Page 21 of Hostile Witness
Definitely a trick question. He wasn’t getting involved in a dispute between her and Chief Carson, and damn, he wanted to massage her shoulders and soothe the worrisome question away. “I think Mrs. Stoddard was deferring to the police commissioner’s hesitation about a civilian handling a retired K9. I can’t comment on the rest of it, because I have no insight into your uncle’s motives.”
She nodded slowly. “So you never looked into Flynn becoming your dog?”
He shook his head. “Oh no. I was as surprised as you at Mrs. Stoddard’s decision.”
“You never said anything to my uncle about Flynn?”
“No. He mentioned the dog to me as a good resource for this area because the closest K9 unit is over an hour away. I thinkthe chief is interested in Flynn helping out here or there over the summer should the need arise.”
“What kind of need?”
“Missing persons. Especially kids. Perhaps the reason we both were designated as Flynn’s caretakers is the trust fund the lieutenant left for his geriatric care.”
“Meaning what?”
“Well, there’s over a hundred thousand dollars in the fund. Veterinary-care costs are through the roof. Flynn is eight with a general life expectancy of nine to thirteen years. Maybe Stoddard and the commissioner figured the money was safer if we had to agree on expenses.”
She nodded. “What do you think about getting pet insurance for him?”
“I suppose, if that’s what you want to do. I haven’t had a pet since I was a kid, so I have no idea if a policy would be worth it.”
For a minute the room was quiet with the exception of Flynn’s snoring. “You’re plenty competent, Tia. I think it was about the money and Flynn’s training.” He reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a laminated card. “Here are the commands he knows. Whatever you do, don’t say this one”—he pointed to a word on the card—“unless your life is in imminent danger.”
“Why? What does it mean?”
“It’s German forattack—and he will.”
The doorbell rang. Ethan glanced out the window. “I’ll get it. It’s for me.”
After handing the delivery kid a tip, he returned with two bags and set one on the counter. “Call me presumptuous if you want, but this bag of Thai is yours.” He smiled. “Maybe place that online grocery order while you’re eating.”
Tia stood motionless in the middle of the kitchen. “Oh, um... .”
He leaned forward and spoke in a hushed whisper. “It’s just food. It won’t bite.”
She laughed nervously. “Right. I’ll get some plates and forks.”
He strode in the direction of his boots. “None for me. I’m leaving.”
She chewed her lower lip for a few seconds and hurried to a cabinet. “No, don’t do that, Detective. By the time you get home, it’ll be cold.”
“I reheat meals all the time, not a big deal.”
She wheeled around with plates and silverware in her hands. “I... I insist.”
Ethan set his boots back down on the towel. “Are you sure? Do you have more questions about Flynn’s commands?”
She managed a tremulous smile. “Probably. I haven’t even read the list yet, and we both know Thai is better when it’s good and hot.”
“Okay.” He sat opposite her at the small kitchen table and started spooning noodles into a bowl.
“How is Flynn still sleeping with the scent of good food swirling around?”
Ethan glanced up from his plate. “First day home from the hospital is always a sensory overload. Look at it this way: If he weren’t comfortable, he wouldn’t be able to sleep.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” She pointed at her food. “This is great, by the way. But you need to stop buying me things. First there was the cup of coffee, then the coffeepot, and now this.”
He thought a minute. “The cup of coffee was a bribe so you’d let me in to check your doors and windows. The coffeepot was because I gave your principal the wrong impression, and tonight is a welcome-home dinner for Flynn.”