man’s arms.
Mitchell called out,
“Hold your fire!”
Weapons slowly lowered.
He approached the porch.
Near the steps, he picked up Henry’s medication.
The label confirmed the old man’s identity.
Henry Cole.
Heart medication.
When Mitchell reached the porch, Henry showed him the collar.
BEAR.
Loved by Henry & Lorraine.
Mitchell stared at it.
Henry explained.
“My wife and I raised him.”
He stroked the dog’s head.
“From eight weeks old. For the county.”
Mitchell looked at Bruno.
Then back at Henry.
“He was Bear?”
“Before the academy.”
Henry smiled
