One Dog Too Many (A Mae December Mystery) by Lia Farrell Page A

ladies’ room. When she returned, the conference room was empty. She retrieved her coffee urn and tossed the empty donut container into the trash.
    On the way out, she stopped at Dory’s desk. “I’d really like to help the sheriff with this investigation. Nobody should die like Ruby did, alone and terrified.”
    Dory’s expression reminded her of Tammy’s when she smiled. “Maybe you and the sheriff can help each other out, Honey.”
    “I thought he and I had a meeting?”
    “He’s left, Mae. Guess he thinks you’ve already shared what you know.”
     
    Mae left the station and headed home. For the first time since the murder, her mind wandered to what was happening at her house. She wondered how Tallulah was doing with the newborns. She began to think about some possible names for the new puppies. They were all black with white ruffs except one, who had inherited a red coat from his father. She might call him Eric the Red. People who came to buy the puppies often wanted to hear what she had named them.
    Of course, even the thought of puppies, adorable as they were, could only distract her for so long before she again fixed on the subject of Ruby’s death. Sheriff Bradley said he needed to know the outcome of Ruby’s appointments, so Mae decided to drop by the doctor’s office on her way home.
    The new fertility clinic in Rosedale was in a large multi-specialty medical complex used by several doctors. The modern facility was decorated beautifully with Asian scrolls on the walls, large plants, and a pond swimming with lovely red and white koi fish. Mae took a deep breath as she walked into the building, enjoying the scent of the fresh green plants. Checking the directory posted on the wall, she found the fertility practice on the third floor. The office décor was über modern with purple leather seating and large abstract paintings . It seemed more like a living room than a doctor’s office. Mae had known Sheri, the woman at the front desk, since high school. Her shiny black hair was expertly cut and perfectly framed her small face.
    “Hi Sheri.”
    “Oh, hi Mae, did you have an appointment? You’re not trying to get pregnant, are you?”
    “Sheri, I’m shocked.” She smiled. “You know I’m not even married. I wanted to ask about something. My neighbor Ruby Mead-Allison is a patient here. Did you hear she passed away?”
    Sheri sighed. “I know. How awful!”
    “I found her body. I was out walking my dogs at the time. It was horrible.” Mae felt the heat suffuse her cheeks. The retelling brought back the horror. “I can hardly talk about it. The reason I stopped in is that I wanted to know if Ruby made her last appointment on the fifteenth.”
    “Mae, I’m sure you know I’m not supposed to give out patient information.”
    “I know, but the sheriff’s people will be here shortly with a subpoena. Could you shake your head or nod in answer to one question?”
    “I’m sorry Mae, but I can’t help you. I could lose my job.”
    “Thanks anyway, Sheri. I have to get going. My pug had her babies yesterday. I need to go home and check on them.”
    As Mae drove the rest of the way home she noticed that everything had turned green after yesterday’s rain. Spring was her favorite time of year. She mulled over all the details she had learned at the staff meeting. Too bad Sheri couldn’t tell me anything. However, I can still check into Ruby’s other appointments .
    When Mae got home, she called Tammy and asked her to come over. Then she made sure all the dogs went out and that they had full water dishes. Then she sat down and held each of the puppies for a while. Nothing made her happier than holding their warm little bodies. Puppies smelled so wonderful. You could almost sense their personalities even at a few days old.
     

 
    Chapter Ten
March 21
Mae December
    T ammy breezed in within the hour wearing stiletto heels, gray jeans and a silky blouse. Mae took one look at her and told her to come