Animal Angel Read Online Free PDF Page A

only four taking part in the riveting game of fetch. Weston watched as the sheltie, a Labrador, a dog that kind of looked like a German Shepherd and something he couldn’t identify stampeded toward her. She was stunning, and her expression made the gray day brighter. He caught her gaze — he’d been spotted. The gray day reappeared as her smile faded. Her eyes held his as he approached. This must be what the last mile walk feels like for a death row inmate. Three of the dogs, on the other hand, saw fresh meat and swarmed him, drenching him with licks and beating him with wagging tails.
    Chuckling, he reached down to pet them while trying to stay on his feet. His gaze traveled around the lush, green yard. He’d stepped into a dog’s own fantasy land. Trees everywhere. A small pond, where a dog that looked similar to his cousins golden retriever was belly deep, tongue lapping at the water. A couple of slides, a stationary tug toy, and multiple fake fire hydrants that a classic definition of mutt was enjoying in earnest.
    Mavis stood her ground, but he didn’t miss her guarded expression. “Detective Speier, what brings you back?” She didn’t offer her hand.
    He shuddered, swearing he could get frostbite from the icy breeze radiating off her. I remember why she scares me. He smirked, holding back the full chuckle. He cleared his throat, mentally rejoining the conversation at hand . “Paperwork — Stella told me to come out here while she got it ready. I need to sign it and get a copy for the police report.” That’s it, Speier, blame the nice lady in front — coward.
    â€œShe did, did she?” Mavis said. The pit bull Weston had brought in peeked around Mavis’s legs, peering cautiously at him.
    â€œHey, look who it is… I almost didn’t recognize her,” he said, flashing the most charming grin he had in his arsenal. Gone was the filth that had caked her body. Her coat was now sleek. The wound on her neck still looked raw, but it was no longer oozing purulent discharge. She was still skinny and had some hair loss from malnutrition, but her eyes were bright. Clean and happy made a world of difference. He squatted down, keeping his distance, unsure what the dog’s reaction to him would be.
    â€œAmazing what a bath and some food can do.” Mavis watched the interaction.
    â€œHey, pup, remember me? Or maybe you don’t want to.” A pang of guilt bumped inside his gut. She looked timid, not vicious, and it bothered him to think he might have played a part in causing her distress.
    Mavis squatted down next to the dog. “Dulce… we’re calling her Dulce.”
    â€œDulce is an unusual name,” Weston said, meeting her eyes. His head tilted slightly to the right, and he was lost in her gaze. Her eyes were the color of an evergreen forest, and he hadn’t noticed the gold flecks surrounding her pupil before.
    â€œIt means sweet.”
    Dulce came from behind Mavis and stretched out her nose as far as she could without moving closer to Weston. She trembled and whimpered, leaning back on her hind legs. He raised his hand above Dulce’s head. Mavis stopped him.
    â€œLet her come to you. Keep your hands low. Above the head can be interpreted as a threatening act, and she has trust issues.”
    Weston nodded and lowered his hand to the height of Dulce’s chin. She got a good sniff and moved her legs forward to catch up with her nose. He scratched under her chin before she retreated to her hiding spot behind Mavis. Weston slowly pushed to his feet.
    â€œThat’s the funny thing about dogs. They’re always willing to give you a second and third chance.” The muscles in her face tightened, and she seemed unable to hide the bitterness in her voice.
    Weston put his hands up. “Truce… okay?”
    Her eyes narrowed. “Detective Speier, what are you doing here?”
    â€œPlease call me