Page 67 of Wanted

“Yeah, she’s staying here. Something wrong?”

“No, nothing’s wrong. We have some of her items at the station. I wanted to see if you’d be able to bring her by.”

I deflate like a pricked balloon. The anxiety ceases as quickly as it turned on. Only a residual tiredness remains, but that will fade into the background with time and distance.

“Yeah, that’s no problem. Any specific time?”

“Anytime is good. I’m about to have lunch, but by the time you get here, I should be done.”

“Sounds good. I’ll see what she’s up to and head that way.”

“Thanks, man.”

“See you later.”

I take the stairs two at a time up to the second-floor hallway. I reach for the knob of Frankie’s door and nearly swing it open before I catch myself.

The sound of my fist against her door rings loudly in the hall.

“Come in,” her soft voice calls from inside.

I swing the door open, and… there’s the compulsion. I pause and count a simple One. Two. Three. before the urge dissipates.

“Hey, you busy?”

She slaps her sketchbook shut and shoves it beneath her pillow. “Nope, just working on some pictures of the dogs for the adoption event.”

I take in Ashe sleeping against her legs. “You do realize she isn’t up for adoption. You’ll have to draw one of the others.”

“Are you kidding? This puppy isn’t going anywhere.”

“She’s not a puppy.”

“All dogs are puppies,” she says in an exaggerated baby voice.

“Tell that to a Doberman.”

“I haven’t seen one of those around here.”

“We don’t get them often.”

“Then I’ll have to wait around until you do.”

My gut flips at the thought of her sticking around that long. Jesus, what was that?

I lick my lips and watch her pet my dog until the feeling settles.

“Um, did you need something?”

“One of my buddies at the police station called. He said they have some of your things there.”

Her brows snap together, minimizing the distance between them. “My things? Did he say what they have?”

“No. Sorry, I didn’t ask. I told him we’d be there soon unless you need some time.”

She launches herself off the bed and pockets her cell phone. Ashe lazily follows.

“I’m ready now.”

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