Fifty Shades of Greyhound (The Pampered Pets Mystery Series) Read Free

of the guests were in a heated exchange. There was a collective gasp as one of the Greyhound signs fell into a stack of used silverware which hit the floor with a clatter. Both men were red-faced.
    I’d vouched for Eugene to Dino, who’d needed extra help for the party, but I knew him only in passing. I knew Verdi and I’d figured if they were related, he had some of her work ethic and multitasking skills. And Dino had been in a tight spot.
    I hoped Eugene hadn’t spilled something on the guy.
    The man was bigger and towered over Eugene, but the young man did not back down. At least his body language said so. Finally with a shove to Eugene’s shoulder, the ruddy-faced fellow stalked off and Eugene continued through the service door.
    After a slight pause, we all went back to our conversations. I worried about the argument and if there’d been damage, but not overly. According to Dino, there are always mishaps and disgruntled guests at every function. Dino was a pro—he’d sort things out.
    I’d turned to look for Sam and those plates of food, when Blanche suddenly appeared beside me. I’m tall, but the woman had to be at least six feet, and she practically vibrated with energy. She was in her element and having the time of her life.
    “Hi, hon, how’s the event going?” I asked.
    “Great. Just great.” Blanche’s blue eyes snapped with excitement. “I think we’ll hit our goal before the night is over.”
    “Everything looks wonderful. The signs were a brilliant idea. And I can’t believe the ice sculpture of the Greyhound.” I pointed toward the banquet table. “And the rabbit looks so lifelike.”
    “Rabbit?” She frowned and turned toward the table. “There’s no—”
    Just then the rabbit moved.
    “Well, for cryin’ in a bucket.” The rabbit looked like a real bunny rabbit because it was a real bunny.
    The furry floppy-eared critter scampered the length of the loaded feast, honey-glazed carrot clamped in its teeth, leaving a trail of shrimp cocktail bunny tracks across the buffet. Then the rabbit went airborne onto the closest guest table.
    Which was all it took. It was like the starting gun had been fired.
    The Greyhound stationed near the table sighted the hare and began the chase. Instantly, chaos reigned.
    Hound chased rabbit, hound chased hound, humans chased hounds. Leashes trailed, tables tipped, trays of glasses tumbled.
    I could still see Sam, but he was carried backward by the wave of people and Greyhounds. Complete and utter pandemonium.
    I surveyed the bedlam to see what I could do to help.
    I decided one Greyhound at a time was the best tactic. I started toward the closest dog, a beautiful jet-black hound.
    All at once, a man popped up in front of me. It was the big ruddy-faced man Eugene had fought with earlier. His face was now pale as he tried to speak, but he gasped for air instead.
    Thinking perhaps he had claustrophobia or was having a panic attack of some sort, I laid my hand on his arm and asked, “Are you okay? What’s wrong?”
    He opened his mouth, but still nothing.
    The man reached out to me and grabbed my shoulder. I winced as his hand leaned on Grandma Tillie’s brooch and pushed it into my flesh. He lunged forward against me knocking me off balance.
    “Sir? Sir, what’s the problem?”
    As he fell at my feet, my question was answered.
    The problem was there was a very large carving knife sticking out of his back.

Chapter Two
     
    THE CROWD PARTED around us like the Red Sea.
    I was tempted to yell out, “Is there a doctor in the house?” But I knew the answer. There were no medical doctors on the guest list. However, before I yelled anything, Dr. Daniel Darling, Laguna Beach’s premier veterinarian, hurried along the cleared marble-floor path to my side.
    He handed me his cell phone and said, “Call 911.” Then he knelt beside the man and laid a finger against his neck.
    I made the call, quickly explaining the situation and giving the location. The room