Searching for Always(44)

“Nah, don’t want to bother her. I’ll walk.”

Stone looked outside. It was getting dark earlier with the change of season. “I’ll drive you later.”

Patrick agreed, and they spent the next few hours playing pool and darts and trading war stories. By the time Stone dropped Patrick off at the center, he felt more relaxed. It was nice to make a new friend, especially one who seemed to get his rough sense of humor. He fit right in with the cops, being used to the blue-collar talk from his military past and having been a mechanic. Plus, he’d gone nuts over Stone’s muscle car, declaring it one of the finest automobiles he’d ever seen, and the man knew his cars.

Stone turned the car toward home, then decided to stop and get some Munchkins at Dunkin’. He picked up a pumpkin spice coffee, too, and realized he was close to Bluebird. He’d mentioned the property and missing dog to Devine, who promised to do a drive-by, but they’d gotten backed up and it had fallen off the docket. Maybe he’d cruise over and see if there was any suspicious activity.

Munching on his donuts, he turned on the dead-end street and saw a familiar Fusion parked on the corner. Slowing down, he studied the sea-green color. Waited a few beats.

Son of a bitch.

Arilyn Meadows was there.

Cursing, he parked and cut the engine. His body temperature shot up to inferno range. What the hell was she doing? His heartbeat increased as he slid the flashlight from the glove compartment, praying she was okay. Darkness bathed the property. The moon was full and leaked enough light to make out the gate, doghouse, and fire pit.

Stone began foot patrol, straining his ears for any sound. A chain rattled. Holding the flashlight steady, he walked deeper into the shadows and caught a flash of black. Tall, lean. Ski hat. The person perched on top of the dilapidated gate, hunching over as if to protect something in the jacket. Senses pricked, he ducked and stood behind a large tree, waiting.

The person climbed down and jumped to the ground.

Shaking with fury, Stone desperately reached for the stupid breathing exercises before he killed her. He stepped out from behind the tree.

“Stop right there.”

The person froze. Taking a few steps closer to make sure he was right, he confirmed the criminal and whipped his voice like a lash. “Take off the mask, Arilyn.”

Slowly, she peeled off the knit material. Her strawberry hair was twisted up in a knot. Even with the darkness, he caught the flash of her grass-green eyes, the stubborn lines of her face. Then his gaze dropped to her prize.

The dog was more like a rat. Hardly any hair except for a few tufts on his head. Open wounds scattered over his tiny body. Batlike ears poked up from his bulletlike face. His eyes were the worst, though. Dead. Like he’d seen too many bad things out there and decided to check out. Uneasiness coursed through him, and Stone jerked his gaze away. “What the hell are you doing?” he gritted out.

She stood up from the ground. “Why are you here?” she whispered. “I didn’t make any noise. Who called you?”

Red blurred before his eyes. He was gonna strangle her. “Are you kidding me right now? If I was someone else, I could’ve shot you! You look like a fucking burglar. You’re stealing a dog from someone’s house, a serious crime, and you’re concerned about who tipped me off?”

Her lower lip trembled. “I had to. I came back just to check again. I swear I was careful! I found her right away, lying in the mud. She’s severely traumatized, and if I didn’t get her out in time, she’d die.”

Stone swallowed. Dragged in another breath. Calm. He needed to be calm. “You could’ve called me! Or the animal shelter, or the abuse hotline, or something! You broke the law. You cannot go sneaking onto someone else’s property and kidnap their dog!”

“Calm down,” she hissed. “Lower your voice or someone will hear you. Besides, you’re scaring Pinky.”

Stone shook his head, sure he heard wrong. “You did not just fucking say that to me. I’m the police. I have to call this in and arrest you for kidnapping. Do you understand how bad this is? And what if someone else had found you? My God, does anyone else know about this crazy plan you concocted?”

“No. I’m the one who decided to take Pinky. No one else.”

Pinky? He would’ve called it Rat Fink, the creature was so ugly. As little as the thing was, Stone still didn’t want to get near it in case it broke out from its trance and bit the hell out of him. He’d heard little dogs were just as vicious as the big ones. He fought a shudder.

He would’ve bet she’d shrink back, apologize, and kiss his ass. Instead, she did what she did best. Annoy the crap out of him and challenge him to the teeth.