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“I hope it works. Still, you need to hunt around and see if this pen has a twin.”
“I can hear you chewing,” Jalen said. “Is that celery?”
“With peanut butter and raisins.” Olivia shoved the rest of the food into the cooler with their wrappings.
“Harkening back to your youth?”
“It’s what I had in the fridge.” Olivia wiped her fingers on her napkin and opened her phone contacts. “I’m down to an inch in the milk carton and an array of condiments. I’m eating chef’s surprise–basically what I could piece together until I can get to the grocery store.”
“When will that be?”
“The grocery? Hard to say. Hey Jaylen, I’ve got to go.” Olivia scrolled until she got to Bob’s number. “Thank you for being so normal. Truly, you’re my fulcrum.”
“Fulcrum? Okay, I’ve been called worse things. Phone me later.”
“Yeah, once I’m out of court for the day. Love you. Kisses for Tilly.” With a frown, Olivia pushed the cooler cover to the side while she called Bob. She listened to the ringer: once, twice.
“Bob Palindrome.”
“Bob, it’s Olivia Gladstone from the U.S. Attorney’s office. I’ll cut to the chase. I need a last-minute dog.”
“Olivia from the Eastern District office, good to hear from you. I, uhm, could you tell me a little more? What’s a last-minute dog?”
With a quick explanation of her situation, Bob said, “Okay, I have a court-certified dog available. The problem is that he needs a court-certified handler. Both Cerberus Tactical K9 teams are in the field along with their support personnel.”
“Well, that’s disappointing,” Olivia said quietly.
“Don’t despair. I have one other certified handler I can ask. Tomorrow, you said?”
“Yes.” Olivia glanced at her watch and slid her feet back into her shoes.
“Do you know what time?”
“My witness will be called after the lunch break, say around one o’clock or so.” Olivia scraped her teeth over her lip. “Would it be okay with you if I act as if things will work out? I haven’t broached this with the judge yet, and I also need to ask the witness if this will help. I can call you back once I have my ducks in a row and confirm. I’m doing this a little bit backward.”
“Just tomorrow afternoon?” Bob asked.
“The witness will be testifying tomorrow. And she mentioned that she’d like to be present when the jury reads their verdict.” Olivia looked toward the building, thinking it would save her walking time and foot pain if there was a closer parking spot. She didn’t see anything open along the road. “No telling when that would be. I think let’s concentrate on one thing at a time.”
“If I can get the handler’s schedule cleared, we need to get everyone in a room tonight—you, me, the witness, the handler, and the dog.”
“You’re bringing in Valor, aren’t you?” She opened her door, stepped out, and swept a hand over her clothes. “I know her pretty well already.”
“Valor is out on a mission. The K9 I have available is Beowolf.”
“Beowolf?” Reaching for her purse, Olivia slammed the door and lifted her fob to engage the locks. “Sounds monstrous. Has Beowolf been in court before?” She turned and started back toward the courthouse.
“Yeah, he’s been a court-certified support K9 for the last two years in both D.C. and Northern Virginia. I’m not sending you some mutt we just picked up at the pound.”
“I’m sorry.” She stepped out of the way of the pickup truck, speeding toward the exit. “Sorry. I just had Valor in mind.”
“Beowolf’s actually the reason Cerberus got involved with doing this kind of community service. But hey, just so the judge doesn’t think you pulled a fast one, you should let them know that Beowolf—that’s with an O as in wolf and not a U—"
“Oh, it would have been so much funnier if it were two Os like Beo-woof.” She woofed the last sound.
“Ha! And so obvious when you say that. Too late now. Beowolf with just the one O is a bullmastiff.”
“Mastiff?” She was breathless from her quick pace. “How big are we talking about here, Bob?”
