She took it from him gingerly, not allowing his fingers to brush over hers, and shoved it in her pocket. What are you going to do with him?
The dog? Process him for trace.
And then?
He shrugged. Turn him over to the pound, unless his owner or another family member comes to claim him.
If they dont, will you call me? Sidney posed this question to Detective Lacy, deciding she was the more amenable officer. Id hate to see him put down. Large, mean-looking dogs were rarely placed in good homes.
Absolutely, she promised as they walked out together.
Is Gina working today? Lieutenant Cruz asked Detective Lacy.
Yep.
Why dont you go sweet-talk her into meeting us over there?
You dont want help with the dog? she asked with a slight smile.
Why would I? he returned.
Whatever you say, Marcos, she said, punching him lightly on the shoulder before she ambled away. Sidney watched her go, feeling a spark of envy for the basic human ability to touch another person in kindness, humor or affection.
Detective Lacys tone was teasing, but something about what she said bothered him. Marcos? Is that your real name?
Detective Lacys tone was teasing, but something about what she said bothered him. Marcos? Is that your real name?
Just Marc, he replied as he held open the door for her. Ever-cognizant of his proximity, she moved by him carefully, resisting the urge to tell him to call her by her first name, as well. She didnt want to remind him of her embarrassing refusal to shake his hand upon their initial introduction.
As they approached the back of her truck, he didnt make direct eye contact with the dog or do anything else cornered animals considered threatening, but Blue let out a series of rapid barks, gnashing at the grate.
Lieutenant Cruz didnt even flinch. Friendly, isnt he?
She smiled at his dry humor. Dont you like dogs?
They dont like me, he corrected.
When she laughed, he turned his head to study her face. He was attracted to her, she realized in a flash of intuition that was more feminine than supernatural. Something must be wrong with him. Men were always put off by her aversion to physical contact.
As much as Id like to wrestle him out of there and into my own vehicle- he gestured to a champagne-colored Audi with all-leather interior -I think hes more comfortable with you. If you dont mind.
Not at all, she said. Where to?
Vincent Veterinary Clinic. You can follow me.
I know where it is, she said, finding the situation highly ironic.
She was accompanying Lieutenant Cruz, the first man she wanted to touch her in ages, to see Dr. Vincent, the last man who had.
Chapter 2
Vincent Veterinary Clinic was less than a mile from Pacific Pet Hotel. Sidney often took dogs and cats there if they became sick while boarding. In turn, Dr. Vincent recommended her facility to clients, so the business relationship between them was mutually beneficial.
If only the personal relationship had been.
Lieutenant Cruz and Detective Lacy met her there, along with another young woman in a white van that said LabTech on the side. While Lacy helped her unload some kind of specialized equipment, Sidney studied the easy interactions between the two women.
Detective Lacy was petite and compact, with shoulder-length strawberry-blond hair and a smattering of freckles across her nose. The lab tech was taller, but curvy. Her dark hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail and her uniform neatly pressed.
Both of them were pretty, smart-looking and confident. Sidney didnt need to glance in her rearview mirror to know that she didnt match up.
She got out of her dusty pickup, a flustered breath ruffling her bangs, and climbed into the back to get Blue. Lieutenant Cruz watched her from a safe distance, and the dog came out readily, allowing her to slip a nylon leash over his head. When he saw Lieutenant Cruz, he growled.
Easy, Blue, she chided, hopping off the tailgate.
How did you know his name? he asked.
Sidney fumbled for an explanation. I must have heard it on the news.
His gaze caressed her face, reading the lie more easily than shed told it.
Sidney! Bill exclaimed from the open doorway, saving her from any more awkward questions. What are you doing here?
Bill Vincent was tall and handsome, about ten years older than Sidney, with thinning blond hair and a whipcord build he kept in shape by bicycling on the weekends. He looked casual in a short-sleeved shirt and tan slacks, and he smiled, as if pleased to see her.
Blue lunged at him, barking.
Whoa, he said with a jittery laugh. Youve got a live one there.
Hush, Sidney ordered.
Blue sat.
Well have to sedate him, Bill remarked to Lieutenant Cruz. Because no introductions were made, Sidney surmised that the two men were already acquainted. Judging by the way they were staring each other down, they werent friendly.
Sidney was surprised. Bill was an easygoing, sociable kind of guy, especially with people he considered influential. He went out of his way to ingratiate himself to others.
Id like to get a blood sample first, Lieutenant Cruz said. In case hes already been drugged.
Bills lips thinned. Are you volunteering to hold him for me, Lieutenant?
Ill hold him, Sidney offered, knowing it was the only way to get the job done. He was acting sluggish when I first found him.
Sluggish? Bill eyed the dog warily. Hes certainly up and at em right now. Seeing the stubborn tilt of her chin, he said, Come on in, making a show of checking the time on his watch. Either he billed the police department for emergency hours, or he was implying that he had better things to do.
Im Gina, by the way, the lab tech offered.
Sidney, she replied, using Blue as a convenient excuse not to offer her hand. Bending down beside him, she hooked her left arm around his neck, securing his head against her chest. With her right thumb, she held off the vein in his forearm. It was the basic position for drawing blood, and she had a good grip on him, but as soon as Bill came close, the dog exploded.
Thats it, he said, backing away. Id like to keep my face intact, if you dont mind.
Sidney fought the urge to smile. Bills face was a matter of great importance to him.
Let Gina try, Lacy suggested. The dog doesnt seem to like men.
Bill handed off the syringe. Its your funeral.
He wont bite you, Sidney said to Gina reassuringly.
How do you know?
She just does, Bill said, rolling his eyes heavenward. She always does.
Sidney ignored him in favor of rearranging her hold on Blue, murmuring words to comfort him. When Gina kneeled to get the sample, he was docile as a lamb.
Good dog, she praised, patting him on the head.
Gina gave the dog his sedative as well, a quick injection to the flank. Blue tensed at the sharp sting, but took the pain with neither a whimper nor complaint. In moments, he was weaving on his feet. Soon, he laid his head down and slept.
That went well, Gina said, smiling at her.
When Sidney smiled back, Lacy stepped between them.
Thanks for the help, she said, indicating her presence was no longer necessary.
Feeling rebuffed, Sidney glanced at Lieutenant Cruz. Again, he was watching her. If you dont mind, Id like to follow you. To check outyour place.
Okay, she mumbled, unable to think of a reason to refuse.
Doing investigative work now, Sidney? Bill asked, looking back and forth between them. What an accommodating little citizen youve become.
Sidney felt the blood drain from her face.
Lieutenant Cruz noted the exchange with interest. If not for her, I doubt wed have been able to get near that dog, he defended.
Bill didnt care for the mild reprimand, or the reminder that hed been intimidated by Blue. Ill call you later, he said to Sidney, as if they were still involved. She would have laughed at his ridiculous posturing if the situation werent so tense.
Ladies, Lieutenant Cruz said, leaving Detective Lacy and Gina to their work. He didnt bother to say goodbye to Bill, but neither did Sidney.
You dated that guy? he asked as soon as they were out of earshot.
Is that pertinent to the case, Lieutenant?
Marc. And probably not.
Annoyed with all men in general, she turned to glare at him. Then she sucked in a breath, because he was standing very close.
Annoyed with all men in general, she turned to glare at him. Then she sucked in a breath, because he was standing very close.
His eyes trailed down her body. Did he hurt you?
She pressed her back against the side of her truck, anxious to put space between them. No. I was like this before.
He must have accepted her answer, because he stepped back. Meet you over there, he said over his shoulder as he walked away.
Pacific Pet Hotel was a small white stucco building on Oceanside Boulevard, in an industrial area populated with offices, warehouses and construction supply companies. It was a convenient location for dropping the pooch off on the way to work, or while heading out of town.
Marc let Sidney attend her duties while he cased the perimeter of the building. Other than a few glass shards, and the stainless steel bowls shed used to offer the dog food, he didnt find anything noteworthy.
Standing on the blacktop parking lot with the hot sun beating down on his head, staring out at the desolate landscape, he began to sweat. Hed already discarded his jacket and loosened his tie. Beads of perspiration dried on the back of his neck before they could trickle.
Studying the area, he analyzed her description of the dogs physical condition. His paws were wet, shed said. The San Luis Rey River was at least a mile to the north, through a thicket of weeds, sagebrush and eucalyptus trees.
Wet paws after that journey? Not bloody likely.
Another detail of her account bothered him. He knew damned well she hadnt heard the dogs name on the news. Hed watched the only televised segment himself, with his usual disdain for Crystal Dunns salacious reporting style. Crystal would sell her soul for a story, and she wasnt above making one up, so it wouldnt have surprised him if shed let the dogs name slip. But she hadnt. He was sure of it.
Whistling a vague tune, he wandered out back to see what the strangely sexy Miss Morrow was up to.