Chapter 1 - THE COLLARS IN VIVIAN’S TOTE.
Piper’s carrier stayed flat on the velvet bench as Officer Reed stepped between Maya and Vivian.
“Release it, ma’am.”
Vivian let go. Grant entered behind him and placed a sealed folder in Maya’s hands.
“Chairwoman Carter, her termination and trespass notice are signed.”
Vivian’s jeweled face went blank.
“You are the chairwoman?”
“You tried to steal from a resident in my building.”
Maya opened the carrier, and Piper climbed safely into her arms. Then Vivian grabbed her tote. Worn pet collars spilled across the marble.
Reed compared their tags with several missing-pet reports.
“These belong to animals whose owners were later evicted.”
Vivian called it a misunderstanding involving abandoned pets.
Maya held Piper closer.
“People with low incomes do not abandon family just because you prefer their apartments empty.”
Grant opened the second folder.
May you like
The first collar belonged to Mrs. Alvarez, an elderly tenant declared dead three months earlier.
She had paid rent that morning.
