St. Louis Chapter 26 part 1

It's Monday morning. McKenzie and Logan have known each other 13 days.

Ending of Previous Post:

The night drew longer, talk quieted as people continued with their own thoughts. Joanie sat straighter and glanced around. "Where's Mac?"

Logan stood and pointed. "She's with Edger." As she slept beside her buddy, her hand rested on his side. Logan took an afghan and covered her.

Bill stood beside Logan and placed his hand on his shoulder. "When her parents died, she withdrew from everybody. Her only friends were the dogs. She felt she was all alone. It took a long time before she let Joanie and me in. She's still guarded, even with us." His eyes met Logan's. "She seems to trust you."

"At times she does. She'll let her guard down briefly, then that wall returns."


TODAY'S POST:

ST. LOUIS CHAPTER 26 PART 1

Early Monday morning, Edger briefly raised his head and then laid it down. As McKenzie hugged his huge neck, his tail wagged back-and-forth three times. "I'm happy to see you too."

She stood and glanced at her watch. "His vet clinic will open at seven-thirty. We'll leave in fifteen minutes."

Bill held up his phone. "I know we've contaminated the crime scene, but I'm calling a unit in anyway. They can check off our finger prints. Maybe they can find something. When you leave, I'll take Joanie home and go to my office. I'll make copies of the crime scene photos so the police will have their own."

Simon answered a knock at the door and welcomed Jose and Mitch.

Jose walked up and hugged McKenzie. "I just heard or I'd have been here earlier. I'm sorry. How's the big guy?"

"He's holding his own. I'm taking him to the vet in a few minutes."

Mitch went behind Jose, hugged, and added a kiss to McKenzie's cheek. "I just heard. Why was this kept so secretive?"

Bill eyed Edger. "He was our top priority." After Mitch nodded, Bill continued, "A crime scene unit will be here shortly." He held up a camera. "We have photos and," he used his arm to point to the people standing around, "these are the only people who touched anything. We stayed in these two rooms and the bathroom upstairs. The officer who took pictures went into every room. It seems every room was ransacked. Not sure what they were looking for."

"I'll stay and make sure they're thorough."

McKenzie started to lift Edger. "It's time."

Logan moved her aside. "He's too heavy. I'll carry him."

"He's only 145 pounds. I can do it."

"I'm sure you can, but I'm doing it. It's not up for a discussion." Logan lifted the large dog. "Are you coming?"

McKenzie lips formed a pout as she sighed but followed.

Jose and Simon surrounded the couple as they walked to the car.

At the car, Logan said, "Mac, my keys are in my right jeans' pocket. You drive. I'll hold him."

She hesitated. "But?"

Logan stood and waited. "Just get them."

After the car was unlocked, Simon opened the back passenger door. "We're going too. Need to make sure this guy arrives safely at the vet's office."

*****

At the clinic, Edger was immediately taken to a room and placed on an examination table.

Simon handed the blood vial to the vet attendant. "This was taken within an hour of when we found him. I'm pretty sure a tranquilizer was used, but it needs to be analyzed."

The young lady took the sample. "Dr. White will be in shortly."

The three men paced, while McKenzie soothed Edger.

McKenzie turned toward Logan. "What's taking him so long?"

He walked over and slipped his arm around her waist. "It's only been a few minutes. Be patient. Big Guy's doing fine. He's slowly coming around."

She leaned her head against his chest. "I pray you're right."

A few minutes later the veterinarian entered the room. After he was told what happened, he said, "His blood showed a large dose of acepromazine. It's mainly a horse tranquilizer. Let me examine him before I give a prognosis."

McKenzie wrung her hands and chewed on her lower lip as she watched Dr. White examine her buddy.

Again, Logan put his arm around her. "He'll be fine."

Her eyes met his, and she nodded.

The doctor placed his stethoscope around his neck and smiled. "He'll make a full recovery. He's in perfect health. He'll have a few days of not eating and diarrhea. But sure to push water so he doesn't get dehydrated." He looked at McKenzie. "Who carried this brute in?"

She pointed to Logan. "He did."

"Good. I'm not sure I could lift him onto this table. He's a giant."

Edger lifted his head and attempted to get up.

Dr. White placed his hand on the dog's side. "Whoa, Big Guy. So you think you can stand." He looked at Logan. "I guess we set him on the floor and see if he can do it."

Logan petted Edger a few times and spoke softly to him before he lifted him off the table. He carefully set him on the floor making sure his legs could support his weight before he let go.

Edger stood.

McKenzie knelt in front of him and hugged his thick neck. He licked her face.

The veterinarian handed his assistant a clipboard and nodded. "This will have a happy ending." The three men shook the doctor's hand and thanked him. He said, "I see this dog's important to more people than just Ms. Morgan." He grinned. "It looks like he can walk out himself. Who has his leash?"

Logan petted Edger's head. "He doesn't like leashes. He usually carries his own but was in no shape to get it this morning. He'll listen to Mac."

Dr. White's eyes widened. "There are other dogs and cats out there."

McKenzie stood. "It won't be a problem for him." She tapped her side, and Edger came to her and nuzzled his head into the palm of her hand.

Shaking his head the doctor said, "Okay." He watched them leave the room and go to the front desk. Edger sat beside McKenzie as she paid and then followed her out the door.

At the car, Jose asked, "Where's this guy going to sit?"

Logan laughed. "Where ever he wants to."

McKenzie pointed. "Edger, wait." He sat. "Simon, sit up front. Jose, go over the other side. I'll put him in the middle and sit on this side. It'll work, really it will." She paused. "Unless the diarrhea starts." She giggled.

The three men stared at her.




Characters:

McKenzie 'Mac' Morgan a 27 year old private investigator
Major Logan Nelson 34 years old and an active duty soldier
Arlo McKenzie's black and tan dachshund
Megan Nelson Logan's younger sister - murdered
The Lou local name for St. Louis
Simon Knight and Sheila Logan's former Army buddy and a Lab technician. Sheila's his wife.
Fan name for the St. Louis Cardinals - a major league
baseball team.
Yadi What Cardinal fans call Yadier Molina - Cardinal's all-star catcher.
Edger McKenzie's black and tan rottweiler
George Whitney A former boyfriend of Megan, early suspect in her murger.
John Benson Man who murdered McKenzie's parents
Bill Abbot A D.A and McKenzie's God-Father; he was a high-
school friend of McKenzie's father. Joanie is his wife.
Jose Lopez his wife is Lucy Chicago Police Department undercover police
department.
Kate Hartford Megan Nelson's friend they taught middle school
together.
Donny Carlton A man Megan Nelson dated.
Mitch Gardner St. Louis Police Department detective who has
partnered with McKenzie's dad.
Ivan Smart A bad guy
Peter and Nancy Nelson Logan's parents
Sidney Parks works for the St. Louis Police Detective with the drug unit.
Mack and Helen Morgan McKenzie's parents - both deceased
Gus Piper McKenzie's abusive grandfather - deceased
Austin Bryant an old boyfriend - McKenzie broke up with him because he's a jerk.
Joshua Davis so far a nobody, but is a neighbor to Donny Carlton
Mark Young an acquaintance of McKenzie, a state trooper, and will become important much late