Chapter 16
“HOW IS your mom?” James asked when Lyle opened the door Wednesday after work.
“She’s doing well. The infection took longer than they expected to clear up, but they are going to send her home tomorrow.” He closed the door quickly so the dogs didn’t decide to try to make a run for it.
“Loopy is going to be happy to go back to Mom’s. He keeps sitting at the door like he’s waiting for her to come get him.” James knelt down, giving the dogs some pets. They settled on the sofa, and Lyle leaned against James, who liked holding him. “Have you heard anything from the police?”
“Yes. They checked out the area we found, and they agree that dogfights were being held there. He said they went out there in plain cars and clothes. Apparently the owner of the land knew that something has been happening back there, but they don’t think he’s involved.
And Red told me that when they found the area where the fights are being held, they set up some cameras to keep an eye on the place. ”
“And what about the guy from the hospital?”
“They were able to charge him with some minor offenses, but nothing that won’t get wheedled down to more than a fine.
Unfortunately, I suspect we took most of the proof they would need when we got the dogs back.
” That was the part he hated telling Lyle—their good deed may have hurt the investigation.
“So he gets off with a slap on the wrist, and we did all this for nothing.”
“No. First thing, they know where the fights are being held, which is a big step forward. What they really want are the people behind the whole thing. And they know that isn’t our guy. He’s just a participant.”
“So now what?” Lyle asked.
“We wait. That’s all we can do. Red told me that they have bits and pieces from their own investigation, so they have a picture of what’s going on.
It seems that people know when and where to show up by a post on Nextdoor.
It’s coded, but they know the account now, so they’re watching it to see when it posts again. ”
Lyle sighed. “I hate these people.”
James lightly patted Lyle’s arm. “I know you do. I do too. But we have to do things by the law. Otherwise we’re just as bad as they are.
I keep thinking that we should have just called the police and reported him.
At least we could have gotten him for stealing the dogs. That would have been something.”
“If we had waited, he would have been gone and nothing would have happened. At least the dogs got to their owners. Mom got Loopy, and I think she wants to keep him.”
“I get it. But we aren’t much closer to finding those behind the dogfighting. And I don’t think following the guy we found is going to do us any good, because they know the police are watching him, so they will freeze him out of the groups.”
“So what do we do?” Lyle asked.
James cleared his throat and met Lyle’s gaze.
“We let the police handle it. Remember, you promised me that no matter what we found, that would be the end of it. These people are dangerous.” He leaned closer.
“Think about this. If that trench is what we think it is, then they just buried the dogs who were killed and shot the ones that were no good to them any longer and dropped them in that pit. They really didn’t care.
” He hated that thought, and Lyle shivered against him.
“Okay. We just stay away. We did the best we could. Does Mitchell need help? After all this, he needs additional security, and that’s going to cost money.”
“I talked to him about it, and he said that he’s added additional measures on the doors and windows of the shelter to try to deter further break-ins, and hopefully the noise will scare them away. There is only so much that he can do”
“Yeah, I suppose.”
“Mitchell and everyone who helps out has been put on alert, so they know to be careful about people looking to adopt. That’s about all we can do.”
“I know.” He lifted his gaze. “There’s something I’m missing, but I can’t put my finger on it. I know that there’s something right in front of me and I’m just not seeing it, but I don’t know what it is.”
“Well, give yourself a break and maybe it will come to you.” James told him. The dogs all suddenly ran for the basement, and Lyle sat up. “Is that their way of saying that they want to go out?”
“Yeah.” He stood, and James followed Lyle down the stairs.
After checking that the enclosure was where it should be, he opened the door, and the four dogs all raced out.
Loopy stayed with James, and when he picked him up, the little dog settled right in his arms. It was so sweet.
Meanwhile, the four spaniels barked and growled.
“What is that about?”
Lyle snickered. “It must be time for Debbie and her husband to take their evening walk through the park.” All four dogs stood side by side, growling and barking, tails down.
“Jesus,” James said. “I usually sit down here with them, but I think they just came down to warn them off.”
“Have you heard anything more from them?” James asked.
“No. They take their walks, drive the dogs crazy, and I swear they watch as they do, but other than that, they stay away.” Lyle kept watching the couple until they disappeared from sight. Then the dogs all wandered over to him, looking for attention.
James stepped outside, still holding Loopy, peering up the trail. “Do you know where she lives?”
“I thought it was out near Newville.”
James huffed. “Yeah. So them using this trail every day is somewhat stalkerish. I mean, why not walk in a park much closer to home? Her mother’s unit has been rented to new people. There is literally no reason for her to be here.”
“You think they could have been the people who tried to get in?” Lyle folded up the enclosure and brought it inside before closing the door. “That witch.”
“I doubt it was her. But her husband… that’s another matter. The guy is a jerk.” James checked the bolts to make sure they were closed tight. Then he and Lyle went back upstairs and closed the basement door.
“Yeah, and one who does a mean soprano when he’s scared. He tried to be all butch and everything, but it’s all an act. He’s a big coward.”
“Still, he’s strong enough to try to break in,” James observed.
“Maybe. But I don’t think he has that much ambition.
Corky always complained that Debbie’s husband was lazy and useless.
She hated him and tried to get Debbie to leave him on more than one occasion.
Apparently, he’s one of those guys who talks about working and having a job, but never manages to bring home a paycheck.
Debbie is the one who works and supports them. ”
James rolled his eyes. “You know way too much about those people.”
“Corky used to talk about them all the time. As she got older, it was harder for her to get out, so I used to come over as few times a week. We watched Wheel of Fortune. She loved her cocktails, so we’d mix some up and watch.
I can tell you that there is nothing better than getting a little toasted and watching Wheel of Fortune.
Other times she used to just sit and talk.
It was always nice to spend time with her, but she wasn’t always happy.
Debbie came over sometimes, but it was her dogs that really kept her company. ”
Lyle went into the kitchen and pulled food out of the refrigerator. “I was wondering what you might want to do tonight.”
“I have the ingredients for spinach salad, and I have some chicken and rice. I can make something if you like.” He paused. “If that doesn’t sound good….”
“It’s great. I’m not a fussy eater.” James sat down and put his feet up.
“It’s been one heck of a week. My exam went very well, and I was top of the class with my paper, but I have two exams next week and a ton of case studies.
I know we usually get together on Saturday, but I have to study Sunday.
With the workload, I need to get things done or else it will be difficult to study for the exams. So I figured that we’d get the cases done this week and then I’d have the weekend to prepare for my exams and be ready.
After that, the workload should ease up a little bit. ”
“It’s okay. I know what you’re doing and what you hope for. I was asked to go to a facility in Indianapolis to work and help train some new hires. They said that they would finalize the schedule tomorrow, but it looks like I’ll be gone.”
“Who’s going to watch the dogs?” James asked.
Lyle shrugged. “I’m still trying to figure that out. My first thought was that Mom could take them, but I don’t know if she’ll be up to it. I could always use some of the money Corky left me to put them in a kennel, but I hate to do that.”
“Maybe your mom can take them, and I can stop over if she needs help,” James offered.
“I know it’s going to be a lot for her, but with some regular help, she’ll be fine.
After all, it isn’t like the dogs are high maintenance.
Loopy gets along with them most of the time, and your mother will find her bed filled with warmth and comfort. How long will you be gone?”
“It looks like I’ll fly out Monday morning and come home Friday afternoon.
The dogs would be with her for four nights.
This is the first time they have asked me to do the training, and I don’t want to turn them down.
If they want you to train others, then it means you have valuable skills.
It’s one of the first steps toward promotion. ”
“Then you have to go. I can stay here with the dogs while you’re away.
It would be a little farther to classes, but I’d have plenty of quiet time to get my work done.
” Maybe that was the real answer to the problem.
“Anyway, figure out your plans, and one way or another, these four sweethearts will be all set while you’re gone. ”
Lyle leaned over the side of the chair. “Thank you. I was really worried.”
“I know. but there’s nothing to worry about.” He tugged Lyle down into a kiss. “You know, we could order in and have pizza in bed.”
Lyle groaned. “I’d love to, but I already have the food out.”
James released him. “Then let’s make dinner,” he said, and took Lyle’s hand to lead him to the kitchen. “Once we have dinner, maybe you and I could enjoy dessert.” He started cleaning the spinach while Lyle got to work on the chicken.
THE HOUSE was quiet, and James lay in Lyle’s bed, barely able to breathe or think. This man seemed to know exactly what he liked and pushed all his buttons. His head swam and he breathed deeply through the amazing afterglow. “Now that was a real dessert.”
“Okay. So you don’t want a cupcake? I picked up a couple at the bakery downtown on my way home.”
James growled. “Of course I want a cupcake. Dessert after dessert is my favorite meal of the day.” He watched as Lyle bounded out of bed, his butt bouncing as he pulled on his robe and left the room.
He had no doubt that the dogs were waiting just outside the door.
They must have followed Lyle downstairs and returned when he did, because Lyle came in, handed him a plate, and got under the covers as all the dogs jumped on the bed.
“You all need to settle down,” Lyle told them, and they spread out around their feet. Lyle had an amazing way with the dogs. Even Loopy listened to him. “We need to eat our cupcakes.” He took a bite, and Lyle did the same. Then James kissed him and pulled back, grinning.
“Your strawberry goes with my chocolate.”
“And my chocolate goes with your strawberry.” Lyle licked his lips and grinned. Then Lyle finished his cupcake, smiling while James did the same, and all the dogs looked ready to lick up any crumbs.
Once they had finished and Lyle took care of the papers, James took his turn in the bathroom and then got back into bed and turned out the lights.
THE NEXT few days were too busy for words.
His final classes were killer, but James managed to keep his head above water and start preparing for his exams. Saturday morning he went to the shelter and found Lyle already there, working with a family to choose the dog they wanted to add to their family.
He smiled at him over the enclosures, and once they had chosen and Lyle walked them through the paperwork, they had a few minutes to talk.
“How is your mom? I’ve been meaning to ask, but I’ve been so busy and my mind is so deep in my classes. Is she doing okay?”
“Yeah. She’s been home a few days. Loopy is happy to have her back, and Mom is getting better pretty quickly.”
“When do you leave on your trip?” James asked.
“They rescheduled it for Monday morning. Do you still want to come over and stay with the dogs?” He bit his lower lip. “It’s a lot to ask and you don’t have to. Mom will take them, though she’s tired a lot of the time. She says she’ll feel better by then, but….”
“I’ll dogsit here for you. It’s no problem. Imagine, a whole week without roommates and plenty of quiet. How will I manage it?” He rolled his eyes.
“Thank you. They like you, and it will be easier on them if they’re at home. I have to leave really early on Monday.”
“I’ll stop over tomorrow night and stay at the house. Everything will be fine.” He was about to kiss Lyle when two couples entered the shelter. Lyle smiled and greeted them while James went back to his dog-walking schedule.