Cade hopped to the bed and sat down, planning what he was going to say and do when he came face to face with Stubbs. The first thing he had to do though, was find enough money to pay for whatever he ended up with. He opened his bedside cabinet and took out the old cigar box his father had left lying around one day. There had been one cigar in it and Cade had stolen it, pleading ignorance when the old man came looking for it.
He had smoked the cigar behind the barn with a couple of mates, making themselves horribly ill in the process. Now he kept his spare cash in it. Spare cash that was fast becoming his only cash. He sorted through the notes and laid out two hundred dollars by his phone. If the guy he was going to see didn't like the lure of cash under his nose, Cade was going to be in trouble.
* * *
Cade drove sedately down the rutted driveway and parked beside the barn Rooney had described. He pushed the record button on his phone and clipped it into his front pocket careful to make sure the camera eye was pointing out.
Before he could get out, a rough voice called out. "What do you want?"
Cade opened the door and put on his best star quality smile. "Mr Stubbs, my name is Cade Williams." He struggled to stand and reached in for his crutches. "My sister got a pup off you yesterday, you know Rooney, the vet. Well, it seems to me you are the man to come to for animals and, since we are both local, it makes sense to come here before I do the rounds of the pet shops." He held out his hand, keeping the smile on his face from slipping as the dirty fist headed his way.
Mr Stubbs grabbed his hand and shook it. "No point going to the shops, they get all their animals from me anyway." He looked Cade up and down, frowning. "What do you want a dog for anyway? I thought you were some big football star or something." With his hands jammed into his dirty overalls, he stood back and eyed Cade off, waiting for an answer.
"Yeah, well it's like this. As you can see, I've had a pretty major injury. Fact is, I doubt I’ll ever play again. So I'm looking for a little companionship and Rooney seems to think you might have something to suit me."
"Perhaps I do. Don't normally do business this way though." He squinted against the morning sun and shrugged his shoulders. "You won't be wanting a receipt for this dog, would you?"
"No, not all. I'm sure we can come up with a cash price that will suit the both of us."
"Follow me then."
Mr Stubbs walked past the barn with Cade following him.
The stench made Cade's eyes water and he almost gagged. When his eyes adjusted to the darkness of the shed, he looked around. Cages lined every wall, and in each of those cages were dogs with puppies of all ages and breeds. No wonder Rooney lost it last night. This is disgusting.
"What are you looking for exactly?"
"Not really sure. I'll know it when I see it. You understand I'm sure, Mr Stubbs. I want the animal that tugs at my heartstrings." All of these poor little buggers are doing that. If you could show me everything you have available, I would appreciate it." It'll give me a chance to video everything too. The more evidence I have against you, buddy, the happier I'll be.
Mr Stubbs muttered and slowly walked the length of the building.
When they got to the end, Cade noticed another door. "Are there more in there?"
"Nothing in here suit you, then?" He looked annoyed and Cade's chest tightened.
"Actually, I'm not too sure. Nothing has really said 'Take me home,' just yet. If you wouldn't mind?"
He pushed open the door and walked in with Cade behind him.
Cade made sure to walk the length of this building too, videoing both sides of the barn. A whimper caught his attention and he went to investigate what was in the dark corner amongst empty feed sacks and cardboard boxes. Tied with a piece of hay baling twine, a small collie lay in the dirt. He reached out a hand and it backed away, cowering in the corner.
"That one's not for sale."
"Why not?" Cade held out his hand and whispered to the dog. It sniffed his fingers and a small pink tongue risked a quick swipe against his skin.
"Past her use by date. Didn't get in pup for the second time. Going to shoot her later, got no time for dogs that don't earn their keep."
"This is the one I want." Cade stood and turned to Mr Stubbs.
"Not getting it for free, if that's what you're thinking. I've had to feed and look after it until now, should give me something for it."
Cade reached into his pants pocket. "I have two hundred dollars here, take it or leave it."
A grubby hand snaked out and grabbed the notes. "Don't go thinking you'll get any refunds for that money either. Buyer beware."
"I appreciate your help, Mr Stubbs. I wonder if you would be kind enough to give me a hand out to my car with her, though? I'd hate to get tangled in her on the way out. I'm sure you understand."
Cade stood back while Mr Stubbs untied the dog and dragged her out of the barn. The walk past all of the undernourished and dirty animals just about broke his heart, but he was on a mission and had to get to Rooney before they took the next step.
Mr Stubbs opened the car door and pushed the dog inside, slamming it before the terrified animal could slink back out.
Cade lifted his
