Page 45 of Five for Silver

“He’s friendly,” he said, just in case thatwas the reason.

Pam sat up straight again. She blew herfringe out of her eyes with a puff. “And I want to come fuss him,but this damn thing.”

She smacked the keyboard.

“You any good with computers?” sheasked.

Chad shook his head. “Sorry, that’s not mydepartment.”

“Chad.” Keeley called from the corridor. Sheshot a fleeting smile at Chad before crouching down and cooing atMerc dragging Chad towards her. Keeley had okayed him in theirsession and stroked him with obvious enthusiasm

“This is him?”

“Yep. Keeley meet Merc.”

Keeley raised her eyebrow. “Funny, you neverstruck me as a car enthusiast.”

Chad forced a smile, shrugging.

“Come inside,” Keeley said, leading the wayto her office. Merc tugged on the lead the whole way then jumped upon the couch.

Keeley widened her eyes.

“Sorry,” Chad itched the back of his neck.“He’s a sofa dog.”

“It’s fine, Chad.” Keeley sat down behindher desk. “I’ve actually got something for him.”

“Yeah?”

Keeley opened her drawer and pulled out arawhide bone. Merc’s ears pricked, and his nose worked overtime,sniffing the air. He dropped down from the couch and struggleduntil Chad unclipped his collar.

“If he’s allowed it?” Keeley asked.

“Sure.”

Keeley petted Merc on the head as she handedhim the chew. Chad expected Merc to waddle back over to the couch,but instead he curled up on the floor by Keeley’s desk and beganchomping.

“He’s lovely, Chad.” Keeley said, admiringMerc.

“He is, but he has a weak spot forshoelaces.” He gestured to the trainers he wore, absent of any.

Keeley laughed. It soon faded, and the joyin her gaze turned sympathetic. Chad knew her thoughts had gonefrom Merc to the shitshow of Chad’s life the past week.

“How are you?”

“As good as can be expected. I knew Vincentwasn’t done with me yet, and here I am, being forced to see himafterchoosingnot to.”

“You’ve been put in an impossiblesituation.” Keeley pressed her lips in a grim line. “It’s importantyou don’t close yourself off to the people that love you.”

“What if they close themselves off tome?”

“Has something happened with Frank?”

Chad waved his hand, dismissing Keeley’sassumption. “No, he’s been supportive, maybetoosupportive.”

He pictured a beaming Romeo picking up thenext file of horrors. Before Keeley could ask what Chad meant, hejumped in again. “It’s Ally.”

“Your sergeant.”

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