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“Hello? Ms. Holland?”

“In here,” I call to Officer Burrows.

Officer Burrows enters the room, face full of sympathy.

“Hello there, Ms. Holland. I’m not sure if you remember me, but I was one of the officers who responded to your crash when you first arrived.”

Cordelya steps out of my arm and extends her hand. “I do. Thank you again for the help then…and now.”

“I’m sorry to meet again under these circumstances. Have you had a chance to determine if there’s anything missing?”

Cordelya spends the next half hour walking back through the apartment with Officer Burrows, listing out all of the items that are missing or damaged. There aren’t a lot, but I can tell each one hurts. Dale appears as they are wrapping up. He comes bearing new keys to the unit a few doors down.

Together with Dale’s assistance, we manage to gather all of her things and every last animal into the new apartment. While Dale gets Toby’s terrarium set up, I get to work on Minna’s kennel. She trots over, halting by my side.

“All yours, girl,” I say, rubbing between her ears affectionately.

Instead of climbing inside, her hackles rise, and she begins to growl.

That’s odd.

“What’s wrong, girl?”

She paws at the kennel, growl deepening.

I reach for her blanket, the only thing inside. When I pull it out, she snarls.

I immediately understand why.

As I bring the blanket closer and inhale, my blood freezes.

A scent.

Male.

Not Mine.

Not Dale’s.

Not Officer Burrows.

One of the thieves was close enough to leave their scent on Minna’s blanket.

I fold it up and set it near the front door before heading to get one of the spare blankets I saw Cordelya carry over to lay into the kennel. When I leave later tonight, I’ll take it with me.

It could be nothing. But if it’s not…

I thank Dale and see him out before turning to the couch.

Cordelya sits, surrounded by her animals, like a treasure that needs to be guarded.

The bouquet of flowers I brought her earlier rests on the coffee table.

She looks completely shattered when she looks at me.

Right now she doesn’t need the flowers.

She needs to know that whatever she’s facing, she won’t be doing it alone.