Chapter 6
The next morning, Pax got up and whistled his way downstairs, Mutt at his heels. He took the animal out, then made coffee and sat at his computer.
But he stared blankly at the screen. Last night was meaningful, special, and just thoughts of it made his heart clutch in his chest. And he was very afraid that, over the last weeks, he’d fallen in love with Stephanie Giordano. For a minute that scared him, then he pushed fear away and enjoyed his mind’s meandering.
Finally he checked his email. He’d asked the staff to come in today, to set up their areas and get to know each other a bit. And Steph would be there. As he ran down the lists of his emails, one stopped him dead in his tracks. LOST DOG. His heart started to beat fast. Oh, no!
It isn’t the end of the world. You’ve dealt with a lot worse. Still…
He opened the email.
My name is Marci Slick. The dog you wrote about is mine. I want him back. When can I pick him up?
He blew out a heavy breath, then typed , Bring proof of ownership to the Westwood Clinic in town. I’m a doctor and I bring him to work every day. I’m leaving now.
His mood dashed, he dressed and drove with Mutt to the clinic. After stopping for donuts, he parked in the small back parking lot, which had finally been cleared of boxes, and walked inside. He made coffee robotically.
Steph was the first to arrive. Despite his upset, his smile was sincere. “Good morning.”
“Good morning.” She crossed to him and touched his shoulder. Then she cupped his cheek. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s not about last night.”
“What happened then?”
“It’s Mutt. I got an email saying this woman was the owner and she wanted him back.”
“Huh. It’s been more than two weeks since you put the ad in.”
“Yeah, I took it down after a bit.”
“Sounds strange, Pax.”
“We’ll have to wait and see. I’ve got to focus on the clinic today since everybody’s coming in.”
“Do you need to do anything to get ready?”
“Um, put the donuts out on the table next to coffee.”
“Sure.” She started away.
He held her back. “I can’t kiss you here, but I want you to know I was flying high this morning when I woke. Last night was wonderful.”
“For me, too.”
“I want a repeat.”
“Me, too.”
The back door opened and in came Alice Carson, the nurse, and Jon Baker, the receptionist. “Hello, all,” Jon said.
“Good morning,” from Alice.
They greeted each other.
Pax began. “Welcome. Let me show you where to put your things, then we’ll have coffee and treats and talk.”
They disappeared into the back.
* * *
“Damn it, God,” Stephanie said aloud when they left reception and she started to set out the donuts.
“Swearing at God?” a woman’s voice asked from behind her. “I don’t think that’s kosher.”
Steph whipped around. “Hi, Noreen.” The woman was even prettier than she remembered. Her green eyes were a standout with her green scrubs and her auburn hair was beautifully cut to fall to her shoulders. Steph gave a perfunctory smile. “Of course it’s not. But I’m angry about something.”
“I’m sorry. I saw cars in the back. Where are the others?”
“In the office area. They’re setting up their desks and where to store things.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, of course.”
Noreen left the main area and Steph was alone with her thoughts. What was Pax going to do without Mutt? She frowned. Yet, the whole thing about the dog was odd. He’d been going to Pax’s house for a few days before Pax took him in. He was scruffy too and had no collar. Hmm. Pax had probably been too upset to think clearly about the call. Her instincts told her something was fishy.
She turned to go back to the common area for the staff. Just then they all came out.
“Get a donut and coffee,” Pax said. “We can sit at the table over there. I’d like to work on the intake form for opening day, too.”
Once they were all settled, Pax said, “Does anyone have any questions?”
“I do.” This from Jon. “We only have one nurse and one receptionist. Will we have breaks?”
“Of course,” Pax said easily. “When you take your morning and afternoon breaks and lunch, we’ll cover for you. We also have some volunteers lined up every day so they can assist too.”
Noreen asked, “How many people do you expect to come here?”
“A lot, actually. We have a website that’s already up, and Steph and I did the personal touch by distributing flyers, so I think we’re well publicized. We’re also on a bus route, and the immediate area is medium size.”
“In other words,” Noreen said laughing, “you don’t know.”
“We’ll have a better idea on the first day.” Pax held up his tablet. “What should be on the intake form? I’ll make the form right now.”
“Name, address, phone, if they have the last two.” This from Alice. “Some will be homeless.”
“Insurance?” Jon put in.
“No,” Pax said. “This is a free clinic.”
“Nature of ailment/why they came in.” Noreen’s voice was full of confidence.
Jon said, “Emergency contact. On another line, Family Members/Guardian for kids.”
Pax added, “Employment or School attending.”
Steph had listened. “Maybe we should have one form for adults, one for children. It would simplify things.”
“Great idea, Steph.”
“These will be ready by Nov. 1.” Pax again.
“We should have both a paper and an online version,” Jon suggested. “I can set up both on my computer and run some off.”
On the way out, Jon and Alice got a second donut. All the while, Pax put up a front. They’d never know he was about to lose his best friend.
When they were alone, Pax deflated. He dropped down behind the receptionist’s table and sighed heavily.
She sat across from him.
“You know, I knew better than to let this happen.”
“Getting attached to Mutt?”
He nodded.
Just then the dog meandered out of the office and went directly to Pax and nuzzled him.
“Yeah.” He scratched Mutt’s ears. “I wonder what your real name is, buddy.”
Steph didn’t want to get his hopes up, but he should be prepared. “I wanted to talk to you about that. Why didn’t he have a collar with a name and phone number on him?”
“I don’t know. People around here don’t have the money to register a dog, maybe.”
“Or take care of it, apparently. He was scrawny. You said you’d been feeding him for days.”
“Yeah.” He sipped his coffee. “I—”
There was a knock on the front door. Steph bolted up. “I’ll get it. Be wary of her, Pax.”
Pax and Mutt started around the desk while she opened the door. Man, the girl wasn’t what she expected. Instead of a lonely teenager, there stood a tattooed and pierced young person, wearing camouflage and army boots. The guy behind her was similarly dressed. “I’m Marci Slick. This is Spike. I came for my dog.”
“Come in.” She looked past Steph’s shoulder. “There he is. Ciao, Buck.”
The dog stayed by Pax. And began to whine.
The girl started toward him. “What’s a matter, doggie? Don’t you remember me?”
Mutt whined louder then bolted into the office.
Pax closed that door. “We have some questions for you.”
“I ain’t got to answer any.”
“Yes, you do. Or I’ll call the Humane Society and report you for leaving him out in the rain and not feeding him for days.”
“Okay, shoot.”
Pax crossed his arms over his chest. “It’s been two weeks since he came to me. Why didn’t you answer my ad sooner?
“Been busy, doc.”
“He was mangy. He hadn’t eaten or had a bath in a long time.”
“He ran away.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. He can’t talk to tell us.”
“I can make assumptions. He was mistreated by his owner. And where’s your proof that he’s yours?”
“Don’t have no proof.” She shrugged. “But he is mine and I want him back.”
“Not so fast, doll.” Spike, the tattooed guy came up behind her. Obviously, he was older. He put his hand on her shoulder. “You don’t really need the dog.” He looked at Pax and Steph. “How much is he worth to you?”
Pax’s jaw dropped. “What the fuck? You’re trying to blackmail me for him?”
“We need an incentive to leave him with you.” Spike spoke again.
Steph stepped forward. She flashed her security badge quickly. “I’m an officer of the law, you two. You don’t have proof he’s yours and now you want money from the doctor.” Which Stephanie suspected was the plan all along. “I can arrest you for extortion. Pax, my handcuffs and gun are on my desk. Why don’t you get them?”
The man gave her a once over. “You can’t take us both.”
“With a gun, I can.”
“Fuck this,” Marci said. “I don’t want the mutt anyway. Let’s go, Spike.”
This was like a grade B movie.
But they left. Pax turned to her. “Wow, you are a great actress.”
“Well, I do have handcuffs. And maybe I should bring my gun to work, Pax.”
“I hesitated about that. But…maybe.” He crossed to her and stood close. “You are something else, Stephanie.”
She fluttered her eyelashes. “Thank you very much, sir.”
* * *
“You gotta be kidding me.” Will Kirkland shook his head. “Sounds like something out of a bad movie.”
“That’s what I said.” This from Steph.
“And you should’ve seen this one.” He nodded to her. “She was a real Charles Bronson.”
Will chuckled. “Seriously, though. Do you think you need a gun, Steph?”
“Previously, I thought no. But those two could have been armed, Will—and they were only teens. Who knows how many more of their ilk will come in.”
“Pax?”
He leaned forward and linked his hands between his knees. “I’d hoped not. But now, I’m thinking we do. We know it’s a bad area for crime but a clinic has to be set up in the neighborhood that needs us.”
“The night guards will have to be armed, too, then.”
Pax asked, “Have you had to arm any other of your security guards?”
“I have. If they’re guarding high profile people who come to Syracuse. And in a few other situations.” He looked at Steph. “It’s up to you. If you think you’re endangered, of course you can be armed. What do you need from me?”
“Nothing. I already have a gun from my Secret Service days. And I renew my permit to carry every year.”
“Then it’s a done deal. You’ll have to alert Jackson Kane, too.”
“Yeah, I know.” Pax stood. “Thanks, Will.”
“Don’t forget your dog.” His tone was dry.
Mutt slept soundly on a chair in the office. Steph went to him and shook him gently. “Come on, buddy.”
Still, the dog startled. Pax crossed to him. “Shh. It’s okay.”
“The dog always like this?” Will asked.
“Nope. Those kids really affected him.”
“Right. I’m glad you got to keep him.”
“Me, too.”
They walked out of Will’s office with Mutt on a leash. “We probably should go back to the clinic till six. The night guards don’t come on until then and we’ve already left it unguarded for an hour.”
She sidled up to him. “Damn, I thought we could go to one of our houses for a little daytime hanky panky.”
Pax watched her. Her hazel eyes were liquid. “You know, it’s not totally unguarded. The security system’s on for the night. And Will’s guys will come on in a couple of hours.”
“I vote we don’t go back.”
“Me, too.” He took her hand. “My place or yours?”
* * *
Nick Redmond wasn’t happy when he heard from the judge about the Pax Barry lawsuit. He bit his tongue so as not to rail at the man, but he hadn’t expected this. So he said calmly, “Yes. sir. We’ll go on to discovery. I should be getting witness statements next. As well as depositions.”
“I’m perfectly aware of the next steps, Mr. Redmond. Goodbye.”
When he disconnected, Nick said, quietly, “Fuck.” He wondered briefly if the rumors were true about this particular judge being cozy with medical institutions. He buzzed his assistant. “Audrey, file for the witness statements and depositions in the Paxton Barry case.”
“Huh. The dismissal didn’t go through?”
“No.”
He leaned back, thinking of this development. Pax Barry seemed like a nice guy who made a terrible mistake. Scotty’s face swam before him. Damn it all, Barry didn’t deserve the shit coming his way. He picked up the phone to call the man.
* * *
Pax kissed his way down Steph’s body. She was so lean and strong. But her curves were very feminine. He stopped at her navel and circled his tongue there.
His phone buzzed. Damn, he forgot to turn it off.
“Leave it,” Steph said breathlessly.
“I will, love.”
“And you’re missing the jackpot down there.”
He laughed and moved his mouth lower. It didn’t take long before she burst in spasms of pleasure. “Oh, God, God, Pax, yes.” He went for the second round, which didn’t take long either.
When she calmed, he laid back smiling.
“You’re pretty smug.”
“You came…twice.”
Suddenly she was on top of him. “Spread your legs, Mister.”
Again, he laughed. She took her damn time getting to his jackpot. He bit his lip to endure the agony. When she took him in her hand and rubbed him up and down, he arched off the bed.
Thankfully, she took him into her mouth. Ecstasy. More and more until he burst in heat and fireworks and pure joy.
When she fell back onto the mattress, he clasped her hand. “I—”
His phone buzzed again. “I better get that.”
“I guess.”
He picked his cell from the nightstand. “Pax Barry.”
“Pax, this is Nick Redmond. I have some news about the lawsuit—it’s a delay but workable…”
When he clicked off, Pax shook his head. “Goddamn it.”
Steph moved over him. “What did he say?”
“The motion to dismiss failed. He’s requesting the witness statements and any depositions taken. Those are going to be hard to hear.”
“I’m sorry. I can see why you’re upset.”
“Hell, Steph. How many more things are going to go wrong in my life?”
“I don’t know. But I do know I’ll be right beside you when they do.” She brushed his lips with hers. “Because I’m falling in love with you.”
* * *
The night before the clinic opened for business, Steph and Pax went down to the building. It was Halloween and who knew what tricks would happen if the place was unoccupied?
“Should I turn the alarm back on?” Pax asked when they got inside.
“No, I don’t think so.” She opened the cloth bag she brought with her. “This is full of candy. I think we should give it out if we get any trick or treaters.”
She was in a good mood. He hadn’t replied to her declaration of love last night. He wanted to but had little to offer her.
“Pax?”
“You brought candy?”
“It’ll be fun and it’s good community relations. We can see on the dash cam who’s at the door.” Cameras were a recent addition to the security system.
“Let’s do it. I’ll let the night guards know. Give me the bag.”
It was getting dark when Pax jogged out to the security car parked across the street. One of the guards rolled down the window. “Anything wrong, Dr. Barry?”
“No, Derek. We’re going to give out candy to the trick or treaters.” He opened the bag. “Have some.”
“If you say so.” He took a handful. “I hope you have fun.”
Pax started back when a car came to a halt on the other side of the street in front of the clinic. Two men got out. Huh! He crossed to them. They each wore eyepatches and billowy shirts. “Enzo and Miles, what’re you doing here?”
“We came to check out your place on Halloween.” Enzo was the bigger of the two but they were both huge.
“What are you doing here at night?” the other asked. Poor Miles. He had a face like a bulldog.
“Steph and I came down to occupy the clinic on Halloween. In case of pranks. She wants to give out candy to any trick or treaters.” He held out the bag. “Want some?”
Miles grinned. His teeth were yellow and one was gold. “Hold on.” He went to the battered sedan and opened the back door. Out slid a cute little fairy. “Anika? Well, hello.”
The girl said, “Trick or treat.”
Miles patted her head and Pax held out the bag. “Take as many as you like.”
“We’re takin’ her out on a couple of streets. But we’ll be back. Don’t think you’re safe out on a night like this.”
“The after-hours guards are here. And we got a security cam.”
“We still gonna come back and watch the clinic after we deliver Anika to her grandmother.”
Shaking his head, Pax walked into the clinic.
Steph looked up from the tablet she was studying. “Hey, what took you so long?”
“Two bouncers with hearts of gold.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means we’re getting more protection.”