Fur-boding Shadows by Harper Lin

Author:Harper Lin [Lin, Harper]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harper Lin Books

15

Circled in Black

“I just need you to fake a limp or something,” I muttered to Treacle as I pulled him from my car. “We aren’t looking to get you checked in overnight. Just a simple exam.”

“Are you sure? Because I can fake a malady. You just say the word. I can do stomach cramps. I can do fainting. I can also vomit on command if you thought it might be helpful,” Treacle answered enthusiastically.

“No, Sir Lawrence Olivier. Geez, since when did you catch the acting bug? Just limp. This isn’t for an Oscar. It’s just to give me a chance to talk to the woman.”

Treacle and I were about to walk into Gail Elderflower’s veterinary clinic. She had been in business in Wonder Falls for a little over two years, according to what I’d researched. The same went for Fern and her dermatology office. Together, they had a little over four years in business.

“This is a lot fancier than your vet,” I said as I carried Treacle into the office. It was set up like a human doctor’s office. Except instead of regular health and financial magazines, we had our pick of Dog Fancy, Cat Universe, Critters, and Healthy Pets. There was a carpet-covered cat tower to the left of the waiting room. On the right side was a patch of green Astroturf. I assumed that was for the nervous canines that were too riled up to go outside.

The receptionist was wearing purple nursing scrubs and at least a pound of makeup.

“Good afternoon,” she said. “Can I help you?”

“Yeah, this is Treacle Greenstone. I’m Cath Greenstone. I called earlier for the doctor to look at my cat’s paw. He just started limping.”

“Fine.” The receptionist handed me a stack of papers attached to a clipboard without smiling. I took a seat and began to fill them out.

The waiting room was like a zoo. There were five dogs: a couple of mutts, one with a white circle around his right eye, and the other black with a gray muzzle; one very pampered Pekinese, which barked and yipped every few seconds; an American bulldog that was the equivalent of Arnold Schwarzenegger in the canine muscle group, sitting proudly and obediently next to his equally proud owner; and a feisty dachshund that tugged at his leash. He didn’t seem to have anyone he wanted to talk to in particular, but he wanted to be free from his leash.

There was one woman with a cat in a travel box. The cat seemed more annoyed than anything, although the few meows that came from the crate were pitiful sounding.

“It’s okay, baby,” the owner said soothingly. “It’s just your checkup.”

Treacle sat calmly in my lap.

Over the doors to the examining rooms were some strange symbols carved into wood. At first glance, I thought they read dogs and cats in Latin or Spanish or Chinese. But then I realized they were not a language but symbols.

Quickly, I reached in my purse and pulled out a blank check. I started to scribble the designs on it.

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