Kiamichi Refuge by C. A. Henry Read Free Book Online Page B

trained to do. He’s sleek and strong. I’m glad he’s on my side”
    Nodding, Tanner agreed. “That’s the main reason I do this. These dogs are destined to be heroes. Raising them from tiny, helpless pups and watching them become police dogs or personal protection dogs gives me a great sense of accomplishment”.
    “You have a wonderful facility here. I like the way you have it set up. What’s in that building over there?”
    “Half of that building is my living quarters. The other half is the office and a grooming facility for the dogs.” He cleared his throat. “Say, do you have plans for this afternoon?”
    “Nothing important. Why?”
    “I need to take Blitz’s litter-mate, Karma, to the sheriff over in Fort Smith, and wondered if you’d like to go with me. I’ll buy your lunch.”
    “Sure, I’d like that. By the way, Karma is a great name for a police dog.”
    “Yes. It’s a Hindu concept, and to paraphrase what I read about it, karma refers to the forces generated by one’s actions, which determine the nature of one’s existence after reincarnation. Most people think it just means ‘what goes around, comes around’, but that’s only partially right.”
    “There is something that I need to do, if you don’t mind making two extra stops today. I need to go to a couple of places in Fort Smith, since we’re going to be there anyway. That is, if you don’t mind.”
    “Where do you need to go in Fort Smith?”
    “I need to buy some junk silver, and maybe some gold. I have too much money in the bank, and I want hard money, just in case. Uncle Ernie advised me to put most of my money in precious metals, so that’s what I want to do.” She gave him a conspiratorial look. “He also told me that I could trust people with the last name McNeil.”
    Tanner waggled his eyebrows at her and smoothed an imaginary mustache, trying to look like the villain in a melodrama, and succeeded in making her laugh. Then he checked his watch and nodded. “Yeah, we have plenty of time to do that. But remember, keep the amount for each transaction below ten thousand dollars. If it’s over that, they have to report it to the federal government. You don’t want them looking into your business too closely.”
    “That’s true, and that’s why I have been going by the bank occasionally and getting out random amounts of cash.  So, when do you think I can take Blitz home with me? We’ve been through eight or nine sessions.”
    “He’s ready. You’re almost ready. If the next session goes as well as this one did, you can take him. I want him out there as soon as possible, before any more prowlers come around. I don’t like it that you’re alone.”
    “You never have told me how much I owe you for him.”
    “We’ll worry about that later. Spend some time together, see how it works out. Then we’ll talk about it.”
    ***
     
    The afternoon was sunny and warm, and Tanner proved to be good company. Their conversation was lively, as they argued over who was the best band of the 90s, and discussed politics, finding that they agreed on most issues, but not all. They dropped Karma off at the sheriff’s office, to the obvious delight of her eager new handler. Erin took care of purchasing silver rounds and old silver coins. At both gold exchange stores, Erin handed Tanner a wad of money. Then she and Tanner went in and each made a sizable purchase, so Erin was able to buy silver with all the cash she had, and still stay under the transaction limit. The seafood buffet at Catfish Cove was excellent, just as Tanner promised. Erin could not remember having a better time.
    On the drive back, Tanner had the radio on, turned down low so they could still talk. Erin was laughing at Tanner as he related some of his boyhood antics, when they heard the radio beep for a news alert. Tanner turned the volume up.
    “We interrupt this program with breaking news from Afghanistan. Taliban forces have attacked US and British forces at