He said through a wary smile, “You ought to put that pooch of yours on a chain. He looks pretty mean.”
“He’s not. He’s friendly and well trained.”
“Elmo doesn’t think so.”
“Elmo?”
“My terrier here. See the way he’s shaking? Scared to death.”
“If you want to board him—”
“That’s one reason I’m here,” Chavez said. “The other is, I’m looking for a place to live and the bartender down at The Dog Hole says you have a room to rent.”
“Well, he’s wrong; we don’t.”
“Already rented?”
“Yes, already rented.”
“You wouldn’t have another available, would you? I mean, I’m kind of desperate for a place and this neighborhood is real convenient to my job—”
“One is all we have.” She flicked a glance at Elmo. “And we’re not taking any new dogs right now.”
“No? How come?”
She was making an effort to hang on to her cool. Irritation leaked through anyway. She said as she wiped a thin beading of sweat off her forehead, “We’re full up.”
Chavez moved a little forward and to one side, dragging Elmo with him and keeping a watchful eye on the Rottweiler, so he could get a better look at the Explorer’s interior through the open hatch. Full of boxes, piles of clothing on hangers, odds and ends.
“Looks like you’re moving,” he said.
“What?” Sharp look. “No. Donations for Goodwill.”
He showed her the smile Elena had labeled Butter Wouldn’t Melt in Your Mouth. His wife had a name for all his smiles and grins; the one he liked best and used on her three or four times a week was his Watch Out Tonight, Querida leer. “Spring housecleaning, huh?” he said.
“Yes, that’s right. Now if you’ll excuse me—”
“When do you think you’ll be ready again?”
“… Ready for what?”
“To take in more dogs.”
“Come back the first of next month.”
“Be okay if I have a look around now?”
Bought him a narrow-eyed stare. “What?”
“At the kennels. Make sure it’s the right place for Elmo.”
“No, it wouldn’t be okay. Can’t you see I’m busy?” She turned abruptly, started back toward the house.
Chavez took the opportunity for a squint down the driveway. Couldn’t see much except part of a wire-fenced dog run and an outbuilding behind it that had to be the kennels. He said quickly, “How about I leave my name and phone number? In case the room opens up.”
She stopped and turned, no longer even trying to hide her annoyance. “There’s no point in that. The tenant we have now plans on an indefinite stay. Now will you please go away?” That last was neither a request nor a dismissal—she said it like a threat.
He’d pushed it as far as he could. Anything further and she’d make a real issue of it. Might even be suspicious as it was. He put on his Piqued and Pouty smile and said, with just the right amount of edge, “Sure, lady, whatever you say. I don’t think I’d have liked living here anyway.”
Nothing from her.
Chavez took the terrier back down the drive. Elmo was relieved; by the time they reached the street, he’d quit shivering and his stubby tail was wagging again. The woman, Carson, had disappeared back into the house.
His dependable old Dodge was parked on 20th Street, one house down. He ran Elmo into the backseat, slid himself into the front. Drove off, circled half a dozen blocks, and then rolled back along Minnesota to where he had a pretty clear view of the McManus house and the SUV from that direction. Carson was still inside, the driveway empty—but she’d been back out at least once, because now the front gate was closed against further visitors. Chavez eased over to the curb, shut off the engine. Then he slouched down low on the seat, shifted his behind until he was comfortable, and reported in to Tamara.
She wasn’t disappointed that he hadn’t been able to get into the house. Matter of fact, there was an undertone of excitement in her voice when she said, “So they’re moving out?”
“Sure looks that way. They’re still loading up the SUV, both of them now—the other one just showed.”
“Leaving as soon as they’re done, you think?”
“Could be. Carson seemed pretty anxious to get rid of me. Want me to run a tail?”
“Oh yeah. Even if only one of them leaves. Did Carson get a good look at your car?”
“Doubt it. She didn’t see me coming and she was already in the house when I drove away.”