Free 2 Any Meat In That Soup? by Jerilyn Dufresne Page A

whether he liked me or not. But, wait a minute…‌I jumped up and for the first time was able to tower over him. “Who in the hell do you think you are? You think my sister killed someone? Are you crazy?”
    He leaned back in his chair to get away from the berserk woman in his face. “Exactly. That’s exactly what I mean, Sam. Exactly.”
    I stopped sputtering for the moment and did something uncharacteristic. I thought before I talked. “For argument’s sake, let’s just say you’re right. I could still do what I’m doing at the hospital. I would promise that I would quit saying I’m positive Jenny is innocent.” I paused, trying hard to control my temper. “Okay, we both know that’s a promise I can’t keep. But I’m really enjoying working in the ER. It’s exactly what I want to do. In fact, working half time at the Clinic and half time at the ER is close to my dream job.” I didn’t add that what actually made it my dream job was that I got to snoop.
    Before Michael could speak, I added, “Do you have any evidence that Jen was involved?” I tried to act calm, and gave an Academy Award performance.
    Michael went back behind his desk, seemingly convinced I was not going to do any harm.
    “If you really want to know, I’ll tell you.” He waited, maybe to see if I was going to voice any objections. “First, as you know, Jen was there for every death.”
    “You’re right. I do know that. Tell me something new.”
    “You aren’t going to like this, but when Dr. Adams was murdered, I started looking at Jen more closely. They absolutely hated each other. Do you know that?”
    “No. Not really. I’ve heard her complain about him, but nothing that got to the level of hatred.” I grasped at any excuse I could think of. “But no one liked him. I’ve heard other staff call him a bastard.”
    “Relax, Sam. I don’t know if I think Jenny did it. But there’s a lot of evidence to show Jen has stood up to Dr. Adams many times. In fact, she was reprimanded by her supervisor recently because of how she talked to the doctor.”
    I hadn’t heard this, and would need to talk to Jenny outside the hospital to find out her side of things.
    “Besides,” he continued, “the poison that killed Pluto was on the wings she brought to the party.”
    I shook off my anger, and had an idea. “How about if I don’t investigate anything concerning Jen’s involvement or lack of involvement? Would that work?”
    “It would if you could only do it.”
    Deciding to ignore that last comment, I hurriedly went to the door before he could tell me no. With my hand on the doorknob I turned and said, “Thanks, Michael. You can trust me.”
    “I’m counting on it.”
    As I walked to the building entrance, it hit me how sad it was that neither of us flirted. It was the first time.
    It was still early and I’d received a text that my 9:00 appointment was sick and had rescheduled. So I decided to stop by my house and spend a few minutes with Clancy.
    Walking into the carriage house was the first time I thought that the case had entered into my world.

TEN
    “C lancy, what’s wrong?”
    She lay on the kitchen floor, panting. Her tongue hung out as if she’d just gone for a run, but of course that wasn’t the case. I repeated my stupid question, “What’s wrong, girl?”
    Our psychic connection wasn’t working. All I could see was that she needed help. And fast.
    I loaded her in my car, thankful she walked a lot and was in good shape. Still, Clancy was a hefty burden, but a burden I loved more than I could express. From the car I called the vet and was told to bring her right in. On the way I berated myself for having a vet on the outskirts of town, but I made the trip in less than 10 minutes. Luckily the trains and tractors knew better than to try to slow me down today.
    Dr. Bob was waiting outside the building. He and an assistant grabbed Clancy from my arms and took her into a room. Without asking I followed them. I