Chapter 46

Ivan had a hard time coming to a decision. I can’t say I wasn’t right to think this could all be a trap. I turned to the sheriff, but although I could see nothing but the nose at the tip of his short sand-and-white snout, I asked:

“Luke, what’s happening? I know you, you are not like that. Why are you doing this?”

“Mrs. Greyson, I’m really sorry for putting you in this trouble,” he replied, quietly and a little reluctantly. “I have no choice. Dogs are not very kind to my breed, and I have a wife and a baby to protect. I didn’t come looking for a fight, but this is important.”

“Do you swear to me? By your badge and your position as sheriff, do you swear to me, Luke?”

“We both swear it,” he answered, and his wife lowered the gun she had been pointing at Ivan for a while. “For our son, who is more sacred than any position for us.”

Well, if I was wrong about that, I was going to pay dearly anyway. I turned toward the house and extended my hands in front of