Page 93 of Vetted for Vengeance
“Everything okay, Mr. Calder?” Anderson's gaze follows mine.
“Do you need anything from me? I'd like to accompany Noah to the hospital.”
“No. Thank you. You've been very helpful. We know where you are if we need anything more.”
I nod and turn away from the car and the face that will haunt me until I can put a name and a headstone to it. I return to Noah, taking his hand again. Realization fills me with purpose. I don't want to be chasing ghosts.
I want to be here with him.
Staring into those half-dead eyes, smiling openly at the man who knows all my darkest secrets, and today, met me halfway.
“Sir, we’re going to need to move now,” the paramedic says.
Noah’s grip tightens instantly. “No…”
“It’s okay,” I cut in, placing my hand over his. “I’m right here.”
“You’re not coming in the back,” the paramedic adds. “That wasn’t a suggestion.”
I ease my hand free from Noah slowly. “I'm sorry. I will follow in the car as fast as legal speed limits allow.” Meaning, I'll snoop around here for my second mystery man, and then break every speed limit to get to him.
Noah doesn’t fight it. But his fingers hold on for a second too long.
“I’ll be right behind you,” I tell him. “I’ll follow you there. I promise.”
He nods, but his eyes don’t believe me. He knows me better than I do.
He knows.
He knows and even now, he understands.
I step out of the ambulance and close the distance to the detective.
“Why do I think you know more than you're telling me?” Anderson questions, turning his suspicion on me.
“Maybe I do.” I give a shrug. “I did my due diligence before welcoming Noah into my home, my practice, and my show. Full background on him and his previous employment. I'm sure you've done the same.”
“We have.”
“Then I'm sure you know Noah has had no registered income for eight years.”
He pauses at that.
“I don't know the business income, but I know that twenty-four dogs having two litters per year is a lot of puppies. 288 puppies if you assume an average litter of six. Spaniels sell for around £1200 each, which comes to a hell of a lot of money. I saw the farm. I saw the farmhouse. It did not look like a business turning over £350,000 annually. So when I heard about the debt, my mind made a logical conclusion.”
“You are a very smart man, Mr. Calder,” Anderson praises me coldly.
“As I said, nothing as impressive as your investigation. But if I become aware of anything useful, I will let you know.”
“Do you recognize the man from the barn?” he asks.
“No. Never seen him before.” I shrug. “Do we have a name?”
“No ID yet. We’ll run him.”
“There was someone outside the restaurant on Wednesday.” I should mention that; I'm sure Noah will when he gets questioned with a clear mind later. “It's probably nothing. People are allowed to stand outside public places in the dark. I thought nothing of it then, but now… after this…”
That gets a small reaction from Anderson.
