For one breathless moment, the truck shuddered like it might force its way through anyway. Then the doors flew open and the men jumped out, trying to run. They made it ten feet. Officers tackled them hard. Shouts. Hands forced behind backs. Cuffs snapping shut. An officer sprinted toward Sarah and Eleanor. “Are you the callers?”
Sarah nodded, voice shaking but steady. “The German Shepherd is sedated. He’s inside. Please—” The officer didn’t wait. He raced for the barn with two others. Moments later, they emerged carrying Rex carefully, head supported, body slack but breathing. Eleanor dropped to her knees beside him without thinking, hands on his fur like she could hold him to the earth.