She shook her head.
“You’re here for the duration, until something breaks.”
“Let’s hope it breaks soon.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Marshall Beck let himself into Urban Paws for what was probably the last time. There was no coming back from what he was about to do. He’d miss it. Of all the jobs he’d worked, this was the most enjoyable. The charity performed a selfless service for the betterment of creatures that couldn’t help themselves. But for all his love of this place, it had broken his heart today.
That morning, Kristi Thomas had entered his office with a pensive look on her face and closed the door behind her.
“I need to have a word with you, Marshall.”
She took the seat across from his desk. Her hands were clasped tightly enough for the whites of her knuckles to show.
“I’ve got bad news. We conducted the last of our behavioral testing on the fighting dogs.”
He knew what was coming before she said it.
“Only three of the twelve dogs passed. Brando wasn’t one of them. Tom and Judy said you and Brando worked well together during the rehabilitation sessions, but Brando didn’t show a safe temperament during socialization testing. I know you really bonded with the dog, and you were hoping to take him, but that won’t be possible. I’m really sorry, Marshall.”
He knew this outcome was a possibility, but he’d expected Brando to keep his composure. He guessed the dog was too proud to play by the rules. He understood and respected him for it.
“What does this mean?” he asked.
“Brando and the other dogs will be euthanized at the end of the week, in accordance with the court order.”
“Can the test be done again? Can I conduct it? Can I appeal the decision?”
“No, the dogs can’t be retested. You can appeal the decision, but I don’t think it’ll do you any good.”
“I see.”
“I know you had your heart set on Brando, but there are the other dogs. They’ll need loving homes with dedicated owners. I hope you’ll consider one of them.”
“I’ll think about it,” he said without any intention of doing so. “Can I still work with Brando until his time comes?”
Kristi smiled. “Of course.”
Although he wanted to, he couldn’t be angry with Kristi. She was following the rules. This was the fault of the recently deceased Javier Mu?oz and a shortsighted judge. “Thank you for letting me know.”
“I know it’s of little comfort, but just know you gave Brando a taste of humanity in his final days.”
The conversation had stuck with him all day. Brando’s final days were a long way off. He would make sure of that. He let himself into the Assessment Annex. The dogs stared at him through the moonlit room. Were they aware that this was their last week of existence?
“I wish I could save you all,” he said.
He unlatched Brando’s pen, and the dog stepped out. He looped the slip leash over the animal’s head and walked out to his Honda Pilot.
Loading Brando into his vehicle, he said, “You’re safe. We just have one more person to collect before we can leave.”
Dr. Jarocki’s Napa house backed on to Alston Park, which was a nice feature for a homeowner but a terrible one for home security. It left the doctor’s residence open to a simple breach from the rear. Marshall Beck had scouted out his approach the night before.
He left his Honda parked in front of the house, with Brando inside. He’d be going in through the rear, but coming out through the front. Zo? was small enough to carry the half mile through the park, but getting her over the fence would be problematic. Audacity worked best. Just toss a blanket over her, carry her out to the SUV, and toss her in the back, the same way someone would handle a bundle of athletic gear. If he acted as though everything was normal, people would behave accordingly.
He’d been forced to wait for an hour before making his move. A Napa Police Department squad car was sitting outside the house when he drew up. He didn’t get the feeling it was a permanent fixture. The guy made no contact with the house and was more preoccupied with doing paperwork. This was for show. The cops hadn’t bothered with full protection, just periodic drive-by checks and drop-ins. He was proved right when the officer drove away.
He waited another twenty minutes to see if the sentry would be replaced. When there was no changing of the guard, he slipped from the SUV, leaving Brando inside, and circled around to the park.