Grave Doubts (A Paranormal Mystery Novel) Read Online Free Page B

inquired
carefully.
    Lee’s muddled brain attempted to
form a concrete thought.
    “Um, it was okay.”
    She grabbed a can of soup to put it
away in an effort to derail the conversation, but before she could change the
subject, she bumped into the dog again.
    “Why don’t you just load this
eating machine into the car right now?”
    “Actually, I need to talk to you
about Soldier,” Amy replied. She slapped her leg and the dog lumbered over. “I
need to leave her here for awhile.”
    Lee turned to her daughter. “You
what?!”
    “Maddie called. She tried to get
the apartment manager to make an exception and allow us to keep a pet, but no
such luck. They won’t even allow birds. Can you believe that?”
    Amy whined in hopeful exasperation,
but Lee’s expression wasn’t meant to be encouraging. She merely tilted her head
to one side and arched her brows as if to say, “So?”
    “She won't be here long, Mom. I've
already made a few calls. It shouldn't be hard to find her a home.”
    Lee dropped into a kitchen chair,
still holding the can of soup between her hands. She took a deep breath, trying
to focus her thoughts through the deepening headache and sleepless haze.
    “Why did you get this dog in the
first place, Amy?”
    “I told you, Maddie thought we
would be able to stay in the house we lived in this summer, but the guys who
rented it last semester had made a deal with the landlord so they could have it
when they returned this fall. So, we had to move into this apartment. We
thought if we paid an extra cleaning deposit, they’d let me keep Soldier. But,
it’s small and doesn’t have a yard, and they won’t make exceptions. Everything else
is already rented, Mom.” She threw her mother a desperate look. “I don't want
to give her away, but I don't know what else to do.”
    “I won't have a dog, Amy. You know
that.” Lee concentrated on not moving a muscle, hoping it would reinforce her
point.
    “Mom,” Amy came and sat across from
her mother, her favorite charm bracelet tinkling as it hit the tabletop. “It's
not as if you have to keep her. I'll be back on Saturday. She'll keep you
company.”
    “I don't want company!” Lee snapped,
inadvertently pounding the can of soup on the table. Amy’s charm bracelet bounced
a short melody in response.
    They both froze. Lee dropped her
eyes and drew her clenched fists into her lap. Amy tensed, but kept silent,
pulling the animal to her side.
    “I’m sorry. I’m pretty wound up,” Lee
apologized.
    She looked up at her soon-to-be
nineteen-year old daughter and then down at the dog now resting its head on Amy's
knee. The black mask that extended down the dog’s muzzle softened her face, but
Lee knew better. Soldier had been trained by a military man as a security dog
and had failed a crucial test. She’d been unable to identify with a human being
strongly enough to provide the required protection. The trainer had a choice to
either put the dog down, or find it a home. Her soft-hearted Amy had offered a
home. Now Lee had visions of her daughter’s throat being ripped out by mistake.
    Lee shifted her gaze to a mug sitting
on the table from breakfast.
    “I love this mug, you know,” she
said aimlessly.
    Amy had given it to her for
Valentine’s Day. Lee reached for the mug, absently tracing the two interlocking
hearts stenciled on its side. Her world was falling apart, pushing her emotions
to the edge. She had just lost her assistant and close friend. Now, she was
losing her daughter. She needed to get a grip. Gymnastics had once been her
vehicle of choice to blot out personal conflicts. Back then, dusting her hands
with chalk and heading for the parallel bars was all it took. In fact, Patrick
had once accused her of using athletics to fill the gaps in her life. He’d been
partially right. She hadn’t dated much back then. She always said she was too
focused on the sport. It wasn’t until she’d been injured and had to give it up
that she’d met and