Read Edward Unconditionally Common Powers 3 for Free Online Page B

you?” Kristen's eyes were all scrunched up as she fought to keep her lips straight.
    “No, of course he doesn't talk.” Now Edward— Beauregard— had him doing it. Kristen stepped out of the office. Jack followed and closed the door before the dog could get out.
    Woof. Woof. Woof.
    Kristen raised her eyebrows and looked at the door, then at Jack. “Oh no, is right. I'm not sitting here all afternoon listening to that dog bark. And I'm not cleaning up any doggy messes.”
    “But I can't take him with me to see the mayor.”
    Woof. Woof. Woof. Woof.
    “Why not? You said you'd watch him, didn't you?” Kristen had her hands on her hips.
    “Yes, but... ”
    Woof. Woof. Woof. Woof. Woof.
    “Take him, or I'm taking the day off. With pay.” She raised her voice to be heard over the barking as she went for her purse behind her desk.
    “No, wait!” He held up his hands in submission. “I'll take him.” Jack went to the door, opened it, and out trotted Winston. Jack bent down, snatched up his leash, and frowned at the animal. “Okay, Winston. Best behavior, right?”
    Woof.
    Jack hoped that meant “yes” in dog talk, not “just wait until I bite you again.” He pulled on the leash and headed down the hall to the parking lot. Winston dragged him straight to his car.
    Hell, maybe the dog was smarter than he looked, because he sure was one ugly dog. His nose was smashed in, his jowls hung, and he snorted when he breathed. A small patch of light brown covered one eye, but other than that, the dog was white. And that tail. A dog should have a proper tail.
    Jack opened the back door, but the dog just sat there. “You got in before. In, Winston.” Jack snapped his fingers, jerked on the leash, but the dog wouldn't budge. He could pick the animal up, but that was getting closer than he was prepared to be. Once bitten, twice shy.
    Winston stood and pulled him around the car. Christ, the dog was strong. They reached the passenger side, and the dog sat at the front door.
    “Oh, no. You are not sitting in the front seat with me.” Jack folded his arms across his chest, determined to make a stand, but a glance at his watch told him he was just wasting precious time.
    With a growl of his own, Jack opened the door. Winston jumped in and settled into the seat. Jack shut the door, went around the car, and got in. He pulled out of the lot, and headed toward city hall. There was a burger fast-food place on the way there and fifteen minutes left to get it, eat it, and be in the mayor's office.
    He stopped at the order board. “One burger, all the way, and a coffee, black.”
    Woof.
    Jack looked at Winston. “Ed— ” Shit. He gave up. “Edward said no table scraps. You're on a diet.”
    Woof.
    “Add a burger, plain.” Jack rubbed his temple. This took the cake. Ordering fast food for a dog.
    “Will that be all?”
    “That's it.”
    “Five oh three. Pull to the first window to pay.”
    Jack pulled up, paid the young lady, got his receipt, and pulled up to the second window for the food. Winston leaned across Jack's body, sniffing the air. Then he put his paws on Jack's leg and strained toward the window. Christ, even though the dog was small, he weighed a ton.
    “Get off me, Winston,” Jack growled and pushed him back with his elbow.
    The manager of the restaurant grinned at him. “Cute dog, Chief. Is he new on the force?”
    “No,” Jack replied. He took the bag and the coffee, nodded, and pulled away. He sat the coffee in the holder. “Now, sit there and be good.” He took a burger out of the bag, opened the paper, and put it on the seat next to the dog. The animal lay down and began eating.
    Jack opened his sandwich and ate it in about four bites, washing the last bite down with a sip of coffee. He hadn't realized how hungry he was until he'd smelled the food. They pulled up to city hall and he parked, then watched Winston lick the paper wrapper spotless, slobbering all over the seat.
    Jack had two minutes