“We need to find the crime scene before the rain washes everything away,” Vance said, turning to the Animal Control officer who was still waiting by the desk. “Can we use the dog to track back?” It took three people to put a tracking harness over Valorian’s broad chest. The moment the leather straps tightened, the pit bull let out a terrifying, throat-rattling snarl, his eyes darting wildly toward the sleeping girl’s bed.
He began to thrash, terrified they were separating him from his charge. “Wait, let me,” Elena pleaded. She stepped into his field of vision, placing both hands firmly on his massive, blocky head. She pressed her forehead against his wet nose. “Listen to me, Valorian,” she whispered desperately, ignoring the fearful gasps of the nurses behind her. “Go find who did this to her. Go get them, boy. Then you come right back to us. I promise she’ll be here.”
The dog stopped thrashing. He looked deep into Elena’s eyes, gave a single, firm thump of his tail against the floor, and allowed the detectives to lead him out.