Page 23 of In Cold Blood

“Huh. Sounds nice. Look, tomorrow we’re heading out. I’m taking the kids for a week up to my mother’s place, mostly to avoid speaking with media and I think we could all use the break.”

Noah nodded. “Sounds nice. So you’ll be taking Axel, then?”

“Well, that’s where I was hoping you might be able to help.”

Noah raised an eyebrow.

“The way he responded to you. I mean, don’t get me wrong. We love Axel. He’s a part of the family, but he’s not your typical dog. He’s got a lot of energy. He’s a working dog. And at the best of times, Luke was the only one who could restrain him.”

Noah raised his hands. “Whoa, you’re asking me to take him?”

“Could you? I mean it would just be for a week. You’re on vacation, right?”

“Yeah, but Kerri…”

“He listens to you. You saw the way he was with you.”

“I know but… what about what Hendrix said? You know, if you have any trouble to call him. Maybe he can take him.”

She shifted from one foot to the next. “That wasn’t what Hendrix was referring to. The reason he’s back here is because if we couldn’t take him the other option was for Axel to go to another person or be euthanized. And I’m really not sure anyone could handle him now.”

“There has to be a temporary kennel.”

“Sure, but that dog has had the rug pulled out from underneath him as much as we have. I won’t do that to him. I’d rather he be with someone that he knows.”

“He doesn’t know me.”

“He acts as if he does.”

Noah groaned and closed his eyes, seeing where this was heading. “I don’t even know all the commands.”

“You did okay a moment ago.”

He scoffed. “Beginner’s luck.”

“Look, I could write them down,” she said. “It’s pretty straightforward.”

He gave her an apprehensive glance and grimaced. “Whatabout your kids? Don’t they want him around … you know, for comfort?”

“It’s just for a week, Noah. Luke was the one that took him out. The one that bonded with him the most. They’re too young to handle what they are feeling right now. And the dog, well, it would be down to me, and …” She sighed, running a hand over her head.

“It’s bad timing,” Noah added.

She nodded, tears welling up.

Noah knew he was going to regret this. Whether it was the show of emotion or the least he could do for his brother, he reluctantly agreed.

7

It was a mistake agreeing to take the dog.

Either the animal had played him like a fiddle or he was already testing his boundaries. After putting Axel into the rear cab and returning to collect armfuls of food, a printed-out list of commands, and two phone numbers — hers and Hendrix’s just in case any problem cropped up — Noah was about to slide behind the wheel when… “Axel. Move your butt.”

The dog looked at him, straight-faced.

“C’mon. Let’s go.”

No movement. Nothing.