Page 7 of The Truth Will Out
“Thanks.”
Sam and Bob stripped off their protective suits and put them in the awaiting black sack. Then she introduced her partner to the new love of her life, well, apart from Rhys and Casper, that was.
“Oh my. She’s tiny. I mean, I know you said she was small, but bloody hell, she’s such a sweetheart. Can I have a cuddle?”
Sam ejected the safety harness and lifted Tilly out of the car. “Stop kissing me. A word of warning: her tongue gets into every orifice; she’s not fussy about where she sticks it.”
Bob laughed as Sam handed Tilly to him. “Light as a feather. Hello, precious. Well, you’ve definitely landed on your paws finding a home with my boss.”
“She’ll want for nothing and is already the boss at home. Fortunately, Casper hit it off with her the second she stepped into the house.”
“Do they snuggle up together?” Bob kissed the top of Tilly’s head, and just like a snake, her tongue came out and she started licking him.
“When they’re not haring around the garden. I warned you about that tongue of hers.”
“I think I’m in love.” Bob sighed and kissed Tilly’s head again.
“Easily done with this one. She stole my heart the minute I saw her.”
“I can see why.”
“Right, I’m sorry to break up this love affair, but we have work todo. Can you remember Morgan’s address? Is it anywhere near my place?”
“Nope, it’s in the opposite direction. She’ll be fine in the car for a little while, won’t she?”
“I might need to stop off at a park somewhere to let her have a wee.”
Bob held Tilly away from him. “You could have told me that before you handed her to me.”
Sam chuckled, put Tilly back in the car and secured her once more. “I’ll follow you. If you see any greenery on the way, pull over.”
“I know just the place. Does she go on command? Have you taught her that yet?”
“Sometimes. Every command is hit and miss at the moment.”
“Stubborn, is she? Not surprised—she’s a female after all.”
“Bugger off.”
Sam followed him to the outskirts of the town. Bob came to a stop by a grassy verge no bigger than a small front garden.
Sam got out of the car and said, “Is this the best you could do?”
He grinned and shrugged. “It’s the only place I could think of that was on the way. Go on, let me see if she follows your orders as well as I do.”
“Ha-bloody-ha, no pressure then.” Sam eased Tilly out of the car and whispered in her ear, “Don’t let the side down now, go wee-wees for Mummy like a good little girl.”
No sooner had Tilly touched the grass than she squatted.
Sam faced Bob and grinned broadly. “That’s my girl. Watch and learn, partner. If a pup who has been learning English for only two weeks can follow my orders, there’s no reason why you can’t do the same.”
Bob had remained in his car. His response was to raise his window without speaking.
Sam let Tilly have a sniff around for a few extra minutes and then put her back in the car. They set off and arrived at the Morgans’ house ten minutes later. Sam lowered all of the windows a couple of inches. Luckily, it was overcast today, not as sunny as it had beenduring the week. She topped up Tilly’s water bowl, gave her a handful of treats and locked the car. “I hope this doesn’t take us too long.”
“I can make an excuse halfway through and check on her; just give me the nod.”
“You’re a pal. Thanks, partner. Okay, back into professional mode.”
