Sneak Peak: "A SHOT IN THE BARK" by Teresa Inge

Catt Ramsey grabbed a bag of dog treats from the Woof-Pack Dog Walker’s supply closet. She spun around and came face-to-face with Beau Whitaker. “Oh-mi-god!” She grabbed her chest. “You scared the holy crap out of me.”

Beau, a handyman she had recently hired to fix things around her business, was a handsome, stockily built man with a large measure of southern charm. He smiled. “Sorry, darling. Didn’t mean to startle you.”

“It’s okay. What’s up?”

Catt’s Yorkshire terriers Cagney and Lacey stood behind Beau, growling. Catt released a heavy breath and closed the door. “Hush.” She waved her hand toward the dogs and turned her focus to Beau.

“This.” Beau held up a green rope that usually held the key to the storage shed. They kept it hanging on a hook by the shed for easy access.

“Where’s the key?” Catt asked.

Beau shrugged. “Dunno.”

Catt scooted around him in the narrow hallway and walked to her desk. She set the treats down. Cagney and Lacey followed, their noses sniffing the aroma from the bag.

“Okay you two. Here you go.” She pulled two treats out of the bag. The dogs eagerly took them and headed back to their beds, no longer interested in Beau.

Catt opened the desk drawer and fished around for the spare key she kept there. “It’s my only spare.” She handed it to Beau.  “Please don’t lose it.”

“I need to get some tools. I’ll bring it back.”

As Beau exited the door, Em entered.

“Beau sure was in a hurry,” Em said.

“Yeah. He’s finishing the runway for the doggie festival.” Catt referred to the dog event scheduled in two days to help animals and promote her business.

Em headed to the coffee pot and poured herself a cup. She leaned against the counter and took a long sip. “I don’t trust him.”

“Beau? He’s okay,” Catt said.

“He’s an ex-con.” Em took another sip.

“True. But he’s rehabilitated and deserves a second chance. Plus, Beau said he only drove the get-away car and was not involved in the robbery.”

“All cons say that.”

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