“This is Poo. She’s the newest resident of the shelter, but apparently little missy has some thoughts about baths.”
The animal shudders visibly at the mention of the bath, which has the woman shaking her head as she smooths her hand gently down the dog’s back. “I know, girly, but you stink, and I saw some fleas. Gotta get rid of those so you’re all pretty when people come to check you out.” She smiles at the animal. “They’ll love you, Poo. We’ll find you a new home in no time. You’ll see.”
As she talks to the animal, my partner watches her intently. Almost as if he’s transfixed.
Not that I can blame him.
She’s pretty. Her long, dark hair is pulled into a high ponytail; a few runaway strands have fallen out of their confines during the chase and are now curling around her face. She’s dressed in pink scrubs with little paws on them, and what I assume is the logo of the shelter on the pocket of her shirt.
“Sorry about that.” She looks up at Nico. “We don’t usually greet our guests this way.”
“Does that mean I’m special?” Nico asks, a smile tugging at his lips.
I hold back my snort at the cheesy comeback, not that either of them notices because their attention is locked on one another.
“Apparently so.” The dog looks at my partner, extending her little body so it can lick Nico’s hand. “And look, Poo likes you. She doesn’t really like many people. Men especially.”
“She’s cute.” I shake my head as Nico rubs the dog between her ears. “What happened to her?”
“Her owner died recently, and her family couldn’t bring her with them since they have a strict no-animals policy in their home. You looking into adoption?”
“Umm… Not really. We’re here to see Chase.”
“Oh.” The woman straightens, any warmth in her expression disappearing in the blink of an eye. “You’re cops.”
She shifts the dog from one hand to another and then pushes to her feet. Nico is faster, though, grabbing her arm to help steady her.
“Thanks,” she murmurs, pulling her hand out of his grasp the moment she’s on her feet, doing everything to avoid his gaze. “Chase is out back with Duke. I’ll show you the way.”
Nico’s brows pull together at the clear dismissal, his gaze glued to the woman’s back as she goes to the double doors at the back of the room.
I walk to him, nudging him with my elbow. “You’ve gotta work on your flirting skills, dude.”
He turns to me, shooting me a death glare.
“Shut up, Rookie,” he grumbles, clearly not amused in the least.
I just chuckle as I go after her and then hold the door open. “After you.”
She eyes me carefully before she slips inside. “Thank you. Just make sure the door is closed. I don’t want to risk any more animals slipping outside.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Her eyes narrow at me as she studies me intently for a moment. “Do we know each other?”
“I don’t think so?”
“Hmm…” We enter the dimly-lit hallway. “Gimmie a second.”
She enters one of the rooms, and when she pops back out, the dog is nowhere in sight. “Okay, it’s this way. Chase is working with Duke out back in the yard. They’re—” She pushes another set of doors and snaps her fingers. “Now I know why you look so familiar!”
The bright sun blinds me temporarily as I step outside, and by the time my vision clears, I see none other than my brother standing in the middle of the yard with a dog by his side.
“You’re related to Chase, aren’t you?”
The man in question does a weird series of steps and turns, the dog following his every move in a perfectly synchronized rhythm.
“Matthew Williams.” I extend my hand toward her. “I can’t say I know who you are.”
