Doggie Day Care Murder by Laurien Berenson Page A

whenever you’re ready.”
    â€œReally? That would be great. I’d had the impression that you were full and there might be a wait involved.”
    â€œThat was true before,” Candy said slowly, “but now things have changed somewhat.”
    â€œYou’ve lost clients in the last few days,” I said.
    A short, sharp nod betrayed her annoyance.
    â€œFor some reason, people seem to think that Steve was Pine Ridge. That without him, we’ll be utterly unable to cope. And nothing could be further from the truth. Of course he was important here, on both a personal and a professional level. But this place has always been as much mine as it was his.
    â€œSteve will be missed terribly in every aspect of what we do,” Candy said fiercely. “But the business will go on. It has to. We’ve worked much too hard to lose everything we put into it now.”
    She turned her head away, and I got the impression that she was blinking back tears.
    â€œDon’t worry,” I said gently, “you’ll recover. It will take time, but eventually everything will get back to normal. Your good clients will remember what a great job you did for them and come back. And as for the others, they’re just idiots. Who needs them anyway?”
    â€œRight.” Candy’s voice sounded watery. “Who needs them? You wouldn’t believe some of the phone calls I’ve gotten. People say the most awful things. They tell me that after what happened to Steve, they wouldn’t feel safe leaving their dogs in my care.”
    â€œSurely they don’t blame you for what happened?” Alice said incredulously.
    â€œWho even knows what they think anymore? These last few days have been totally surreal. My whole life has been turned upside down. As if what happened to Steve wasn’t bad enough, now I have police and reporters nosing around everywhere. Everybody keeps asking questions but nobody has any answers. Those people who are worried about their dogs, how do they think I feel? This place is my business, my life, and now the worst thing is that I don’t feel safe here anymore either.”
    Candy had stopped walking. Her hands were clenched into fists at her side. Her body hummed with tension.
    â€œThe only thing I can do . . . the only thing that makes my life even remotely bearable right now, is to put my head down and go back to work. I’ve lost my brother, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to lose Pine Ridge too.”
    She looked so alone standing there, that without thinking I reached out and placed a comforting arm around her shoulders. I’m not big, but Candy felt tiny within the circle of my arms.
    â€œDo you have any family you can call?” I asked. “Someone who could come and help out, or even just lend some support?”
    â€œNo, there was just me and Steve.” She offered up a wan smile. “The two of us against the world. That’s what we always said. So I guess there’s just me now.”
    â€œAnd us,” Alice said stoutly. She’s always been a soft touch for a sad story. “Let us help you. Melanie and I will be your support team, at least until you can get back on your feet.”
    â€œThank you. That’s very kind of you, but it’s really not necessary.”
    A tear rolled down her cheek. Candy lifted a hand and brushed it quickly away.
    â€œLook at me,” she said, “bearing up when people behave horribly and then crying the first time someone tries to be nice. I’m really sorry about all this. I don’t know what’s the matter with me.”
    â€œThere’s nothing the matter with you,” I said firmly. “You’re going through some terrible things right now. Of course they’re taking a toll on you. There’s no reason you should feel like you have to be strong. Certainly not in front of us.”
    Candy swallowed heavily and forced another smile.