His brows rose. “Day care?”
She gave him a cool glance. “Don’t go there.”
“I’m not. It’s just a new concept for me. When was the last time he was at this day care?”
“A week ago.”
“And Toby became ill?”
“Five days ago.”
“Slow-acting poison. It could have been given at this day care.”
“Nedra and her people are totally trustworthy, or I wouldn’t have sent Toby there.”
“But what about the other owners who bring their dogs there? What do you know about them?”
Nothing. But it hadn’t seemed necessary that she know anything except about the people who ran the place. She supposed it would have been easy for one of the clients to go up to Toby and pet him … and then administer the poison. Easy and totally evil.
“Why?” she whispered.
“Revenge? Have you antagonized anyone lately who might want to get back at you?”
She shook her head. “I’m an artist. And you know I keep pretty much to myself.”
“Yes, but that doesn’t stop trouble from swirling around you, does it?” He was silent, thinking. “How long has it been since you’ve seen Eve and Joe?”
“Several months.” She frowned. “You’re suggesting someone poisoned Toby because they want to hurt Eve or Joe?” She shook her head. “That’s really reaching.”
“Probably. I’m just trying to put together a logical scenario.”
“It doesn’t have to be logical. It could be some sicko.”
“Who used a very sophisticated poison and waited until you put the dog in that fancy day care to do it. Which means that he knew your schedule.”
“Then why not target me and not my Toby?”
“I don’t know. Let me think about it.” He smiled. “It will give me something to do while you’re busy saving your Toby.”
“I’m not saving him. Devon Brady is saving him, that dog-whisperer person is saving him. I’m just standing by in case I’m needed.” She rubbed her temple. “I wish I could be the one to be able to help him. I feel helpless.”
“Have you called Eve yet?”
“No, I don’t want to call until I have something positive to tell her.”
“So she’ll think that the fact that you ran the risk of involving me will have been worth it.”
“No.” She shrugged. “Partly.”
He was looking around the office. “This research facility is quite a setup. How long have you known about it?”
“Over a year. Sarah told Eve and me when they were setting it up. She invited me to bring Toby down here and let him be studied with the rest of the dogs. They wanted to look at the increased possibility of the accelerated healing gift being transmitted genetically. After all, Toby is Monty’s son.”
“But you didn’t go.”
“I’m a hardheaded realist. It was a little over the top. I wasn’t quite sure I believed any of it, even coming from Sarah.” She grimaced. “But I guess I did. Here I am.” She glanced at him. “And so are you,” she said jerkily. “I guess I should thank you. I haven’t been very gracious.”
“Because you know how self-serving I am and that I wouldn’t do anything that I didn’t believe would reward me amply.” He reached in her briefcase and took out her computer. “In your case, I’m hoping for extravagantly. You know that I’ve been trying to inveigle my way into your bed since the moment I saw you.” He handed her the computer. “Send an e-mail to that day-care place and ask if someone other than the staff had anything to do with Toby on the day you left him. Do they have security cameras?”
“Of course.”
“Why did I ask? See if they’ll check the cameras and send you a photo of anyone suspicious.”
“I don’t want to do this now.”
“I know, but it will keep you busy. I’d do it myself, but it’s better if you send it.” He got up and headed for the front entrance. “Besides, I want to make a couple calls and have a friend do a little checking on a few other things for me.”
Why not, she thought as she flipped open the computer. He was right. It would keep her occupied. But when she finished sending the e-mail, she was going back into that examination room to Toby whether they wanted her or not.
It might be a total waste of time. Caleb’s theory was all guesswork anyway.
But it was keen, analytical guesswork and far better than she could do in her present state.
Send the e-mail. Try to keep her mind off Toby, lying in there fighting for his life.