Chapter 52

Patty has had a savings account since she was nineteen. She had only touched it three times during her years at the sheriff’s office. Now, she’s planning to reap the rewards from her financial discipline.

She was going to use some of her savings for a road trip with Rufus, her English Mastiff. Rufus was five years old, but she’s only had him for three years. His first owner was her best friend. She would drive to Phoenix to see Chris and Rufus. Chris had gotten cancer and died six months after she was diagnosed. Before she had died, Chris asked Patty if she would take care of Rufus. Chris couldn’t bear the thought of Rufus ending up at the SPCA. Patty couldn’t either. Chris didn’t trust her extended family to take care of him, so she had asked Patty to take him in.

Patty was more than happy to do it. She and Rufus got along and she loved him to death. Her house and yard were big enough for him. During the last few days that Chris was alive in the ho