I rescued an abandoned dog off the street, and he ended up saving my life
CHAPTER 4
Ethan didn’t sleep that night.
He searched the internet.
Most of the results were old.
Six years earlier, Jack Mercer had worked for a private security contractor.
A convoy had been attacked.
Two men died.
Jack disappeared.
The incident had been sealed.
There was almost nothing about the dog.
Almost.
Ethan found one old photograph.
Jack Mercer stood beside a younger Scout.
The dog wore the same collar.
Ethan stared at the image.
“Buddy…”
Scout looked up.
“You had a family.”
Scout lowered his head.
Ethan suddenly felt guilty.
He had been treating Scout like a mystery.
But Scout wasn’t a mystery.
He was a survivor.
The next morning, a black SUV pulled into the garage.
A man stepped out.
Gray jacket.
Short hair.
Military posture.
“Is that your dog?”
Ethan stepped between him and Scout.
“Who are you?”
“Daniel Reed.”
“Never heard of you.”
“I need the dog.”
“He has a name.”
“I know.”
Daniel’s eyes moved toward Scout.
“He’s dangerous.”
Ethan laughed.
“So am I.”
Daniel didn’t smile.
“You don’t understand what you’re involved in.”
“Then explain.”
“I can’t.”
“Convenient.”
Daniel lowered his voice.
“Jack Mercer stole something.”
“What?”
“I don’t know.”
“Then why do you want his dog?”
Daniel stared at Scout.
“Because Scout was there.”
“Where?”
“At the incident.”
Ethan’s stomach tightened.
“What incident?”
Daniel left without answering.
Scout watched him go.
Then Ethan noticed something.
Scout had moved behind him.
Not toward Daniel.
Behind Ethan.
Protecting him.
That night, Ethan called the number from Scout’s collar again.
No answer.
He searched Jack Mercer’s name.
One article appeared.
The final line read:
Mercer is believed to have been carrying evidence related to a private security investigation at the time of his disappearance.
Ethan looked at Scout.
“You know where it is, don’t you?”
Scout stared back.
Then walked toward the barn.
