Read Online Protect and Serve Don't Need A Hero by Lena Austin - Free Book Online

pedigreed pets are chipped so they can return home.” I caressed the nape of her neck, where the chip likely was. “There’s an electronic chip back there with your kitty ID embedded in it.” I hustled her down the hall and through the door to the clerk of the court.
    The receptionist at the counter smiled up at Pete. “Ms. Oakes, please go right in. Room B is on the right. Mr. Bennett will explain.”
    Pete glanced at her wrist, unit. “I… I don’t have a lot of time. I’m due to testify in courtroom 317 at 1300.”
    “This won’t take long, ma’am.” The receptionist smiled vacantly at everyone still waiting for their turn and ignored the filthy looks some shot her for jumping someone over the line.
    The clerk at the desk of room B had that weary-eyed look of clerks throughout history, but his smile and courtesy offering Pete a seat was all old-world. “I won’t waste your valuable time.” He opened a slim data pad. Beside his data pad was a sealed silicate envelope. “You’re the only known beneficiary since…” He studied the file a moment. “The canine Beau was never found.”
    “Beau is dead.” Pete’s voice was flat and emotionless. “He didn’t survive our abandonment.”
    Now the clerk frowned. “My apologies and condolences. Be that as it may, here are your tax records and the names of the legal firm in charge of your estate.” He slid over a data stick. “It’s all inside.”
    “Estate? Huh?” Pete was genuinely puzzled, judging by her frown and baffled look.”
    I bit my lip. I had an idea, based on my research, but I haven’t had a chance to work it into a conversation yet. She was so bitter. Call me a coward, not a hero.
    “Ms. Oakton, please call the legal firm for more details.” The clerk stood, clearly ending the conversation. “My apologies for flagging your identification, but we had been unable to locate you by the usual means.”
    Pete put the data stick in her pocket. Trust my girl not to have a purse like a normal female. Her face was a set mask like she always wore when the subject of her past came up. She nodded and regally left the room as if going to her coronation.
    We made it to the hearing, and after Pete’s testimony and the dash cam videos, the jury took less than five minutes to reach the expected verdict -- guilty. We were done by 3 p.m.
    I thought Pete had forgotten about the data stick but in the parking garage, Pete pulled it out of her pocket and dropped it atop a pile in the trash bin. She kept walking as if she’d thrown away a wad of used gum rather than millions of credits.
    I scooped the little silver stick out of the trash behind her and fingered a sequence on my badge communication unit. Naturally I’d made my testimony in uniform, so my patrol vehicle blinked its lights to acknowledge my approach. One small red dot on the dashboard confirmed my signal.
    I caught up with Pete just in front of my car. “Hey, Pete! You dropped this.” I held up the stick.
    “No, I did not fucking drop it. I threw it away.” She turned and faced me. “I don’t want to deal with those lawyers.”
    Bingo! Just what I’d hoped she’d say. This was too easy. “So, should I contact the law firm for you?”
    My kitten shrugged. “Sure. I don’t care. Just as long as I don’t have to touch it, you can do what you like.”
    I keyed in the door code sequence to let her sit in Jeff’s seat. He wouldn’t need it for another few weeks, and I promised her a safe ride back to Marissa’s for some babysitting. I had what I wanted, so I would let Mikey and Angelina distract her.
     

 
     
     
    Chapter Nine
     
    Fuck me running if I wasn’t relieved to put the trial behind me. This kitty girl needed some hard work and sweat, but with my bum foot and Rat in fucking Dubai, I was stuck behind the general contractor’s desk. “Am I enjoying my manager’s stint? Yeah ah… No, not really. Screw you, Rat! Get your tail-wagging ass home!” Trying to hold a