Trouble at the Kennel (Cedar Bay Cozy Mystery #9)(21)
“Roxie’s son was small potatoes compared to Ricky. He was very involved in buying it and selling it to the students. Problem was, he used most of his profits, if you know what I mean.”
“I assume you mean he was actively smoking marijuana.”
“That might be the understatement of the year. One day he showed up for class with bloodshot and dilated eyes and everyone knew he was stoned. Our history teacher called the principal’s office and then escorted him there. He didn’t trust Ricky to go there by himself. The principal expelled him that day. I guess he did a locker search, and it was jammed with the stuff. I’ve seen him around town a few times since he left school, but that’s about it. Actually Brandon and I were just talking about him the other day. Brandon told me he’d heard that Ricky’s father was going to give him $5,000 if he could stay on the job at Doggie Love for a year.”
“That’s a lot of money to a young person or anyone else for that matter. Why do you think his father made a deal like that with him?”
“Ricky’s a loser. He’s never been successful at anything he’s done. I think his father wanted him to try and understand the concept that if he stuck with something, he could be successful. You know, kind of a teaching lesson. I don’t think he even got his GED. He’s just a high-school dropout cleaning out dog kennels. I can ask Brandon about him if you’d like me to and see if he knows anything more. Brandon came home from college for the weekend.”
“No, I think you’ve given me enough information about Ricky. One more question. Any chance he’s still doing drugs?”
Madison was quiet for a long time. “Kelly, I really don’t like to spread rumors, but I have heard he’s moved up a step from marijuana, and now he’s doing heroin.”
“In a sleepy little town like Cedar Bay? You’ve got to be kidding.”
“I wish I was. It’s kind of the in drug now, and if you have the money, it’s available. Don’t pass that on. It was just a rumor I heard.”
“I’m sorry to hear that about Ricky. I’ve never even met the kid, but it sounds like his life is over. If he’s involved with heroin, has no degree, and can’t get a job other than what his dad gets for him, doesn’t sound like he’s got much of a future.”
“Trust me, he doesn’t.”
“Thanks for taking the time to fill me in, Madison. Go back to your studies. I’ll see you Monday morning. Have a nice weekend,” Kelly said, ending the call.
She stood for a moment with the phone in her hand, not quite sure what to do with the information Madison had given her. I wonder if the kennel manager, Sandy, knows about his drug use, or if Mary knew. Maybe she confronted Ricky, and he killed her. Okay, that’s a pretty far stretch based on a rumor. Guess I’ll have to go to the kennel and meet him. I can always say I can’t find Lady’s dog tag and wondered if it came loose when she was staying there. While I’m there I’d also like to meet Sandy. I always dealt with Mary when I boarded the dogs there.
She walked into the bedroom to change clothes and noticed that Skyy was chewing on something. She walked over to the puppy, looked down and said, “Skyy, those are my reading glasses. How did you get them?”
Skyy wagged her tail while Kelly took the glasses away from her. Kelly looked over at the nightstand and saw that the lamp had been moved, and a tissue was shredded on the floor next to the nightstand.
She walked over to it and was sure that Skyy had jumped up on the nightstand, pulled the tissue and glasses off of it, and moved the lamp in the process. She said in a very firm voice, “No, No, Skyy. Bad dog.” She slapped the nightstand for emphasis. “No nightstand.” Skyy continued to wag her tail.
I’d forgotten how curious puppies are about everything. Think she’s definitely a new soul. Lady never did anything like this, and Rebel was already grown when I got him. I hope her cuteness makes up for what I feel may be a few long months. Of course, that’s assuming that Mike says we can keep her, but I have a feeling she’s here to stay.
CHAPTER 16
Kelly parked her minivan in the kennel parking lot and walked over to the door marked “Office.” When she opened it she was immediately greeted by a young woman who asked, “May I help you?”
“Yes, I’m Kelly Reynolds. I boarded my dogs, Lady and Rebel, here while my husband and I were in Cuba. I picked them up the day all the dogs had been let out of their kennels by someone. Lady’s dog tag is missing, and I’m wondering if you’ve found it.”
“Of course, Mrs. Reynolds. Forgive me for not recognizing you. I’m Sandy Reston, the manager of Doggie Love Kennels. I know Mary usually took care of you. No one has turned in a dog tag, but I’ll certainly keep an eye out for it.”
“By the way, Sandy, I heard you recently had a horrible experience when your dog was attacked by one of the pit bulls from the Pit Bull Sanctuary. How’s your dog doing?”
“She’s doing as well as can be expected, but she’s still at Dr. Simpson’s. It was pretty scary. I still don’t understand how it happened. Someone evidently didn’t make sure the gate leading to the area where the pit bulls were located was secured. I had to rush Mickey to the vet, and she had emergency surgery. The person who saw what happened had the sense to turn on the hose we use to water the plants and squirt a stream of water on the pit bull to get him to let go of her leg. Dr. Simpson said if the dog hadn’t released Mickey’s leg, there was a good chance she would have lost it. It’s going to cost me a fortune.”