James decided to give Rocky a recess outside and Kinney took the opportunity to move closer to the mayor. The throngs thinned suddenly as the hors d’oeuvres came out. When push came to shove—and it did at the buffet table—people preferred free food to political power.
Finally, she was face to face with Mayor Bradshaw, resplendent in his tuxedo. He treated her to one of his movie star smiles and held out his hand. Lately he’d complained publicly about the endless bone-crushing handshakes of his professional life, and tonight he offered only the tips of his fingers. Kinney took them and wondered if she was supposed to curtsey and deliver a kiss.
“Hello, my dear, you look lovely this evening,” he said.
“Thank you, sir. I appreciate your recognition of the charity I’ve backed for years. We’ve helped hundreds of kids in Dorset Hills get access to sport and recreation.”
His smile expanded, reminding her of the wolf in Little Red Riding Hood. Well, she was no gullible lass. This man would take her down mercilessly if he had the chance. At least as soon as he realized who she was. Unless she was much mistaken, the hair and dress had thoroughly fooled him. Evie had been right.
“That’s a lovely dog you have,” he said. “Is it a Belgian shepherd?”
She nodded. “I’m surprised you know that, sir. Few people can tell the difference from a German shepherd.”
“I’ve been getting thoroughly briefed on different breeds,” he said, sighing. “There are so many.”
“Close to 400 from what I’ve heard. Why trouble yourself with all those details, sir? You must have more pressing concerns as leader of this city.”
“So true. It’s a full-time job just to stay centered and mindful. But my staff convinced me I should know about all the breeds for a special pro—” His eyes widened and he caught himself. “Just to be able to relate to people better. Every day there’s a new breed in town, it seems.”
“It’s wonderful, isn’t it?” Kinney said. “I’d be happy to offer my help with your special dog breed project.”
He shook his head quickly. “I’ve said too much. I want it to be a grand surprise but it will take some time, I’m afraid.”
“I understand, sir,” Kinney said. Whiskey pressed into her leg, as if he knew she needed the encouragement to make her pitch. She touched his ears gently for luck. “Since I have this rare moment with you, do you mind if I ask a question?”
Sipping his champagne, the mayor’s smile returned. He was on familiar ground now. People were always asking for things and he was used to fielding their requests. “How can I help you, Miss…?”
“Sir, I believe I can help you,” she said, sidestepping the re-introduction. “I recently had the chance to meet Clarence Dayton and he’s very eager to speak with you about using his family estate to the fullest.”
The mayor’s smile switched off suddenly. “We’ve found Mr. Dayton very difficult in the past.”
Kinney kept her fingers on Whiskey’s head, hoping to draw strength from him without unsettling him with her nerves. “Clarence admits that himself, sir. But he was so impressed with the Easter festival that he decided he wants to support the City. I believe he has some exciting opportunities in mind.”
“So the old man’s had a change of heart?” Mayor Bradshaw said. “I guess that happens in our twilight years. Well, I’d like to hear what Clarence has to say. I’ll tell my staff to set up some time with you, Miss…?”
This time she couldn’t sidestep. “Butterfield. Kinney Butterfield.”
His eyes narrowed and he stared at her more closely. “I know that name. You’re not part of that radical rescue group, are you?”
“I used to work for the CCD,” she said. “But I’ve been volunteering as a mediator in my spare time. In my previous employment, I saw how many contentious situations could be avoided or resolved with a simple conversation where both people felt seen and understood.”
His dark eyes settled on hers. “All that begins with trust, Miss Butterfield. How do I know you have the City’s interests at heart?”
“I sincerely believe that Clarence and the City can mutually benefit from this discussion, sir.” She offered her own fingertips. “I’m sure your people know where to find me.”
Turning, she walked as briskly to an alcove as her heels allowed and pressed her back against the cool marble wall. Breathing deeply, she said, “Whiskey, thank you. You’re the best wing-dog a girl could have.” He panted up at her, in what looked like a smile. “We’ll get you out of here before long, buddy. I bet you feel as trapped as I do.”
Poking her head around the pillar, she looked for James. He saw her and came over. “How did it go with the mayor?”
“Pretty well, I think. At least until he realized who I was. I won’t be able to pull off the Cinderella disguise again.”
Laughing, he handed her Rocky’s leash. “I need to visit the boys’ room. Do you mind?”
“Got it covered,” she said. “Rocky’s such a gentleman now.”
When James left, she peered around the pillar again, just in time to see a dark-haired man pulling the mayor aside. They slipped into another alcove for a private discussion.
“I’d know that hair anywhere,” she muttered. “It belongs on a Ken doll. Come on, boys. Let’s see if we can hear what they’re saying.”
Walking on tiptoe with the two dogs following, she crept over to the mayor’s alcove.
“I told you, I don’t want any trouble,” the mayor said. “Make this go away, Cobb. We can revisit the project when those pests find another big cause. In fact, give them one. They’re always up for a new fight.”
“But sir, we can’t just leave those puppies to—”
“Come back when you have solutions. And keep in mind that I cannot handle more stress right now.”
“We should—”
Whatever Wyatt said was cut off by a tug on Kinney’s arm and a woman’s sharp scream.
Rocky tried to back up between Kinney’s legs and when her dress blocked him, he pushed her along a few feet, away from the mayor’s alcove. She flailed to keep her balance on dangerous heels and nearly went down. It would have been funny under different circumstances.
Meanwhile an older woman advanced on her. “All I tried to do was hug that gorgeous dog and he growled,” she said.
“He did not growl,” Kinney said. “He’s been pressed against me the whole time so I would have known. Anyway, it’s not a good idea to hug any dog you don’t know, ma’am.”
The woman stood up to her full height on sensible flats. “Well, it’s not a good idea to have a dog you can’t hug at a public gathering in Dorset Hills.”
Kinney stared down at her. “Is this a setup?”
“Pardon me?” The woman’s grey curls shook in indignation, but her eyes darted around nervously until they landed on Madison Parker. No doubt she’d caught the interaction.
“No one goes around hugging large breeds. Who told you to do this? Or better yet, paid you to do this?”
The woman flushed an ugly puce and backed away. “You’ll be sorry.”
There was a rush of footsteps and James arrived. “Is she complaining about Rocky?”
Kinney nodded. “I think it was a setup to test us.”
His blue eyes blazed. “Kinney, all I asked you to do was hold him for a few minutes. Now he’s in trouble again.”
She felt the color drain from her face. “I’m sorry, James. I got distracted for a second, that’s all. I’m sure it will be fine.”
“I’m glad you have such confidence in this town’s mercy.” He turned to walk away with Rocky marching by his side. “I certainly don’t.”
Chapter 21
Cori was sitting on a desk at the front of the room swinging her legs when Kinney walked into the church basement. She’d come early to get a chance to chat privately before everyone else arrived.
“Welcome to the last class of your Miracle Makeover,” she said, grinning. “Are you feeling like a new woma
n? With a new dog?”
Kinney somehow managed to nod, shake her head and shrug at the same time. “I’m not sure it’s enough. Whiskey was amazing at the mayor’s reception last night, but I have no idea how he’ll do during the exam. The time’s passed so fast.”
“You’ve worked hard,” Cori said, tossing out a bit of praise like a liver treat. “You should be fine.”
“Even you’re not sure.” Kinney stared down at Whiskey and found he was already looking at her.
“I see good eye contact, which didn’t exist a month ago. This dog wants to please you, and you’re showing solid leadership most of the time. It’s a far cry from how you handled Kali.”
Kinney nodded. “I realize now just how much I let Kali down.” Her heart contracted as she thought about her beloved golden retriever. How she wished for a do-over, but cancer gave them no second chance.
“Now you know better and you do better,” Cori said. “But you still get distracted, and if you’re distracted, Whiskey’s distracted.”
She stared at Cori, wondering if she knew. “I won’t be distracted on the fourth.”
Cori shrugged. “You didn’t think you’d be distracted last night either, did you? Only it was Rocky who paid the price.”
Okay, so she knew. What didn’t Cori know? It was like she had two-way glass into every room in the city.
“I had a good reason for being distracted. Mayor Bradshaw was talking to Wyatt Cobb about the missing puppies. Wyatt was about to propose a plan when that woman tried to hug Rocky. I think it was a set up—maybe by Madison Parker, since she was in the right place at the right time.”
“The mayor’s office probably wanted you out of the running before the fourth. Whiskey may have been the real target.” She hopped off the table and stretched like a cat. “Look, I understand why you shifted your focus to the mayor, and in a way, I’m glad you did. But it still leaves the fact that you weren’t attuned to the dogs and that’s how trouble happens.”
Kinney hung her head and stared at the dirty tile floor. “I know, and I feel sick about it. James must hate me.”
“Well, if I’m honest, your canoodling is a distraction from the task at hand, too,” Cori said.
“Who even says ‘canoodling’?” Kinney glared at her. “If anything, our—our friendship—has helped the dogs. But I wasn’t a very good friend to him and Rocky last night.”
“The problem with rescue work,” Cori said, still stretching out her athletic limbs, “is that it doesn’t mix with much else. Last night you put the needs of the many ahead of the few. It happens. But there are always consequences.” For once her expression was compassionate. “That’s why I stay single. I can only juggle so many—”
“Never mind, I get it. It wouldn’t have been so bad if I’d explained to James why I was following the mayor. I just didn’t want him to know the City’s setting a trap for us. He’d worry.”
“See? No strings is the way to go,” Cori said. “I may not canoodle, but my dog behaves perfectly and I can devote myself to the Mafia two hundred per cent.”
Kinney sighed. “Others have both. Bridget does.”
“Sullivan doesn’t know the half of what we get up to,” Cori said. “I’m not a good liar, in case you haven’t noticed.”
“I did notice, actually,” Kinney said, cracking a smile. “It’s the killer whale in the room.”
“Killer whale?” Cori started to distribute toys and equipment. “I’d prefer a nice little shark.”
“Be kind for a second and tell me if you think I’ll pass this test, Cori. I can’t even imagine losing Whiskey now.”
Cori tossed a squeaky toy and watched as Kinney let it hit her and fall to the floor. “Good. You stayed focus. Keep that up and you should be okay.”
“Should. Always with the qualifiers.”
“I don’t have a crystal ball, and animals can be unpredictable. On top of that, the mayor’s team is unpredictable. Who knows what games they might play? All I can tell you is that you’ve done your work as well as you can in a short time. Your best strategy is to relax, trust the dog and trust yourself.”
Kinney drew in a long shaky breath. “Okay.”
Cori gave a little smirk. “And trust me to help if something does go wrong. If they mess with my Miracle Makeover dogs, there will be hell to pay.”
That gave Kinney more comfort than she expected. It was good to know Cori had her back.
Whiskey turned quickly and she knew James had come into the room. Part of her worried he wouldn’t show tonight, simply to avoid her. But Rocky’s needs outweighed his annoyance. There was no question he was still mad. James had a genial expression by nature but his eyes had become glacial. Instead of joining her at the front of the room, he stayed near the door.
When class began, Cori went through a few last drills before sending everyone off. “Pick a neighborhood that you know will be full of distractions and expose your dogs to their triggers,” she said. “Call me if you need anything. Otherwise, we’ll meet again on the fourth. Party to follow at Runaway Farm.”
James went out to the parking lot and she hurried after him. “Are you leaving without me?”
“I figure I can give Rocky my full attention without distractions,” he said.
“James, come on. Let’s do our last assignment together. I can explain what happened on the way. But you must know I want Rocky to succeed. It would break my heart if either of our dogs failed that test. Let’s work them hard tonight.”
After a second, he nodded. “Riverdale?”
“Riverdale it is,” she said. “If you don’t mind, I think walking Whiskey on his old street would be a good way to make sure he’s rock steady.”
During the short drive, she filled him in about the bearded collie puppy and the Mafia stakeout. “I think they’re setting a trap for us, so we walked away,” she said. “But now we know they’re decoying purebred puppies from Animal Services and dumping them somewhere. It may be at that site in Wolff County, or that could be a red herring.”
James shook his head as he parked on a side street near Whiskey’s former home with the Barber family. “I don’t like that they’re deliberately luring you into a snare,” he said. “If you guys got up to your usual tricks, they could arrest you.”
“I know. That’s why we stepped back. Meanwhile we know that they’re gathering puppies for some special project, and who knows how well they’re being treated?”
“How do you know about this special project?” he asked, getting out of the car.
She got out too and spoke to him across the hood. “Because I was eavesdropping on the mayor and Wyatt Cobb, the dog cop, while you were in the men’s room last night. That’s why I wasn’t paying enough attention to Rocky.” She held up her hand. “I know it doesn’t justify it, but I wasn’t just being frivolous. And I’m so sorry, James.”
His icy eyes thawed slightly and he leaned on the car for a few seconds before speaking again. “Okay. I think we’d better get to the bottom of this puppy project before the Fourth of July. Otherwise, how can you give Whiskey your full attention?”
“Before the fourth? That’s only two days.”
“Miracles happen in two days. You’ll see. For now, we’ve got an assignment.”
Kinney was dying to hear what James had in mind, but she wanted to prove she could put the dogs first. She owed him that. So she kept quiet while they walked down one street, around the corner, and past the house where Whiskey spent six traumatic weeks. She was careful to relax her shoulders and arms, clear her mind and breathe evenly, so that the energy she fed through the leash was positive.
The dog knew exactly where he was, no doubt about that. As they got closer to the house, his ears came forward, his tail rose and he made a soft snorting sound as he took it all in. No matter how tempted he was, however, he stayed in position and the leash didn’t even tighten. Once they’d passed the Barbers’ front walk, his tail dropped. Then it sank even further, curling right un
der him, as they passed Myrtle McCabe’s home. Kinney moved forward briskly and confidently, and his tail lifted again with every step.
“Well done,” James said, smiling at Kinney.
“Such a good boy,” she said. “I’d fall all over him right now if I didn’t think Cori had eyes on us.”
“Let’s head down the street to that crowd,” James said, pointing. “That’ll be a good test for Rocky.”
Whiskey’s muzzle went up and he sniffed. Then he started pulling towards the crowd. “What is it, boy?” she asked. She didn’t try to stop him; he never did this unless he had a good reason.
Nearly 20 people had gathered in front of the remains of a large home that was in the midst of renovation. It had been gutted to the foundation and there was scaffolding and boarding surrounding it. A high metal fence surrounded the property but it was bent back in one corner. Whiskey pulled her to the open corner and whined.
Kinney turned to the closest person and asked, “What’s going on?”
“Myrtle McCabe’s wolfhound got loose and ran in there after a rabbit,” the woman said. “Someone’s gone to get Myrtle. The dog’s deaf so it’s not responding to us.”
Kinney turned to James. “Do you mind if I help?”
He rolled his eyes. “As if I could stop you.”
She handed Whiskey’s leash to him. “He’s terrified of Myrtle. Please don’t be as cavalier as I was with your dog.”
“Go,” he said, smiling. “Be the dog cop.”
Whiskey struggled to follow, but she told him sternly, “Stay.”
Slipping through the gap in the fence, she walked carefully over the rubble to squeeze behind the boarding. “Heidi,” she called. The dog might not hear its name but she knew it felt vibrations. She wasn’t expecting a high-pitched human voice to call back. “Help! I’m stuck.”
Kinney poked her head back around the boards and yelled, “There’s a kid stuck back here. Someone call 911.”
The woman she’d spoken to before covered her mouth in horror. “I saw Liam Barber poking around here. I bet he went after the dog.”
Bold and Blue in Dog Town: (Dog Town 9) Page 18