“I hate him,” I said to Ray over the phone. I looked through my bedroom window. Dad was washing the car, but his face was still mad. Even from my distance, I could see the dings in the car doors.
After he’d gone outside, I took the phone into my room and closed the door just as Jack squeezed in. Ray had already heard about Shadow and I told him the rest of the story.
“What are you going to do?” Ray asked.
“I don’t know,” I said. “It would be great if I could just run away with Jack.” I turned from the window and focused on Jack, lying comfortably on my bed. Pain stabbed my heart. “It’s not fair,” I said.
“Maybe the people would let you visit him a lot,” Ray offered.
I squeezed the cord with my fist. “No, he’s my dog.”
“I know,” Ray said. We were silent for a moment.
“Alan is real messed up. CeeCee’s been crying all day.” His voice cracked a little.
I didn’t know what to say. Prater lost his horse and I was losing Jack. But at least Jack was alive, not torn down by a vicious attacker.
“What are you going to do about Jack?”
I took a deep breath. “I’m going to catch that coyote.”
I heard Ray’s breath draw up short.
The trash cans stood below my window. Dad had picked up the mess, but shreds of chicken skin stuck to the driveway. “He was here last night, maybe he’ll be back.”
“Yeah, but how will you prove it if the camera doesn’t work out again?”
I’d already thought that one through. “I just need to get closer. I’ll go out on the porch and shoot it.”
The line fell silent. Then Ray said, “What if he smells you? Shadow didn’t stand a chance against that coyote. It’s not safe. Maybe you should get your dad.”
I laughed meanly at that. “He’s the last person who would help me.”
“Try again from the window. I just think—”
“It won’t work,” I said. “I’ve got to shoot it from the porch.” I mangled the cord in my hand. “He won’t get away with it tonight.”