The More the Terrier by Linda O. Johnston

Author:Linda O. Johnston [Johnston, Linda O.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Tags: Mystery
ISBN: 9781410446565
Google: tU-_uQAACAAJ
Amazon: 0425243796
Barnesnoble: 0425243796
Goodreads: 10744315
Publisher: Berkley
Published: 2011-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

We soon passed through the welcome area again, with Zoey prancing beside me. Dante was still there, talking to Nina. “I’ll be taking off now, Lauren,” he said. “Let me know your ideas for some kind of event here.” He smiled at Mamie. “I hope everything works out well for you.”

“Thanks,” she replied in a tone that suggested she wasn’t optimistic.

He exited through the door to the parking lot. I gestured for Mamie to join Zoey and me as we headed for the nearby door to the shelter area.

My old mentor oohed and aahed over each of the residents as we passed their enclosures, including Babydoll, Dodi, and Hannibal. She reached in to pet them, and every one of them closed their eyes in apparent ecstasy at her touch.

She’d always had a way with animals . . . until she wound up abusing them with her love.

Zoey danced at my side until we reached the visitors’ park at the far end of the rear storage shed. There, she fulfilled her restroom duties, and I used one of our recyclable bags to pick it up.

“Good dog.” Mamie patted her again, too.

I knew how lonely she was, and how the absence of pets around was hurting her. Even so . . .

I waved her to a seat at a picnic table where our visitors could sit and watch their prospective new pets romp and play and, with luck, win their hearts. Mamie sat down across the table, looking at me expectantly.

“Mamie,” I said, “I don’t think it’s wise for you to commit to be here any particular days or hours, but you’re welcome to visit, and to help us take care of our residents, whenever you’re able. I have a budget for regular employees, though, and don’t think I can hire you under these circumstances, but—” Okay, I might be able to squeeze a small hourly rate out of our funds, thanks to Dante’s largesse. But I wanted to see how things worked out first.

Things like how often Mamie would actually show up. And whether she was about to be arrested.

“But I can come here to help? Whenever I want?” She sounded thrilled. “And I can pet the dogs, and hug the cats, and there’ll be plenty of food for them, and—”

She looked almost childlike in her glee, clapping her hands enough that some of the dogs nearest us started to bark.

I laughed. “Yes to all of that.” I had to ask, though. “You do collect Social Security, don’t you? I mean, you have enough money on your own to survive, right?” Otherwise, I’d rethink everything.

“Of course, dear. It’s enough for me. I just couldn’t stretch it enough to make sure that all my sweet rescues had enough to eat. That’s part of what led to my difficulties. That, and not many donations. But you don’t have that kind of problem, do you?” Her gaze turned shrewd. “Not with Dante’s money.”

“No, thank heavens.” Was she blaming me again for her problems? Or just reminding me?

“Oh, coming here often—it’s wonderful! Thank you, Lauren.

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