Deadly Abandon Read Free

scan. “Now, let’s be real clear about this. The dog isn’t a Pekinese named Cutsie-Poo with silk ribbons in its hair. He’s a bone-crushing brute in a great deal of pain. So, if you’re not up to the task, tell me now. I’ll call in someone else and you can be on your pop-star way.”
    Arrogant ass. She wanted to throttle him, but thought better of it. She needed to focus on what was important. On Bruiser. “I know the dog, and my qualifications have nothing to do with how I’m dressed. Quit wasting time.”
    She pushed by him into the room and stared, goose bumps erupting across her skin. Bruiser lay on his side and whimpered. His muzzle and front paws were swollen to twice their normal size, imbedded with jagged splinters and covered in congealed blood. Her heart sank. It was worse than she had imagined. All kinds of questions echoed in her mind.
    Shoving those aside for the moment, she knelt to stroke the dog’s massive head, soothing him with the sound of her familiar voice. “Easy, boy. I’m here.”
    She turned with some surprise when the cop cleared his throat just behind her. His hands poised in the air on either side of her hips, he looked ready to toss her out of harm’s way the second there was any trouble.
    Puh-leeze! Save me from macho men who think I’m the defenseless little woman.
    “Pass me my medical kit. I’ll sedate him so I can transport him to the clinic. There’s a gurney in my SUV. I’ll need it and some men to carry him out of the house.”
    He shook his head. “No way. The dog is evidence. You will tranquilize him so the criminalists can go over him here for trace. Then Animal Control will take him to their facility and you can leave.”
    First the booties and now this. The man liked to have his way. Well, not today, not on her watch.
    “I don’t think so.” Breeana jutted her chin out and gave him the look, hoping he would retreat a few steps. He didn’t. “Bruiser goes with me now. You can follow and take whatever evidence you need at my clinic. I only care about the welfare of the dog and he needs medical attention.”
    “Maybe you didn’t hear me, Doc.” The cop blew out a breath and ran his fingers through sable dark hair, the resulting disarray standing up in short spikes. “Let`s not butt heads over this. Understand, it’s a homicide investigation. I won’t risk losing evidence if you drag the dog out of here. The dog stays. The decision is out of your control.”
    Breeana ignored his words. Even so, a morbid chill prickled her nape. Homicide… Don’t think about the word, she told herself, or you’ll only fall apart. Focus on Bruiser. Do what needs to be done.
    She grabbed a syringe from her case and mechanically administered an anesthetic before Bruiser became more agitated, counting off the seconds until his tense muscles slowly relaxed beneath her touch. Once he slipped into unconsciousness on a noisy exhale, it was time to make her move. Taking a cleansing breath, she prepared to do battle with the cop barring the doorway.
    “Perhaps I forgot to mention I have a Mallard Bay judge on speed dial? Yep, her aging Cocker Spaniel is one of my pampered pooches. Actually, I called her on my way over here this morning and got a court order in the works. Bruiser goes with me.”
    She snapped her medical bag closed with finality and rose to her feet. “I’ll need the gurney now.”
    He stared down at her and said nothing. His whiskey-colored gaze was unreadable and more than a little frightening. Still, she would move heaven and earth to save Bruiser from neglect and abuse, even if it meant facing off against a cop.
    “Oh, don’t look so glum. Think of it as protective custody. I’m the most qualified person for the job and the judge agrees with me. I don’t give a damn what you say about it because it’s already a done deal. Call the judge if you don’t believe me.”
    “I intend to. The Rottie doesn’t move from the room until I make the call. I won’t