He thought he was stopping for a stray dog in the snow-until he saw what she was hiding beneath her body

bait went into an evidence bag. Claire would document the likely danger in veterinary terms. Bennett would add it to the file as a suspected intentional placement. No one promised an arrest. No one pretended the law moved at the speed of fear.

That night, Cal did not sleep.

He sat in the armchair near the hearth with Scout at his feet and the puppies continue reading …