Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 97032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
“Of course I can, Mom,” I said and looked to Mo stretched out in front of the television intently watching an episode on elephants. His own stuffed elephant toy sat proudly beside him. It was a stuffed toy he did not tear apart. It was as if he looked at it as his friend. “Mo, do you want to spend the day with Grandma?”
He sprang up with a loud bark and I heard my mom laugh.
“I just love my fur grandbaby,” she said.
“I’ll bring him to you, Mom.”
“Not necessary, I’m pulling into your driveway now.”
I shook my head as Mo made a beeline to the door, barking.
Mo had the door open before I reached it and ran out the door to greet my mom. He barely let her out of the car when she lowered herself down to hug and kiss him.
“We’re going to have fun today, Mo, and we’ll have lunch at Zelda’s.”
Mo barked and was about to leap into the car when my mom opened the back door when he stopped, turned, and hurried into the house.
“He realized he doesn’t have his vest and leash,” I explained.
“He’s such a brilliant dog,” she said, smiling proudly. “Your dad said he hasn’t had any luck with the sketch you and Ian worked on with the computer sketch artist, though Kate’s one sketch is a close match to yours. I believe it is the man you first saw unconscious in the mausoleum, then again at the garden center. The man didn’t show up in any of the systems. So, perhaps that means he isn’t a felon.”
“Could be,” I said, knowing my mom and her way of thinking. “But that doesn’t make him any less dangerous.” Mo stood in front of me with his vest and leash in his mouth, looking eager to be on his way. I quickly got him ready, and he raced to jump in the back seat as my cell rang.
“That’s probably your dad,” my mom said, getting in her car. “I’ll return Mo later today. Toodles.”
I shook my head as I answered. “Mom has Mo with her for the day.”
“Thank you, Pepper. I knew I couldn’t keep her in the house too long, but I worried about her being out there on her own without some sort of protection if for some reason she had what someone was looking for. I figured no one would dare try anything with Mo with her.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. “She can have Mo as long as you think she needs him, Dad.”
“I appreciate that, Pepper, but the deputies will be keeping an eye on her so I don’t think it will be necessary after today unless your mom feels she needs him. I had her give me her schedule for the next few days so I can keep an eye on her.”
“Wise move, Dad, and how is that app you had Beau add to Mom’s and your cell so you can track her car.”
My dad chuckled. “You should know me better than to think I’d do such a thing without discussing it first with your mom. And she was not opposed to it, though I will worry less with Mo being with her.”
“I guess that means you’re joining Mom and Mo for lunch at Zelda’s to check in on her.”
“Yup, my mouth is already watering for one of her patty melts.”
My cell let me know I had another call, and I was surprised to see it was my mom. Not to worry my dad, I didn’t mention she was calling. “I have to go, Dad, I got another call, talk with you later.” I clicked off, ending the call with my dad and got my mom. “Something wrong, Mom?”
“Everything is good, I just forgot to ask you if you had the keys to the Willow Mansion. I couldn’t find them in my purse.”
A snapshot of them sitting on my kitchen counter flashed through my mind. “I do, Mom. They were in one of the pockets of my cargo pants. Out of habit, I must have dropped them there instead of your purse.”
“No problem. Hang on to them and I’ll get them from you the next time I see you. Toodles.”
I barely ended the call when my cell rang again. I braced for a day of endless phone calls.
“Hi, Pepper, it’s Millie at the church. Those records concerning the Willow family are ready for you to review today.”
“Fantastic, thanks so much, Millie,” I said, excited to view them.
“I can be there shortly if that’s all right with you.”
“That’s perfect. I will see you soon.”
I called Ian. “Please tell me you’re free for an hour or so.”
“That depends on what you have in mind, Pep,” he teased.
I chuckled realizing what he was alluding to and returned his tease. “Something that will definitely excite you.”