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door opened and Don Furry, an ARL volunteer, entered.
    “Hey, Don,” I greeted. “How’s it going?”
    He waved hello. “Fine. Just fine. I thought I’d stop in and see if you had—” He stopped in his tracks. “Th-that’s Mona’s dog.”
    “Sure is.” I dropped the treat back into the jar.
    “Is she here?” he asked in a nervous whisper.
    I shook my head, slightly amused at his odd reaction. “Nope. Fluffy’s officially a stray.”
    He blinked, puzzled. “Fluffy’s not a stray.”
    “Okay, she’s been abandoned.” Fluffy casually sauntered over to Don and me. She sniffed Don’s pants and then sneezed twice. She looked up at me and, I swear, if she had an eyebrow, it’d be arched.
    Don’s eyes practically popped out of his head.
    I really wanted to laugh, but I could see Don was not amused at Fluffy’s antics. “She’s an actor. Those were probably fake sneezes. What can I do for you?”
    “I, ah, I stopped by to pick up the towels you said you’d set aside for the ARL.” He hadn’t taken his eyes off Fluffy.
    I’d forgotten all about the donation. “I’ve got the box in the backroom. I’ll be right back. Would you keep an eye on the dog? She’s been sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong.”
    I was gone about a minute and returned with a large cardboard box filled with linens. “I threw in some sheets and blankets, too.”
    “Thanks, Mel. So, what are you going to do with  . . . ” He nodded toward Fluffy.
    I shrugged. “I don’t know. You want to take her back to the ARL with you?” I teased.
    He held up his hands, his clean shaven face pale. “We don’t have room.”
    “Since when?”
    “Today.” His bald head glistened with beads of sweat.
    “Okay, spill it. What’s going on?”
    “We really are full. Did you hear about the puppy mill raid? We took in twenty-six dogs a couple of days ago.”
    That wasn’t the whole story. I’d never heard Don turn away a dog. “What aren’t you saying?”
    He checked his watch, then looked around as if he was about to disclose a national secret. “Mona’s our biggest benefactor. Every year, following the Fur Ball, she makes her largest contribution. If I take Fluffy, it could cost the ARL millions. MILLIONS . I can’t take that chance.”
    He was right. Mona was spiteful enough to punish the ARL because of some perceived slight. “It’s okay, Don. I was just teasing you,” I said. “I’ll take care of Her Highness. Don’t worry about a thing. I’ve got it all under control.”

Chapter Six
    The only thing I had under control was my wardrobe.
    I’d left Mona a third voicemail. Still no callback. I’d called Darby, asking her to drop by my place to let Missy out while I dealt with Fluffy. You guessed it—I got her voicemail, too. I left a message and crossed my fingers that she’d hear it sooner rather than later.
    I could have picked up Missy myself, but I didn’t want to subject her to a Mona tirade for drooling on the marble foyer. There were some hygiene problems a girl just couldn’t help.
    Getting Fluffy into the Jeep was easier in theory than action. She’s one stubborn dog, but we finally came to an understanding.
    I pointed the Jeep south on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH to the locals). With the top off, every once in a while I could hear the crashing waves. I lowered the visor, blocking the glare of blushing pink swirls and the blaze of brilliant orange streaking the sky. I sighed in contentment. Another spectacular evening in paradise.
    I made my way to the prestigious gated community, Sapphire Bay. Being rich wasn’t enough to live on the other side of the iron gate. You had to be vetted, sponsored and have more money than God.
    I rolled to a stop next to the security shack. Mr. Rent-A-Cop stuck his head out the window. He was on the downhill side of middle-aged with a bushy gray mustache. Faded green eyes scrutinized us through his bifocals. He recognized Fluffy right away. I, on the other hand, got a