Free Paws and Effect by Sofie Kelly Page B

reached for his phone on the small table next to the swing. The only thing he said was, “Hello.” He listened and then his body went rigid.I saw him nod even though the person on the other end of the call couldn’t see the movement. “I’ll be right there,” he said finally, ending the call.
    But he didn’t move. He just sat there, one hand still holding the phone.
    I touched his shoulder. “What’s wrong?” I asked.
    He turned his head toward me and cleared his throat before he spoke. Even so, his voice was husky with emotion. “That was Hope,” he said.
    Hope Lind was also a detective with the Mayville Heights Police Department.
    â€œIt’s . . . it’s Dani. She fell off an embankment out by Long Lake.”
    â€œAre they taking her to the hospital in Red Wing or going to Minneapolis?” I wondered if John knew yet. And what about Travis?
    Marcus shook his head. And then I knew. I didn’t need to see his face. I could see it in the slump of his shoulders and the way his hands just hung between his knees. “No,” he said. “She’s . . . she’sdead.”

4
    M arcus left to meet Hope, and I drove home. Before I got into the truck I wrapped my arms around him and gave him a hug. “I’m so, so sorry about Dani,” I said. “If you need me call or just come by. It doesn’t matter how late it is.”
    He nodded. “Drive carefully.”
    I did drive home just a little more attentively, thinking how fragile life can be. I barely knew Dani but I had liked what I did know. As I headed around the house to the back door I stopped to look up at the stars overhead and hoped that wherever Dani was now she was at peace.
    Marcus showed up just after six a.m. I’d had a restless night. I was leaning against the counter waiting for the coffee when he tapped on the back door. He had dark circles like sooty smudges under his eyes and he needed a shave. The half smile he gave me didn’t make it anywhere near his blue eyes. Hepropped an elbow on the table and leaned his head on his hand. I got a cup of coffee and set it next to him.
    â€œThanks,” he said.
    I sat next to him at the table. “Could I get you some breakfast?”
    He put a hand over mine. “Just sit with me for a bit.”
    We sat like that for maybe a couple of minutes and then Marcus said, “I have to tell John.” He stared down at the table. “And I have to find Travis.”
    â€œI’m coming with you,” I said. “Maybe John will know where he is.”
    â€œYou don’t have to come,” Marcus said.
    â€œI’m coming,” I repeated. He gave my hand a squeeze.
    I scrambled eggs with the last sausage patty I’d gotten from Burtis Chapman and served them with toasted English muffins and more coffee. Marcus ate every bite on his plate but I think I could have cooked the eggs shells and toasted the bag the muffins had been in and he wouldn’t have noticed.
    â€œHope’s taking the lead on this one,” he said, pushing his plate back and folding his hands around his cup. “I just thought it would be easier for everyone if I was the one who broke the news to John and Travis.” He shook his head. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m wrong.”
    â€œNo, you’re not.” I put my arms around him. “I liked Dani. I’m sorry I didn’t get to know her better. Would you, maybe later, tell me more about her?”
    He nodded. “I’d like that. I think maybe the two of you would have been friends.”
    â€œI’m sorry we didn’t get the chance,” I said, andeven though I’d barely known Dani I had to swallow down a sudden lump in my throat.
    I went upstairs to finish getting ready for work, leaving Marcus with Hercules, who had been sitting next to his chair in silent sympathy from the moment he’d arrived. When I came back