Page 69 of Second Act
Kyra smiled. “I have no complaints, but I’m not immune to Julian Best’s sexy edge of danger.”
“You should hear him complain about his gun holster being too tight,” Jessica said with a snort as she headed for the door. Hugh had suggested that she join the inspector in the kennel area, so she trotted back downstairs and worked her way along the row of crates, petting their tail-wagging inhabitants.
After about twenty minutes, her phone vibrated with a text message from Powell, using their silly code for the arrival of the inspector:The eagle has landed.
Jessica pulled her stethoscope out of her coat pocket and hung it around her neck, an extra costume prop Hugh had suggested. Soon voices and footsteps came from the stairs, so she swung open Shaq’s crate and pretended to listen to the big dog’s heart.
“This is Dr. Quillen, the vet who sees to the medical needs of all our dogs,” Emily said smoothly. “Doctor, I’d like to introduce Arlene Washington from Animal Control and Welfare. She’s here to ensure that we’re doing everything we can to make our canine residents comfortable.”
Jessica latched Shaq’s cage and stood to shake hands. Ms. Washington was tall and thin, with wiry gray hair pulled back in a ponytail. She wore navy trousers and a matching windbreaker with the New York City government insignia printed on it in white. Tucked under her arm was an electronic tablet.
“As a vet, I appreciate the work you do to protect animals in the city.” Jessica smiled with total sincerity.
Ms. Washington gave her a limp handshake without an answering smile, and Jessica’s heart sank. Thank goodness she’d called in the cavalry.
“If I can answer any questions about the dogs’ health, please let me know,” Jessica said, trying again. “We have one dog quarantined because she has giardiasis. Because of the quick response of the dogs’ caretakers, only three out of twelve canines have shown symptoms of the parasite. That’s pretty impressive.”
Ms. Washington nodded and looked around the kennel, her brow furrowed. She paced down the row of crates, peering into each one. The dogs all stood and wagged their tails, a couple barking a friendly greeting. “At least the dogs are doing their part to prove they’re happy here,” Jessica whispered to Emily under cover of Shaq’s deep woof.
The inspector walked over to one of the windows, peering out into the snow-covered backyard. She flipped open the cover of her tablet and tapped at it for several seconds. “Let me see the quarantine room,” she said, her tone flat.
Jessica’s throat tightened at the mention of the trouble spot. They needed the big guns now, but there was no sign of Hugh.
“This way,” Emily said, gesturing toward the hallway and falling into step beside Ms. Washington. Jessica walked behind them, wondering what Hugh was waiting for.
When they entered, Pari sat up and yipped. Ms. Washington showed her first sign of humanity when she knelt and put her fingers through the crate’s wires to let the dog lick her fingers. “Are you feeling okay?” she asked. She straightened to her full height. “Looks like she’s doing all right.”
The dogs raised a chorus of greeting from the kennel area, and Jessica blew out a breath of relief.
“Dr. Quillen?” Hugh’s voice projected clearly through the barking.
“Excuse me,” Jessica said, stepping to the door before she raised her voice. “Mr. Baker, I’m in the quarantine room.” She turned back to Ms. Washington. “I’m sorry for the interruption, but Mr. Baker has very limited time.”
The inspector’s lips tightened into a thin line. “So do I.”
Jessica just smiled as Hugh’s footsteps sounded on the concrete hallway’s floor. He came to the door, his broad shoulders filling the width of the frame. “Doctor, I have a—” He feigned surprise. “My apologies, I didn’t realize you were busy.”
“Ms. Washington, may I introduce Hugh Baker. You might recognize him from the Julian Best movies,” Jessica said, somehow keeping a straight face. “Mr. Baker, this is Arlene Washington. She does the good work of making sure kennel facilities are keeping their boarders happy and healthy.”
“A pleasure, Ms. Washington,” Hugh said, taking the woman’s hand in both of his and giving her the full focus of his intense blue gaze. “Thank you for your work on behalf of our fur friends.”
For a moment, the inspector just stared at Hugh, and Jessica’s heart turned to stone in her chest. Did Ms. Washington live under a rock and not know who Hugh Baker was? Maybe she hated spy movies. Maybe she hated all movies.
“You’re welcome,” the inspector said, her eyes never leaving Hugh’s face. Everyone waited a beat, but that seemed to be her entire response.
Hugh appeared to think for a moment before speaking again. “You know, I’m here because I have a foundation that supports other kids’ centers like this one. We heard about the Carver Center’s K-9 Angelz program and believe it is something our kids would benefit from as well. So we’re using this”—he swept his hand around the tiny room—“as our model. Dr. Quillen is acting as the veterinary adviser on the project.”
Jessica hid her amused surprise. Hugh was improvising beyond the simple script he’d outlined for them.
“Perhaps you could assist me with the regulatory side of things.” He smiled into Ms. Washington’s eyes, his charm turned up to full wattage.
Jessica’s knees had turned to rubber, so she wasn’t surprised when the inspector broke at last and nodded so hard her ponytail bounced. “That could be worked out,” she said.
“Excellent!” Hugh sounded as though he’d been granted his fondest wish. He pulled a business card and a slim silver pen from his pocket, scrawling something on the back of the card before he proffered it to her. “Here’s my personal cell phone number. Do you have a business card I might take?”
Ms. Washington took the card by one corner and gaped down at it. “Your personal cell phone number,” she repeated.
“And your card?” Hugh prompted after a moment.
