Chapter 13

Laura stepped off the elevator, still recapping what they currently knew about their case. "We know Stefan Dubois and his son were estranged. We can gather Mr. Dubois and Valerie had more than a working relationship based on what she told you at the gallery. We also know Vic must have been telling the truth about the safe being empty simply because there was no way he could've known the digital code."

"Laura, does this mean you believe Vic is innocent?" Remington asked as he held the door open for her.

"No, Mr. Steele, it simply means I believe he didn't steal the money in the safe. The murder of Stefan Dubois is another thing altogether," Laura clarified. She paused to smile at Bernice. "Any messages for us this afternoon?"

Bernice glanced up at her and replied, "No, but that hot military man is in Mr. Steele's office again." She held out a small bundle of envelopes.

"Anything else?" Laura countered as she flipped through the mail.

"Hey, Laura… you know how I am about a man in uniform. How about you get me his number?" Bernice requested with a sly grin.

Laura laughed lightly. "How about no? He's leaving to go to the Middle East next week. You and long-distance relationships never work."

"Who said anything about a relationship? Maybe I could give him a little send-off party for two," Bernice drawled as she raised an eyebrow suggestively.

Remington covered his mouth and chuckled. "Not to disappoint you, Ms. Foxx, but I'm sure Eli has a few other things on his mind."

Bernice scowled at Remington before she tossed her curly hair and suggested, "Maybe he needs a dog sitter?"

"Wrong again," Laura tossed back. Without an explanation, she turned and headed directly for Remington's office, her husband only a step behind her. "Eli!" she announced with a smile as the pair entered the office to find Eli sitting on the couch and Harry standing at attention beside him.

"Mrs. Steele. Mr. Steele. I hope you don't mind. I asked the receptionist to let me wait in here. I thought maybe Harry would relax more, but he's pretty tense. I think he knows something is going on," Eli stated.

Laura sat on the chair across from Eli, and Harry immediately lifted his head. Eli nodded before Harry crossed the small space and leaned close to Laura's legs. "Hello again, Harry," she whispered softly as she scratched behind one ear. Almost instantly, Harry's tongue lolled to one side, and he pressed his snout against her arm.

"I knew this was the right thing to do," Eli sighed. He reached beside him and lifted a duffle bag. "This is all of Harry's things… a few balls he likes to play with, an extra collar and leash, a bag of food, and his favorite stuffed animal." He handed the bag to Remington, who placed it on the floor behind Laura's chair.

Remington couldn't help but laugh. "Harry has a favorite stuffed animal?" he joked.

Eli nodded with a relaxed smile. "I had it made for him. It's a teddy bear made from a couple of my old t-shirts. I figured it would comfort him when I was deployed, but he takes it with him everywhere."

Laura, still stroking Harry's face, wondered, "What about a dog bed? That bag looks too small to hold a bed for a dog his size."

Eli shook his head. "Harry's never slept in a dog bed. I mean, when we've been deployed, he would usually sleep beside me. We haven't had a lot of down-time. You know what I mean?"

Remington crouched down to Harry's level and ran his hand down the muscular back of the dog. "Hey, Harry. We'll find a good spot for you to lay your head. Don't you worry about a thing," he assured the dog.

Eli reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded sheet of lined paper. "I wrote out all his commands for you. I don't know how well you know German, so I did my best to sound it out for you too. You probably won't need most of them, but there are a few useful ones." He handed the paper to Laura, who quickly scanned the meticulous writing.

"Doesn't he follow any commands in English?" she groaned.

"He knows the word f-o-o-d. And he's pretty good with sit when f-o-o-d is involved," Eli teased.

Remington looked down at the leather leash dangling from Harry's collar when a thought struck him. "How does he indicate when he needs to go?" He waved his hand at the door as if his question wasn't clear enough.

Eli nodded. "Well, he'll start by sitting near the door. If that doesn't work, he usually nudges you a few times. When that fails, he'll tell you," Eli ticked off.

"By tell us, you mean he'll bark?" Laura clarified.

"Bark may not be the right word. He might whine a little, or he makes this chattering sound. It's hard to describe until you hear it. But he won't do that unless he really has to go. Barking for Harry is more of an indicator. Meaning he thinks something isn't right or he's been commanded to guard. Like when he first met you on the Isle. He was commanded to appear menacing, when, in reality, that's not who Harry is," Eli explained. He reached over and playfully shook Harry's ears with one hand before running his fingers lovingly down Harry's snout. Harry pushed his wet nose into Eli's palm, looking for more attention.

Laura stroked the soft fur around his neck and asked, "How often does he eat? I'm sure a dog of his size must consume quite a bit."

Eli scratched Harry's chin as he said, "Nah. Only twice a day and limit the snacks." At the word snacks, Harry's ears perked up, and he began to pant lightly. "I only brought you carrots," Eli joked. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a sandwich baggie filled with chunks of carrots. "He loves these. And watermelon. Any cooked vegetable, really. I also gave you a copy of his medical records and a letter from the military vet. He's got a clean bill of health, minus his reaction to loud sounds."

"What happens when he hears a loud sound?" Remington became increasingly nervous at the prospect the dog could become violent or something.

Eli fed Harry a few carrot chunks. "A single loud boom like thunder will leave him shaking for a while. Multiple pop sounds, like fireworks, he'll find someplace to hide, and it will be hard to get him out until he feels it's safe."

Remington exhaled audibly. "No loud booms, no fireworks. I think we can handle that. Don't you, Laura?" He reached down and rested his hand on Laura's shoulder as she continued to pat Harry.

"Is there any way we could get in touch with you, just in case we have questions about Harry?" Laura inquired.

"I'll send word when I'm settled. Phones aren't really reliable where I'm going to be stationed, although they told us we would get some of those new cell phones they've been talking about. Nokia, I think, makes them." Eli stood and handed Remington the leash. He nodded once and stated, "I know this is the right move for Harry. I mean, look at him. He's finally relaxed. He looks happy. Just do me a favor and take good care of him for me, will you?"

Laura stood slowly, Harry's body impeding her movement slightly. "We'll do our best. You just stay safe so you can come back and visit him once in a while," she stated with a warm smile. She reached out and touched Eli's arm. "We'll walk you out if you're ready."

Eli knelt and pressed his head to Harry's. "Listen, Harry. I've got to go, but you're going to stay here with them now," he whispered against his fur. "You be good and take care of them, and they'll take good care of you. Don't be a pest and try not to be in the way all the time. You know you get kind of nosy when you shouldn't," Eli teased as tears began to slide down his face. Harry lapped at the wet streaks as Eli continued. "I'm not going to be back for a long time, but I want to hear all about the adventures you're going to be on. I love you, Buddy." He gave the dog one last squeeze before he brushed away his tears and rose to his feet. "I'm ready now. I still don't know how to thank you for doing this. Words just don't feel like enough."

Laura squeezed his arm and stated, "You can thank us by coming back in one piece. What you're going to do far exceeds what we're doing."

"I second that, Mate," Remington agreed. He held out his hand, and Eli grasped it firmly. With a solid shake, Remington released him and clapped him on his shoulder. "And when you do come back, I'll take you out for a pint. Is that a deal?"

Eli gave him a warm smile and nodded. "That's a deal."

They made their way into the lobby, where Eli gave one last wave to Harry before he disappeared down the hall. Bernice stared at Remington and Laura, her mouth gaped open. Remington cleared his throat and called out, "Mildred, would you come join us, please?"

"Sure thing." When she stood in the doorway, she glanced down and pointed at Harry. "What's up with the pooch, Boss?"

Remington glanced down at Harry, dutifully sitting, and announced, "Mildred, Ms. Foxx, Laura and I would like to introduce the newest member of the Steele family. This is Harry. Harry, these are the girls. Be nice to them, and I'm sure they'll have some goodies stashed away for you in no time."