The dog’s head snapped up at the commotion, body taut as wire. A guttural snarl ripped from his throat, deeper and louder than anything Tina had heard before. The officers froze, assessing him carefully, clearly wary of provoking a lunge or bite.
“Stay back, ma’am,” one officer instructed, his hand out as though anchoring her in place. Tina obeyed, her legs buckling slightly as she stepped behind the barrier of flashing vehicles. Her breath came fast, eyes locked on the ditch.