Renegade (Tin Star K9 Series Book 1) Jodi Burnett (popular books of all time txt) 📖

The animal control officer leaned against the side of his truck and lit a cigarette. “I know what the vet says, but I had to trank him. You saw—you were there.”

“Seems like we should’ve tried to calm him down. He was spooled up because the sheriff was holding Caitlyn back. She could’ve calmed him down if we’d have let her.” Colt clenched his fists. Anger coursed through him, directed at the sheriff for his rough handling of Caitlyn, the control officer for the way he had treated Renegade, and the intruder who had hurt them both. “As soon as we get him on the cart, you can leave.”

“I’ll need to perform an aggressive dog evaluation when the doctor releases him from the vet clinic.”

“The dog is injured. Of course, he’s aggressive. That seems natural to me. I’ll take it from here.” Colt didn’t want the control officer anywhere near Renegade.

The vet returned with a rolling cart, and together he and Colt gently lifted Renegade out of the truck and laid him on the stainless steel. They rolled him inside, and Colt assisted the vet in cleaning Renegade up and prepping him for the glass removal from his paws.

Dr. Moore considered Colt over the top of his glasses. “So, you don’t think this dog has aggression issues?”

“No. Not unless he feels like his owner is in danger. Then, he gets aggressive pretty quick.” Colt ran his hand down the length of Renegade’s side.

“I agree. Caitlyn has been consistent in bringing him in for his regular shots and exams since he was a puppy. He’s always been well behaved when I’ve seen him. He seems to socialize nicely around other dogs that are here when he comes in, too.”

“Renegade probably saved Caitlyn’s life last night. An intruder attacked her in her home. Renegade crashed through the living room window in order to save her. That’s where the glass in his paws is from. She’s on her way now to the clinic to get checked out, too.”

Concern washed over the doctor’s face. “Will she be all right?”

“I hope so.” Lumps of lead collided in Colt’s stomach.

The vet nodded. “Sounds like Renegade is a perfect dog for a single woman living on her own.”

“Absolutely. I just wish we caught the attacker. Renegade tore into him to get him off of Caitlyn. I imagine he got some good bites in before the man knocked him out. I’ll be on the lookout for any injured men around town.”

“So, you think the attacker was a local man?”

“I have no real way of knowing, but Caitlyn didn’t think he stole anything. It may have been a personal attack rather than a robbery.”

“Was she hurt badly?” Dr. Moore peered up at him through steel-frame glasses.

“When I found her, her head was bleeding. The guy had knocked her unconscious. She seemed lucid when she came to, but her arm was hurting. The doctor at the clinic will let us know the extent of her injuries.”

“Thank God it wasn’t worse than that. He could have killed her.” The doctor frowned. “Thanks for your help bringing Renegade in, but I’ve got it from here. Sounds like you have a job to do. I’ll take him back, get some x-rays, and begin removing the glass splinters. Shall I call you, or Caitlyn, when he wakes up?” The vet pulled the cart toward the door to the procedure room.

Colt wasn’t about to tell him that Caitlyn would be at the jail. “Why don’t you call my number and I’ll let Caitlyn know? I’m not sure how long she’ll be at the clinic.”

“Of course, Deputy. I hope she’s okay. Tell her she can call me if she has any questions.”

“Thanks, Doc. I’ll be looking for your call.” Colt shook the man’s hand and left the vet clinic. He prayed Caitlyn’s head was going to be okay. He had heard nothing since he drove away from her cabin, so he went back to his Jeep and radioed the sheriff. “Are you still at the hospital with Caitlyn?”

“The doctor patched Ms. Reed up and gave her the all clear to leave the hospital. We are on our way to the jail, now. You can meet us there.” The sheriff sounded pleased about the situation.

Colt’s shoulders relaxed a little, hearing that Caitlyn was well enough to be released. On his way to the Sheriff’s office, he stopped by the café and picked up some fresh-baked, gooey, cinnamon rolls and two dark-roast coffees to go. He and Caitlyn hadn’t had breakfast, and he figured she was probably as starving as he was. His naturally warm thoughts of Caitlyn turned cold as he remembered why Tackett took her into custody. Could she possibly be a murderer? Dylan’s accomplice? Maybe she’s involved in some other way? Had she really been using me all along? His stomach churned and a wave of nausea coursed through him. Colt didn’t know how to feel. Maybe the attacker wanted to scare her into keeping quiet?

At the café he ordered their breakfast. As he waited, he realized that however Caitlyn was twisted up in this murder—it didn’t matter. He had loved her since middle school, and nothing was going to change that. What all of this meant for him—he didn’t know. Could he love a murderer? Or an accomplice to a murder? If she ended up in jail, could he wait for her? Would she want him to? Colt ran his hand down his face and let out a defeated sigh. It was painful to think that instead of the two of them getting closer; it was likely Caitlyn had used him to gain information. That was a bitter pill to swallow, and he wasn’t sure he could forgive her for that. The server interrupted his damning thoughts by handing him his takeout order. He thanked her and went on his way.

22

Caitlyn sat, causing the springs on the thin cot in the jail