Suckers - J.A. Konrath

“Simple. You said yourself that he was always one of your closest competitors, up until his
dog died earlier this year.”
“But what about Ms. Cummings? I talked to her on the phone. I even dropped the dog off at
her house, and she took him from me. Wasn’t she involved somehow?”
“The phone was easy— Ms. Cummings has a voice like a chainsaw. With practice, anyone
can imitate a smoker’s croak. But Glen really got clever for the meeting. He picked a time when
Ms. Cummings was out of town, and then he spent a good hour or two with Max Factor.”
“Excuse me?”
“Cosmetics. As you recall, Abigail Cummings wore enough make-up to cause backproblems.
Who could tell what she looked like under all that gunk? Glen just slopped on enough
to look like a circus clown, and then he impersonated her.”
Thorpe shook his head, clucking his tongue.
“So it wasn’t actually Abigail. It was Glen all along. Such a nice guy, too.”
“It’s the nice ones you have to watch.”
“So, now what? Should I call the police?”
“No need. Glen won’t be bothering you, or any dog owner, ever again.”
I gave him the quick version of the backyard scene.
“He deserves it, taking Marcus from me. But now I have you back, don’t I, boy?”
There was more wrestling, and once, he actually kissed Marcus on the mouth.
“Kind of unsanitary, isn’t it?”
“Are you kidding? A dog’s saliva is full of antiseptic properties.”
“I was speaking for Marcus.”
Thorpe laughed. “Friendship transcends species, Mr. McGlade. Speaking of which, where’s
that Collie/Shepherd mix that Abigail gave you?”
“At the apartment.”
“See? You’ve made a new friend, yourself.”
“Nope. I’ve got a six o’clock appointment at the animal shelter. I’m getting him gassed.”
Thorpe shot me a surprised look.
“Mr. McGlade! After this whole ordeal, don’t you see what amazing companions canines
are? A dog can enrich your life! All you have to do is give him a chance.”
I mulled it over. How bad could it be, having a friend who never borrowed money, stole
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