Part 17 (2/2)
”Jeremy?” I tried again.
”Apparently, he's Jeremy.”
I scowled at Billy Gardiner. ”Where were you when this was going on?” I flapped my wrist to indicate all parties concerned, then grimaced at the annoying rustle. I wished Deb had used smaller plastic bags.
Billy lifted a roll of yellow crime scene tape. Figured.
”What about you?” I glared at Owen. ”You released your dog on Jeremy?”
”He isn't...” Owen began, then frowned. ”He just took off.”
”He do that a lot?”
”Never.”
Reggie continued to glare at Jeremy like he wanted to bite a lot more than his pants.
Owen picked up the dog's trailing lead. ”What got into you?”
Reggie snuffed as if he'd smelled something he didn't like. The hair on his back was still ruffled.
Splode.
I had no idea what that meant. And I couldn't exactly ask with all these people around. I'd never had the imaginary thoughts of animals not make sense-probably because they were my thoughts not the animal's. But, as they said, there was a first time for everything.
Jeremy continued to sit on the ground. That he hadn't gotten up or spoken was becoming worrisome.
”What's going on here?” Chief Deb didn't appear any happier about this situation than I was.
”I planned to ask him the same question,” Owen said.
”Before or after you smacked him into the wall, then tried to strangle him?” I asked.
”If I'd been trying to strangle him, he'd be strangled.”
”It was so cool,” Joaquin said.
Where had he come from?
”Shouldn't you be in school?”
He shrugged.
I frowned. ”Go to school!”
Joaquin walked off mumbling. I heard madre in the middle of a whole lot of espaol and decided not to try and translate. I probably didn't want to know.
”Who are you?” Deb asked.
Jeremy tried to talk and started coughing.
”Jesus,” Owen muttered.
”No,” Billy said. ”It's Jer-e-my.”
”Ha.” Owen's gaze flicked to me. ”I barely touched him.”
”Why did you touch him?”
He held up the ski mask again.
”Where did you get that?” Deb demanded.
”It was on the ground next to this guy.”
”Who is this guy?” Deb repeated.
”You wanted a forensic veterinarian.” I swept my hand out like a magician. ”You got one. Meet Dr. Jeremy Reitman.”
”Right man,” Billy repeated. ”That's funny.”
”Hysterical.” Owen's gaze remained on Jeremy.
Jeremy got to his feet, hand extended toward Deb. The sudden movement made Reggie growl, and Jeremy backed up to the wall.
”You're scared of a dog?” Owen asked. ”What kind of a vet are you?”
To be fair, most of Jeremy's patients were dead, or in very bad shape, and Reggie wasn't just any dog, he was a weapon.
”He attacked me.”
”And why is that?” Owen asked.
”I don't know!”
”He doesn't like masks. I don't blame him. Anyone in Afghanistan who's covering their face is up to no good. Or expecting a sandstorm.” Owen lifted his gaze to the clear blue sky. ”No sign of one.” His eyes lowered. ”What's your excuse?”
”I wasn't wearing that mask. I didn't even see it until you picked it up.”
”I didn't see it there either,” Deb said.
Neither had I, but I hadn't been looking.
My dad poked his head out the back door. I was surprised it had taken him this long. ”What's going on down here?” His gaze lit on Jeremy and he smiled, stepping outside. ”Doctor! Hey! Great to see you.”
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