I pulled out of the garage while they contemplated the information. A quick glance in my rearview mirror indicated I wasn’t being followed. I drove around a bit more using evasive tactics just to be on the safe side.
“Okay, we’re good,” I said, hitting the accelerator. “Let’s go retrieve our illegally intelligent dog and legally brilliant friend. We’re going to need them both to sort this all out.”
Chapter Sixteen
Lexi
After Gray, Gwen, and Basia left, I divested the cart of its food and drink, except for one empty tray and cover. I grabbed my coat and threw my purse stuffed with casino winnings over my shoulder. I didn’t have a leash for Ginger, so I just hoped she understood when I told her to stay quiet. I was putting a lot of trust in a supposed genius dog, and I hoped I wasn’t deluding myself that she was anything special.
Ginger, still foil-wrapped and wide-eyed, obediently crawled onto the lower level of the cart as I lifted the tablecloth. She sat when instructed and stayed quiet. I pushed the elevator button, and when we got on, I pushed the button for the second floor. The elevator doors slid shut, and I let out a breath.
“Okay,” I whispered to myself. “Phase one complete. Just a woman and her suspiciously heavy cart heading down the elevator.”
Ginger shifted under the cart, making it wiggle a little. “Stay still!” I hissed. “You’re supposed to be invisible.”
The elevator hummed to life. Everything was fine for exactly five seconds…until it stopped on the next floor.
“Great,” I muttered.
The doors opened to reveal a middle-aged couple in matching polo shirts. They smiled politely and stepped in, chatting about show tickets and the casino slot machines.
I nodded, trying to look as inconspicuous as possible with my cart.
Suddenly, the woman sniffed. Once. Twice. Her nose wrinkled. “Do you smell that?” she asked her husband.
I sniffed the air and suddenly I could smell it. It smelled like unwashed dog. I hadn’t planned for that variable, but here we were in a small, enclosed place, and the smell was unmistakably dog.
My heartbeat kicked up a notch, but I pretended I had no idea what she was talking about.
Her husband frowned. “Smell what?”
“I don’t know, like…a dog. A wet dog. Do you smell it?”
I nearly swallowed my tongue. “Oh!” I exclaimed. “That’s probably just the leftover smell from our room service dinner.”
The woman looked at me strangely. “Wet dog?”
“No, no,” I said quickly. “Venison. It was overcooked and strangely seasoned. It had a strange smell. Coincidentally, almost like a wet dog smell. One star. Do not recommend.”
Before either of them could respond, the tablecloth covering the cart twitched. Then came a soft, unmistakable sneeze.
The woman jumped. “Was that?—?”
I made a big deal of sniffling. “Sorry, I think I may be allergic to venison.” I snatched the spare cloth napkin from top of the cart and noisily blew my nose.
The elevator dinged and I smiled brightly. “Second floor,” I announced enthusiastically. “My stop.” I pushed the cart out briskly, forcing myself not to run.
Behind me, I heard the wife murmur, “I swear, that woman smelled like a dog.” The doors slid shut before I could decide whether to be insulted or relieved.
I glanced up and down the hallway. It was empty. I exhaled, pressing my back against the wall. “Okay, Ginger,” I whispered, crouching beside the cart. “Next time, no sneezing during the operation.”
From beneath the tablecloth came a single, muffled noise that, I swear, sounded like a soft woof of agreement. I checked the hallway one more time and lifted the tablecloth. “Come on, let’s go.”
Ginger slunk out from under the cart, and I gave her a quick pet. “I don’t have a leash, so you must stay close. We’re going down the stairs and out the side door. Then we head around the block to where Gray has her car waiting for us. Are you ready?”
Ginger sat and wagged her tail. “Good dog,” I said. “Let’s do this.”
I opened the stairwell and stepped in to check if anyone was there. It was empty. I stepped inside and Ginger quickly followed. We crept down the steps and out the side door. I didn’t notice anyone lurking around outside, but I still walked briskly.
