A Shadow in the Desert

Chapter Five

When Laurel stopped by the Vets on her way into work the next afternoon, she was happy to find that Dr. Patterson was there.

"Well, Miss Stevens, it looks like your instincts were right. He's going to be fine."

"That's good to hear. I work tonight and tomorrow, then I have three nights off. Will I be able to take him home during that time?"

Dr. Patterson looked at the chart and nodded. "I think so. Let's see, today is Tuesday, how about Thursday morning? Drop by on your way home from work and I'll have instructions and meds ready for you."

"Thank you. I'll settle his bill when I pick him up." She bent down to pet her new dog's head. "He's been through a lot. I can't believe a hunter would be so careless. Don't most hunters have dogs with them?"

"Hunter!" Dr. Patterson exclaimed, looking surprised. "Well, maybe."

Laurel wanted to ask him more about what he thought happened, but she needed to get to work. She stood back up and shook his hand, telling him she would see him Thursday morning.

Glancing back at the Airedale, she felt a heaviness come over her from knowing firsthand the devastating pain he must be feeling, thinking she was deserting him once again.

*

He felt better when the lady came. He wanted to go with her, but she always left him here. He didn't like it. It smelled bad and he didn't like the food they gave him. He would wait. He knew the man and boys wouldn't be coming for him anymore. He would have to wait and hope the lady would come back. He really didn't like it here.

*

Laurel's next two shifts at the hospital were routine and passed slowly. She found herself moving back into her reclusive lifestyle, coming and going with only the minimum effort at socializing with her co-workers.

There hadn't been any arrests made in the murders of the father and his sons – and as is often the case with gossip and conjecture, the mumbling died down and things began to level off.

When Laurel walked out of the 'end of shift meeting' on Thursday morning, she was ready for her time away from the hospital. Working in the ER was emotionally draining. Sometimes emergencies came in that she became more involved with than just her applying her life-saving skills, but these cases like all the others, were moved out in a short time. The patients were transferred to wherever they needed to go and Laurel was left to move onto the next emergency. Inquiries about patients, once they left the ER, was not allowed – unless it filtered down through gossip.

The new day began with the first appearance of pure white light breaking over the tops of the mountains. Laurel pulled the cool air into her lungs, letting the freshness energize her mood. A few leaves had been cast off from their summer perch by the sudden drop in temperature and scraped across the asphalt pushed on by a light breeze. They crunched under her feet as she headed for her car. Laurel was anxious to get the dog, although she chastised herself everytime she felt an emotional response to him. It's just temporary. He probably belongs to a rancher in the area.

As she headed out of Sage Mont and into her valley, she realized how much she loved the drive home. The pastures on both sides of the highway had cows happily grazing on the tall grass while their calves kicked up their hooves and chased each other. Groves of oak trees mixed with poplars and Aspens gathered near the river that wound itself through the pastoral scene. The muted yellow color that was quickly spreading over their leaves cast a golden hue over the serene countryside.

 Approaching the Veterinary Hospital she noticed a sheriff's car parked near the front door and wondered what was happening. It didn't take her long to find out.

*

Once Laurel walked in, the girl behind the counter stood up. "They're waiting for you in Dr. Patterson's office," she announced pointing to a door behind her. "This way, please."

Laurel tried not to overreact, but her mind was clamoring for an explanation as to why the sheriffs wanted to see her. When she entered the now crowded little office, she saw Dr. Patterson sitting behind his desk and a man sitting down in one of the two chairs facing him. A younger man stood, leaning against the wall.

"Oh, Miss Stevens, please have a seat," Dr. Patterson directed as he pointed to the empty chair.

"Please call me Laurel," she instructed as she sat down. She wanted to get to the heart of this meeting with a minimum of small talk.

"This is Sheriff John Holt and Deputy Mike Joseph from the Eden Sheriff's Department."

Laurel nodded towards both men.

The Sheriff looked to be in his forties. His brown wispy hair barely covered the top of his head and a pair of wire rimmed glassed sat squarely on his straight nose. He had a thin build with plain, unobtrusive features that gave him the appearance of an academic.

In contrast, the deputy was tall and muscular. His large arms were folded across his expansive chest as he casually leaned back against the wall. He wore his black hair longer than Laurel guessed would be regulation – if it was enforced. His strong, rugged features were, in her opinion, handsome. She took in her survey of both men quickly, but was unable to dismiss Deputy Joseph's dark, almost black eyes as they bore into her.

"We're here because we have some news about the dog you brought in," Sheriff Holt explained. "Dr. Patterson reported the shooting on Monday when you brought him in."

She looked over at the veterinarian. "I'm not sure I understand."

Dr. Patterson took over, trying to fill in the gaps. "Miss Stevens, Laurel, we take someone shooting our livestock or pets very seriously. In this case, it turns out to be much more urgent."

"How so?"

"The bullet Dr. Patterson took out of the dog," Sheriff Holt continued, "matched the bullets recovered in the homicide of the father and his two boys."

Laurel sat quietly trying to assimilate all she was hearing. It wasn't reaching her brain at the same time. "Then he belonged to the victims," she finally vocalized.

"Yes, they came for a three-day camping trip outside of Eden. When they didn't arrive home on Saturday as expected, Mr. Well's wife contacted us and we began searching. We found them on Sunday."

Laurel was still trying to understand what all this meant. She knew she was supposed to do or say something, but what? Finally, reality caught up with the horrible news she was hearing. "I guess the dog goes home, then."

"No," Dr. Patterson inserted, "Mrs. Wells wanted us to ask if you will take Clancy – that's his name. If you want him, that is."

"Me?" she asked, still somewhat in shock.

"Yes," Sheriff Holt continued. "Mrs. Wells was at home with the couples' three-month-old baby. Her parents have traveled from Massachusetts to help her tie up loose ends and to take her and the baby back home with them. She isn't in a position to take the dog with her."

"Okay," Laurel agreed. She stood up and walked towards the door. "Is there something else I need to do?" she asked, turning back to face the group.

"I left instructions and meds at the desk for you," Dr. Patterson offered.

"Thank you," she said, turning to leave.

Deputy Joseph spoke up for the first time. "Be careful."

"What?" Laurel asked, looking over at him.

"I said be careful. There's still a killer wandering around out there."

"Right," she said, feeling a shiver run up her spine.