Page 10 of Hostile Witness
“Well, Officer, is it for your lunchroom or your house?” She blew a huge blue bubble.
“I’m buying the coffeepot for a friend, and I’m not sure which kind she’d like to have. I was hoping you could help me narrow down the choices.”
Louann sighed, popped the bubble with her finger, and stuffed the wad of gum back into her mouth. “You’re buying this coffeepot for ashe?” She cocked a hip. “You mean as in agirl?”
Ethan gave a nod.
“Oh my goodness, what the hell is wrong with you men these days?” Louann spat the words at him in staccato and shook her head. “Girls don’t want men to give them coffeepots, buddy. Justbecause you guys like electronic things doesn’t mean women like receiving them from you. God almighty, next thing you know, you’ll be in here buying her an iron or a toaster oven.”
She pulled a stepladder over and climbed the steps. “Ladies like to receive flowers or jewelry. Better yet, a trip to Cancun, but never a coffeepot. I’m just saying. Good-looking guy like you buying a woman a coffeepot? I can’t believe it.” She pointed to a big white box with a red coffee machine pictured on the front. “Here, give her this one. It’s programmable and brews four to twelve cups and has a nice carafe that keeps the coffee hot for up to six hours. Maybe the carafe part will help you get lucky.”
Louann hefted the box off the shelf and dropped it into Ethan’s arms before she climbed down the ladder. “Let’s go up front and make sure nothing’s broken. The only thing worse than receiving a coffeepot as a present is getting a broken coffeepot.”
Ethan pressed his lips together to keep from smiling. Not that he cared, but he wasn’t scoring any points with women today.
“So, Officer”—she squinted to see his name tag—“I mean, Detective Kelley, would you like for me to gift wrap this coffeepot? We started gift wrapping small appliances for five dollars last year.”
“Sure, Louann. That would be nice, if you don’t mind.”
“I suppose if the girl is going to receive a coffeepot, it had damn right better be wrapped.” She proceeded to cloak the gift in a pretty pink-checked paper and added a matching bow. After completing the transaction, Louann handed him the receipt. With a doubtful smile, she gave him a motherly pat on his arm. “I hope this coffeepot thing works out for you, hon.”
10
Aspiky-haired blonde looked up from her computer as Tia entered Bayside Animal Hospital. “Tia, how nice to see you! Remember me?”
“Casey? Congratulations on the veterinary hospital and your engagement to Mike.” Tia pulled her in for a quick hug.
“You here to see Flynn?”
“Yes. Is it okay to spend a few minutes with him?”
“Sure, follow me. He isn’t sedated, and we have him in his own padded crate so he doesn’t hurt his stitches. He’s spent the majority of the day drinking water and eating again.” Casey opened Flynn’s crate and gave him a soft whistle, encouraging him to come out. The dog gingerly stood on all four legs, lumbered from the opening, and sat while Casey changed the dressing and rubbed ointment on a couple of his injured areas.
The phone rang in the office.
“Tia, do you mind watching Flynn while I answer the phone?”
“Sure, go ahead. I’ll stay with him.” She stretched out her hand to Flynn. He took a step in her direction and sniffed. Thento Tia’s surprise, he took another step, whined a couple of times, and set his head on her knee.
“Aw, you poor thing,” she whispered. “You’re such a good dog. I’m glad to see you up and moving.” She stroked the fur around his ears and forehead, careful to avoid his neck and torso, where the stitches were.
“Your lieutenant would be so proud of your valiant effort to save her from the freak that killed her. If she could, she’d make sure you had someone who would love you the rest of your days.”
Flynn offered Tia his paw.
“They’re going to find the bastard who took her from you, buddy. I just know the police will find whoever did this to you.”
Casey was laughing in the distance with whomever was on the phone. Would the powers that be allow a civilian to have Flynn? Granted, she didn’t have time to train a puppy, but Flynn was ready to go. And Tia really liked him and admired his bravery. But what if one of Lieutenant Plante’s relatives wanted to take him? She could live with that as long as whoever drove away with Flynn would appreciate everything he’d done and be good to him.
Maybe she could talk to her uncle about adopting him.
No. Not after ignoring her family for so long. Tia peered into the dog’s amber-colored eyes. “As long as you didn’t drain my savings account every six months, you and I could be good friends, don’t you think?” Flynn licked her hand again as she kissed the top of his head and scratched behind his ears.
Casey entered the room as she ended her phone conversation. “Well, I see Mike was right. This dog has taken quite a liking to you. He doesn’t lickmyhand.”
Tia’s eyes brimmed with moisture. “Hey, Casey, let me know if anyone tries to claim him, okay? I’ll give you my phone number. How long do you think he’ll be here?”
“I’m not sure. If he were a civilian dog, we’d let the owners take him home tomorrow so he could recover in his own surroundings. But this situation is different because he’ll never go back to his handler’s home. There’s a local nonprofit animal-rights group that has offered to cover his boarding fees until this coming Saturday. After that, Mike and I have agreed to keep him here for at least another week, on the house. I’ll tell you what—give me your number, and we’ll touch base toward the end of the week.”