Strange Outfit: An Avery Barks Dog Mystery (Avery Barks Dog Mysteries Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

thief had a strong grip on Princess’s collar, and she was able to pull backwards and slip out as he rolled on the ground.  Princess ran off into the woods and Chevy followed behind her.  The thief looked at the collar, put it in his pants pocket, and then stood up and walked calmly into the woods.  The jerk gave no regard to Ben what-so-ever.
    “Why in the world would someone want to take an old man’s dog?” I choked back tears.
    “Avery, are you sure you want to stick around here?”  Don sounded concerned.
    “Yea, at least until we figure out if Ben’s okay.  You know, that collar had some kind of jewels on it.”  I was glad that Chevy wore just a run of the mill collar.
    I hugged Chevy and told him how proud I was of him.  Princess snuggled up with him on the couch and licked his ears.  My loyal boy had become the little girl’s knight in shining armor.
    Don closed the cabinet, gave each dog a pat on the head and headed for the door. “I’m going to go pay a visit to the pawn shops and give them my phone number.  This moron might try to sell the collar.”
    He hesitated, then turned and said, “Don’t tell anyone about the surveillance video, until I let you know otherwise.  Lock the door behind me and don’t answer it for anybody.”
     
     
     

Chapter 6
    As evening approached, I remembered that I had made previous plans with my good friend Jamie to go out for dinner and catch up but I didn’t want to leave Princess alone until everything was sorted out.  Besides, the dogs still seemed shook up from the days’ events, and truthfully, I was still a little shook up too. I called Jamie and told her I couldn’t meet her because I needed to dog-sit for a friend.  She decided to do the next best thing, and informed me she was on the way over to hang out with me at Ben’s place. 
    I called Rocky to double-check if it was okay for Jamie to visit Ben’s home, and he said it would be fine.  As we spoke, I noticed how his rugged voice matched the work clothes he wore, and I already knew they fit his muscular frame just right too.  I suddenly caught my mind wandering and broke those thoughts.  
    What’s wrong with me? 
    Before too long, Jamie showed up with a pepperoni pizza and some cola.  It was good to see her smiling face and I gave her a big hug.  Jamie and I were opposites in a lot of ways, but we always wanted the best for each other and I valued her friendship. 
    When Jamie heard the details of the last couple days, her smile turned to a frown. “Are you sure you want to stay out here Avery?  I mean, it sounds pretty creepy.”
    I appreciated her concern. “Yea, I feel safe enough, especially with the dogs here.  It’s better for them to be in their own home.”
    “Don’t answer the door for anyone!”
    “I know, right.”
    Jamie grabbed a slice of pizza and got right to the point, “Now who’s that good looking guy I saw you talking with at the town gathering yesterday?” 
    Like I said, Jamie and I were different in a lot of ways.  Men had always been on the top of Jamie’s priority list. My priorities had changed in the last five years or so.
    “That was Rocky; he’s one of my new bosses.” I heard my voice sound more excited than it should.
    “If he were my boss, I would be working overtime!” Jamie had always appreciated a handsome man. “He is hunka!”
    I laughed. 
    Without warning, we heard a slow burst of air that proved to be coming from Bullfrog’s butt, as he relaxed on his pet bed in the corner of the room. The old dog turned his head to investigate the sound coming from his own rear end.  It took about eleven seconds for the plume of dog gas to reach the wooden kitchen table where Jamie and I sat.  It had to be the most nauseating smell in the history of the planet earth.
    “Auuuuggghhhh!”   We pulled up the front of our t-shirts and covered our noses. “Bullfrog, you sure blow a toxic fog!” Jamie laughed so hard that tears came to her