Page 6 of Hostile Witness
Tia’s inner badass fist-pumped. “Thanks again for the coffee. I appreciate it.”
He headed for the front door. “You’re welcome. I won’t bother you again.”
Right answer.She leaned against the front doorjamb as he strode down the walk. “In my former life, I also worked for the Secret Service.”
He wheeled around, narrowing his eyes.
Tia laughed. “Only kidding. Thanks again.” She shut the door.Well, he’s gone.One of these days her uncle would stop sending men to her house to take care of her. She could only hope he’d give up and believe her when she said no more, never again, she was just fine on her own.
5
Vince admired his new flattop buzz cut. It had been worth the twelve-mile drive to the next-largest town to have it done. Surveying himself in the mirror from both sides, he grinned. That fat barber, Ralph, had done okay by him. He tucked the business card for the barbershop into the pocket of his blue uniform shirt. The things you could buy online these days were amazing. He’d spent seven hundred dollars and purchased himself a whole week’s supply of work clothes. If he was going to work down here, blending in with the locals was paramount.
Leaning against the doorjamb, he slid the hotel-room closet open and reveled in the neat row of ironed police uniforms. What a score. Five shirts, three pairs of pants, two eight-point hats, a bulletproof vest, one bona fide duty belt, handcuffs, a stun gun and charger, and a pair of kick-ass police boots from the world’s largest online marketplace. He looked every bit as good as the cops he’d observed in this two-bit county. The pace was way too slow down here. This was nothing like New York.
It was a definite bonus to have a relative who wore the shield. They resembled each other enough for it to pass the quick glancetest. And it wasn’t like civilians asked to see a policeman’s badge often during routine traffic stops. In addition, he’d purchased a name tag withR. Smithengraved on it. It wouldn’t have been right to take his cousin’s name tag and risk getting him in trouble.
He was glad he’d stuck around and watched the commotion after Plante’s demise through his high-powered binoculars. The redheaded lady cop had a great body but not an impressive IQ. Why hadn’t she just gone inside and used the bathroom instead of squatting in the bushes?
He studied his uniform in the mirrored closet doors. There was no doubt he looked like a sworn officer. He had even purchased and installed a light bar for his car that had come with easy removal instructions. Tomorrow, he’d start pulling folks over.
Pointing the radar gun at his hotel television, he pretended to shoot.Sweet.Radar was an absolute must-have for traffic stops. He patted his hip and stroked the new leather on his holster.Thank you, Margie Plante, for the Glock secured inside it.He snickered.
You owed me anyway, bitch.
6
Tia dialed the number for Bayside Animal Hospital. She’d kept up with a classmate from high school on social media, and he’d mentioned working there. And yes, he answered.
“Hey, Mike, it’s Tia O’Rourke. How are you?”
“Good, Tia, I’m good. What a nice surprise. Did you finally get a puppy?”
As much as she loved dogs, she didn’t have the time to devote to train a puppy. “No, not yet. I’m actually calling because I heard you have a K9 there recuperating from surgery whose owner passed away. His name is Flynn. Is there any way I can stop by and visit him for a few minutes?”
“Sure. I’ve got to warn you though; he’s in rough shape. I’ve been here since six this morning keeping an eye on the fella. He’s sedated, but you’re welcome to sit with him for a little bit.”
That was exactly what she’d hoped he would say. “I’m in the empty parking lot across the street from you.”
“Really? Well, come on in.” A few seconds later, Mike opened the door and waved.
She bolted from her car and headed over. Wow. Mike had changed. He wore a white doctor’s coat and was at least halfa foot taller than she remembered. What a weird week, seeing acquaintances from her high school days.
“Tia, you look great.” He took her jacket and hung it up on one of the big racks in the foyer. “If you don’t mind me asking, what interest do you have in Flynn?”
“I was on a ride along with the officer who found him yesterday, and I wanted to see how he was doing.”
Mike nodded knowingly. “I operated on him last night. Big guy freaks out every time he wakes up. I decided to keep him slightly sedated for a couple of days so his stitches heal better. He’s holding his own physically.”
Tia was stunned. “Are youthenew vet in town?”
“Sure am. I finished my residency a year ago and decided to move back and buy the practice from Doc Wagner.” He grinned. “Do you remember Casey Thomas from Spanish our senior year? We bought this animal hospital together, and we’ve set our wedding date for June.”
Awww.“Congratulations. I’m happy for you guys. And congrats on the veterinary practice, too. Thanks for letting me see Flynn on such short notice. I realize it’s a bit unorthodox to stop by when you’re closed, late on a Sunday afternoon.”
“No problem. We’re open for emergencies.” He leaned in as if he were telling a secret. “I’m glad to have a break from sitting with him. He’s back here in Room Two. Be careful if you touch him. He’s covered in bruises. We had to shave him for surgery, and right now he resembles a mummy with all the gauze. Let him hear your voice before you touch him.”
Tia’s gut twisted when she saw Flynn. How could anybody batter an animal so brutally? “If he wakes up, will he be aggressive?”