Chapter 2 - Shadows in the Aisles
The man who walked toward them was Silas Vance, the director of Shadow Kennels. He was a broad-shouldered man in his late fifties, with a weathered face and eyes that held no warmth. He wore a dark uniform that looked more military than humanitarian.
"I believe the signs clearly state that Section C is off-limits to visitors," Silas said, his voice dripping with authority. He didn't look at Sarah; his eyes were locked on Rex, who had immediately stood up, placing himself between Leo and Silas, his lip curling slightly.
"My son wandered over here," Sarah said, picking Leo up, though the boy reached back toward the cage. "And your volunteer was just telling us about him. We want to adopt him."
Silas let out a dry, humorless chuckle. "Adopt him? Lady, you're out of your mind. That animal is a retired weapon. He was court-martialed, so to speak, after he attacked his handler during a raid. He’s classified as a public hazard. He’s not going to a suburban home to play fetch."
"He didn't attack my son," Sarah argued, her maternal instincts flaring. "You saw him. He was gentle."
"A fluke," Silas dismissed, waving his hand. "Maria, get these people out of here. And clean up this corridor."
"Please, Mr. Vance," Sarah pleaded, stepping in front of him. "There has to be a way. A rehabilitation program, a waiver—"
"The decision is final. The dog is scheduled for sleep on Friday," Silas said coldly, turning his back. "Now, leave. Before I have you escorted out for trespassing."
As they were forced to walk away, Sarah looked back. Rex had pressed his nose against the bars, his dark eyes locked on Leo. Leo was whimpering, his tiny hands reaching out.
Outside the shelter, the Florida heat hit them like a wall. Sarah sat in her car, her hands shaking on the steering wheel. She couldn't shake the image of Rex's eyes.
Suddenly, a tap on the passenger window startled her. It was Maria, the volunteer, looking frantic.
Sarah rolled down the window. "Maria? What is it?"
"I shouldn't be telling you this," Maria whispered, her eyes darting around the parking lot. "But Silas is lying. Rex didn't attack his handler because he was 'unstable.' His handler, Sergeant Thomas, was a corrupt cop who was using Rex to sniff out cash during raids and pocketing it. When Thomas tried to beat Rex into submission, Rex defended himself. Thomas had connections. He got Rex sent here to be destroyed so the truth wouldn't come out."
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Sarah gasped. "Where is Thomas now?"
"He's working for Vanguard Security—a private firm owned by Silas’s brother," Maria said. "They want Rex dead because Rex knows too much. If you want to save him, you need to find Marcus. He was Rex's first trainer before Thomas took him. He lives in the cabins near the Ocala National Forest. But hurry. Silas is moving the execution up. They might do it tonight."
