Tinkerbell trotted up to me. Her little body shook badly. Arf? Arf? Arf?
Crap. She had heard Dutch say Maria was dead. I picked up Tinkerbell and cuddled her.“I’m so sorry, honey, but it’s true.”
The little Yorkie threw her head back and howled. An eerie, sorrowful sound that raised the hair on the-back-of-my neck.
Jana gasped. “Holy Jesus! That’s just plain awful. What’s wrong with her?”
“She knows Maria is dead.”
“Your client is dead? How?”
“I think she was murdered.”
Tinkerbell howled again.
I noticed Dutch watching us. “Let’s get out of here before the asshole decides to question me again.”
“Good idea,” Jana agreed.
I handed Dutch’s badge to the cop guarding the exit. “I found this on the ground.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
Arf? Arf?
“You bet your ass I’ll find out who killed your mom.”I hurried across the parking lot.
Tinkerbell let out a series of worried yaps.
“No, you’re not going to the pound. I’m taking you home with me. You’re my dog now. Unless you want to live with your grandmother?”
Woof.
“That was a definite no.”
Arf. Arf. Arf.
I glanced over my shoulder. Dutch was trailing us.“I’ll start my search tomorrow.”
Arf?
“Because Dutch is a persistent bugger and I’m sure he’s already put a tracker on Jana’s limo.”
Tinkerbell whimpered.
“I know honey. Losing someone you love hurts a lot.”
Enrique opened the limo door for me.
“Gracias.” I climbed inside.
Jana slid in beside me. “My friend at the medical examiner’s office will get us into the county morgue tomorrow. Let’s hope Maria knows who killed her.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Tinkerbell woofed in agreement.
Chapter Eight