Page 19 (1/2)

Mateo stopped dead in his tracks in front of the Salvation Police Depart Luciana had dropped off earlier

was inside losing hisat the Salvation Police Departlass as Mateo stood on the opposite side arest coffee he could buy at Heaven Sent Bakery He’d walked the three blocks down Main Street to the station, ignoring the uncolances and less-than-covert stares frorown up with, so the mutt’s happy-to-see-you spaz attack halted Mateo’s movements

“Probably smells the donuts,” he muttered to himself as he balanced the box and coffee in one hand and reached for the door handle

As he pulled it open, he angled his body to protect the donuts Siive hi double-chocolate alotten the door open about two inches before the pooch barreled out, ju as if he hada treat

Enacting evasive h the doorway Not realizing that it wasn’t wanted, the dog trotted in behind hih the Employees Only door

“He’s been ,” Simons said as she rose frorasp

“Probably planning his escape”

The dog plopped down on his right boot, panting happily with his fat tongue hanging out of his mouth

“Uh-huh” She took her bear claw and glanced down at the ey one”

Wet or dry, the dog looked bedraggled and pitiful Made up of so y body, he was practically a freak of nature

“He looks like he needs a bath and probably a bunch of shots”

“What he needs is a naave him a pointed stare

Oh no You na at me?”

“Because he picked you”

Mateo yanked his foot out fro’s butt and pivoted on his heel “Then he’s bound to be disappointed” Without waiting for a response, he marched into his office and shut the door behind him He hadn’t even crossed the roo on the other side of the flimsy wood