“Yeah. Let’s get to it.”
I cupped her cheek with my palm, taking one more look at her before her defensive shield slid back into place. Then I put my foot on the gas pedal and eased back onto the road.
Zina focused her gaze straight ahead. Her phone rang and she scrambled to dig it out of her purse. “It’s Bodie.”
I nudged my chin toward the phone. “Aren’t you going to answer?”
She held the phone up to her ear. I couldn’t hear the other end of the conversation, but Zina’s side was filled withmmsandohsuntil she finally ended the call.
“Everything okay?”
She closed her eyes and took in a long, deep breath.
“What’s wrong?” I reached over and took her hand. Keeping one eye on the road and trying to make sure Zina wasn’t having some sort of panic attack, I squeezed her hand. “Zina?”
Her head lolled to the side and she met my gaze. “Bodie found a puppy mill. The one he thinks is supplying the dog-fighting ring. I’m sorry to cancel dinner plans but can you take me back to my truck? I’ve got to meet up with him right away.”
“Hell no.” I put both hands back on the wheel.
“Excuse me?” She jerked her hand away from mine. “I know this messes up your plans for dinner. But I’ve got to get over there.”
“I know. I’m going with you. Just tell me where to go.”
Forty-five minutes later we pulled off the main road onto what looked like an ATV trail through the woods. “You sure this is right?” I asked.
Zina had been sitting on the edge of her seat since Bodie’s call. “I think so. Bodie said it was tucked way back in the woods. No wonder no one reported it before now.”
“How did he find it?”
“An anonymous tip. Someone called the sheriff’s office and said they were out on a trail ride and heard a bunch of dogs barking.”
Tree limbs swatted at the truck as we forged on. I had to slow down to a crawl twice to cross two small streams. “This is crazy. How could someone live back in here?”
Zina’s hand landed on my thigh as we pulled into a clearing. Bodie’s truck sat in front of what could only be considered a compound of shacks. She hopped out of the truck before it even stopped moving. I pulled up behind Bodie’s truck and took a good look around. The buildings looked like they might come tumbling down at any moment. I rushed over to where Zina stood, arms crossed over her middle, deep in conversation with Bodie and a woman I didn’t recognize.
“What’s going on?” I stopped when I reached them, and put a hand on Zina’s back, trying to offer support.
“So far they’ve got two dozen dogs, six who appear to be pregnant, and two litters of puppies.” Zina’s hands wrung together. “We’ve got to get them out of here.”
“Who owns this place?” I asked.
“We’re looking into that now. Appears to be registered to a corporation, so I don’t have a name. Whoever was staying here took off though. Doesn’t look like anyone’s been here in days.” Bodie glanced toward the sheds. “Right now we’ve got to get these dogs out of here if they have any chance of survival.”
“You think this is related to the guys from the restaurant?” I asked.
Zina twisted her head to look at me. “What guys?”
“I heard some men talking at the Burger Bonanza and mentioned it to Bodie. I did see some double tire tracks over there, the same type we found over at your place.” I glanced at Zina. “Know anyone who drives a black dually pickup?”
“Yeah, probably half a dozen people around town.” She looked from me to Bodie and back again. “Obviously someone’s trying to close down the dog shelter and shut me up in the process.”
“Seems that way.” Bodie jotted something down on his notepad. “The report came back on your roof, too. It was in bad shape to start with, but evidence shows traces of some sort of acid. They probably used that to weaken the structure.”
“Right now all I can do is worry about the dogs. Do they have kennels?” Zina asked. Her tone shifted from one of worry to one of take-charge action. “Let’s get as many as we can and if I need to come back with crates for the rest, I can do it later.”
“I’ll come with you.” I nodded. So much for having more room for the penguins. But we had to do something. I hadn’tseen a dog yet but even with my inexperienced eye, I could tell the dogs had lived through some sort of hell at this place.
“I ought to have a few more officers here in a bit. We’ll clear the place, then help you get the dogs back to the warehouse.” Bodie nodded.
