I Kissed a Dog Read Online Free PDF Page B

some animals to visit anyway.” I waited for his sure-to-follow
     rejection. Why would he want to have lunch with a sourpuss like me when Rhonda would
     stroke his ego and a whole lot more if he desired.
    “That’s right, I’m sorry, but Chloe and I have more work to complete before we can
     head out. If you’d like to join us, it’ll be awhile.” His attempt at diplomacy was
     lost on Rhonda.
    Her face scrunched into a mask of fury.
    I knew right then that our treaty of common dislike had just expanded to hatred on
     her part. I’d have to watch my back more than ever.
    “I’ll take a rain check.” She softened her features before turning to smile at Zane,
     and then strode away, making sure to sway her ample hips.
    “Wow — is she always like that?” Zane grimaced.
    “Do I have to answer?” I tried to conceal the excitement I felt knowing that this
     Hercules of a Man preferred me over a sure roll in the sack. This latest development
     added to my growing belief that there was more to Dr. Marshall than I’d originally
     thought.
    “So, you’re treating me to lunch?” His face lit up with a boyish grin that just about
     won me over on the spot.
    “Co-workers go Dutch. That’s the rule around here,” I joked
    “Fair enough. I saw a little seafood place down the road.”
    “Which one?” This was the Oregon Coast. Seafood was the main staple. Where was this
     guy from anyway — Mars? I’d once read a book about men being from Mars.
    He seemed to catch my attempt at humor slash sarcasm. “All right now, play nice. I’m
     the outsider. You pick.”
    Twenty minutes later, we were seated across from each other at the Plum Beach Fish
     and Steak House. I eyed the menu, trying to keep from gawking at Zane, who looked
     larger than life in the small booth. Every female in the place was stealing glances
     our way. Zane seemed oblivious to the attention, another plus for my new partner.
    An afternoon newsbreak filled the flat screens mounted on various walls throughout
     the restaurant. Several patrons called for the staff to turn up the volume.
    Police Chief, Robert Daily, dabbing his face with a handkerchief, waited behind the
     podium, prepared to make an official statement. He shuffled through a pile of papers.
     Another man, wearing a tasteful business suit that boasted a major designer’s label,
     waited nearby. He gripped his own stack of papers.
    I didn’t recognize him. Of the two men, he appeared the calmest.
    “Friends,” Chief Daily began. “It is times like these, when drawing closer as a community
     is more important than ever. As you are aware, two of our town’s young men were needlessly
     murdered.”
    The word needlessly struck me as the wrong word to use when describing a murder victim; however, Police
     Chief Daily wasn’t the type of person that garnered respect. Today was no exception.
     He’d always seemed out of his league making public announcements. If the situation
     weren’t so dire, I might feel sorry for him.
    “We are working overtime to solve these cases and bring justice for these crimes
     and peace back to Plum Beach. I understand your concerns about the tourist season,
     and realize that many of your livelihoods are being affected by these events. …”
    “Why can’t you catch this creep?” Someone yelled from the crowd of onlookers surrounding
     the podium.
    “We heard there was another killing!” a woman shouted.
    “Hold on, folks, please, let me finish,” his voice trembled.
    I looked at Zane to see if he was watching the news like everyone else. Sensing my
     scrutiny, he turned away from the screen. “Did you know either of these men?” His
     eyes mirrored the concern in his voice.
    Thankfully, I could answer no. We turned back to the report in time to see the well-dressed
     man replace the chief at the podium.
    “My name is Agent Green. I’m from the Portland FBI Field Office. I will be working
     with your local police department to bring a rapid