The sedan’s engine roared to life, tires screeching as Douglas threw the vehicle into an aggressive reverse. The police unit had just pulled to the curb, releasing Valorian from the back seat. The dog didn’t hesitate. Seeing the sedan rocket away with his girl inside, he lunged into a sprint, his bandaged paws skidding on the slick asphalt as he tried to chase the disappearing car down the dark street.
“He’s taking her! He’s getting away!” Elena screamed, running toward Detective Vance’s cruiser as it skidded to a halt. Vance didn’t waste a second. He threw the back door open, whistling sharply. Valorian, realizing he couldn’t outrun the engine, pivoted and leaped into the back seat, followed instantly by Elena.
The cruiser’s sirens erupted into a deafening wail, the blue and red lights reflecting off the torrential rain as they peeled out of the hospital parking lot in a cloud of spray. Douglas was a quarter-mile ahead, weaving through traffic with a desperate, lethal recklessness.