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also went to support the rescue facility.
    Spencer had apparently been shocked at first, but Ideman had gotten him over it by giving
him
a percentage of everything the vet stole.
    But Spencer’s conscience eventually began to kick him in the gut, especially as he was preparing to ask Ellie to marry him. He’d told Ideman he wanted out.
    The vet hadn’t exactly been thrilled. He’d apparently worried that Spencer would tell all to the board, and they’d both be arrested—only Spencer, by turning on him, might get off free.
    Ideman told Spencer
he
would be the one to go to the board—but he wouldn’t confess. No, he’d fix things first so it would appear that Spencer, who’d been in charge of the bookkeeping for nearly a year, had been the one to engage in all the thievery and make it look like the innocent vet, who’d only wanted to help animals, had been framed.
    In the ensuing argument, Spencer had grabbed one of the scalpels at the veterinary clinic—after donning sterile gloves. Heat of the moment? Maybe. But there was at least some degree of premeditation, too.
    “At least that’s the department’s speculation at this point, and there’s enough evidence to start the criminal process against the guy,” Antonio finished. “He didn’t exactly admit all that, but he’s been having a hard time denying it—and he does have a good lawyer who has gotten him to invoke his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination even when he’s asked simple questions, like does he like to drink wine.” Antonio took another sip just as our entrees were served.
    I asked a few questions, but Antonio had told us what I’d hoped to learn. “Is it okay for me to tell Ricki?” was my main inquiry.
    “Sure, as long as you make it clear that, like all defendants, Quivara is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law and all that.”
    I’d already undergone my regular scolding from Matt, but when I again, on prodding, described how I’d gotten my own near-confession from Spencer, he once more told me I should have called him. Better yet, I shouldn’t have been involved with yet another murder investigation.
    “You’re right,” I told him, and in atonement invited Rex and him home with me again that night.
    Heck, I’d have invited them anyway. And enjoyed all Matt and I did into the wee hours.
    And when he once more demanded that I never again get involved in a murder investigation, I assured him I wouldn’t go looking for one. I appreciated his concern, even if I didn’t like being told what to do.
    But if another one came looking for me?
    Well, on that I made no promises.
    Though I did kiss Matt again . . . and again . . . for caring.

Keep reading for a special excerpt from Linda O. Johnston’s next Pet Rescue Mystery . . .
    TEACUP TURBULENCE
    Coming in paperback January 2014 from Berkley Prime Crime!

“But I was here first!” The senior lady with frizzy yellow hair stood in front of me on the crowded sidewalk. She placed her hands on her hips and looked up with her lower lip jutting belligerently.
    I tried to smile, in case this woman was a better potential dog adopter than she initially seemed. “That never matters in pet adoptions. What’s important is finding the right home for each of our wards.”
    That’s my job. My passion. I’m Lauren Vancouver, chief administrator of HotRescues, a wonderful shelter in L.A.’s San Fernando Valley.
    “Well, I’d give the best home to Marvin,” the woman said. “I’m sure of it.” Now she sounded almost desperate.
    We both turned to look at the long row of temporary wire enclosures that ran along the HotPets storefront behind us. Most contained dogs of all breeds and sizes. Farther away were crates that held cats.
    I was happy to see lots of people staring into the fenced areas and crates, talking to the HotRescues staff and volunteers who’d come to help at this mobile adoption event, and petting leashed dogs brought out at an interested