Witness by Susan Page Davis

Author:Susan Page Davis [Davis, Susan Page]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2008-11-13T20:00:00+00:00

That night Petra brought Mason home. He entered the kitchen warily and sniffed all around before padding into the utility room, turning around three times, and flopping on his cushion.

Petra squatted beside him and patted his smooth head.

“Poor puppy. Glad to be home and in your own bed?”

She checked on him frequently throughout the evening. Mason seemed too tired to play. Now and then he gave a loud sigh. The vet had told her not to feed him until morning, but she made sure he had cool, fresh water available.

The whole house felt subdued. She found herself stiffening and listening for any strange sound. Finally she turned on the television, something she rarely did anymore. Twenty minutes into the program, she realized she had stopped paying attention and lost the thread of the story. All she’d been thinking about was Rex Harwood and how much she hated living close to him. Time to change that. She shut off the TV and went for her phone.

Bethany didn’t answer her cell phone. Surprised, Petra tried the number for the gift shop. Keilah’s weary voice answered on the third ring.

“Tarleton Detective Agency.”

“Keilah? It’s me.”

“Petra? Oh, sorry. I thought it was Joe’s phone again.”

“What are you doing at the store so late?”

“We’re restocking and cleaning.” Keilah yawned audibly. “Sorry again. We’re almost done.”

Petra went to the patio door and looked out. Observing the Harwoods’ house was becoming a habit. Lights shone over there tonight, but she didn’t see any movement.

“You two are overdoing it. Are you there at eight o’clock every night?”

“No, but some new merchandise came in, and Bethany interviewed clerking applicants all day. We’ve been busy, which is good, but it means we have to catch up on mundane stuff in the evenings. We sold every one of those painted slates, can you believe it? The artist is bringing us a dozen more tomorrow.”

“Well, do you two still think you need another roommate?”

“You mean, you’ll come?” Keilah’s voice rose at least an octave.

“I’m starting to think I’d like to change to a new job and get out of the city. It would take me some time to sell my place here, though.”

“Well, sure, but you could give it over to an agent. Oh, Petra, that’s fantastic. Do you want to help us in the shop?”

“I think you’d better hire someone, and fast, before you’re both completely worn out.”

“A lot of summer people are coming in.”

“That’s good,” Petra said. “Maybe I can check with the Waterville hospitals to see if they have any job openings posted.”

“Sure. How soon do you think you can move permanently?”

Petra sat in a chair, relieved now that the decision was made. “I’ll talk to my boss Monday. I’ll have to give two weeks’ notice. It’ll probably take longer than that to tie up loose ends, though.” All sorts of flotsam sailed through her mind. How will I move all my stuff? Will Mason make the adjustment all right? I’ll need to find a good vet right away.

Keilah’s voice bubbled at her again.

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