His Devious Angel by Mimi Barbour Page A

who don’t care about the shows. They just want bragging rights. If only there was someone who might have seen what happened.”
    “Even though the patio is ground floor, I didn’t notice any neighboring windows overlooking the space. It’s pretty private.”
    “No help there, then. I’m going to ask around, Liam. Just the thought of some thieving jerks ripping off these people makes me want to scream.”
    “I might know of someone who could help. No promises, but he does have unusual powers of…of perception.” He turned and held up his finger just as she intended to pose the next obvious question. “Don’t ask!”

Chapter Sixteen
     
     
    Two more dogs were gone. As they went from place to place to pick up their brood, the story was the same and had Liam scratching his head. The common denominator happened to be obvious. They all lived within a mile of each other, in the rich district with homes where every dog’s worth more than tripled the norm.
    “Nicky? How in the world did they capture him? He hates men and wouldn’t let a stranger anywhere near him. I don’t get it.” Sadie had become more upset with each dog-napping tale. Their day’s schedule had to be re-organized, and as she worked the cell phone to call her clients, he saw her hands shaking.
    Poor doll! He hated to see her so distressed, but he couldn’t do anything until he contacted his mysterious apparition, who seemed to always be around when he didn’t need him and disappeared during times when he could use his help.
    “No!” Shock took over her voice as she spoke into the phone.
    Liam pulled over to the side of the street and shoved the gearshift into park.  “What?” As he watched Sadie’s eyes fill, he felt like a size eleven had just kicked him in the guts. “Breathe. Stop crying. Tell me.”
    “Peppi! They took Peppi, my favorite of the bunch. He’s such a little trooper, and so affectionate.”
    “Affectionate? He’s a sugar-cube. Licked me all over when I finally caught up with him the other day.” He used sarcasm on purpose to coax a smile, and it worked.
    “I know he likes to run away, but he’s the smartest of the bunch. Learned how to count before the rest, and will fetch anything I throw for him. Oh, Liam. Will we ever see them again? What do people do with stolen dogs? Where do they take them?”
    “Logic tells me that they either sell them or use them for breeding—like in puppy mills.”
    “How horrible! Last night Stan, you remember Greta’s boyfriend, mentioned that he was a cop. Do you think he might be able to help us solve this mystery, or at least give us some direction on where to start?”
    He coughed, and then prattled on as though he were in a sit-com trying to draw a laugh. “Oh, good idea! Now why didn’t I think of him?”
    “I get it!” She chuckled. “That was who you had in mind earlier. I’ll call her and make arrangements for after work, see if they’re free. Maybe we can order in pizzas and discuss it over dinner?”
    “Great. In the meantime, we’d better walk the rest of your mutts.”
    She scrutinized his smile and eventually returned it. Glad to be able to ease her spirit without having to go into explanations, he breathed a sigh of relief. After all, how could a guy tell the girl who’d begun to mean way too much that he intended to pick the brains of his elusive guardian angel?
    At their next stop, Liam waited in the van while Sadie approached the owner who waited at the gate with the dog sitting at the end of its flashy leash.
    “Hey, Johnny? Angel? If you’re hovering around I’d appreciate a moment.”
    “Hello, Mate. Just having a bit of a nap, I was. What can I do for you?”
    Sure enough, there was the spitting image of Johnny Depp lounging in the back seat, head bolstered on his hand, elbow down on the seat.
    “Sorry to disturb you.” Liam could do sarcasm so well.
    Shrugging nonchalantly, the angel yawned and answered, “You’re having me on,