Free Doggone Dead by Teresa Trent Page A

up to the Supreme Court if need be.”
    Inset into my own picture was a picture of a familiar face. This was the guy with the beagle. His handsome smile and kind face looked so trustworthy. Not the first time I had been duped by that sort of thing. He was the new district attorney investigating my dad?
    I grabbed for the phone, unsure who to call first – Dad or Rocky. I started to dial Rocky’s number when my phone rang in my hand, almost scaring me to death.
    “Betsy. Have you read the paper?” Aunt Maggie asked on the other end of the line.
    “I just saw it.”
    “Did you take that picture?”
    “Yes, I did, but I had no idea it would lead to Dad being investigated. I was just about to call Rocky and ask him why he didn’t warn me he changed the story.”
    “Rocky can’t help himself when he sniffs out a story. You have to realize that.”
    “Even when the story involves a friend?”
    “Especially if it involves a friend. He would see it as an opportunity for more access to news.”
    “I get your point. Rocky is Pecan Bayou’s one and only paparazzi.”
    “I’ve never heard your dad talk about this district attorney, so I don’t even know how serious all of this is. I do know my brother would never plant evidence.”
    “I’ve met the district attorney,” I said quietly.
    “You’re in league with both the newspaper and the devil, – I mean, the DA?”
    “No, I’m not in league with anyone. I met him outside Dr. Springer’s office. He was very kind when we told him about losing Butch. Then I met him again at the dog park.”
    “You met him at the dog park? Do you mean you happened to see him there or you ‘met’ him?”
    “No, I didn’t meet him that way. I just ran into him, that’s all. He asked me out on a date.”
    “But you’re not in cahoots with him in any way?” Maggie said slowly as if trying to understand why I seemed to be involved with every part of my father’s crisis.
    “No, Aunt Maggie, I’m not. Why would I ever do anything to harm my father?”
    “You’re right, I know. I just wish I could find out more about this guy. He could be just going along with Clay Bonnet to humor him or maybe he really believes him. It might be a way to clean out what he thinks might be a corrupt small-town police force. Have you talked to your father?” Maggie asked.
    “I was just about to call him when you rang through,” I said.
    “Well, don’t. He’s in a meeting with Chief Wilson. I called him, and he said for me to be calm and we would discuss it as a family later.”
    A family meeting. Who were we, the Brady Bunch? My dad had to be pretty upset about this. He could end up losing his job because of my picture. It really was my fault, and of course that would be the one Rocky would choose for the front page of the paper. Like Maggie, I just wish I knew if Adam Cole would seriously pursue this. Maybe I could call him? I could probably get his number from the city offices directory, or even Dr. Springer could help. A thought occurred to me. Maybe I could do even more than that.
    “Aunt Maggie, what would you say if I accepted that date with Adam Cole?”
    “Oh, honey, I don’t think your womanly wiles could change his mind.”
    “No, that’s not what I mean. So far, he doesn’t seem to know I’m the daughter of his cop under investigation. I could just casually talk to him about his work and find out what he thinks of the case.”
    “What about Leo?”
    “What about Leo?” I countered. “Even though Adam Cole is a very handsome man, I’m not dating him for real. I’m going undercover.”
    “Don’t put it that way.”
    “You know what I mean.”
    “Well,” Maggie paused for a moment as she thought about it. “I guess it couldn’t hurt.” She was quiet again. “I don’t think you should tell your father about this. He’d shut you down quicker than a fireworks stand in a drought.”
    “Snap, crackle, pop.”

Chapter Fourteen
     
    Trying to find Adam Cole