Free Best in Show by Laurien Berenson Page A

seem to recall an incident several years ago where something went missing early in the week.”
    â€œReally? Something from the raffle? What was it?”
    â€œWho remembers? It was hushed up rather quickly at the time. But I’m pretty sure it never turned up.”
    As far as I knew, all the valuable stuff had gone back to the hotel the evening before with the sisters. Surely no one would have been tempted to help themselves to Poodle dish towels or key chains in our absence. I hurried inside to find out.
    Since it was my call, I made the executive decision that Eve didn’t have to spend the day in her crate. Instead she could lie beneath the raffle table and keep me company. My first order of duty after getting her settled was to remove the sheet and make a thorough inspection.
    Unfortunately, this effort was hampered by the fact that I hadn’t looked all that closely at the table the day before. With so many prizes on display, it was hard to tell if anything might be missing when I didn’t have a clear idea of what should have been there in the first place. Plus, the sisters had packed some things away in boxes for the night. After pulling those items out and placing them on the table, I still had gaps to fill.
    I got out the partial list I’d been carrying in my basket the day before and had a look at it. Since the point of the list, however, was to brag about the high-ticket items, noting that most were missing didn’t do me much good. Those were exactly the sorts of prizes that Betty Jean and Edith Jean would have taken back to the hotel with them.
    The loudspeaker came to life with a brief burst of static as the announcer welcomed the exhibitors to the annual Poodle Club of America obedience trial. Then all activity stopped for a few minutes while a club member sang the national anthem. Even the Poodles, waiting by their handlers’ sides, seemed to stand at attention.
    The competition began with the first class, Utility A. The majority of the people currently in the arena were down at the other end of the ring, most of them exhibitors awaiting their turn to show. With the symposium going on back at the hotel, the obedience trial hadn’t drawn nearly as many spectators as agility had. If I’d had someone to mind the table, I could have taken my basket and gone prospecting for ticket sales. As it was, I couldn’t do much more than watch the class and wait for someone to approach me.
    In the ring, a parti-colored Toy Poodle was heeling happily at its owner’s side. According to the breed standard, a Poodle had to be a solid color to be shown in conformation. Obedience, however, placed no such restrictions on its entrants. This black and white Toy, with four white feet and a black patch over one eye, was adorable.
    I got so caught up in watching the little Poodle perform that it took me a minute to realize someone was making her way slowly in my direction across the wide, turf-covered expanse of the arena. I glanced over, then looked again quickly in surprise. It was Edith Jean.
    Not only had she come to the show, but she was dragging a dolly along behind her. It bumped up and down in the grass, slowing her progress to a crawl. When she stopped to adjust her hold on the rope handle, I saw that one of her hands was swathed in what appeared to be a bright pink bandage. Quickly instructing Eve to stay, I hurried out to help.
    â€œEdith Jean! What are you doing here?”
    â€œRunning the PCA raffle, just like I promised I would.” She stared at me hard, as if daring me to refute that fact. “I’m afraid time got away from me this morning. You were a dear to come and open up.”
    Up close, I could see her eyes were rimmed in red, and her complexion was blotchy. It looked as though she’d been crying, and no wonder. Yet she’d still come to fulfill her duties. Edith Jean must have known the club would find a way to cover for her. At least I hoped she