With some spare time on their hands, Jo swung by Carrie’s property. She parked behind her van, and she and Laverne exited the vehicle.
“They’re going to town fixing this place up,” Laverne observed.
“The sooner the better. Time is money.”
“I’m curious. Are you going to be a hands-on partner?”
“Meaning me working here?” Jo shook her head. “I don’t know the first thing about rehabilitating animals. Carrie is the expert.”
“When she’s not carving them, she’s caring for them,” Laverne quipped.
“In a nutshell.” Jo climbed the front steps and gave the door a sharp rap.
Carrie appeared moments later. “Hey, Jo.”
“Hey, Carrie. You got a minute?”
“Sure.” Carrie joined them on the porch. “I didn’t know you planned on stopping by.”
“Laverne and I were in the area. I see the workers are moving some dirt.”
“To make an outdoor pen. It will connect to the main rehabilitation building.”
“Did you notice if anyone was messing around last night while you were gone?”
“Nope. There was nothing on the cameras, except for when Charlie came by looking for me. I checked the time against the text he sent me. He was here when he texted asking if I was home.”
Jo tapped the bottom of her chin. “I think I may have already asked, but does Charlie have a key to your place?”
“No. He didn’t have a key to my house in town, either.”
“Laverne and I stopped by Centerpoint Cemetery and chatted with Charlie. I don’t think he’s the one behind the vandalism and stalking.”
Carrie blinked rapidly. “What did he say?”
“He seemed genuinely shocked to find out about the vandalism. I wouldn’t be surprised if Charlie calls you to suggest you install surveillance cameras.”
“Which I already have. Did you tell him about them?”
“No,” Jo said. “If I’m wrong and he is behind the stalking and vandalism, I didn’t want to tip our hand.”
“Right. It makes sense. So, I’m guessing you didn’t mention the tracking devices we found in my wheel well and behind my license plate, either?”
“Nope.” Jo watched as a man on a tractor with a bucket in the front and flat blade on the back whizzed by. “They fly around here on the tractor.”
“I’ve talked to Barney about it, how they need to slow down. Someone is going to get hurt,” Carrie said. “The good news is, I met with Barney and the site foreman this morning. They’re slightly ahead of schedule.”
“Awesome.”
“I also came up with some artwork for the sign I’m having designed. It’s on my computer. Would you like to see it?”
“Sure.” Jo started to follow Laverne and Carrie into the house.
CRACK. A loud cracking sound echoed, followed by yelling.
Jo hurried to the end of the porch. The tractor was off to the side. The driver and Barney stood staring at the ground.
“What are they looking at?” Laverne asked.
“The wellhead.” Carrie nudged them aside and began hurrying toward the men. Jo and Laverne were steps behind.
They caught up with the men who stood near a pipe sticking out of the ground. Water bubbled up around it.
“You busted the wellhead,” Carrie said.
“I didn’t see it,” the tractor driver said. “Someone should have marked it.”
“The way you were hauling butt across the yard, I’m surprised you could see anything,” Laverne said.
Jo gave her a warning look.
“It’s true.”
“We’ll get it fixed.” Barney shook his head in disgust. “You guys need to slow down and watch where you’re going.”
“Aye, aye.” The tractor operator gave his boss a mock salute, climbed back on, and took off.
“I’m sorry,” Barney apologized. “It won’t happen again.”
“I hope not,” Jo said. “At least it was a wellhead and not a person he ran over.”
“We’ll get it fixed pronto.”
The women returned to the house, circling around back this time and entering through the dining room’s slider doors.
“I’m beginning to think what Delta said about this place being cursed is true,” Carrie sighed.
“The wellhead’s damage is carelessness, not a curse,” Jo said. “You were going to show us your ideas for the sanctuary.”
“Right. I’ve been tinkering with a few.” Carrie scooted over to the computer and turned it on. She pulled up the logos and showed them to Laverne and Jo. “A catchy slogan is key. I was thinking along the lines of — ‘Divine Sanctuary and Rehabilitation Center for Your Most Pampered Pet.’”
“How about, ‘A Pet Oasis for Complete Healing?’” Laverne suggested.
“I like it.” Carrie grabbed a notepad and began scribbling. “I want customers to think health, wellness, healing for their beloved fur family members.”
“What’s wrong with that?” Jo asked.
“Wrong with what?”
“‘Health, Wellness and Healing for Your Beloved Fur Family Members,’” Jo said. “The slogan says it all.”
“You make it sound like a swanky resort,” Laverne laughed.
“It will be, at least for animals. Divine Sanctuary will offer state-of-the-art facilities, a veterinarian, a surgical center, a wellness center and, of course, rehabilitation.”
Laverne rubbed her thumb and index fingers together. “It sounds like future customers will be forking over some big bucks.”
“You would be surprised what people will pay for their pet’s health and well-being,” Carrie said.
“And if medical care and rehabilitation doesn’t work, you offer them your other service—creating forever animals using your taxidermy skills,” Laverne said. “It’s like one-stop shopping.”
“I suppose you could look at it that way. I’m setting a budget to advertise on the local pet supply stores’ websites, not to mention the local rescue center.”
“It sounds like you have a solid plan. I can’t wait to see it in action.” Jo changed the subject. “Have you given any thought to who might be behind the review we noticed on the Better Business Bureau’s website?”
“Yes. In fact, I was thinking about going back through my photo albums to try to figure out who may have brought their pet to me prior to it passing away,” Carrie said.
“Researching would be a start,” Jo said. “I can’t help but think it’s too coincidental your trailer was vandalized around the time the review was posted.”
“The trigger has to be the news releases about the sanctuary and rehabilitation center,” Carrie said. “It’s the only thing that makes sense.”
“I think I may have already asked, but when was your last taxidermy job?”
“Over a month ago.”
“Yet this review was posted only days ago,” Jo said.
Carrie’s cell phone chirped. She glanced at the screen. “Charlie sent a text. He wants to talk.”
“He didn’t waste any time,” Laverne joked.
“I’m not sure I’m ready to talk.” Carrie wrinkled her nose. “The last time we were together, it didn’t go well.”
“Maybe Charlie feels with everything you have going on, he’s being pushed aside,” Jo said.
“Pushed aside? He’s the one who was criticizing this business venture.”
“It could be he’s feeling jealous,” Laverne said. “All of your energy and attention is on this place.”
“But I loved…I love Charlie. He makes my heart sing,” Carrie said.
“Perhaps you need to tell him how you feel, maybe plan date nights, set aside time for just the two of you,” Jo suggested.
“I thought he didn’t want me and was using this as an excuse to break up.”
“Or maybe he sees it as the other way around.”
Carrie tapped the top of the screen. “I told him I was free this afternoon.”
“Good. Maybe all you two need to do is clear the air and work on your line of communication.” Jo gave her a quick hug. “Love can conquer all, if you let it.”
“You don’t think Charlie is behind what’s been happening?”
“I could be wrong, but my gut tells me it’s not him.” Jo glanced at her watch. “We should head out.”
“Thanks for everything. Tell Mr. Whipple I’ll be back later.”
“Will do.” Jo stepped out onto the deck.
BOOM. The ground shook.
Jo stumbled back, clutching her chest. “What on earth was that?”