Patricia Fry - Klepto Cat 03 - Sleight of Paw Read Free

Michael’s lab coat as he moved toward the booming voice. “Don’t go in there, Michael,” she begged.
    “I’ll be okay,” he said, and he continued walking down the hallway toward the front of the clinic. Savannah rushed after him. There, just inside the slightly ajar door, his face contorted with rage, stood Pete Gamble, a sturdy-built man of fifty-one wearing faded jeans and a dark blue polo shirt with his store logo above the pocket— Gamble Pet Supply . He held a small wooden baton in his right hand, which hung at his side.
    When he saw Michael, he raised the bat and made a move toward him. Savannah rushed forward, putting herself between the two men. She tried to control her voice. “Mr. Gamble, be reasonable.”
    “Get out of the way,” Pete hollered as he pushed Savannah aside. “I’m going to kill him.” She felt herself stumbling toward a small table. Before she could stop the forward motion, she slammed into the table, tipping it. A display of sample dog treats crashed to the floor along with a few magazines. Savannah landed hard on her left knee. She barely noticed the pain. She was too terrified for her husband. “NO!! NO!!!” she screamed, as she watched Pete rush toward Michael. The attacker held the baton over his head ready to strike.
    Michael put his hands up in an effort to calm the distraught man. “Now, Pete, settle down,” he said. But the outraged man charged Michael, a menacing look on his face. Pete’s agility and speed proved to be detrimental, however, as he stepped on some of the kibbles that had spilled over the waxed linoleum and his feet went out from under him. Savannah looked over from where she still sat and watched as he landed hard on his back.
    “Gawd damn it,” he growled, struggling to his feet. He glared over at Savannah, who had scurried up off the floor. She stood against a wall, frozen in place. “I oughta kill you, too!” he yelled. “You butchers…dog killers!!” He raised the bat and ran at Michael again. He swung at Michael’s head just as he ducked, grabbed Pete’s arm and twisted it behind his back. Pete shouted profanities.
    Savannah thought she heard another voice. It was Michael’s. “Call the sheriff, Savannah!”
    Stunned by the horrifying reality of the scuffle going on in front of her, and aware, now, that her knee was throbbing, it took her a moment to comply. This just can’t be happening. I’m so scared for Michael. This maniac really does want to do damage, she thought to herself. She pulled her cell phone out of her jeans pocket and began to dial. Suddenly, Pete freed himself from Michael’s grip. He rushed toward Savannah and knocked the phone out of her hands. She stood there helpless, watching it scoot across the floor to the other side of the room. Michael took the opportunity to grab the baton the attacker still gripped, and the two men struggled hard in an attempt to take control. Suddenly, Michael lost his footing and fell over a chair against the wall. Pete lifted the bat and began pounding it savagely against Michael’s back and head. Savannah couldn’t contain herself. She ran over to Pete, grabbed his shirt, and pulled on the fabric. “Stop it, stop it, now!” she screamed.
    He reached behind him, slapping at her with the small bat. Just then, Michael spun around to face his opponent. “Out of the way, Savannah!” he shouted. He dove for the enraged man, hitting him hard in the stomach with his left shoulder and knocking him to the floor. He fell on top of Pete and the bat went flying. Pete broke loose from underneath Michael and scrambled to his feet. Michael promptly jumped to a standing position. However, before Michael had his balance, Pete swung at him with his fist, making contact against his cheek. Michael staggered backward, giving Pete time to reach over and pick up the baton.
    “I’m going to kill you, you butcher!” Pete lunged again and Michael was fast enough to grab the man’s wrist. Remembering a