Dr. Holland wasn’t angry, she’d told him, cradling his face in her hands as the sting faded to a dull ache. She hadn’t wanted to hurt him. But good dogs don’t bite their owners, and he’d done far, far worse than bite.

“It’s nothing, sir. Won’t get in my way at all,” Abner assured the detective. Not really a lie—he’d gotten off easy, given the circumstances. “What did you need me for today? Any new leads, or did you have something else in mind? I’m up for anything. They’re not even sending me on any more missions until the killer is caught. Apparently I’m a ‘liability‘, whatever that means.”