Trick or Deadly Treat by Livia J. Washburn Read Free Book Online Page A

asked.
    â€œNo. If you ladies want to do that, go right ahead. Don’t just bring the treats and drop them off, though. I expect you to stay and party with us.”
    â€œWe’ll be looking forward to it.”
    â€œWell, if that’s all, I need to call the owners of this goat and tell them that ol’ Festus is doing better and they can come pick him up.”
    Phyllis said, “Thank you, Dr. Baxter,” and she and Carolyn started toward the car.
    At that moment, an SUV drove around the vet clinic and headed for the barn. Baxter saw it coming and muttered, “Uh-oh.”
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” Phyllis asked.
    Before Baxter could answer, the SUV came to a stop and a burly man in a flannel shirt and a baseball cap got out. He looked angry and ready to plunge right into trouble . . . or start some himself.

Chapter 6
    B axter moved forward to get between the newcomer and Phyllis and Carolyn. He didn’t seem to be hurrying, but Phyllis noticed that it didn’t take him long to cover the distance. He gave the man in the flannel shirt a curt nod and said, “Hello, Kyle. What can I do for you?”
    â€œYou know good and well what you can—” The man stopped short. He looked at Phyllis and Carolyn as if he had just noticed they were there. With a visible effort, he controlled his temper.
    Baxter turned to Phyllis and went on. “Thanks for coming by, ladies. I’ll see you next week. Buck’s appointment is the day before Halloween, isn’t it?”
    â€œI think that’s right,” Phyllis said.
    â€œThen I’ll see you twice.”
    Clearly, Baxter wanted the two women to leave before he continued his conversation with this man, Kyle. Phyllis wasn’t sure that was a good idea. Kyle might not be as likely to cause trouble if there were witnesses.
    Of course, she might be overreacting, Phyllis reminded herself. Just because Kyle was annoyed about something didn’t mean he was going to throw a punch at Baxter or anything like that. Anyway, even if he did, Baxter was a relatively young man who seemed to be very fit. Kyle was older, in his forties, with a considerable paunch. He was taller and heavier than Hank Baxter, though.
    â€œCome on, Phyllis,” Carolyn said. “Let’s let these men get on with their business.”
    â€œAll right,” Phyllis said. She was still uneasy about leaving Baxter there alone with Kyle, but on the other hand, this was none of her affair. As she opened her car door, she added, “See you next week, Dr. Baxter.”
    The veterinarian lifted a hand in farewell as Phyllis and Carolyn got in the car. Phyllis turned the car around and drove away.
    As she passed the SUV, she saw a sign on the vehicle’s door that read WOODS ’ S GOLDEN RETRIEVERS , with a phone number and a website underneath it. Out of habit, she filed that information away in her brain.
    â€œThat man certainly seemed to be upset about something,” Carolyn commented as they passed the clinic building and headed up the driveway to the street.
    â€œYes, and I’m not sure we should have left,” Phyllis said.
    â€œDr. Baxter can take care of himself, I would think. Besides, it’s the middle of the morning. Broad daylight. What could possibly . . . ? Oh. I forgot for a minute there who I was talking to.”
    â€œDon’t start that,” Phyllis said. “I go plenty of places and do plenty of things without anybody being murdered. Good grief.”
    Carolyn didn’t say anything for a long moment. Then, “I don’t know about you, but I think I’ll be watching the news tonight anyway.”
    *   *   *
    Despite what she had told Carolyn, despite what she wanted to believe herself, Phyllis had to admit that deep down she was relieved when there was nothing on the news that night about any sort of trouble at a veterinary clinic in Weatherford.
    Just