AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m just doing myjob.” But I wasn’t. This wasn’t my job.
A grunt in the affirmative and he walked away, dropping his holdall to the floor and taking up position against a garage door. His eyes burnt my back as I set off for tower one. I walked slowly, shoulders high in an effort to convey a confidence I wasn’t feeling. My mind whirred. I was off script, procedures cast aside without care, and for what? To help a convict? A thug? Callum fucking Jackson?
To help a dog. A dog in need.
I held the thought like a mantra. I’d fucking need it.
***
The lift stank of piss and poverty: a dingy, rickety contraption that had seen better days, just like the rest of the estate. I kept my breathing shallow, fearful of inhaling any more of the stench than necessary. The communal hallway wasn’t much better, littered with beer cans and a whole sea of cigarette butts. Number fourteen was right at the end. The door was fist-battered, tacky red paint flaking around the edges. Music blared from inside, so loud it took three attempts at knocking before it dulled down.
Janine Scott’s beady eyes looked out through the crack. They narrowed as she registered it was me, a look of pure disdain.
“I’ve turned it down already!”
“I’m not here about the music,” I said. “Can I come in?”
“What for?”
“I’ve had some complaints.”
“What the fuck about this time? I paid a fiver off my rent last Monday, check my statement if you don’t believe me.”
“It’s not about the rent, Mrs Scott. It’s about a dog.”
She unlatched the chain, swinging the door wide. “Who’s been saying shit about my dogs?”
“I’m not at liberty to say. You have a black dog, yes? I’ve had reports it’s been barking, causing a disturbance.”
“They’re full of shit. The black dog don’t fucking bark, it don’t do shit, see?” She stood to the side, shifting her flabby ass enough for me to peer into the gloom beyond. A toddler darted into the kitchen, nappy-less and pissing a trail all the way. “Jayden, you little shit! Use the fucking potty!”
Casey looked much smaller than I expected. She was a ball of matted fur, pressed tight against the carpet. Big, sad eyes looked out at me, ears flat to her skull.
“You’re on a notice seeking possession already, Mrs Scott. Another count of anti-social behaviour will mean court action.”
“You’ll have to come back when my husband’s home. It’s his bloody dog. He’s out, with our others.Thisdog don’t cause no problems.Thisdog don’t do shit.”
“I’ve got witness statements to the contrary. I’m afraid this could lead to a full inspection, and police involvement.”
Her mouth pursed tight, like a bright pink asshole. “They’re fucking lying!”
I puffed myself up, putting on the most authoritative tone I could muster. “I’ve a duty to act on these allegations. You can let me take the dog now, and put a stop to the investigation, or I will be taking further action immediately. It’s your choice.”
Her piggy eyes flew wild. “Take my dog?!”
“I’ll hand her into the local rehoming centre. She’ll be well looked after.”
“Who the fuck do you think you are?”
“I’m just doing my job, Mrs Scott.” If looks could kill I’d be a dead woman. I held my stance, folding my arms tight across my chest, and still she didn’t respond. I took a risk, all out of options, and reached inside my bag for my phone. “I’ll make the call.”
“Fucking hell!” she seethed. “You people make me sick. Take the fucking dog. It’s a stupid, messy piece of shit anyway.” She stormed off down the hall, and my heart lurched as Casey cowered from her, flattening herself against the wall. Janine grabbed her by the scruff, yanking her forward hard enough that the dog yelped. It was only when she shoved her towards me that I saw the full extent of the neglect. The animal was skin and bone, fur matted and filthy, and almost bare to the skin in places.
“Does she have a lead? A collar?”
Janine Scott rolled her eyes, like I’d asked her for a magic beanstalk. “Jesus Christ, you’ll want the shirt from my fucking back next.”
Casey looked terrified, eyes darting around the hallway. I placed my hand on her neck to stop her running, and she froze. “It’s ok,” I whispered, as though she would understand me. “I’m getting you out.”
