DR. CATALYST ZOOMED IN ON THE MAP ON HIS PHONE’S screen. It didn’t show the surrounding area in great detail, but the little red dot was moving in the northwest corner of the park. That would place Apollo somewhere near the merry-go-round.

Once he retrieved the dog he would place it back in the cage. He still had enough time to take another group of hatchlings out to the sound and release them, returning before sunrise. Releasing them at night reduced his chances of getting caught.

By taking Apollo, he was forcing Dr. Geaux’s hand. She had become close to the Doyles. Indeed he watched her on the surveillance tapes at the park, and it was clear she had become attached to the mutt. Dr. Catalyst looked at his bleeding hand, the red blood still visible in the darkness, and laughed. Apparently they were unaware Apollo had a dark side.

“Apollo!” he called. There was no response. In the engine room at the aquarium there was a small access closet, and that was where he intended to keep Apollo between filming sessions. He had grabbed some treats on his way out, and now he waved them about, hoping the dog would catch their scent. He slowed to a walk, and then stopped completely, concentrating on listening. The merry-go-round was up ahead, and he could faintly see the outlines of the plastic whales and dolphins on the now-decrepit contraption. The red dot on his screen was only going to give him a general location. Right now it was just a blip near the machine.

Up ahead he thought he heard something. A rustling sound, and maybe the slight jingling clink of a collar.

“Apollo?” he called, trying to make his voice sound as appealing as possible.

All was quiet. Slowly he advanced toward the merry-go-round, just a few more paces. Then he paused again, listening.

“Apollo?”

It was silent for a few seconds. He heard something behind the merry-go-round clunk onto the ground, then heard a scraping sound and a scurrying noise. He turned the corner, and there was Apollo, barely visible in the darkness. The dog dropped the tablet for a moment to rest, panting, but right as Dr. Catalyst extended his hand, the dog picked it up again and scurried away.

Checking his phone, Dr. Catalyst watch as the red dot moved on the screen, heading away from his current spot. He hurried along after the dog, cursing silently to himself.

This could take all night.