9 The Hitwoman's Downward Dog

9 The Hitwoman's Downward Dog by JB Lynn Read Free Book Online Page B

Book: 9 The Hitwoman's Downward Dog by JB Lynn Read Free Book Online
Authors: JB Lynn
across the gearshift and kissed his cheek. Settling back into my seat, I searched his face to see if he believed me.
    "I’m going to hold you to that," he murmured, pressing his lips firmly against mine for the briefest moment before jumping out of my car and stalking over to his.
    As I watched him go, the urge to do something to help him was strong. Knowing I was helpless to do anything at that moment left me grinding my teeth.
    He waved good-bye and drove off.
    As soon as he was out of sight, I bent over to retrieve the gun Ms. Whitehat had kindly provided.
    "Any farther forward and you’re going to smother me," God complained from my chest.
    I snapped back upright. "Sorry."
    "You forgot about me, didn’t you?"
    I had, but I wasn’t going to give the lizard the satisfaction of knowing that. "Of course not."
    "Liar."
    "Shotgun?" DeeDee panted hopefully, wedging her head and chest between the two front seats.
    Since I wasn’t driving and her ungainly maneuvers wouldn’t cause me to crash my car, I said, "Sure."
    Wriggling awkwardly and slamming into my shoulder more than once, the Doberman huffed and puffed and finally got her butt into the front passenger seat.
    "You could have just opened the doors for her," God groused.
    "What’s the fun in that?" I countered.
    "Fun!" DeeDee yipped.
    I drove over to Armani’s home. There were no longer any neighbors gawking, or a police presence. The only giveaway that something was potentially wrong was the yellow and black strip of police tape tacked across her door. It fluttered in the night breeze, mocking me.
    "I’ve got to go in there," I said.
    "Too me," DeeDee panted.
    "What are you waiting for?" the lizard urged. "Let’s go find a clue."
    Slowly, I got out of the car, glancing around to see if anyone seemed to notice. I didn’t see any curtains move in the surrounding houses. DeeDee didn’t wait for an invitation. She bounded out of the car, forcing me to scramble to grab her leash.
    "Take it easy." I stumbled after her.
    "Don’t you dare fall and squash me," God warned, scrambling up my bra strap and perching on my shoulder.
    "Inside?" DeeDee asked.
    "No," God mocked. "We’re just going to stay out here all night and hope clues come marching out the door."
    I started to regret bringing him along. I sighed heavily before telling the dog, "Yes, we’re going inside."
    Unperturbed by the snarky lizard, DeeDee led the way to the door.
    I eyed the crime scene tape I’d have to duck under.
    God began to hum a limbo tune.
    "Party?" DeeDee panted hopefully.
    "How low can you go?" God challenged before returning to his limbo tune.
    Glancing around to make sure no one was looking, I stuck out my hips and shimmied under the tape.
    "Woohoo!" God called, hanging from the bra strap with one hand and waving another like a rodeo rider on a bucking bull.
    Clearing the tape, I reached for the doorknob.
    "Impressive," a gravelly voice said from behind me.
    I froze as my heart skipped a beat or two, when it picked up again, thundering faster and louder than a locomotive; I whirled around and found Jack Stern watching me.
    "Uh-oh," DeeDee whined softly.
    "Do you have any other party skills I should know about?" the reporter asked.
     

 
     

Chapter 10
     
    "What are you doing here?" The adrenaline coursing through me made my tone belligerent.
    He arched his eyebrows. "What are you doing here?"
    "I’m trying to find my friend," I said defensively. "Are you going to call the police?"
    "Patrick!" DeeDee barked excitedly.
    Jack took a step back, watching the Doberman nervously. "I’m not going to call the police unless your dog attacks me."
    I looked down at DeeDee, who looked up at me hopefully.
    "Sit," I ordered. For once, the dog obeyed. I looked back at Jack. "You haven’t told me what you’re doing here."
    "Waiting for you."
    "Me?"
    He nodded. "Watching the way you spoke to Detective Griswald, I figured you’d come back."
    "Who is this interloper?" God demanded imperiously.
    To

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