Hair of the Dog Read Online Free PDF

used to the wasp “waist” and dainty feet. Compared to Simon she had the face of an anteater.
    â€œWell, I don’t know why I didn’t think of this but I have a unit that’s just freed up. End of Octoberfest, you know, for bikers. I always keep two or three units available for weekly rentals. Fully furnished, of course. This is a major tourist area. I make more money in the summer and during NASCAR and Bike Week than I do renting a unit on a yearly basis.”
    â€œSounds great. Let’s take a look.” Dan caught Elaine’s eye and an affirmative nod.
    â€œWhy not? It might be perfect for us.”
    â€œIt’s only two doors down. You could even leave the bulk of Sadie’s food here. No need to lug it around. You’d have to take her bed, though, and her dishes. I’ll help. I know where everything is.” Joan picked up a dog toy. “I don’t imagine you brought much with you? Household goods, that is. I keep small appliances in the garage—coffeemakers, toasters, microwaves, irons—well, you name it and I probably have it. We could get you fixed up in no time. Let’s take a look.”
    The rental unit had been recently painted in what Elaine was beginning to call seascape colors—seafoam green, seaglass blue, seastorm gray. It was clean and bright and the furniture, though a little dark, looked comfortable.
    â€œYou’ll find dishes above the sink to your right. There’s a washer/dryer in this hall closet.” The layout was dining room/living room combination, kitchen with wraparound counter, and half bath all on the bottom floor, and two bedrooms and a bath upstairs. Far more room than a hotel would provide. Elaine might have to work on overlooking the frolicking seahorse wallpaper in the upstairs bath. Still, in all, it was very doable.
    â€œNot sure of the timeframe but let’s say two weeks with an option on a couple more.” Dan wished he could be more exact, but that was another part of this job—a long weekend could turn into a month. He’d be haunted by one totally unplanned hospital stay in Wagon Mound, New Mexico, for years to come. That had added a few weeks to what was going to be a four-day investigation.
    â€œOh good, I just know this will work out. You’re only three miles from the beach, you know. There’s really lots to do. I have several pamphlets if I can put my hands on them. Let’s get Sadie’s stuff in here and then we’ll go back to the office.”
    Sadie’s bed turned out to be a giant sofa without feet—billowing pillows made up the base and stuck up a foot in height around the edge. But it was a favorite. Sadie never left it the entire time they were loading up dog food and dishes.
    â€œOkay, girl, time to get this to your new home.” Dan clipped the leash back on and picked up one corner of the cumbersome dog bed. “Good grief, do you have bricks in here?” There wasn’t any picking it up, it was too big and too heavy. Elaine helped but the two of them more dragged than carried the monstrosity to its new home. Then, placing a water bowl and a dish of kibble beside it, Elaine called Sadie.
    The dog didn’t need to be encouraged. Sadie buried her nose in the bowl enameled with paw prints and gulped more than tasted her food.
    â€œI wasn’t thinking but I bet she hasn’t eaten a full meal in three days.”
    Dan watched as Elaine filled Sadie’s food bowl for a second time. Probably wouldn’t hurt her. He’d never seen a fat greyhound…that was like saying there were obese vegetarians. He picked up his jacket and headed toward the car. A few suitcases and they were home. It was a relief to have found a place so quickly.

Chapter Four
    The office wasn’t opulent unless you knew what you were looking at—it was more Spartan than comfy. But original artwork, and not just paintings, highlighted the entire room. Dan