Read Lia Farrell - Mae December 02 - Two Dogs Lie Sleeping for Free Online

even know he was here.”
    Mae gazed at her steadily for a moment, until Tammy looked down. Mae went to the crate, let the puppy out and put a tiny bit of food in her dish. Tammy got out of her chair and crouched down beside the Tater.
    “She’s so precious,” Tammy said, glancing up at Mae. “I’ll take her out when she’s done eating if you need to call Ben.”
    “I have a better idea. I’ll call Dory later and she can tell Ben. Then it won’t come back to you.”
    “I have to tell you something else, Mae, before I lose my nerve.” Tammy bit her lip and got to her feet.
    “What is it?”
    “I’m in love with Patrick. We’ve been together for a while now, and he moved into my apartment yesterday,” Tammy’s words were flying out of her mouth, but she was avoiding Mae’s eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before this. I was afraid you’d be upset.”
    Patrick was Noah’s West’s younger brother. Ever since the car accident that took Noah’s life, Patrick—along with Tammy—had been almost over-protective of Mae. The three of them had spent hours together, and Mae sometimes felt as if Patrick and Tammy were parenting her. And, of course, she’d noticed the sparks flying between her friends months ago.
    “I didn’t know you were living together, but the rest of it isn’t exactly a news flash,” Mae laughed. “I was wondering which one of you was going to tell me. Did you lose the coin toss?”
    Tammy lips curved in a little cat-like grin. “Something like that. So you’re not upset?”
    “No, of course I’m not. I’m happy for both of you. Maybe you’ll end up with the mother-in-law I almost had.”
    “Nobody’s talking marriage.” Tammy frowned, but it quickly reverted to a smile. “Don’t get ahead of yourself. I need to get going, Mae-Mae.” Tammy gave her a fierce, sudden hug. “Thank you.” The phone rang and Mae turned back to get it.

 
    Chapter Seven
Sheriff Ben Bradley
    B en was sitting at his desk when Dory called to let him know that the preliminary ballistics information had come in—astonishing. He couldn’t remember when the lab had gotten a report done a day after an incident.
    The phone call to the Nashville Chief of Police earlier about his potential conflict of interest in the case had been eye opening. Dispatch routed Ben to a Captain Paula Crawley , who said Ben couldn’t interview July or anyone else from the December family. She was okay with Detective Nichols questioning people, but until they had a suspect in custody, Ben’s involvement in the case was restricted to reading reports and doing computer research. If someone called in on the tip line, Ben could talk to the person on the phone.
    The captain had been perfectly clear she wanted periodic updates and that Ben’s job was on the line if he violated her orders. Ben reminded her that he was elected. He didn’t think Captain Paula could fire him. She reminded him that she could bring him before the Internal Affairs group or the Ethics committee. Ben wondered if the IA Department could actually investigate him. Most sheriffs’ units had their own IA, but Ben’s small unit did not. He wasn’t a member of the police force, but if Captain Paula told them to investigate him, they would probably do so. Ben shuddered at the thought. Every cop dreaded an IA inquiry. His father said they were like the KGB in Russia. At the end of their phone conversation, Ben gave her a brisk salute—for his own benefit, of course, since she couldn’t see him.
    Since it was all right with Captain Paula, Ben read the lab report. John’s shop had faxed only the basic data with a brief sentence saying that if he needed more information, he could call their office. The ammo was a Winchester 158 grain semi-wad cutter hollow point. Ben was familiar with this type of bullet. It was one of the expanding types that inhibit tissue penetration. Even shot from the doorway of the nursery, the bullet would not pass through a