Free Death of a Dog Whisperer (9780758284570) by Laurien Berenson Page A

sky. Davey and Kevin were keeping each other entertained. The Poodles had flopped down happily in the grass beneath the oak tree. At least for the moment, everything was just as it should be. Too bad, I thought, that I couldn’t figure out a way to capture that peace and hold on to it.
    And yet for the next few weeks it almost seemed as though I had. Sam cut back on his work schedule and we took the kids on outings to the beach and the Natural History Museum. Aunt Peg, occupied making new connections for Nick, barely had any time for me. Even Bob’s renovations proceeded smoothly.
    Life was good. This, I thought, must be how normal people live. It was definitely something I could get used to it. I was smiling in happy anticipation of another long, lazy, summer day when I answered the phone two weeks later.
    And heard the news that Nick Walden was dead.

Chapter 7
    â€œD ead?” I gasped. “How? When?”
    â€œHe was shot,” Aunt Peg told me. “It happened last night. In his home.”
    My knees gave out. Thankfully there was a chair nearby. I sank down into it.
    â€œWas there an intruder?” I asked.
    â€œThe police aren’t sure what took place. But they’re calling it a homicide.”
    A lump rose in my throat. I swallowed heavily. This was all too much to process.
    â€œHow did you find out?”
    â€œIt’s on the morning news,” said Aunt Peg. “A murder in Riverside is a big deal. Every local station had the story. How could you have missed it?”
    â€œI was feeding the boys breakfast,” I told her. “They’re not allowed to watch TV while they eat.”
    â€œWell, someone ought to be keeping tabs,” Peg said huffily.
    â€œI just can’t believe it.” I realized I was shaking my head, as if denying the news would make it go away. “That’s awful.”
    â€œWhat’s awful?” asked Sam. He had Kevin with him.
    I looked up and he saw the expression on my face. Unfortunately Sam and I have been here before. He knew what to do. “I’ll bet Sesame Street is on now, isn’t it?” he said to Kevin.
    The toddler’s face lit up. “Cookie Monster!” he said with a toothy grin.
    Sam deposited him in front of the TV in the living room and quickly returned. By that time I’d found that Aunt Peg didn’t have any more information than she’d already given me and ended the call. I was telling Sam the bad news when the phone rang again.
    This time it was Bob.
    â€œWe’ve already heard,” I said before he had a chance to speak. “Do you know what happened?”
    â€œJust that Nick was shot late yesterday evening. I can’t believe it. Who would do such a thing? Nick was a great guy. We . . . I . . . just had dinner with him a couple days ago.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” I said. “I know the two of you were good friends.”
    Bob blew out a shaky sigh. “God, this is hard.”
    â€œI know,” I said softly.
    He didn’t speak for a long time. I didn’t push. I just waited until he was ready to continue.
    â€œListen, Mel,” he said finally. “I need a favor. Can we talk? Is it all right if I come over?”
    â€œOf course. Anything you want. But Davey’s going to be spending the day at Joey Brickman’s house. So I’ll be dropping him off right down the road from you in just a few minutes. Do you want me to stop by?”
    â€œNo, I’m not home right now. I’m . . . somewhere else.”
    How very odd, I thought. The definition of not home would certainly seem to indicate that Bob was somewhere else . Was his current location a secret? Was there something he didn’t want me to know?
    Then I frowned and reined in my wandering thoughts. My ex had just been hit with news that had to have come as a huge shock. Under the circumstances, it was understandable that he might not be expressing himself