Riley Malloy e-Bundle: Dog Included

A vet tech with an uncanny ability to understand animals and expose criminals. 

Only Riley and Toby, her rescued German Shepherd mix, stand in the way of the desperate criminals who obsess over their plans to murder her.

While Riley untangles the clues in cold cases, the killers plot her death.

Did we mention the cute deputy and the sweet, awkward romance?

When Riley Malloy, vet tech, eased her SUV into a spot in the last row of staff parking, she shuddered at how full
the lot was. I have a bad feeling about today. As the sun cleared the horizon, she dashed to the back door of the Truman & Truman Veterinary
Clinic and hurried inside.

Riley’s only friend at the clinic, Marcy, met her in the hall. Marcy was slender,
blonde, and tall and looked nothing like Riley, who was red-headed, short, and
what Riley’s Aunt Millie called ‘curvy’.

Marcy’s face was pale and her hands shook as she hissed, “Something’s going on. There’s
a big staff meeting in the lobby and everybody’s here, even Dotty, the bookkeeper; in fact, Doctor Allen Truman, Senior, is making a rare appearance
this morning. I peeked into the breakroom, and Doc Senior was in there with two other men and a sheriff’s deputy, but I haven’t seen Doctor Truman, Junior, yet. I sure hope they aren’t planning on cutting our hours again or laying off any more people. I know at least three vet techs will give notice today. Some of the girls have been crying: everybody’s scared.”

Riley frowned. Marcy’s right. A surprise staff meeting on a Wednesday? I’m scared too.

Riley and Marcy stood next to the receptionist’s counter. The remaining staff members were seated or standing in small groups.

The clinic’s bookkeeper, Dotty, had moved the receptionist’s rolling chair into position in front of the lobby door and had a clipboard in her hand. She
frowned and shifted her ample body that had overflowed the small seat. When the last two vet assistants arrived, Dotty recorded two checkmarks on the paper with a flourish. She was the oldest person in the office, except for Doc Senior; her false teeth sometimes clacked, and some of the less charitable staff mocked her by snapping their teeth together behind her back.

Doctor Truman, Senior, and two other men stepped into the lobby. Riley narrowed her
eyes at Doc Senior as his sunken eyes glanced at the staff with a lifeless look. He’s even more gaunt than the last time I saw him.

When a middle-aged deputy followed them, Marcy elbowed Riley. “Just like I said,” Marcy whispered.

“Everyone here?’ Doctor Truman asked.

“Yes, sir.” Dotty scanned the paper on her clipboard.

Doc Truman motioned toward the men who stood next to him. “This is my lawyer and
my…um…accountant.”

Riley narrowed her eyes as she examined the two men. The middle-aged lawyer wore a
brown suit and black shoes, and the other man’s broken nose and clenched fists
reminded her more of a has-been boxer than an accountant. Maybe
the lawyer dressed in a hurry; at least his shoes match each other. Riley shook her head as she remembered the time she wore one black shoe and a navy blue shoe to work; Marcy teased her the entire day and still mentioned it months later.

The lawyer glared at the staff, and the accountant crossed his massive arms as Doc cleared his throat. “You may have heard. It’s very tragic news. My son passed away last night.”

Doc side-glanced the accountant. “I think he was murdered.”