“Iknow.”
He didn’t. He had no idea the lengths to which she would go to protect thosekids.
His fingers brushed the back of her neck. “Weshould—”
“They found the car.” Phil stopped in the officedoorway.
To his credit, Chris didn’t jump back like he’d been doing something wrong. Not that he had been. Well…maybe. There was probably some rule against getting involved with a potential witness in a federal investigation. Were they involved? Did she want to be involved? Was that even something she was capable of at thispoint?
Phil’s gaze moved between them before settling on Chris. “Local LEOs have a forensics team on site, but the Chief wants us to check it out before they tow thecar.”
Chris rose from his lean over her shoulder. “Sure.”
Denise closed the program and pulled out the thumb drive, holding it out to Chris. What had he been about to say? They should talk? Probably, but she had not one idea about what she wouldsay.
“Thanks.” He took the drive from her and gestured to the door. “Are you stayinghere?”
“No.” She wheeled the chair back from the desk and stood. “I need to take some of the dogs out and I still have a few training sessions thisafternoon.”
“By yourself?” Chrisasked.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Phil said. “You shouldn’t be here alone. Just because they found the car doesn’t mean he won’t comeback.”
Her eyes rolled so hard she worried she may have given herself a headache. “I texted my other part-timer and asked him to come in. Mostly because I need the help, otherwise I’ll be here all night.” She shooed Phil out of the doorway. “I’ve also got two possible adoption appointments coming by around four.” She led the way through the row of kennels. “And I’m armednow.”
“Is this the dog we pickedup?”
Almost to the top of the row, she stopped and turned to see Chris in front of Sweetpea’s cage. The small dog’s butt looked like it had a live wire attached to it given how fast it wiggled back and forth. She joined the two men in front of the cage. “Yeah.”
“Is she still up for adoption?” Chris unlatched the gate and swung it open, crouching in the opening. The dog launched herself at him and tried to bathe his face with hertongue.
Hmm…how to answer that question. “She was. I decided Kimber and Kaden needed a dog, so I’m going to keepher.”
“Really? What about her puppies?” He rubbed the dog’s cheeks, but looked up atDenise.
“They were all adopted out, almost as soon as they wereweaned.”
“That’s too bad.” A final pat on her side and he pushed the dog back into the kennel. “I’ve been thinking I need some company at home.” He rose and closed the gate, dropping the latch intoplace.
“How many of these dogs are up for adoption?” Philasked.
Denise fell in beside them as they continued to the front entrance. “All the dogs in here, except Sweetpea, are boarders or here for training.” They walked through the reception area and out the frontdoor.
“What about in thebarn?”
“Fourteen dogs in the barn, three of which are being assessed for the K9program.”
“Wow,” Phil said. “And you manage all this byyourself?”
She shrugged. “I have the two part-time employees, plus several volunteers who come out a few days aweek.”
He stopped in front of their dark blue sedan. “Still, that’s a lot for oneperson.”
“It’s a full-time job. I don’t imagine the FBI is an eight-to-fourgig.”
Phil huffed out a laugh. “No. No, it’s not.” He held out his hand. “Thank you for yourhelp.”
She shook his hand. “You’re welcome, but if he comes back, it’ll be me needing yourhelp.”
