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“You know. His show?”
“Show?”
“On TV? The one based on his book?”
“I am guessing he is a famous dog trainer,” Paigelynn says, uncertain.
“Yes,” I say, nodding. “He is. Sorry. I assumed everyone knew who he is.”
“Simon,” Jason says, making me turn around. “Paigelynn doesn’t need to be insulted like that.”
“Huh?”
“Just because she doesn’t know something doesn’t make her dumb.”
“I never said anything of the sort!” I sputter. She widens her eyes and gives me a weird micro-shrug. “I was just making a joke. Sorry about that.”
“I wasn’t offended,” Paigelynn says, glaring daggers at Jason, who makes a sound like a walrus. “Simon, how about we go for a walk around the neighborhood with Winnie? I can show you how she behaves when we’re out and about.”
Both men look at me as if I’m the one who suggested it.
“No,” Jason says instantly, eyes narrowing as if he’s measuring me for my coffin.
“It makes sense, Jason. I need help with her.”
“You can do your training in the backyard.”
“You know Winnie gets nervous around Malcolm.”
“What?” The other guy pipes up. Now I know his name. “She does not,” he insists.
“She shakes whenever you’re near,” Paigelynn snaps back. I can tell this is a ruse to be left alone with her.
I can also tell Jason isn’t about to let that happen.
“Then I’ll go with you on your walk, Princess,” he says, clearly regretting the slip of using her title.
“Princess,” I say, looking at her. “I see. That’s why you have guards? It’s not because little Winnie is a famous star?”
Paigelynn looks at me in confusion.
“You think Winnie is a star? Like a movie star?”
“Sure. We’re in L.A.,” I say smoothly. “I work with lots of animals in television and film.”
Saying this makes Malcolm relax slightly. Paigelynn smiles at me, a real smile that I would enjoy more if I didn’t just use baby wipes to clean blood off my hands.
“That’s amazing! Then you’re surely the expert here. Only you can help me with Winnie. I’m so worried that we’re going to work together, and she’ll be distracted the entire time by Jason or Malcolm following us.”
“Well,” I say, choosing my words carefully. “That is an issue. You know, my husband often says I have a way of helping animals find their natural desire to obey and please us.”
At the word “husband,” Malcolm and Jason give each other a look.
Aha. Victory.
Paigelyn shivers slightly, her throat moving with a hard swallow. “Goodness,” she says. “It’s cooler than I thought. Mornings here are deceptive. You look outside and see the sun and think it’s hotter than it really is.” She walks over to a small coat closet, opening the door and reaching in for a white jacket, which she puts on.
“Jason?” she asks him. “We’ll be back in...” Then she looks at me.
