Paint the Town Dead by Nancy Haddock

the slide show of the dog and cat, no one recognized them. And no one offered to take them off my hands.
    *   *   *
    The Silver Six headed home at five. Just before closing at six, Jasmine was straightening displays and I was cleaning the kitchenette and bathroom when the wind chime signaled someone entering or leaving the shop. I didn’t hear Jasmine greet anyone, so figured she’d gone to check for any stock still outside.
    A few minutes later, I heard the chime again. And giggling.
    â€œGood evening, Detective Shoar,” Jasmine sang in greeting.
    I smiled as I dried my hands. Eric had stopped by after all. Okay, I did have it kind of bad for him.
    Until I saw what he’d set on our antique counter.
    Small bags of puppy and kitten chow. Small boxes of puppy and kitten treats. Stainless steel bowls. A plastic pan. Kitty litter. A scooper.
    â€œSubtle, Shoar. Real subtle.” I planted my fists on my hips, glanced at Jasmine. “Did you help him haul this stuff inside?”
    She shrugged innocently. “He is the law, Miss Nixy.”
    I rounded on Eric, but he held up a hand. “I swung by the alley a while ago. Fred told me your visiting critters were still out back.”
    â€œAnd he thought I’d let them go hungry?”
    â€œHe didn’t think you’d have time to get food for them.”
    â€œSo you volunteered.”
    â€œThe Silver Six were going to do it, but they looked bushed, Nixy.”
    â€œI told you I don’t have experience with pets, but I know this. If I feed them, they’ll stay.”
    â€œWe’ll take them to the vet tomorrow. Fred said they’ve been fixed, so Dr. Sally might recognize them. If not, she’ll scan them for microchips.”
    Jasmine, who had been avidly watching us, spoke up suddenly.
    â€œI told you I can’t take them, but I’ll put out the word.” She snapped her fingers. “I know a teacher at the college who lost her cat and dog. Well, not lost them. They died. She might be ready to have pets again.”
    I arched a brow at Eric. “Why don’t you take them home?”
    â€œMy schedule is too erratic, you know that. It wouldn’t be fair to leave them alone so much.”
    â€œI’m busy here, so what’s the difference?”
    â€œThey’re just upstairs. You can look in on them easily.”
    I had a feeling the critters would be in Fred’s workroom rather than confined to my apartment. I gazed at Jasmine, then Eric.
    â€œI’m not getting out of this, am I?”
    â€œNope.”

Chapter Four

    Jasmine went home, and Eric and I toted the pet paraphernalia to the workroom.
    â€œYou’re going to make them stay down here?”
    â€œThis floor is linoleum. The rest of the place has original wood floors that you know we’ve just refinished.”
    â€œI’m sure the cat is litter box–trained if it had an owner, plus I saw both of them do their business in the strip of grass by the parking lot. I cleaned it up, by the way. Dropped the bag in the Dumpster out back.”
    â€œThanks, but I really don’t want these original floors ruined.”
    â€œTell you what,” he said reasonably. “Let’s see if they’ll come inside at all. Then I can guilt you into taking them upstairs.”
    I gave that remark the answer it deserved: none. But I went out the alley door with Eric to find the cat and dog curled up together in the cardboard box. They immediately came out, stretched in perfect unison, and looked up at us with those sweet expressions.
    â€œYou sure seem well behaved. Time to prove that. Come on.” Eric snapped his fingers and went to the doorway.
    The critters didn’t move. Their gazes shifted from Eric to me. I sighed, made a sweeping gesture at the door.
    â€œOkay, okay. Come on in, you two.”
    The cat and dog rose as one and trotted inside, the cat rubbing along the doorframe as she