Joe stopped, hurt. Marybeth pushed him gently out the door into the front yard.
"We"ll be here when you get home," she said. Then: "It looks like there"s someone who would like to go with you."
He turned, hoping Sheridan would be on the porch pulling on her jacket. But it was Maxine, his old Labrador who had turned white four years before and was now half-blind, half-deaf,and fully flatulent.
"Come on, girl," Joe said.
Maxine clattered stiff-legged down the sidewalk, her tail snapping side-to-side like her old self. Joe had to lift her back end into the cab.
"I am am curious how she ended up on the governor"s staff," Marybeth said. "I"ll have to do a little snooping." curious how she ended up on the governor"s staff," Marybeth said. "I"ll have to do a little snooping."
Joe kissed her. "You"ve made your point," he said. "There"s nothing to worry about her. I need to go."
"I understand," she said, "but Ed Nedny is going to be real upset with you."
ALSO BY C. J. BOX.
THE JOE PICKETT NOVELS.
Nowhere to Run
Below Zero
Blood Trail
Free Fire
In Plain Sight
Out of Range
Trophy Hunt
Winterkill
Savage Run
Open Season
THE STAND-ALONE NOVELS.
Three Weeks to Say Goodbye
Blue Heaven