Page 22 of A Matter of Time

“When?”

“On the way over here.”

“You found him just now.”

I shrugged. “At least I stopped to get a carrier for him. I didn’t want him taking a dump in your office.”

“Very thoughtful of you.”

I sighed deeply. This was a disaster.

“You found a dog on your way to this interview,” he repeated, like he was trying to get it to sink in.

“Maybe it’s a good omen.” I smiled wide.

He stared at me. “Big believer in signs, are you?”

“Yes, sir, I am,” I stated, using the word he preferred that time.

“Why not just take him to the pound?”

I squinted at him. “How is that hopeful?”

“And are you always that way? Hopeful?”

“I try to be,” I said honestly. “Don’t you?”

His eyes were locked on mine before he cleared his throat. “You know, your dog is loud. Good luck sneaking him in anywhere.”

“He’s just noisy because he’s stuffed in a box.”

“Is that right?”

“Sure.”

“Let’s test your theory.”

“Pardon me?”

“Let’s see him.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely.” Dane got up, walked around his desk, and sat on the edge of it. “If you don’t let him out, it sounds like he’ll die or something.”

I leaned over and opened the top of the cardboard carrier, and Shiloh stopped howling and sat down. He looked up at both of us and started to wag his tail. I was about to pick him up when Dane bent down and scooped him out of the carrier. My little puppy immediately started licking his face and then shoved his wet nose into the man’s eye.

“Sorry,” I half laughed. “He’s just happy to see you.”

“He’s really cute.”

“I know. And I can already tell he’s gonna be a real pain in the ass.”

Dane put him down, and Shiloh proceeded to run circles around the room. “Tell me, Mr.—” He stopped and looked up at me. “Keyes, is it?”

“It is,” I answered, reaching unsuccessfully for my dog as he ran under my feet. “But you can call me Jory or J or whatever. I don’t care.”

“Tell me, Mr. Keyes, what do you think is more important, loyalty to me or loyalty to Harcourt, Brown, and Cogan? Are you a team player or more inclined to support the individual?”