Karma's A Bitch (A Pet Psychic Mystery) Read Free Page B

pulling my leg? Swallowing a mouthful of warm tea, I shook my head.
    “Not part of the tourist attractions so I’m not surprised. Just a bunch of homeless people in tents, unmoored from society and trying to survive day to day.”
    Tents? I glanced at him to make sure he wasn’t joking. “So what do y’all do for things like food and clothes?”
    A dark cloud passed over his face. “Whatever we can.”
    I grew silent. Karma finished his breakfast, burped and rested his fifty pound head in my lap. I tensed up and waited. No image. No influx of energy. I usually only got zapped by animals who had suffered recent trauma—emotional or physical, big or small. Karma was a happy dog. I stroked his velvety ear.
    Did Mad Dog mean illegal stuff? Is that why he wasn’t willing to file a police report for getting beat up? Did he try to steal something and get caught? Guilt crept in. Why did I automatically jump to something illegal? Am I judging him because he’s homeless? This interaction out in the world was so complicated. Just to clear my own conscience, I asked out loud, “So, nothing to do with drugs, right?”
    “Naw. I managed to stay clear of that nightmare. I’m one of the lucky ones. Been sober for five months, too. Being responsible for another soul has been a life-saver. Ain’t that right, Karma?” Mad Dog shook his head at Karma, who cocked an eyebrow his way but didn’t move his head from my lap. “I think someone has a crush.” He drained his cup and reached down for the licked-clean plate.
    “I think someone just appreciates a good meal,” I laughed, scratching under his ear with one hand and wiping at the drool on my leg with the other. Too bad scientists haven’t come up with something useful for dog drool, like spackling houses.
    “Speakin’ of…” Mad Dog pulled a twenty dollar bill from his pocket and shoved it under my empty plate. “This one’s on me today.” I started to protest but he stood up. “I insist. Come on, Karma. Time to go, boy.”
    “All right.” I frowned. “I guess I should say thank you, then. See y’all tomorrow.” Karma huffed after Mad Dog as he crossed the street. I picked up the twenty and sighed. He should have used it on something he needed. Well, I’d just buy some supplies for Karma and give them to him tomorrow. I considered his injuries as I walked back to the boutique. Maybe I should buy him some aspirin, too.

 
     
    CHAPTER FOUR
     
     
    We were in the last hour of a busy day when Sylvia strolled up to greet a new customer.
    “Aí what precioso bebês!” She plucked a tiny long coated Chihuahua from the girl’s pink croc doggie purse. Another one popped her head up. Soon other customers had surrounded them, ooooing and ahhhhing over the puppies. “What you need for these babies?” Sylvia asked, cuddling one under her chin and stroking the one huddled in the purse.
    The girl flicked a curly, auburn lock off her shoulder. “Well, my boss, Frankie Maslow, these are her new puppies, and she heard about the flower essence therapy you have here. She wanted me to get something that would help them adjust to their new home. Little buggers whine all night.”
    “Ah, Frankie. Okay. This, you would need Darwin for. Darwin!” Sylvia called.
    “Yes?” I stepped out from behind the counter, where I had been watching the exchange while opening a fresh shipment of botanical shampoos and flushable poop bags. “Cute babies! What can I help you with?”
    “Eu sei, couldn’t you just eat them up?” Sylvia kissed the one in her hand on her glistening nose and placed the pup reluctantly back in the purse. “This lady needs something for her boss’s pups to help calm the bebês, help them adjust to their new home and sleep at night.”
    “Sure, no problem.” I eyed her leather mini skirt and biker boots. “Why don’t you have a look around, see if there’s anything else you need while I get that for you.”
    On my way to the back, I plucked a bottle of