The vet's expression gentled. "Yes. I can imagine it's difficult. Thank you for everything you did for all of us during the war. My brother … my brother almost died in a rogue vampire attack. Your people saved him. I actually met Quinn Dawson. She is quite extraordinary, isn't she?"
Jack smiled. "Yes, she is."
I stood there, feeling awkward and trying not to look asunextraordinary as I felt whenever Quinn's name came up. She and Jack had been the co-leaders of the rebellion and had been closer than best friends for a very long time.
"Her husband healed Arjun," she said, her eyes looking at a memory only she could see. "He was quite terrifying, but an amazing healer."
Jack laughed. "Yeah. That describes Alaric."
"Back to the dog," Dr. Kumari said, all business again. "I scanned her, but she has no microchip, which makes it harder to find where she belongs."
"You can't … ask her?" I asked. "I mean, if you can talk to animals…"
She smiled but shook her head. "It only goes one way. I can get general things like where it hurts, or if they're afraid, but they can't give me their addresses or owners' names."
"I'll put her information out on the Dead End text loop and get my sister and her friends to do flyers," I said. "But we didn't have any luck with the other pets."
When she raised an eyebrow in question, we explained about the strays.
"That is disturbing," Phin said. "And we've got our own unpleasant mystery going on here." He waved a hand at the graffiti on the windows.
"We were going to ask about that," Jack said. "Any ideas, or do you think it's just kids?"
"I think—"
The door flew open, and Deputy Andy Kelly rushed in. "I'm here! We'll find out—"
He caught sight of us, and his pale white cheeks turned fire-engine red, which contrasted wildly with his red hair and freckles.
"Tess. Jack. I'm here on official police business," he stammered.
"Okay," I said, puzzled. Then I glanced at Dr. Kumari, whose cheeks also held a touch of red.
Oh.
Andy had told us the month before that he was taking his mom's cat to the new vet. Maybe there was an attraction between them?
Or maybe I was just trying to match-make, since I was so happy? I held in my grin and said nothing. Discretion and all that.
My phone buzzed. I pulled it out of my pocket, read the screen, and touched Jack's arm.
"Jack? Lorraine says we need to get to Beau's."
His face lit up. "I'm always ready for lunch. What's the special?"
I sighed. "The special is apparently a big fight between everybody in the place over UltraShopMart. Plus, another fistfight between the two Santas."
Andy groaned. "Not again. I warned those idiots I'd lock them up if they started that again. Charithra, I'm sorry, but I need to go. I'll be back to take your report about this new graffiti."
"Of course," she said. "This town, though—is it always this exciting?"
"You have no idea," I drawled. "Hey, if you and Phin have time, both of you please come to my place for dinner tonight. Just pizza, but I can introduce you to a few friends."
"I'll try," she said. "It always depends on how the animals are doing, of course, and any emergencies that may come up."
Phin nodded. "I'll definitely try. Looking forward to seeing your new house!"
"Andy, you're invited over for pizza tonight, too, if you have time, with Susan out of town," I said.
