A ruse.

Frank picked up the puppy and stepped out onto his patio.

"Is this yours?" he snarled, holding the dog, ignoring it's attempts to playfully lick his fingers.

"Baxter! Don't hurt Baxter! Please!"

"I'm not gonna hurt him, but he came in and pissed on my floor! You gotta have better control of him!"

"He's just a puppy! Please don't hurt him!"

"Here he is, safe and sound and happy!" Frank said, handing the puppy to her and smiling as she cuddled him. "If he's not housebroken you've gotta pay more attention, not just yap on your phone."

"I heard you! You said you were going to skin him! You're so mean!"

"He's still got his skin. He's a nice dog, just a messy one. You can't let him wander around pissing anywhere he wants."

She looked reproachfully at Frank, cuddling her puppy. "Did he really pee on your rug?"

"Come look," Frank said, gesturing her inside and pointing to the wet stain.

"Oh My God! I'm So Sorry! Baxter, you bad puppy! Look...I'll clean it up...ok? I'm really sorry...He's just a puppy.."

"I know...It's not a big deal. I was just surprised. My name's Frank Castillo," he said, holding out his hand.

"Letitia Pettis…I'm so sorry about Baxter! Let me clean it up!"

"Tell you what, I kind of over reacted. Caught by surprise and all that. Why don't we have some lemonade or iced tea and Baxter can have some water? Let's start over." Frank smiled at the young woman, who looked at him doubtfully for a moment, then smiled.

"Iced tea would be nice! I'm so sorry about Baxter! You're a bad puppy to pee on Mr. Castillo's carpet! Naughty Baxter!"

Frank smiled to himself as he turned away and poured two glasses of iced tea, dosing them liberally with the ****. Handing one to Letitia, he clinked glasses with her and took a generous swig, gesturing her to a seat with a smile that disguised his predatory intent.