Hostile Witness (Sanctuary, Inc. #1)

Chapter 16

16

T ia scrawled her name on the trust-fund check and slid it across the counter to Casey. “Thank you for everything. You and Mike have worked miracles for Flynn. I’ll take it from here.” She grinned. “I can’t wait to show him around his new home.”

“He’s a wonderful dog, Tia, and it’s been great catching up with you after all these years.” Casey glanced at the check. “Will Detective Kelley be stopping by later to sign this? There’s a spot for him to sign.”

Tia rolled her eyes. It was ridiculous that the lawyer had set up Flynn’s trust fund this way. “I will call Ethan after I leave. He can come over later to sign it.”

Casey giggled. “You didn’t remind him on purpose, huh?”

Tia pasted a nonchalant smile on her face. “You got that right, girl. The less I run into that man, the better for me. But I will call him within the hour so he knows his signature is required.”

Casey nodded. “Got it. No problem. Feel free to call us if you have any questions about Flynn’s care. We’re happy to help.”

Tia mumbled her thanks and turned around as Detective Kelley whooshed through the front door.

“Sorry I’m late, ladies. Just finished a wellness check on one of our senior citizens.” His radio squawked insistently, and he lowered the volume. “Where’s the check I need to sign?” He smiled warmly at them.

Tia shook her head. She should’ve known he wouldn’t forget. From what she’d seen, the man was annoyingly organized.

Casey held up the check and handed it over with a pen. “Here you go, Detective.”

“Please, call me Ethan. We’re just one big happy family around here, aren’t we?” His gaze landed on Tia.

Tia nodded insistently. “I can take it from here. Thanks for taking care of the check.”

A bemused expression flitted across his face. “Of course. We’re in this together.” He bent down and scratched Flynn’s ears. “Are you ready to go for a ride in the cruiser, big guy?”

No freaking way. “He’s riding with me to my house.”

“Of course he’s going to your house. But his new daddy worked patrol today. I thought I could at least give him a ride home.”

Tia folded her arms. “No, he’s riding with me. You have no idea what kind of reaction he’ll have riding in a police car again.”

“He’ll be fine and a hell of a lot more comfortable than riding in your little Kia Soul. In case you haven’t noticed, Flynn here’s a big boy.”

Her cheeks were getting hot. “I emptied the back seat and made a comfortable space for him. I’ve got it under control.”

“Did you get a car seat yet?”

“No. I haven’t found one I liked.” Which was partially true, because she wanted one decorated in doggie paws. Tia frowned. “Don’t you worry about him. I’ll drive slow and avoid the potholes.”

Ethan took the leash from her hand. “Let me walk you out at least. Thanks, Casey.” He held the door. “Aren’t we the most perfect-looking pet parents?”

She was barely able to keep the laughter from her voice. “Stop it, Ethan.” Why did her emotions ping-pong every which way when he was near? Just like the day on the beach, but at that point in her life, she’d thought she’d found her soulmate. So much for teenage crushes. Tia opened her car door, and Flynn ambled inside.

“His tail is sticking out,” Ethan noted.

“I won’t shut the door on his tail. Seriously, I’ve got this.”

He rubbed his hands together. “I bought him a big comfy dog bed.”

Tia rolled her eyes. “So did I. Keep the one you bought at your house in case I go out of town some weekend and can’t take him with me.”

“Long-distance relationship, huh?”

“That’s none of your business, but since you asked, my best friend lives in Baltimore, and I’m not sure her building allows pets.”

“Well, you might want to take him with you regardless of the rules if you’re going to Baltimore. He’d be the one taking care of you.”

She shot him a sideways glance. “Detective, for your information, most of Baltimore is really nice.”

He cocked his head and winced. “You’re right, but like any city, it’s no place to let your guard down.”

She changed the subject. “I hired a company to deliver all-natural food once a week for Flynn and picked a plan with his nutritional needs in mind.”

“You’re the perfect dog mother, Tia. I bought him a gigantic package of rawhide bones. They’re in my cruiser trunk. Lieutenant Plante had a bucket of them in her pantry. I figure it’ll save your shoes from becoming tattered remnants.”

“Oh, good. I hadn’t even thought of that. Do you want to put them in my front seat and get back to work?” Please say yes.

“No, as of ten minutes ago, I’m on dog duty per your uncle’s request. I’ll follow you home and make sure Flynn settles in okay. Besides, the chief wants a weekly report on the dog’s recovery.”

Damn. She couldn’t even get a pet without her uncle being involved. This was a new level of overbearing, even for him. She took a deep breath and shut the car door. “Please note for your report that Flynn’s tail remained intact.” Her mouth twitched with amusement as she climbed into the car. “I’ll see you back at my place.”

Ethan arrived at Tia’s a few minutes before she did. The yellow Cape Cod had blue shutters and a nautical wreath on the storm door. From the street, it was cute as a button with trimmed hedges and planters full of pansies by the front door. The seasonal flowers she’d planted a week ago made the place beam with a colorful, happy vibe. He paused a moment, remembering their kiss in the garden. Something deep inside him craved an encore, and he’d been looking forward to seeing her all day long. He’d even mentioned it to his best friend, Mac.

Walking the perimeter of the house, he checked to see if she’d installed any security cameras yet. Nope. He stuffed his hands into his pockets. Tia would get upset if he mentioned the security issues again, so he’d keep his mouth shut and eyes open.

Ethan set the bucket of rawhide chews on the front porch as she pulled in. Swinging her purse over a shoulder, she hoisted the mammoth dog bed onto the other and opened Flynn’s door.

“Let me help you with that thing.” He lifted it off her shoulder.

“Thank you, but I had it,” she replied flatly.

”I may as well make myself useful. You get the dog.” He held the storm door while Tia ushered Flynn inside, and then left his boots on the porch. “Where do you want Flynn’s new bed?”

“Over there by the fireplace.”

Ethan dropped the huge cushion into place. Flynn trotted over, sniffed, pawed at the cushion for a minute, did the dog-turning-around-and-around thing, and lay down.

“Have you thought about where you’ll put his food and water?”

She gave him the once-over. “Yes, in the kitchen by the microwave cart. You’re looking rather relaxed, Detective. Why’d you take your boots off?”

“They’re full of mud. I spent part of my shift walking the fallow fields behind Lieutenant Plante’s house searching for anything we might have missed.”

Tia opened a drawer and tossed him a towel. “My porch is a practice-landing site for seagull droppings. Bring the boots inside, and set them on this.”

He caught it one-handed with a laugh. “Thanks, the boots thank you, too.”

“How’s the case going? Are you closing in on a suspect?”

Ethan set his boots inside. “Confidentially?”

She peered at him from the kitchen. “Okay, confidentially. I know what the word means.”

He nodded. “We have a suspect. Personally, I don’t think he’ll pan out. Otherwise, no fingerprints, no DNA, and no idea. This isn’t what the public wants to hear. Whoever did it should be locked up by now.”

“Did your crew find whatever it was I kicked across the kitchen?”

Ethan paused, maintaining a blank expression. “There’s no mention of that in the reports. What was it?”

“Beats me. I came in the back door, and my foot caught something and sent it flying. At the moment, I was seriously invested in not getting caught and finding a bathroom.”

“Did you see where it went?”

Tia shrugged. “Under the counter or maybe an appliance? I’m pretty certain I told your guys about it when they interviewed me at the hospital. Whatever it was hit something hard, and the skidding noise stopped.” She shoved a mug of tea into the microwave.

“Would you happen to have a coke?”

Tia raised an eyebrow. “In the fridge, help yourself. You’re getting a little too comfortable here, Detective.”

He opened the refrigerator door and stood back. “Don’t worry. I know my place. If I get out of line, you’ll kick my ass.”

“You don’t believe I can?”

“After checking with a recruit who said he used an ice bag on and off for twenty-four hours, I know you can.”

An evil chuckle rumbled from her throat. “I couldn’t do that eighteen months ago.”

“Very impressive. You want some carryout? I’m used to eating after work.”

“Now you’re wayyy too comfortable.”

“Actually, I’m concerned for your health. There are soy milk, strawberry jam, a horseradish dip, dog food, and three beers in your fridge.”

She laughed. “Admittedly, I need to place an order for grocery delivery, but I’ll pass on the carryout.”

Ethan opened his phone and started typing. “Do you eat Thai?”

“If I were eating carryout—which I’m not—I’d pick Thai over Chinese any day.”

He tapped a few more times and closed his phone. “What precipitated you learning Krav Maga?”

Tia touched a hand to her throat and turned away. “Nothing, really. I wanted to learn self-defense.” She spun around to face him. “Tell me, Detective, do I come across as incompetent?”

Oh, hell. This had to be a trick question. “No, why?”

“Because... empty refrigerator aside, I handle my life quite well. But my uncle keeps sending people, mainly men, to check on me. I’m thirty-one years old and have been taking care of myself for years. And it baffles me that even Mrs. Stoddard insisted I have a chaperone to take care of a retired K9. You can’t blame me for wondering if people view me as incompetent.” She rubbed her arms and leaned against the counter, waiting for his answer.

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 think the 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 for attack —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.”

She smirked. “Is that what this is, Detective?”

“We’re pet parents now and sharing a checking account.”

She leaned back in her seat and gave him an appraising look. “Is there a Mrs. Kelley who’ll be upset I ate Thai with her husband? Or worse yet, be livid that I kissed him on the front lawn?”

He gulped hard as the spicy Thai warmed his throat. “Not anymore and I just might keep it that way.”

Tia’s eyebrows drew together. “That’s a shame. I was hoping to introduce you to one of my teacher friends. She likes you law-enforcement types.”

He coughed on a noodle. “I wouldn’t recommend it.”

Tia stabbed a couple of snow peas with her fork. “What if she comes to visit and just happens to meet you?”

He dropped his fork onto his plate and leaned forward. “Don’t.”

His eyes had turned dark and brooding. She must’ve hit a nerve. Tia looked down at her food. “I apologize. I, um... it’s just that she’s a lovely person and looking to settle down. I didn’t mean to be pushy.”

He gave her a curt nod and picked his fork up. “I’m divorced and still working through it. If I decide to change my marital status, I assure you I am quite capable of finding my own woman. How’s your love life?”

Ouch. He’d turned that table, and she deserved it. “Um, no divorce but I was clueless to things that were going on in my last relationship. I’m definitely staying single for the long term.” Dabbing her mouth with a napkin, she snuck a peek at his eyes. They’d softened a fraction. “That’s part of the reason I wanted a dog. You know... company.”

He leaned back in his chair. “And the added security doesn’t hurt a bit while we’re catching Lieutenant Plante’s killer.”

Tia shifted uneasily in her seat. “Yes, that too.”

He abruptly snapped the lid onto his unfinished Thai and slid it into the bag. “You think you’ll be all right with Flynn tonight?”

“Oh, sure. We’re buddies. No need for you to hang around.”

“All right. I promised my grandmother I’d take her shopping after her dinner hour.”

“That’s nice of you. Does she live nearby?”

“She does. Over at Happy Acres Retirement Community.”

Tia wrinkled her nose. “Really? I volunteer there on Thursday evenings. What’s your grandmother’s name?”

“Nancy Ryan. She has an apartment there.”

Tia sat back and stared at him. “Nan? Your grandmother is Nan?”

He cocked his head. “You know her?”

“She’s in my Thursday reading club. I love her.” Tia shook her head. “What a small world. Is she why you moved here a year ago?”

He nodded. “More or less. After I moved back, Nan informed me of her move to Happy Acres and turned the house over to me.”

Tia grinned. “She’s a real spitfire. Her love for life is an inspiration.”

Ethan rocked back on his heels and smiled. “Yes, she is. I’m planning an eightieth birthday party for her. Her wish list is a bit bizarre.”

“Meaning?”

“Confidential,” he winked.

“Oh, come on. I know how to keep my mouth shut.”

He shook his head and chuckled. “She wants to be arrested on her birthday.”

“What?”

“Seriously, it’s on her bucket list.”

“Why?”

“Even though she participated in the big protest demonstrations of the nineteen sixties, she was never arrested for anything.”

Tia giggled. “Wow. That’s an unusual request. How are you going to pull that one off?”

“With your uncle’s blessing—I hope.” He rose and set his plate in the sink. “Call me if you need help with our boy tonight. Nan runs out of steam after a couple of hours at the outlets. I should be home by eight.”

Tia rolled her eyes. “I’m sure he’ll be fine. Thanks for the supper.”

Ethan paused while putting his boots on. “I’ll be in and out of town for the next two weeks. You want me to cosign another check just in case?”

“That’s okay. I’ll front the money if needed, seeing as I planned on spending my own to take care of him anyway. Going somewhere special?”

He shook his head. “No. Maybe. I’m on call for my second job. Sometimes I need to leave town on the spur of the moment.”

“What kind of job?” She wanted to withdraw the question immediately. It sounded like she was prying, and as much as she wanted to keep her distance from him, her curiosity had overwhelmed her good sense.

“I work with young people, help them get their lives restarted after a trauma.”

What a rewarding side hustle . She kept her mouth shut this time.

“See ya. Let me know if you need help with Flynn or a break from the dog-mom routine. Otherwise, I’ll stay out of your hair.” He slipped out the front door and strode to his car.

Tia glanced at Flynn and then out the window as Ethan pulled away. She rubbed her hand against her breastbone. It was the weirdest damn thing. The house felt kind of empty without him.