Her Undercover Refuge Page 19

  As long as she was still here.

  And she probably would be, at least later today. If she made a decision to leave, it most likely wouldn’t be immediate.

  Unless she learned that the threat to the shelter was imminent, of course.

  Which of course it could be...

  She didn’t want to focus on that. Not now. “You ready?” she asked Scott, nearly prancing beside him to get going.

  He gave her a questioning look. “Yeah, I am. But why—”

  She took a sip from her coffee cup, poured just a tiny amount back in from the urn to replace it, and said, “I’m not letting any concerns ruin my day.”

  He could interpret that any way he wanted, but she felt certain he’d recognize it was a result of that latest threat.

  And would assume from what she said that she was listening to him and staying here, notwithstanding the attempt at intimidation.

  Which was true... At least for now.

  “Okay, let’s go,” he said. Nella turned to look at the people still sitting around the tables. Most seemed involved in conversations—about dog walking and training, she figured.

  Well, under other circumstances she’d have been delighted to stay there and join them.

  But right now, she had that phone call of her own to make.

  In a few minutes she was in the room designated as her office. Both Scott and she had entered the general office area first, and he checked the shelter phone for any more nasty texts.

  None, fortunately. And Nella hadn’t received any more on her personal phone, either.

  Now, with Scott in his own office with the door closed, she settled more comfortably into her desk chair and stared at the wall across from her, where there were a few pictures of rescued dogs. Then she pressed the button to reach the person she figured she needed most to talk to right now—her former boss, Deputy Chief Dan Poreski.

  Dan answered immediately. “Nella. How are you?” His voice sounded a bit raspy, but definitely friendly.

  “Fine, Dan, and you?” Okay, the niceties were necessary, she supposed.

  “Just fine. Are you calling to see if plans are in the works yet for us to start a shelter like yours here in L.A.? If so—well, we’re talking about it, but nothing’s happened yet.” He paused for a second, then continued, “We’re waiting for you.”

  Nella laughed. “Well, that’s one of the reasons I called, but you’d better not wait for me. The other reason is...well, is there any way I can convince you to ramp up the search for the remaining gang members?”

  A hesitation. Then—“Why do you ask? We didn’t talk about it much when I was there, but... Did you get another text message about the shelter? I assume you think those guys are the source. And that...well, you didn’t tell me what the text said, but it’s threatening somehow, right?”

  Nella drummed her fingers on the desk. His response clearly meant he hadn’t attempted to increase the search yet. Might never. But he’d guessed at least part of the reason for her concern.

  “Well, yes,” she answered, hearing the coolness in her voice. “And I’m tired of it.”

  “Me, too.” Dan’s tone sounded gloomy, but a bit more energetic when he continued. “Look, I’ll try to ramp it up a bit more than we already have. And Jon and I could schedule another time to come up there to see you again, talk more about the shelter—and this. Soon, okay?”

  “Right, soon,” she said, not believing it.

  “Better yet, you could come here both to advise us about the shelter and to discuss your situation more.”

  Sure she could. Scott would be furious.

  And so would she—since she might be putting herself in even more danger and still not get the menace to back off.

  “I’ll think about it,” she said.

  “Whatever you do, please be careful,” Dan said.

  “Of course,” she responded, and felt even more depressed and worried as they hung up.

  With clearly nothing accomplished.

  Sure, Dan seemed to give a damn about her, but was what he was doing enough? She doubted it.

  Nella had an urge to throw something and looked at the computer and tissue box and other items on the desk.

  But that wouldn’t make her feel any better.

  Only resolving the situation would.

  She needed to figure out a way.

  Chapter 20

  It was midafternoon. Scott and Nella were just driving back in his SUV from the Chance Police Department. After the most recent text, he had wanted to have Nella’s phone checked by the tech staff there, and one of the best, Officer Gil Jonas, a part-time technology officer, had been the one to help out. They had also spoken with Vince again and Assistant Chief Kara Province, as well as K-9 cops Maisie and Doug Murran, letting them know about the latest threat sent directly to Nella’s phone.

  But the fact they’d gone to talk to the authorities didn’t give away what the shelter was, even if someone happened to notice who they were or where they came from—only that there was some kind of issue they were looking into. He’d made sure that Nella understood that. She wasn’t putting the shelter into any further danger by disclosing this latest incident to the local police and getting their additional help in trying to solve it.

  “You doing okay?” he asked her now. She certainly looked okay. She sat straight in the passenger’s seat, staring out the windshield as if assessing every business in town that they passed, every person on the sidewalks, every car they saw going the other direction, to determine which contained her enemy. The shelter’s enemy.

  And therefore Scott’s enemy.

  “Yeah,” was her curt reply. She looked over at him. “I just wish there’d been something to lead your coworkers to the source of that text, even though it was sent from yet another burner phone—of course.”

  “Of course. And I just hope your buddy Dan finally gets his people to locate the remaining gang members so we can determine at last whether you’re right and they’re the ones making these threats.”

  Which was the logical assumption, but if it wasn’t them, Scott and the Chance PD needed to know that, too, and figure out who it really was.

  And stop them.

  For now, he was doing what he could to help Nella get through this.

  “So, are you ready to be the primary interviewer of our visitors this afternoon?”

  “Absolutely,” Nella responded. He was delighted to see her smile at him. This was a wonderful distraction, he figured. The shelter had been contacted by several potential adoption families, and one was coming to visit this Sunday afternoon—after some really deep vetting by Telma, Camp and Scott. The last thing they needed was to allow someone inside who could be the person menacing the shelter—and Nella.

  They soon reached the parking area behind the shelter. Scott parked the car and reached into his pocket for the keycard for the door through the back fence.

  He got out of his car and started walking over to help Nella get out—and protect her when she did.

  Only—he was immediately shocked and furious when she not only got out on her own but began running across the street. As soon as he looked where she was headed, he understood. A dog ran loose in the park area. No people were around at all, let alone any chasing him. And he appeared ready to run into the street.

  “Nella, go inside,” he yelled at her. “I’ll come back out and get him.”

  Which was when a car started barreling down the street toward the dog—an old brown sedan, with darkened windows so Scott couldn’t see the driver.

  “No!” Nella cried, and continued running.

  But the car didn’t seem to be after the dog. Instead, it veered toward Nella.

  “No!” Scott echoed, knowing there was no time. He’d already clicked open the rear door to his vehicle and now dug down into the back pad
ding—where he had stashed a weapon.

  He aimed it toward that driver he couldn’t see.

  But the driver must have seen him, since he started zigzagging, then gunned the engine and zoomed forward—without hitting Nella or the dog.

  “I—I—Thanks,” Nella called to Scott, sounding almost hysterical. But did she change what she had been up to?

  No. She dived forward into the park and soon, somehow, caught up with the loose dog—a Jack Russell terrier mix. Sweeping it into her arms, she hurried back across the street to where Scott still stood near his SUV after putting the safety back on and thrusting his gun into his pocket and out of sight.

  Some people near the businesses at the sides of the park area—the hardware store and sports gear store—had apparently seen some of what happened, and a couple headed in their direction. Scott immediately herded Nella toward the shelter door, which he finally unlocked, then locked again behind her.

  He had used his phone to take pictures of the rear of the fleeing car so the make could be identified, and he believed he’d also gotten the license plate number.

  Was that the same person who’d been threatening Nella?

  Damn! If he’d only had a way to stop that car. Take the driver into custody, then check into background information.

  But now... He held his hands up toward the approaching, concerned people. “Everything’s okay now, folks. But did any of you recognize the car? The driver? The dog?”

  No one appeared to, but Scott nevertheless called Camp and told him to come out here right away, briefly explaining what happened and telling Camp to interview the people who’d drawn closer because of the car.

  But Scott figured they wouldn’t be able to supply much, if any, useful information. One of the guys, a youngish Asian man, said, “That looked like my neighbor Bill’s old car, but I thought he traded it in for something else.”

  So it could have been stolen from a used car lot, if that was the case. Well, it wouldn’t hurt to get whatever information this guy could supply.

  And right now, Scott hid his fury. With Nella, for going after that dog. He could understand why, but she also knew she was under threat. And the person who had threatened her might have let that dog loose to bait her—and been driving that car.

  But he was also furious with himself for not being in a position to stop it.

  Camp arrived, and Scott took him aside, then sent him over to conduct the interviews.

  And Scott headed inside the shelter.

  * * *

  “What a cute little guy,” Bibi said when Nella approached, holding the dog she had just rescued. Bibi was in a group of staff members clustered near the food building, working on training dogs with the commands Nella had been teaching them. Bibi was working with Honey, the highly intelligent black Lab mix who seemed to get the hang of the commands easily.

  “Yeah, he is, isn’t he? But don’t let us interrupt you.” Still, Nella allowed the staff members present to make a fuss over her new charge, including Muriel, Kathy and Leonard.

  “What’s his name?” Bibi asked.

  “I don’t know.” Nella hadn’t had time to check for a collar with an ID tag, but she did now, and there wasn’t one. “Why don’t we just call him Jack for now?”

  “That’s appropriate,” Bibi said, and the others agreed.

  “Right now, I’m going to take him in there.” Nella gestured toward the nearest kennel building. “Since he was a stray, I have to assume he’s hungry, so I’ll give him a little afternoon snack.” Nella would ensure that Jack got onto the same schedule as the other dogs as long as he was here, with two meals a day plus treats for obeying commands and otherwise.

  First, though, she intended to ask Scott to take her to a nearby veterinarian so she could get Jack scanned for a microchip. Too bad Scott hadn’t yet found a vet to hire here, as he was attempting to do. That would save time and be easier. But for now they would rely on the one they’d been using. It would be a whole lot better if they could find Jack’s owner right away.

  Where was Scott now? She found out after taking Jack inside the nearest kennel building since he joined them immediately. All the other dogs were outside with staff members, so the fenced enclosures at the perimeter of the large room were all empty.

  No sense putting Jack behind a fence just yet, but Nella got some kibble and wet food from the usual cupboard and put it in a bowl for the white-and-brown dog, then placed the bowl onto the floor nearby. The poor little guy leaped right at it, scarfing down the food as if he hadn’t eaten in days.

  Maybe that was the way he always ate, but people here at the shelter would learn that if he wound up staying for a while.

  And as Nella watched him, grinning and pleased that she’d done something else to help the stray, she saw Scott come in through the main door.

  “Looks starved,” he commented, also looking down at where Jack inhaled his food.

  “Yes, poor thing. I’m glad I saw him when I did and was able to grab him.” She knew her look and tone were defiant. She recognized she had put herself in danger and had known better. But she had possibly saved this cute little life, and she had no regrets, since neither of them, nor Scott, was hurt.

  “I’m glad you’re both okay,” Scott said. He drew closer to Nella, as if he intended to put his arm around her, but instead just stood there, still looking down at the pup, who was now licking the empty bowl. “And in case you’re interested, the car that nearly hit you is probably one reported stolen from a used car lot yesterday. It reappeared just down the street from there a few minutes ago. The theft was reported to the police, and so was the apparent recovery.”

  “That sounds too much like someone stole it with that specific use in mind.” Nella didn’t like how her tone quavered, and she crossed her hands over her chest. “I assume it’ll be checked for fingerprints under the circumstances, right?”

  “Yeah, I’ve talked to Vince and he promised to let me know the outcome. But you know what I think.”

  He didn’t make it a question. “Whoever it was probably wore gloves and did everything else to ensure nothing was left that could identify him—or her.”

  “Most likely.” This time, Scott moved to plant his tall, muscular body right in front of her with his own hands crossed over his chest. “And if you ever do anything like that again—”

  “What? You’ll kill me?” Nella attempted to sound joking, and she figured Scott would do all he could to ensure no one hurt or killed, her. But she still felt her eyes tear up, and this time she knelt on the concrete floor and scooped Jack into her arms before rising again. “Hey, little fellow,” she said to the dog. “You and I will be just fine now, won’t we?” She hugged Jack so their faces met and he licked her, then looked back at Scott. “So, didn’t you say I’m to interview some potential adopters this afternoon? When are they supposed to arrive?”

  Scott looked at his watch. “In about half an hour.”

  “Excellent. I’ll look forward to it. Any idea which dogs they might be interested in—or at least what size?”

  Scott just looked at her, in a way that made her realize he was scared she could have gotten hurt—or worse.

  But she was who she was. She might be here to help take care of people under protective custody, but part of the job was also talking care of the animal residents. Which made her feel even more like trying to ensure that other animals, too, remained okay. Like poor little Jack.

  Carefully setting the dog down on the floor, she approached Scott, who just stood watching her. “Look, Scott,” Nella said quietly, fists now clenched at her sides as she looked up at him while trying to figure out what to say. “Thank you. And I’m sorry if I’m not living up to your expectations as a manager here. But—”

  “That’s not—” He paused before continuing. “I certainly didn’t expect to take on someone else needing protec
tive custody when I hired you, but I can’t control that. What I can control is what I do about it. And that’s to do my damnedest to make sure you’re not hurt, either.” He kissed her then, and little Jack immediately started barking near their feet.

  Nella shared in that kiss, but both broke away quickly at the cute, shrill noise. “Looks like Jack wants all the attention.” She grinned down at the little dog, then back up at Scott.

  “I’d say so.” Scott was smiling, too, and Nella felt so much better then that the distance that had suddenly, reasonably, begun growing between them had now evaporated, at least somewhat. “Now, let’s go wait for those potential adopters.”

  * * *

  Scott realized that, no matter how much he wanted to back away from Nella if she insisted on ignoring the realities of the danger around her, he simply wouldn’t do that.

  And so, he was the one to lead little Jack outside on a leash and turn him over to Bibi to take him on a walk around the shelter path. Then Nella and he went to the reception building to await the potential adopters.

  Who became more than potential.

  Following the process posted on the shelter website, the Clavers had contacted him before they came and let the managers research their backgrounds and ability to take on a dog and treat it well. Scott had talked to each of the adults on the phone, as well as friends, neighbors and coworkers, as he always did.

  It was a family in which both parents were teachers, the father at a local elementary school and the mother at a high school. Their kids were school-age, and they also brought along a grandma who lived with them—and would mostly hang out at home with whatever dog they adopted.

  Which happened to be Pebbles, the Maltipoo. Pebbles seemed happy to be hugged and talked to and immediately included in this family that seemed so perfect to take on a new pet.

  Nella appeared thrilled. Scott was, too. And even staff member Darleen was okay with it. Though she loved Pebbles in particular, she had already expressed the hope that the Maltipoo would find the right forever home as soon as possible.