Unleashed_Case of the Collie Flour

by Erik Schubach

  What did that mean? Is there some sort of cop dating circular out there?

  I apologized. “Sorry, I just get defensive.”

  She smiled at me and shrugged again as she looked around and changed the topic. “Just the two of us in the apartment? And you're really only asking seven fifty?”

  It was my turn to shrug and explain. “Just need to cover the utilities and property taxes, and I can meet my five-year plan goals.”

  She froze in place, her eyes now focussed intently on me as her brow furrowed slightly. She asked in shock, “You... own the apartment?”

  I nodded. “Mostly, the mortgage will be paid off in two years if I can manage to keep a roommate that long.”

  She sputtered, “You walk dogs.”

  I narrowed my eyes. Why did everyone think I didn't have a real job that could support me? Like dog walking wasn't a worthy profession? None of my fuzzy clients have ever complained nor whined at me. I shot back, “Very observant, you learn that in detective school?”

  She chuckled. “Sorry, it's just... how much can you possibly make walking dogs? And you're buying your own place.”

  I didn't need to candy coat it, so I shared. “A hundred and fifty per walk.”

  Her eyes were wide, and widened, even more, when I added, “Per dog.”

  She asked carefully, disbelief in her eyes, “And how many do you walk a day?”

  “Usually six, and then get double my rate to bring them to the vet or groomers after my walking hours.”

  I saw her quickly calculating in her head, and she whispered, “But that's...”

  I interrupted, embarrassed at the real number for some reason, “More than a detective's salary – yes.”

  Her shock turned into a smirk, and she inclined her head to me in apology. I had to smile back as her smirk turned into a smile. I was so awkward at times. And I never shared how much I made with people, but she had been looking down upon my profession. She seemed oddly impressed now, and that made my ears heat at the tips.

  She gave me a cute little wink and stood. “Well, Miss May.”

  I absently mumbled, “Finnegan,” as I stood too, getting Calvin excited.

  She nodded. “Finnegan. I have to get back to work, I'll drop by tomorrow to start moving in.”

  I blinked at her. “You're going back to work? But it's getting dark out.”

  She nodded, and all her flippant attitude just seemed to bleed away as she said, “The dead need justice, and they don't go by a clock. I'm waiting on some results from the lab, and I have a couple things to follow up on.”

  Oh. That was sort of... I felt bad for being so abrupt with her. But she knew how to pull all my triggers. I think it was a cop thing.

  I said, “Oh, ok. Umm... just a sec.” I went to the kitchen and opened the junk drawer. Well ok so it wasn't a junk drawer, I had multiple partitions to separate the various things I stored there. I pulled out a spare key and turned around “Eeep!” She was right there again. I hadn't even heard her move. How was she so silent in those shit-kicking boots of hers?

  I composed myself and took a half step back to give myself an illusion of personal space. I offered her the key with both hands. Shut up, I already told you I was awkward. She took the key with a grin on her face.

  I said, “Rent is due on the first of each month, just tell me if you'll be late or short. We can discuss the apartment rules when we have some time together. I work until three on weekdays unless I have a special call.”

  She took the key and looked at it, and cocked her eyebrow at the label, 'roommate,' on it. She chuckled. “Rules, three, check.” Then she said with that infuriating smirk of hers on her full lips, making me wonder just how I had agreed to let her room here, “You seem to like labeling things.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “Just a second.” I took my labeler from the drawer and typed quickly on the LCD screen. A label printed and I set the labeler back in its partition and closed the drawer. Then I looked a challenge at her as I slapped the label on her chest.

  She looked down and then started chuckling in mirth instead of the annoyance I was shooting for. “Jerk Cop? I like it.” She reached over me, invading my personal space again, her chest in my face as she retrieved her gun from the cupboard then donned it. Was it hot in there?

  Then she headed for the door. She shook her head as we walked like she was trying to puzzle something out. “Someone who looks like you should have no problem landing a date.”

  That was almost a compliment. I felt a blush spreading, and I shrugged as I held the door open for her. “You'll understand once you get to know me. My roommates never stay long.”

  She stepped out, and I said quickly, “Stay safe.” Why was I worried? She was a detective with a gun. And a whole department behind her.

  She gave me a genuine, non-smirky smile, which looked really good on her. She should really smile more often like that, it gave her a sexy vulnerability. She assured me, “I will. Don't open the door for Raife.”'

  I smiled back, amused, “I promise. Night.” She just turned and headed toward the stairs, waving to me in the air.

  I closed and locked the door a few times just to be sure. Hmm... I had a cop roommate. I looked down at Calvin as he looked up at me, his tongue lolling. “Well, how about that?”

  Chapter 5 – Jessie

  The next day I had to modify my routine a bit. Calvin had slept on my bed. I think he was missing his home, so I didn't enforce the no dogs on bed rule. Besides, he's just so cute and laid across my feet and kept them toasty all night.

  It was good that after his show days, Abigail had him fixed, or I didn't know what I would have done. I didn't want to leave him all alone at home in this confusing time for him. I had to take a bit of time shuffling my meals in the fridge so that I was organized for the week, and had to pack extra water for my new gaggle buddy, Cal. He could be my new temporary lieutenant.

  Hey, don't look at me like that. I really enjoy my walks with my clients.

  Everything came slamming down on me when I started for the door with Calvin at 9:36. It hit me like a sledge, I didn't need to leave yet, not for another ten minutes. Abigail Reeves was dead. She may have been dying while I was in her apartment picking up Cal. The murderer was there...

  I slid down the wall, panting. Was this a panic attack? Cal was there for me, he started licking my face, and that snapped me back to my senses. I had to be strong for him like he was for me. I scrubbed his ears. Thanks, boy.

  I had to do something to keep my mind off of it for a few more minutes. I glanced around, then did a quick clean of the place, not wanting to look like a pig and make a bad first impression for Jane. A clean home is a happy home. At least that's what mom told my brother and me growing up. It may have been propaganda and misinformation, but I was borderline obsessive about things back then, so I grudgingly took her at her word. I'm better now.

  Shut up.

  I stood in front of the mirror at the front door with Calvin after harnessing him up. I chose a black sundress with white trim today. We were in mourning. Hmm... I wonder when poor Abigail's service would be. I smoothed down the skirt of the dress and glanced at my black and white flats.

  Then I took a deep breath and said, “Ok, boy, let's go.” Then we were off, heading toward the park to make our way toward Duke and Hercules' homes.

  The sun was shining on the city, and it was eerily similar to how great the day had started out the day before and I wanted to revel in it but wondered if that would be bad or in poor taste if I did. I had to pretend that I had already picked Calvin up at the 855, as we moved on to my second stop or I would have obsessed.

  My heart just about broke when Cal tried to turn down Madison when we crossed it.

  The morning just flew by, I found myself laughing at the boy's antics as we opted for a romp through the Sheep Meadow. It was almost enough to forget about what had happened if only just a moment.

  Once we dropped the boys off, Calvin whined once cro
ssing Madison again, and that brought it all back. “It's going to be ok Cal. After a while, your mom will just be a warm memory, it will always hurt, but you'll remember the love. I've been there, with my father. We can help each other out. And I just know your new family is going to love you to death and spoil you rotten.”

  That was just as painful to me, knowing that sometime soon, he would be whisked away to god knows where, and I'd probably never see him again. But that was life. I suffered through that every time I lost a client to age or sickness, or their owners going with a different walker. The later was rare, as my services were fought for tooth and nail as I had just a finite number of slots since I wouldn't do gaggles of ten.

  With me, my clients didn't just get walked, but they got pampered and trained by me, and their owners see this and appreciate it. It was a perk of my service, and I took pride in it.

  I looked down at the silly Border Collie, and he cocked his head, his tongue hanging cutely to the side. “What do you think Cal? The park for lunch? After we walk the girls, we can hit Eloise's Barktique to pick up a bag of your food.”

  He just wagged his tail, silly boy.

  “Then it's settled.”

  I may or may not have shared my sandwich with my furry lieutenant. I was spoiling the poor boy. But he was just so darn cute. I mean, could you say no to that face? His black mask over his white muzzle made him look like a little thief of hearts.

  The girls were endlessly fascinated with Cal-sanova. I was endlessly happy that he was fixed. Little Princess, the adorable King Charles Cavalier, seemed taken by him. He took point and we looked a merry bunch as we visited the Bethesda Terrace on our walk.

  After bidding the ladies adieu, we headed back home, I didn't have any special runs to do today except getting Calvin's food. I was worried the radical change in his diet was going to rear its ugly head today, but it didn't. I silently wondered if Abigail was as bad as me in sharing her meals with him and he had a cast iron stomach.

  Ok, I'm no wimp, having to hold back three dogs at a time, but my arm was aching carrying the twenty-pound bag of dog food on the mile walk home. I could have hailed a taxi, but most don't allow dogs. I don't know why I got such a big bag, I'd most likely be losing Cal today or tomorrow. The next of kin had to have been informed and would be on their way to the city by now.

  But like mom always says, “A good host is always prepared, and not caught off guard by the unexpected.” Yeah, that's why I bought it, it had nothing to do with the asinine price of the five-pound bag. Why would it cost half the price of the twenty? I'll never understand these Boutique brands. The more affordable brands are just as nutritious, you just have to read the labels to suss out which are actually healthy for your fuzzy baby. Was it just a status thing?

  As soon as we got home and I checked the mailbox, I unclipped Calvin, and he bounded up the stairs ahead of me, his nose and tail working like some sort of advanced sensor suite that only dogs understood. I had to grin at how inquisitive and excited he was all the time.

  We got to the door, and I narrowed my eyes when I found it unlocked. Had I forgotten to lock it? I thought I remembered closing the door, locking it three times, and pushing on it like I do every morning.

  Three times? No, I'm not obsessive compulsive! ...much.

  I guess I have a faulty memory. Now I'll be paranoid for weeks and have to lock the door four times. I opened the door, and Calvin rushed in, I had to grin at him. I placed the leashes on their pegs, and my bag on the entry table then turned to call Cal over so I could take off his harness.

  I squeaked, dropping the bag of dog food, which thankfully remained intact, and placed a hand on my belly before I could compose myself. An amused looking Jane was standing by her bedroom door with a box. I had already forgotten I had a roommate. I exhaled as I tried to get my thumping heart back under control from my surprise.

  I grinned sheepishly. “Hi. I didn't expect anyone to be here.”

  She looked thoroughly amused at my shock and reaction. Jerk cop.

  “Apparently.”

  Ok, I smiled a little as I crouched to prop the dropped bag against the wall, causing Cal to come darting over. I took his harness off and hung it, making sure it faced the same way as the others. I grumped out, “You don't need to look so amused.”

  She just said as Cal raced back over to her to wind about her legs, “Oh, I beg to differ.” Then she said in a pleasant tone which had me blushing, “It was kind of adorable.”

  I couldn't make eye contact as I brushed my long curls back over my shoulder and smoothed out my skirt. I am not adorable! I'm fierce.

  I felt so bashful just then.

  I changed the subject to get the spotlight off of my spastic behavior, “Moving in?”

  She nodded as she stepped into her room with the box. “Astute.”

  “Ass.”

  “Guilty as charged.” She popped back out with that smirk of hers on her face, walking toward the door.

  I about jumped out of my skin, and may have uttered an aborted scream when the door behind me opened as a woman called out, “This is the last one, Jane.”

  Jane stepped into my invisible bubble of personal space again, standing just a wee bit too close as she steadied me. I had to crane my neck up to see her as I looked between her and the tall redhead who looked like she had stepped out of the pages of Biker's Monthly, all curves and tight black jeans and boots. I felt like a prepubescent boy standing between these two models for the Bad Girl Gazette.

  The redhead's eyes narrowed almost dangerously at me as she stared at Jane's hand on my arm. If looks could kill, my next nap would have been at the city morgue.

  Jane let go of me and said with a patient tone, “Jess, play nice.” Then she moved between us and said, “Jessie Freeman, this is my new roommate and landlord Finnegan May. Finnegan...” She paused and emphasized, “My EX, Jess.”

  I looked at the two and offered my hand. “A pleasure to meet you.”

  She didn't take my hand. Instead, she crossed her arms over her belly like she was hurting and looked at Jane. “The dog walker?”

  Jane nodded, and Jess shrugged eyes almost accusing. “You didn't say she was pretty.”

  “What does it matter that she's pretty? She's my roommate. Jesus Jess, you were the one who dumped me, remember? You can't have things both ways.”

  I felt both awkward and embarrassed as they both spoke like I wasn't there. They thought I was pretty? I felt my face heat.

  Then my eyes widened a little as I looked at them again. McLeary was gay. Jess was her girl... well I guess 'had been' her girl would more accurate in this case. I didn't really need to be the source of any friction did I? I didn't know how I was supposed to react.

  Oh god, the dog food was leaning against the wall, not tucked away in a cupboard like it should be. My purse was crooked on the entry table. There were a couple dishes on the counter I was going to wash when Cal and I got home.

  I was moving past Jessie, hugging my arms. I quickly hung my shoulder bag on its peg and grabbed the bag of dog food, Calvin trailing behind me. I hustled toward the kitchen almost frantically.

  Jane said, “Finnegan.”

  I tucked the food away and went to the sink and started the water and shakily grabbed the dishes.

  “Finnegan.”

  I wasn't expecting guests.

  “Finnegan!”

  I looked over at her, peripherally aware of what I was doing. She assured me, “The place looks fine.” Then she quipped toward the redhead, “Now look what you've done.”

  I took a deep breath, I was so emotionally spent from the last couple days. What the hell was I doing? I just wanted to be far away from any confrontation.

  Jess was beside me, I hadn't known she had moved from where she was facing Jane. She was taking the dishes from my hands and smiled kindly. “Hey, girly. The place looks great. Let me do that.”

  Crap, I was obsessing again. I exhaled a long breath centering myself. I doubt
ed I could have looked any more awkward if I tried. I just wasn't used to all these high emotions swirling around after a tragedy. It was the same when we lost dad. I must have made and unmade my bed a hundred times while everyone had been downstairs at the wake. I couldn't get the one god damned corner straight, no matter what I did. You've had that problem before, right?

  I inhaled then smiled at Jessie, she wasn't the mean person I thought at first. Just jealous. She must have been stressing too. I assured her with a shaky voice as I took the plate from her hand, “I'm good. I'm good. Thanks.”

  She looked at me with a touch of concern then when I nodded firmly she smiled and stepped back.

  I glanced at Jane, her intense brown eyes were studying me closely. For god's sake, it was just a minor panic attack, I wasn't a damn porcelain doll. She smiled at seeing my fire returning, and I gave her a sheepish grin.

  Manners!

  I asked Jess, “Will you be staying for dinner with Jane, Calvin and me, Jessie? I can whip something up really fast.” I pretended I hadn't just dweebed out and I appreciated that they were happy to pretend it hadn't happened.

  She shook her head. “I really shouldn't. I was just helping Jane move her stuff over.” She stepped over to Jane, and they placed their foreheads on each other, then she whispered, “I'm sorry.” They kissed, and it broke my heart when Jess turned and walked out, Calvin pawed at Jane who was just an emotionless statue.

  Then she looked down and then crouched with a sad smile as she scritched his ears as the door latch clicked closed, “Hiya boy.”

  She took a deep breath, I knew she was centering herself too, then she stood with a little smirk, mouthing, “OCD.”

  I flipped her off but smiled, knowing what she was doing and appreciating it. She said, “I've only got a few minutes left on the meter before I have to move my car. Let me get my stuff unpacked before I have to go. I have a couple leads to follow up on anyway.”

  I blurted, “Use my parking spot.”

  She hesitated and then cocked her brow as Calvin ran over and hopped up on the couch and curled in. “You have a parking spot?”