I rescued an abandoned dog off the street, and he ended up saving my life
CHAPTER 5
Scout led Ethan into the barn.
He stopped beside an old wooden crate.
Ethan opened it.
Nothing.
He tried again.
Still nothing.
Then Scout scratched the floor.
Ethan moved the crate.
Underneath was a loose board.
He lifted it.
Inside was an old photograph.
Jack Mercer.
A little girl.
Scout beside them.
On the back:
If anything happens to me, keep her safe.
Ethan froze.
Who was the girl?
He searched.
Her name was Lily Mercer.
Jack’s daughter.
She had disappeared six years earlier.
Ethan called Rachel.
“Do you know anyone named Lily Mercer?”
Rachel searched her nursing records.
“I don’t.”
“Try again.”
Silence.
Then:
“Ethan…”
“What?”
“Why?”
“Because I think someone has been looking for Scout.”
Rachel lowered her voice.
“Be careful.”
That afternoon, the same black SUV returned.
This time there were two men.
Scout immediately growled.
Ethan walked outside.
“You’ve got one minute.”
Daniel looked tired.
“Jack Mercer trusted the dog.”
“Why?”
“Because Scout carried something.”
“What?”
“The location of Lily.”
Ethan stared.
“You said Jack stole something.”
“He did.”
“Which is it?”
Daniel looked toward the road.
“Both.”
“What happened to Lily?”
Daniel hesitated.
“She’s alive.”
Ethan’s heart pounded.
“Where?”
“I don’t know.”
“You’re lying.”
Daniel sighed.
“I know where she’s supposed to be.”
“Where?”
“Denver.”
Before Ethan could respond, a second vehicle appeared behind them.
Daniel’s face changed.
“Get inside.”
Gunfire exploded.
Ethan grabbed Scout.
They ran.
The men in the second vehicle weren’t shooting at Daniel.
They were shooting at Scout.
Ethan suddenly understood.
Whatever Scout knew…
someone was willing to kill for it.
