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“We’ve had some issues over the past few weeks, some animals killed.” Phoenix obviously didn’t want to say anything, the sheepish look on his face a clear indication.
“Some?” This time, I cocked my head as I searched Gage’s eyes.
“We have some fanatics who don’t like the idea of having a sanctuary in town. Don’t ask me why. There’s been two incidents before this.” Phoenix didn’t seem to think it was a big deal. “Both had nothing to do with poisons.”
“Then what the hell did the pup get into?” Houston asked.
“The thing is, most poisons take at least a full day to process in a dog’s system,” I told everyone.
“He’s right,” Snake added. “But remember, Apollo runs free on the property.” With Snake’s cabin on the road leading to Phoenix’s house, anyone could mistake it as being part of the ranch.
“Why don’t we see wait and see what the vet says,” Chasity suggested.
“Is she really a veterinarian?” Phoenix asked with no inflection in his voice, but I sensed he was as anxious as the others.
I could lie but I had no clue about anything. “I don’t know.”
Hawk sighed as he leaned against the wall. “At least she jumped in willing to help. Let’s all have a little faith.”
The sudden quiet in the expansive room made my skin crawl. I wasn’t good at waiting for anything. This was agonizing for all of us.
The clock kept ticking.
Another forty minutes had passed and almost everybody was ready to walk inside the room when the door was opened, Lily walking out first. My muscles tensed seeing the terror in her eyes. Then she smiled.
Sam bounded in her direction, but she put her hand out, palm down, whispering words to him and within seconds, he eased onto his haunches.
“Apollo should be just fine, but Wren made contact with the emergency vet who’s making a special house call, so the pup doesn’t need to be moved. I don’t feel comfortable without having a licensed veterinarian signing off,” she told everyone, gently placing her hand on Snake’s arm.
“What the hell happened?” he growled.
“It was definitely a poison of some kind. I induced vomiting so his stomach contents will need to be tested. Right now, he’s on activated charcoal, but his vitals are a little shaky. Tonight is the real test.” She was more authoritative than I’d heard, confident with her diagnosis. “If he continues to improve, we’ll be out of the woods in the morning.”
“Can we see him, Doc?” Snake asked, his tone full of hope.
“Yes. I know he’d like that. But he does need his rest.”
“A large dose?” Phoenix asked as he walked closer.
Lily thought about his question. “Likely, given the violence of his seizures. If you use rat poisoning anywhere on the property, I’d discontinue. I’d also comb the area where you think he went.”
“I heard the yelp. Somebody hurt him on purpose,” Snake snarled.
“It doesn’t happen that fast. It takes at least a full day to manifest any symptoms. Was he lethargic at all before this?”
Snake looked at the other girl before nodding. “Yeah, he didn’t eat his breakfast, which wasn’t like him.”
“Then I don’t think it happened when he ran away. Anyway, I did what I could.”
“She did fucking great,” Wren piped in as she leaned against the doorway of the examination room. “Lily knew exactly what to do. How many classes do you have left before you’re licensed?”
“Three but I don’t think it’s going to happen.” The sadness in her voice was filled with regret, which made my blood boil. Someone had kept her from doing what she loved.
“If it’s about the money, we’ll pay for it if you’ll promise to work here.” Wren continued to push, which was her personality to a T.
“I can’t… I mean I don’t…” Lily was flabbergasted, instantly searching for me in the room, all her self-confidence fading.
“She refuses to take any handouts,” I answered for her, moving in her direction.
