Renegade (Tin Star K9 Series Book 1) by Jodi Burnett (literature books to read .txt) 📗

hasn’t stopped, I can’t let you take him home. Not yet.”

Caitlyn’s legs quit working. She stood stock still, frozen by the doctor’s words. Dylan rested a hand on her shoulder. “What does that mean, Doc? He’s going to be okay, isn’t he?”

The vet slid into his lab coat before he faced them. “I hope so. But it’s too soon to tell. Are you planning to be in town for a little while? I can run my tests right away and let you know.”

“I’ll wait here, in the waiting room.” Caitlyn swallowed what felt like gravel in her throat. “Can I see him?”

Dr. Moore nodded and gestured for them to follow. He led them to the stainless-steel kennel that held her dog. When Renegade saw her, he jumped to his bandaged feet. The cone attached to his collar jammed against the top of the enclosure, and his tail swept heartily back and forth. “He sure is glad to see you,” Dylan encouraged.

“Hey, buddy.” Caitlyn’s voice swam in her unshed tears as she raced to kneel in front of the kennel. “Lehne,” she told him. “You need to stay off your feet!” Renegade laid down, but his tail continued to beat the sides and floor of the kennel.

Caitlyn peered up at the vet. “Other than his bandaged paws, he looks fine.”

The man looked down at her with a kind smile. “And we can certainly hope that he is, but I want to be sure.”

“I know.” Caitlyn stuck her fingers through the metal mesh door, and Renegade licked them. Dylan crouched behind her. “My money’s on Ren. He’s the scrappiest dog I’ve ever known.”

It surprised Caitlyn that Renegade didn’t growl at Dylan, as close as he was. It seemed to her, over the last month, her dog would have preferred to chase her brother up to South Dakota. But today, he acted pleased to see him. She considered that a good sign. Maybe he sensed the change in mood between Dylan and her.

“Okay, why don’t you two let me get to work?” The veterinarian started adjusting dials on one of his machines.

“I’ll just be in the other room, boy. Hopefully, we can both go home together this afternoon.” Renegade answered her with a hopeful yip. Caitlyn blinked up at her brother. “He doesn’t understand why I’m leaving him here.”

Dylan put his arm around her shoulder and led her to the waiting area. “No, but he trusts you.”

Caitlyn nodded and glanced back at her dog as the door swung closed. She sat down in the waiting room. “You don’t have to wait here with me. I know you have work to do.”

“Are you sure?” Dylan stood looking down at her.

Part of her didn’t want to let her brother go. It was so good to have him talking to her again without anger in his voice, but she’d already caused enough trouble. “I’ll be okay, and I’ll keep you posted.”

He gave her a nod. “Good. I’ll talk to you later, then.” Dylan left to walk the few blocks back to the feed store.

Caitlyn had been waiting about a half hour when she called Colt. His phone rang twice before he answered. “Hey, I was just about to call you.”

“Hi. Thought I’d let you know I’m over at the vet’s.”

“Are you picking up Renegade?”

“No, not yet. The doctor thinks he might still have some bleeding in his brain.” Caitlyn closed her eyes against the thought.

“I’m sorry to hear that, Catie.” The timbre in his voice soothed her.

“Dr. Moore is running another MRI. He should know something more definite soon.”

“Well, it’s good that Renegade has a safe place to be.”

Caitlyn gripped her phone at the change in his tone. “What do you mean?”

Colt paused. “The full ballistics report came back on your gun.”

“And?”

“And, the Sheriff has ordered me to arrest you.”

Her heart jolted with an electric bolt. “He what? On what grounds?”

“Stay there, I’ll be right over.” Colt ended the call.

Caitlyn peered at the dark screen of her phone for a second. She didn’t need this—not right now. She opened her purse and practically threw her cell inside. The last thing she wanted was to have to deal with the sheriff’s poor investigative skills today. Not while Renegade was going through his tests and the extent of the damage was uncertain.

Several minutes later, Colt walked through the door into the clinic. “Any news on Ren?”

Caitlyn shook her head, staring hard at him to keep the unwanted tears out of her eyes. “What’s going on with the sheriff now? He told you to arrest me? I can’t believe him.”

“The thing is, Catie. He has enough solid evidence to hold you this time.”

“That’s impossible. There can’t be evidence of me perpetrating a crime I didn’t commit.” Red anger splashed like waves behind her eyes and she flew to her feet.

“The ballistics test proves the 9mm slug that killed Wendy definitely came from your Glock.” Colt regarded her with an expression she couldn’t read.

“I don’t see how that’s possible. But even if it is, that doesn’t mean I murdered her. I didn’t.” Something shuttered inside Colt’s eyes. “Colt?”

“I’m sure we’ll get to the bottom of it. But for now, Caitlyn, you are under arrest for the murder of Wendy Gessler. You have the right to remain silent…” He quoted her Miranda rights. Caitlyn’s jaw fell open and her stomach dropped. She couldn’t believe that Colt would arrest her.

Colt took her by her unhurt arm. “I don’t have to cuff you, do I?”

“You wouldn’t dare.” She glared at him, putting on a tough exterior while inside she fell apart.

“I sure don’t want to.” He dropped his gaze and refused to meet hers.

“Colt. You can’t possibly think…” Her stomach curdled.

“I’m just following orders… and looking at the evidence.” He escorted her outside and opened the back door of his Jeep for her.

“Seriously?”

“Please get in.”

Caitlyn sat in the back seat of the Jeep—where criminals rode. Her mind reeled at the fact that Colt wasn’t one hundred percent certain about her innocence. He actually