Free Once Upon a Pet Show (A Redpoint One Romance) by J.A. Marlow Page A

around a small group with Vallory in the
center.
    She held a daubpup, the one that was the color
of an old-fashioned penny. Wasn't that the name of the creature, as
well? He couldn't remember. She'd talked to several of the animals
the last time.
    "Just what are you trying to say, Mr. Pyman?"
Vallory challenged.
    And challenged beautifully. Pale skin with
spots of red on her cheeks. Leaning forward with her shoulders,
feet planted firmly, placed under her shoulders as if ready to
fight or dodge either direction. He had a feeling she would have
had her fists on her hips if she wasn't carrying Penny.
    "Now, now. We don't need to do this here," Ms.
Mishley said, standing to the side. The woman looked like a regular
exhibitor, with a nice gray suit against which her pets would
display well, complete with a conservative skirt and flat
shoes.
    Then there was Vallory. She really didn't look
like any of the other exhibitors. Not with her long flaring skirts,
salmon-colored shirt with a dainty golden crocheted over-shirt. And
yet, it fit her well. He tried to imagine her in a gray or
dark-blue suit and failed utterly.
    "What am I saying?" Mr. Pyman's voice raised a
tick. "That every time another pet enclosure is found empty, here
you come a few minutes later."
    Other exhibitors loosely ringing the smaller
inner group murmured agreement. Obviously, other's had
noticed.
    "I have meetings," Vallory said, her voice
rising to meet his. The daubpup in her arms squirmed, as if wanting
to escape the conflict. Damien didn't blame it.
    "Has another pet gone missing?" Damien asked,
leaning against the edge of her enclosure. He purposely kept his
voice calm.
    Mr. Pyman glared at him for only a brief
moment before returning his full attention to Vallory. "One last
night, one this morning, and now another just before the show ends
for the day. And every time, here she comes, trailing after." Mr.
Pyman's ample chin jutted forward, jiggling the second chin under
it. "Coming back to see how everyone reacts to your
handiwork?"
    Vallory's sharp intake of breath was short and
small, but easily heard in the sudden silence around them. Her skin
went even more pale. The daubpup in her arms let out a squeek, and
he saw her forcing herself to loosen her grip.
    "You're accusing me of being the thief?"
Vallory's asked, the words shaky. With more control, and her anger
rising again, she nearly shouted, "I am not a thief!"
    "I'm not sure how you came to that conclusion
at this point. From what I understand, the investigation is still
ongoing," Damien said before she could say anything
more.
    Mr. Pyman gestured angrily at her. "I just
told you why! Who else could it be?"
    "Plenty of people. Security created a special
team to look into it," Damien said. He pushed off the corner of the
enclosure and also gestured towards Vallory, but specifically
towards Penny. "To me, it looks like she had an escapee
today?"
    She nodded at his question, hugging Penny
tighter. "This is my group's escape artist."
    "Simple explanation," Damien said.
    "Yes, yes," Ms. Mishley said, wringing her
hands together as she looked between the two nervously. "I have an
escape artist myself."
    Some of the others didn't look so convinced.
The situation needed diffusing and fast. This wasn't an argument to
have in the open with visitors all around them. He should probably
get Security over here to break it up. In fact, they should have
already noticed. What was wrong with Security this year? No wonder
pets were disappearing if this was their response time.
    He froze. Something was pulling at his pant
let. Another of her pets escaped?
    Only, it wasn't one of the other pets. This
one was so much smaller. A baby? He didn't remember a baby from the
day before.
    "Simple? This is the third time!" Mr. Pyman
shouted.
    But, the doubt had been put into the crowd
around them. Two left while two others started talking to each
other, nodding their heads.
    "I am not a thief," Vallory shouted back. "I
was looking