’d been crying. No need to add to his distress.
“I’m sure we’ll see each other again.” I waved good-bye and drove off. I glanced in my review mirror and watched as he pulled his cap over his face.
He had to be the only person in town who’d shed a tear for Mona Michaels.
That’s when I thought about Tricia.
I didn’t envy the person who had to tell her that her best friend was not only dead, but murdered.
Chapter Nine
The second I pulled up to the Divine Spa, Jade flew out the front door in her four-inch Christian Louboutin heels and black Gucci pantsuit.
“I was absolutely gobsmacked to hear about Mona. Tell me everything.” Jade clapped her hands together as if summoning Tinkerbelle, which seemed fitting since they had the same hair.
I hopped out of the Jeep, my boots slapping the asphalt. “There’s not much to tell.”
Jade shot me an impatient look. “How did she die?”
I didn’t answer right away, measuring my words. I made my way to the passenger side. I flung the door open and unharnessed Fluffy. “Someone hit her in the head… with Fluffy’s Emmy.”
Jade peered over my shoulder and gasped. “Bloody hell. She looks beastly.”
“I told you she needed a lot of work.”
“Is she wearing a burka?”
I removed the hair clip and tugged off the blanket. Fluffy shivered. I clipped the leash on Fluffy’s collar, and she gingerly jumped on to the sidewalk in one effortless motion. She stood tall and erect, the tip of her tail poised like a telescope. Her version of I-don’t-need-you.
Jade pushed the snood off Fluffy’s head. “Why is she wet? Are you a suspect?”
“I wasn’t allowed to use the tub so I took her for a walk in the fountain. No, I’m not a suspect.” Although, Malone hadn’t actually spoken those words out loud. Well, shoot.
“The fountain in the driveway?” Her blond eyebrows disappeared behind her bangs. “You did have a row with Mona not that long ago.”
“So?”
“You tossed her and Tricia out of Bow Wow.”
“That doesn’t mean I killed her.”
“Did you brush her?”
Good grief, it was difficult keeping up with her ping-pong conversation. Hopefully she was talking about Fluffy. “No.”
“Good. You don’t have the proper tools and could have damaged the coat.”
I dragged a hand through my hair and rubbed my head. I had no idea what she was talking about. I owned a bulldog. There wasn’t much to brush. Wet or dry.
She grabbed Fluffy’s leash from my grip. “I always thought Mona was barking mad. Any real suspects?”
“Look, I doubt Malone wants people speculating about what happened. So, if you can keep this to yourself…” I trailed off hoping she’d understand. Malone hadn’t ordered me to keep my mouth shut, but I couldn’t imagine him happy about people gossiping about his case.
“Absolutely.” Jade stroked Fluffy’s head compassionately. “This is going to take much longer than I anticipated. I’ll phone you in a few hours.”
“I’ll be at Gina’s.” I took one last look at Fluffy and tried to imagine what Mona would say if she could see her dog now.
With a nod, Jade was off. “Okay, My Lady. Come on in here and let’s pamper you like you deserve.” And then they disappeared into the salon.
Relieved I’d postponed my Fluffy responsibility at the eleventh-hour, I jumped in the Jeep and headed for Gina’s. The cool night air raced against my face as I zoomed down PCH.
I spotted Grey sitting in the patio area, people watching. A huge goofy smile spread across my mouth. I whipped the Jeep around and quickly found a decent parking spot a block down the street from the restaurant.
I grabbed my tote and hustled toward my dates, practically falling onto the table as I reached them. Missy jumped around like a crazy dog, flinging drool on Grey’s shoes. I crouched next to her and scratched behind her ears.
“Hi, girlfriend. How ya doing? Did you miss me?”
She licked my face and made silly snorting noises. I was overwhelmed with an unexpected sadness for Fluffy and her loss. My chest constricted. I hugged Missy tighter.
A jumble of conflicting emotions squeezed my heart as I looked up at Grey. “Thanks for getting her. I bet she was happy to see you.”
Ever the gentleman, he pulled out my chair, then bent down and kissed my cheek. “Missy planted a few slobbery kisses to prove it.”
I grabbed his face and planted a big fat kiss of my own on his lips. “Just the kind you like. You’re the best.”
“Only because I like your dog.”
