When he finally comes to help me out, he’s smiling and the most relaxed I’ve seen him. This is his family. Where he can just be himself.
“Guys, this is Norah. We need to take care of her until the lawyers get this settled and we find who murdered her Nana.” The men all nod. “This big ugly guy is Patch. He’s the boss here and his much better half is the owner of Sipper.”
Patch shakes my hand then introduces the rest of the team one by one. As I’m shaking the hand, of the last one, a dooropens off to the side and a woman dressed in military khakis walks out with two serious looking dogs, one on either side of her.
She smiles and reaches out her hand. Both dogs immediately sit at her side. “Hi, Norah. I’m Amélie. I’m based out of one of our other offices with my husband Brick. I’m also the dog trainer. I understand that you’re living rather remotely on a mountain, correct?’
“Yes, I live with my gra— lived with my Nana until she was murdered. Rake is helping me find the killer.”
Her eyebrows furrow.
“Silo. I think you all call him Silo.”
“My bad. I’m so used to hearing the callsigns that I have to stop and translate to real names. My brain isn’t that fast anymore. Rake is concerned with the isolation of the mountain. We use guard dogs at our other location that is also located on a mountain. They’re excellent soldiers and can cover longer distances faster. Their sense of smell and stealth are a game changer.”
She looks around at the men. “These guys are elite and highly trained. They’ll do what they promise.
“My guys.” She strokes the head of one of the dogs. “They are equally silent and deadly, and just a little faster.”
The guys all groan. Obviously, an ongoing argument over skill sets.
“Silo asked if I had dogs to spare. This is Shiva and on my other side is Vader. They are fully trained Malinois, two years old. But handlers also need training. Silo is trained and qualified to work with you if you are interested and not afraid to take them on.
“I won’t lie, every dog I train is my baby along with my human children. I check up on both the people and the animals often. Just to make sure we’ve made the right partnership.”
I nod. “I’ve never had a pet before. I always wanted one, but... well it never worked out. Living alone at the cabin, I think I’d like the companionship. But if they’re guard dogs do I still get to-ah-cuddle with them?”
She laughs. “Once you’re theirs, you won’t be able to get away from them. If you’re a bath person, be sure to lock the door or they’ll join you.”
“Come with me. Let me show you what you get.”
We walk across the floor to the other side of the room. As we walk the two dogs crisscross behind us. Following while still doing their own thing. Distracted as I talk with Amélie, I almost stumble on a drainage grate. Suddenly one of the dogs has pressed their body against my calf to stabilize me. When I pause, they both sit and stare at me.
She grins. “I kind of expected that. Vader smelled you from the other room and has been wanting to meet you.”
“May I pet him?”
“Certainly.”
She pets Shiva and I follow her example with Vader. It’s not long until Shiva is also asking for my attention.
We walk back to where the men are starting to break up.
“So what do you think?” Rake asks.
I pause and Vader sits at my feet. Shiva nudges my hand on the other side and I scratch behind her ear. “I really like them. But what about when I go back to school?”
“They’ll be fine. You can leave them inside or build dog houses outside.”
Amélie pulls a book from her back pocket. “Why don’t you take this home. Read it and tomorrow I’ll bring the dogs to your cabin, and we can see how it goes there.”
“I’d like that.”
I start reading the book in the truck and before I know it, we’re pulling into the parking lot of the Sandy Sipper.
“I really really want their cheesy nachos and a mint julep.”
“I really really want half-dozen of their sliders, cheesy fries and a pitcher of beer,” he playfully mocks me.
