Trained to Protect

by Linda O. Johnston

“Yeah, the K-9 Ranch. It’ll be fun to work on something connected with that place. I like dogs, too.”

  “Good. Maybe you can come watch a class sometime, or a therapy dog session. But for the moment, we need to ensure that some threats leveled against the ranch and a new employee are stopped, and the perp is caught.” Doug quickly described what had been happening to and around Elissa, then said, “Ms. Yorian is now putting together a list of people she’s seen or talked to since all this started. I’ll want you to check all official databases for the names she comes up with to see if there’s anything we should know about.”

  Gil’s grin broadened even more and he clasped his hands in front of him as if he was gearing up to plant them on his keyboards. “Great assignment!” he exclaimed. “For right now, till you’ve got some of those names, I’ll look into Ms. Elissa Yorian herself, in case I find anything of interest.”

  That idea had passed through Doug’s head but he figured there would be nothing useful...maybe.

  “Sure,” he said. “And keep me informed of your progress.”

  Gil’s head tilted. “I suspect you don’t want me to find anything about Elissa,” he commented shrewdly. “You like her.”

  Damn. Once again, Doug realized, he must be acting too obvious about his feelings toward Elissa. Of course this geek was smart, but since he’d caught on that quickly, others might do the same—if they hadn’t already. Maisie and Kara certainly had.

  “Sure, I like her,” he replied. “And I’m a cop. A K-9 cop, and Elissa is, among other things, a dog trainer, so she likes dogs, too. It’s part of my job to try to protect people who appear to be in danger, and I don’t want anything bad to happen to her—or anyone else, for that matter.”

  “Got it,” Gil said. “Nothing should happen to a dog lover, especially one who’s the subject of apparent threats. I’m with you. And I’ll do my part to stop it.”

  “Great,” Doug said. “I’ll be in touch again soon.” Then, Hooper at his side, Doug hurried out of the office.

  * * *

  The next morning Elissa woke bright and early and began her usual walk with Peace around the small employee houses, and even around the rear of the main ranch house—a nice, long circuit that provided exercise for both her and her dog. When they stepped outside, Elissa figured, as usual, that her dog would alert her if someone was around who shouldn’t be, although as a therapy dog Peace was more likely to let Elissa know so the pup could go get petted.

  Even assuming whoever was threatening her stayed away, this was going to be a busy day. First were her plans for breakfast, when she would address with Amber the possibility of her job becoming full-time.

  Plus, she would hopefully see Doug soon after that. He’d called her early in the evening yesterday to ask how her list of friends, acquaintances and students was coming along, and she’d been able to confirm that she’d been working hard on it and believed it was nearly complete. He’d said he had the department’s technology officer ready to search any official websites that made sense, if she decided to check further on anyone she knew, which she was glad to hear.

  She’d also be glad to hand him a printed list of people, though she would also forward it via email. But being in his presence again, even just so he could observe or participate in another class somehow made her feel warm inside. Relieved, since he had tacitly designated himself her protector.

  And that wasn’t all, she admitted to herself. She simply liked being in his presence. A lot. Too much.

  Well, she’d tamp it all down again once he’d done as he’d promised—and she had no doubt that he would succeed. Once whoever was harassing her was stopped, she could go back to admiring Doug like any other cop and not feel there was, or ever could be, more between them.

  Notwithstanding that kiss...

  They were now behind the main house and Elissa glanced at the cars parked in the driveway there—Amber’s and Sonya’s, she figured. Evan’s remained near the house at the end of her row.

  It was a lovely August day, even a little cool this early in the morning, but it promised to be a fine environment later for her first official training class for future therapy dogs. And she could easily teach other dogs the basics this way, too.

  After Peace and she had been out walking for a while, it was time to get ready for breakfast. But first, Elissa wanted to take Peace for one more jaunt around the row of houses. “Come,” she told her dog.

  They passed the house where they now lived and the next one. Ranch hand Orrin popped out the front door of his place and startled Elissa, but Peace’s only reaction was to try to go greet him.

  Elissa just waved and got Peace to heel around Evan’s house and on the way back to their home. It was definitely time to get ready.

  Which Elissa did. Quickly. In a short while, Peace once more leashed at her side, they arrived at the main ranch house, where Amber opened the front door at the first knock.

  Sonya had breakfast ready. Evan joined them and the ranch’s head trainer seemed pleased when Elissa broached the subject of her possibly becoming a full-time employee—and giving basic lessons to pet dogs as well as those designated to hopefully become therapy dogs. Evan seemed happy enough with the idea, since he had been hoping to hire an assistant or two, and he’d be able to schedule additional classes that way. Of course he would also need to work with her first on his preferences for training dogs who were pets, but she was definitely a willing student—assuming it was all right with Amber.

  Even more fortunately, Amber also was in favor of the idea. “We do have a waiting list of people who want to come here to Chance and take at least a few classes with us. Chance is too small a town to provide all the students we hope to teach, but our K-9 Ranch has a great reputation, so we’re always getting inquiries and new students for Evan—and there are places here and nearby for visiting students to stay.” She shared a smile with Evan that seemed to include more than kudos for being a good dog trainer.

  Elissa felt a small zing of envy pass through her and shoved it aside. She had no need of that kind of relationship, at least not now.

  Before they finished the delicious omelets and coffee that Sonya had prepared, a knock sounded on the door. Elissa’s class wasn’t supposed to start for another hour, so she figured it wasn’t one of her students. Evan, seeming right at home, was the one to answer it this time.

  It did turn out to be one of her students—sort of. Doug, in police uniform, soon entered the kitchen with Hooper.

  “Good morning,” he greeted them heartily, looking at everyone but Elissa. It included Peace, though, who wagged her tail as she greeted Hooper. “Hope you don’t mind our coming early, but Hooper’s really eager for some lessons, and so am I. Plus, I’ve got a case I’m working on that’ll keep us busy this afternoon so I figured it wouldn’t hurt to come early.”

  “Glad to see you,” Sonya said. The older woman gestured toward the table where everyone sat. “And the timing is good. We still have some food left, so please join us.”

  Why wasn’t he looking at her? Elissa wondered as the others started talking about the weather and the rain storm predicted for sometime next week. She felt a little hurt. It didn’t matter if he’d come there for reasons not connected with her and her situation—only, why else would he really be there? He already had a dog who was well trained in the basics and, although he’d expressed interest in Hooper learning therapy dog skills, Elissa had figured that to be an excuse to stay closer to her—to investigate the threats against her, that was all.

  But now she didn’t know what was going on.

  He’d moved an empty chair and sat beside her. Of course that could have been because there appeared to be more room to her left than elsewhere. He’d only managed a glance and small smile at her that didn’t last long before he’d looked away and begun conversing once more, first complimenting Sonya on her omelet—as Elissa had already
done.

  No other contact with her, nor any looks.

  Until... Hooper stood and headed toward the kitchen door, and Doug followed him. Doug had made a gesture under the table that Elissa had seen. Had that been some kind of signal to his dog?

  “Hey, Elissa. Why don’t Peace and you join us on this outing? It’ll be quick.”

  “Sure,” she said, and stood—as she wondered what this was about.

  Why not invite the others, with Bear and Lola, too?

  What was on Doug’s mind?

  She had a feeling she was about to find out.

  Chapter 16

  Doug, with Hooper, preceded Elissa and Peace outside. He wasn’t happy about what he needed to discuss with Elissa—although it could explain some of what she was going through.

  Sure, she’d mentioned it, mostly as the supposed rationale for her being fired from her nursing job. But the situation as researched by Gil, then passed along to Doug, was worse than Doug had anticipated.

  He’d called Maisie to discuss it briefly with her, wanting to get another cop’s take on it—and his sister’s, too. His wise sister had all but scolded him for just accepting what Gil had found without talking to Elissa about it.

  Doug realized she was right. So now it was time to do just that.

  “What’s going on?” Elissa asked once they had stepped off the ranch house’s front porch, walking slowly toward the fenced area containing Hal, Lucy and Rex, the three young German shepherds being trained as police K-9s. “Have you found something to identify the person who’s been stalking me?”

  “I don’t know, but I need more information from you. Tell me again what your head nurse accused you of when she fired you—or allowed you to take a leave of absence.” Doug knew he sounded cold, accusatory. But there apparently was more to the story than Elissa had revealed even to him.

  “Why?” she demanded. “I already told you none of it was true.” But her voice had turned hoarse.

  He wanted her to be telling the truth. What was found online wasn’t always accurate, and the information Gil had provided to him hadn’t been in an official database like that maintained by the Department of Motor Vehicles or even the National Crime Information Center database.

  But if it was true, it could explain a lot.

  “Just describe it to me again,” he insisted, though after turning away from watching Hooper beside him and looking down into Elissa’s shattered expression, he had an urge to hold her tightly against him as she spoke.

  Even if what he’d heard was true, he was still attracted to her.

  “All right.” Her voice was soft and shaky as she repeated that she’d been accused of allowing Peace to act aggressively toward some of the kids they’d been trying to help in therapy sessions, and criticizing the patients instead of really holding helpful meetings—which she’d mentioned before but not in detail. “I guess one might even have accused Peace of biting him. But my dog is sweet and loving. You’ve seen that.” She scooted sideways toward where Peace sniffed a nearby bush and hugged the dog against her legs—without looking at Doug.

  “Yes, I’ve seen that—but that’s today. I don’t know what either of you did before. And here’s what I need to know. Did Peace, or any other therapy dog you were working with, push or scare one of the kids you were working with out a window?”

  Elissa gasped. “No. Oh, no, not me or Peace. I was aware of that situation but never learned many details. We had worked with that child a few times a while before it happened, then stopped and others took over. But I can assure you we were not involved with what happened to him.”

  Doug felt himself relax inside—just a little. “Maybe not, but your name is the one Gil apparently found on several social media sites being accused of at least negligence in that situation, if not more.”

  Elissa quickly turned her head, though not before he saw tears streaming down her face. But crying wasn’t evidence that she was telling the truth.

  Neither was his attraction to her.

  And yet—not only did he want to believe her. He did believe her.

  Rightly or wrongly, he moved and wrapped his arms around her. “Assuming you’re telling the truth, you have a major problem with your reputation to deal with.”

  “I guess so,” she gasped. “And to be fair, I need to let Amber know. If she fires me—well, I’ll understand.” She gave Doug a swift hug, then backed away from him, wiping her eyes. She somehow looked resolved now. “I’d better do it right away since we have students on the way for today’s class.”

  “Okay.” Doug couldn’t fault her for her reaction. “But one thing Gil hasn’t found, or at least he hadn’t when I talked to him before, was the name of the child who died.”

  “Tully Willmer. He was about ten years old, I think. He was apparently a troubled child, and everyone tried to help him with his mental health issues—including us for a while before we were told by a head nurse to stop and let some of the other therapy dogs try to help, which was fine since we hadn’t been as successful as I’d have liked. He lived at home but his mother often brought him to the hospital for therapy sessions, canine and psychological. But...well, I don’t know what really happened, but I heard about it. No one wanted to talk much about it, but apparently he may have tried to push a dog out the window and wound up falling himself.”

  “But neither you nor Peace were involved?” Doug needed assurance that was true.

  “No, but...well, we didn’t discuss it, so I’m not sure who, if anyone, was involved.” She looked toward him, a puzzled expression on her lovely face. “When my boss said there were bad vibes going around regarding Peace and me, she didn’t mention that situation, either. As I said, we didn’t talk about it. It can’t be why whoever is after me is doing this—can it?”

  “Well, as I said, your name and Peace’s did appear when Gil found something about the kid’s death. It’s one more thing I guess we’d better add to the equation, just in case.”

  “I guess,” she echoed sadly. “And...well, I’m going to tweak the list of people I’d been in contact with just so you and Gil know which ones were therapy dog handlers who were around at that time. But why would anyone say I was involved—unless, maybe one of those handlers I considered a friend actually was involved but wanted to lay the blame somewhere else?”

  “That’s what I’m wondering,” Doug said.

  And it was.

  A lot more research was needed.

  * * *

  Elissa hadn’t paid attention to how fast time was passing till she saw some cars start up the driveway from the street below the area where Doug and she and their dogs stood.

  “Oh, no,” she said. “It’s time for my class. And I need to talk to Amber.”

  “You can talk to her afterward.” Elissa liked Doug’s reassuring tone. “Meanwhile, I’ll relate our conversation to Gil and have him dig deeper into who may have posted what.”

  “Thank you.” Elissa knew her gratitude resounded in her tone. If they weren’t out there in the open, with students beginning to arrive, she would have given him a big hug for not accepting as true what was apparently on the internet about her.

  And maybe another kiss like the one they’d shared...

  But she was focusing on his niceness rather than the horror of the situation. She didn’t know if any of the dog therapy handlers or their dogs had actually been there when Tully had died, although rumor had it that the boy had said he’d wanted to hurt one of the dogs.

  If any handlers or dogs had been present, then which had been involved? Dianne Doriene and her dog Sparta? But she and Elissa had been good friends—before. Surely she wouldn’t start pointing fingers at Elissa that way to cover herself.

  But she had been nasty the last time they’d seen each other...

  There were other handlers, too, who’d brought their therapy dogs to the
hospital.

  One of them—someone just learning how to train and work with therapy dogs—Elissa knew had to be innocent: Adellaide Willmer. She’d been Tully’s mother, and she had apparently taken on therapy dog work in his memory. At the time she’d learned about that, Elissa had nearly wept with the sweetness of the gesture.

  But had it been sweet or had the grieving woman planned some kind of agenda for revenge? If so, against who—Elissa? If so, why?

  Surely, Adellaide couldn’t be the one behind what was going on with Elissa—could she?

  Unlikely. She’d been around the hospital enough to realize Elissa knew virtually nothing about her son’s death.

  The first car had reached the top of the driveway and parked near the main house. Kim Boyd got out of the sedan and opened the back door for her Dobie, Barker, to get out. Paul Wilson was the next to park and get out, with Ollie, his French bulldog mix. Then came Jim Curtis, with Bandit.

  As they approached Elissa and Doug, a fourth and then a fifth car drove up the driveway and parked. Jill Jacobs exited the first of those newly arrived cars with Astro, her Jack Russell terrier. It would be interesting to see how the energetic little dog reacted to the basic commands Elissa would be working on today. And whether he calmed down enough to allow people to stroke and play with him, which was critical for him to become a therapy dog and wasn’t a skill that was completely teachable.

  Doug’s sister Maisie got out of the final car with Griffin.

  Elissa had already figured that she would work with them today on a flat area adjoining the driveway.

  It was time to get started.

  Her students were here.

  Could her class clear her mind from the terrible information Doug and she had been discussing? It had to.

  Even if this was her only actual class with this group, she intended to do it well.

  * * *

  Standing at the edge of the flat, paved area in front of the ranch house where the new class was to be held, Doug was curious about how Elissa would run it—and how the students and their dogs would do.