While I wait for Parker, I take a walk around the house to make sure Angus didn’t throw up anywhere else. When I enter my room, I take a quick stock of everything. Have the books on my nightstand been moved? My bedding is slightly rumpled, but that could have been from this morning.
I walk over to my desk. Nothing seems out of place, but I have that sick roll in my stomach. I try to think it through logically. The alarm was still set when I got home and the doors were locked. When Greg installed the dog door for Angus we changed the alarm to the pet setting. Anyone taller would’ve tripped the alarm. It’s impossible. I’m just scaring myself.
When Parker arrives she doesn’t find any remnants of food in the yard, but I’m not surprised. Angus would gulp down anything Andrew threw over the fence.
“I’ll find out what his cell records tell us,” she says. “We’ll know if he was in the area.”
“Can’t you arrest him?”
“We still have to prove he was the one who did it, and that will be a lot harder if there are no prints or other evidence. Let’s see how this plays out. I’ll keep you posted.”
After she’s gone, I grab my supplies and clean up the mess. I feel so bad that Angus was suffering all alone in the house, probably scared out of his mind—and I hate Andrew like never before. After I’m finished cleaning, I take a shower to wash off the medicinal smell of the clinic and the lingering scent of dog vomit. I stand under the warm spray for a long time.
Sophie said she called him this week, but she was vague about how he took the news that she wasn’t going to see him anymore. I wonder what else was said during that conversation. I assume she left some things out, to protect me. I would do the same.
I’m toweling off in my bedroom when my cell rings. Marcus. In the panic I forgot to text him that I wasn’t coming to the party. I answer on the second ring.
“Sorry! I meant to call,” I say.
“Everything okay? You didn’t show up tonight.”
“When I got home, I found Angus really sick and I had to take him to the clinic.”
“Is he okay? What happened?”
“I think Andrew threw some meat laced with drugs into the yard.”
“Jesus. What an asshole. Is Angus going to be okay?”
“They have to keep him overnight and check that his liver and kidneys aren’t damaged. He’s so sick, Marcus—he threw up all over the house, and he couldn’t move. It was terrifying seeing him like that.”
“I’ll come over.”
“It’s late. You don’t have to.” But I’m relieved at his offer. I don’t want to be alone.
“I’m already out the door. The party is lame without you anyway.”
He arrives fifteen minutes later, carrying a bottle of wine and a Styrofoam plate of snacks. He sets them down on the counter, then pulls me in for a hug. It’s the first time we’ve embraced, and for a second it’s awkward, my nose bumping into his jaw, but then we fit together for a perfect moment before parting. Now I feel cold, bereft. His body had felt so solid and real.
“You okay?” he says.
“Not really.” I walk back into the house, curl up on the couch. He grabs some glasses in the kitchen, pours the wine, then sets a glass and the plate of snacks in front of me.
“Here. I stole these for you.” He flops down beside me.
“Thanks.” I take a mini-cheese-quiche, pick at the edges. “I’m so worried about Angus. I never should have brought him into my messed-up life. He was better off in the shelter.”
“You didn’t know this was going to happen. Have you told Sophie?”
“Not yet. I’ll talk to her when she gets home. Jared’s parents have rides arranged. We agreed that she’d come home by one.” I check my phone, notice it’s almost nine already.
“Did you call the police?”
“They’re going to trace Andrew’s cell and see if he was near our house. And the vet will try to figure out what kind of pills he was given.”
“How long does Angus have to stay at the clinic?”
“I’ll find out in the morning. I don’t know how I’m going to afford all this. The emergency fee is going to be even more expensive because of the holidays, and—”
“Don’t worry about that right now. I’ll take care of it.”
“I don’t borrow money from friends.”
“Well, you’re going to from this one.” He holds up a hand to stop me from speaking. “I have lots of investments and no one to spend it on. Let me help, please.”
“I’ll pay you back as soon as I can.”
“I’m not worried about that, but I am worried about you. Andrew is escalating.”
“I know. I think he was punishing me because Sophie cut him off. When I tell her what happened to Angus, she’s going to be so upset.”
“Yes, but she’s strong and she has a great support system.”
I rest my head on the back of the couch, think over his words. I hope he’s right. I give him a small smile. “Thanks for coming over tonight. It helps.”