Read Online Crime & Passion by Chantel Rhondeau - Free Book Online

Billy said.
“You’re doing the right thing, Madeline.” The vet pulled his phone
from his pocket and typed on the keypad. “I texted my team for more
help. Don’t worry, we’ll take care of him.”
    Madeline nodded. “Thank you.”
    Brutus whined again and moved his head
around. The movements seemed feeble, as though the loss of blood
had zapped his energy.
    “Easy, Brutus. I know it hurts.” Billy
kneeled by the dog’s head, petting his sleek, black neck. “It’s
okay, boy.”
    Donovan looked around the room, trying to
figure out how this happened. Had the intruder been in here with
Maddie? Dark spots on the wall drew Donovan’s attention. The blood
froze in his veins as he read the message left there.
    At first, he’d thought this had to be some
sort of attack against Lindsey. She had a sharp tongue and plenty
of people didn’t like her. The message clearly ruled that theory
out.
    This attack related to Frank’s murder, and
the killer was threatening Maddie. Donovan ground his teeth
together. This was all Brandon’s fault. By reporting that Madeline
saw the killer in the article he wrote, Brandon put her in danger.
How could he do that to her while claiming to like her and want to
date her?
    “Donovan, my team should be here any minute,”
Billy said, drawing his attention from the message. “Take her into
the other room and send them back here, would you?”
    Donovan pulled Madeline to her feet as Billy
took over the pressure against Brutus’ side. Madeline held her
bloody hands in front of her, seeming dazed. Donovan gathered her
against his side and led her through the doors.
    He grabbed a towel off the styling station
and handed it to her. “Brutus is going to be okay. Try not to
worry.”
    Madeline sniffled and nodded her head, wiping
the blood off her hands. “I sure hope so.”
    The bell above the door made a tinkling sound
and Madeline gasped, huddling against Donovan’s side. Three people
walked in, their hands full of boxes and medical supplies.
    Donovan nodded toward the back door. “Billy’s
through there.”
    He steered Madeline to the front of the
store. Her body trembled against his, and he gently helped her into
a chair.
    “Tell me what happened?”
    Madeline let out a low sigh. “The alarm
wasn’t set. I used the pepper spray you gave me, thinking someone
waited in the aisle, but no one was there. I thought I was just
scared because of what you and Lindsey said. Then I found Brutus.”
She scrubbed her hands harder against the towel. “He’s going to
die, isn’t he?”
    Donovan crouched in front of her, patting her
knee in an attempt to reassure her. “Billy’s a good doctor. He’ll
take care of Brutus, don’t worry.”
    Madeline nodded. “I heard the bell above the
door and I thought someone came in, but I think whoever did this
hid in the coat closet and waited until I went to the back room
before leaving.” She shuddered. “Good thing I didn’t open the
closet before checking on Brutus.”
    Donovan closed his eyes. What would the
killer have done, had she found him? He couldn’t think about that.
It hadn’t happened.
    “You did a good job, Maddie. Many women would
have fallen apart, but you kept a calm head and probably saved
Brutus’ life.”
    “I have to call Lindsey,” she said, seeming
not to hear him. “She’ll be so upset. She was going to Eureka
today.”
    Donovan stood up. “Why don’t you call her,
and I’ll call the station to get more officers down here.”
    Madeline nodded and pulled her phone from her
pocket. “You’re not leaving me, are you?” she asked before dialing
the number.
    “No, Maddie. I’ll get someone else here to
process the scene. I’ll take your statement and then follow you
home. We can inspect your apartment and make sure...” Donovan broke
off. He wanted to make sure the killer didn’t wait for her there,
but he didn’t want to panic her further by saying that.
    “I have to go to the police station at
nine-thirty