Page 15 of Special Agent Joseph

“Of course, sir. Should I come find you?”

Not really paying attention, Vinnie threw a reply over his shoulder before he left the room. “Of course.”

Yes! You’ve just given me permission to be in your part of the house.

Chapter Ten

Upon arriving back from FBI headquarters, Joe went through all his latest bank records looking for one thing, a charge from a vet’s office. Finding it, he read the name of the place and soon had the phone number.

“It’s Jospeh Marcus. I’m enquiring about a dog I brought in about a month ago.” Hearing from Vinnie that this dog was a beloved pet, he looked forward to meeting up with him again.

“Yes, Mr. Marcus. We’ve been expecting your call. Jack’s ribs are healed now, and he’s well enough to return home as soon as possible.”

“Thank you. I’ll pick him up shortly.”

“Please do.”

Whoa! That sounds ominous.Driving his banged-up Lexus sports car, he headed to the fancy facility where his animal had been kept, wondering all along if the dog would recognize him. Strangely, when he thought of dogs it made him smile, which had him believing he loved these animals.

Though he had no recall of owning one, it made him happy to know he did. Once he arrived, the woman at the front desk did not repeat his greeting. Rather, she nodded sternly. Then in a harsh tone, she demanded he wait while she had his property fetched.

A short while later, a stocky, pale-faced vet appeared. “Hi there, Mr. Marcus. You must be here to pick up Jack. We’re all thrilled and relieved he’s better and leaving us.”

“Oh… why’s that?”

“You know him, in fact you warned us about him.” When the vet didn’t see any sort of understanding on Joe’s face he continued, “You told us he didn’t like anyone in his space, and you were correct. Seems to have a personality problem. Did you bring his muzzle?”

“Excuse me? A muzzle? I don’t understand.”

“Well, like you said yourself, it’s necessary because the dog’s a vicious killer. We’ve all had to be very careful when working with him. After the second time he tried to attack one of our workers, we’ve kept him sedated.”

Joe took a moment to acknowledge the words.Vicious killer? What the hell breed of dog was this Jack?In the meantime, the vet reached for a package holding a muzzle and held it up. “We’ll just add this to your bill.”

“Right. Fine. Do you want me to come and get him?”

“No, we have him separated. I’ll get him for you.”

While he waited, concentrating on the vet’s words, he didn’t pay attention when the door opened and a man entered, holding a leash attached to a huge, brown-colored Pitbull. Standing aside, Joe gave them room to approach the counter. Just then the vet returned with a large, black and tan colored German Shepherd wearing a muzzle, stumbling slightly, and looking dazed.

Before anyone knew what was about to happen, the Pitbull let out a ferocious growl and flew at the incoming dog with full intentions of attacking the animal. Without hesitation, Joe dove in between them, managing to grab the neck of the Pitbull and hold it away from Jack, taking the blow and getting slashed by the teeth meant to hurt the German Shepherd.

With blood pouring down his arm, he punched at the attacker’s head, forcing it away within inches of the teeth digging into Jack’s neck. By then the astonished dog owner managed to yank hard enough on the leash and haul the growling menace away.

“Bruno. Stand down. Oh my God, I’m so sorry. Bruno’s never acted this way before.”

The vet swore, his expression of fury meant to intimidate. Making a point, he shook Jack’s lead. “Thisgoddamn dog has been nothing but trouble since you brought him here.”

Shocked at this reaction, Joe grabbed Jack’s leash. “What the fuck? Are you blind, man? I’m the one bleeding here. That killer attacked Jack who you might notice can’t defend himself because you insisted he wear a muzzle.”

Sarcasm dripping, the furious vet shot back. “You don’t know him like we do.” Obviously trying to calm down, the middle-aged asshole bent over and put his hands on his thighs, taking deep breaths. “Don’t come back here. Take that monster and leave.”

Flummoxed at this behavior, Joe led Jack to the door, smirking when the Pitbull owner slunk away from their approach. Once outside, he got the dog into the front seat of the Lexus and reached to take off the muzzle.

When the low growl of warning sounded, he reconsidered… yet still followed through. While releasing the clasp, he looked into the eyes of an animal filled with hate, and that posed a question.What the hell did I do to this dog?

***

Upon returning home, he led Jack from the car into the house only to be met with an instantly hysterical Maria. “Mister Joseph, what are you doing with that monster? You never allow him inside. He stays in the enclosure next to the garage. You… you’re afraid of him. Did he attack you? You’re bleeding.”

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