Dog fur Case I

A month ago.

July 2012, Jackson Detectives

Levi sat at his table, legs crossed holding a Monte Carlo No. 3 between his thumb and fingers. He took a long hard draw on the cigar, taking note of its flavor, smoked wood, the bitter tanginess of the mocha coffee beans mixed with the medium tobacco taste. It was euphoric.

The nicotine patch hadn't been working well for him, his mood had been sour and he needed something to keep the edge off. So, he had been smoking Anna's 'gift', a box of Cuban cigars in premium quality. This gift he reckons will cost him in the future. His sister knew exactly how to get men to do her bidding.

Across him sat a client named Otis Dixon. He was an old bearded man, and in Levi's opinion lacked the proper grooming required to keep a person from looking like your common homeless person. Levi scanned him, his clothes say he was a worker, he had arms that were used to carrying heavy things, but his nails were clean so it wasn't anything related to construction or farming. And even though his clothes were old, it was well kept, freshly washed and ironed. A few holes were stitched close and he knew he was most likely married, also evident by the ring around his finger. He reckons his wife did his laundry, ironed, and stitched his clothes for him. Probably old fashioned.

Sat beside Levi was Marco, listening to the same man explaining his situation.

Otis explains that he has a family store in Kent and that for the past 6 months there have been a few break-ins. The first time it happened, they decided to install new security cameras because the previous ones were outdated.

To their surprise, another break-in happened again 2 weeks after. Cash inside their hidden Safe that was bolted on the wall, beneath the counter was taken. Which they found odd, because only he and his wife, and the staff were the only ones who knew of the hidden Safes location. In addition, the newly installed security cameras caught nothing, it's as if the suspect knew exactly where the cameras blindspot were.

But his concern grew even greater with the most recent break-in a week ago, and that is why he had decided to ask for professional help without anyone's knowledge, not even his wife. For he had a suspicion it was someone he knew and trusted, probably one of his crew.

Otis Dixon rubbed his hands together in uneasiness, he had worked with his staff for years. So, it was a surprise for him that this incident happened suddenly. He wanted to be certain.

"The first two break-ins and theft, I could thrust aside, Mr. Jackson. But this one recently had both myself and my wife completely terrified," he confessed.

Levi exhaled the smoke from his cigar, his hazel eyes locked on the growing ash at the tip. He gently rolled it on the ashtray until it broke off not bothering to spare the old man a look.

Marco noted Levi's foot tapping impatiently against the floor as he listened to Otis's long-winded story. He knew Levi hated wasting time with things that he deemed boring and Marco knew the growing frustration in Levi. So, he turned to Mr. Dixon. "Please, tell us what happened this last break-in." he urged, wanting to quicken the pace of the story. It's been 20mins since the old man started, and anytime now, the psychologist's mask would shatter and the beast would emerge, grab the old man by his legs and strike him against the floor unconscious. Figuratively, of course.

Otis turned to Marco wide-eyed. "Our flat is just above our store, Dr. Evans. And the person did not only broke into our store that same night, but he also entered our home and stole my wallet that was inside my coat hanging on the rack. " Otis revealed, earning a look of concern from Marco. "My wife is terrified. He could have as easily walked in our bedroom while we were asleep and did something worse," he added, horrified at the possibility.

"You have a pet," Levi comments out of the blue, surprising and confusing Otis. Levi gestures to Otis's leg in answer. Otis looked down and saw a couple of strands of white fur sticking to his pants, he brushed it off. It was from their white Maltese, Suzy. "Yes, a dog, Suzy," Otis confirmed, a little confused to the slick blond's point.

Levi sighed, frustrated at how ignorant he was. "Did you hear Suzy bark during that night?" he asked.

Otis paused, thinking about it and he was hit with a realization. Levi turned to Marco when the old man's face visibly brightened with understanding. "Finally." the blond whispered to Marco, rolling his eyes.

"She did not!" Otis answered confidently, then his face contorted into a fear. The old man leaned closer and looked at Levi. "Wouldn't that mean, Mr. Jackson, that we are well acquainted with that criminal?" he asked. Levi grinned widely, the thought of betrayal delighted him. "Indeed. Would you like to know who backstabbed you?" the blond asked, too eager in Marco's opinion, causing him to sigh in defeat.

That same day Levi and Marco visited the family store, shelves filled with grocery items, from bread, eggs, tinned cans to toiletries. Levi scanned the crime scene looking for clues, bending, kneeling, looking up, and walking around. The only thing he found peculiar was a clump white hair sticking at the corner of a shelf. He inspected it in his eyes, against the light, felt the texture between his fingers, and decided it was not hair. But fur.

Levi turned to Otis standing behind the register.

"Do you let your dog in here?" he asked. The old man looked insulted, "Not at all! We don't allow pets inside. And Suzy always makes a mess. So, we keep her upstairs." Otis claimed as he pointed at the sign on the wall that says 'No pets allowed'. Levi noted the subtle shrug Otis did and he moves to place the fur inside a white resealable bag.

He moved to the cash register, looked at the items, checked the camera positions, and asked for a copy for all the days that the crime transpired.

The next stop was the Dixon home. Levi and Marco followed behind Otis. The old man guided them out of the store and led them to the side of the building. They easily spotted the stairs and climbed up.

Upon their entrance the medium-sized Maltese Suzy started barking loudly, reinforcing Levi's initial suspicion that the person who broke into the couple's business and the flat was someone very close to them. Perhaps a member of the family, a friend. Someone, the dog knew enough to trust.

He checked the windows the door locks as he did downstairs, and like before there were no signs of forced entry.

"Mr. Dixon, mind getting me a few strands of your dog's fur?" Levi asks out of the blue, earning odd looks from the couple and Marco. Otis laughed, wondering if the blond thought Suzy did it. "Sure, why not," he says, picking up a few strands stuck on the sofa. "No, I need one from the dog," Levi instructs. Taken aback at first Otis plucked a few strands gently from the dog and handed it to the psychologist. Levi smiled, taking it in his fingers and placing it carefully inside another clear resealable bag.

Soon after Levi and Marco decided they had enough to go by. The two showed themselves out and slowly walked down the stairs. Marco turned to the psychologist beside him, "Any ideas? Mrs. Dixon is starting to think it's a ghost that did it." Marco said in a hushed tone.

"And what are you going to do with that dog fur?" Marco asked, recalling the awkward exchange.

Levi was about to answer when a large man walking up bumped into him in the stairs. Levi scanned the man, he was wearing workout clothes, but he wasn't sweaty. Although he was out of breath from holding a couple of baguettes in his hand while climbing the stairs. He also didn't seem to be the health-conscious sort of guy, based on the size of him, Levi thought.

The borderline obese man apologized, of which Levi simply smiled back in response pretending it wasn't a big deal. It was. There were crumbs on his suit now. When the man left, Levi brushed his hand over his suit in disgust.

As they turned to the corner towards the store, Marco this time bumps into another man. The man was short and skinny, and in his hand was a leash with a small fluffy dog.

"Sorry, mate." Marco apologized, backing up. "No, blood spilled. We're good." The man says, good-natured.

Levi's eyes narrow at the man and he turns to look at the dog, he breaks into a smile of delight. his tone changing into fondness surprising even Marco. Levi bends down smiling down at the dog and turns to look at the man. "Can I pet him?" he asked, hopeful, and the man nodded happily.

It's not unusual for people to ask him to pet his dog, Sunshine.

Levi reached to touch the dog fondly, smiling down in delight. Marco smiled at the sight of Levi, petting the dog happily.

"What breed is he?" Levi asked, the man looked down at Levi and answered, "Coton De Tulear" earning a nod of appreciation from the blond psychologist. After he was satisfied, Levi stood, thanked the man, then shook his hand and left.