Page 78 of Men or Paws

She wiped her eyes again. “That’s where you’re wrong. I’ve got a really good reason. Houdini escaped again.”

“I know.”

“This time I can’t find him, though. I—” Beth looked up at me and swallowed. “What did you say?”

“I said I know that Houdini escaped. He’s next door with Douglas.”

Beth sat up. “He is?”

“That’s right.”

“Thank God!” Beth blinked a couple of times, then sniffled. “The security guy said he saw Houdini several houses up the street, so I didn’t even think to ask Douglas since he was right next door. So, he’s okay then?”

I nodded and smiled. “He’s perfectly fine and happy, as usual. I’m sure Douglas is analyzing his poop at this very moment.”

That didn’t even get a smile out of Beth.

Instead, to my chagrin, she started crying again.

“Whoa,” I said. “What’s going on? Why are you crying again?”

“You don’t understand—I was so worried!” Beth said, continuing to sniffle and wiping her eyes. “I wouldn’t have forgiven myself if something had happened to Houdini.”

For some reason, my pea-sized brain thought a little fun at Beth’s expense would be harmless, but I didn’t stop to consider what she had been going through since she really thought she had lost Houdini. Seeing Beth cry was crushing my heart and I needed to make it better.

“But nothing happened,” I said. “He’s perfectly okay and that’s what matters most, right? I should have mentioned that right away when Douglas told me had Houdini.”

I gave her a reassuring smile that I hoped would make her feel better.

“Wait a minute . . .” Beth was deep in thought, blinking a few times. “How long have you known that Houdini was next door?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know, ten minutes. You saw me when I checked my phone. That was Douglas texting me to let me know.”

Beth stopped blinking and her face morphed into something I wasn’t a fan of.

Uh-oh.

Her eyes narrowed.

Her lips flattened.

Her nostrils flared.

Beth went from weeping willow to aspiring assassin in an instant.

Apparently, I was the next victim on her hit list.

I held my breath, confident I was about to end up in the doghouse.

“So, this was all a game to you?” Beth asked, crossing her arms.

“No!” I said. “I was just getting you back for bringing in a decoy dog and trying to pass her off as Houdini. I assume it’s a she, considering the pink collar.”

She huffed. “Fine. You got me back and I feel like crap. Are you happy now?”

“Actually, no,” I said. “I’m feeling very guilty myself at the moment.”

“Good. You should feel guilty. Playing with people’s emotions is wrong. I was scared something had happened to Houdini.”