14. Boneheaded
CHAPTER 14
Boneheaded
G arrett squashed his feelings of guilt as Kimi told Marcus everything she knew about the dog-fighting ring. He wanted to take the heat of this whole mess off of her but she didn’t give him a chance. She’d known she was taking risks, known the potential consequences. The dogs’s safety was more important to her than any consequences.
Marcus was royally pissed off, but he kept himself calm and listened. Always did.
“I’m going to call Shanice Williams, the lead FBI agent over in New Hampshire. She’ll know who is in charge of this operation and will know who we need to speak with next.”
Kimi nodded. “No problem.”
Marcus moved outside to place the call, and Kimi blew out a breath as she turned to Garrett. “He’s so pissed at me right now.”
Garrett squeezed her hand. “He is, but he also understands. He knows you’ll do anything to help abused animals.”
She sighed and rose to pace the room. “I don’t like that I made him feel like I don’t trust him.”
He nodded. “He’ll get over it.”
She turned to him. “He’s pissed at you by proxy. ”
Garrett grinned. “He’ll get over that too.”
“I hope so.”
Marcus walked back in. “Do you have a computer we can use to do a video call?”
She nodded but didn’t move to it. “Before I hook that up, I want to apologize. Not for going after information about the dogs because I’m not sorry about that. But I’m sorry for not taking a risk and telling you. You don’t have jurisdiction over there, and I didn’t want anyone to get into trouble helping me. I planned to do the initial reconnaissance myself, and bring you in as soon as I had enough. I want you to know I do trust you. More than almost anyone. You’re a man of integrity and I didn’t want to put you in a difficult spot. I was wrong.”
Marcus stared her down but Kimi didn’t so much as blink.
Garrett could feel the tension slowly dissipate at Kimi’s words.
Finally, Marcus nodded. “Noted. Apology accepted. As long as I get your word that you won’t do something that stupid alone again.”
Kimi’s smile showed relief. “Thank you. And you’ve got my word.”
Garrett carried Olaf with him as they moved behind Kimi’s desk, where they could all be on screen at the same time.
In a few minutes, Marcus had them hooked up with a split screen.
The woman on the left nodded. “Hi, Marcus. Thanks for setting this up so quickly. I’m Shanice Williams, lead agent for the FBI New Hampshire office. This is Shirisha Abalos, lead agent for the organized crime division in the FBI’s Boston office.”
After introductions, Marcus gestured for Kimi to tell her story.
Without so much as a hesitation, Kimi went through her forays into New Hampshire. She gave as much information as she could regarding the layout of the land and the best ways to approach.
Her voice shook as she gave her best guess as to locations for the fighting rings and training cages. Olaf yipped, and Kimi turned to him with a smile.
She rubbed his head, and the pit bull licked her hand. “I found Olaf here half in a ditch on my first trip. He was unconscious on the side of the road. The poor guy had multiple bite marks from fights and a broken foreleg. I can’t prove he was one of their fighting dogs, but I suspect he was. I’m guessing he broke his leg in a training session and was tossed out of the compound. He’s one of the lucky ones, as I also suspect they often kill injured dogs rather than try to help them.”
The eyes of both women on screen hardened at her words. Olaf turned and licked Garrett’s chin as well, then settled down with his head on his paws.
“You took a lot of chances.” Shirisha frowned through the screen.
“I did. The dogs need to be rescued.”
Shanice’s eyes showed a touch of humor. “We get that you’re committed to helping the dogs, and we thank you for the information.”
Shirisha nodded with no humor. “But we expect you to immediately cease your investigations. We have a file on John Mead and are actively working to shut down his operation.”
When Kimi tried to ask questions, the women shut her down.
The Boston agent spoke. “Your part in this investigation is over. You’ve crossed a few lines but we’re willing to ignore that. Unless it happens again. Keep your nose clean and leave the investigation to us.”
Kimi rolled her lips together, and Garrett could feel her tension but she finally nodded. “I’d like to help with the dogs when you shut down the ring. I can help with assessments and injuries. If any of the dogs need a place to stay, they’re welcome here. I’ve worked with wild and injured animals many times. Those animals are innocent and deserve to have happy lives. I’d like to be a part of making that happen.”
Shirisha nodded again, this time with a smile. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you for your information and your offer. I have another call and need to go. Goodbye.”
That left Shanice on the screen. She smiled at the three of them. “That went better than I expected. Shirisha is tough but she’s fair. We appreciate your information, Kimi. Thanks for calling us in, Marcus.”
After they signed off, Kimi’s shoulders slumped. Marcus’s, too.
Kimi looked at their friend. “Do you think there’s any chance we’ll hear more?”
Marcus shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve worked with Shanice multiple times now. She’s an excellent agent but she’s not the one in charge. I think Shirisha will consider your offer to help with the dogs but I have no way to know.”
Kimi nodded, shoulders still down. He’d bet the entire confrontation had zapped her energy. She was a forthright person. Being called out for not going through official channels wouldn’t bother her as much as feeling like she’d let Marcus down. Being unable to help the dogs would be the worst.
He hoped like hell the agent let Kimi help with the dogs once they broke the ring. And he hoped it all happened soon.
K imi’s nerves bounced around inside her like Popcorn danced around Onigis.
She hated being on the wrong side of good people. Garrett. Marcus. The FBI.
She’d caused tension between the two men. Between herself and Marcus as well. And the FBI agents were none too pleased with her either.
The annoying part was that if she had to do it again, she’d probably do it the same way. She was too stubborn for her own good. And her own peace of mind.
Garrett had walked Marcus out to his squad car so she put away her computer and checked on the bunnies.
“Terry Fox. Terry Fox.”
She managed a smile at Canuck’s choice. “The epitome of perseverance. You’re telling me to keep going forward? To stop wallowing about what’s done?”
In the eighties, Terry Fox had already lost a leg to cancer. Refusing to give into it, he started a cross-country run to raise awareness and money for research. He’d only made it halfway across the country when the cancer returned. Terry hadn’t lived to see the amazing progress researchers had made since then. He hadn’t lived to see that school kids around the world knew his story, and had annual runs to raise money in his name. He was a hero in all senses of the word.
Kimi walked over to Canuck and stroked his beak. The parrot bobbed his head and showed off his feathers for her. “You’re right, buddy. No wallowing. Moving forward to help as many as I can. ”
“That’s the idea.” Garrett’s deep voice had her smiling over her shoulder. He wrapped her in his arms and kissed her temple.
For a few minutes they stood like that with the bird swaying along with them. Canuck always lightened the mood. “I’m sorry. Marcus is pissed at you because of me.”
Garrett kissed her hair. “It’s fine. We’re good.”
She hoped so. Tearing apart the friends would be horrible.
Garrett squeezed her and took her hand. “I’m serious, we’re good.”
She leaned in and wrapped her arms around him, absorbing his positive attitude and warmth. Physical warmth, sure, but also the warmth of the connection between them. Since GG had died, she’d had no one with her in her corner. No one close enough to carry the emotions with her.
She hoped she wasn’t imagining more than was really there. More connection. More emotion. More love?
Garrett kissed her hair again. “Don’t make plans for supper.”
She chuckled. “You have something in mind?”
“I do. I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”
And then he was gone, leaving her feeling bereft. With a deep breath, she went outside to check on the troops and returned to see that the bunnies were stirring. Full bellies and a safe space helped.
That’s what the dogs needed. A safe space. At least they wouldn’t be starved. The need to help itched at her conscience. Leaving them when she had the power to help was difficult but she’d promised, and she wouldn’t go back on that promise.
Feeling completely unsettled, she decided to follow one of GG’s traditions. Smudging was good for people and places. Her space didn’t need it but she did.
She gathered her sage, an eagle feather, and her supplies and headed to her back porch, the place she felt closest to her roots. GG always said smudging helped focus the brain and cleansed the heart and head.
Kimi placed a small amount of tobacco onto her smudging plate. She lit a bundle of sage and placed it on top, feeling GG’s approval, her calming presence.
When the smoke rose in a stream, Kimi cleansed her hands in the smoke. Using her eagle feather, she drew the smoke over her head, then drew it into her body via her eyes, ears, and mouth.
She didn’t rush the process, and used the tradition to ground herself back in the present. When the fire was out and the area tidied, she sat and reminded herself to trust in herself, as well as others. She’d never been great at that part.
What would GG say? Probably not much. She’d simply lift an eyebrow and wait for Kimi to make the realization that most people wanted to help. So, she’d trust in the FBI, and let some of the anxiety go.
Not all of it because that simply wasn’t possible.
Feeling more grounded, Kimi cleaned up and moved through her property, checking on the animals and reminding herself she was helping the universe in her own way.
When Garrett walked into her office, she was feeding the bunnies. “Hey.”
He kissed her hair and sat beside her. “How are they doing?”
She picked up the last one and snuggled him in. “I think they’re all going to be okay. Even the tiny ones are eating well.”
“That’s good news. Do you think it would be okay to leave them for a few hours?”
She laughed. “They’ll be fine. They’re mostly going to sleep and eat for a few days. Where’s Olaf?”
“He’s hanging out with the horses for a minute. Are you ready?”
“For what?”
“I’ve got a surprise. Come on.”
She wanted to question Garrett but he was grinning like he had the best secret, so she just followed along. Over on his property, two new horses were saddled in the paddock separate from Kitty and the geldings.
“You got more horses?”
He grinned. “Just loaners for tonight. Troy knew someone who didn’t mind lending them to us for a few hours. Are you up for a ride?”
Kimi’s heart dissolved into a pile of gloop. If the smudging hadn’t brought her back to center, this would have done the trick.
She tugged him down for a long kiss. “Thank you. This is perfect. ”
The new geldings, Socks and Mittens, were happy to walk off through the fields and into the forest beyond. They followed a well-worn trail that Kimi had hiked before. Olaf, wrapped in a blanket, rested on the saddle with Garrett, the mild pace not a problem for his stitches. The dog watched the scenery with interest as he snuggled with his new best friend. Kimi wondered if Olaf had ever been happier. And she wondered the same about herself.
Sporadic lighting kept the path safe for the horses as they moved higher and higher up the side of the mountain.
When the trail widened at a grove with a spectacular view, they looped the horses to some trees near a stream where they could drink.
Garrett unloaded a saddlebag and pulled out a blanket. He set it on the ground where they could check out the view. Olaf rested at the edge.
Then Garrett pulled out an insulated bag filled with cheese and fruit. Sandwiches and a container filled with pasta salad. Healthy treats for the dog.
Delighted, she laughed. “You’ve been busy.”
He shrugged. “Fiona’s place is fully stocked for picnic emergencies. I figured after the last few days, we could both use a little downtime.”
Her heart went squishy again. He was showing her she hadn’t broken them with her actions. Not only would they be okay, but he and Marcus would be okay.
She tugged him into a kiss. “You’re a pretty special man, Garrett.”
He grinned against her lips. “Glad you think so.”
The sun slid behind the mountains as they nibbled on the food and chatted about anything and everything.
When they finished, she packed the last container into the bag but took Garrett’s hand when he started to rise. “Not yet.”
He smiled and settled back down beside her, long legs stretched out in front of him. Kimi lifted to her knees and straddled him.
His smile widened, and his hands moved to her waist. She reached up to take his Stetson off and set it to the side. “We’re about to do some serious kissing. Don’t want to ruin the hat.”
He laughed at her terrible western accent and then lowered his lips to hers. It was a great way to end the day.