Foul Play by Janet Evanovich Read Free Book Online Page A

office.
    At midafternoon Jake took a moment to watch Amy organize his office. Files were all in proper order, phone messages were neatly stacked on a special clipboard, and somehow, she was managing to schedule appointments so that he was almost on time. And, not only was she efficient, he thought, she was adorable. Her shirt was the same color as her cheeks and soft, kissable lips, and the outfit she was wearing subtly hinted at high round breasts and a slim, girlish waist.
    Jake followed her startled expression as the front door burst open and a sobbing brunette dragged a kennel cage into the waiting room.
    As the woman bent to peer into the mesh window of the cage, Jake was treated to a full view of her derriere, clad in skimpy pink shorts. When she straightened and rushed toward him the word that popped into his mind was voluptuous. She wore a matching tight pink sweater that had been unbuttoned halfway down her sternum to display barely contained, perfectly tanned breasts.
    The woman grabbed Jake by the lapels of his white lab coat. “Are you Dr. Elliott?”
    Jake looked into her large brown eyes, swimming in tears, and wondered at the weight of her mascaraed eyelashes. How the devil did she keep her eyes open with all that gunk on them? He looked closer, realized the lashes were fake, and smiled at her, already amused. “Yup. I’m Dr. Elliott.”
    â€œThis is an emergency,” she sobbed, pulling him toward the crate. “My bird is sick. There’s something terribly wrong withhim. He was fine this morning, and then he just keeled over. Do you suppose he could have had a heart attack?”
    Jake attempted to lift the cage and was surprised at the weight. Definitely not a parakeet here, he thought. This was a big bird.
    â€œAmy, do we have an examining room open?”
    Amy didn’t move a muscle.
    â€œEarth to Amy,” Jake said. “How about Room Three? Is Room Three empty?”
    Amy knew this brunette, and she knew exactly what was in the cage. “It’s the chicken,” she said in a hoarse, choked whisper, feeling as though she’d been hit in the face with a pie.
    Jake peered into the cage. “Oh, my—” Amy was right. It was Rhode Island Red…the rooster that broke Amy’s heart.
    The brunette took a step backward. “What’s wrong? He isn’t dead, is he? Oh geez, don’t tell me he’s dead.”
    He wasn’t dead, but Jake didn’t think he looked too good. He was hunkered down in the back of the cage with his eyes closed.
    â€œListen, Dr. Elliott,” the brunette said, “this rooster’s worth lots of money. He’s a television star. Do something!”
    Jake set the cage on an examining table, opened it, and gingerly lifted out the rooster. The bird was lifeless on the table.
    â€œI have to be honest with you,” Jake said. “We only treat domestic animals here. I haven’t had much experience with roosters.”
    â€œMaybe it just needs vitamins. Maybe it’s anemic. Can roosters get mono? He’s been working awfully hard, ya’ know.”
    After questioning her about the bird’s diet and any possible trauma it may have suffered, he listened to the bird’s heart. “How old is this fellow?”
    The brunette shrugged. “I don’t know. I bought him a couple months ago at the farmers’ market.”
    Jake stroked the glossy sienna feathers. “Why don’t you leave him here overnight. I’d like to run a few tests.”
    â€œThe tests won’t take too long, will they? He has to be up and dancing by Monday morning.”
    Jake thought they’d be lucky if the bird was still breathing by Monday morning. “We’ll get started right away.”
    â€œYou sure he’ll be okay here?”
    â€œI’ll put him in intensive care. He’ll be nice and safe. We need to keep him quiet.”
    She took a tissue from her purse and blew