“Was it Lyndee?” Max asked.
“Dispatch couldn’t confirm that,” Sheriff Sutherland said. “But the timing fits. I’m going to check it out.”
“I’d like to go with you.”
Sheriff Sutherland hesitated. “That’s not necessary.”
Max held his gaze. “My aunt and uncle live out that way—remember?”
He knew there was no way Sheriff Sutherland would forget. A showdown had happened there a few weeks ago. No one involved would likely forget any time soon.
“I know the roads,” Max continued. “If Lyndee is out there, I can help find her faster.”
Sheriff Sutherland studied Max as if weighing his response. Then he nodded. “All right. Let’s go.”
CHAPTER 9
Hadley triedto forget about Travis Henderson as she prepared herself for her next appointment. She went into her office and drew in several deep breaths.
Something about the man unnerved her.
Susie knocked on her door. “Your next appointment is here. And she brought a very opinionated cat.”
Hadley huffed a quiet laugh. “That sounds promising.”
“She said his name is Spicy K.”
That got a real smile out of her.
Hadley picked up her coffee and headed down the short hallway. She quickly freshened up from her campout at the kennel and then pulled on her white lab coat.
She pushed open the door to the exam room. A woman in her late forties stood near the table, one hand resting on a beige animal carrier that shifted every few seconds.
Spicy K was a wild one.
“Good morning.” Hadley smiled. “You must be Yolanda. I’m Dr. Chase.”
“Nice to meet you.” Yolanda gave her a stiff nod.
The woman was clearly going to be a hard audience.
Hadley set her coffee down and paced closer to the carrier. “Let’s see what we’ve got going on.”
“I wasn’t sure whether or not I should come here . . .” Yolanda muttered, raising her pert nose in the air as she observed her. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
Hadley paused, wondering if the woman was simply nervous about trying a new vet. “I assure you, I have many years of experience with animals. I know it’s hard to trust someone new.”
“Maybe. I read your reviews last night.” Yolanda didn’t try to hide her distrust and skepticism.
Hadley tilted her head, confused by the hostility. “What do you mean?”
“Your reviews . . . they’re terrible. Didn’t give me much confidence.”
Though Hadley didn’t usually read reviews, she had Susie scan them on occasion. Most of her reviews—both here and in Georgia—had been positive. There were always a few disgruntled pet owners who had a grudge for some reason. But that was par for the course. Every business got those.
“I can assure you that I’ll do everything in my power to give your cat quality care.”
Yolanda grunted. “That’s not what I read. I read you’re only concerned about money. That you’re going to charge me an arm and a leg for this visit. That you’ll find things wrong that aren’t really wrong.”
