Lila was already calling down the hall. Sarah Martinez appeared a moment later, sleeves rolled up, hair tied back. She stopped dead at the sight of Rex. “No,” she breathed—not denial, just disbelief. “It’s him,” Eleanor said. Sarah approached slowly, hand out. Rex didn’t wag or flinch. He simply watched her, disciplined and still.
Sarah crouched, parted fur near his ear, found the notch, and swallowed hard. “Eleanor… where did you—” “Walmart,” Eleanor said. “Parking lot.” She forced the next part out. “He has a collar. A device. He keeps trying to scratch it off.” Sarah’s face sharpened. “Room Two.” The exam room smelled of disinfectant and old comfort.