“Well, it wasn’t.” Her tone grew sharper and she glared at him for a moment till she shook her head and looked down again. “I thought we meant something to one another, but...I learned that wasn’t true. For one thing, nurses didn’t earn enough money to make him happy.” She described how she’d learned he was also having an affair with a well-paid and generous cardiologist. “That was more than enough.”
Just quitting her job there, even though she still had family in town, hadn’t been enough. She’d done her research and found a job that sounded good to her in San Luis Obispo. She’d gone there to interview and secured it, then faced down the miserable doctor, quit her old job and moved with Peace to SLO.
“That was that,” she finished. “And in case you’re going to tell me that my ex, or his girlfriend, has to be behind what’s happening to me now... I’ve considered it, but there would be no reason for it. He clearly didn’t want me any more—no more than I wanted him after I learned the truth. And even if he dumped his new friend, he didn’t try to come back to me, so there’d be no reason for her to try to get vengeance in any manner.”
Doug bought that, although he would look into the situation anyway—but he’d wait till another time to ask her for the names of those involved. He would also check records of people with the last name of Yorian in Seattle, but unless her parents or sister were so determined to get her to run home that they’d resort to these scary tactics, it was unlikely they were involved.
Still, he asked, “Are you in close touch with your family?”
“Don’t go there,” she ordered. “I don’t want them worried. They’re wonderful people. Supportive. Would like me to come home but understand that my life is my own. They’re definitely not involved.”
Hopefully not. But Doug knew better than just to assume things were what they seemed.
Like love affairs gone bad. He recognized too well how much that could hurt. He’d had one, too, back when Maisie and he still lived in Riverside, where they’d grown up—and their parents had split. Their divorce was one reason he and his sister were so close with Uncle Cy, who was always there for them. Plus, he was a cop and taught them to appreciate law enforcement enough to follow it as a career.
They’d both decided to become K-9 officers and heard of an excellent opportunity here in Chance—at a good time, as it turned out. Doug had been dating a woman he’d met in college, but the relationship had started going sour. She’d kept getting more and more demanding—and he hadn’t been obedient, at least not to her. Leaving had definitely been the best option.
And Doug had come to appreciate his sister—and the K-9s he worked with—even more.
“Okay,” he finally said. “We’ve got our work cut out for us checking into people you’ve been in contact with recently, maybe for the past month or two. I’d like you to make a list of everyone you can think of—friends, acquaintances, neighbors, whatever.”
“Fine. I’m going to ask Amber more about hiring me full-time and what I can do for her and the ranch. I’ll want to give the therapy dog classes I’m already scheduled for, but maybe also provide some additional general dog obedience classes along with Evan, though he’ll need to teach me the way he wants it done. Even if that works out, I should have enough free time to get on my laptop and work on my list. I might even do a little checking on some of them if I think they might have something against me, although I doubt I’ll find anything on general websites. I don’t suppose you can get me access to some of your official ones, can you?”
“No,” he said. “But, as I said, I’ll make the time to do some checking on my own, and I might be able to get our department’s techie to help out.” He looked at her cup. “You want more mocha?”
“No, and I’ve taken up enough of your time. Could you take me back to the ranch?”
“Sure.”
He felt glad, as he and Hooper led Elissa back to his SUV, that they’d accomplished something—maybe.
Would their search lead to results? He certainly hoped so. He had to stop whoever was harassing Elissa this way—and before anything accelerated.
When they were all settled in the vehicle and on the road to the ranch, he glanced at Elissa and found her watching him. Smiling slightly.
“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your help in all this mess,” she said softly. “I know it’s your job to help civilians, but you’re surely going above and beyond all that’s expected of you.”
“I don’t like unsolved cases,” he told her. “Or hearing of people with troubles I want to fix.”
“I figured,” she said with a slight laugh. “And I thank you.”
* * *
The ride back to the ranch was pleasant. More than pleasant. With their discussion at least temporarily behind them about ramping up the investigation of people in case they were behind her harassment, Elissa was able to change the subject.
She wanted to know more about Doug. Just because he was a nice guy and helping her, she told herself. There was no more to it than that—at least nothing she would allow herself to feel.
For now, she latched onto a somewhat neutral yet very interesting topic. She wanted to hear how Doug—and Maisie—wound up as K-9 cops here in Chance, and he told her. It had something to do with a cop uncle they both respected and cared for, their joint love of dogs, and combining their career interests by diving into training as K-9 officers.
About the time they’d completed that training and acquired Hooper and Griffin as partners, they’d started looking around for the right situation for them. Relatively quickly, Maisie had found an opening for a couple of K-9 officers in Chance. It was somewhat unusual, since most often the K-9s were acquired by the police department where they worked, but things could go differently in a small town like Chance.
“You’ve certainly got a wonderful sister,” Elissa said.
She enjoyed Doug’s rascally grin in response. “Yeah, but don’t tell her I agreed with you.”
As more questions filled her mind, she realized this wasn’t the right time to ask them—assuming there’d ever be a good time. But they were now on the road near the ranch.
Doug slowed as they reached the driveway. Elissa’s gaze aimed involuntarily toward the open gate where both signs involving her had been hung.
Nothing there.
She breathed a sigh of relief. And was well aware when Doug, now nearly stopped, was looking at her. “Looks like all’s well,” he said then accelerated up the driveway.
“I hope so.” But she reached for the phone in her pocket and quickly called Amber. “I’m back now,” she said. “I’ll come by the house soon. Everything okay?” Like, did you or Evan check on Peace and confirm she’s all right?
Amber heard what Elissa didn’t say. “All’s fine—including Peace. Evan and I had her out for a short walk, along with Lola and Bear, around twenty minutes ago.”
“That’s great. Thanks so much.”
“You’re definitely welcome. I assume you’re all set to provide your first training class tomorrow, right?”
“Right.” Elissa considered whether she should invite Amber over for breakfast to discuss some of the other things on her mind, but she didn’t have to.
“Good. I’ve set it up for around nine with your students. Why don’t you join my mother and me for breakfast again first so we can discuss logistics?”
“Perfect.”
By the time Elissa ended the call, Doug had parked his police vehicle in the driveway right off the narrow lane where her house was located. He looked over at her.
“Everything okay?”
“Definitely. And my first actual training class is at nine tomorrow morning, in case Maisie or you, or both of you, want to attend.”
“I’d like to but I’ll have to see how things stand tomorrow. Meanwhile, Hooper and I will come in for a minute to say hi to Peace.�
�
Elissa heard what he wasn’t saying. He wanted to check the place out and make sure all was well there. Which she appreciated, even though she wished there was no reason even to wonder such a thing.
Bad enough that he’d helped her that way before she’d moved from SLO. But her problem had followed her here, and she had no idea yet of how to solve it.
She popped out of the vehicle before Doug had a chance to hurry around and open the door for her. His old-fashioned gentlemanly behavior made her feel warm and mushy inside, but that wasn’t appropriate.
Besides, she had to remain in charge of her own life, even if she appreciated his “protective police officer” demeanor.
Almost immediately when she walked up the first step, she heard a soft “ruff” from inside the wooden door. She considered glancing inside using the glass window at the top but instead hurriedly used her key to open it—glad to hear Doug and Hooper behind her on the short stairway.
“Let me.” Doug attempted to move around her, but after hearing her dog right inside sounding eager to see her and not upset, she figured all was well.
“I’m okay,” she said and went in. She was immediately greeted by Peace, who nosed up to her and acted as if, had she not been such a well trained dog, she wanted to leap on Elissa and hug her.
Elissa instead did the same thing, bending and grabbing her dog around the neck and giving her a big hug.
Which also caused Elissa to stay right near the door as Doug and Hooper maneuvered around Peace and her. Looking away from Peace, Elissa watched them hurry down the hall. Doug peeked into each room as Hooper dashed inside then returned to the hall. Apparently, neither saw nor sensed anything amiss.
Which allowed Elissa to breathe normally again.
But heck, here inside the fence of the Chance K-9 Ranch, surely she was safe, despite those horrible signs left at the front gate...right?
It didn’t hurt to have someone and his dog check, just in case. Especially this particular police officer and his wonderful K-9.
“Okay.” Doug had returned to the entry. “Everything seems fine, but remember that Hooper and I can’t be here every time you come inside. Be careful. Have someone with you whenever possible. And listen to Peace. She was smart enough to alert you to the break-in at your old place.”
“She certainly was.” Elissa gave Peace another hug, then stood, knowing it was time to say goodbye—at least till tomorrow. If Doug was able to come to her class... She had a thought. “One more thing. Would you take a look at my laptop?” She had it stowed in its case in her bedroom.
“Sure, if you’d like.”
“I don’t have much to do this afternoon so I’ll do as you said and start looking up the names of some people I’ve been around lately.”
She liked his pleased expression as he nodded. “Good. I’ll be interested in the results.”
She led him down the hall and motioned for Hooper and him to meet her in the kitchen while she went to grab the laptop.
In a few minutes she was back and got it set up on the table. “Here’s a test of whether I can find interesting info on anyone I choose to check on.” She looked Doug’s name up on a search engine.
Yes, he was there, listed on several sites including those connected with Chance, its government and the police department.
There were a few other references, too, and Elissa knew she’d go back to them just out of curiosity. The more she knew about her protector, the better, right?
“This may be fun,” she said.
“Just as long as it’s helpful,” Doug added.
Elissa realized she’d done this to get him to stay a few minutes longer, but she knew he might have real work to do. “Anyway, thanks for coming. I’ll let you know if I find anything noteworthy, and I’ll keep a special file with names that I can turn over to you.”
“Very good,” he said as Elissa stood again.
She found herself staring up into his eyes, unable to pull her gaze away. Stepping toward him.
As if she had planned it, she found herself in his arms. His mouth lowered to hers and the hot, firm kiss they shared stirred her everywhere inside—especially in her most sensitive areas.
It lasted for at least a minute. Or two. Yet it felt too short.
Doug was the one to end it and pull away.
“Very good,” he repeated huskily, then added, “I’ll do what I can to make sure I attend your class tomorrow.”
Chapter 15
The first thing Doug did when Hooper and he returned to the department was to check in their office for Maisie and Griffin. The room was empty, so he texted his sister. If she was out on a case, she’d see it whenever but he wouldn’t interrupt if she was in the middle of something. Which was probably the situation since he didn’t get an immediate text back.
Next thing was to go see Assistant Chief Province. He knew he’d been spending an inordinate amount of time on the K-9 Ranch issues—and Elissa’s related ones—and now he had reason to want to expend more.
Kara, fortunately, was in her office and willing to see him. “So what’s going on now with the ranch and its latest employee?” she asked drolly, looking up from where she remained seated at her desk.
“There are a couple of updates,” he replied, intending to act entirely professionally and not react to his boss’s gibing about what might appear like he was attracted to Elissa.
He hoped it wasn’t that obvious, but wouldn’t be surprised if it was.
Before continuing, he took one of the familiar seats in front of Kara while Hooper lay down on the floor beside him. “One is that I want to take a couple of hours off tomorrow so I can observe the latest class Ms. Yorian will be giving, as well as her students who are present. It can be sick time if you want, since it’s for therapy work and therefore involves mental health.” He gave a wholly unprofessional grin while waiting for her answer.
He had no reason to believe any student was involved with what had been happening to Elissa, but without knowing who was involved, it didn’t hurt to hang out with her as much as possible.
“And if nothing happens, at least your mind will feel better and Hooper will get some training in becoming a future therapy dog,” Kara said, not sounding entirely sarcastic, which surprised Doug.
At the sound of his name, Hooper’s ears turned but he stayed where he was. “Nothing wrong with that,” Doug said. “He’s only five years old and in great condition, but if he ever reaches the point that he no longer qualifies to be a police K-9, he can always spend his later years as a therapy dog.” And Doug would be happy to work with him that way, too. “Plus, he can visit hospitals unofficially now.”
“Right. Okay, go ahead to that class as long as you file a report about what’s going on at the ranch and if there’s any further evidence of who posted those signs.”
“That’s the other thing I wanted to talk to you about. No evidence has been found yet, but Elissa is going to put together a list of people she was in contact with over the past month or so. She may do some online research about any she considers potential enemies, but I also want to talk to Gil Jonas about doing some additional research in official police data banks.”
Officer Gil Jonas was one of the youngest officers in the Chance Police Department. He had been at the head of his class when he had trained for the job—and started it soon after he’d graduated from college with a degree in information technology.
That made him the department’s part-time Technology Officer—not entirely official yet, but he probably would be sometime in the future. For now, if there was any kind of issue involving computers or technology, he was the go-to guy. He also was good friends with Percy Relgin, who owned Cords and Clouds, Chance’s technology retail store.
He would be better skilled, and faster, than Doug at this research.
“Good idea. I’ll let Officer
Jonas know you spoke with me, and he’s to spend as much time on this as he feels is necessary. I’ll call him now and tell him to expect you.”
Doug thanked his boss and he and Hooper left. Doug realized it was probably a good thing to be a member of a police department tied to a relatively small town like Chance, where everyone seemed to give a damn about everyone else. It also didn’t hurt that the department’s higher-ups apparently still felt like they owed the K-9 Ranch and its owners, since Amber herself had in essence been the person to find her father’s killer and stop potential destruction of the ranch.
Whoever was leaving those threats might not know that, or might not care. But Doug was determined to bring that person down, both to help the venerated ranch—and to make sure nothing bad happened to Elissa.
As a result, he quickly made his way up the steps with Hooper to the second floor of the building, where Gil Jonas’s office was. He was one of the few entry-level police officers with an office of his own—because his techie skills were so needed by the department.
Doug soon knocked on the closed door. “Come in,” called a somewhat tenor voice. As Doug entered the very small room with Hooper, Gil stood behind his desk, a good thing since it was covered with open laptop computers and Doug otherwise might not be able to see him. Gil wasn’t the tallest cop in the department. “I’ll bet I know why you’re here.” The junior officer grinned.
Gil wore black-rimmed glasses that bisected his long and somewhat doughy face. His uniform shirt was white, like everyone else’s, but it was either brand-new or Gil had just ironed it, since it appeared stiff and wrinkle-free. His smile revealed glowing teeth that suggested he brushed them often with a lot of whitening toothpaste.
In all, he appeared to have decided that, since he was a geek, he might as well look like one.
“I’ll bet you do, if Assistant Chief Province got in touch with you. Did she tell you about the case Hooper and I are working on?” Doug looked down at his dog, who was once more sitting on the floor beside him.
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