A cold sweat broke out across her forehead despite the biting frost. The intruder hadn't just been a shadow in the storm—they were actively recording the interior of her home. Suddenly, a sharp, high-pitched beep emitted from the console. A red indicator light began flashing rapidly on the transmitter box.
An automated alert. The equipment had detected something. Duke instantly spun around, his ears pinning back flat against his head. His upper lip curled back, exposing sharp teeth as a menacing growl erupted from his chest. He caught a fresh scent riding the freezing wind. Evelyn scrambled backward in the snow, clutching her oak walking stick.
A blinding beam from a high-powered halogen flashlight sliced through the darkness and swirling snow, locking directly onto her face. "Don't move!" a voice shouted through the howling wind, echoing through the trees. "Stay away from that equipment!"