Page 76 of Operation K-9 Brothers
After filling Rambo’s bowl, she went into the living room.She sat on the sofa, curling her legs under her.Mark settled on the opposite side.
“Talk,” he said.
“It’s about Jack.”With the exception of what Jack had said to her—that was between the two of them—and his bloody knuckles, she told her brother everything that had happened from Jack’s doctor appointment until now.
“No way.Jack wouldn’t hurt someone enough to put them in a coma.He just wouldn’t.Even if he lost his cool and did do something like that, he’s too smart to just dump Lane behind the building.”
She hadn’t thought of that, and he was right.Come to think of it, she couldn’t believe Jack would disappear from Asheville Service Dogs without explanation.“Has he explained to anyone at your dog place why he’s not showing up?”
“Not to anyone I’ve talked to, but the owner’s out of town for a few days.Jack probably talked to him.”
Both she and Mark had called Jack, gone by his house at various times—Mark more than her—and it was as if he’d disappeared from the face of the earth after being released from jail.
Jack walked back into his house after being away for two days.Following him in, Dakota made a noise that sounded like a sigh of contentment at being home again.“Home sweet home, huh, girl?”
He’d made a quick trip to Virginia to see his home base commander, preferring to explain in person the shitstorm he was in the middle of.Captain Pendley wasn’t happy about the charges against Jack, but said he believed in Jack’s innocence, which was a relief.When Jack updated him on the condition of his shoulder, he’d encouraged Jack to consider other opportunities besides opting out of the navy.Jack appreciated the captain’s optimism that the mess he was in would be straightened out, so he’d agreed to think about it.Problem was, he couldn’t see himself at a desk job, about all he was fit for.
Before he left, he’d called both his attorney and Deke so they’d know where he was.He hadn’t heard from either of them since then, so he could only assume that nothing had changed, that he was still going to be prosecuted.A quick call to Vickey Boyd confirmed his assumption.
“Damn it to hell,” he muttered after hanging up.
He stared at the phone, longing to call the one person he wanted to talk to the most.No, he wouldn’t, couldn’t do it.If he couldn’t prove his innocence, he would go to prison.It was one thing to ask Nichole to wait for him when he went on deployment.He would not ask or expect her to wait around for a man who would have the title of ex-convict when he got out.She was the best thing that had ever happened to him, and he couldn’t bear her someday thinking he was the worst thing that had ever happened to her.
She was better off without him, and although he regretted the way he’d treated her, he hoped she hated him now enough not to be sad.He was sad enough for the both of them.
The other person he needed to talk to was Ron Kitterman.He’d had a brief conversation with Ron before going to see his commander.Hoping that by the time he got back home the cops would have realized they had the wrong man, he’d only told Ron that he had to return to base for a few days.Since his innocence was still in question, it was time to level with the man.He unpacked his duffel, then headed for Asheville Service Dogs.
Ron wasn’t there, but one of the volunteers said he was expected back any minute.Since he owed Ron an explanation and apology, he decided to wait.What else did he have to do?
A few minutes later, a car pulled up and a young woman got out.A small boy exited from the back seat.She looked around, and seeing him, headed his way.
“Do you work here?”she asked.
Jack wasn’t sure how to answer.Did he still work here?He guessed that would depend on how Ron felt after Jack talked to him.“Yes, ma’am.”It was the only thing he knew to say without dumping all his shit on her.
“My daddy needs a helping dog,” the boy said.
“Then you’ve come to the right place.”A helping dog...Jack liked that.He guessed the boy to be around eight.“I’m Jack.The man you need to talk—”
“Daddy was in the war.He has PS...PT...What does he have, Mama?I can never remember.”
“He has PTSD, honey.”She turned sad eyes to Jack.“He’s out of the army now, but he’s not the same.”She glanced at her son.“We’re worried about him.”
“Is he disabled from an injury?”he asked.
She shook her head.
“I’m sorry, ma’am, but it sounds like you need a different kind of dog from what we train here.”
“So he can’t have a dog?”she said.
She looked like she was about to cry, and Jack couldn’t bring himself to send her away.Her husband was a brother-in-arms, and he couldn’t turn his back on a brother in need.He squatted in front of the boy.“What’s your name, buddy?”
“Nigel.But Mama and Daddy call me Junior.My daddy was Nigel first.”
“Well, Junior, if I help your daddy get a dog, your dad will have to go through training with it.Since the dog will be living in your house, you’ll have to learn about a therapy dog right along with your dad.Are you good with that?”
“Yes, sir.I want him to be happy again.”
