“Meh. Needs some work, but we should be covered.”
“Did you really live here at the shelter?” Cheyenne asked.
“Sure did. I mean, I guess I do. I will?” I exchanged looks with Brooklyn, but this wasn’t the moment to discuss our future. “There’s an apartment upstairs, along with the shelter office. Want to see?”
“Sure.”
“Eb will probably tow you up there. He left some toys behind.”
I led the way into the hall, glancing at the side door to make sure it was locked. Occasionally I’d had volunteers be careless leaving, when they knew they weren’t last out for the day. But since Harvey, I’d had a serious talk with them again. Yep, deadbolt’s thrown.
The flight of stairs ahead of us didn’t look as intimidating as it had back on that bad first day when I’d almost crushed Brooklyn, but it was still a steep climb. I took Eb’s leash from Cheyenne and let him go free. “Upstairs!”
The big lab galloped up, his feet thudding on the treads, and panted down at us from above. Cheyenne followed him. Brooklyn said, “I’m staying behind you, just in case.”
“I’ve been up and down here this week, to use the office.” With Neil hovering, though I didn’t say so.
“Even so.” He waved me ahead.
Upstairs, I showed Cheyenne the office and then my apartment. She tilted her head. “It’s cute, I guess, but seems small to have three dogs and a cat.”
“They get to spend time downstairs and out in the exercise areas, so it works fine.”
“I bet they like Brooklyn’s house better.”
“Don’t nudge,” Brooklyn told her.
“Just saying. Hey, Arthur, when you move in with my brother, you’ll need a caretaker for the shelter. Maybe I could live here once I’m eighteen.”
Brooklyn snorted. “You’re not moving out while you’re in high school.”
“Afterward.”
“You’re going to college.”
Cheyenne’s chin tilted up in a defiance I was already familiar with, so I deflected, “We should head out. Sadie will want her dinner.”
That made her laugh. “Twain will want his dinner. Sadie’s not that pushy.”
“Yet.”
“You want to bring anything home with you?” Brooklyn asked me. The emphasis and his eyes staring into mine made me certain he’d used that word deliberately.
Just you. That’s all I need to be home. “Nah. I brought clothes yesterday. Let’s go.”
We made our way down the stairs, Cheyenne holding onto Eb. Between the railing and my cane, I was steady enough. Go, me. Eb pulled on his leash a bit as we got to the bottom, whining. Maybe he wanted his dinner.
Then, as we approached the side door, Harvey stepped out of a side hallway, a small but deadly looking gun pointed at us. “Well, lookie here. I was just planning to collect the crippled motherfucker, and I hit the trifecta.”
Cheyenne yelped and shrank back. Brooklyn and I moved in unison to get in front of her. I heard Eb panting hard, nervous and unsure, probably smelling my fear.
“How did you get in here?” I asked inanely. “The doors are locked.”
“But they weren’t three hours ago.” He gave a feral grin. “Your people don’t really pay attention, do they? So many places to hide.” The smile slipped from his face. “Okay, change of plans. Phones out and on the floor, everyone. Now! Do it!”
Brooklyn and I eased our phones out of our pockets. I debated the chance to hit the emergency button but he was watching us closely and that gun, though held in his left hand, didn’t waver. When we’d set our phones down and straightened, he eyed Cheyenne. “Yours too, girl.”
“I’ve never had a phone.” Her voice was admirably steady.
