Page 6 of Whispers of Redemption

Cassie ran her hand around the dog’s furry neck, searching. “To answer your earlier question, Officer Riley, no, there’s no collar or I.D. tag on her.”

“We could call Animal Control for you, and they could come take her,” Officer Garcia offered.

“No way!” Ani said. “What if they can’t find her owner? Won’t they kill her or put her to sleep or whatever?”

“Likely,” said the driver.

Ani looked mortified. “You have to take her, Cassie!”

Cassie opened her mouth to protest, but Ani cut her off. “You know I would, but there’s no way I can keep her. And I’m sure Rachel and Mark will understand. It’s just temporary until we find her owner.”

Cassie looked at the concern in Ani’s eyes and couldn’t refuse her. “All right,” she sighed. “But only until we find her owner.”

Ani grinned.

“Hey, how is your ankle today?” Officer Garcia asked, looking concerned.

“Much better,” Ani said with a smile. “Thanks for the tip about icing it right away. I’m not quite at a hundred percent yet, but it made a huge difference, see?” She rolled her ankle around to show him. “I’m also doing a few physical therapy stretches I found on Instagram and YouTube.”

“I’m glad I was able to help.” Officer Garcia smiled at her, then shook his head slightly. “I wish I understood how to do all that internet social media techie stuff. My nieces and nephews are always encouraging me to get on different sites, but I find it all so overwhelming.”

“It’s actually super easy,” Ani said, then her face brightened. “Hey, you helped me with my ankle, how about if I return the favor and help you become a more tech-savvy uncle?”

“Really?” Officer Garcia looked surprised, but pleased. “But how?”

She put out her hand. “Give me your phone for a minute.”

Officer Garcia pulled it out, tapped the screen to unlock it, then handed it to her. Ani’s fingertips skimmed the surface for a few seconds, then she handed it back to him.

“What did you do?” Officer Garcia looked confused.

“I just put my contact info into it. I’m Ani Bolivar. Now, go into your contacts, find me, and send me a text.

Officer Garcia complied, laboriously poking at his screen with one finger.

Moments later, Ani’s phone buzzed. She tapped a message back. “There! Now we can communicate. And you just finished your first lesson!”

Officer Garcia and Ani wore matching grins which Cassie almost found endearing, except that the dog was squirming again. Plus, she really had no interest in prolonging their interaction with these cops any longer.

“Look,” said the driver, addressing Officer Riley, “here’s my paperwork. Now, can we get this show on the road? I’m hosting cards this evening. Margot and I need to get back to my house to prepare before all the ladies arrive.”

Officer Riley examined the paperwork and handed it back to her. “Thank you, ma’am. We’ll call a tow truck for your car, and we’ll give you a ride home to assure your safety.”

Ugh. He is so ridiculously formal. It’s almost painful to watch, Cassie thought.

“You always so formal?” the driver asked, echoing Cassie’s thoughts.

“Gretchen! Be nice!” Margot looked appalled.

“I’m always nice,” Gretchen snapped back, and Margot sighed audibly.

“I need to get back home too, Cassie,” Ani said with a quick look at her cell phone screen. “I don’t want to be late.”

Officer Riley was already helping Gretchen out of the car, and Officer Garcia turned to help Margot. As the two older ladies were escorted back to the police car, Gretchen called back over her shoulder, “Hey, girlie, you better stop and get doggie poop bags. She may be cute, but she’s still gonna poop.”

“Great,” Cassie muttered as she and Ani started walking back up the beach toward her car. “Now I’ve got to mess with dog poop.”

“It won’t be for long,” Ani said. “Will it, little pup? Will you make little poopies for Auntie Cassie?” she addressed the dog, who gave a short staccato bark, making Ani laugh.

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