Back in the shelter, amid the barks, yelps, and yowls coming from all directions, Sam explained her plan to Greg, Luke, Beth, and Sid. They each asked to go with her and she refused them all with, “I need your hands here.” No one was happy with Sam’s answer, but each accepted it because it was true.
“I do need to borrow a cell phone,” Sam said.
Beth placed her iPhone in Sam’s hands. “Too much of a distraction anyway.”
At the shelter entrance, Sam looked at each of them in turn, suddenly feeling very alone. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.” They all nodded back. There was nothing more to say.
Sam opened the door and was about to step out into the cold night when Beth suddenly appeared beside her.
“What are you doing?” Sam asked.
“I’m going with you.”
“We went through this already. It’s more important that you help out here.”
“Let’s be honest. I’m the least valuable assistant you’ve got.”
“You’re supposed to check on Andy.”
“I already spoke to him. Twice, actually. He’s pissed, but in my professional opinion—or what’s left of it—pissed for him is good. Luke’s taking him out for an early breakfast later. Andy likes the crazy old man.”
Sam shook her head. “I don’t know what, if anything, is really going on with Morgan and these dogs, but I do know that getting her to talk to me won’t be pretty.”
“I’m good in a fight, actually. You’d be surprised.”
“I appreciate this, really, but—”
“I made a promise, Mr. Frodo… a promise. ‘Don’t you leave her, Beth.’ And I don’t mean to… I don’t mean to.”
“What the hell was that?”
Beth shrugged. “Fellowship of the Ring. Seemed appropriate.”
“You are so weird,” Sam said. She closed the shelter door behind them, grateful that Beth wouldn’t take no for an answer. “The car’s in the garage across the street. I’ll drive.”