Sneak Thief (A Dog Park Mystery) by C. A. Newsome Page B

Peter dropped his arms. He stepped back, rubbing the injured joint. “What did I do to deserve that ?”
    â€œIt’s what you didn’t do.” She glared up at him, folding her arms. Chewy nudged her leg. She ignored him.
    â€œWell, that’s clear as mud. Mind cluing me in?”
    â€œHow about you cluing me in? Like how about my boyfriend letting me know that my new BFF was one of Luthor’s old girlfriends .”
    â€œOh, Jesus.” Peter sighed and sat down, rubbing his face with one hand. Viola whined and laid her head on his thigh. He patted her automatically.
    Lia sat down opposite him, her placid face revealing nothing. The silence drew out.
    â€œYou do know the pizza’s getting cold?” Peter tried.
    Lia raised one eyebrow.
    â€œIt’s Dewey’s.”
    Lia said nothing while continuing her impassive stare. She was not moved by the worried look on Peter’s face. Peter looked away first.
    â€œWell?” Lia prompted.
    â€œI should have told you.”
    â€œYes, you should have.”
    â€œI didn’t know for sure that it was her the first time you mentioned her, and I didn’t want to drag up old wounds.”
    â€œUh-huh, that was more than two weeks ago.”
    â€œAnd I figured you’d go your separate ways when the project was over. I didn’t know you were going to invite her into the dog park crowd.”
    â€œBut I did.”
    â€œAnd you were getting along so well . . . .”
    â€œAnd?”
    â€œAnd I’m a big chicken.”
    â€œYeah, you are.”
    â€œHow bad was it?”
    â€œBefore or after I decked her?”
    â€œYou hit her?”
    â€œAfter she slapped me and tore my favorite studio shirt.”
    â€œJesus H. Christ.”
    â€œThe guys were entertained. We had quite an audience before it was over.”
    â€œAre you okay?”
    â€œ I’m fine. It’s going to take a while for Desiree’s black eye to fade.”
    â€œGod, I’m sorry.”
    â€œHow could you?”
    â€œI just explained . . . .”
    â€œNot that.” Lia swatted the air. “How could you go to one of Luthor’s old girlfriends to make a necklace for me? Don’t you have any concern for my feelings?”
    â€œIt wasn’t like that—”
    â€œHow was it then? Either she made it or she didn’t.”
    â€œI thought the old man made it. He’s the one I talked to.”
    â€œSo you didn’t know Desiree was working there?” She folded her arms and leaned back, daring him to deny it.
    â€œWell, no, I knew she worked there, I just didn’t re—Look, I went to the place that understood what I wanted. What does it matter who made it?”
    â€œBecause.” Lia stood up and pulled the delicate gold chain with its glittering talisman out of her pocket, holding it up by two fingers. It flashed color as it swayed between them, reminding Lia of the roof lights on top of a police car.
    â€œIt. Has. Cooties .” She thrust the necklace at him.
    â€œWhat are you doing?”
    â€œTake it back. I don’t want it.”
    â€œNow, hold on—”
    Lia flicked her hand, letting the pendant fly. It hit Peter’s chest. He fumbled to catch it before it fell.
    â€œMaybe Desiree will want it. She sure seemed to like you well enough.” Lia stalked into the kitchen.
----
    P eter heard the oven door open. “It’s not like that. You know it’s not like that.”
    She returned holding the Dewey’s box. “How can I know what it’s like when you don’t tell me anything?” She shoved the box in his chest. “Take your pizza and go. I’m not in the mood for company.”
    Peter stood, gawping. “This is why I never said anything,” he called over his shoulder. “I knew you’d freak about it no matter what I said. C’mon, Viola. Looks like you’re getting more than crusts