The Girl With the Dachshund Tattoo Read Online Free Page A

crowd.
    Please behave. Please behave.
    “Not when you know you’ll come out on top.” Gia shoved her way into the middle of the group. She reached for Zippy’s leash, but Richard refused to relinquish it. Directly behind Gia stood a woman of average height and build with a video camera. Our missing filmmaker? Missy and I slowly inched closer. Her face was obstructed, but I could see her bad haircut clear as day. For once, Betty hadn’t exaggerated.
    “How would you know that unless you’ve stacked the deck in your favor?” someone from the crowd shouted.
    “Who said that?” Gia shrieked.
    “We don’t need to stack the deck.” Richard’s chest puffed with inflated confidence. “Champions are built. Zippy loves to train. Right boy?”
    Zippy, who’d been obediently sitting during this entire exchange, barked on cue.
    Everyone cheered, and the circle tightened as people rushed to get closer to the dog.
    “Back away,” Richard growled. “He needs air. He must stretch.”
    “Your stupid ritual can wait. His fans want to meet him,” Gia screeched.
    Husband and wife squared off like two tomcats ready to defend their territory. Not exactly the picture of a healthy relationship.
    The reigning champion wiggled his long body between a young admirer’s legs eager for some well-deserved attention. Richard mumbled a mouthful of colorful language, then tugged on the leash, dragging the pooch beside him.
    “Hey,” Betty yelled. “You’re hurting him.”
    “He’s fine. Mind your own business.”
    Betty shot Ricky-Dicky a hateful look. “I’ve seen how you tug on the leash and yank him around. Just because he doesn’t whimper doesn’t mean he’s not hurt. You’re choking him.”
    Missy and I moved faster trying to reach Betty before she said something she’d regret, but the crowd blocked us from any forward progress. A couple of young surfers tossed me a disgusted look. What was their problem? It wasn’t as if I was trying to cut to the front of the Taco Bell line.
    “Did I ask for your opinion?” Ricky-Dicky’s face turned a dark shade of red. His cold brown eyes bored into Betty. “That’s right, I didn’t.”
    “I’ve been watching you. You’re mean to that sweet dog. You don’t deserve him. Either of you.” Her voice grew more agitated.
    I’d never heard her so angry. My stomach knotted. She’s wasn’t a spring chick. Someone his size could easily hurt her.
    I picked up Missy, worried she’d be stepped on, and elbowed my way into the crowd. “Excuse me, I need to get through.”
    A handful of people let us through, but the majority refused to let us get closer.
    “Are you the one who’s been following us today?” Gia’s unkind laugh filled the stunned silence.
    I hoped Gia was mistaken, and Betty hadn’t followed anyone.
    “He took away his food. When Zippy wanted a drink, you took away his water bowl,” Betty yelled.
    She was too short for me to see if she was in physical danger, but I imagined her balled fists at her side, ready to defend herself or the dog. I continued to shove my way through the crowd, praying I’d reach Betty before one of the Eriksens hurt her.
    “You need to get your eyes checked, you pajama-wearing wacko. Have you looked in the mirror?” Ricky-Dicky bellowed.
    Betty sucked in a breath. “You two are the crazy ones.”
    “Stay out of my business. You don’t know what you’re talking about.” He pushed past the group of gawkers.
    I got a quick peek of Betty as she stepped directly into his path. “You don’t deserve that dog.”
    He muttered something as he pushed Betty aside. She stumbled backward and fumbled for her handbag.
    “Hey,” I yelled, propelling myself forward. “Don’t touch her.”
    “You’re insane, lady. Put away the gun.” Ricky-Dicky’s tone was no longer angry, but scared.
    Gun?
    Chaos erupted. People screamed and ran directly into my path. Crap. Protecting Missy the best I could, I took off toward the crazy lady in silk