Page 34 of Shenanigans

“I’m sure you and the SWAT team can handle them,” I inserted nastily.

“Why take the risk when I have my own Doctor Doolittle?”

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

Dutch grinned. “Hell, yeah. Most fun I’ve had in a long time.”

I gave him the one-fingered salute and headed for the elevator.

The asshole beat me there. “Where I go, you go, sweetheart.”

“You’re not dressed for where I’m going,princess, and don’t you have court?” I repeatedly hit the up button.

Dutch glanced at his watch. “Dammit. Ten o’clock in Judge Harris’s court.”

The elevator doors opened. I stepped inside and frowned when Dutch followed me. Getting rid of him wasn’t going to be easy. “You don’t want to be late. Judge Harris has no patience for tardy witnesses.” I pushed the lobby button.

“You had a run in with her?”

“My mother did. I had to bail her out of jail,” I replied.

“Where are you meeting your client?”

“Papago Park. Elvis escaped from the zoo again.”

“Elvis?”

“A fifteen-foot American Alligator. He likes to swim in the park’s lagoon. The last time he got out, he ate a lady’s poodle.”

Dutch grimaced. “I remember that. The owner sued the city.”

“She did and won half a million dollars. That’s when the zoo put me on retainer.”

“You’ve got a good racket going.”

Racket? If Dutch kept dissing me, he was going to find a shitload of fire ants in his bed. I took a deep breath and said calmly, “I provide a much-needed service.” The elevator doors opened. I practically ran for the exit.

Thirty seconds from freedom, Dutch grabbed my arm and pulled me to a stop. “I expect you to keep me updated on your location.”

“What! Why?”

“Once my lieutenant gets the search warrant for Lopez Meats, we’re going in.”

“Whoopee. Have fun.” I pulled my arm free, walked out the front doors and headed down the sidewalk. Where the heck was Jana?

The persistent detective strolled beside me.

“Go away.”

“Not a chance in hell, sweetheart. I need you to control all the animals at the slaughterhouse while the tactical team breaches the building.”

“There has to be another way.”

“The ruckus those pit bulls will make when the SWAT team arrives will alert Lopez to our presence. I’m not putting my men at risk.”

Crap. He knew I couldn’t let anything happen to the officers or the critters. “Your lieutenant will agree to have me, a psychic, on scene while you do a tactical SWAT entry?”

“Lieutenant Wilson’s wife’s sister is a medium. He’s seen what she can do. He’s a believer, sweetheart.”

---