Page 59 of Worst in Show

“What?” Micki asks impatiently.

“It’s from someone named Samantha. Real pretty handwriting.”

“And?” I hold my breath.

“That’s it.”

“No, but where was it sent from?”

“I’m not sure. I only looked at the name.”

“You only…?” Micki stands back. “That tells us nothing.”

“Be nice, it’s not nothing,” I try. To Jaz I say, “Thanks for looking. I appreciate it. Stay alert, okay?”

“Roger that.” Jaz grins. “This spying stuff is fun. Okay, gotta go.”

Micki’s arms are crossed, and her toes are tapping the ground. “I mean, Boris would make a better sleuth.”

“It’s not a ton of info,” I concede. If anything, it adds questions about him to my already long list. Is Samantha the woman who took the #honeymoon photo of him? And if so, are they still a thing? Is she a family member? A friend? A secret baby mama pressuring him for alimony?

“Maybe you should ask him,” Micki says. “I bet he’d tell you.”

“Except then it would seem like I care.”

She watches me a long moment. “Yeah, we wouldn’t want that.”

Living History Illinois Flockify DM, Monday 12:15 PM

AlCaponesGhost25: Just checking in. Getting a lot done?

SingerQueen: Tons. You ever get ‘in flow’ and lose hours?

AlCaponesGhost25: God, I forgot about that feeling. I played football when I was younger, and some games were magical like that.

SingerQueen: But not since?

AlCaponesGhost25: I guess not.

SingerQueen: Sounds like you need to reevaluate your life. *winky face emoji*

AlCaponesGhost25: Working on it.

Wednesday afternoon drags, the hours leading up to training longer than is polite. I keep checking the clock and being disappointed. I don’t know what’s changed, but I’m not dreading spending time with Leo anymore. I frown, glancing across the street. Am I looking forward to it?

When six o’clock finally rolls around, I hurry to close out the system and register, round up the pack, and head across the street.

The lights are on inside Canine King, but Leo is nowhere to be seen. Tilly greets us alone.

“Hello?” I call. “Anyone here?”

No answer.

“Where is he?” I ask Tilly. “Upstairs?” How irresponsible of him to leave the store unlocked and unattended. Out of character, even.

I’m about to call for him again when there’s a loud ruckus in the back.

I tell the dogs to stay put and go to investigate.

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