Edward Unconditionally Common Powers 3 by Lynn Lorenz Read Free Book Online Page B

here.” She picked up the phone, pressed a button, and spoke, “Chief Whittaker and his friend are here to see you.”
    Jack rolled his eyes, and she winked at him. “I don't know, sir.” She looked up at Jack. “What's your friend's name?”
    “Winston.”
    “Winston, sir.” A pause as she looked at the dog. “Yes, just like Churchill. Yes, sir.” She put the phone down. “You can go in.”
    Jack nodded to her and pushed through the mahogany door with the seal of the city on it.
    His longtime friend, William Lansing, sat behind a large cherry desk and glanced up from his paperwork. A huge map of the city covered the wall behind him.
    “Hello, Bill.”
    “Hello, Jack. Who's your friend?” Bill Lansing pointed to the dog as he came around the desk and shook Jack's hand. “New recruit? Is he a new item in your budget?”
    “No. He's impounded.”
    “Impounded? A desperate criminal, eh? It's good to know you're keeping the town safe. What did he do? Rob the savings and loan?” Bill, always quick to needle Jack, chuckled as he sat in one of the black leather wingback chairs in front of his desk. Jack sat in the other. Winston curled up at Jack's feet.
    “He bit me.”
    Bill's dark eyebrows shot up, and he fixed Jack with warm brown eyes. “Bit you? So you're keeping him close, in case he tries to escape?” He chuckled.
    “Actually, I stopped his owner on a speeding charge, and the dog attacked me.”
    “He attacked you. You're kidding, right?”
    Why did everyone say that? “No. He bit my ankle.” Jack frowned at the dog. “Anyway, he can't be caged, and his owner is a flight risk. He's just visiting in town. I wanted to make sure the dog had his shots before I let him go. Just in case. You know... rabies.”
    Both men looked at the dog and rubbed their stomachs.
    “Until then, he's with me.”
    “I understand, but can't you lock him in a cell or something?”
    “No. The owner has made it clear that if anything happens to his dog, he's going to sue the city.”
    “Is he serious?” Bill leaned forward, all laughter gone from his eyes.
    “Dead. He's very attached to the dog. And from what I can tell, he has the money and lawyers to back it. He's Olivia Rawlings's grandson.” That was putting it mildly. The man's affection for the dog bordered on the fanatic. If that red bandanna the dog wore was any indication, Edward probably had little outfits for Winston to wear. Christ, the man was so gay it was embarrassing.
    “Olivia?” Bill blew a soft whistle. “She's got big money.”
    “So does her grandson, it seems. He's one of the Atlanta Beauregards,” Jack added in an imitation of Edward's soft accent.
    Bill nodded as if it meant something to him. “I knew the rest of the family had moved away. Tons of money. Oil and gas leases.”
    Jack hadn't known that. So, Edward had money. Much more than Jack would ever have, no doubt. Why did that bother him? Hell, it just rankled him when someone didn't have to work hard for what they had, when it just got handed to them on a silver platter. Jack had worked damned hard for every scrap he'd ever had from the time he was sixteen.
    “Well, I guess, if you put it that way, you're doing this city a service. Do whatever you have to do to keep this guy from suing us. We can't afford it.”
    “Sure.” Jack wondered just “whatever” might entail. Or how far he'd have to go?
    “He doesn't look dangerous. In fact, he looks expensive. Dogs like that can cost thousands of dollars. Come here, boy.” Bill leaned down and called to the dog.
    Too slow, Jack tried to reel the dog in on his leash, but the little bulldog was quicker. Winston's head popped up off his paws, and he trotted over to the mayor, his hindquarters wagging in greeting. Winston sat at the mayor's feet without a single growl. All tongue and no teeth.
    “I can't believe he bit you. What did you do to him?” Bill cocked an eyebrow.
    Jack watched as the bulldog rolled over on his back and let Bill