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That was the biggest troubling sign.
It pointed to something sinister. Something I didn’t want to think about.
Bzzz. Bzzz. Bzzz.
My phone vibrated in my pocket. I yanked it out but deflated when Lincoln’s name flashed on the screen.
“Where are you? We just got home and you’re not here.”
I plowed a hand through my hair. “Pepper’s missing.” I didn’t want to say the words out loud. The more I spoke them, the truer they became.
“What?”
“I’m near Grey Paws looking for her.” I peered into the darkness and held Pepper’s phone like it was a lifeline.
“We’re on our way.”
Before I could protest, he hung up.
“Should we call the police?”
Beau wrapped her hands around a mug of tea and propped herself against the reception desk.
“It won’t matter. She hasn’t been missing long enough.” I paced in front of the windows, back and forth, almost wearing a hole in the flooring.
“Anyone could’ve grabbed her.” Miss Adeline stared at her lap.
“How are we so sure someone took her?” Lincoln asked, ever the voice of reason.
“Because she wouldn’t have let go of those dogs for anything,” she snapped. “And her cell phone was on the ground. I don’t think she threw it there and decided to run away.”
Her shoulders slumped as she sagged farther down in the chair.
Beau placed a hand on her arm in comfort. “This might be an odd question, but is there someone who might have it out for either of you? Or the rescue?”
The old woman cut her eyes to my sister. “Let’s see. Our latest list of enemies could be the track in Jersey we just took all their dogs from. Or maybe that horrible inspector who’s trying to shut us down. But it could’ve been some random crazy person.”
“Has anything like this ever happened before?” Lincoln asked.
She waved her hand. “Eh. We’ve had the occasional threats, but mostly it’s been all bark and no bite. Until recently.”
Until I came into the picture.
That guy at the track was a possibility, and he would’ve been angry whether I was around or not.
But the inspector? The guy who made them scramble to find another place for over half their dogs?
That one was on me.
Because of . . .
“Where’s Dad?” I froze and stared at my brother.
He stared back, his expression unreadable. “He wouldn’t be stupid enough to kidnap Pepper.”
How could Lincoln take up for him, knowing what a monster he was? Knowing what he’d done to Pepper and Miss Adeline.
“He was in his office when we left,” Beau said, almost apologetic. “You don’t think . . .”
