Declan
"Mal?" I called out the moment I entered the house to find it dead silent. The lights were on and there was a soft hum of classical music playing throughout the house that could have easily put me to sleep the moment I was horizontal.
I figured he must have still been at his clinic therefore I placed my bag and files down by the foyer then stepped out. Malachi's small practice was in the barn just across the gravel from the house. Close enough that it took a minute to walk too but also private enough that it didn't feel like there were people constantly coming in and out of the house.
When I had first found out he was a vet I found it amusing. He had the personality of a loyal companion and helped treat them too.
It was closing hours for his vet and by the empty parking I knew his staff were gone. I was fortunate enough not to have yet had a run in with them this morning but I knew it was bound to happen sooner or later.
Hopefully later.
I pushed the glass door open and stepped inside. Once again greeted by a welcome mat that was shaped like a dog paw. The space was bright and had line art of dogs, cats, fish and other domestic animals on the wall. The waiting area had a durable couch with pet beds on the floor and toys clearly for their perusal.
A small receptionist desk was at the front and a section for water, coffee or tea. It was a beautiful space. Clearly well thought out and you could tell there was no expense spared. Apparently Mal came from old money therefore the salary of a vet didn't mean much to him.
By the way other detectives spoke about him at the stations, you could tell he was an important symbol of the community.
With a little snoop around I found the clinic area and tapped the door when I heard him busy talking. He answered with a 'come in' and I pushed the door open.
He had a grey husky puppy on a steel table, his hands hovered with blue latex gloves, he wore denim jeans, a button up with a lab coat over it. Sitting on a chair was a man with short cut blonde hair, dark brown eyes and a very interesting moustache that looked like it came from the eighteen hundreds.
"Oh I'm sorry, I was just letting you know I came back," I softly smiled not wanting to disturb him.
"No worries," Mal smiled. "Declan this is James, he's one of the best accountants in the area. James, this is Declan."
The man whose name I had learned to be James, stood up and gave me a smile. We shook hands in greeting. "Declan. The town has been buzzing about your arrival. Hope you're enjoying it so far."
"I am, thank you. It's beautiful," it was the polite thing to say.
"I know it's an adjustment but trust me. Once you get used to the fresh air and quiet. You won't want to go anywhere else," he chuckled. "Shame that you had to come here in the worst circumstances. The town ain't been the same since Gedaliah died. Been riddled with crime since."
"Gedaliah?" I raised my eyebrows and looked at Mal for some form of explanation.
"Gedaliah was the local chief for the reserves. He served as Mayor for quite some time. He died last year from a heart attack."
"He knew how to keep order in the town damn well," James nodded in agreement, "Boggs is doing great but he doesn't know the people the way Gedaliah did. Since news came that you were willing to come down it spread some hope again. Hopefully it will knock some sense into people."
"I hope so too," I nodded feeling the pressure start to kick in.
"I'm all done," Mal cooed as he lifted the little husky up that let out a yelp in the form of a bark. "He's all vaccinated and ready to take on the world. Just bring him back in two months for another check up and then he'll be good enough for yearly vaccinations."
"Thank you," James beamed as he took the little husky in his hands and pressed a kiss to the top of the dog's head. "Is Kate still here?"
Mal waved his hand dismissively before he took his gloves off, "on the house. Nacho here snuck his way into my little heart." He winked at the dog who let out a yelp again.
"Thank you Malachi. Pop over some time for dinner. We'd love to have you over," he beamed.
"Any time." He quickly turned his attention to me. "I'm just quickly going to walk James out."
"No problem," I went over to the chair James had occupied just earlier and sat down.
They went out after James and I had exchanged a goodbye. Moments later Mal was back and peeled off his lab coat and hung it up on a coat stand. "How was your first day at work?"
"Tiring," I yawned, "but good. The team was nice."
"That's good to hear," he chuckled. "I was thinking of ordering a pizza in. I had kittens come in today and they just bled me dry."
"I don't know how you do it," I snickered. "It's hard to be a doctor for little things that can't talk."
"I think they do. They always just look me in the eye and tell me 'I'm not really sick I just want attention from mommy'," that made us both laugh as he quickly cleaned up and we left the clinic. He locked up as I looked around and narrowed my eyes when I remembered that I didn't see a car nearby.
"Where did James go? I didn't see his car."
"Oh he likes to park a little distance off. His car is far too low for the gravel," he explained.
I nodded in response. I probably didn't notice it when I was driving down.