The Charm Offensive

CHAPTER SIX (#uf90b98c7-e577-5a00-bd3a-3c91258254f4)

BRAD JAMMED HIS finger against the buzzer to Sophie’s upstairs apartment. Everything remained dark inside the Pampered Pooch. The store had been closed for almost an hour. That wasn’t his concern. It was the violent thudding that seemed to be coming from Sophie’s basement. Sophie might be a con artist, but he didn’t want her hurt until after he’d discovered the truth. Even then, the thought of Sophie suffering made his skin feel a little too tight. He really had to get the woman out of his system.

Another bang vibrated the night air. It wasn’t the crack of gunshots or glass shattering. Still, he wanted inside.

This was the only access to her upstairs apartment other than the wooden fire escape at the back of the building that exited to the doggy play yard. There was an entrance to the alley leading to the yard with a back door to the Pampered Pooch and a door to the basement. This he’d learned from a quick text to Matt.

He rang the buzzer again and hit the call button for Sophie’s cell number, also supplied in a text from Matt. Her voice mail picked up. Silence ricocheted between the buildings and that doubled Brad’s urgency to get inside.

Just then a young voice echoed through the intercom. “Yes?”

Brad pressed the button. “Ella, this is Brad. We met this morning in the pet store.”

Static coated Ella’s voice. “Did you find more kittens?”

“Not this time.” Brad inhaled, forcing himself to slow his words. “Ella, where’s your aunt?”

“Hold on, Brad. Ruthie is calling and I have to answer or she’ll worry.”

Brad closed his eyes and rested his head next to the intercom, which Ella hadn’t clicked off. She exchanged a rapid series of nonsensical words that he quickly deduced was a sort of code. He admired their concern for Ella’s safety.