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

clearly.
    â€œGive me half an hour,” I said. “Sam and I will both be here.”
    Alice Brickman, Joey’s mom, has been a stalwart presence in my life since we’d met in a neighborhood play group when our boys were less than a year old. We’d quickly discovered how much we had in common and our sons’ compatibility sealed the bond. Davey and Joey had become great friends, and Alice and I did too.
    Over the years, she and I had supported each other through chicken pox, snow days, and endless numbers of school projects. We’ve also covered each other’s backs. Alice knew I’d be there for her if she ever needed anything, and I knew she’d do the same for me. So now I didn’t hesitate to strap Kevin into the car when I went to drop Davey off.
    I made the drive to Flower Estates on autopilot, my thoughts consumed by the morning’s terrible news. I hadn’t yet had the chance to get to know Nick Walden well, but everything I did know about him made this tragedy seem all the more incomprehensible. Nick had been young, and talented, and eminently likeable. How could anyone have possibly wanted him dead?
    Alice answered the door wearing a flowered sundress and flip-flops. Her strawberry blond hair was twisted into a careless knot on the top of her head, and her pale, freckled skin showed the beginnings of a summer tan. Before we even had a chance to say hello, the Brickmans’ Golden Retriever, Berkley, shot through the open doorway. He flew past me down the steps and went careening into Davey. Spinning around, the dog jumped up to plop his big, hairy, paws on my son’s shoulders.
    â€œBerkley, get down!” Alice cried. “As if he ever listens,” she muttered under her breath before treating me to a wide smile. “Great to see you. Do you have time to come in and visit?”
    â€œUnfortunately no.”
    Behind me, Davey was giggling. Big dogs, even ones whose manners needed work, didn’t bother him in the slightest. He pushed Berkley down, then ran into the house in search of Joey. The Golden galloped happily along behind, nearly knocking me off the step.
    â€œHello, Mrs. Brickman,” I called after him. “How nice to see you. Thank you for having me.”
    The reminder to watch his own manners didn’t even slow Davey down. He was already gone.
    â€œOh please.” Alice laughed. “There’s no need to stand on ceremony around here. Considering how much time he and Joey spend together, that child might as well be my second son.”
    True, that.
    â€œSo tell me what’s wrong,” said Alice. That’s how well she knows me. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
    â€œActually yes,” I admitted. “Do you think you could watch Kevin for an hour or two?”
    â€œSure.” Alice nodded. “Carly has a friend coming over too, so I’ve already got four. I’ll hardly even notice one more.”
    Carly was Alice’s daughter. At nine, she was graceful as a willow and loved nothing more than dance. Except maybe kittens, and the color pink. I adored my rough-and-tumble sons, but sometimes I envied Alice her very girly daughter.
    â€œTrust me, you’ll notice this one,” I told her. “He’s two and into everything.”
    â€œLike I haven’t been there,” Alice scoffed. “At least he’s still at an age where I can pick him up if I see trouble coming.”
    She accompanied me down the steps to the driveway. Kevin was still in his car seat. Before I could open the Volvo’s door, Alice put out a hand to stop me.
    â€œI’m happy to watch Kev, you know that. But it wasn’t what I meant when I asked if I could help. Is everything all right?”
    I shook my head. “A friend of Bob’s was killed last night. He wants to come over and talk about it.”
    â€œNick Walden.” Alice’s face fell. “I heard about it on the news.