Carla shrugged. “CIA?”
Sylvie scoffed. “Here?”
“Robert hates the Feds.” Carla shrugged. “Maybe he’s suspicious of the sudden help so he’s feeling out the situation? Or maybe seeing what Watchdog’ll do? Maybe I’m totally off-base. Maybe it’s something else.”
Sylvie sighed. “I don’t know.”
“Keep your eyes open when you’re up there, Cookie.”
Great. If I open my eyes any wider, they’ll fall out of my head. “I trust them, if that’s what you’re saying.”
The radio squawked. Another store had caught a shoplifter on the Pearl Street Mall.
Sylvie rolled her eyes. “In other breaking news, Colorado has mountains.” She put the cruiser in drive and headed out of the parking lot toward Pearl.
Watchdog tied to something bigger. It was an interesting thought. If they were taking government contracts—doing black-ops—why do it from here? What brought them to Colorado? Was it really just because a guy fell in love with Arden and decided to sink down roots? Or was something else going on?
¿Dónde está el dinero?Wheredidthe money for a killer setup like Watchdog’s come from? And really, whywouldRobert care? She shook her head.Keep this up, pretty soon you won’t trust anyone.
She hoped the upcoming festival would go off without a hitch and put everyone’s suspicions and the rumors to rest.
CHAPTERTEN
Alex was checking on Champ—who was aptly named and had recovered completely—in the kennels when Jodie’s voice came over the intercom.
“Oh my God, she’s here!”
Alex’s heart stuttered for a moment before he realized she didn’t mean Sylvie, and that their decision last week to see each other still remained a secret. Not that Sylvie would show up right now anyway—she was working, out on patrol somewhere in Boulder, but she, Stan, and Frank would be by later for an advanced class and one last assessment before the next round of classes with the rest of the K9 Unit. Alex sent up a quick prayer for her safety on patrol while he continued to listen to Jodie repeating “She’s here!” in an excited whisper. He hit the comm button.
“For heaven’s sake, Jodie. Last I checked, she’s a mere mortal.” Still, he felt his own excitement grow.
“I’m watching them get out of the SUV in the parking lot now. She’s beautiful!”
“And very friendly and warm, so calm down.Please. Welcome them and send ’em all back, if you will.”
“Yes, Chief.Heeee!” The intercom clicked off.
Good Lord, I hope she doesn’t make that sound when they come in. Alex appraised the kennel—as if it were any less than ship-shape already. He’d spent the morning cleaning up the place in anticipation of their in-coming guests—Kyle and Arden’s friends Wolf and Caroline, and Jake and Rachael Collins. It was Rachael who had Jodie squealing. As a musician with the hottest song on the charts this summer, Rachael was in town as one of the music festival’s judges. Her husband Jake was Kyle’s former co-worker when the Pup worked at Watchdog in Los Angeles, and the couple would be staying at the ranch along with Wolf and Caroline, who were visiting for the first time. They were friends with Tex and Melody, who had visited earlier in the year, and inadvertently ended up in the middle of a mission. Alex hoped Wolf and Caroline’s visit wouldn’t be nearly as ‘adventurous’—by the end of it, Alex had ended up in the hospital with a concussion.
He looked over at Buster, who sensed Alex’s excitement and had come to the front of his enclosure, stubby tail—hell, his entire butt—wagging. At least they’d gotten a great dog out of the whole fiasco, one who was dying to go home with Flint and Harper after some more training. Alex looked over the other dogs who weren’t currently out on assignment—Mac, Valkyrie, Chewie, Flo, Mocha, Rocket, and T-Bone. They’d all picked up on the mood but having more training, kept themselves in check and watched Alex for cues. He gave the hand command for them to all sit, and even Buster obeyed, which made Alex smile. He fastened Champ’s leash to his collar with a click and listened to the voices down the hall as Kyle introduced Jodie to everyone. Then he heard the crowd moving down the hall toward the kennels.
“Alex,” Kyle called. “Company’s here.”
“Come on back,” Alex answered. Champ wiggled at his feet, then sat when Alex commanded him.
“Hey, Chief,” Kyle greeted him with a happy smile, Arden on one side and Camo trotting on the other. “Want you to meet our friends, Wolf and Caroline.” The couple walking in behind them were holding hands.
“Good to meet you.” Alex extended his hand to shake Wolf’s then Caroline’s hands. After that, Caroline dropped down to pet Champ.
“Is this the little guy Kyle was telling us about?” she asked. “The star of the new breeding program?”
“One and the same, ma’am. That’s Champ.”
“And you’ve met Jake and Rachael of course,” Kyle said as they came in behind Wolf and Caroline.
“Yes, wonderful to see you again.” He shook Jake’s hand and Rachael insisted on hugging him before kneeling beside Caroline to spoil Champ.
“Are we interrupting anything?” Kyle asked, the smallest smirk on his face.
