“Buff,” Julia said between sobs. “Buff hair.”
“Right. Buff,” Addison repeated.
“Fifteen inches?” The operator’s calm and collected voice suddenly increased in volume. “Is the victim an infant?”
“No. He’s fully grown.”
“Is he disabled in any way?”
“Oh no,” Addison assured her. “He’s the perfect specimen.”
There was a pause on the other side of the line. “Specimen of what?”
“Of a cocker spaniel.”
“The victim is a dog, ma’am?”
“Yes, of course,” Addison said, like it was completely obvious. “I run a dog spa.” She must have said that already, hadn’t she? She glanced out the window again, but there was still no sign of Felix.
“Are you sure you meant to call the police and not animal control?”
“No. This is serious. Precious has been stolen. He is a major contender in this year’s Western Dog Show. There have been other dogs stolen before this. It’s part of an ongoing police investigation.” At least Addison hoped it was, because she wasn’t doing a very good job cracking it herself.
She saw Julia nodding along with her statement, but her red eyes had glazed over as she stared at the checkered floor tiles.
“We’ve dispatched a unit.” The operator’s voice, which had always been calm, now lacked urgency too. “They should arrive there shortly.”
“But I’ve described the van.” Addison gripped the phone, as if she could keep her on the line that way. “They might still be in the neighborhood. Maybe they can head them off.”
“The officers will decide the best course of action after they speak with you,” she said with no emotion. “They will be there soon. Is there anything else? Would you like me to wait on the line with you until they arrive?”
“No. I guess not. Thank you.” Addison hung up the phone and frowned at it.
It wasn’t like she expected them to send out the SWAT team or anything, but she’d expected a little more get-up-and-go. Maybe just a helicopter or two? Especially since it was related to the previous dognappings.
Didn’t they care? Didn’t they understand? These dogs were like family to their owners. Not to mention the genetic protectors of their purebred line.
“What now?” Julia asked quietly.
“I suppose we wait for the police to come.”
Julia sank onto the hot pink sofa, staring at her hands. Addison sat down next to her. Princess seemed to sense the seriousness of the situation and came over to stare at her. Addison picked her up and held her for comfort.
The dognappers were picking off the show dogs one at a time. And now Precious had joined their numbers, like some sick list was being checked off somewhere. The longer the police took to search for the dogs, the less chance they had of ever finding them, of ever reuniting them with their owners. Their unknown fate was beginning to feel more certain as each day passed, but Addison didn’t like to consider what that could mean. It made her insides churn with dread.
Julia sniffed, dabbing at her tears with a tissue. Poor Julia, Addison thought. Poor Precious.
Details of the afternoon, the van, the driver, swam through her mind as she scoured for information that could possibly help the police track down the bad guys. When she began to make a mental list of facts to mention, she suddenly realized that maybe she should be a little more concerned about her own predicament. If she hadn’t been suspect number one before, she would be now.
This was the worst thing that could have happened. At least during the other two nappings, people speculated and gossiped, but no one could point their finger directly at her. This time, she’d have a tough time convincing customers, maybe even the cops, that she was innocent. She suddenly had an image of getting dragged away in handcuffs. Feeling anxious, she began to pace.
At least she had Felix as a witness—they definitely had an alibi. But maybe that was worse. They’d already been accused of being in cahoots, and now they were alone together when another show dog disappeared.
How was she going to deny it now? And where was Felix anyway? Was he okay? Her emotions were flip-flopping sporadically and she had to sit down before her shaky legs gave way.
Felix should have been back. She tried to think positively, that he might have caught up to the van, grabbed the bad guys, and saved the day. But then again, what if they’d fought back or run him over?
Just days ago she wouldn’t have shed a tear if Felix had been hit by a van. Well, that was a bit extreme. Maybe just clipped by the mirror or something. Oh, how things had changed in such a short period of time. Now she found herself pacing the spa, dreading the worst-case scenario.
Now that she was facing all the dreadful outcomes rushing through her scattered brain at once, she knew these changes had nothing to do with her undeniable physical attraction to him. There was more between them.
Felix couldn’t be the selfish womanizer she’d first thought he was. He was helping her find the dognapper, and while he said it was because he was under the heat too, she knew it wasn’t that simple. She recalled the way he looked after her in the sauna, how he took care of her when she was freaking out. Felix had genuinely been there for her when she needed him. And he had a dog too, so he must have cared about those missing animals as much as she did.
It was like he was hiding the good man he really was under that gruff exterior. Beneath it all was an attentive man, a man who did care about the damsel in distress. His indifferent attitude was all an act. It had to be.
Addison jumped to her feet, setting Princess down. “Julia, I’m going to go search for Felix.”
“But I thought the police told us to wait.”
“I know, but I’m worried that something has happened to him,” she said over her shoulder, already headed for the back door.
The worst-case scenarios continued to play over and over again in Addison’s head. Her heart rate increased with each outcome she imagined. And with each quickening beat of her heart, her ballet flats slapped the floor to match it until she was sprinting down the hall.
Addison burst through the back door, staggering into the alley. The phone in her hand buzzed. She didn’t even realize she’d still been gripping it.
She automatically glanced at the screen, and what she saw brought her to a halt. Surrounded by a multitude of kissy-face emoticons and hearts was a message.
I miss you. Come home soon. Can’t wait to see you tonight. XOXO
Addison read the woman’s name at the top of the conversation: Celia. It was the same woman he’d been texting the night before. Another message popped up, consisting of emoji burgers, sushi rolls, and various other foods.
Felix had said he had plans. Addison just hadn’t imagined they were with another woman. Not while he had a hard-on for her. And not just any woman, she thought. Clearly someone he’s been seeing for a while. Someone important, if the all those hearts were any indication.
Out of some sick need, or maybe a hope that this wasn’t what she thought it was, that it was all just a misunderstanding, she scrolled up to view the previous text from Felix.
How’s my girl?
Addison clenched the phone in her hand and looked away. All the energy that had filled her moments before drained away into the alley gutter.
Felix suddenly appeared at the end of the alley, his tired steps scuffing the pavement. When he saw her standing there, his pace quickened.
“They got away!” he yelled, scowling. “I never got a license plate either.”
He got closer and took in the expression on Addison’s face. She wasn’t sure what it looked like at that moment. Shocked. Hurt, maybe. Filled with embarrassment? To think that even for a moment, she reconsidered that he could be anything but the arrogant jerk she first thought he was. He was only out to use her, after all.
Whatever her expression looked like, he’d misread, because his scowl softened and his arms opened wide for her. For a split second it
called to Addison, invited her in, so warm and comforting, so genuine. But then his phone vibrated in her hand and when she looked at it, the message was from Celia.
I love you.
And she knew it was all just an act.
Before he could touch her, she chucked the phone at him. He grunted as it connected with his chest, and he lunged to catch it before it hit the ground.
Turning her back on him, she marched inside to wait for the police, slamming the door in his bewildered face.
18
Sick as a Dog
Bang. Bang. Bang.
The army of bare-chested men used their bulging muscles to swing their mighty battering ram against the heavy gates.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
They were led by none other than her Prince Charming, Phillip. He was there to save her and Princess. They’d been locked away, high in a tower by a dragon. Princess barked to let them know where they were. Addison had felt so trapped, so scared, so helpless. But it was okay because Phillip was there.
Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang.
The banging was louder this time, startling Addison right out of her sleep. She lurched up in bed and then instantly grabbed her head.
“Oh God,” she groaned.
Princess barked, causing her brain to split in two. Suddenly those burly men were using that battering ram to break their way out of her skull.
“Princess. Shhh.” But shushing a dachshund was as useless as wishing ice cream had fewer calories.
Addison blinked, wondering why the room was spinning, and why she felt like a zombie from Dawn of the Dead. Her eyes landed on the bottle of Shiraz on her nightstand. That would explain it.
She flopped back onto her pillow, closing her scratchy eyes. She couldn’t move. She couldn’t think. That is, until Princess licked her face and her mind began to spark with connecting memories: the stolen dogs, her ruined business, dashed hopes and dreams, the shower, Felix, his hands, his mouth, his mmm …
She began to drift off when the banging came once again.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
This time she realized it wasn’t the throbbing in her head. Just the thing making it worse. It was someone at the door.
“Coming!” Addison called out, feeling the word reverberate inside her head. She clambered out of bed. In the process, she knocked over the remainder of her red wine, splattering her lace curtain.
“Crap.” She picked Princess up and set her on the ground so she wouldn’t jump and hurt herself. “Who bangs on someone’s door at”—she glanced at her alarm clock—“ten thirty in the morning?”
She supposed the second empty wine bottle sitting on the hallway table explained the late start. After everything that had happened with Precious at the spa the day before, she’d gone into meltdown mode. A state that could only be remedied with ice cream, red wine, and a chick-flick marathon.
On her way past her tiny bathroom, she grabbed her fluffy housecoat from behind the door, banging her elbow on the doorframe. She swore under her breath, adding the injury to the list of things she’d like to yell at the unexpected visitor for. Along with her worsening headache.
She stumbled bleary-eyed across her apartment, stubbing her toe on the coffee table leg. By the time she wrenched open the door, she was already feeling like the Hulk, but when she saw who was on the other side, she saw green.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded.
“Good morning to you too.” Felix pulled his most charming smile out.
Groaning, she tried to slam the door closed, but Felix stuck his foot out before it could shut in his face.
Determined that it would be a Felix-free day, no, make that week—hopefully life—she leaned against the door with her entire body weight. But since she was no Hulk, he managed to slip his hand inside.
It was grasping a Starbucks cup.
“Peace offering?” he said, jiggling it temptingly.
She glared at the green mermaid. She was taunting Addison with her steamy, delicious caffeineness, like a siren calling to her. Unable to resist, she swiped the cup from the hand and pulled away from the door.
She took a sip to calm her nerves before turning around. “What do you want?”
“You know you’re going to have to talk to me at some point.” He hovered in the doorway. “We still have a mystery to solve.”
Princess sniffed at his feet, pawing at his leg as though asking where her treat was. When all he did was pet her and scratch her neck, she huffed and went in search of her own treat.
“What’s the point?” Addison asked. “We still don’t know where those poor dogs are. We’ve run out of lead suspects and I’ve lost the last customer that actually still believed in me.”
“Chin up. Don’t get so down. There’s still hope yet.” He was acting supernice. Too nice. Maybe he knew that she saw the texts and he was there to suck up. Well, she wasn’t about to fall for it.
“What is this?” she mumbled into her cup. “Role reversal?”
“You’re usually so positive. What happened to that Addison?”
He took a few steps into her apartment, leaving the door cracked open. Maybe he sensed that her inner Hulk was ready to come out and play and he might need a quick getaway.
“I’m sorry. I guess it’s the wine.” Why am I apologizing to him? “Did you want something? I’d like to nurse my hangover here.”
Felix wandered into her kitchen and began rummaging through her cupboards like he owned the place. Finally, he found what he was looking for and pulled out a bottle. He gave it a shake and it sounded like music to her sensitive ears.
“Nothing a couple of aspirin can’t cure,” he said.
Felix shook out a couple of pills and poured her a glass of water. “And as far as the investigation goes, we still have plenty of suspects. It’s always the last one you check out.” He handed her the glass and medication. “So get better so we can carry on.”
Addison studied the pills in her hand dubiously before downing them. For a moment, she considered the possibility of resuming where they left off—the investigation, not the shower.
There were only a few days left before they were both screwed. The dog show started on Saturday, less than a week away. If she didn’t clear her name soon, her fashion show and the launch of Fido Fashion would be a flop. Besides, didn’t Felix have his own deadline to keep? If his own name wasn’t cleared so he could start getting gigs soon, he wouldn’t have the money for his down payment in time. Good-bye bar.
“How about tonight?” she asked.
Felix pulled a face. “I can’t tonight. I work late. And I have, err, plans the next day.”
“Plans?” Her eyebrows drew together. She remembered his “plans” with Celia.
“But maybe tomorrow night.” He said it like a promise, maybe a mischievous warning as he stepped toward her. Running a finger along the collar of her housecoat, he spread it until he could see the swell of her breasts beneath her lacy tank top. “And then…” His voice trailed off suggestively. “Who knows?”
Princess hopped up on the couch as though getting comfy to watch the show unfold.
Felix’s behavior only erased what little patience the coffee had bestowed upon Addison. She slapped his hand away. “And then nothing. You should be ashamed of yourself.”
“What?” He held his hands up like she was wielding a gun. Her anger certainly felt as dangerous.
“I don’t know what kind of girl you think I am.” Heck, she didn’t even know what kind of girl she was. She thought she knew what she wanted, and that was Phillip. So then why couldn’t she seem to resist Felix? Why had she been so upset to discover he’d been playing the field? It wasn’t even like they were dating.
Old habits die hard, she told herself. But she was determined to be done with that kind of guy. Hadn’t she learned her lesson by now?
It was a good thing they were interrupted in the shower. She had Phillip, after all. Phillip, Phillip, Phillip. He was the far superior ch
oice. Her blockbuster hit, all the critics would agree. Felix, on the other hand, was the straight-to-DVD guy.
Phillip had a good job, he volunteered, he had manners, education, style, and breeding. Felix was a bar rat looking for a casual hook-up.
Well that wasn’t going to be her. Sure, there was the pool table, and the sauna, and now the shower. But that was it. No take two, no additional after credit scene, no sequel. The end.
Felix laughed incredulously. “What are you talking about? Are those aspirin or crazy pills?” He picked up the bottle and pretended to scan the label.
“Oh, so now I’m crazy?” she said, maybe just a little crazily.
“You’re acting crazy.”
“Maybe because men like you have driven me crazy.”
“Men like me,” he repeated.
“With your lies, and your ‘I’m one of the good ones,’ ‘I’d never do anything to hurt you,’ and all your empty promises.”
“What promises? I’ve never said anything like that.”
Okay, she thought, maybe that wasn’t him exactly, but all the guys before him that were just like him.
Princess’s eyes flicked back and forth between them, amused by the human drama.
Addison stomped toward Felix. “It’s like a game to you, isn’t it? To test your skills, see how good you are at pulling the wool over a girl’s eyes.”
“I have no wool.” He laughed at the ridiculousness of it, spreading his hands to show his complete lack of wool.
But he wasn’t getting off that easily. The way he was mocking her only made her anger feel completely justified. Not unreasonable or hangover-fueled at all.
She jabbed a finger in his chest. “You’re a bamboozler.”
“A bamboozler?”
“You, you bamboozle.” Her voice cracked with emotion. And here she thought she’d done such a good job smothering her feelings with the wine.
“You think I’ve bamboozled you?” he asked seriously, clearly trying not to piss her off any more.
“Oh no, sir. Not me. I’m onto you, mister. But what about your girlfriend? She probably thinks you’re working late or taking your dog in for grooming. Meanwhile, you’re out dry-humping girls on pool tables and feeling their naughty bits in the shower.”
Beauty and the Wiener Page 19