Rock Harbor Series - 03 - Into the Deep by Colleen Coble Page B

snapped his bag shut and stood. “You have any idea what this was all about?”
    “I wish I knew. Another dog, a small one, was taken a few days ago. But it’s probably just coincidental.
    Dr. Meeks rubbed his chin. “Maybe not. I’ve heard that a couple other small dogs have come up missing lately.”
    Samson began to stir. Bree sank to her knees and ran her hands over his curly coat. He raised his head and licked her hand. She gave a shaky laugh and buried her face in his neck, breathing in his familiar doggy scent.
    “Thanks, Dr. Meeks,” she murmured. At least Samson would accept her comfort, even if Hilary wouldn’t.
    “You’re quite welcome. I don’t often make house calls, but Samson is someone special.” He nodded to Bree and Davy and went toward his car. “Call me with any questions,” he called over his shoulder.
    By now, Samson was struggling to get up. He licked Davy’s hand, then stood on wobbly legs. Davy threw his arms around the dog’s neck.
    Bree resolved to keep a closer watch on both Samson and Davy. “Come to the house,” she told Davy. He led the dog toward the front door, passing the paramedics on their way out.
    Inside the house, Bree gave her son some crayons and a coloring book Hilary kept for him and went back to the bedroom. Standing outside the door, she heard Hilary’s heartbroken voice.
    “It’s all the dog’s fault. If I hadn’t been running to save him . . .”
    Rubbing the tears from her face, Bree stepped into the room. “Is there anything I can do for you, Hilary?”
    “No.” The answer was muffled. “Just go home and get that dog out of here.”
    Anu sent Bree a pleading glance, and Bree tried not to be hurt. Hilary was just reacting out of pain and desperation.
    “It’s not Samson’s fault, Hil,” Mason said, taking his wife’s hand.
    Hilary closed her eyes, and her face contorted. She swallowed, and her chest heaved. She opened her eyes and held out a hand to Bree. “I’m sorry, Bree. It’s not your fault or Samson’s. It was an accident. I just want to blame something, someone.” Her chin wobbled. “Forgive me.”
    Bree squeezed Hilary’s cold fingers. “It’s okay, Hil,” she said. “I understand. Call me if you need anything.”
    Mason pressed his lips to Hilary’s hand, then laid it down and followed Bree down the hall. He caught her at the door to the living room.
    “Sorry, Bree. She and Samson have never been the best of friends. You know how she is about dogs. She’ll be up and down like this for days.”
    “I know.” Bree looked away. She couldn’t bear to see the pain in Mason’s eyes. This was as hard on him as it was on Hilary. “I’m so sorry about the baby.”
    “Thanks. Thanks for understanding.”
    “No problem. I love Hilary. I wish I knew what’s happening.”
    “I heard Bertie Smith’s two poodles are missing.”
    “Dr. Meeks mentioned other missing dogs, but they’re all small ones. You think they’re all connected?”
    “Yesterday Doug Montgomery wondered if a dogfighting ring has cropped up somewhere nearby,” Mason said. “They typically use small dogs for training, bigger dogs like Samson for the real deal. It might be a hunch worth looking into.”
    She frowned. “I’m going to have to watch over Samson like a hawk. I can’t let anything happen to him. It would crush Davy. Me too.” Bree glanced into the living room where Samson lay with his head on Davy’s lap while her son colored. Her two boys. To get to either of them, they’d have to go through her.
    Naomi stirred the whipped cream into her mocha and took a sip. Timmy sat beside her, his thin legs swinging happily as he licked his sugar-free chocolate cone. “Want to go to the park when we’re done?” she asked him. Emily was at her best friend’s house for a sleepover, and Naomi was enjoying this one-on-one time with Timmy.
    “Can we go to the park?”
    “Sure.”
    A woman stepped through the door to The Coffee Place. The pharmacist,