Win Or Lose by Amy Shojai

Author:Amy Shojai
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: vengeful assassin conspiracy, amateur sleuth medical thriller, small town dark murder mystery, disturbing scary domestic thriller, fun pet mystery suspense
Publisher: Amy Shojai
Published: 2022-01-01T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 30 - SEPTEMBER

“Why do you have a file on Rudolph?” Combs asked as she disconnected from Teddy.

“He came to me for dog training.” She reviewed the intake questionnaire. Most of her clients came by referral, after Doc Eugene or another veterinarian ruled out health causes for a behavior problem. “It was right after I moved in with Lia after the tornado, during the repairs on this house.”

Combs grimaced. That had not been a happy time for either of them. “Any insight into the man?”

“Here’s a picture of him, with his dog.” It looked like a desktop printout from the computer and didn’t offer the best likeness.

“What’d he want you to do for him and his pooch? Wave a wand to fix something after a year of putting up with the behavior?” He rubbed his eyes, and she knew he itched to grab the file from her and read it himself. She appreciated his restraint.

“Actually, he looks like a pro-active dog lover.” She complained too often about the ones who wanted her to “fix” everything in an hour’s session. “He called Lia for the training. He said the dog had been nose-boinking him really hard, for no apparent reason. But it coincided with him being diagnosed—”

Both of their phones and the computer chimed in concert, announcing an incoming email from Teddy. “He sent the video. Playing it on my desktop might bring out more details.”

Despite the poor quality of the shelter video, they could see what mattered. The green car pulled into the frame and parked. The position obscured the license plate by accident or design. A slight figure climbed out, head covered by a snug hat and wearing form-fitting athletic clothing with a large pale shirt tenting over the top. Keeping his face averted, the driver crossed around to the rear hatchback, opened it, and grabbed up the blue slip leash to tug out the reluctant dog.

September’s throat grew tight at sight of the dog’s tucked tail, and odd lurching form. According to the notes in his chart, the eight-week-old pup had been left at a shelter with a broken and infected leg. Tanner adopted Lefty after amputation saved the dog’s life. Great Pyrenees typically stood tall, barked loud, and devoted themselves to pleasing those they loved. But in the video, Lefty was clearly terrified. She recognized the leash as one she and Lia gave away as an advertisement for services. Tugged along by the neck, the dog moved as low to the ground as his missing leg allowed, casting furtive eyes away from the driver. Lefty continually lip-licked, a behavior designed to calm and defuse any perceived threat.

“That can’t be Rudolph?” Combs leaned forward, squinting at the screen as if to bring it into better focus.

September ran a hand through her dark hair. “Everything’s in shadow or blurry, but he doesn’t seem as big as in the photo in the file or my vague memory of him. And look at the dog. Lefty wouldn’t act like that with a trusted partner.

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