Page 23 of Shenanigans

“It would explain a lot.”

Holy crap! Was he serious? I gave him pitying smile. “The next thing you’ll be accusing me of is talking to the dead.”

“Can you talk to the dead?” Dutch studied my face intently. “I can take you to the morgue and you can ask Maria who killed her.”

“Very funny,” I replied angrily.

“I will get the truth from you, one way or another.”

I jumped to my feet. “Is that a threat?”

“It’s a promise.” Dutch rose to his full height and pointed at Tinkerbell. “Is that Maria’s dog?”

“No. Tink is my dog.” There was no way in hell I’d let him take her.

“Strange. Maria’s dog looks just like her and I’ve never seen a Yorkie at your house.”

“I just got her from North Phoenix Animal Rescue. I can show you the paperwork.” After I made a quick call to Harry.

“Good. Bring it to the station tomorrow and we’ll continue our conversation. I’ll expect you at eight sharp.” Dutch walked off.

“Hey! I have a client at eight.”

“Reschedule them,” Dutch called over his shoulder.

“And if I don’t?”

“I’ll arrest you.”

I drew a quick, angry breath. “For what, princess?”

Dutch stopped and turned to face me. “Interfering with my investigation and assaulting a police officer.”

“What evidence do you have I’m involved in any of this?”

“My gut.”

I laughed. “Your gut? Maybe you’re just gassy.”

“My gut is never wrong.”

“The only thing that will stand up in court is cold, hard evidence and you don’t have any,” I responded with cutting pleasantness.

“Sweetheart, I always clear my cases.Always.It’s only a matter of time before I slap the cuffs on.”

I made a rude noise. “Princess, you couldn’t find your own butt with both hands.”

“Keep pushing me and you aren’t going to like the consequences.” Dutch’s voice was a low growl.

“Time to go.” Jana grabbed my arm and dragged me away. “Piss him off enough and he’ll make it his mission in life to investigate every aspect of your business. Do you really want that?”

“No. God no.”

“And what if he finds out about your involvement with Tom, Dick, and Harry?”

I shuddered. “That would be bad. Very bad.”

“Exactly.”

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