Free Hounds Abound by Linda O. Johnston Page B

like this is, and how good it is for special-needs pets.”
    “That’s something the victim and his ex-wife were heard arguing about.” I was surprised both that Garciana knew about that already and that he mentioned it in front of Carlie and me. But I recognized the look of speculation on his dark-featured face that changed immediately to an innocently sincere expression—the way he looked wheninterrogating someone he thought could be a suspect. I’d learned that the hard way.
    But Carlie, a suspect? No way.
    “You didn’t know Miles, though, did you, Carlie?” I quickly interjected.
    “No, and I’d only recently met Bella.” Her worried glance at me suggested she understood why I’d asked.
    “I’d like to take you into the main building, Carlie.” I nodded in its direction. “There are a couple of dogs I think you should examine.” Not really, but I hoped that would put her visit back into perspective.
    “Sure.” She stole a glance toward Garciana. He didn’t object.
    “It’s okay if you both go there,” he said. “I’ve already put the word out that Ms. Vancouver can look in on the animals and make sure they’re all right as long as she stays out of the way. But I’d like some contact information from you.” He nodded toward Carlie. “We may want to interview you.”
    “And I may want to interview you, Detective,” she said. “On my show. If there’s anything about your investigation that might endanger the operation of this sanctuary, I’d like my viewers to know about it.”
    Don’t push your luck
, I wanted to shout to Carlie. Apparently Garciana, despite his speculative look, was willing to let Carlie go about her business without subjecting her to an interrogation—for now. But if he thought she was somehow going to interfere with his investigation—or if he thought there was any teensy but real possibility of her being a suspect—antagonizing him by suggesting she wanted to interview him on-camera might only make things worse for her.
    “That might be interesting for both of us, Dr. Stellan.” Garciana eyed the card she’d pulled from her purse and handed to him.
    From the corner of my eye, I saw that Matt had left the group of investigators he had been talking to and was approaching us. He wasn’t looking at me, though.
    Instead, his gaze was aimed beyond where Carlie, Garciana, and I stood, toward the house.
    I turned to see what he was so focused on.
    Bella Frankovick had just come through the door. Another uniformed detective emerged behind her.
    She moved slowly. An exhausted, ragged expression made her usually lovely face sag.
    And she was crying.

Chapter 8

    Bella apparently wanted to talk to me then as much as she wanted to be confronted by the media. Or maybe she simply couldn’t talk. Her smile was brave as she came over to where we stood, but her face and demeanor made it clear how unhappy and scared she was. She didn’t meet my gaze.
    Since the door had been left open, Sammy had followed her out, and the alert Malinois sat obediently at Bella’s feet, ears moving as he obviously listened to what was going on around him.
    “Has anyone checked on the animals?” Bella asked, making it clear that, despite the hell she must be going through, her priorities were not affected.
    “I walked through the main building a little while ago and everyone looked fine,” I said. “I haven’t checked on the cats, though.”
    “I’ll do that now,” Carlie said. “And I’ll take another look at the dogs and special-needs animals as well.”
    “I’ll come along. We’ll probably leave after that.” I looked at Bella quizzically, ready to change my mind if she needed us to stay.
    She gave a quick nod. “I need to take care of a few things,” she said. “But I’ll be here tomorrow.” That said a lot. Apparently she didn’t believe she was in danger of imminent arrest. A good thing. Maybe she wasn’t at the top of the suspect list.
    Even so, I wondered if she had