Chow Down (A Melanie Travis Mystery)

in the air. “I’m Chris, more formally known as director of advertising. I’m the one who comes up with the specific campaigns that best illustrate to the public what our products are all about. And Chow Down is going to be big, man. I’m proud to be part of the campaign and I know you will be, too.”
    More cheerleading. I guessed the intended effect was to get our competitive juices flowing. If so, judging by the intent expressions I saw on the other finalists’ faces, it was working.
    “Cindy Burrows.” The last member of the team flipped her long French braid back over her shoulder and introduced herself. “Product manager for Chow Down and delighted to be here. I hope you all are, too. Champions Dog Food is important to me because I believe in the quality of the products.” She stopped and smiled slyly, her gaze sliding around the table. “And because they sign my paycheck.”
    Finally, I thought, as we all laughed together. Someone who was willing to inject a small dose of reality into the proceedings. Doug and Simone, I noted, both joined in the merriment, but neither looked amused by the comment.
    “Now you know who we are,” Doug said when the laughter had died down. “It’s your turn to tell us something about you.”
    “What do you want to know?” The rest of us had hesitated; but not Ben, he spoke right up.
    “Whatever you feel is important for the selection committee to consider,” said Simone.
    Chris nodded. “Surprise us.”
    Nothing like a little pressure.
    Ben, however, didn’t seem to mind. He was in his element and happy to go first.
    “I’m an actor,” he said. “You’ve probably seen my work on television and on the stage. And Brando is an actor’s dog. Aside from being a gorgeous Boxer, that’s something else we bring to the table that none of the other finalists can. Brando and I are professionals. We won’t require a lot of coaching to put in a good performance. We both know how to get the job done and to look good doing it.”
    “Thank you,” Doug said when Ben paused to draw a breath.
    The actor looked disgruntled by the interruption. Clearly he hadn’t intended to give up the spotlight so quickly. “No, thank you . Brando and I would also like you to know that we appreciate this wonderful opportunity and that if we’re the ones chosen to represent Chow Down dog food, we will devote the full range of our considerable talents to the project. I promise you we won’t let you down.”
    “Excellent,” said Simone. I wondered if she was responding to Ben’s words or the fact that he’d been flirting with her shamelessly since the moment he’d first entered the room.
    “Moving on . . .” Doug prompted. “Bill and Allison, what would you like to tell us about Ginger?”
    “First and foremost, that she’s a great dog,” Allison said, her voice pumped with enthusiasm. “With a wonderful personality. She’s almost been like a child to us . . .” She paused and a blush rose to her cheek. “I mean, not that we think she’s human or anything—”
    “It’s all right, honey, they know what you mean,” Bill took over for her. “Allison and I aren’t breeders. Ginger is the only dog we own. And look what she’s accomplished. She’s a conformation champion, she’s working on her Utility degree in obedience and she’s also qualified for her field championship. Having the opportunity to own a dog of this caliber is kind of like hitting the lottery, they just don’t come along every day—”
    “What Bill’s trying to say is that Ginger can do it all.” Allison was speaking again now. I felt like we were being tag-teamed. On the other hand, I could see how the committee might find the couple’s energy infectious.
    Bill reached down and patted the Brittany’s head. “Once you stop and think about it, I know you’ll realize that Ginger is exactly the kind of dog you want representing Chow Down dog food.”
    “You might be right,” Doug agreed smoothly. “Dorothy, what would you like to tell us?”
    The older woman took a moment to gather her thoughts. She looked slowly around the table, her gaze pausing on each of the committee members in turn. “After listening to what other people have to say, I’m afraid maybe MacDuff and I are going to look a little shabby by comparison.”
    “No way!” Chris disagreed.
    A small, satisfied smile lifted Dorothy’s lips. That was just the response she’d been angling for, I thought.
    “Now MacDuff and