k-killers to find and drugs to get off the streets.”
Her words broke through Sadie’s distraction, and she zeroed back in time to see Liam catch Mrs. Brill just as she began to collapse. “My beautiful baby! How will he ever survive? All his precious things are here, his doggy bed, his special food, and the treats he loves…”
Before she could launch into another crying jag, Liam spoke harshly, snaring her attention.
“Show us where he was before he disappeared.”
Swiping at her globby eyes with tissues that mysteriously appeared from inside her sleeve, she blew her nose, stiffened her backbone and said, “This way. I’ll show you.”
As they walked through the sumptuous apartment that had never been opened to her before, Sadie made out like a bobble doll—she couldn’t see enough. What a palace! But way overdone for her taste, which didn’t run to wine-colored velvet swag drapes and lavish carpeting to match.
Now the artwork? Well, that was a different matter altogether. She could have spent hours analyzing the picturesque landscapes and family portraits.
“Here.” Mrs. Brill pointed to the luxurious patio enclosure with tall jungle-like plants, wonderful cascading flower baskets, and a plush mat that surrounded an enclosure which resembled a miniature castle. Oh, my god, thought Sadie. This was Giorgio’s doghouse? At least she had the class to keep her thoughts to herself. Not so Liam.
“That’s his doghouse?” Shock vibrated in his loud voice.
“Yes, I had it specially designed for him. He liked to come and lay in the sun sometimes, but I worried about his skin. He did use this house occasionally. Mostly, when he slept, he stayed near me. Which is why I’m so upset. I went to Greta’s to get my hair done earlier, and my housekeeper had to go to the pharmacy to pick up some prescriptions. Giorgio refused to go along. Poor baby doesn’t have a lot of energy left after his walks everyday. So, she left him here on the patio, as we do occasionally. But when she returned, he’d disappeared. We’ve looked everywhere.” Tears gushed as soon as she’d finished her explanation.
Liam jerked his head at Sadie, and she knew he wanted out. With a heartfelt hug for the distraught woman, Sadie started towards the door. At the entrance, she stopped.
“Mrs. Brill, I have a few good shots of Giorgio that I can post around the neighborhood, and I’ll warn the store owners that he’s missing. Also, when I pick up my other dogs today, I’ll pass out the word to their owners to take extra precautions with their own animals and to keep an eye open for him. If you hear anything at all, please let me know.” Before she stepped out, from the corner of her eye she watched as Liam patted the old dear’s shoulder, grinned one-sidedly, and left her trying to smile.
This guy was getting to her…digging his way through her walls of resistance. If she didn’t want her heart broken, she’d better take care. After all, she’d only known him a short time. But then why did it feel as if she’d known him forever?
As he helped her back into the van, he swore. “Bastards! Stealing someone’s pet. Should be shot.”
“A little drastic, but I know what you mean. Giorgio’s all she has, no children and no other interests, just the dog shows. I guess you could say he’s her whole life.” Sadie bit her lip to stop nattering as she tended to do when emotional.
“Has this ever happened before?”
“You mean dogs being stolen? Sure, especially these dogs. Most of them are worth a bundle. And they have to be untouched in order to be allowed into the conformation dog shows.”
“Untouched?”
“Not spayed or neutered.”
“Gotcha. I guess it makes sense. They’re probably used for breeding purposes.”
“Exactly. As Mrs. Brill explained, Giorgio himself is worth a lot of money, but his puppies would be worth a fortune. Not for showing, because they’d have to be registered, but there are people
Her words broke through Sadie’s distraction, and she zeroed back in time to see Liam catch Mrs. Brill just as she began to collapse. “My beautiful baby! How will he ever survive? All his precious things are here, his doggy bed, his special food, and the treats he loves…”
Before she could launch into another crying jag, Liam spoke harshly, snaring her attention.
“Show us where he was before he disappeared.”
Swiping at her globby eyes with tissues that mysteriously appeared from inside her sleeve, she blew her nose, stiffened her backbone and said, “This way. I’ll show you.”
As they walked through the sumptuous apartment that had never been opened to her before, Sadie made out like a bobble doll—she couldn’t see enough. What a palace! But way overdone for her taste, which didn’t run to wine-colored velvet swag drapes and lavish carpeting to match.
Now the artwork? Well, that was a different matter altogether. She could have spent hours analyzing the picturesque landscapes and family portraits.
“Here.” Mrs. Brill pointed to the luxurious patio enclosure with tall jungle-like plants, wonderful cascading flower baskets, and a plush mat that surrounded an enclosure which resembled a miniature castle. Oh, my god, thought Sadie. This was Giorgio’s doghouse? At least she had the class to keep her thoughts to herself. Not so Liam.
“That’s his doghouse?” Shock vibrated in his loud voice.
“Yes, I had it specially designed for him. He liked to come and lay in the sun sometimes, but I worried about his skin. He did use this house occasionally. Mostly, when he slept, he stayed near me. Which is why I’m so upset. I went to Greta’s to get my hair done earlier, and my housekeeper had to go to the pharmacy to pick up some prescriptions. Giorgio refused to go along. Poor baby doesn’t have a lot of energy left after his walks everyday. So, she left him here on the patio, as we do occasionally. But when she returned, he’d disappeared. We’ve looked everywhere.” Tears gushed as soon as she’d finished her explanation.
Liam jerked his head at Sadie, and she knew he wanted out. With a heartfelt hug for the distraught woman, Sadie started towards the door. At the entrance, she stopped.
“Mrs. Brill, I have a few good shots of Giorgio that I can post around the neighborhood, and I’ll warn the store owners that he’s missing. Also, when I pick up my other dogs today, I’ll pass out the word to their owners to take extra precautions with their own animals and to keep an eye open for him. If you hear anything at all, please let me know.” Before she stepped out, from the corner of her eye she watched as Liam patted the old dear’s shoulder, grinned one-sidedly, and left her trying to smile.
This guy was getting to her…digging his way through her walls of resistance. If she didn’t want her heart broken, she’d better take care. After all, she’d only known him a short time. But then why did it feel as if she’d known him forever?
As he helped her back into the van, he swore. “Bastards! Stealing someone’s pet. Should be shot.”
“A little drastic, but I know what you mean. Giorgio’s all she has, no children and no other interests, just the dog shows. I guess you could say he’s her whole life.” Sadie bit her lip to stop nattering as she tended to do when emotional.
“Has this ever happened before?”
“You mean dogs being stolen? Sure, especially these dogs. Most of them are worth a bundle. And they have to be untouched in order to be allowed into the conformation dog shows.”
“Untouched?”
“Not spayed or neutered.”
“Gotcha. I guess it makes sense. They’re probably used for breeding purposes.”
“Exactly. As Mrs. Brill explained, Giorgio himself is worth a lot of money, but his puppies would be worth a fortune. Not for showing, because they’d have to be registered, but there are people
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