Sneak Thief (A Dog Park Mystery) Read Free Page B

her. It comes and goes.” Lia sat down on the other end of the couch, next to Viola, and stroked her fur. “She’s perfectly happy for me to give her attention. I’m just not supposed to give you attention when she’s in this mood.”
    â€œHow, exactly, are we supposed to deal with this?”
    â€œShe’ll prove her point, then go off to lie down. We just have to wait.”
    The Chow mix looked up and grinned, showing canines on either side of her lolling tongue. Chewy huffed and put his head down on his paws. Honey began chewing a tennis ball, deliberately ignoring the drama on the couch.
    â€œThis is ridiculous,” Peter said, shooing Viola with his hands. “Off!”
    Viola gave him a wounded look and slunk away to sulk under a chair in the corner. Lia swore Honey was laughing.
    Peter took a swig of his beer. “Does it bother you, having Luthor’s dog around? I never asked.”
    â€œI love Viola, even if she has her perverse moments. I’m glad you kept her.”
    â€œThat’s good to know. Seriously,” Peter said, changing the subject, “you don’t have to donate all your time to Alma’s murals. She wasn’t expecting the Sistine Chapel. She just thought you could paint a few flowers in the hall and it’d cheer up the residents.”
    â€œI don’t put out inferior work. If I’m going to do it, I’m going to do it right. My name goes on this, regardless whether I get paid or not. I . . . ” She struck a pose. “. . . am an artist. I have a reputation to think of.”
    She shrieked when he goosed her in the side, causing all three dogs to pop their heads up.
    â€œI hate to think of you painting all day and working all evening. I wish you’d let me help you out.”
    â€œWe talked about this, Peter. I like things just the way they are, and I’ll get by, just like I always do. It’s only for two months, and it could open up larger projects for me.”
    â€œAnd I’ll never get to see you.”
    â€œYou’re seeing me now.”
    â€œThat’s true. I am. We could do kubotan practice.”
    â€œYou’re in a masochistic mood tonight.”
    â€œOkay, weapons practice is out. You up for a little illegal search and seizure instead?”
    â€œDepends. What do you plan on seizing, Kentucky Boy?”
    â€œWhat do you think?” He stood, pulling Lia with him, and tossed her over one shoulder in a fireman’s carry. When he kicked the door to her bedroom shut, she was laughing.

2
    Saturday, April 19
    A bell tinkled as Lia pushed her way into the dimly-lit storefront on Telford Avenue. She studied the barrister cases lining the walls. Lights inside the cases illuminated semi-precious gems, giving them an unearthly glow. An older man with a hooked nose and dour expression ignored her from his desk behind the counter. Desiree emerged from the back, her green highlights visible before the rest of her features took form.
    â€œLia, you came! Let me show you around. Are you looking for anything special, or is this visit strictly for drooling?”
    â€œJust checking everything out. I don’t know why I’ve never been here before.” The stacked cases in the dim light reminded Lia of the snake exhibit at the zoo. She almost expected to see eyes staring from behind a heavy serpentine necklace. It was a trick of the light, she decided, and of the decision to display the jewelry draped across carefully positioned tree branches. The shop’s resemblance to a serpentarium was heightened by the informational cards on the cases explaining the metaphysical properties of the different gemstones. “I’d love to see the jewelry you make.”
    â€œThat’s over here. We sell a ton online." Desiree lowered her voice. "It’s not exactly Tiffany’s, but I suspect it keeps the doors open.”
    She led Lia to a large display case on legs, like a table.