Chapter 8
JAMES WATCHED through the window as Lyle pulled away and out of the shelter drive.
What an idiot he was—he should have kept a closer eye on the dogs once he had finished their walk.
He had thought they were all in the car when he’d finished, but instead Daisy had wriggled away, and Lyle had been in a full-on panic.
The worst part was that James hadn’t known what to do for him.
He’d wanted to soothe him, but would he even accept it?
After all, it was James’s fault that Daisy had gone missing.
He should have been more careful and paid closer attention.
Hell, he was doing it again. James pulled his mind out of the mess he’d created and tried to get it back on task.
The dogs had all been fed and watered, including the new ones.
He had been going to some of them out in the run, but that was before Daisy had gone missing.
Now that Lyle was gone, he’d need to wait for Mitchell to return in case anyone else dropped in.
Which meant he would answer the phone and wait.
Thank goodness Daniel pulled in an hour later.
“Mitchell is almost done at the clinic. He took care of the two dogs he brought in and got a couple of emergency calls.” Daniel worked at the clinic now.
He had started out at the shelter but was in vet school now and helped out at the shelter when needed.
“We had some excitement. We think a dogfighter was in. A guy wanted two dogs, and we buried him in paperwork, so he left. Lyle noted the time he came in so that we could look at any video we might have.”
“Excellent,” Daniel said as James handed him the note.
“I’ll run though the files and see what we have.
These dogfighting rings are getting to be more and more of a problem.
My neighbor was going into the Giant to get groceries yesterday.
A lady was walking her small dog when a large one jumped out of a car and attacked it.
My neighbor, Jeff, called me right away and raced over.
When I got there, the little dog was dead and the owner of the pit bull was trying to get the dog back in the car, most likely to get away.
Three other cars all pulled up behind him to block his way until the police got there.
” His breathing came faster just telling the story.
“Do you think it could be the same guy?” James asked. Daniel pulled out his phone and showed him a picture, but James hadn’t seen him. “Can you text Lyle the picture?” He gave Daniel his number, and soon the picture went through to him as well.
“Is this the man you saw earlier? The one who wanted two dogs?” James added as explanation. It took a few minutes for his reply.
“Yes. He was all business and seemed cold to me.”
“The police know who he is, and I’ll pass on the information that he’s trying to acquire additional dogs. The dog he had was already put down, so he’s going to be on the hunt for a new one and for dogs he can use in training.”
“Oh crap,” James muttered. “And we’re going to be a prime location.”
“Not necessarily. Your friend Lyle didn’t just let him walk away with the dogs. He showed that we have processes and keep an eye out, Guys like that are going to want to get dogs as easily as possible without leaving a trace. The last thing they want is to be tracked.”
That made sense to him. “Do you want to watch things here while I take the dogs for a walk? Then I think I need to head out.”
“No problem,” Daniel said, and James put the larger dogs out into the run and two of the smaller dogs out on leashes to start with.
JAMES PULLED out of the shelter drive and headed toward town.
He had plenty of work to do and it was calling to him, so he went to the apartment.
The others were out and the place was quiet.
He thought of taking advantage of the peace when Anna returned with bags of groceries that she placed on the counter.
“What are you doing here? I’d have thought you were spending the day with your boyfriend.
” She grinned. He sighed and told her what happened.
Anna glared at him and then rolled her eyes.
“Men—you really are clueless. His dog was missing and now there are dogfighters around and you’re here?
” She turned and put her hands on her hips. “Don’t leave him alone.”
“But I’m the one who lost his dog,” James said.
“Then go make it up to him. You didn’t do it on purpose, but he’s probably sitting there stewing about how close his dog might have come to being training bait. Geez….” She turned back to what she was doing, and James hurried out of the kitchen. He grabbed his laptop and materials.
“I’ll see you tomorrow for study session.”
“You better.” She laughed. “Did you pack your toothbrush?” she added, but James closed the door and hurried to his car. He drove through town and parked in one of the unallocated spots near Lyle’s.
It was quiet, and he knocked softly. The dogs all rushed to the window, and Lyle opened the door. “Are you doing okay?” James asked as he stepped inside.
“I don’t know.” He closed the door and sat down. “I keep wondering about that guy. Where did you get the picture?”
“Daniel got it of a dogfighter.” He wasn’t going to go into details. “The police are aware of him, and Daniel is going to look through the video we got and send it to them.” He petted Daisy when she came up to him and nuzzled his hand. “I’m sorry you got out.”
“It’s okay. These guys are like little furry Houdinis.” Lyle held Dash in his arms while the others nestled around him. “I’m just glad she was okay. All I kept thinking was what if that guy took her and….”
“I know. But he didn’t, and she’s okay.” James lightly stroked Lyle’s shoulder.
“I was so scared. What if Corky left me her dogs and one of them was taken or ran away? I’d feel terrible if anything happened to them.
” He looked up, his eyes filled with water.
“I love these guys. You know, I never thought about how much company they are, and I’m really coming to understand why Corky lavished so much of her attention and care on them. ”
James nodded and lowered his gaze. “I almost didn’t come over. I figured you would be angry with me for what happened to Daisy.”
Lyle snorted. “It wasn’t your fault. I hated the thought of leaving them here alone, but having them in the car for hours wasn’t a good thing to do either.
I think I’m going to order one of those home security systems and put in a few cameras inside.
That way I can check on the dogs while I’m at work.
” He really seemed to be coming out of his fright.
“That’s not a bad idea. Are you friends with any of your other neighbors?”
“I know some of them,” Lyle told him. “But not really well. A lot of these families have been here just a year or so. Corky was in her place since she retired, and now that she’s gone, I think I’m the old-timer here.
I’ve thought of asking a friend to come check on them if she can.
Heather and her husband live over on South Street, and she is a huge supporter of the humane society.
But she works full-time too, and….” It was clear that Lyle was trying to figure out some way to give the dogs company during the day.
“I can check with Anna if you like. She’s one of my roommates. She has a slightly different schedule from mine and might be able to stop in a few days a week. If you like, I’ll arrange for you to meet her and see if she could help you out.”
“Okay. Most days I come home for lunch and let them out, but it would be nice if they could get outside otherwise and if they could see people other than just you and me.” He bit his lower lip.
“I also keep wondering if Debbie and her husband will try anything. They have Corky’s place cleaned out and new people are coming in.
I’m hoping that since they aren’t here any longer, their fixation with the dogs will dissipate.
I’m sure they’ll get something from Corky’s estate, and they’ll have to take what they got.
Stealing the dogs isn’t something they are going to want to be caught doing.
But still, I want the dogs to be happy and safe.
” He cleared his throat. “Who would have thought I’d end up worrying so much? ”
“They’re your dogs now and part of your family.
Of course you’re going to worry.” James waited until Lyle set Daisy down before doing his best to comfort him.
“It’s okay to wonder if they’re okay and to worry about them.
Though they are their own little pack, and they’ll help take care of each other. ”
“I suppose. But I think they’re going to be changing my shifts a little at work, and that’s going to make it harder to come home.”
“Then I’ll talk to Anna about checking on the dogs, and you can meet her. We have a study session tomorrow, so I’ll talk to her then.”
Lyle nodded. “Did you get anything to eat? We’ve rushed around rescuing dogs and finding Daisy, but we didn’t stop to eat, and I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry.
I fed the dogs so they’re fine.” He stood and went to the kitchen to open the refrigerator.
“It looks like I need to go to the store. Everything has been so churned around that I forgot to go.”
“Then we should have something to eat and go to the store. Anna went this morning and was just getting back when I stopped in. Why don’t you let me drive?” He could feel Lyle’s hesitation as they got ready to go. James was pretty sure he didn’t want to leave the dogs.
“Am I being stupid?” he asked at the front door, saying goodbye to each of them. “I know I am, you don’t have to say anything. I know they’ll be fine for the hour or so we’re going to be away, and it’s broad daylight. No one is going to try anything.”
“I always wondered about the back door,” James said.