Read Online Doggie Day Care Murder by Laurien Berenson - Free Book Online

stopped.
    â€œYou probably want to hold Kevin first,” he said.
    â€œWho?” asked Bob.
    â€œKevin. You know . . . the baby .”
    Bob waggled his eyebrows comically. “You guys have a baby around here?”
    Davey giggled. “He’s my little brother.”
    â€œI’ll bet he’s not as much fun as you.”
    â€œThat’s not what most people think.”
    â€œLucky for you, I’m not most people.”
    Bob’s arms reached out to grab his son and pull him close. His fingers tickled Davey’s sides. Davey squealed in delight and struggled to get away. When he realized Bob’s hold was too strong, he gave up trying to escape and began to tickle his father back.
    Bob dodged one way, then the other. He looked up and winked at me over Davey’s head. “Truce!” he cried. “You’re killing me here.”
    It was a good thing he called a halt to the tickle fight. Bob didn’t realize it, but the Poodles, who’d been milling around the hallway, were about to enter the fray. I was betting they were going to take Davey’s side.
    â€œAll right, let’s get serious. Are you going to throw a ball with me or not? Don’t tell me I have to play catch with the baby .”
    â€œYou can’t play catch with him.” Davey was laughing and trying to catch his breath. “He’s too little.”
    â€œThat settles it then,” said Bob. “He’s not nearly as much fun as you are. Now go get your stuff while I see if Sam wants to join us.”
    â€œWhat about me?” I said as Davey went scampering toward the back of the house. “Don’t I get an invitation?”
    â€œMen play ball,” Bob pronounced in a deep, manly voice. “Women cook.”
    â€œEasy to see why you’re not married,” said Sam. He was still holding the groceries. “You guys go ahead and play. I’ve got a grill to fire up.”
    The rest of the evening proceeded at a leisurely pace. Davey and Bob played ball while Sam and I cooked. It stayed light past eight o’clock and we ate outside on the deck.
    I balanced Kevin on my lap, holding him with one hand and eating with the other. The Poodles, who knew a good opportunity when they saw it, gathered around my chair and waited for handouts to fall their way. Fortunately, my rules about feeding dogs from the table aren’t nearly as strict as Aunt Peg’s.
    Kevin stayed up past his usual bedtime, falling asleep in my arms at nine. Bob stayed long enough to help with the cleanup. Before he left, I saw him slip Davey a baseball card for his growing collection. Davey ran upstairs to add it to the others.
    It was the kind of evening where everything seems to go just right. It was comfortable, peaceful, and perfectly ordinary. The way my life had been proceeding for a while now. You don’t get much luckier than that.
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    As we were coming from two different directions, Alice and I had agreed to meet at Pine Ridge. The facility opened at seven-thirty for early arrivals. I’d been up since before six with Kevin. Getting there in time to meet Alice at eight-thirty was no problem at all.
    The previous day the office had been empty when I’d arrived in early afternoon. Mornings were a totally different story. Rush hour was in full swing.
    â€œGoodness,” Alice said as we joined the back of the line waiting to check in. “You didn’t mention this place was such a madhouse.”
    A Springer Spaniel, an Airedale, and a Bichon Frise held the spots in front of us. All three of their owners, two men and a woman, were dressed for success. One of the men was tapping his toe while he waited. His dog, the Airedale, pounced repeatedly on the tip of the highly polished loafer as it rose and fell.
    â€œYesterday, it wasn’t. I guess I wasn’t here during a peak time. But this is good to know, especially if this is about the time when you plan to