Page 103 of Mayhem and Minnie

Walking a few feet over, I hear a sharp cry.

Minnie!

I push my way through the crowd, letting her voice guide me. I don’t even care that I’m brushing against other people at this point and letting them brush against me. The pain is ephemeral compared to the regret of a lifetime I’d have if I don’t find her.

The crowd becomes more sparse, and Minnie releases another cry.

I run at full speed, rounding the corner to an alleyway nestled between two tall buildings. It’s dark and hidden from sight.

My eyes widen at the sight before me.

There she is.

Her knees are digging into the icy snow. She’s hugging a furry little thing to her chest as she glares at the man in front of her. He’s in his mid to late forties, dressed respectably in a medium-priced parka and wearing a woolen hat tipped over his face.

“Minnie,” I rasp, my voice harsh and out of breath.

She turns to look at me, her lips tipping up in a tremulous smile. Her eyes brighten.

“Marlowe. You have to help!”

I stride to her side, grab her by the arm, and pull her up. I deposit her and her little furry friend behind me and turn to stare down the man who dared to threaten her.

“What happened?” I ask as I give her a cursory glance to ensure she’s all right. Aside from the new addition in her arms, she seems unharmed.

“Look, Marlowe,” she murmurs in a low, tight voice. She motions toward the little dog in her arms. Gently pulling him from her chest, she shows me the gashes running all over his back. I press my lips in a tight line. The length and width of the gashes are consistent with the impact of a belt against his skin. The dog releases a whine as if afraid she’s going to release him from her arms. He nestles closer, burrowing his snout against her neck.

He’s trembling. And it’s not because he’s cold.

This can only mean one thing.

“Now listen here, miss. You can’t just kidnap my dog,” the man interjects.

“Shut it.” I give him a deadly glare as I hold one finger in front of him.

“Continue,” I tell Minnie, needing to hear the rest of her story so I can adjust the punishment accordingly.

“He”—she wets her lips—“he kicked the dog because he wouldn’t move. That’s when I ran after him. And when he saw me…” She takes a deep breath. “Well, first he threatened to call the police, but then he got a better look at me and he said I could have the dog if I paid for it…” She trails off and I get the gist of it as well as what the man was implying she pay him with.

The man has the decency to flush.

“It’s not my fault,” he cries out. “I don’t know what came over me, I swear. I don’t go around propositioning young girls.”

I let out a dry laugh.

“But you go around abusing animals?” I raise a brow.

He averts his gaze.

“I wasn’t abusing him. I was disciplining him. He needs to learn?—”

“No, you need to learn. The dog seems perfectly behaved to me.”

He’s snuggling tightly against Minnie’s chest, and for a moment, I envy the little bugger. Now that’s one body I wouldn’t mind brushing against. But it’s unlikely that will happen anytime soon since she’s still pissed at me.

“No, you don’t understand,” the man cries out. “He won’t pee outside. He only pees inside.”

“He’s a small dog!” Minnie exclaims. “He has a small bladder. You do, don’t you, little baby,” she coos at the dog, who rejoices at the attention he receives from her. Another stab of jealousy spears against my chest.

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